How to join 2x6 deck boards on a 45 degree angle

[flair woodworks]

I have been asked to help build two outdoor steps that look more or less like this.

Each step will consist of three 2x6 widths.

How would you join the boards at the corners?  My first thought was to glue in Dominos and pin the joints with an 18-gauge nail.  Does that sound like a good plan?

 

[w802h]

With a 45 degree angle you may be able to get two dominoes, with one closer to the outside than a 90 degree angle. Sometimes a 20 biscuit provides a better shape. What wood are you using?  I would use either epoxy or Titebond III.  Depending on the wood, I would probably use a stainless ring shank nail or a stainless trim screw instead of an 18 gauge brad. 

 

[bkharman]

Chris,

Are you screwing the deck boards down from the top or using hidden fasteners?  Reason I ask is that i used 10mm Dominos last year to do what you are doing and with my hidden fasteners, I didn't bother with the glue.  I used Sipo tenons and when the joint separates in the winter, it is only about 5-10 mm, so it isn't too bad.  I did coat the ends to ensure that if/when it separated, then water would stay out of the end grain.

Let us know how you get along!

Cheers.  Bryan.

 

[peter halle]

Hey Chris!

What type of wood decking?

Peter

 

[rizzoa13]

Yea I'd consider just letting it open and close I mean it gets rained on its going to move.

 

[flair woodworks]

Pressure treated hemlock 2x6s are being used for the structure and decking.  Not my choice.

 

[tjbnwi]

Leave the joints gapped about 1/8" round over the edges with a 1/4" rounder bit.

Tom

 

[mkasdin]

If you have access from underneath I would tie into the framing or add some blocking. 18ga nails are more for finish work? Small outdoor screws that are galvanized and painted to match the wood might be a good option... The joints don't look like 45 deg more like 22.5 degrees. There is a total of 4 angles so that adds up to 90 degrees. This is the same angle for doing bullnose corners on baseboard when I'm too cheap to spend the money on store bought or its some weirder angle that is a pita.

Take a look at Simpson ties they have scewable hardware and other ties that might fit the bill? In the old days everything was nailed by hand, just general carpentry.

 

[SMJoinery]

Leave the joints gapped about 1/8" round over the edges with a 1/4" rounder bit.

Tom

[thumbs up]
This is how I'd do it as well. Only option that keeps the deck looking uniform all year. If joints closed or slightly open which will happen dependant on weather. It will match the long board edges so gives uniformity.

 

[SMJoinery]

Not wishing to hijack the thread but it's related to same, I really like to do the "riser" board in multiple small pieces fixed verticaly. It just seems to look better and really defines the steps. It sure uses up all the off cuts but takes a little longer but in my opinion worth it.

 

[rizzoa13]

I could see that if your using all the same material (pressure treated). A lot of the decks I do have man made decking boards with white pvc risers and skirts so it's nice to get those as one piece.

 

[tjbnwi]

An observation of the photo in the first post.

Those corners are terrible. More a nightmare than a dream deck.

not lining up the edge seam is unacceptable (to me).

Tom

 

[rizzoa13]

I didnt look that closely but WOW. It's kind of sad what some people push on the public and then call great work. Of course you can charge less for something like that it's just straight slapped together!