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A climbing vine on a trellis can create a stunning focal point by adding height to the garden. It can work as an architectural structure for privacy and it can even cool down a house by shielding it from direct sunlight.
Furniture maker Sylven Medyesy teaches us how to build a trellis that provides a useful climbing structure for twining vines. This particular trellis combines an arts and crafts design with a rustic look and is made with red cedar because it is rot resistant and ages beautifully.
Materials:
Two 2” x 4” x 8’ red cedar boards
Eight 60” willow twigs, 1/4” thick
Copper wire
Deck Screws 1 _”
Deck Screws 1”
Weatherproof glue
Poultry staples
Tools:
Pencil
Table saw
Miter saw
Router and bit for _ hole
Chisel
Bar Clamps
Drill
1/8” drill bit
#10 countersink drill bit
Wire cutters
Hammer
Directions:
1. Using miter saw cut two 2”x 4”x 8’ cedar boards into two 90”, two 32”, two 65” and two 19” lengths.
2. On table saw, rip down two 90” lengths and two 32” lengths to 2”x 1 _” and 1 _”x 1 _”, respectively. These will the vertical posts and outside frame of the trellis.
3. On table saw, rip down two 65” lengths and two 19” lengths to 7/8”x 1 _”. These pieces will make up the inside frame.
2. Lay two 90” lengths parallel, 24” apart. To mark where half lap joints will go, lay the two 32” lengths perpendicular across the two 90” lengths. Measure 5 1/2” from the top and lay one 32” length, then measure 35 _” from the top and lay second 32” length. Measure an overhang of 2 _” to ensure equal spacing on either side of frame.
3. Using a pencil, mark both sides of where 32” lengths lay on 90” lengths and mark on 32” lengths where 90” lengths cross. Make half lap joints at these marks by setting table saw to 7/8” high and making 5 passes between marks on each length. Using a sharp chisel, with curve facing down, clean out waste. Put a dab of glue in each half lap joint and join pieces together. Add a 1 _” decking screw at each joint. Set aside.
4. Lay two 65” lengths parallel, 13” apart. To mark where half lap joints will go, measure 6 _” from the top and lay one 19” length, then measure from the bottom of 65” length, 6 _” up and lay second 19” length. Make half lap joints at these marks by setting table saw to 7/8” high and making 5 passes between marks on each length. Using a sharp chisel, with curve facing down, clean out waste. Put a dab of glue in each half lap joint and join pieces together, adding a 1” decking screw at each joint.
5. Before joining pieces permanently, lay outside frame down and place inside frame pieces on top. Mark and cut all eight half lap joints where outside and inside frames join together. Put a dab of glue in each half lap joint and join pieces together, adding a screw at each joint.
6. Use countersink drill bit to make two _” wide and _” deep grooves, 1/8” apart in each corner of the inner frame, totaling 8 grooves.
7. Each countersink groove is going to get two pieces of willow, one thicker end of stock and one tip. The willow will naturally want to bend in the opposite direction, which will create a pattern and leave extra fine points for vines to hang onto.
8. Where willow touches sides of inner frame, add poultry staples with a hammer. Where willow crosses, add some copper wire to make the willow structure more stable.
9. Plant bottom 24” of trellis in ground, in desired location.
Special Thanks:
Sylven Medyesy
http://sylvenwoodworks.com/