It has been some months since the goodwill trip and the lumber has been drying well. I would have started earlier but saving up the money for the floor trusses has taken more time than I thought. We now have the cash to start. I would love to show pictures of framing but right now we are still cleaning up.
My last build ended in fire and I thought it appropriate to start this thread with fire. From cutting trees down for the good will trip, I still had lots of tree tops, knotty crooked logs, and some rotten oaks. I also had a huge pile of slightly burned debris from clearing the slab. The pad for the slab was built on the side of a hill so it was built up on one end by 6'. So, when I cleared the slab of the old burned debris, I pushed it off the end of the slab where it drops off.
So, two big piles were made. Two piles out in the field, and one pile off the end of the slab. I knew it was going to rain Saturday after noon and I didn't want the fire to get wild so I waited until Saturday at 10am to light them. There was so much pine straw in the piles that they really took off.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/044.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/042.JPG)
The above is the slab pile burn from the slab side and from the down hill side. There was so much wood buried in the old ash and debris that this pile kept burning all Satuday and Sunday through the rain. The pile is now almost completely reduced to ash and metal.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/045.JPG)
The above is one of the field piles. It burned bright for a while but most of the logs are still there. It was just too green.
The other pile didn't get pictured. It had the old oak in it and some other bits. It burned really well and was pushed into a tighter pile once it started raining. It has burned down to just about nothing.
Next step is clearing away the old RV. I have no idea how long it will take. I'm going to hold onto the frame, suspension, and drivetrain. The RV only had 40k miles on it and the 460/C6 looked pretty good last time I checked. So, I'm mostly just cutting off the van cab and RV living area. That will start tonight after work. They are already saying it is going to rain next weekend too.....
When I start framing will depend on how long it takes to clear the RV. The truss manufacturer has said they are currently on a 7 day delivery from order.
Austin
Well good the mess is on the way out soon there will be a NEW HOUSE going up 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)
Hopefully you will get a window where the weather will cooperate so you can get a good start. bg
Quote from: dablack on March 17, 2014, 11:04:06 AM
The truss manufacturer has said they are currently on a 7 day delivery from order.
i think last time i ordered trusses i waited 7 WEEKS from order to delivery....
glad to hear your ready to start building, i look forward to seeing the progress....
Glad to hear and see you could put a few troubles in a pile or 2 and send them upward
Can' t wait for your progress
Wishing you and yours the best
Austin,
Outstanding news!!! Keep me up to date on arrival and we can frame and stand walls. Will be ready after a short rest. The finals at MMIT were extreme, but I think I graduated. Will talk later. Andy
It is amazing what a little cleaning can do for your mental wellbeing! The place looks much better and I'm ready to tackle the RV. Work went late last night so it didn't happen and today doesn't look any better. So Wednesday, IT IS ON! Start cutting on the RV! I will get lots of pics.
Andy,
I will for sure keep you and everyone in the loop.
Austin
I will be following your building post. Keep us up to date. Not sure I can be there to help, lots of things going on here.
Willie
Austin, I am just catching up on my reading and it was wonderful to see this thread. Yes, I will be keeping up with your progress. smiley_thumbsup smiley_thumbsup
Thats a good start. Its always nice to wipe out and start with a clean slate. This was just a thought I had, maybe you can spread the burn pile ash around your land and help the soil grow better.
The "next to the slab" burn pile is uphill from the orchard. The ditch burnpile is just up "stream" from a 1/4 field where I'm planning all sorts of stuff. Placement of the burn piles was planned.
Today is RV day, after work. I doubt I will get much done by the time I get home but just starting will be a big deal. All the metal will be going in the scrap pile and the wood bits will be going in the burn pile. I'm hoping to cut on it for about an hour before dinner. I will take before and after pics.
Austin
I see the 7 Ps are in full effect for this project. Every little bit of effort will go a long way in the end.
Not sure what the 7 Ps are but I'm assuming planning is in there.
Well, the RV sat pretty last night. I ordered momma a couple of trees for Valentine's day. They finally came in yesterday. So, I put in a dog wood, red bud, saucer magnolia, and six tiny azaleas (3" tall). To keep this lumber related, I framed the dogwood with the lumber stack up in the hill and in the background. Another 5 to 10 years and these trees will be very nice! HA!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/003.JPG)
I'm hoping tonight the RV work will start!
Good on the tree planting. Keep adding species and varieties.
Those are some huge whacks of lumber. You musta had help sawin'. :D
Those 10 years will pass before you know it!
Prior Planning Prevents pith Poor Perfomance
...okay so its 6 Ps. But you get the idea! :D
Magic,
Yes, I had a few guys come out and help me. I want to have them all out again when it is done.
Well, when I got home yesterday, sure enough as you predicted, there were more varieties and species. I put in three crape myrtle, a red maple, and some more 3" azaleas. The tallest crape myrle was 12"! HA! Good thing they are cheap! Arborday has lots of good stuff for really cheap but they are TINY!
