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Two 2x6 legs lapped together at a shallow peak — the whole design is one interlocking joint, cut freehand with a circular saw and cleaned up with a chisel.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legs One end cut at 45°, the other end cut at 22-1/2° off square, long point to long point measurement. | 2 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 104 5/8" | 2x6 | ☐ |
| Base feet | 4 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 24" | 2x6 | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| 2x6, 10 ft (or 2x4 for a lighter, cheaper build) The two legs — cut list is unchanged if substituting 2x4. | 2 each | ☐ |
| 2x6, 8 ft (or 2x4) Cut into the four base feet. | 1 each | ☐ |
| Self-tapping star bit screws, 1-1/4" Fastens the lap joint permanently. | 10 each | ☐ |
| Self-tapping star bit screws, 2-1/2" Attaches the base feet. | 10 each | ☐ |
| Bolts, 1-1/2", with washers and nuts Optional — use instead of screws at the lap joint if the arch needs to knock down for repeat use. | 2 each | ☐ |
| Tent anchors and heavy fishing line Recommended for anchoring outdoors, especially with fabric or garland draped over the arch. | 1 each | ☐ |
| Wood stain or paint | 1 qt | ☐ |
Overall cost: $. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Speed Square, Tape Measure. Materials: 2x6, 10 ft (or 2x4 for a lighter, cheaper build)
On the two long legs, mark and cut the angles per the cut list: one end at 45°, the other end at 22-1/2° off square. The 22-1/2° cut is measured as an angle off a square (90°) cut — on a miter saw, simply dial the angle to 22-1/2° and cut directly.
Tools: Pencil
Lay the two cut legs so their 45° peak cuts meet and match each other, exactly as the finished arch will stand. Trace the overlapping area onto BOTH boards with a pencil — this traced outline is your cutting guide for the notch on each piece.
Tools: Chisels, Circular Saw
Set the circular saw's cutting depth to 3/4" — half the board's thickness. Clamp each board to a stable surface and make a series of cuts about 1/4" apart across the whole traced overlap area.
Break the small waste pieces out by hand, then clean up the bottom of the notch with a chisel until it's flat and even. Repeat on the second board's overlap area.
Tools: Circular Saw. Materials: Self-tapping star bit screws, 1-1/4", Bolts, 1-1/2", with washers and nuts, Wood stain or paint
Lap the two legs together at the peak and test the fit — the two boards should sit flush where they cross. This is a good point to apply finish before final assembly, since the lap joint is far easier to reach with a brush now than once it's fastened.
Join the legs with 1-1/4" screws for a permanent arch, or 1-1/2" bolts with washers and nuts if you want to disassemble and reuse the arch for future events.
Tools: Circular Saw. Materials: Self-tapping star bit screws, 2-1/2", Tent anchors and heavy fishing line
Screw the four base feet to the bottom of each leg with 2-1/2" screws, crossing them perpendicular to the legs for a stable, self-supporting stance.
Stand the arch on real ground before the event — a lawn is never as flat as a garage floor — and plan on tent anchors or sandbags at the feet if the venue is windy.