Movable firewood shed

[firefighter ontheside]

If you're not selling this one, then overkill on structural members isn't a big deal, but if you want to build some in the future to sell, I would not overkill on those.  The weight difference could be substantial and could be the difference between a customer being able to move it or not.  

Back in the 80s I used to help my dad build houses in the summer.  They built houses then without plywood sheeting on the walls.  We used a steel rack brace that was cut into the studs on an angle and then foam sheeting was nailed on over that.  I don't think anyone builds like that anymore and I don't know if those rack braces are still availaable, but something like that could help with rigidity without adding a lot of weight.

[WV Sawmiller]

Tom,

   Any idea what those various shed sizes you mention are selling for at your site (Sans delivery)?

[Old Greenhorn]

I have no idea Howard, but I can try to check, it will just take a few days. I am curious myself. ;D

[Wlmedley]

Got a little more done today.Tied walls together with a top plate,added a couple studs under header,notched and installed rafters.Don't have enough sheeting to cover roof if I put a 1' overhang on sides,which I plan to do,so I carried sheeting over from the lumber shed and laid on roof so I could cover with tarp.Shame I didn't have 10' sheeting.Another lesson learned.Got some more pine logs so I'll cut some more.Supposed to maybe snow some. I need a break anyway.Didn't realize I was getting so feeble.I think carrying lumber so far is what wore me out.As good as excuse as any  :laugh:

 

  

[Wlmedley]

Firefighter,I used those metal braces when I built my house and the reason was foam insulation board supposedly has more insulation value than plywood and they eliminated putting plywood in corners.Insulation board actually cost more than plywood at that time.Also measured height on shed and it's 8' 2".

[Old Greenhorn]

...
  Any idea what those various shed sizes you mention are selling for at your site (Sans delivery)?

Howard, checked yesterday and we get about 4,500 for the 4x10, delivery/install is extra because every delivery is very different and requires different methods/materials. This makes us a lot more pricey than the local Amish barn seller at about 2,400. But their barns use 4x4 material as the largest element, have only a single wall, not the inner wall like we do and are quite a bit more 'delicate' for moving. We use 6x6 runners (hemlock), 6/4 decking (hemlock), 6x6 front posts, 4x6 rear posts, and a 3x8 header. We use timberlocks on the front framing with lap joints. In short, ours is a lot more robust (IMHO). 4 built, 3 delivered so far, and our clients are very pleased. We can now build one complete in a normal day, but we haven't 'tooled up for it' yet, we use a timbersaw, circ saw, and hand power tools and air nailer. A decent miter saw with long table would save us a lot of time. Our limiting factor are: A)  Available labor time, and 2) The sawyer we have is old, slow, and grumpy. :D :D ;D
 So Wlmedley, how is your progress coming along? I'm really interested to see how it turns out.

[Wlmedley]

Tom,got far enough along to cover it up with tarp so I can take my time on it.Need to cut a little more sheeting for roof and I've got some poplar logs I'm going to cut for siding.I'll post some pictures whenever I make a little more progress.Slow but sure.Trying to do an extra good job on this one as it may lead to other jobs such as garden sheds,or other small outbuildings.I'm better at this kind of thing than woodworking like some of the rest of you guys do.

[Wlmedley]

Got a rare day today without rain so worked on shed.Got sheeting on roof and fascia boards on.Used pine for sheeting and poplar for fascia.Thought I would get underlayment on roof but was worn out so I pulled tarp back over it.Maybe later in the week when my back and shoulder quit hurting  :laugh:

 

[Wlmedley]

Still working on shed when weather permits.Decided to put board and batten siding on walls.Was going to use slats like OGH had on the one they built but as slow as I'm going someone might want it for another use. I could put doors on it if needed.Anyway I'll show it to a few people and if they want it different I can build another as long as they aren't in a big hurry.Not going to sell as cheap as I first thought so I might be stuck with it but that's okay too.Maybe give someone ideas what they can build with rough lumber and sell some.Still need to rip some battens and decide whether to use shingles or metal on roof.

 

  

[WV Sawmiller]

Bill.

   Instead of doors how about using curtains? You could even use some of the shade material that would allow air flow but reduce rain or snow blowing in.

[Wlmedley]

Curtains would be nice if end use is for firewood.I need some now for the shed I keep lumber in but really don't know how to secure them and where to buy any. I guess you would use some sort of rings like a shower curtain but top and bottom would have to be secure because of wind.

[WV Sawmiller]

Bill.

   Yeah I was still thinking this was just a firewood shed. Of course I thought I was making a school bus stop then suddenly people started wanting composting toilets and such.

   I'm thinking with curtains you could attach weights to the bottoms.