Sam,
Yes, I have an almost 11 year old, so I know how fast 10 years can go by.
Kilgrosh,
How did you know I spoke with a lisp when using bad words?
Austin
Well, it has been two weeks and the burn pile beside the slab is still smoking. It has cooked down to just about nothing. Once it is finally done, I will dig through it a little, pull out the metal and run a magnet over it to get the little stuff. Then throw some grass seed.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/003%7E0.JPG)
I finally got about four more hours in on the RV strip down this weekend. I've got it torn down to the "floor" all the way up to the cab. Today I'm hoping to start cutting the cab off. Then I will try and move it with the tractor or truck. If it still doesn't move, I have some used tires that I can put on there to help it roll. After it is out of the way, I can load the metal and take it for scrap.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/019.JPG)
This last pic doesn't have anything to do with building but I'm throwing it in anyway. In Jan, I put in some sapling apples trees and a couple of pears. I mulched them with chips made from cut offs from Willie's edger. Well, the apple trees are blooming. The wife is pleased.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/008%7E0.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/apple_bloom.jpg)
Austin
I disagree that it "doesn't have anything to do with building".
It has the "Phoenix Attitude" and is springing forth new life out of the ashes. :)
Finally! The RV has been moved. It was no easy task. I'm looking forward to just moving 2x6s and OSB around!
I cut and removed lots of loose and dangerous debris and metal from the RV. This did take some time.
After that I tried sliding the RV out from the debris that surrounded it. No go. Not with the tractor pushing and the truck pulling could I move it. So I dug down to the wheels, jacked up the front end and pulled the burned wheels off. I took these up to Discount Tire where I explained what I needed to Bret and Steven. I explained that I needed some junk tires and that these tires would never see a road and were to only be used to pull a junk heap out of a junk heap! I came back and they had mounted up some NICE (but old) 235/85/16s. I was very pleased. Best thing was, they did it for free. I've always used discount tire for their service and price, but now I do it for the kindness. When I got home I mounted those up and tried again.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/011%7E0.JPG)
Even with three corners on tires, no go. The back passenger side wheels were in their own personal hole. The floor had burned up over those wheels and all the junk had fallen around them. Luckily the two tires on the back drivers side were still good. I pulled the outer one and then spent the next hour digging out the passenger side. Jacked up it up and put the "extra" wheel/tire from the driver side on. Now we had all four corners on rubber. With the wife in the truck pulling and me pushing with the tractor, we got it out. It was tough because we had to have the wheels turned all the way to the left to miss the lumber pile!
By then it was dark and I was covered with cold, wet ash. Today after work I will move it to the backside of the property where it will wait for me to turn it into a van flatbed or something similar. The suspension still looks good and the longblock and transmission are still in good shape. I will obviously need a new cab!
This weekend is Easter so we will be busy with family activities but next weekend will be FRAMING!
Congrats on the RV removal, and the FRAMING beginning will be a long awaited event. 8)
I know the RV was a big item on your to-do list, so congrats. Good luck with the framing next week.
My prayers are with you on this Easter for good progress and minimal hiccups with your rebuild!
Glen
Thank you so much.
At lunch today I will head over to big orange and the other place to see about 30 sheets of OSB, nails, house wrap and 15 8' PT 2x6s. That should get the first floor exterior framed up.
Austin
Easter, a time of rebirth. It even applies to houses! Congrats! You going to post some pictures (hint hint)?
Quote from: dablack on April 21, 2014, 09:13:50 AMThat should get the first floor exterior framed up. Austin
Now I am really getting excited. 8)
Yes, I will take lots of picture! HD and the other place were going to charge me WAY more than they used to for delivery. Also, now that I have big stacks of lumber at the top of the hill, there is no place for an 18 wheeler to turn around. I have to drive my truck to town every Tuesday and Friday. That is more than enough trips to get what I need back to the house over the next two weeks.
So, tomorrow, I'm going to pick up the PT Lumber and OSB I need for one of the short walls (26'). Then I will go pick up the lumber for the long wall on Friday. Today while I was there I picked up a box each of 3" and 2" ring shank galvanized nails.
Austin
Smart move on the delivery. It's gonna be just like eating an elephant. smiley_thumbsup
Well, I was hoping to start framing on Tuesday but that didn't happen. We did get started Friday night. That night we mostly trimmed studs to 91.5" to get ready for the next day. The last house I built in 10' sections, this time I wanted to try building a whole wall and using the tractor to lift it. Saturday morning we didn't get up to the top of the hill until 9am (way late). With lots of breaks (I am OUT of shape!) we had the wall up by that night. This wall has no windows or doors so it was a good starter wall. The tractor worked great. The wall is 26' long and went up fine. I squared it, put on OSB and put on the paper all while it was on the ground. Much easier than with it in the air. I'm very pleased with what we got done.
Also, the RV got picked up Saturday afternoon. I finally found a guy to come get it. So the work area is looking a little better too.
