How to Build a Fan Trellis

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Add a touch of sophistication to any garden or yard with a fan trellis. Use the trellis as a support for running or vining plants and vegetables. Take a few hours and build a fan trellis of your own. The process is simple and the result is worth the effort. Read on to learn how to build a fan trellis.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

  • 1 Pressure Treated 2-by-2 Foot Board Cut to 4 Feet
  • 1 Knot-Free 1-by-4 Foot Board Cut to 8 Feet
  • 4 1/4-by-2-1/2 Inch Machine Bolts With Washers and Nuts
  • 15 4D-Galvanized Nails
  • Wrench
  • Hammer
  • Table Saw or Radial Arm Saw
  • C-Clamp
  • Power Drill With 1/4-Inch Bit and 1/16-Inch Pre-Drill Bit

Step1
Cut five fan pieces at 3/8 by 3/4 by 80 inches from a 1-by-4 foot board.
Step2
Cut a top crosspiece at 3/8 by 3/4 by 49-7/8 inches from a 1-by-4 foot board.
Step3
Measure and cut 3/8 by 3/4 by 38 inches from a 1-by-4 foot board for the center crosspiece.
Step4
Cut a stake at 1-1/2 by 1-1/2 inches by 3 feet from a 2-by-2 foot board of pressure-treated wood.
Step5
Clamp the five fan pieces together 6 inches from the bottom with the c-clamp.
Step6
Drill two holes into the clamped wood. Insert two machine bolts with washers and nuts to hold the pieces together.
Step7
Mark and drill pilot holes every 12 inches along the top center piece.
Step8
Line up the fan pieces with the pilot holes. The far left fan piece should line up with the far left hole in the top center piece.
Step9
Nail the 4d galvanized nails into the top center and fan pieces through the pilot holes.
Step10
Measure 16 inches from the top of the trellis. Attach a cross piece to each fan piece with 4d nails.
Step11
Attach the lower crosspiece. Measure 16 inches down from the center cross piece and nail each fan piece in place.
Step12
Drive the stake into the ground to place the trellis. Keep pounding it into the ground until only 8 inches of the stake remains above the ground.
Step13
Secure the trellis to the stake with the c-clamp.
Step14
Attach the trellis to the stake using 2-1/2-inch bolts.

Tips & Warnings

  • Reject lumber with defects such as knots or splitting.
  • Seal the trellis with a water seal stain to keep it from rotting over time.

Comments

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on 10/19/2007 Good stuff! See also: http://www.ehow.com/how_2108615_build-sunflower-stalk-trellis.html

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eHow Article:  How to Build a Fan Trellis

eHow Home & Garden Editor

eHow Home & Garden Editor

Category: Home & Garden

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