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Cypress Columns Installed Today – Pix!

McDesign | Posted in General Discussion on June 2, 2006 12:10pm

After many hours of prep work, and lots of advice from BT(http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=73046.1), I was able to assemble and install all (10) columns and (14) capital pieces, and (34) tenon pieces in only five hours today, from start to clean-up.  I love figuring out all the assembly issues in my cool, quiet shop!

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Here are the pieces I delivered last night.  I treated them with WoodLife clear wood treatment; it allows the green wood to dry but protects it form rain soaking in – it’s vapor-permeable but water will bead up on it.  I’ll paint all this in a few months.

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Here are the columns I removed.

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The assembled units were too heavy to move easily, so I assembled the pieces on a table just beside the plinth.

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I then jacked up the beam, removed the old round column, and slid my new unit in.

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Looked like this

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Same pre-assembly on the corners

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Corner installed

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Here’s half & half

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Here it is complete

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Here’s a detail of a corner

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The bases all have an aluminum post base recessed up in 3/8″.  There is no “hold down” function at all.  I & P said don’t worry about it, it wasn’t there before.

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Here’s a detail of one of the double capitals.

Whew, that was fun!  I think I’m having a reaction to the cypress dust – I’m itchy all over – hmmmmm.

Forrest

 

 


Edited 6/1/2006 5:39 pm by McDesign


Edited 6/1/2006 6:01 pm by McDesign

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Replies

  1. Billy | Jun 02, 2006 12:19am | #1

    Beautiful work.  Thanks for the pics!

    Billy

  2. jesse | Jun 02, 2006 12:55am | #2

    Nice. Looking forward to seeing the new rail/balusters some day.

    1. User avater
      McDesign | Jun 02, 2006 12:58am | #3

      I did talk to the HO about that at lunch today.  She agrees that the balustrade needs to be changed, and we're going to look for appropriate examples.  Won't happen immediately, but eventually!

      Forrest

  3. User avater
    Sphere | Jun 02, 2006 01:02am | #4

    Very cool...

    But do y'all have birds around there?

    My majik 8 ball sees bird nests and lots of poop.

    Add ya some of that birdaway goop, or rubber snakes..or a pesky kitten, or something. As we destroy natural nest ares and dead trees, birds are hurtin for nesting spots.  I see all kinds of fun there.

    BTW Cypress is somewhat reactionary to some folks, COLD shower ( close the pores of your exposed skin) will help.

    GREAT WORK.

    Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

    There is no cure for stupid. R. White.

    1. User avater
      McDesign | Jun 02, 2006 01:06am | #5

      Yeah, I've just been googling for cypress.  It seems to be a "sensitizer", and can give a poison ivy-like rash.  I've got it across my ribs, inner elbows, behind my knees, under my chin, earlobes, and umm, some private areas.

      Lookin' forward to that shower!

      Forrest

      1. User avater
        Sphere | Jun 02, 2006 01:09am | #6

        If the rash has developed, go benadryl caps or cream.

        Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

        There is no cure for stupid. R. White.

      2. User avater
        NickNukeEm | Jun 02, 2006 01:12am | #7

        I resided part of a house in cypress about 6 weeks ago, it took about 5 weeks for the rash to finally go away.  Had it on my knee and calf.  Itched like poison ivy, bumpy rash but no ooze. 

        Nice work, though I have to admit I'm partial to the round columns.  Just the New Englander in me, I guess.

         "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."  Invictus, by Henley.

  4. User avater
    zak | Jun 02, 2006 01:21am | #8

    Great work.  Are they glued together, or screwed or what?

    By the time that wood is dry enough to paint, the owner will have gotten used to the look of the cypress, and won't want to paint over it.

    zak

    "so it goes"

    1. User avater
      McDesign | Jun 02, 2006 01:31am | #9

      They have no nails or glue, and just a small angled screw in the top of the (28) decorative 2x3 "tenon" ends on the bracing  They are tight enough to drive into their pockets now, but I'm not sure what shrinkage will do. 

      In the original thread I've got an exploded drawing.  I didn't do the thru-tenons on the bracing - I felt dirty, just couldn't convince myself it was worth the work.

      I slid the assembled units in place on the concrete plinth, and lowered the roof structure back down to catch them.

  5. DougU | Jun 02, 2006 04:50am | #10

    Forrest

    Nice looking work!

    Adds a real period look to the place.

    I've worked with cypress a lot, actually like it except the tiny slivers, never noticed any reaction but I get within 100 miles of poison ivy and I break out something terrible. I really wish you wouldnt have made the analogy! Not that they have any thing in common but I'll be apprehensive using cyress now!

    Doug

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