Here is my main helper laying out the studs. I mark em, she throws them in.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/build_1.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/build_2.jpg)
By the end of the day we were beat but she was still TOUGH!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/build_3.jpg)
I have multiple helpers and at one point during the day I yelled out "hammer" without really looking over my shoulder to see who was around. I heard foot steps and a hammer showed up over my shoulder. I grabbed it and kept working. A minute later I turned around to hand the hammer back to my helper. I was not expecting my youngest to be there.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/build_4.jpg)
We got most of the opposite wall done too. It has a back door and window in it so it is taking a little longer. I still need to put in the trimmers and headers. I went ahead and put on the OSB where there was no window or door to hold the wall square. This little girl helped me set three sheets of OSB and made sure I always had nails for my nail gun.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/build_6.jpg)
Then last night a huge storm came through. It woke me up and kept me up! I blocked up the new wall really well but I was still worried until I could go up and check it out this morning. It was fine!
I'm planning on finishing the back door wall today and tomorrow. Then the rest of the week I will work on the 52' long back wall. I will probably build it in two 26' sections that I know the tractor can handle with ease. The real work will be upstairs unless I figure a way to get the tractor up there......
Austin
Looking good Austin. Those little helpers will make your back last longer. They are as handy as a pocket on a shirt. It would be nice if you had a fork lift that could lift those upper walls into place. bg
Nice to have the help of the little ones. They can be a big help. Makes them feel important and want to help more.
You are making me proud, my Friend. :)
Austin the helpers need a trip to the D Q you guys are doing a bang up job 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)
Austin,
The long awaited project is off the ground(old saying)now for sure! Looking really good. I know as you are cutting, handling, and nailing each piece, you are thinking back and ahead at the same time. I would really like to come for a weekend to assist in your task. I will try to complete a project that came last week from Corpus Christi, so I can be there. I will check the schedule and get with you this week and let you know. The girls will be pro home builders when this thing is done. They have that unstoppable desire to do a good thing. It looks to me like I may have handled a few of those boards before! Keep up the good work, and Godspeed to you. It looks like you will have a good weather week coming. I love the progress. Andy 8) 8) 8)
Yes, take those girls for ice cream.
They will remember this build the rest of their lives. Good job!
Yes, the girls are doing a great job. Benjamin (6 years old) was up there for a while too but I didn't get a shot of him. He was mostly on nail duty. The area around the slab is still covered with nails and truss nail plates from the last build. Many more show up after every rain. He has a little magnet on a stick that allows him to get the nails. All four of them will get ice cream for sure.
Andy,
You are always welcome and the help is appreciated. I was kind of waiting to call in any favors for when I need to lift walls upstairs but if you want to come before that I'm sure we will have a great time.
Dennis,
You can come play too if you want.
Austin
Austin,
I don't see why we can't do both. I know the way, and I will have an excellent co-pilot with me. I want to get in on the ground floor as it were, because ladders limit my ability to be productive! haha. Will talk later. Be safe, and keep that crew in DQ.
Andy
Ladders are no friend of mine. I hate those things. Right now the plan is to get the walls up, set the floor trusses and then build the first floor stairs. I am NOT going to carry the subfloor up a ladder!
Looks like you've made a really good start of it. I was glad to see you mention a nail gun. You would not enjoy hand-nailing all of that OSB.
is there any way you could set all the materials up on the second level before the walls go up, tractor with FEL?
Austin, I would come and help when Andy was there if that would work. Maybe two ole birds could make one good helper. Let me know. bg
Bill,
You and Andy are of course always welcome! I'm building every weekend. Get with Andy and let me know when yall want to come down/up. I will try to set everything up so it will be productive.
thanks
Austin
js2743,
After the walls go up, I will be setting the 26' long floor trusses. They are 2' tall so that puts the 2nd floor 10' above the slab. My little FEL won't go that high but it isn't a big deal. I have to handle each stud to cut it to length. Really the only thing that will be no fun lifting is the OSB. I will probably try to rig up some forks on the front of the bucket and lift the OSB as high as I can so I can grab it from the 2nd floor.
Any suggestions on how to get the OSB to the 2nd floor easily are welcome.
Austin
I have used a drywall lift, but that's still a lot of work. Can you add a coupla poles to you loader to extend it enough?
If I had no equipment to lift the OSB, I would make a lean to arrangement of a couple of 2 x 6s with a support about 4 ft from the bottom. Put the sheets on that and then pull them up from the second floor, lots of work but better than carrying them up a ladder or stairs.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33766/Drawing1%7E0.jpg)
Austin, if you could get me a photo of the bucket on your tractor and some dimensions, I will make you some forks and bring them with me. bg
Awesome. I will get you the dimensions.
thanks
Austin
Dennis,
That is exactly what I was thinking of except I would have the triangle pieces lower. Then I could use the bucket and push them up higher. I think the bucket without forks would go 7 ft. That would put the OSB more than high enough to grab from the 2nd floor.
thanks
Austin
Once built a 2½ story apartment house, we used a backhoe to lift the plywood up for the floor, I had put a bar across the inside of the bucket ( 2 bars would work better) an would put some sheets in the bucket endwise then lift up and set on the edge of the floor much like Den-Den's picture.
