Decking template

[Mark CH]

Hello all,

I'm just about to take delivery of my decking boards (90mm x 19 mm) and am wondering if anyone can give me some advice in making a template for drilling pilot holes for nailing? I'm thinking of a 3mm-4mm gap between baords.
Cheerio,
Mark

[Gra]

Take one offcut of decking board, nail a peice of 3mm MDF twice as wide as the decking board, to each side.

Stack on top of your first board, Line up the ends of the two boards, Drill through both boards. one throwaway drilling and spacing template made.:2tsup:

Well thats how I would do it anyhow.

[want2learn]

Anyone have any pictures, it sounds like a great idea but i can't picture it, i'll be needing something like that very soon.

[Dr - 307]

What about getting all the screws in a straight line looking nice and neat. What's the method there?

[addo]

I'd suggest that consistent staggering is better. It certainly reduces the risk of a joist opening up along a single line.

Cheers, Adam.

[Trav]

I went through this same issue a few years ago. Check out this trhead - it has a jig I made up to help me with the driling to get my mails in a straight line.

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/showthread.php?t=12977&highlight=deck

Hope it is helpful

Trav

[Dr - 307]

Trav,
I printed off the template drawing. When I'm ready i'll bang it together.
Cheers bud,
Doc.:2tsup:

[Trav]

No worries. Hope it is ueful for you.

Trav