Carpentry and Woodworking - Wood clothesline poles
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Damage
05-05-02, 05:22 PM
Just moved and the wife wants, wooden clothesline poles shaped like a "T" . I am a novice at doing this but it sounds easy to make(I think) need some input on what I need and how it should look (braces, bolts insted of nails,etc) Any help would be great!
the_tow_guy
05-06-02, 07:02 PM
Pretty simple project. Get some pressure treated 4x4's and carriage bolts, washers, and nuts.
You're going to want a couple of feet in the ground and probably about 6' tall, so 8 footers should work for the verticals. To construct the "T"'s I would cut the cross bars to length (figure 4' probably), and then lap joint them to the verticals. Do this by laying the crossbar across the vertical about 4" from the end. Square it up and mark lines on both sides of the croosbar on the vertical. Next take a circular saw and make multiple passes between the lines to creat a "notch" half the depth of the vertical (approx 1 3/4"). Work up to the lines slowly and test fit the crossbar until it will fit in the notch snugly. Now do same to make a corresponding notch in the crossbar. Fit pieces together and drill a hole through center of joint, secure with carriage bolt, washer, and nut. Manufacture second assembly. Dig post holes. Set pole assemblies, plumb them up (actually may want to lean them out slightly from each other) and mix & pour concrete around post. Add large screw eyes or hooks for the clothesline and string line. Note: When you set the pole assemblies the crossbars should go on the "outside" for maximum strength; that is if you stand BETWEEN the pole assemblies and look at the verticals you should see solid wood from ground to top of pole. If you see the crossbar joints turn the pole assembly around. This will be easy to understand when you look at them; just remember you want something that won't fail when a strain is put on it.
If you've never done a lap joint before, good idea to try the procedure out and some scrap, but it's pretty easy to pick up on. Good luck.
You're going to want a couple of feet in the ground and probably about 6' tall, so 8 footers should work for the verticals. To construct the "T"'s I would cut the cross bars to length (figure 4' probably), and then lap joint them to the verticals. Do this by laying the crossbar across the vertical about 4" from the end. Square it up and mark lines on both sides of the croosbar on the vertical. Next take a circular saw and make multiple passes between the lines to creat a "notch" half the depth of the vertical (approx 1 3/4"). Work up to the lines slowly and test fit the crossbar until it will fit in the notch snugly. Now do same to make a corresponding notch in the crossbar. Fit pieces together and drill a hole through center of joint, secure with carriage bolt, washer, and nut. Manufacture second assembly. Dig post holes. Set pole assemblies, plumb them up (actually may want to lean them out slightly from each other) and mix & pour concrete around post. Add large screw eyes or hooks for the clothesline and string line. Note: When you set the pole assemblies the crossbars should go on the "outside" for maximum strength; that is if you stand BETWEEN the pole assemblies and look at the verticals you should see solid wood from ground to top of pole. If you see the crossbar joints turn the pole assembly around. This will be easy to understand when you look at them; just remember you want something that won't fail when a strain is put on it.
If you've never done a lap joint before, good idea to try the procedure out and some scrap, but it's pretty easy to pick up on. Good luck.
Damage
05-06-02, 07:42 PM
Thank you for your help!
Trent Bridley
05-07-02, 05:38 AM
HI,
A couples of ideas, I would use either galvanized or stainless steel carridge bolts and eyebolts. Might look around for some ratchets for one end to tighten up the lines. I no longer have the wash lines but mine had stainless steel wire. Stretched it won't sag with a full load on them. Also it is nice if you can put them up high enough that you don't have to bend down to walk under them when hanging clothes or mowing grass, etc.
good luck,
trent
A couples of ideas, I would use either galvanized or stainless steel carridge bolts and eyebolts. Might look around for some ratchets for one end to tighten up the lines. I no longer have the wash lines but mine had stainless steel wire. Stretched it won't sag with a full load on them. Also it is nice if you can put them up high enough that you don't have to bend down to walk under them when hanging clothes or mowing grass, etc.
good luck,
trent