A couple of cautions I would mention, 1: it makes the weight very high on the loader so the ground has to be level and don't lift high until almost up to building. 2: My loader has a auto level so you don't dump the load back on yourself and also has a protective cab, on a open tractor an no auto level one would have to be extra careful not to have the ply come back on you from over tilting or wind.
When it came time to add the roof trusses I ordered all the ply for the roof and roof shingles and drywall for the top floor and had the boom truck set it all up there before he put the trusses on. This saved a lot of work but had to plan it out carefully so not to have it end up in the way (especially the drywall because it will be there a while before you use it) BIG CAUTION NOTE: This may require extra bracing under second floor to hold load and prevent excessive flexing of the floor joist. It would help to put in your first floor partitions first as well as adding some strapping or blocking across the partition walls and bracing as they have little lateral strength until the drywall is put on.
Quote from: Den-Den on April 30, 2014, 11:10:12 PM
If I had no equipment to lift the OSB, I would make a lean to arrangement of a couple of 2 x 6s with a support about 4 ft from the bottom. Put the sheets on that and then pull them up from the second floor, lots of work but better than carrying them up a ladder or
To assist with the pulling, could you attach a capstan winch to a place on the second floor? That way you're not doing all the pulling.
Austin, do yourself a favor and pick up a book called "Working Alone" by John Carroll. Subtitle is 'Tips, techniques for solo building', it's a small book but packed with good info for...well...working alone. ;D It's a fantastic resource!
Looking forward to watching your build. :)
Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. There is no way I could actually carry OSB in the bucket. My tractor is way too small and the bucket isn't deep enough. They would all fall out. I think the best way is like what Dennis drew so they are all leaning well against the house. Then I can use the bucket to slide them all up. They should end up at least three feet proud of the 2nd floor so it won't be too bad to grab them from there.
For the roof trusses, I will do like I did last time and set them with a skytrak. It worked great once I got used to running it. Last time I had a long weekend to set 27 32' long 12/12 pitch attic trusses. The first day I had a rough time of it and actually knocked down the four trusses I had set. I started on the end of the house where the ground is sloped away from the slab. It was rough! By the time I got to the other end it was easy. I did this by myself. This time the attic trusses will be 26' long and 8/12 pitch. MUCH SMALLER and easier to set. Plus I will have someone helping me. I will also use the Skytrak or a man lift to put all the roof decking on.
JohnM,
I have that book and he says not to set trusses by yourself! HA! While I wouldn't suggest someone set trusses by themselves, I've done it!
thanks
Austin
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/trusses1.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/trusses2.jpg)
Quote from: dablack on May 01, 2014, 12:24:26 PM
JohnM,
I have that book and he says not to set trusses by yourself! HA! While I wouldn't suggest someone set trusses by themselves, I've done it!
thanks
Austin
They're 'tips' not 'rules'. ;) :D
Could get the OSB up the old fashion way, with a ladder and walk up, sliding each sheet, one at a time.
Did the same with shingles... one bundle at a time over the shoulder and up the 20' extension ladder. But that was 40+ years ago.
Sliding up several at a time with the FEL can lead to some embarrassing moments if all doesn't line up "just perfect" and the controls don't move "just perfect".
JohnM,
You are right. And it IS a very good book. I actually read it AFTER I set the trusses and laughed as he listed why it was a bad idea and I had stumbled over every item on his list.
Beenthere,
I'm already hauling an extra 40lbs everytime I go up a ladder! For the little triangle trusses that sat on top of the big trusses on the last build, I bought a little 120v winch. I would leaned some boards up againt the house to use as ramps and then I would set 10 or 15 little trusses against the ramp. Then I would go up on top of the big trusses and throw down the line. My then 9 year old would tie off two little trusses and I would winch them up. There were only 27 so it wasn't too bad. We did the same with most of the roof decking. If the tractor idea fails then that might be the way I go again. Last time I had thought of a million other uses for it after the house build. It was up in the attic last time I saw it.
Austin
So, it wasn't that great of a week. Family was down in Houston and I wasn't feeling that great so not much got done. Then this morning my nail gun wouldn't work. GRRRRR! I took it apart, cleaned it, looked for anything broken and couldn't find anything. I took it apart again, cleaned it and oiled it. Nothing. Oh well. It is new so I will return it.
Dennis (Den-Den) showed up this morning about 8 and we got to work. We finished up the east 26' wall and stood it up with the tractor. Again, it worked very well. The only problem came when I was straightening the wall at the bottom and we had forgotten to brace it on the far side. Sure enough it started coming down on me. I caught it before it got too far and Dennis braced it for me. HA! If it would have gone down, I could have stood still and been fine. I was standing in the door way!
