This step by step diy woodworking project is about clothesline plans. The project features instructions for building a basic clothesline for your backyard. Make sure you take a look over the rest of the related projects to see alternatives and more projects for your garden. Remember that you might need to adjust the size of the components to suit your needs.
When buying the lumber, you should select the planks with great care, making sure they are straight and without any visible flaws (cracks, knots, twists, decay). Investing in cedar or other weather resistant lumber is a good idea, as it will pay off on the long run. Use a spirit level to plumb and align the components, before inserting the galvanized screws, otherwise the project won’t have a symmetrical look. If you have all the materials and tools required for the project, you could get the job done in about a day. See all my Premium Plans HERE.
Projects made from these plans
Building a clothesline
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- A – 2 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 120″ long POSTS
- B – 2 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 36″ long SUPPORTS
- C – 4 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 18″ long BRACES
- 2 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 10 ft
- 1 piece of 4×4 lumber – 6 ft
- 1 piece of 2×4 lumber – 6 ft
- 1 1/4″ screws
- 1 5/8″ screws
- 2 1/2″ screws
- filler, stain
- glue
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Hammer, Tape measure, Framing square, Level
Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander
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One day
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Clothesline Plans
The first step of the project is to build the posts for the clothesline. Use 10′ long 4×4 pressure treated lumber, as you need to set the posts about 4′ into the ground.
Next, you need to create notches to the top of the posts, as shown in the diagram. Mark the cut lines on the posts, as shown in the diagram. Make parallel cuts inside the marked area and remove the excess material with a chisel. Smooth the area with sandpaper and remove the residues with a damp cloth.
Continue the project by building the horizontal supports. As you can easily see in the diagram, you need to make decorative cuts to both ends of the beams. In addition, make a notch to the middle of the supports, as shown in the plans. Use a circular saw to make parallel cuts inside the marked area and remove the excess with a chisel. Clean the edges with sandpaper.
Fit the horizontal support to the post, as shown in the diagram. Make sure the corners are square and drill pilot holes through the joint. Insert 4″ carriage bolts to lock the components together tightly.
Build the braces from 2×4 lumber. Cut both ends of the braces at 45 degrees and fit them to the frames. Drill pilot holes and insert 2 1/2″ screws to lock the to the supports.
Fill the holes and dents with wood putty and let it dry out for several hours. Use 120-200 grit sandpaper to smooth the surface. Remember that you can adjust the design and size of the clothesline to suit your needs. Dig 4′ holes into the ground, about 20′ one from another. Fit the frames to the holes and plumb them from two directions. Use temporary braces to lock them into place. Mix concrete to fill the holes.
Top Tip: If you want to enhance the look of the project and to protect the components from decay, we recommend you to apply paint or stain. Install the eye screws and the tighteners to the horizontal supports. Afterwards, fit the clotheslines between the supports.
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