My lumber yard doesn’t stock any 6 x 6 other than pressure treated which are the ugliest things for a pergola. I was wondering if anybody has tried to glue to glue 4 – 2×6 together. I have seen where a guy glues 4 together and turns them into decorative posts. Do you have to alternate the grain, what type of glue?. I would joint the faces and then run them through a thickness planner. Would cedar work?
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For exterior applications, such as a pergola, I use the PT 6 x 6 and wrap with MDO. Nice clean surface that takes paint great.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
I think the wrapping idea is a good one, too. One added benefit is if you use any Simpson Strong-tie kind of doo-dads, you can cover them up. I did a 4x4 porch post that way. I actually used 1x6s on the front and back, and 1x4s on the side, which makes a kind of neat shadow line. Of course, that's because I hate to rip stuff down. If you are a fan of the rip cut, there's hundreds of beautiful ways to do it.
Otherwise, for an exterior glue, use epoxy or that polyurethane Gorilla Glue stuff. The Gorilla Glue works great on pressure treated because it uses the wetness to set. It will foam out the sides. Plan to trim it off with a knife. If you have dry wood, I'd use epoxy because it's easier to work and it doesn't stain your skin.
Where I live there is a lumberyard that doesn't sell anything but cedar and redwood and cypress. If you can find a place like that, I bet they could get you the 6x6s you want.
Good luck,
B
Use 4 2x4 . Glue edge to face, edge to face, edge to face.
Gives you a 5 x 5 true size instead of 5 1/2 by 5 1/2.
Use a rip guide set at 1 1/2 on your circ saw. Rip ####1/8 deep groove on both sides of each face. Hides the
glue line. Now its a decorative post. Cedar is nice.
Don't need to joint it. Leave the edge rounded unless
you like splinters.
Your glue up should be fine. Alternate the grain to be safe.......might help fight twist....which I doubt would happen.
I've egde glued 1x cedar with Tightbond Exterior........just stopped by today to measure for new planters.....and the old ones are holding up perfect after a full season inside last year then indoors thru the winter. Mitered corners still tight too. I wouldn't waste the time and money on gorilla. Jeff "That's like hypnotizing chickens........."
Why are you going to a lumber yard? Why not find a smaller sawmill and have them cut you some? A 6x6 x9 foot white oak will sell here for about $21.60 (green rough at the mill) unless you are a larger buyer (railroads only pay around $9.00 each).