Browse Forums General Discussion Re: Carport construction help (Getting Started) 4Aug 30, 2016 12:45 pm The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Carport construction help (Getting Started) 5Dec 03, 2016 4:02 pm bashworth I'm not a fan of concreting timber posts in the ground because of termites and rot. I would much rather concrete in stirrups and fix the timber to this. . . . it will however mean you will need to install substantial cross bracing to keep the structure rigid. Sorry for the late reply. I got side tracked with another important task. Thanks everyone for responding and helpful advice. Just in the way of an update.......I haven't even started. Geeeez lol. However doesn't mean I haven't been thinking about my options. One is to use steel, hence I eliminate bracing. Which is infact something I was wanting to avoid. But there is something I have been struggling to get my head around regardless of the type of posts I use and that is this question, how do I get the posts all the same height? I have a laser level, but my brain get hot, and I think its going to explode, like in that movie "Scanners" (haha). Now I suppose some might surgest, simply pick a post and use that post as a reference, which of course will work with either bubble on a string line or a even a level on a straght edge. I was wanting to use the laser and wondered just how one would use a laser level to level posts at a predetermined height. Why a predetermined height? Good question I thought to myself and why? Well because regardless whether one uses steel posts or timber, there might be valid reasons needing them set (in concrete) at a particular height. For example, you might have a special welded corner bracket on the top of your steel posts to accommodate the timber being used. (to simplify construction) Another very obvious reason to set the posts at precise heights, is in using timber. One might think using timber, to simply cut off the top of the posts to establish a chosen height, but what if you chiseled out the tops of your timber posts so that the supporting beams fit nice and neatly, you would again need to set the posts a precise height. This chisel work is best done at ground level. To get it level, being such a large carport I wont have a straight edge that long, so that leave using a string line with Level Bubble attached. Not exactly accurate IMHO. I would rather use my laser level (Hey I paid enough for it) but am having trouble getting my head around how to use it, because in a sense I would be using it upside down. (If that makes sense) (As I understand laser levels are normally used to navigate the ground heights. What I want is after setting my first post in (regardless of Timber or steel....I'm trying to set them at the same height) is to understand how use a laser level in this way. I'm having a hard time getting my head around it. Let me give you a very quick thought process in how I think one might use it this way. (Again our aim is to set the posts at a predetermined height) 1. Start up laser level 2. With the laser Reader mounted on the 5 metre ruler. with the ruler set to the very top of the post 3. Slide down laser reader unlit it beeps. Fix the laser reader to the ruler, put a mark on the post. (Mark on the first post does nothing more than help check that nothing has been accidentally move such as the laser or reader) Its a quick way to check your reference point. So far I have established nothing other than the height of the post to the lasers rotating horrizontal height. Now I want to transfer that same accuaracy to each post. The question is how? What is that simplest way to go about that. I suppose one crude method might be as I put my next post in simply knock it down deaper until the top of the ruler is at the top of the post. Ahhhhh, but I just realized something.....its also must be inline with the horizontal laser beam. The ruler almost needs to be attached to the post and whilst its in its post hole being ready to concrete, it will be need to be either raised or lowered until the Lazer detector goes off. Now, I willl know that my first post is at the same height at the next. All I need to do is repeat this process. (Might be a good idea to put a mark where the laser triggers on the post for reference) Any tips on doing easier guys or is this the most logical. The problem with the above method is that I will be trying to a accomplish 3 tasks at the same time. The height, then both verticals all at the same time. Could be challenging. I hope I am making sense. Thanks Steve P.S I'm not a fan of string lines with those bubbles attached. String lines are very hard to get stright over long distances. They tend to sage. You can see this in long fences sometimes. The best way to use a string line over a long distance is to sight down the line, then around half way, pop a nail in to pick up the dip. Yeah not a fan of string lines. Mofflepop, Are you building around Qld Manly? Building & Legal is a partnership between a construction guy and a construction Lawyer. Construction: we have… 9 25550 Use a product like Equisol's Vitalise to clean the deck then coat with a penetrating timber oil. It will look 10 years younger and add value to your home. Visit for… 1 15793 How much are you ahead in payments compared to where the build is at? Have you fully drawn down the loan? 5 11916 |