bretsweat Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 I am building a great looking Japanese pergola over the hot tub. Have installed 8 x 8 post and starting to construct an arched beam for the rafters. This process gluing together 5 - 2 x 8 that i will jig out to my proper arch. The question is: since this will be outside and exposed what is the best glue to allow my joints to be super tight and look like one beam when i am done planing and sanding? Polyurethane? Epoxy? Water resistant? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 You titled this bent lam but picture a stacked lam. Can you confirm your plan? How much glued surface might make a difference in how glue is planned based on clamping options. Personally I don't think you can go wrong with a marine epoxy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 Agree with Shaffer.. Probably the best option.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisG-Canada Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 I think a bent lamination would be a lot stronger than your glued up 'beam'. Cut the beam into thinish strips and glue them together in bent shape. Not super hard to do 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 Why are you typing in all caps, are you hollering at us? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janello Posted April 14, 2016 Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 Yes, Whisper to the wood....whisper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bretsweat Posted April 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 Caps must have been on. really not shouting. ok so if I selected the lamination method, do you have any guidance as to how to do? As I have never done before? Will be using Doug Fir 2X...beam will be 16 ft long and 10 inches across. thanks so much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted April 14, 2016 Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 I think 16' long just eliminated the bent lamination. I don't think Marc, Kev, Steve and Eric combined have that many clamps? Me, I'd go your route using epoxy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted April 14, 2016 Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 Steeper curve and wider span. Your shallow curve should be easier to jig but the process is similar. Clamps can be faked with threaded rod and square steel tube or angle iron. An impact driver and deep socket make that go quicker. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted April 14, 2016 Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 If my employees worked that fast, I'd be another Tillman Frittata! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted April 14, 2016 Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 One thought I would bring up is if the angle that your cut bisects the epoxy lamination is very shallow, you may end up with a discoloration. I experienced this in a lamination of mahogany with a very shallow taper. It ended with a darker line about 1/2" wide on the seams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bretsweat Posted April 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2016 Any suggestions on a brand of epoxy and where to purchase online? thanks so much for all your expert comments Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted April 15, 2016 Report Share Posted April 15, 2016 Search West Systems in the forum here and look for Boatworks or HHH posts and you can read tomes worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bretsweat Posted April 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2016 Wanted everyone to know that the project is turning out fantastic! Used an Epoxy called Wood 360. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted April 27, 2016 Report Share Posted April 27, 2016 On 4/14/2016 at 9:20 PM, bretsweat said: Caps must have been on. really not shouting. Fixed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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