Garden Carpentry - Span, Roof, Greenhouse, Toolshed, Wheelbarrow, Gates, Garden Lights, Summer House, Shelter Etc.

Various

• Publisher: Thomson Press
• Year: 2020
• ISBN:
  9781528762779
• Topic: Biological Sciences
• Subtopic: Horticulture
• Index: Biological Sciences

Contained within this antique book is a comprehensive and easy-to-follow handbook for the designing and construction of garden furniture out of wood. A wonderful text full of handy tips and helpful illustrations, this guide is perfect for the novice and will also be of value to those with previous carpentry experience. Containing information on tools, materials, and technique, this text provides everything a novice could possibly need to know on the subject. The chapters of this book include: Spin-roof Greenhouse, Summerhouse, Garden Seat, Lawn Table, Trellis Screen, Garden Shelter, Garden Lights, Rabbit Hutches, Garden Frames, Basket, Chairs and Tables for Lawn, Field Gates, Picnic Table, Fencing, Trellis, Observation Beehive, Garden Steps, Bird-nesting House, et cetera. We are proud to republish this antiquarian book now complete with a new introduction on woodworking.

FOLDING

PICNIC TABLE

FOR picnics a light folding table which can be packed flat will be found a great convenience. For the size shown, 2 ft. 6 ins., these few parts are required:—

Adjustable parts such as laths and slides should be measured from the job.

The Leaves (Fig. 2) are frames with half-lap corners covered with 3/16 in. birch plywood. A wood light in weight is preferable. Glue and screw the corners, and secure the ply with fine panel pins after gluing down, punching home and stopping the holes. Hinge with back-flap hinges, bedded in. The slots for slides will be cut before the plywood is fixed.

FIG. 1. THIS SHOWS UNDERSIDE OF TABLE WITH (at left) LEGS FOLDED, AND (at right) LEGS RAISED FOR USE.

The diagram also shows how the spring laths and the two centre slides operate.

Legs, finishing 1 1/8 ins. square, look better if tapered. Each pair is connected by a rail (Fig. 4) dovetailed as indicated. Legs stand in 1 1/2 ins. from side edges of legs, the length over each pair thus being 27 ins. Note the position of back-flap hinges (Fig. 2). To keep legs from splaying backwards a batten is screwed to the framework 1/2 in. from the edge. This may be of 1 in. square stuff with outer top edges chamfered, the face next legs being kept square. When legs are up they should butt dead against this batten; then if legs are 1 1/8 ins. square the distance between leg and batten (when folded) will be 1 1/8 ins.

Spring Laths.—The legs, when either up or down, are kept in position by means of two laths which act as springs. The exact length of these will be determined when fitting, but they are approximately 12 1/2 ins., and may be of oak 2 1/2 ins. or 3 ins. wide by 3/16 in. thick. When legs are folded, the lath (engaging a notch in outer face of rail) keeps them flat. As the legs are raised the lath rises a little, slips over the edge, and then springs back to its normal position, thus preventing the legs from dropping down. By means of the laths and battens the legs are kept rigid in either position.

THE TABLE SHOWN IS 2 FT. 6 INS. SQUARE, LEGS BEING 9 INS. HIGH. IT PACKS FLAT FOR CONVENIENT TRANSIT.

The laths are screwed to blocks 3 ins. square to raise them to the correct height. Thickness of these is about 1 in., but must be tested. Screw each lath with four screws.

Slides.—These are required so that the top, when opened flat, presents an unyielding surface. In Fig. 2 two slides are shown, these being of 5/16 in. five-ply. Length is about 13 ins., but must be measured from the job. A width of 3 ins. will do; the essential matter is that they are rigid. The inner framing stiles are halved to receive them (see Fig. 4), whilst the outer stiles are notched about 3/8 in. to take the ends when the table is folded. A 1 in. length of 3/4 in. dowel serves as a knob for handling, at the same time acting as a stop when the slides are pushed in to lock the two leaves. Fig. 2 shows how, when the table is opened, the slides are pushed in to lock the leaves. To close the table, pull back the slides, lift the spring laths, press down the legs, and fold the leaves flat. As the slides engage slots at both ends they do not come loose. A hook and eye or a small leather strap may be fitted to hold all together.

FIG. 2. THE TWO LEAVES CONSISTING OF FRAMES FACED WITH PLYWOOD.

FIG. 3. (Above) JOINT OF RAIL TO LEG. (Below) HOW THE SLIDES WORK.

To finish the table use either paint, lacquer, or a heat-resistant varnish. Separate the parts as far as possible first.

FENCING for GARDEN or ALLOTMENT

GARDEN TRELLIS

(See illustrations on opposite page)

Fig. 1.—Arch may be 7 ft. 6 ins. to 8 ft. high, with width of 3 ft. 6 ins. to 4 ft. Posts 2 1/2 ins. square, sunk 18 ins. into ground. Width over ends 16 ins. to 18 ins. Post heads, 4 ins. by 2 1/2 ins., projecting 6 ins. at each side. Rails, 2 1/2 ins. by 2 ins. Laths, 1 1/2 ins. by 5/8 in. Top bars 2 1/2 ins. by 1 1/2 ins. Use red deal.

Fig. 2.—Sizes of timbers: (A) 4 ins. square. (B) 4 ins. square. (C) 3 ins. by 4 ins. (D) 2 ins. square. (E) 2 1/2 ins. square. (F) 2 ins. by 2 1/2 ins. (G) 1 3/4 ins. by 5/8 in. Gate stiles and rails, 3 ins. by 2 ins. Mid rail, 2 ins. by 2 ins. Slats, 2 ins. by 1 1/2 ins. Boarding, 5/8 in. (See scale for general dimensions.)

Fig. 3.—Posts, 3 ins. to 4 ins. square, according to height. Trellis rails, 2 ins. thick, chamfered. Trellis, 7/8 in. by 3/8 in. Height to top of ...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Span-roof Greenhouse
• Summerhouse
• Garden Seat
• Lawn Table
• Tool Shed
• Trellis Screen
• Garden Shelter
• Garden Lights
• Rabbit Hutches
• Workshed
• Garden Frames
• Weed Box, Fruit Tray, Basket
• Wheelbarrow, conventional type
• Chairs and Table for Lawn
• Picnic Table
• Observation Beehive
• Garden Steps
• Bird-nesting House
• Play-table and Chairs
• Wheelbarrow, modern type
• Wood Preservatives
• Substitutes for Wood
• Garden Gates
• Transport Cart
• Rustic Fencing
• Pigeon Cote
• Treading Boards, Besom Broom, Multiple Dibbler, Barrow
• Ladder
• Entrance Gate
• Armchair
• Tool Shed
• Joints for Garden Carpentry