Thread: How would you make this?

Yes I like steel too but SWMBO likes timber got it
I can get some 4mm extra ply for $30 a sheet from mr plywood but he not sure it will bend that tight a curve (1340mm diameter) I feel it would at 90mm wide. Has anyone done something similar?

I will take on board your suggestion rustynail

Russell

I've been asked to build a few different garden structures over the years for people wanting to grow a vine over.
Only one arch type like you're describing and that was for myself and was made from steel.
The reason I'm posting is to point out that what you grow on it has a bearing on how you build it.
Once the plant has reached maturity and covers the whole structure you will NOT be able to do any painting or maintenance on it ever again.
This is something that should be kept in mind at this early planning stage.

Something like a Wisteria will grow strong enough to be self supporting, but the more common Jasmine style vine will require support for life.

As mentioned, I built the arch for my own SWMBO out of gal RHS for just that reason. (I had the sections rolled to my desired radius at a local fabrication shop.)

May I humbly suggest this be discussed with the explanation that once the plant matures, you will never see that arched part again. Timber/steel....will make no visual difference.
The fence parts going out each side can still be timber and give that timber look your wife is chasing.

and if the frame is powder coated brown or the right shade of grey, it will look like timber too

Originally Posted by ian

and if the frame is powder coated brown or the right shade of grey, it will look like timber too

Not wishing to hijack Ian, but just how long term is powder coating?

You need to remember that exterior plywood is only radiata veneers with a water proof glue. Not exactly what you would call long term. Marine ply would have better durable timbers but expensive.
Either way, ply would not be a real good option.

Originally Posted by Grandad-5

Not wishing to hijack Ian, but just how long term is powder coating?

I don't really know. But I understand that powder-coated steel should outlast galvanised steel. and for a trellis, it should last more than long enough

Had a long discussion with SWMBO and now she likes the idea of making out of steel because it can be made finer looking.
I am now looking at 25mm square tube. Have had a over the phone ball park for the two arches at $150, rest of the steel is around $60. This is all in gal tube.
Weld and cold gal them and then some etch primer and top coats.
Still might put it up on some post supports concreted into the ground.

Thank again for your opinions, most helpful as it has got us closer to what we really wanted

Russell

Originally Posted by rusel

Have had a over the phone ball park for the two arches at $150, rest of the steel is around $60.

I had a single piece of 25mm RHS (I supplied steel) rolled into an arch for $50 locally.
Therefore, 2 arches inc the steel for $150 sounds reasonable.

Originally Posted by Grandad-5

Not wishing to hijack Ian, but just how long term is powder coating?

The bull bar on my landcruiser is powder coated and it still ok after 30 years.

BTW it doesn't get much TLC

Got the arches from roller last week as well as the rest of the Duragal. Spent the weekend cutting and welding it all together. Got some good tips from another post on the forum about welding the gal tube.
In the photos it just sitting in place still to concrete the support post in, will do this when fully welded together and have it sitting square over the holes then just add concrete.
SWMBO Loves the gal colour so that the finish done. I did cold gal the welds and I will get the spray on duragal finish to bring it all to the same colour
The photos show the welding of the arch and the bracing to take out the twist after tacking it together, it came out spot on after fully welding it up.
Other photos are from the house and from back of arch.

Thank again to all the chat as it helped work out what we wanted. Nothing like what it started out with.

Russell

Top job Russell.
Looks great.

Looks great and best of all you report SWMBO is pleased

Russell,

Looks great, the kids will love you for the climbing gym, seriously it does look really good and the climbing Plants will love-it

.

Jeff
vk4