DIY Deck

[BigV]

Ok, some updates:


So, here is the first wheelbarrow load of gravel I dumped into the frame. I want to offer a word of thanks to xoB for helping me with the idea of the blocks as a ramp. I got the idea from his help on an old thread about my car ramps. Still, I hadn't forgotten. Thanks xoB!





Anyhow, DUMP!





More dumping.





Lots more dumping and screeding and tamping. Looks good doesn't it?!

[BigV]

This is what remained in the truck by the time I'd broken the wheelbarrow. You can see the bucket; it took about four buckets to make a wheelbarrow full. I don't remember exactly, but I might have loaded five buckets into the wheelbarrow--not sure--might have just been tired and frustrated. That ramp, ingenious though it may be, is not a smooth run up to the top of the frame.

No pictures of the crash or the cursing. The wreck of the wheelbarrow is on the side yard, waiting the installation of the already purchased replacement parts.





This bay shows the little patches of hardware cloth I tacked to the inside of the frames to hold the gravel inside the frame. I feel gratified that my intuition made real performed so well. It does exactly what I intended.





So here is another shot at a different section (and a wider shot of the same location) that shows how well the wire mesh works. When it's installed, that is. The little section on the left I'd overlooked an it's about an inch wide, I didn't see it from the inside, didn't cover it, and look, it leaks. I think once the gravel is tamped solid and locks in place the leak will stop. This sharp edged gravel does lock in very, very nicely.

[BigV]

Ok, a couple pics that are not strictly images of the construction.

This hurts.





This is a sketch I used to try to figure out if 8 ft boards will suffice across the width of the deck.

Turns out, math says it will. Yay!

[BigV]

No pics tonight, you're welcome.

What's making me happy tonight?

I installed the first seventeen deck boards tonight.
I just finished, good night now.

[Griff]

oooo nice bruise

[BigV]

Originally Posted by Griff

oooo nice bruise

heh, thanks. That's a little reminder from the crash of the wheelbarrow. The wheelbarrow was a write-off, I have a new one already. The right hand was repaired and is back in regular service.

As for tonight, I'm still installing deckboards. I'm really, really stoked. I'm having another episode of moving my construction materials out of my work area to install the same materials. It's raining now, but not cold, so I'm working working working. The more deck boards I install the fewer I have to keep moving around. And the next batch will have clean dry DECK to rest on while I install them one by one in the uncovered part of the deck.

I'm only here because I came in to plug in some rechargable electronics I use out on the deck for entertainment while I work.

Anyhow, more pics later, after the boards are installed!!

[BigV]

eleven and a half more boards installed.

good night. I have to be out of the house in seven hours.

[Gravdigr]

11 and a half?

Ain't that twelve boards, Precious?

[BigV]

Well Gollum, I'll tell ya.

I got eleven full length boards installed and the next board required some cutting. Specifically, I had to notch it to fit in under a post. I *did* notch it, but not quite enough. I needed to enlarge the notch, but by that time I was out of patience, energy, daylight, and gumption.

Half a board it is.


The following night only ten and a half boards, then Friday night, none.. I'd burned my candle all the way down. Saturday was a daylight working day but lots of rain, so I got stuff done, but minimal boards installed. I did buy another fifty or so.

Those all had to be unloaded and trimmed to length and stacked.

Today's work is measured in half decks.

I have installed boards across half the deck.

Pics later.

[Gravdigr]

Originally Posted by BigV

Well Gollum, I'll tell ya.

Half-a-board it is, then!

[BigV]

Daylight, clear skies...means motive and opportunity....

I'll be out on the deck.

TTYL

[BigV]

Well, that update from a week ago turned out to be optimistic.

This weekend I have done what I'd intended to do last weekend. All the full length boards have been installed. All that's left, decking-wise, are partial boards, installed, measured, uninstalled, cut, reinstalled, rinse, repeat. There are four triangular sections left to fill in. Then lots of boards to trim flush at the edges of the deck. Then a skirt of sorts to hide most of the framing and to corral the spacer blocks at the outermost edges. Then a picture frame wrap around the edges of the deck boards, and a seam of silicone caulk between the end grain of the deck boards and the picture frame wrapper to keep the end grain from staying wet when it rains.

Then..
Scrubbing with TSP and a stiff brush, as much air drying as I can get, then a coat of Penofin tinted translucent stain.

[BigV]

quick update.

I have daylight and clear skies. Out to the deck I go. It *is* cold though.

[fargon]

How cold is it? It's 33 here.

[Griff]

Yeah, winter has shown up here as well. How'd you make out?