Build your own carport – calculate and adjust post lengths correctly
The kit for the carport was delivered and the weather was getting better every day. The construction of the carport was now within reach. In order for the construction to run smoothly, the work had to be well planned.
As well as catering for the construction team, I had to make sure that I had the tools I needed in stock. I also had to check my preparatory work, especially the height of the post anchors, to avoid any nasty surprises when putting up the carport.
In the following article, I write everything you need to know about the necessary tools and how to calculate the correct post lengths.
Tools for the construction of the carport
I was quickly able to answer the question about the tools needed to build the carport.
Apart from large screw clamps and large Torx bits, which I had already bought in advance, I already had all the other tools I needed.
Among other things, I used large wooden auger bits to pre-drill the wooden beams. In view of the screw length of over 20 cm, it was important that the drill bits were of good quality.
Auger bits differ from normal wood drills due to their special spiral shape, which makes it possible to drill deep and straight holes with less effort.
This shape helps to remove the chips efficiently and penetrate the wood cleanly, which is particularly advantageous given the length of the screws required.
I needed an equally powerful and, above all, durable cordless screwdriver for the drills and, of course, for the screws.
It made sense to work with two cordless screwdrivers and to have fully charged spare batteries available.
By using two cordless screwdrivers, I was able to work more efficiently as I didn’t have to constantly switch between drill and bit. The spare batteries ensured that there were no unnecessary work interruptions due to empty batteries.
Pins, a spirit level, a hammer, a folding rule and a variety of other tools were also required for the assembly.
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![Metabo KGS 216M Lasercut-Maschinensäge 1500 W 240 V [Energieeffizienzklasse A+]](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%200%200'%3E%3C/svg%3E "Build your own carport - calculate and adjust post lengths correctly 3")
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Price: € 227.42
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Price: € 7.99instead of: € 11.39
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Price: € 3.63instead of: € 6.18
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![Metabo KGS 216M Lasercut-Maschinensäge 1500 W 240 V [Energieeffizienzklasse A+]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41p5j-SFwcL._SL75_.jpg "Build your own carport - calculate and adjust post lengths correctly 3")
Effectively measure and level horizontal surfaces
There are various methods for determining the horizontal height of a building site, such as for my carport, which differ in terms of accuracy, cost and effort.
Here are some ways you can measure and level the building site if your spirit level is too small:
Use of a hose scale:
This simple and cost-effective method is ideal for carrying out leveling work over long distances. A transparent tube is filled with water and the water levels at both ends show the same level.
The advantage of this method is its simplicity and accuracy over long distances.
The disadvantage can be that air bubbles in the hose can affect the measurement. However, these can be minimized by carefully filling the hose.
Use of a rotating laser:
A rotating laser projects a horizontal or vertical line over a large area. This method is extremely precise and makes it possible to check the level over a large area at the same time.
The advantage lies in the quick and easy handling as well as the high accuracy.
The disadvantages are the higher purchase costs and the need for a relatively flat initial surface in order to set the laser correctly. If the terrain is uneven, the laser may not find a reference point at some points.
Use of a leveling instrument:
A leveling instrument, often used in the construction industry, enables precise height measurements.
The advantage is the high precision, especially over long distances and in complex construction projects.
The disadvantages are the relatively high purchase costs and the experience required in handling such instruments.
To reduce the disadvantages of these methods, rented equipment can be used to reduce the cost of purchase. It is also advisable to familiarize yourself with the operation before using it for the first time or, if necessary, to call in a specialist for help.
Compensate for height differences in the H-post anchors
To precisely determine the height differences on the building site, I placed a 6-meter-long beam from the carport kit across the H-post anchors from front to back. I laid two more beams across this main beam, creating a kind of bridge.
As the beams were straight, I was able to measure the slope exactly using a conventional spirit level. I shimmed the beams until they were absolutely level with each other.
This method allowed me to determine the exact height differences of the four post anchors.
I then used the results to precisely determine the required length of my posts for the carport. I will include the height of the relining in the calculation of the post lengths.
Unfortunately, checking the positions for the H-post anchors was less satisfactory. The slight but intended slope and the inaccuracy of the spirit level over the length of 6 meters led to height differences of up to 5 cm under the individual posts.
As the height of the H-post anchors already set in concrete was fixed, I had to take these height differences into account when cutting the posts to the correct length.
- MAGNETISCH: Extrastarkes Seltenerd-Magnetsystem zur Haftung an metallischen Bauelementen – freie Hände beim Ausrichten und Justieren von Pfosten und Trägern
- ATTRAKTIV: Drei häufig genutzte Längen. Strapazierfähige, verschließbare Wasserwaagen-Tasche. Wasserwaagen 120 cm und 60 cm mit zwei Vertikal-Libellen für schnelles Ablesen in jeder Position
- HOCHWERTIG: Stabiles Aluminium-Profil. Integrierte Rutsch-Stopper für festen Sitz der Wasserwaage beim Anzeichnen. Einfache Reinigung des Profils. Kunststoff-Endkappen zum Schutz des Profils
- OPTIMAL ABLESBAR: Zwei beschichtete Messflächen. Qualitätslibellen mit fluoreszierender Flüssigkeit. Robustes Acrylglas mit präzise geschliffenen Innenkonturen und bündig sitzenden Ableseringen
- DAUERHAFT PRÄZISE: Einbautechnologie LOCKED VIALS sorgt für Langzeitpräzision. Messgenauigkeit in Normalposition ± 0,5 mm/m, in Umschlagposition ± 0,75 mm/m. Exaktes Ablesen von -20 °C bis +50 °C
Video: Calculate carport post length correctly
I have filmed the exact procedure for calculating the correct post lengths and published an informative video on my YouTube channel.
You can find my videos about building the carport in my playlist Project Carport – Building a Carport on a Slope by Yourself.
If you want to see more of me and my projects, feel free to check out my YouTube channel.
- Schlagwerk abschaltbar
- Bürstenloser Motor für mehr Ausdauer, längere Lebensdauer und kompaktere Bauweise
- Mit leuchtstarker LED
- Feinfühlig regelbare Drehzahl
- 2-Gang-Vollmetall-Planetengetriebe
Summary and conclusion
Before setting up my carport, I made sure that all the necessary preparations had been made to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
This included checking the height level of the post anchors and making sure I had all the tools I needed.
In addition to large screw clamps and Torx bits, which I had purchased in advance, I also used high-quality wood auger bits to pre-drill the wooden beams for screws over 20 cm long. A powerful cordless screwdriver was just as essential as pencils, spirit level, hammer and folding rule.
In order to determine the exact horizontal height of the building site, I gave a lot of thought to which method I could use. There was a choice of hose scales, a rotating laser and a leveling instrument.
In the end, I placed a 6-meter-long beam over each of the carport’s post anchors and measured the slope with a spirit level. I adjusted the beams until they were level in order to determine the exact height differences.
These measurements were crucial for cutting the posts to the correct length, whereby I had to take into account the height differences of up to 5 cm due to the terrain and the inaccuracy of the spirit level.
- Entwickelt zum Bohren in Holz
- Sechskantschaft für eine starke Verbindung und maximale Drehmomentübertragung in Dreibackenfuttern und 1/4-Zoll-Innensechskant-Werkzeughaltern
- Zum Bohren in allen Hart- und Weichholzarten auch in nassem Holz, z. B. beim Bohren von Durchgangslöchern für Rohre und Kabel in dickem Holz
- Lieferumfang: PRO Wood Holzschlangenbohrer-Set, 6-tlg.
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