Posted: 05/27/2009 at 4:14pm | IP Logged

pritch272 wrote: the tubes should have stayed at the position they were in before I took the old decking off, they should not have moved, unless you think they might not have been straight to begin with-  some pointers on checking would be appreciated

Wildcat Dude wrote: Yep, that's why you make absolutely sure its squared up before and after each piece of wood get put on. Did you read somewhere where we talked about measuring from corner to corner of the frames (X configuration) and see if they are the same distance across? If not, you'll need at least 2 guys who can bump the toons hard, and keep measuring until you're about 1/16th of an inch or closer. Put the 1st piece of wood on - don't screw it down tight yet, put measure your corners again, make sure frame hasn't moved, put the next piece down, measure, if good, tighten down the 1st piece of wood and move on, each time measuring and taping the wood together with a rubber mallet to get the sheets tight together.

peppyjd wrote: Just predrill a small pilot hole through the wood itself, not the crossbeam.  Then use the screw.  Also helps if you snap or draw a line across the wood where the crossbeam is that you want to secure the wood to.

Wildcat Dude wrote: The toons will move I promise you, just a person on opposite corners bumping it simultaniously will move it 1/8 to 1/16th of an inch at a time and that's all you need for aligning it. That's how we did mine on the rebuild and it was on the trailer the whole time and the tires had to be blocked to keep it from moving. Good tip Jenn, on the predrilling as thats how we did it too. As for the bolts, why use any at all?

Bamby wrote:   There is another way to hold your toon to square and it may stay there. I often use this method when attempting to do things by myself. Take two ratchet binders (straps)  and hook on opposite corners X, just snug them up at first. Carefully measure corner to corner and adjust tension on straps as necessary until you bring it into square. Just make sure you run straps under cross members so you can leave them in place until you're done decking.

Wildcat Dude wrote:   Robbie straightening the z channel support.   1st board layed, robbie checking alignment again. Decided to use deck screws instead of the bolts like I had originally thought of doing because the bolts wouldn't have worked in my case, plus look at those screws, those babies are real toughies and did a great job.

Measure across in an X pattern like this. The red line needs to be the exact same as the blue line.

Hope this little tips helps you with your rebuild and be sure to read what Jim originally wrote back in July 2005 as it still applies at this link http://www.pontoonstuff.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3