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Tips & TechniquesAnother Solution for Warped Deck BoadsI've read several deck building articlesthat suggest positioning war-peddeck boards with a b;rr clanrp byskipping r phnk and fitting it inlater. But installing the skippedboard can be difficult, especiallywith long deck boards or with ahidden fastening system.To avoid the trouble, I ttse barclarnps that work as spreaders. Iattach a temporary sLlpport ahead ofthe work area and position theclar-nps between the ter-nporarysupport arrd the board I'rnir.rstalling. The rnethod works greatand I don't have to go back and fitin skipped bolds.Miclncl SclnpartzWstal, NYSupport temporarllyPVC Pipe Makes Post Repair EasyIn the Nov/Dec 1999 issue ofWrrklwrclt, you dcscribed ttstttq ;tg:rlvarrized tin or coppet' sleevearound the bottor-n of a fencc postwhen setting it in cor-rcrete.Thatwry if the post brelks off, yott c,tttpull it out ofthe sleeve and replaceit. For n-rany years I've r.rsed largediameter PVC pipe as l sleeve forthir-rgp like flag;poles rnd light posts.To do this. I st.rrr by diggirrg:rlargc dirrrretcl post hole ("' dteperthan the fiost line.Then I placeabout 6" of pea grrvel irr the bottom.Now cut r picce of pl:rstic pipcfor the sleeve.The pipeis inside diametershould be large enough to leaveat least '/:" all the wly lror-rnd thepost. It should be long enoush toenrbed in the pea sravel several inchesand still clear the top of the hole.Next, plumb the pipe and pourconcrete around it.'When the concretehas cured, insert the post.Thenfill any space bervveen the PVC pipeand the post with rnore pea gravel.6" tDPVC pipeGoncrete3" thlck4r4 postPeq gravelIfthe post ever breaks or needsto be r-ep1aced, simply use a shop vrcto pull the sravel out of tl.re pipeand fi'ee up the broken post. Insertyour ncw post arrd rcplace thc peagravel you just vacuunred out.Tbnt LarreyTttty, MISHARE YOUR TIPS,IIGS, AND IDEASDo you have a unique way of doingsornething? Just write down your tipand mail it to:Worhbp nch'fips & Techniques2200 Grand Ave.Des Moines, [A 50312.Please include your name, address,and daytime phone number.If you prefer, e-mail us ateditor@workbenchmag. com.We'll pay you $7t$200 and send you aWorkbench cap if we publish your tip.In addition, The Stanley Works issponsoring Tips & Techniques, andwill send an award for the tip in eachissue that best describes the creativeuse, care or application of tools.MAKE SOMETHINGREAT'22woRKIIENCtH ! MAI{cH I API{lL 2000