Sort of related topic Mike. Are you billing out milestones, T+M, Fortnightly rate, what have you?

I guess you sold this one as, "It costs what it costs (I have no idea)"?

Mike -

I am sure that you will have no problem in getting more projects.  Quality workmanship like you have demonstrated here is always in demand.

I hear that they may be covering the walls of the Grand Canyon in "ipe" to make it last longer.  Any interest?

Neill

I am very surprised you can use anything but real wood. I had a plaqued "painted lady"(before it burned down) and the historical society at that time would not let us use anything other than original materials or as close as possible, that Azek would not have been approved.

Hello railing fans,
  Finally I got a chance to get some finished railing pics.

Gee they look just like the old ones Photo shopped??

On closer inspection.

We note that the profiles look amazingly sharp. Gone are the hundred years of paint. Must be really good photo shop

Will somebody please fill those nail holes

Mike!

 That looks absolutely awesome!!! Give yourself a pat on the back

Dan Clermont

Hey Mike,

great job, looks fantastic.  And thanks for the detailed description could come in handy one day...

Here's another trick for lengthening parts when you can't have any cavities near the seam (no pocket holes or blind holes).



I use this method on the bottom part of the rail. It gets beveled pretty drastically on top and any pockets in the laminations would be exposed. The left hand Jorgensen clamp straddles the seam and is slightly loose next to the seam. This helps align the parts horizontally. The weight of the clamps hold the parts in vertical alignment.

The glued butt joints are not as strong as the original plastic but I stagger the seams when I laminate the rail. I thought scarf joints would be overkill
Mike

Mike,

In reading the information on Azek's site it recommends using siding ss or ring shank nails to attach the product to the substrate.  What do you use and if you are using round head nails how are you covering the heads of the nails when you finish. Additionally if you apply 4/4 trim to say a post do you also use construction adhesive as additional holding power?

Thanks

Dan Judish

Hi Dan,
  For attaching say 1x4 trim to something I use these guys:
http://www.swansecure.com/siding_fasteners/collated_nails/wire_coil_siding_nails.HTML


  For filling holes I use this:
http://www.bondfill.com/products/.HTML
It's a little on the expensive side and I haven't tried a lot of other products.


For attaching something like the post cladding I would use stainless screws. I tried gluing some Azeck with construction adhesive and wasn't impressed by how well it stuck. I used polyurethane and it stuck somewhat but I could peel it off   I suggest getting some scrap and try your glue of choice. Perhaps I needed to sand the Azek first or wash it with TSP?
Mike

I had no idea it was real wood!

I called after you stated that and they still consider it NOT authentic. Only material at the time of construction could be used. Mahogany etc. Oh well I guess in CA they are ahead of our Historical society here at accepting the look of authenticity instead of true authenticity. I would have used the Aztek.

Railings look fantastic!

Mike, I don't remember, I ordered some last spring through my lumber lard, if I have the time I'll track down the invoice and look at the price. I do remember it isn't cheap. I don't like to leave the Azek unpainted, it doesn't take much to get it dirty looking. I spent the day bondo'ing an Azek job today that will be painted white.

Peter, I used a regular calking gun and only buy the amount you need, the stuff has a one year shelf life.

Thanks Mike and Brice, It's interesting how many of the fabricators are either in the Northwest or east of Colorado, I am assuming for the dry climate here the less likely hood of wood rotting.  We do have a problem here because of the extremes in temperature fluctuations, moisture thaws during the day and then sub zero at night, with one crack in the wood and shortly you have sizable crevice.  I talked with my supplier (big big company) and he said that he could get it in a couple of days  they don't even stock Azek.  This application is also for a deck railing.

Thanks again

Dan Judish