Build a Garden Obelisk Feature

Words by Rob Reichenfeld

From Australian Handyman Magazine

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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Thomas lent his friend Paul $600 – and never heard from him again. A year later, the two guys bumped into each other on the street.

“Long time no see,” said Thomas. “You owe me $600. But I’m doing well, so I’ll let you off half the money. When do you think you’ll have the rest?”

“Relax,” Paul said. “I just paid you $300.”

Patricia Espinosa