Then we got started on the long north wall (52'). We decided to shorted it to 40' to ease lifting. If we would have had one more guy we could have done the whole thing but with lifting from the center with the tractor, it would have bowed too much on the ends. Since we were doing all this with hammers and put on all the OSB before standing it up, it took some time. We finally got it in the air and it went well. This time we had it braced on the back side too. At that point it was about time to shut it down. I'm hoping to have all the lower exterior walls and floor trusses set before next weekend. We will see if that gets done or not.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/003%7E1.JPG)
The above is Dennis fixing a slightly missdrilled j-bolt hole.
In the two below pictures you can see the 26' wall that we put up in the morning and the mostly complete 52' wall we put up in the afternoon.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/004%7E1.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/005%7E0.JPG)
It is nice working with someone who knows what they are doing. Dennis was a huge help. I didn't get him an ice cream for helping but lunch was provided! HA!
Austin
I had fun and felt pretty good about the progress. Not having a nail gun bothered Austin more than it did me. Working with Austin was great.
Austin,
What kind of nail gun are you using? I will be bringing my Bostich, and nails. I can leave it with you when I leave if you can't get yours up and going by then. The progress is really showing now! Don't let those walls fall on you or Dennis before I get up there. Will contact you Thursday to get the latest update. Be safe. Andy
Andy,
I'm taking the old one back. It is a ridgid and is pretty much brand new. I am going to take it back to HD and swap it out. No bid deal. I had a similar one on the first build and it did great. I just think this one was a lemon. It was acting a little funny Friday night and then Saturday morning you could tell the piston was dragging inside. Instead of a "thut" sound, you got a "thuuuuuuuut" as the piston slowly slide in the barrel. I checked the air pressure and that wasn't it. Then after you hit the trigger, the piston wouldn't go back and it just leaked air. I took it all apart, cleaned it up and oiled it. Put it back together and this time the piston was in the closed position and wouldn't open. I took it apart again, cleaned it up and put the piston in the middle of its travel. Still no good. Oh well. I will be back up and running soon.
Looking good Austin. Talked with Andy yesterday about the weather. Looking at the weather map, it shows rain on Thursday thru Saturday. I hope that this changes. Got the forks made yesterday. bg
Just spoke with the truss guys and they are going to be delivering the floor trusses Wednesday. I'm hoping to have the front wall done this week so I can start setting the trusses this weekend (depending on weather). Then I can start work on the stairs and subflooring.
Austin
Way to go Austin!!!
Glad to see the house is going up.
8)
Allen
Allen, is it possible that you send Andy White your phone #. bg
Thanks Allen,
Yes, it is very exciting. I can't wait to get up to the 2nd floor.
Austin
Got a little more done since the weekend.
Floor trusses got delivered yesterday. Poor delivery guy had a rough time of it. His big diesel died twice but my F250 was able to jump it off. Then the battery for the roll off was dead too. F250 to the rescue.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/trusses.jpg)
Also got the garage headers up.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/garage.jpg)
Since it is supposed to pour for the next two days, I set up a little shelter over my work bench for the tools. The plywood is scrap from the last build.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/shelter.jpg)
Austin
Looking good my Friend. 8)
Next week end looks to be without rain.
Yes, things are looking good for next weekend. I'm actually looking forward to some rain. My allergies are giving me fits. It makes it tough to work! Sneezing fits are not good when you are lifting a wall. Trying to use a nail gun through blurry, watery eyes is tough too. The property needs to be mowed badly. I'm hoping to do it right after a rain so it won't be so dusty.
Austin
Well, it is Monday and that means it is time for a weekend update. The end of last week was filled with lots of rain. We were even getting some Friday night. Saturday morning my wife and main helper were leaving for a birthday party so I had until they left to get stuff done. After that I spent time with the younger three. Sunday was all about Momma with a little time up on the build while she was picking black berries. I didn't get any pictures yesterday and it was too dark when I leave for work, so my wife sent our oldest to get a couple of shots. These are the ones she sent me.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/1st_floor.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/1st_floor_2.JPG)
I finished framing the garage door openings and we are almost ready for floor trusses. In one of the pictures you can see one of the floor trusses resting on the slab. I just didn't have the energy to try and set it by myself. The three garage bays on the right will be filled with windows and a front door. I'm hoping at some point in the future I can turn the first floor into a shop but that is decades from now, but it doesn't hurt to plan ahead.
I'm going to have to mow this week and it looks like there is more rain coming so I don't think I will get much more done on the house until this coming weekend. This weekend I'm hoping to build a couple interior walls and maybe the stairs. If I'm really lucky I will get to set some trusses.
Austin
Each step that you make takes you one step closer. 8)
Well it was finally dry enough to try setting a couple of floor trusses. I didn't get up there until about 7pm so there wasn't much time. Luckily they went up quick using the tractor. I was really pleased with how it went. This weekend I'm going to have some help. I'm hoping to set all the floor trusses and build the interior downstairs walls.
