Hi,
I have 4 hollow round tapered columns in place,on a slab, but not secured yet, for a pergola. I was wondering how you would go about squaring up and holding the tops in place before pouring a couple of ft of concrete. The dimensions are roughly 10 x 14.
All help appreciated,
Mike.
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What I have done is to make small square boxes that are the bottom dimension of the column (if it was square) and attach them to the top. Also what I have done is to find out how much they taper, and cut a wedge that is equal to the taper. Attach this vertically, and put the level on this for plumbing the things.
Round tapered things are tough, but I try to visualize a square around the column treat them as big posts.
Good luck.
I meditate, I burn candles, I drink green tea, and still I want to smack someone.
Use a plumb bob. I use a laser that beams down and up, easier than a bob.
Edited 2/20/2009 11:52 am by jagwah
Edited 2/20/2009 11:53 am by jagwah
I'm assuming it's a 10' x 14' slab with columns at the corners?
I'd probably mark center (crosshairs) of columns on the slab, build a 2x4 "box" on edge with the outside corners being the center crosshairs, nail this to the top of the columns, aligning OSC's to centers of column top (may need to make some plywood disks with column centers marked).
nail to tops , rack brace square (a few braces), then level corners so you don't make a parallelogram. Brace all. Depending on column height, I'd just duct tape a block of wood to one end of the level to make up for the taper difference. but I'm cheap.
If your gonna do all that, maybe you can just go ahead and use some of the top frame for squaring (put some members up now). Then straighten and brace it.
How are you mounting them to the slab? And are you pouring around them? I don't get it totally.
Thanks,
Thanks,
The slab is actually 20 x 20 with the columns at one end straddling the mid point. Your explanation was what I was thinking. I poured about 18" of concrete in one one the columns. That was plumb. So I think using your method will work out fine. I guess with your method I could do that before the concrete sets up. I was just afraid of the tops could still be out of sq even while the bases were sq then have the concrete set up.
Mike
Edited 2/20/2009 9:37 pm ET by MBaybut
Sorry, forgot to include the jpg
I have tried several different ways but I always end up eyeballing and making my final choice by eye.
ANDYSZ2WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?
REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST
Presuming you’re working with level ground and no slab yet poured, would the following be another option?
(1) Come out about three feet from the base and drive stakes into the ground (make sure it’s the same distance from the base at each of four points around the pillar (90 degrees plus or minus a few degrees)
(2) Cut four equal three or four inch blocks and screw them to the face of the 2x, with one end of the block flush with one end of the 2x;
(3) Lean the 2x’s against the pillar [at points about 90 degrees off each other, with the blocks on top;
(4) Use two clamps and clamp the two sets of opposing 2x's just below the blocks;
(5) Draw a line where one of the 2x’s intersects (shot for the highest one) hits highest on the pillar and run it around the pillar so it is parallel to the top;
(6) Note the gaps between each of the 2x's and the line, if any, and adjust accordingly.
You could also use a Wix digital angle gauge to insure each of the 2x's was at the same angle.
Thanks, but the slab is already down.
Mike