Gazebo Number One

[EddieWalker]

As part of my entrance/drive way/front pasture, I'm going to build a gazebo. I will use cedar logs from my land and then try to make it unique and kind of fancy without going frilly. There are a few things on it that I've done before, but most of what I'll be doing will be new to me. Kind of like taking an idea, thinking about it, then deciding on an approach that may or may not be the best option.

I've learned the hard way that Cedar logs do not last very long in my acidic red clay. To overcome this problem, I figured I'd try pouring concrete footings for the logs to sit on. To keep the log in place, I put a five foot lenght of 3 inch C channel into the 12 inch hole that I drilled into the ground about three feet deep.

I've ordered some Large Diameter Head Extra-Long Wood Screw Hot DIP Galvanized STL, 3/4"-10 Thread, 12" Length bolts from McMaster Carr at almost $6 each to attach the logs to the C channel.

I built five sided formes out of some scrap 2x8s that I had laying around. My thought was that I needed that much height to build up the floor. I'm still undecided if I should have gone higher, or not as tall.

The pictures show where I'm at right now.

Please feel free to ask questions, make suggestions and offer ideas. The one thing that I've learned about TBN is that at least one of you will come up with a better idea then I had, and it will turn out better because of your comments!!! :thumbsup:

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

The C channel is set so it's 7ft 6in on center from the next one over. I'm shooting for 8 foot spans for my headers on top of the posts. With each log being unique, this seemed like a good distance to set them and allow me some flexibility.

Eddie

 

[J_J]

How about something like this.

 

[EddieWalker]

Thanks JJ. I like it and might do something similar on Gazebo Number Three!!!!

Eddie

 

[wedge40]

As part of my entrance/drive way/front pasture, I'm going to build a gazebo. I will use cedar logs from my land and then try to make it unique and kind of fancy without going frilly.

Eddie

Eddie I always thought gazebo was French for frilly.

Sounds like another interesting project. I sure wish I had your energy. Maybe a transfusion. Can ya spare a pint?

Wedge

 

[hobie]

Eddie, I am looking forward to following this one! I'm with Wedge on the energy. Brian

 

[EddieWalker]

I had 8 yards of road based delivered today for the floor.

Eddie

 

[Bill 55]

Dang Boy that's gonna be a fur sized geezbo

 

[CurlyDave]

Eddie:

Why didn't you just use a galvanized post base for the bottom of your cedar logs?

I know they are for dimensional lumber, but you could trim the bottom of the post to fit with a chain saw and have something that was pre-engineered for the application.

 

[Mickey_Fx]

Since you asked for suggestions, there might be something here. This is our gazebo. 27' wide with a 3' deep bumpout at the back side that is enclosed on 3 sides. Keep my grill, smoker and some fire wood in that area. Is built on concrete slab. Has 30A electrical service and outlet box on each post. Top piece has functional louvers and does a real nice job of venting smoke from fire pit. Can be used any time of yr. With concrete slab, ground it dry during the winter months, no tramping around in the mud.

We do get a little snow once in a while and this was the worse this yr.

Keep those pictures coming as things progress.

 

[EddieWalker]

Eddie:

Why didn't you just use a galvanized post base for the bottom of your cedar logs?

I know they are for dimensional lumber, but you could trim the bottom of the post to fit with a chain saw and have something that was pre-engineered for the application.

Dave,

I considered them, but from what I understand, they are for porches where you have a building to lock the post into position with the roof. My concern is that this is totaly free standing without anything to stop the racking other then the bracing that I add to it. I have a few things that I am going to do to minimize the movement that I expect out of the design that I'm building, but anchoring posts to the top of concrete was something that I've been worried about.

My fear of the brackets is that they attach to the bottom inch or so of the post. While that's fine for a porch, I want A LOT more for my cedar log posts. I want bolts going all the way through in two places. In my mind, this will anchor it and add to the stiffness of the structure.

Another thing is that the cedar logs will be well over a foot thick at the base. I want them to be irregular and natural looking as much as possible. I don't know how I could do that with the post brackets.

Hope this makes sense.

Eddie

 

[CurlyDave]

You make perfect sense, but take a look at a Simpson CB1212 column base someday.