Austin
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/038.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/037.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/041%7E1.JPG)
Those trusses look good up there where they belong. The lumber stacks will get smaller now. 8)
Thanks Magic,
I haven't even finished the first stack of 2x6s yet. I still have a whole 'nother stack to go!
I was looking at the pictures and the trusses don't really have a scale to them. They are 2' tall and the two I put up frame the stairway. Those two that are up are set 4' apart. A wall will go under one of them this weekend. The rest of the floor trusses are 16" OC.
Austin
Because of a link that I posted in another thread, I ended up reading the "Goodwill" thread again last night. What a breath of fresh air. :P Not about me, but about the "Heart" of the Forestry Forum. :)
Pat and I plan to see you sometime toward the end of July.
GREAT! We should be all dried in at that point and working on plumbing and electrical (if all goes as planned).
I was moving the metal around on the 2x4 stack (storm had blown it off) and saw the 2x4 that everyone signed. I should have had that board in the middle of the stack and not on the edge. The sun had gotten to some of it. This weekend, Bill, Andy, and Nancy are coming so I will have them sign what we get done as well. I also have one of my Dallas buddies coming over so we will have a four man, one woman crew on Saturday! I will be shocked if we DON'T get all the trusses and down stairs interior walls done. That means I will have the long weekend, next weekend, to frame the upstairs exterior walls. After that, thing will slow down until more money comes in. By late June we should have the cash for roof decking.
Austin
Well, it isn't Monday but I have a ton to report.
Bill showed up Thursday afternoon and we spent that straightening some walls that had leaned on me after the rain. We had to pop the top plates in the corners and trim some stuff to get me back to true.
Then Andy and Nancy showed up Friday morning. Bill was here bright and early as well. Sadly, I had to work so I wasn't home until about noon. So they got to try and figure out the scribbles I had left them on what to do!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/034small.jpg)
Nancy was cutting studs faster than they could put them up!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/036small.jpg)
The rest of the day was spent putting up a couple of trusses and building the stairs.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/015small.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/013small.jpg)
We started Saturday morning with a nailing lesson from from Bill!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/024small.jpg)
Then Andy built a table for the kids!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/027small.jpg)
By the time we went down for lunch, the house looked like this.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/030small.jpg)
This was for dessert! Madeline made it herself.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/032small.jpg)
The afternoon we used to finish up the trusses.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/039small.jpg)
The forks that Bill built were VERY HANDY!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/049small.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/053small.jpg)
Nancy had fun with the kids during breaks the rest of the time she was handing up the nail gun and helping lift.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/055small.jpg)
We were done by 4:30 and everyone hit the road. We got so much done this weekend. Andy, Nancy, and Bill were a huge help! What a blessing their visit was!
Austin
It looks great, sounds like there was some good teamwork going on.
And the Heart continues to beat. :)
Great job guys! It's exciting to watch!
Yes it is exciting to watch. A very good thread for us and you to watch your progress and you will be able to view it for years to come. :)
Well, I don't know how Andy and Bill feel today but I took Sunday completely OFF! Those trusses wore me out! My right knee is swollen and that hamstring keeps tightening up when I sit down for more than 5 minutes. I went to work this morning so I could rest more! HA! I had a ton of fun with the guys and Nancy. I think if I would have had them for another couple of hours, I would have had to go pick up some shingles!
I don't know if I'm going to get anything done after work with this knee but if it isn't feeling so bad I will brace up some walls a little more and make sure all the trusses are nailed down tight. The rest of the week will be OSB for the exterior surfaces of the trusses trusses and 1x material for the subfloor. This next weekend, if the subfloor is done, I will start the upstairs exterior walls.
Austin
I have a dumb question, why are the trusses so high (2 ft) lot of space between floors? ???
Not a dumb question at all, and in fact it is a very technical. It is about how the truss resolves the horizontal forces. The trusses take the load above them and puts that load into the tops of the exterior walls. My load bearing walls are 26' apart. None of my interior walls are load bearing. If I had load bearing interior walls or a house that was only 20' deep, the trusses wouldn't be so tall. Engineered I-joists for my application are solid and have plywood as the "core" and are "only" 16" tall. The reason I went w the trusses are two fold. Since I'm building a two story I would have needed two sets of engineered I-joists that would cost $6k. Then I would have had to frame up the attic on top. I went w trusses. The floor trusses and attic trusses were only a little more and the attic trusses mean I can just set them and the attic is framed. The second reason is with the open floor trusses, it makes it easy to run the ac vents, plumbing, and wiring. Engineered I joist would have required drilling in allowed areas to run the wiring and plumbing through. AC wouldn't have fit at all.
