Even with perfect measurements it's impossible to get to that line straight unless the frame is perfectly square. This not only completely solves that issue but also saves a ton of time not having to measure and cut them one by one.

Also the lumber I picked turned out to be 10 cm longer than the deck and I even picked the exact right amount. By the time I was done I only had a basket of <10 cm off-cuts.

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[–] 56 points 3 months ago (16 children)

I've been a professional before. Where it mattered we cut the ends off in place that same way.

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  • [–] 11 points 3 months ago (4 children)

    What tool to cut them off without damaging surroundings? Just a circular saw?

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  • [–] 31 points 3 months ago (2 children)

    Circular saw with the blade set such that it just barely will cut all the way through.

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  • [–] 3 points 3 months ago (1 child)

    Shouldn’t you set it about 1/4” below whatever you’re cutting?

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  • [–] 7 points 3 months ago

    Depends but i would say quarter is way too much. Generally dimensioned lumber is close enough that right on is just fine but rough cut needs more tolerance. My habit was often a 32 less and the rest breaks off with no danger to the blade.

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  • [–] 4 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (10 children)

    Do you not need to treat the exposed ends several times then though? I gave up on a project like this because it just felt like it would rot again quickly.

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  • [–] 8 points 3 months ago (1 child)

    Treated wood should be treated through and so no need to treat the ends

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  • [–] [S] 4 points 3 months ago

    The treatment generally goes into the wood only few centimeters so in some cases the cut ends do need to be treated. I've replaced pieces of deck framing in the past that had rotted out because this wasn't taken into consideration.

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  • [–] 2 points 3 months ago (2 children)

    I am also curious about this, it looks like a place where water will collect in between. At least where I live, maybe this person lives in a dryer climate?

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  • [–] [S] 4 points 3 months ago

    This is under a roof so it doesn't get wet regularly. However even if it did that would be okay due to the NTR-AB grade treatment on the wood. It resists water for as long as it gets to dry out in between. For framing I use NTR-A grade which can withstand being constantly wet but there the cut ends needs to be treated or else that's where the water gets in and it'll rot from the inside out since pressure treatment is only on the surface.

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  • [–] 2 points 3 months ago (4 children)

    It won't rot as long as it gets to dry out once in a while.

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  • [–] 2 points 3 months ago (3 children)

    I think that’s what the problem with the existing deck was lol. Also no-one uses hardwood cos it costs so much more.

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  • [–] 2 points 3 months ago (2 children)

    Even softwood seems so expensive. Plywood is probably the extent of my budget for a lot of things. Not sure how well it lasts outside or how treatable it is though so just haven't really made much.

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  • [–] 27 points 3 months ago (6 children)

    At first glance I thought this was an areal view of a large concert or something with the gravel being people.

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  • [–] 5 points 3 months ago (4 children)
  • [–] 24 points 3 months ago

    It looks great.

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  • [–] 20 points 3 months ago (3 children)

    Good job, man! Thats professional work, genuinely the way its supposed to be done.

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  • [–] 3 points 3 months ago (2 children)

    Only if he treated the ends before the fascia board went on 😬

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  • [–] 5 points 3 months ago (1 child)

    Not really a problem. The wood will dry out regularly, so it won't rot.

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  • [–] 1 point 3 months ago

    End cuts trapped behind fascia can retain water if they’re not completely sealed off from it getting in there in the first place. Better to treat your ends before covering them because even if you do it perfectly now, the deck can get worn or damaged later and allow water intrusion. Lasting builds design for reasonable fault tolerances.

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  • [–] 16 points 3 months ago (1 child)

    Hindsight is MY superpower.

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  • [–] 13 points 3 months ago

    That's how you do it.

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  • [–] 6 points 3 months ago

    I stand by what I was taught by my grandfather and my father.

    Only you'll care if it is off, but if someone comes to the house and says it is wrong, hand them a saw and say get to work.

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