OTOH even that one says it is not for columns with unsupported tops.

Even with your C channel, somehow I think you end up needing shear panels on 2, or maybe 3 walls of your gazebo.

 

[forgeblast]

Amazon.com: Patterns from the Golden Age of Rustic Design: Park and Recreation Structures from the 1930s (9781570983917): Albert H. Good: Books

Patterns from the Golden Age of Rustic Design: Park and Recreation Structures from the 1930s

Great book btw if you dont have it. Has many type of structures/drawings/etc. I have it and its amazing.

 

[zzvyb6]

My neighbor and his brother handle quite a few logs for their home built hydraulic powered bandsaw lumbermill. They built a gazebo-like structure similar to what you are making. For the 4 corners and top rails, they used steel beams. Then they sawed logs in half and cored them so that the log halves could be put back together wrapped around the beams. To core them, they used a chainsaw hardmounted to the mill framework and ran the sled slowly by it with a log half on it. The chainsaw was side cutting the wood as opposed to how a chaisaw would normally be used.

When screwed back together, it looks like the logs are the only support. You would need a magnifying glass to find the seams.

 

[EddieWalker]

You make perfect sense, but take a look at a Simpson CB1212 column base someday.

OTOH even that one says it is not for columns with unsupported tops.

Even with your C channel, somehow I think you end up needing shear panels on 2, or maybe 3 walls of your gazebo.

I agree. In most designs, they use the railing for the sheer strength. I'm going to do the same with welding panels that I will make and fit in between the logs in four places. The half that doubles as part of the pasture fence will have the metal panels.

I'm also using metal angle brackets for the bracing at the tops of the posts to cut down on movement.

My concern is that with the metal panels all being on one side, that I might have movement on the other side. That's also why I went with the 3 inch C channel. I'm hoping it will compensate for the lack of any bracing at the bottoms of the posts for diagnal movement.

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

My neighbor and his brother handle quite a few logs for their home built hydraulic powered bandsaw lumbermill. They built a gazebo-like structure similar to what you are making. For the 4 corners and top rails, they used steel beams. Then they sawed logs in half and cored them so that the log halves could be put back together wrapped around the beams. To core them, they used a chainsaw hardmounted to the mill framework and ran the sled slowly by it with a log half on it. The chainsaw was side cutting the wood as opposed to how a chaisaw would normally be used.

When screwed back together, it looks like the logs are the only support. You would need a magnifying glass to find the seams.

I was at an auction awhile ago and there was a very nice sawmill there that had hydraulic everything. This thing was amazing. Kubota diesel engine that fired right up. Probably a dozen or more levers to play with, plus a line of buttons to push. I really wanted it, and still do, but just cant justify the expense of it with so many other priorities out there.

Their use of steal would solve all my engineering issues, and allow it to be more open and attractive. I'm just hoping that I've figured this out and it works. Gazebo Number Two is going in on Lake Marabou and it's going to be bigger and taller.

Eddie

 

[wedge40]

Eddie I just took notice of the Title.
Gazebo Number ONE? So just how many of these things are you planning on building?

Wedge

 

[Sprinkler Buddy]

Can't wait to see some follow up pictures, been thinking about one of those myself for the backyard down near the pond.:thumbsup:

 

[EddieWalker]

Eddie I just took notice of the Title.
Gazebo Number ONE? So just how many of these things are you planning on building?

Wedge

I will build three eight sided gazebo's for sure. This one, a massive one at Lake Marabou, and a smaller one on top of what used to Rifle Range Number 4, which is the 300 yard shooting position for what used to be Camp Fannin, a WWII replacement training base for the Army. It has a great view of Lake Marabou, and is a very unique feature on my land.

I will also build at least two small and two very large, square shaped, open sided gazebo's at some point. Everything is still flexible and kind of fluid as to what it will actually look like and how big they will be. I will wait longer to build them then to build them smaller to save money. There is no rush on any of it, so I get to have fun and try to create something unique.

Eddie

 

[CurlyDave]

OK, now comes the real mystery. The Gazebos are octagonal, but the post footings are pentagonal.

When I come to visit, I will look at this for a long time and then my head will explode.

What is the reason? And I know you have one...