Austin
I got home Sat. night @ 11pm. Shoulders were sore the next day but not bad. Didn't do anything on Sunday. Tilled garden this morning and went over and got the sycamore out of the kiln for a dinning table for niece.. Will put in some juniper tomorrow so I can finish up gun case. Austin, sometimes the day jobs are easier than what was done this past week. Andy probably went down and bought himself a new ladder for practice. bg
Austin,
Yesterday was pretty rough on this old fat man! After I got moving around a little, things started working better. You and Bill done a really good thing by keeping those ladders away from me, I'd still be horizontal today. Had a great time, and will be getting back for another round of "Black's Weekend Health Spa". Looks like work will be getting in the way until after the first week of June. I will be working on designs for your upcoming cabinets for the bosses approval. Call if you need, and keep up the great work. You'll be done before you know it. Andy
You guys are the bestest. 8)
Lynn,
It is true. Those guys are indeed the bestest! Bill can even see the future! Thursday evening he said, "I wouldn't do that Austin! That truss is going to go over the wall." I said that it would be fine. Sure enough.....there it went. To save face I told him that I had gotten mad and threw it over the wall!
The kids have asked more than once when are your friends coming back over. We were laughing so much, to the kids we were just playing.
Austin
Finally got more done on the house build.
This weekend was spent bracing up the floor trusses and making sure they were square. Then the rest of the time was spent cutting sub-floor boards. The subfloor is all 1x material that is random width felled, cut, and stacked by the goodwill crew back in Dec.
I cut until I had enough of one width to make it across the floor trusses and then momma would hand it up to me and I would nail it down. Still lots more to do but now that we have a couple of rows down, it should go a little more quickly. We will be living with the subfloor for a while because we don't have enough oak to put down. I will rent a floor sander, smooth it out and put some poly on it. It will work great for a year or so.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/026small.jpg)
My lumber stack keeps getting smaller!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/028small.jpg)
Austin
Austin
You are laying it at 90° to the trusses.
Now wondering which direction you will lay the oak flooring when that time comes??
The subfloor at an angle is a good reason to then allow the oak flooring to be put down at 90° to the trusses.
Flooring parallel to the trusses not such a good idea IMO
I really appreciate the input. I thought and thought about putting the subfloor on at an angle but the pieces are just too short. The rough cut pieces are all about 100-110" long so when I cut off the rough ends, I'm not getting anything over 8'. Assuming an 8" wide board, cut to 96" long with my chop saw, that board gives me 5 1/3 sqft of sub floor. My little chop saw will only cut stuff 7" wide or less. Anything wider and I have to flip it over and finish the cut.
If I went on a 45 degree angle with that same board, I would have to cut the board to 98.5" in length and then cut two 45s on the ends. This gives me 5 sqft and it is a whole lot more cutting and flipping and saw adjustments. In fact, I think it would be easier to just use a circular saw which would slow me down even more. Plus some of my boards are 12" wide. That is 8 sqft vs 7.5 sqft for sq cut vs 45 degree.
With the loss of sqft and the time it would take, I just went with square cut and putting the subfloor 90 degree to the floor trusses.
What do you think will happen to the oak floor with it set parallel to the floor trusses?
thanks
Austin
Austin,
Looking good on the floor. If you have any doubts about the oak flooring, just deck the subfloor with a layer of 1/2" plywood at 90°
to the subfloor, then run the oak any way you want. I think tho, I would run it perpendicular to the trusses for the most support. If your lumber pile runs out before your framing is finished, we'll cut some more! You can come get my saw, and set it up and saw, saw, saw.
Nancy and I will try to get another weekend scheduled for helping. Stay safe, and keep up the good work.
Andy
You are looking good as usual. :)
I would not lay the flooring parallel to the trusses. 45° is fine and actually standard for subflooring, but it does have flaws/drawbacks, creates more waste, and also there is more unsupported distance between the joists/trusses.
On my Cabin Addition (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,47709.msg954814.html#msg954814), I used a belt sander with 30 grit to smooth the subflooring. It was laid perpendicular to the floor joist and so is the flooring. (See Reply 444 & 457)
Quote from: Andy White on June 02, 2014, 11:08:05 AMIf your lumber pile runs out before your framing is finished, we'll cut some more!
I will come back. :)
Beenthere,
I looked into the "subfloor on a 45" thing a little bit more. I wanted to know if it was just to reduce bounce or what. The only thing I could find had to do with bounce in the floor. With the subfloor on a 45 that allows you to install the finished floor across the floor joists or trusses. That way both the subfloor and finished floor bridge the supporting joists or trusses resulting in a very stiff floor.
My subfloor, after sanding should be 15/16 to 1" thick. My floor trusses are 3.5" wide and set at 16" OC. That leaves a gap of 12.5" to span. I will be living with just the subfloor for a while so if there is any bounce, I will drop in some thin ply like Andy said. I really appreciate your input. It really made me think. I will leave this one up in the air until later.
Andy,
I think my lumber pile will make it to the finish. I was showing the shrinking pile as proof that the wood is actually being used to build the house. With that being said, I am going to have to cut more oak later. We would love to see you and Nancy again. We had a great time last time. I hadn't done much since that weekend. I did something harsh to my knee that last day and work got crazy too. This past weekend was my first chance to really get back into it. I even let Stacey run the chop saw. She isn't as fast as Nancy yet but she got it done!
