Gazeboblog - Episode 4 - Logs, Caps and Rocks

"Getting ready" to actually build the gazebo is apparently taking way more time than I think erecting the building will be. These past couple of weeks have been spent downing trees, cutting them up, hauling them and peeling off the bark. We learned we really like peeling logs in the spring because it comes off really easy, with a little effort using the spud. We now have all of 12 large logs ready for the post and the headers that will go around the circumference supporting the rafters. We will need to do a little touch up peeling with the draw knife to remove darkened areas once they are drier.

At the same time, I have experimented making the pillar caps. At first, you may recall that the form was sloped to a 12" square spot for the log .... well that attempt failed because we couldn't get the cap out of the form without busting it. So I ended up with plain 22" square x 2 1/2"h caps. I also added a wire screen on the inside to add strength. I used some brownish concrete coloring and did my version of exposed aggregate, which didn't turn out exactly like exposed aggregate, but more of a gnarly brownish rock look, which I think might be better anyway. So far 3 are done, and I made a fourth today. Need to make 2 more.

































We also did our first trial with the river rock "cultured stone" molds. They are a latex material which were made using real rocks as molds. I first sprayed the inside with water, then "painted" on various iron oxide powdered pigment colors on the inside of each mold. We bought light, med and dark shades of brown, tans, black, and we have a bit of green. Most of this color is supposed to wash off, leaving a light coloring on the rock. (we'll see!) Each form makes 2 sq ft and we need to make about 100 sf, to we need to make about 12 sets of four molds.