Garden Bridge Building Instructions

Cutting the Lumber

• 1

  Measure and cut the five 6-feet long 1 by 8s into 10 pieces with 3-foot lengths.

• 2

  Measure and cut the 10-feet long 1 by 8 into three pieces with 3-foot lengths. You should now have 13 1 by 8 boards with 3-foot length made from the 6-foot and 10-foot long 1 by 8 boards.

• 3

  Measure and cut four 2 by 4s to four 32 1/2-inch lengths and eight 31-inch lengths. You can cut two 31-inch pieces and one 32 1/2-inch piece from one 2 by 4, totaling 12 pieces.

• 4

  Measure and cut the remaining 2 by 4s to four 44-inch lengths and four 40 1/2-inch lengths, totaling eight pieces.

• 5

  Measure and cut the 6-foot 2 by 8 into two pieces with 36-inch lengths.

Frame Assembly

• 6

  Mark the center of two 36-inch 2 by 8s.

• 7

  Attach one 8-foot 2 by 8 to one end of a 36-inch 2 by 8. Line up the end of the 8-foot board so that it is flush with the end of the corner of the 36-inch board. You will be attaching the top of the 8-foot to the face of the 36-inch. Secure with two 2-inch deck screws in the top and bottom edge, from the opposite side of the 36-inch through to the 8-foot.

• 8

  Attach the second 36-inch board to the bottom of the 8-foot board, in the same manner as the top.

• 9

  Place a second 8-foot board in between the two 36-inch boards, at the center marks you made, and attach. Attach a third 8-foot board to the other end of the 36-inch boards, making sure they are flush.

• 10

  Drill three 5/32-inch holes through the top and bottom 36-inch boards into the 8-foot boards. Your holes should be in a straight line. Secure lag screws and washers in each hole and tighten with the ratchet and 9/16-inch socket.

Guard Rails

• 11

  Use the carpenter's square to mark and cut the corners off one end of eight 31-inch boards.

• 12

  Lay two 40 1/2-inch 2 by 4s and two 32 1/2-inch 2 by 4s out. Place the bottom edges against the long section of the frame to act as a guide stop. The tall 2 by 4s should be parallel.

• 13

  Mark a width center line on the two 40 1/2-inch 2 by 4s. Mark a center line at both the top and bottom of the posts. Use a straight edge to connect the two marks together down the length of the two posts.

• 14

  Attach one 31-inch board to two of the posts, lining up the edge, on the long side, of the 31-inch with the top edges of the 2 by 4s and the short edges of the board should line up with the center guideline you drew.

• 15

  Mark 13 inches from the bottom edge of the board down the length of the 2 by 4. Attach a second 31-inch board, lining up the top end edges with the 13 inch marks and the ends with your 2 by 4 center lines. Attach with 3-inch deck screws.

• 16

  Position the two of the 32 1/2-inch 2 by 4s on the left and right of your middle section. Each 32 1/2-inch should be spaced 21 inches from the taller 2 by 4s.

• 17

  Place one of the angled 31-inch boards on the left side, on top of the short and tall 2 by 4s. Line the top edge flush with the top left corner of the 32 1/2-inch 2 by 4; the angled end should be butt against the end of the 31-inch attached to the tall 2 by 4. Secure with 3-inch screws at both ends. Repeat for the right side, connecting the middle section with the two side sections. The boards should be sloping downward.

• 18

  Attach a second board to each side 12 1/4 inches from the top board.

• 19

  Repeat steps 2 through 8 for the second rail. Temporarily attach the side rails to the 8-foot lengths of the frame with 2-inch decks screws, making sure the railing 2 by 4s are flush with the ends and bottom edge of the 8-foot boards.

• 20

  Drill two 3/8-inch holes into each 2 by 4 through the 8-foot boards. Avoid hitting the lag bolts on the frame. Remove the screws and the railings.

Final Assembly

• 21

  Place the bridge frame in the location desired. Reattach the sides using the lag bolts, nuts and lock washers. Hammer the bolts through the holes if necessary.

• 22

  Place the nuts on the end of the bolts and tighten with the ratchet and 9/16-inch socket.

• 23

  Place the remaining 31-inch boards along the frame, in between the railings. Space the each board 3/8-inch apart to allow water to drain through.

• 24

  Attach each board, using three 2-inch screws, to each of the three 8-foot boards. The first and last boards will also need four 2-inch screws in between the three securing screws.

• 25

  Paint or stain as desired and allow it to dry.