RedGum Sleepers / Stainless Steel Bolts

[JulianH]

I am wanting to construct a couple of garden beds along the fences on the sides of our block.

Similar to the attached photo, they will be oiled redgum sleepers, likely two high, with a horizontal sleeper on top as a capping. The support comes from another sleeper embeded as a post.

I'm wondering if I could get some help with places to source, close to Mornington:
redgum sleepers (landscape quality - though i expect i might need to plane them or sand them to get the type of look as per photo),
Stainless Steel cup-bolts - for the look (i can find galv easily enough, but not being able to source SS bolts).Much thanks in advance!

[kevjed]

I can recommend both Economy Bolt Co and Melbourne Bolt Co

http://www.aussieweb.com.au/directory/directory.aspx?cid=4905&lid=50028

[JulianH]

The length required (around 170mm, as each sleeper is 75mm) seems hard to get hold of; couple of company's said longest available is 130mm. Others had access to the 170mm.

170mm SS Cup Bolt = $9.00 per bolt. Sadly that's priced me out of the market. Also got some advice that they would tend to go yellow pretty quickly being close to the sea.

Back to Galv for me!

Any other thoughts appreciated, and I'm still searching for Redgum Sleepers.

[HappyHammer]

I'd guess the redgum is not going to be cheap if you can find it in those sizes. I can't imagine you'll find much seasoned Red Gum with sleeper dimensions.:no:

HH.

[Bleedin Thumb]

If you are balking at the price of the bolts you best be sitting down when you get the price of the sleepers ...In Sydney they're $32 each for used (crappy) ones!.

Try using new treated pine ones and staining them if you're after that effect. This sounds crass... but its not too foul...if you're into sleeper walls..... personally I think that they're sooooo yesterday!:p

[JulianH]

What would you suggest for a more modern look then? Hebel rendered? Welcome to suggestions, but it needs to blend with the rest of the yard and house, which is weatherboards.

The surrounding area is grass, merbau decking and fence (which I am probably going to cover with Brush panels).

I thought I would be able to find Redgum sleepers for around 15 each 2.1m long (200x75) based on some of the posts on this site...

[want2learn]

I like the the sleeper wall but only problem i've found is that everyone's wall seem to warp and shrink very quickly leaving gaps.

I'll be starting a similar height wall shortly, i've decided to do a merbau 70/90mm retaining wall but breaking it up into a few calculated spaced stack stone sections which will be built in a retangular court yard shape, which will also blend into a stack stone water wall.

I have a example pic if you want it.

[SilentButDeadly]

I thought I would be able to find Redgum sleepers for around 15 each 2.1m long (200x75) based on some of the posts on this site...

Julian.........$15 each is roughly the price from the mill ex GST....so you'll be paying more than that. You may find however that your local Bunnings might be able to source some for you...

Alternatively... try http://www.bowerbirdtimber.com/garden/sleepers.htm or similar

And 200x50 will be fine. Which means you could probably get away with 120mm bolts. And 316 hex head bolts with nyloc nuts would be fine....an M12 x 120 bolt with nyloc nut and two washers would around $7 or so
http://www.shirestainless.com.au/

Of course, gal would be far cheaper.....although zinc bolts will stay shinier.

[JulianH]

I'll be starting a similar height wall shortly, i've decided to do a merbau 70/90mm retaining wall but breaking it up into a few calculated spaced stack stone sections which will be built in a retangular court yard shape, which will also blend into a stack stone water wall.

I have a example pic if you want it.

SURE! I'd love to see a pic of what you are planning, a staked stone water wall is also a feature I am interested in trying to put into the garden somewhere.

[scambo]

Hi Julian, I'm just about to start a corner area of my garden and around the outside I am hoping to put in some redgum sleepers. I notice you said that you are going to oil them. What is it that you are going to use? I was after a nice sleek finish and was contemplating sump oil ( yeah sounds strange) and thinning it down with another oil possibly linseed oil ( though this is an expensive option). Any other ideas anyone?

[JulianH]

I'd been aiming for something like a neutral decking oil, but I might even consider putting acrylic on it (used for decking) - still neutral though, no tint.

I expect to be getting my redgum on the weekend, then cleaning it up a bit (planeing/sanding on the front side, and the top capping). I'll take some pics with oiling - but i suspect we won't learn much for a year or so regarding the colour/look in relation to the weathering.

I've still got one garden box on the side of the deck to cover with merbau then I'll post up some pics.

Cheers,
Julian