virgilreality

virgilreality t1_j89yakh wrote

If you have a (pretty standard) carpenter's square, there are degree measurements on it. If you place the square against the railing, then hand a weighted string from the pivot location (all the angles will pint to it), it will tell you the angle of the railing.

Match that value on your miter box.

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virgilreality t1_j7zuwhp wrote

Looks stable side-to-side (long-ways), but needs diagonal stabilizers front to back too. Smaller is fine, and actually, your other diagonals could probably be a lot smaller.

The vertical posts need to be 4x4s, and if you're doing that, make them tall enough to stand under without banging your head. You can hang the kayak(s) and equipment on the posts instead of on the ground that way, too.

I also suggest that you cut the tips of the long 2x4s at a 45 degree angle to minimize head bruises. Very simple miter saw cut.

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virgilreality t1_j5vaz14 wrote

My go-to fastener is a coarse-thread drywall screw. Good grip, strong for it's size, V-bottom head for countersinking, and you can get them in most any size you want.

Past that...I learned long ago that each screw, nail, bolt, nut, and washer I can save has a good chance of keeping me from having to run to the hardware store. The trick is to keep it all ONLY semi-organized...and for me, it works out best to split (ex: screws) into three groups - small (<3/4") medium (<2") and large (2"+). When I need a medium screw, I dump some of the container into a bowl I keep on hand for it, and parse through the available screws to find the size and type I need. If I don't find what I'm after, other options are still right in front of me that way.

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