squaring a octagon

[ddrane2115]

ok, here is the problem. I have the boards cut, the posts and all, laid it out and for some reason I am having a time getting it to round out as it should. I think it is because of the facing boards, first one, nto being square to the board opposite it. I am thinking I need to shoot a line or do batter boards to square the 4 sides then put the other 4 in the octagon. any hints on doing this would be great. I really really need this to work, and quick resolution for this shade tree engineer.

I have thought of starting one post then going from there, but dont want to wind up with a tree where I need a post..............wait that might not be a bad idea..........

pics attached of the overall, and the "problem"

1st is the problem, I dont thing the back and front are square
2nd this is how I was templating it, laying it out before digging holes
3rd I have some room around this tree, but, could I use it, it is a locust tree
4th a bit of room there, just outside is a water maple, how do you kill those again

 

[ddrane2115]

part 2

on these pics some are not exactly where they will be, so this may be some of the problem. my question is if I used batter boards to square the sides and front and back, would this be/work out better. I have thought of setting post 1, then using the boards as a template, 22.5 angle on each end, setting the next post and so forth..........I just dont want to wind up out of square at the end of the day.

 

[ddrane2115]

One more thing if you will allow me. Those boards are 12' long. is that too much of a span for a privacy fence, even using 3 rungs without a support 4x4 in the middle of the run. I think it will need another. 4x4 would be about same cost as 2 runs of the 12's so money is not an issue. Eventually we will be adding seating around the walls.


thanks guys, your help and input are appreciated

 

[RoadKing]

My suggestion would be to use some scrap plywood cut some nailers, with your 22.5 angle on the outside the bigger the better 24" maybe, screw to your 12' pieces to make sure your octagon is even. Check by measuring across the opening in an "X". Unscrew one plywood piece at at time as you install each post, anchor to the post then move on to the next post.

 

[XeVfTEUtaAqJHTqq]

Since it's an Octagon, you should be able to measure the distance between the opposing corners and then adjust them until they average out and are all equal.

Just a thought, I'm no math genius.

 

[ddrane2115]

Got some more done on this over Friday and Saturday. See the pics for progress. One thing did come up, when we got to the last pole, we were about 2.5 feet off...............don't know how that happened. We had all the 2x4's cut to 12' and at 22.5 degree angle on each end. They were eyeballed during the installation, each one carefully placed and no measurable gaps in the placement of the 2x4's against the 4x4's. We 'hid' the mistake in the center of the last side, making the gate in the middle of that stretch of fence.

pic 1 is setting the braces while the concrete hardens
pic 2 is the backside of the structure, and of course you have to show the bota
pic 3 redneck concrete mixer
pic 4 2 man post hole digger, I am buying one for the bota, this thing is a killer.

 

[ddrane2115]

here are some of the rest of the days work. It all worked out pretty well, we get the rest of the second rung up Sunday, then next week start the side walls, and the gate.

pic 1, filling in some low spots
pic 2, view from the house, gate will be in the middle of the 2 front most stakes
pic 3, watching concrete set
pic 4, Jake, our jack russell mix on his mound.

 

[ddrane2115]

Here we are so far. One line may be out of bounds with the neighbor, so survey coming tomorrow. Rained today so building the gates in the barn.

 

[Doc]

Here we are so far. One line may be out of bounds with the neighbor, so survey coming tomorrow. Rained today so building the gates in the barn.

Good pics Danny!

One may be out of bounds!!!
That sounds bad. Will that mean starting from scratch if it is? Did the neighbor bring this up, or are you just being sure there is not a problem?
Good luck. I hope it is not 'out of bounds'.

 

[ddrane2115]

Doc,

we found it, not the neighbors. I hope they are not home when the survey is done. We are only doing the one side, confirm 2 stakes, we have 500' of string..........if they are out of line, we can line them up for a 'part' of a future privacy fence, on the property line. it will include removing 2 posts and making one long straight wall. After this is done we will finish the sides and install the gates.

thanks for the reply