Hoehn Carpentry

This is how to make a bridge arch out of a solid 2x10 or 2x12, using a plunge router and an extension attachment like a pendulum to insure a perfect arch. I secure and center the two by stock that I am using to my work bench, that is long enough to attach the swing arm of the pendulum to a center pivot at the opposite end. A couple of swipes of increasing depth and a smooth consistent arch is achieved. I make the hand rails the same way and use the same arch so they match perfectly, then round over the edges with a round over bit.

This is a simple plan of how to make your form for a stack strip arch.The basic form is a 3/4 piece of plywood with stop blocks affixed in an arch at intervals to allow the shaping and wedging of 1 1/2 x 1/4 inch PT pine strips into a 3" thick bundle. I usually use a 2x8 10 feet long of a fairly clear grade to cut my strips out of and the wetter the wood the better for bending so don't let it dry out before assembling.

This is how your arch should be assembled to the legs of your trellis. The use of 4x4 of an 8' length so they can be buried in the ground is discretionary as the depth into the ground should be relative to the site conditions and the height should be enough to have adequate head clearance. Anywhere between 6'-7' above the ground will work.