So Day 9 started off with a trip to Home Depot. I purchased the hardware needed to bolt our pergola together. Everything I bought was made with galvanized steel which will help the bolts withstand the weather as well as the pressure treated lumber. Its amazing how much a box of bolts can cost.
While I was gone, Michelle got started on applying primer to the joists. Each 2z6 joist is around 10 feet long. Michelle applied two coats on the top side.
We will apply two coats to the bottom tomorrow, and then two coats of the final color to each side. I have to admit I'm tired of painting wood.
I started drilling holes into the posts so they could be mounted. I also drilled holes for where the light fixtures will be installed. We knew we needed to "hide" the wires to on the two poles that will face the avocado tree so I used the center post along the back as a "prototype". The back posts will have their wires on the outside of the posts (to provide easy access) but the wires will be hidden against the fence. But the center post needs wires run to the top to provide power to the lights that will hang from the top of the pergola. I used the router to carve a groove in the back of the post. From there I ran wire along the grove and backfilled it with wood putty which I will eventually sand flat.
I fell into a good routene for drilling holes. I would start the hole with a 1/4" bit. I would then use a 3/8" extended bit to run the hole through the board. For holes for lights, that was the end of it. But for holes where the mounting hardware would go, I then expanded the hole with a 1/2" extended bit, and then finish it off with a 5/8" bit. The 5/8" bit isn't long enought to go through the 4x6 so I had to drill it from both ends.
I was in middle of drilling a hole with the 3/8" extended bit when the battery on my drill died while the bit was in the wood. I replaced the battery and attempted to keep drilling but the force in the hole sheered the bit leaving the tip in the hole.
I had to use nails, a Dremel, and a couple of pairs of pliers to dig the broken bit out of the wood.
After 45 minutes I was able to dig the bit out.
Lesson learned...if you stop drilling in the middle of a hole, reverse the tool and back it out a little before continuing.
We were able to install one of five posts today. It was nice to see some lumber standing upright for the first time!
The second post is going into an existing hole. I cut out the plants around the hole and treated the end of the cut wood with a treatment that protects the wood and allows it to be surrounded by dirt.
We should have at least two of the other posts installed tomorrow. The remaining two need wood putty and paint. I'm not sure how long that will take so it could be one or two days before they are installed.
Today was another milestone. I finally almost "blew out" the pair of flipflops I purchased the day after I retired. Time to order another pair!
As always, Jack and Diesel were keeping an eye on our homestead. They are always making sure we are safe!
