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As requested here's some details on the steps construction.

Hi all

Sorry for my absence and very delayed response!
Re the deck plans yes I have no problems with sharing them here. The originals however are in Microsoft Visio format (I work in IT and...

Hi cheezeegriff.
You'll need to tell us what size lawn you will be mowing and what type of grass you have in order to pick an appropriate mower.
For example it is no use buying a ride-on to mow a...

AV Elec

Have a good look around the RFS website. There are many useful resources there including workbooks for determining the bushfire threat, categorising your property, even working out the...

I raised that question with our local Council (useless) and with the RFS. Although I couldn't get a definitive answer on exactly what "attached to the dwelling" means I was lead to believe that it...

Hi oohsam

I found the sander easy to use. As long as I didn't try to force it to do anything and let the handle stay "loose" the sander would sit flat on the floor and do its job. As soon as I...

Thanks for your compliments!
I must say I have enjoyed building the deck and that has helped a great deal. I've also not been rushed so if there was ever a day when I felt like I didn't want to do...

oohsam

I agree with Larry about the timber colour, however don't be afraid to tackle the sanding yourself.
Your deck is new and in good condition so it won't require a drum sander (which sound...

BMD - the oil is definitely "Natural" not coloured. It's pretty much the same colour the timber goes when wet anyway.
The colour is better after sanding, however not as good as I remember when it...

Time for another update.

Well the deck is very nearly complete! Some timber on the sides of the stairs to be put on, finish oiling the deck and handrails, and complete the drain for the...

Looks like the gremlins got me on this one! I posted a reply here this morning but it never appeared :(.

Anyway I hired one of those floor sanders on Saturday and all went well.

I started...

Just thought I'd post a progress pic of the steps.
Not quite finished yet - I need to close in the sides.

Very happy with how they've turned out!

Have a read through this thread too - there's lots of discussion about pilot hole size, screw types, and some photos.
https://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=56136&page=3

Hi there Decker

I would avoid linseed oil - it has problems with black mould when used in exposed areas.
A lot of people have been talking about the Spa n Deck product - have a search and see...

Well done on the scrounging!
I wish I had your tenacity for a bargain :2tsup:

Hi oohsam

Yeah I really liked the colour of the decking when it was first laid and it was wet - had a very nice red colour to it.
Now however it has gone grey when dry, and goes quite dark when...

Hi battyman

I too am interested in the answer to this one, particularly how to "join" the bearers.

Re the notches in the post - the Allan Staines book everyone refers to only shows a minimum...

Ok I'll stay away from the drum sander then!

Re the Orbital sander - is this the type?
http://www.kennards.com.au/page.asp?37=1196&E_Page=2294
Or is this a rotary sander type?

Am I correct...

I would like to sand my new Ironbark deck before oiling it and am seeking some advice and guidance from others that have done this before if I can please.

The timber is in good condition with no...

Good stuff Oohsam - well done!

I know what you mean about no one else noticing it but that it would have driven you crazy knowing it was wrong.

Good recovery, and brave move for admitting it...

Ah I love that comment!!!

A few words I'm sure a few people here will read and chuckle (grimace?) at:
"only"
"I'll be done"

I wish...

Loki

Hi c_prime

For a quick calc of linear metres from sq metres use the following.
Assuming a deck board width of 90mm with a 2mm gap between boards you will need (1000/92)=~11 boards per 1m of...

The span tables seem to give you alternatives when using unseasoned timber but not for seasoned timber.

For example F8 Seasoned 2400 load @ 2400 continuous span shows 2/190x45.
However with F11...

Don't angle grind the bolts - you'll take off the galvanised layer and end up with the ends rusting.
As for them carrying weight - I think you will find you can quite easily take one bolt out at a...

Is it possible to place/mount this spa on the ground and build the deck around it? Would save a lot of hassle with structural requirements for the deck.
Even if you had to build up the ground...

hmmm...
$1500 - $350 = $1150

35sqm deck = ~385 lm + 10% wastage = 423lm
At $3.50 per metre (?) that's about $1480!
Timber for the subframe = $?

