Build a Garden Obelisk Feature
Obelisks make a stunning garden feature
By Rob Reichenfeld
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Obelisks make a stunning garden feature. We made ours from pre-primed LOSP pine. This material is lighter than hardwood and very durable outdoors – when used above ground. Make sure you select the straightest pieces you can find. This project requires a degree of precision in its set-out and cutting, but if you take your time and follow the old rule of ‘measure twice and cut once’, it’s a quite simple procedure
What you'll need
- Block plane
- Builder's square
- Carpenter's protractor
- Chisel (25mm)
- 3x Clamps
- File or rasp
- Combination square
- Circular saw or sliding compound mitre saw
- Drill bits: 2.5-, 3.5-, 8-, and 10mm twist bits, 10mm masonry bits, countersink bit
- Dust mask and safety glasses
- Hammer
- Layout board (optional) 2400 x 1200mm
- Measuring tape
- Power drill
- Power screwdriver with Phillips head & square drive bits
STEP 1
Cut the legs to length
Begin by cutting the 42 x 42mm LOSP pine into 2700mm lengths, to form the legs of the obelisk. If you’re planning to make two obelisks, you’ll need to cut eight lengths.
STEP 2
Prepare the set-out
Lay out two legs on a board (a section of 1200 x 2400mm hardboard is ideal). Mark out a 200mm top line, and then draw a second line, perpendicular to the 200mm set-out, down the middle of the board.
STEP 3
Establish the angles
Position the base of the legs 425mm out from either side of the centre line, and forming a 6º angle at the top. Diagram 1 shows the set-out for the obelisk.
STEP 4
Check the angles
Set a carpenter’s protractor at 6º. Adjust the angle as needed. Mark two 6º angles on both ends of the legs. Double-check to make sure the orientation of the legs is correct.
STEP 5
Cutting to length
To cut the tips off the legs, set the protractor to 6º and clamp to the top of the legs. If using a circular saw, set the blade to 6º and blade depth to 44mm. If using a sliding compound mitre saw, table and blade should be at 6º (see Diagram 2 & 3). Cut a compound angle at top of each leg. Reverse direction of the protractor and repeat the cut at the bases.
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