8.20.2023

 Jim decided to put a slight curve in the braces so he made a template and then cut it on the bandsaw...

Nice!

Then it was time to head up to the pavilion.  We brought Mom out to watch for the first time since she had foot issues.

Jim decided that he wanted the secondary beam pockets a 1/4" deeper, so he chiseled those out on the first beam.  

Once those were done, he drilled the holes for the pegs...

He just went partway on some of the holes, since he has to drill through once it's in place...

Jim also decided that he wanted to bevel the tops of the tenons to hopefully make the beam go on top a bit easier...

The bevels even look nice!

He brought out his mortise jig to test - it was a little tight, probably because the beams have absorbed moisture being outside all this time...

So he chiseled a little bit off and then tested the width with his calipers...

Because Jim has to try and place this giant beam by himself, he tries to think of all contingencies and the best way to prevent problems.  That's why he put the steel beam up first.  Today, he fastened a board behind the two end posts to hopefully prevent the beam from rolling off the back...

This is a very anxious moment - time to place the beam.  Since all this was hand carved in different places,  it doesn't take being off much to have things not fit.  Plus, just getting it up is a huge challenge!  Thank goodness for the Bobcat - Jim put the forks on and started lifting it off the scaffolding...

Lifting it up...

Placing it onto the steel beam...

Standing on the Bobcat and moving it back...

Jim took down the temporary brace so that he could get the Bobcat farther back...

Then decided he could use that to move the beam back...

He brought the Bobcat inside and started lifting it into place...

He had to lift one end up (it's amazingly heavy!) and set it temporarily on a piece of wood...

You can see that started to fit on perfectly...

Using the mallet to put the last joint in place...

How amazing is this?

Everything lined up perfectly - just like he drew it up!

Once he knew that was successful, Jim wanted to try and get a brace on, to make sure that would work.  He decided to remove the cross braces from the scaffolding so he could get the Bobcat back even further.  Then he was able to easily lift the beam off the end joint a bit...

Then he put the brace in place...

It fits, but the moment of truth is when the beam is lowered down to make sure all fits together...

Beam lowered, and a knock from the mallet made everything fit together precisely...

The view from the back...

We were doing major happy dances that the design was proofed out, that Jim was able to get it all up and fit, and even a brace in place!  Such a huge accomplishment!

After he got all his tools and equipment put away, he needed to do some grass cutting.  We've had perfect weather and the grass is growing faster than he can keep up with it!

High 77.4/Low 55.8 - perfect!