Was this an existing deck that you cleaned...

Hi schmiko

I'm in the final stages of completing a deck in a bushfire area too, and also decided to use Australian hardwoods as much as possible.
Here's a link to a similar question I posted at...

I used Sceneys Weatherproff Timber & Decking Oil on a dog kennel I built a while ago. I wasn't happy with the result :(
The timber went black and mouldy in a fairly short time. On closer inspection...

I thought about doing it that way but have decided on something slightly different.
The ends of the steps will be filled in with decking too and positioned to hide the end grain. Boards will be run...

I finally decided on a design for the stairs and have started construction.

The attached pics pretty much tell the story!
Its a work in progress with another level still to be added.

You will only need to grind an area less than 100mm x 100mm.
A diamond cutting wheel on a grinder will do this easily.

If you do it this way then check to ensure you are not creating an area for...

Just electrify the fence - that'll stop 'em climbing over it! LOL :D

Seriously though I'd have a look at moving the fence and mounting it on the edge of the deck somehow. Perhaps bolted to the...

If your concern with using the bolt down post stirrups is with the sloping concrete then how about grinding the concrete to get a flat and level area and then bolting the stirrup in?

Or how about...

You've confused me! :D

How you doing GMC?

Hi oohsam

The underside of the deck needs to be kept open. We're building in what's classed as a category 2 fire zone and that is one of the conditions (along with the minimum 5mm gap between the...

The spa comes with its own timber cabinet and they say all that is required is a flat surface to place it on. So it will be sitting directly on the concrete pad.

I hadn't thought about the pad...

Well I went ahead with the streamlined fittings from Miami Stainless.
I'm very happy with the result! Looks really good and was exactly what I was aiming for. Price was definitely a lot cheap than...

Time for an update I think!

Construction has been progressing slowly. I'm back at work and struggling to get time to concentrate on the deck building. Plus we've had a heap of rain in Sydney...

Here's a suggestion:

Posts at 2.4m, handrail 90 x 45 (laid flat so you have a nice surface to rest your beer on) with an intermediate support at 1.2m. This could be a flat piece of s/steel with...

I believe aesthetics may play the biggest part in your decision here.
To span 3m you will need a fairly large section timber to avoid having it sag or flex under weight. Image the weight of a few...

One quick tip when cutting the ends of your boards - set your saw on a bit of an angle (1 or 2 degrees) so that you undercut them. This way when they join together the top sides will butt together...

Looking good mate - really well done!
You've now got a large really useful entertaining area I'm sure you're all going to love. Plus you'll find you're getting less dirt and mess in the house now...

Been doing some fiddly bits over the last few days, and I'm now back at work so it will only be weekends from now on!

Anyway I trimmed the vertical faces (ends & sides of joists) with some...

On those wide planks you're using I imagine they can need some persuading!
I found a 2m scrap of pine wedged into the ground and pushed with my shoulder was enough to straighten the board long...

I calculated the lm of decking by dividing the width of the deck by the board width plus gap, then rounded up to the next nearest number. Then multiply that number by the length of the deck to get a...

Try contacting them direct tomorrow and ask for names of retail outlets in your area.
http://www.carbitool.com.au/

Or search ebay for carb-i-tool. I found plenty of router bits from one seller -...

I'm pretty keen on the streamlined look, however these ones require hydraulic swaging! I'll check but I doubt their swage hire includes hydraulic....

Here's a couple of pics of the rafters before and after cleaning them up.
They were way too marked and dirty to use as is especially as they will be getting a clear coat of oil.
Anyway all the...

Hi Dusty

Yes I agree about the time - I had some rapid progress early on in the building and assumed the rest would go just as quick!
As for budget, yes I'm keeping a close tab on everything I...

Hi all

I'm looking for some ideas for stairs to a deck please.
I've started building a deck but didn't really know what I was going to do for stairs. I hoped that whilst building inspiration...