- #1
DaveC426913
Gold Member
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OK. DaveC426913's Project 437b.211 - Driftwood Arbour.
I plan to make an arbour (i.e. archway) out of driftwood branches I collected from the shore.
Think of it as the love child of http://www.kellys-eye.co.uk/images/products/0.023196001096289851_albion_arbour_l.jpg" . (Note that there is no internal or external bracing in an arbour.)
The trouble I'm having is figuring out how to bind the sticks together. Nails or screws (with pilot holes) I fear will weaken the wood so that it will split. Some is split already. The driftwood lumber is between 1/2" and 2 inches in diameter.
I was thinking of catgut or leather thongs, but will they slip? It needs to be secure enough for a 7'x3'x3' structure to be rigid.
I want a binding material that:
- is strong enough to last outdoors year round
- will hold well enough to ensure the arbour is rigid
- will minimize weakening of the wood
- won't look hideous (metal strapping, cables or bolted metal bands would meet all the other criteria, but would look hideous)
I plan to make an arbour (i.e. archway) out of driftwood branches I collected from the shore.
Think of it as the love child of http://www.kellys-eye.co.uk/images/products/0.023196001096289851_albion_arbour_l.jpg" . (Note that there is no internal or external bracing in an arbour.)
The trouble I'm having is figuring out how to bind the sticks together. Nails or screws (with pilot holes) I fear will weaken the wood so that it will split. Some is split already. The driftwood lumber is between 1/2" and 2 inches in diameter.
I was thinking of catgut or leather thongs, but will they slip? It needs to be secure enough for a 7'x3'x3' structure to be rigid.
I want a binding material that:
- is strong enough to last outdoors year round
- will hold well enough to ensure the arbour is rigid
- will minimize weakening of the wood
- won't look hideous (metal strapping, cables or bolted metal bands would meet all the other criteria, but would look hideous)
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