Once I got the joists in I started on the framework for the compass. I really wanted it to be located in a place in the deck where it would be visible, not necessarily in the center of the since that is where the table and chairs would end up. I can honestly say I didn’t do a bunch of number crunching, I just did what felt right.
I also new that the points of the star where going to be a very busy place so I wanted to use wide blocks for adequate support and screwing surface.
As I said before I didn’t do a lot of calculations. I went with my gut. I used my favorite saw, the Festool 55, to cut one of each leg of the compass to help me lay out the correct location of all the blocking! I seriously love this saw! It has helped me do so much! I cannot thank Festool enough!!!
The light grey and brown are Choice Deck from Lowes. The dark grey is Trek from Lowes as well. I won’t get into which is better here. I simply needed a variety of color.
The blocking between the first two joists are for the apron that surrounds the deck. There are two runs that run in the opposite direction as the rest of the deck.
There was a lot of angle cutting in compass blocking! Most I did with my sliding miter saw, but some were so acute that I needed to go old school.
After I finished framing out the compass I moved on the complete all the blocking of the joists.
Once all the blocking was in, I used my Rockwell planer to go around and level out all the high spots. It is amazing how much a wet 2×12 will move!!!!
More to follow…..
-- "With a little bit of faith, and some imagination, you can build anything!" Nate
13 comments so far
lew
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12860 posts in 4264 days
#1 posted 06-04-2016 03:41 PM
Brother, that is going to be one awesome deck!
-- Lew- Time traveler. Purveyor of the Universe's finest custom rolling pins.
DocSavage45
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8865 posts in 3351 days
#2 posted 06-04-2016 04:13 PM
Nate,
Nice job on the deck with extras like the blocking. I think it’s gonna be a elegant project!
-- Cau Haus Designs, Thomas J. Tieffenbacher
lightweightladylefty
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3393 posts in 4221 days
#3 posted 06-04-2016 06:04 PM
Nate,
Non-woodworkers will have no idea how much detail and planning goes into such a difficult design. Maybe you should laminate this blog and hang it by your deck! LOL Great work.
L/W
-- Jesus is the ONLY reason for ANY season.
Bob Kassmeyer
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254 posts in 3434 days
#4 posted 06-04-2016 11:49 PM
Can’t wait to see more brother, going to look great.
-- Bob Kassmeyer, Nebraska
BurlyBob
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6497 posts in 2774 days
#5 posted 06-05-2016 01:50 AM
This is something I’m definitely going to stay tuned in on!
robscastle
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6362 posts in 2713 days
#6 posted 06-05-2016 06:24 AM
Wow Nate thats certanily solid enough.
Are you going to park your M1A2 Abrams on there when its finished?
-- Regards Rob
Nate Meadows
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1132 posts in 2715 days
#7 posted 06-05-2016 03:19 PM
Brother Lew, Thanks for the encouragement! I am excited about the finishing it. the plan is to have it three times that size but it will take 10 years or so is my guess.:)
-- "With a little bit of faith, and some imagination, you can build anything!" Nate
Nate Meadows
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1132 posts in 2715 days
#8 posted 06-05-2016 03:20 PM
Brother Doc, Thank you, the blocking can get tedious but it is so important!
-- "With a little bit of faith, and some imagination, you can build anything!" Nate
Nate Meadows
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1132 posts in 2715 days
#9 posted 06-05-2016 03:22 PM
Sister Lefty, I hear you there! Its sad how many people don’t know the process and therefore the value of things anymore.
-- "With a little bit of faith, and some imagination, you can build anything!" Nate
Nate Meadows
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1132 posts in 2715 days
#10 posted 06-05-2016 03:23 PM
Brother Bob K, Thanks. I will be better about getting the blog updated.
-- "With a little bit of faith, and some imagination, you can build anything!" Nate
Nate Meadows
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1132 posts in 2715 days
#11 posted 06-05-2016 03:24 PM
Brother Burly, Thanks for watching! I hope you are not disappointed:)!
-- "With a little bit of faith, and some imagination, you can build anything!" Nate
Nate Meadows
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1132 posts in 2715 days
#12 posted 06-05-2016 03:27 PM
Brother Castle, Ha! I get teased here at home too:)! I always over build. I hate doing things twice and I always want to be ready for the next evolution, what ever that may be. I can say that the weakest part of this whole deck is the pier blocks. I really wish I would have put concrete in the ground. On block already moved because of slope and rain. Now I have to fix that! Thankfully the deck isn’t stressed.
-- "With a little bit of faith, and some imagination, you can build anything!" Nate
robscastle
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6362 posts in 2713 days
#13 posted 06-05-2016 09:40 PM
Nate,
An after thought, after I took a second look at the impressive build!
If your sliding miter saw is capable of cutting the compass blocking edge on all you do is cut, (or build) a large square section and clamp it to the saw and present the timber end towards the blade and with a support out front you can then cut the angles.
Also did you set the compass to magnetic North to make it a working feature? or is it purely cosmetic.
I couldnt see a picture of your saw to see if my suggestion would work so I fired up my drome and flew it over your house, couldnt see your saw but got a good shot inside your lounge room
Nice work on the floor! tee hee
-- Regards Rob
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