DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME : Rotteneggs.com text files and message bases are for INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. DO NOT undertake any project based upon any information obtained from this or any other web site.We are not responsible for, nor do we assume any liability for, damages resulting from the use of any information on this site.
(159 votes) Published: Aug 23, 2009 6:19 p.m. Viewed 627 times
Torii gates are used in Japan at places of worship.
I use this type of gate to accent my Japanese garden. The gate is placed at the entrance of the garden at the East end if at all possible.
This gate is easy and fun to build and I do believe
you will enjoy your garden even more after installation.
Let’s get started!
Materials needed:
5- 2x4’s. Three will need to 8 foot long and the
other two need to be 10-12 foot long.
Use treated lumber.
1- 3/4" wood dowel about 48" long.
1- can of redwood stain or red paint.
1- paint brush.
1- bottle of wood glue.
Tools needed:
1- electric or hand saw.
1- electric or hand drill.
3- wood clamps.
1- level.
1- post hole diggers or shovel.
1- 1 1/2" wood drill bit.
1- 3/4" wood drill bit.
1- hammer.
1- straight edge.
1- marker, pen, or pencil.
1- tape measure.
1- wood file.
For ease of assembly, I will break this down into
three parts.
The header.
The center piece.
The legs.
Header:
Take two of the 8 foot long 2x4’s and place one on
top of the other. Make sure the ends meet and lock them together with the wood clamps.
Take the straight edge and make a 50 degree angle
as shown. Repeat on other end.
Take the saw and cut on the mark you just made.
It should look something like this.
Repeat on other end.
After cutting, take the top board off and lay down
a strip of wood glue as shown. Replace top board and
be sure the angle lines up. Install the wood clamps
tightly!!
Angle lined up.
Set the header aside to dry over night.
Take the header after it has dried and measure from the end 12". Make sure you measure back from the "long" part of the angle. Make a mark. Use the straight edge and draw a line across the width of the board.
Find the center of the line and make a mark.
Make a mark 3/4" from the center mark.
Using the 3/4" wood drill bit, make a hole all the way through.
Repeat on the other end.
Center piece:
Take the other 8 foot 2x4 and using the tape measure,
measure 12" from the end and make a mark.
Using the straight edge draw a line across this mark.
Repeat on other end.
Next, find the center of the board on the line you just made and measure back (not going towards the end of the board) 3/4" mark that spot.
Use the 3/4" wood drill bit and make a hole.
Repeat on other end.
The center piece may be set aside now.
The legs:
Take one of the 10 to 12 foot 2x4’s and measure 22"
from the end and make a mark.
Draw a straight line across then find the center of the board and make the center mark.
Measure 3/4" from the center mark and make another
mark. Do this again on the opposite side of the mark. Note:This is going width wise.
Next, measure from the center mark (length wise)
1 and 3/4" and make a mark. Do this again on the opposite side of the mark.
Take the marker and draw out the "box" you just made.
The "box" should be 1 1/2" x 3 1/2". Just enough to
get the center piece to go through.
Now take the 1 1/2" wood drill bit and make a hole so you can get the saw blade in.
Use the saw and cut out the rest of the hole.
Rough cutout.
Next, we need to make a hole for the wood dowel.
Find the center line from the previous marking and draw a straight line across the "thickness" part of the board.
After you found the center, use the 3/4" wood drill bit and make the hole.
Repeat process on other side.
Checking "fit" of wood dowel.
Check other leg too.
Checking "fit" of center piece into the leg.
You may need to use the file to shave down enough to
get the center piece to go in. You want the fit to be snug not tight.
(cut off end piece used for checking)
Check other leg too.
Next, we will drill the top of the leg for the wood dowel. Line the straight edge up with the corners and make the mark.
Repeat on other leg.
Hole in center. Drill down 3".
Repeat on other leg.
Cutting the wood dowels.
You will need two dowels 6" long and
two dowels 5 1/2" long.
Assembly of the Torii:
Take the center piece and slide one end into the
1 1/2" x 3 1/2" hole in the leg.
Line up the 3/4" holes.
Repeat on other side.
Next, with the hammer, tap in one of the 5 1/2"
wood dowels. There should be about an inch sticking out from both sides.
Repeat on the other side.
Next, take the wood glue and place a small amount in the hole at the top of the leg.
Also put some around the hole.
Next, we will install the header.
Take one of the 6" wood dowels and tap in with the hammer. Stop when you can just feel it starting to come through. Line up the tip of the protruding dowel with the hole in the top of the leg and drive it all the way in. Repeat on the other side.
Assembled Torii Gate.
Next we will stain/paint the gate.
I chose "Sodona Red" wood stain.
Installation:
Using the post hole diggers or shovel, dig the holes at least 2 feet down. I laid the gate down on the ground to get the spot for the holes.
Next, install gate into the holes and fill back in with the dirt you took out. Before you tamp the dirt,
use the level to make sure the gate is square.
If gate checks out, finish tamping dirt in the hole.
You may need to add a small rock to the hole to help raise up one leg or remove more dirt to adjust level.
Finished Torii Gate.
Future site of Japanese Garden.
(behind Torii Gate)
Torii Gate at my existing Japanese garden.
Note: I used 4x4’s on this gate for the header and the legs.
The stepping stones to "Enlightenment"
Guardians at the gate. (there is another at the other side.)
Japanese lantern.
Budda.
Plant.
Wind chimes.
Cow bell.
Hidden speaker for listening to Japanese music.
Bench in the garden.
Sign in the garden.
It reads, "Bushido" "Way of the Warrior".
Side view of a Guardian.
Sign on my Torii Gate as you exit the garden.
It says, "Good bye".
Aug 23, 2009 7:40 pm - I’m really enjoying these. The bonsai one was also great--I have a juniper that I’m gonna make into a bonsai, and there were a couple of things in your egg that I hadn’t read before. (I can’t confess that I’m a huge Japanophile, but I DO enjoy gardening!) Nice work, hot stuff! ;)
Aug 25, 2009 6:18 pm - I’m not even going to comment because so many people have already expressed the awsomeness of this egg. Oh well, too late. Five stars!!!!!
Aug 25, 2009 9:36 pm - 5* Excuse me but could you please make an egg on how to make one of those tiny little stone japanese houses? I’m sorry I don’t really know the name.
Sep 02, 2009 5:31 pm - Very nice egg... especially how you resized the pictures. I also like the concept. I try to avoid yardwork but if I were into gardening this would be what I would like.
Sep 10, 2009 5:24 pm - great de5cription & punctuation
although it may of been some help if the pictures where able to maximize for a better view.
still a great egg 5*
Edit Page
Message TOMMY_BOY
Add Comment
Add to Favorites
Email to Friend
