37 replies to this topic

[orangeLJ]

I'm going to preface anything in this thread by starting with

I HATE WOOD.

if you cut it too short, you cant just weld it back together, if you drill a hole too big, you dont just fit the next sized self tapper or throw a washer on it.

Making something square become increasingly important (cant just give it a little bend...)

And even worse, is that you cant just have a mate hold it steady while you tack it (instantly) into place.


Anywho, Our puppy dog is 15 this month.

exhibit a)



She still has tonnes of energy, runs around like a puppy etc etc.

she hurt her inner hamstring? jumping in the ute about 6 months ago, vet says it will be a sore point going forwards. She has no problems getting around, but our stairs were a bit hard on it (expecially during the recover) and we found it was making it worse for her.


So I decided to build the dog a ramp.

Unfortunately due to her size, the averae sleeper layed flat wasnt an option, nor was building something flimsy (had to support 60+ kg of dog)

I figured it should be build to support me (90-100kg), so thats what I aimed for.


So I set out to the hall of manliness and time wasting that is bunnings, bought me some timber and went to town.









along the way my mate rocked up, so he got roped into helping with the final fit out




and this was the final product (with my uncle and aunty's cattle dog having a go)



All treated pine (even the cross runners, I sprayed them black)

Marine carpet to give some grip




I think I did pretty well for a first, unaided attempt. It turned out square, some of the runners were a little off (happens when working on an uneven drive) so the ply sat proud in the middle where it met. BUT I planed that down a couple mm and the carpet covered the rest.

So then it was time for steak and beer



and the happy puppy

Edited by dattoman, 08 February 2013 - 09:19 AM.

[Ruts]

Good stuff mate and very well done. I hope one of those steaks was given to the dog. By the way I don't know what you did with the font on the writing but it is very hard to read.

[kingsly]

<sup>Solid work.
Looks the goods..

Ruts, im pretty sure he's runnning the 'other' forum layout desgin.. Probably should get that problem rectifyed for ppl like us using the 'standard' layout</sup>

Edited by kingsly, 06 February 2013 - 09:16 AM.

[A9X]

good work

[orangeLJ]

Thanks guys!

Ruts, I'm not sure what you mean?

I know I had to go back and make the writing larger, for some reason it defaulted to tiny size.

Is the size the problem, or the colour?

[Ruts]

Your reply above is fine. The writing in the original post is very small and looks grey and not white.

[mitchg]

The writing is black. and when you add that onto the black background x 346.08723^34 = very hard to read

I really enjoy working with wood. I guess I have a better set up to work with wood than metal.

The ramp looks tops. Good stuff.

[Ruts]

That's it Skap, that's what I mean Chris.

[RIM-010]

I agree wholeheartedly with your initial comment, Chris... I've been building an outdoor entertainment area lately... Table, big lounge thing... Timber is #@$^%&.

[orangeLJ]

<sup>Solid work.
Looks the goods..

Ruts, im pretty sure he's runnning the 'other' forum layout desgin.. Probably should get that problem rectifyed for ppl like us using the 'standard' layout</sup>

yeah, I run the white/grey/blue theme so my writing is dark

[TerrA LX]

How cool you built that for your dog.
Good on ya chris.

[orangeLJ]

The worst part is, I now have to put my new found skills to use.

That whole rear section of the deck is beign rebuilt (all the posts and joists are hardwood...)

I'm re decking the whole deck and building a 10mx3m carport off the side of the house.

Should be interesting!

[GML-31]

dogs doing well for 15

[orangeLJ]

big time Kev!

for such a large dog, she is amazing.

The vet couldnt believe it when we first started going there, he said the only give away to her age was her teeth.

She still jumps up and down into the back of the ute, runs rolls, shits etc etc.

[RIM-010]

^ why not just spray the pickets?

[orangeLJ]

these were even more fun to do!

had to be stripped and then painted.

We were a bit tight for cash, so I bought a whole heap of sections second hand (green)

I've replaced some sections of the front (these ones are longer pickets, it was to stop the dog getting to the postman/kiddies etc that put their hands/faces over the fence.

I've not decided that I'd do the whole brick and slats thing earlier than planned, so havent bothered fitting them all up.

[mr5000]

get a nail gun chris just an air compressor one cashys normally have them cheap once you talk them down makes life so much easier you get everything in the right place then bang it holds rather than gettingg the hammer and bashing the shit out of it to the point where its no where near where it should be

[orangeLJ]

No nails involved Ryan!

All no more nailed, pre-drilled and screwed (countersunk)

I've got a nailbun for when I do the deck and carport though, no way am I nailing down the decking by hand!


As for the Rubber mallet response... well...

I was using it to adjust the rails, bunnings timber is nice and twisted unfortunately, so it got harder to get them straight and in line as I went along. The mallet made things alot easier (and didnt dent the timber )