How to make a timber teepee

Step 1
Using a mitre saw or hand saw, cut the 45mm x 45mm macrocarpa into 4 posts at 1400mm in length.

Step 2
Lay out your fencing timbers onto a flat surface, ensuring they are evenly spaced. Lay the posts in a triangle shape with a 1000mm wide gap at the bottom end. Mark each outer side with a pencil for your cutting line. Cut to size. Repeat this for the other 2 posts. Using your timbers as a template, cut the panels for the back of the teepee by adding 25mm to the size of each timber.

Step 3
On each fencing timber, measure 22mm in and 40mm on each side and pre-drill with the drill and 4.5mm bit.

Step 4
Sand each timber if necessary. Prime and paint all the fencing timbers on all sides; I used Resene Lumbersider in Resene Dell.

Oil the posts for durability. I used Resene Furniture and Decking Oil.

Step 5
Lay out your posts in the triangle shape and screw the fencing timbers into place. Do this for each side.

Step 6
Stand up and prop the timber triangles together, and screw on the top fencing timber piece to give support. Screw on each timber working downwards.

I also made a face plate for the front opening of the teepee. This is optional though, so it’s down to a matter of preference.