[Wlmedley]

Finally took tarp off shed project for good.Put felt on roof a couple days ago and being it was 70 degrees today I decided to put shingles on.One square of shingles and I'm worn out.Poplar siding is drying some and cracks between boards are opening up.I'll put battens on before long.Going to price it at $1200.I think that's a fair price which I would be happy with but if I can't get it I'll just keep it up here. :laugh:

 

 

  

[WV Sawmiller]

   Beautiful work. How heavy is it now with the shingle roof and such? How will you move it?

    Does the bench stay with the shed? :D

[Old Greenhorn]

Nicely done. You really made that come out well, with no shortcuts. With just the addition of doors it would make a nice tool shed. However, I really think you price is too low, by quite a bit. I would put that up in or above the 2,500 range easily. Just think of the wood value alone you have in there.
 Pretty shed, for sure.

[Wlmedley]

Howard ,I estimate weight at around 2000 lbs.I used forum toolbox to get green wood weigh and used poplar weigh even though floor is white oak and framing is pine.As far as moving it I think with two or three snatch blocks I can get it drug up on trailer.Who ever bought it would have to have a way to pull it off.Tom, I would love to price it higher but people around here either don't have much money or if they do they don't like to part with it . I priced all lumber I used at 750mbf which is what I have been selling pine and poplar.So along with screws,treated skids,shingles and lumber I have around $650 in it.$550 for labor would be working pretty cheap but I kind of enjoyed working on it and it would be extra money for me to play with. I also thought if I could sell this I might build something different next time to make it interesting 🤔 

[Wlmedley]

Howard,I forgot to answer bench question.I would throw in bench is someone would give me Tom's suggested retail price  :laugh:

[WV Sawmiller]

Bill,

   You can cut some small buckeye or other trash trees for rollers in addition to the snatchblocks. I have hooked a snatch block to the trailer and the front to the item to load then tied the to a stump or such and back up and rolled/slid logs and sheds and such on trailers like you seem to be describing.

   I know what you mean on the price and our area. I figure my typical price for lumber and hardware and such then double that if I build something with it. That may be a little on the low side but lots of time I can use up lumber that is not moving and salvage short pieces and such that I could not sell. I'm probably not valuing my time enough but for me a lot of it is hobby rather than required income like some younger members here on the FF.

   The next one will be easier to build because of what you learned building this one. Good luck on a quick sale.

[Old Greenhorn]

Bill I hear you on the regional pricing thing, I really really do. Howard and I have had this conversation several times. I get it.  Try this, go search around and see if there is a baby barn company, or somebody that sells Amish small buildings in your area and see their pricing. We have one here in town and our sheds are a little bit more on the sale price, but our sheds are different and delivered and installed by somebody folks already do business with (us). If something goes wrong, or a board breaks, we fix it. No big deal. The Amish shed dealers are really another big box store, they sell what they sell and they are done. We don't do that. 
 When you sell that thing, it will be to someone who really wants it and should appreciate it. He/she will probably be proud to have it too. Something special nobody else could find. Hopefully his/her neighbor sees it and want one too.
 But yeah, I get it. My nice cherry benches would fetch about $750  or more if they were in a shop in NYC, but up here, just 2 hours north I am lucky to get 275-350 at best. It's VERY frustrating.

[trapper]

 Old Greenhorn Price it at the $750 and advertise in NYC.  Youkon delivered some of his rustic furniture from Missouri to Milwaukee Wi.

[Wlmedley]

Hopefully this project is finished.Put battens on today and fun factor is pretty well gone.Arthritis takes away the joy I used to get by doing stuff like this even though I do enjoy sitting on the back porch and looking at it.Even if I do get asking price I don't think I'll build another and if it doesn't sell I'll probably put doors on it and use it as a tool shed and fill it with junk  :laugh:

 

  

[WV Sawmiller]

Bill,

   It sure looks good. I hope it sells soon and for your price. What kind of good advertising sources do you have around there? Around here I'd post in our local trader papers and you could post pictures on the boards at TSC or Rural King if nearby.

   What would bring the fun back to make you build another one or two? Is swinging the hammer the issue? Maybe a pneumatic or electric nailer would make the difference in changing your mind. You know the next one will be easier because of everything you learned with this one.

   Keep us posted.

[Wlmedley]

Howard,sorry about my negative attitude in my post. I didn't use any nails when building shed except when installing felt and shingles.I've always enjoyed driving nails but screws now make the job easier (but more costly).As far as advertising I'm hoping to put up a few pictures maybe at the barbershop and local outdoor power equipment shop and see what happens.Have reason to be happy today.We are getting a bunch of rain and the roof doesn't leak 

[Resonator]

You can post an ad on craigslist for free. Just make sure you don't take a check for $10,000, and then write them a check from your bank for the overpayment. ;D