Getting a new arch angle

Mark Rayner shows how to build this wooden garden structure.

You will need:

50mm x 50mm dressed treated timber framing, cut to the following lengths:
- 4 x 2.5m for legs
- 4 x 600mm for top and bottom side supports
- 2 x 1300mm for overhead supports
35 x 600mm lengths of 20mm x 20mm timber, we cut up garden stakes
Approx 1m of 50mm x 25mm of treated battening
40mm galvanised flathead nails
Exterior PVA glue
4 x 50mm x 8mm stainless steel bolts
Hammer, large set square, tape measure, circular saw, pencil, adjustable spanner, clamps, paintbrush, chisel and a drill with 8mm drill bit
Resene Quick Dry Water borne primer undercoat and Resene Lumbersider tinted to Resene Black Forest

To get the look: Mark painted the house wall with Resene Lumbersider tinted to Resene Pale Prim.

Top tip: To secure a free-standing arch into the ground, attach galvanised metal brackets to the ends of each leg and fix into the ground using rapid set concrete.

Step one
Measure and cut timber to the lengths listed above.

Step two
Clamp the four legs together. With a framing offcut, mark a line approx 50mm from the top edge. Make a series of cuts, about 25mm deep, across the legs with the circular saw. Knock these through with a hammer; tidy with a chisel. Repeat with the four side and two overhead supports.

Step three
Turn the legs, as shown, and re-clamp. Repeat step 2 to make two 50mm grooves across the legs, each one approx 150mm from either end.

Step four
On a flat surface, slot the top and bottom side supports into the legs, as shown, and fix with 40mm nails and PVA glue. Use a set square to check that the joints are at right angles.

Step five
Attach the 20mm x 20mm lengths of timber to the side supports and overhead supports, as shown, spacing them about 150mm apart. Use PVA and 4omm nails to fix in position. Leave to dry overnight.

Step six
Attach side panels to the overhead panel using 50mm x 8mm stainless steel bolts. Use the set square to ensure these are at right angles. Fix with four angled braces cut from the 50mm x 25mm battening. Secure braces with 40mm nails and PVA glue.

Step seven
Apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat to the entire frame and allow to dry for one hour.

Step eight
Apply two coats of Resene Black Forest to the entire frame, allowing two hours for each coat to dry.

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