How to make a timber teepee
DIY project from NZ Gardener magazine
Reading nook, daydream corner or fortress of solitude… oh the endless possibilities!
You will need
Materials:
- 4 pieces of 45mm x 45mm macrocarpa or similar at 1400mm
- 21 pieces of 140mm x 12mm fencing timber or similar at 1200mm
- 8 x 40mm exterior timber screws
- Your choice of finishes
Tools:
- Measuring tape and pencil
- Drill and 4.5 drill bit and bit to fit your screw type
- Mitre saw or hand saw
- Sandpaper
- Paintbrushes or cloths
Cost: $90, excluding Resene products. I used Resene Lumbersider in the colour Resene Dell, and Resene Furniture and Decking Oil.
Instructions
Step 1
Using a mitre saw or hand saw, cut the 45mm x 45mm macrocarpa into 4 posts at 1400mm in length.
Step 2
Lay out your fencing timbers onto a flat surface, ensuring they are evenly spaced. Lay the posts in a triangle shape with a 1000mm wide gap at the bottom end. Mark each outer side with a pencil for your cutting line. Cut to size. Repeat this for the other 2 posts. Using your timbers as a template, cut the panels for the back of the teepee by adding 25mm to the size of each timber.
Step 3
On each fencing timber, measure 22mm in and 40mm on each side and pre-drill with the drill and 4.5mm bit.
Step 4
Sand each timber if necessary. Prime and paint all the fencing timbers on all sides; I used Resene Lumbersider in Resene Dell.
Oil the posts for durability. I used Resene Furniture and Decking Oil.
Step 5
Lay out your posts in the triangle shape and screw the fencing timbers into place. Do this for each side.
Step 6
Stand up and prop the timber triangles together, and screw on the top fencing timber piece to give support. Screw on each timber working downwards.
I also made a face plate for the front opening of the teepee. This is optional though, so it’s down to a matter of preference.
Project by Jane Horne
Jane Horne and partner Simon Bartholomew design and develop projects from their studio in Christchurch, managing projects throughout the South Island.