Austin
Quote from: Magicman on June 02, 2014, 11:13:03 AM
You are looking good as usual. :)
I used a belt sander with 30 grit to smooth the subflooring. It was laid perpendicular to the floor joist and so is the flooring. (See Reply 444 & 457)
I remember reading that and I never noticed that the subfloor and finished floor were going to same way! Since we will be living on the subfloor for a while, I will hit it with 30 to get it smooth and then take a little smoother than that to get where it will take poly ok.
If I remember correctly, you cut enough that I would have extra of whatever I needed. I do want you to come back but I sure don't want you to have to haul that saw across state lines without proper signage! Plus, Andy is going to let me loose on some old oak on his mill.
Austin
If you went back to where I laid my floor joist, you would see that they were 2X12's on 16" OC. I used 1X6 SYP (same as yours) for subflooring and there was no bounce.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/2410/peagler_049.jpg)
I sawed this cabin which was 2X12's on 24" OC. 1X6 SYP subflooring and 1X6 Red Oak were laid all perpendicular to the joist. No problems.
Don't worry about me pulling the sawmill. You have it covered, but if you need me, I'll bring the Orange back. smiley_thumbsup
I think that cabin is picture perfect. Love that porch!
The only problem I see is that weird tree over on the right. Looks like a giant weed! I think I have a bunch of those over here too!
Austin
Yes, very Sweetgummery for sure.
That cabin won 1st place in the 2011 Wood-Mizer Personal Best contest. It is a 16'X24' cabin with a 6' front porch and a full 20'X24' open carport on the back. (My last year's win was also a 16'X24' building.)
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Got a little more done this weekend.
Bill's bucket forks sure come in handy when you need to move some lumber.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/009small.jpg)
The 12" wide boards were a little tough to cut with my little chop saw.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/011small.jpg)
Here is the real progress. All the 1x material got cut into multiples of 16" and sorted by width. Almost all of them are 8' long.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/012%7E0.JPG)
We also got a couple of boards on top. I'm sure I will finish the subfloor this week and finally be able to start framing the 2nd floor walls.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/013.JPG)
Austin
That looks awesome! I bet the stairs make it a lot easier getting material up to the second floor ;)
P.S. I just joined the HT Forum and saw your handle over there.
Thanks! Yes, stairs are REQUIRED. The last build, I did the stairs almost last. I think I was afraid of building them. Read about it and now it is easy but does take a little planning. After we set the floor trusses, stairs were next on the list. I do carry about half the boards up the stairs but the rest my wife just hands to me between the floor trusses. I used old 7/16 plywood for the threads and that isn't going to do it! I'm going to have to put something a little thicker on there.
HT is a great forum. There are more than a couple of us that are on both boards. I mostly read over there. Don't post too much. I usually don't have much to add since I'm a novice.
I got really close to finishing the subfloor this weekend but it isn't there yet. I refuse to post pictures until the deed is done! I'm crazy ready to get on to framing up the 2nd floor. I thought the subfloor would take me a week or less. Oh well. I can't buy more OSB until payday on Thursday anyway! About the time I have cash for more building, the subfloor will be done. Hoping to post pictures of a finished subfloor sometime this week!
Austin
Austin,
I know what you are thinking! But believe me the elephant does get smaller with every bite! Keep "chewing" and you will get there. We may be ready for another weekend to stand up walls, so let us know and we will plan to be there. Andy
Andy,
I'm chomping at the bit to get to framing again. I'm now officially sick of subfloor! I think I'm at 90% complete right now. Tonight should be 95% complete and if I have enough wood (gonna be close) I should finish up by Wednesday. Thursday I'm hoping to cut 2x6s to length for studs. I might be ready to do framing this weekend. We will have to see. I want to get both long walls built before I get a lifting crew together. Might be the 28th before I'm ready for some lifting. I'm hoping to have a bunch of guys so it will be an easy lift. I also have a wall jack so that will help too.
I will keep everyone in the loop.
smiley_thumbsup :)
Almost done. I have a few more strips to do on the far side of the stairs. Of course going around the stairs, I lost square so the last strip will have to be a little angled. No big deal. It is just subfloor.
I also need to put on the 2x4 truss tie and put the last row of boards there. I don't have anything that will fit that well so I'm going to have to rim some pieces.
Hoping to finish tonight if it isn't raining.
Austin
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/011%7E1.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/008%7E1.JPG)
That looks awesome! Keep it up and you'll be hosting the Southern Pig Roast soon!
Austin,
Looking good on the second floor! Looks like you could land an airplane on that deck. How much does it bounce? Not too much I hope. You should have plenty of room to frame all the exterior walls before standing them up. Are you going to put the osb on before standing them up? We are planning to be there for the standing, because you will need lots of hands to keep them from going over the edge, like that first truss! Keep up the good work, and stay safe. Andy
Thanks guys.
Yes, I'm going to put on the OSB and house wrap before standing up walls. I'm going to make sure the walls are tied off, will have a back stop to not allow the bottom to slip out and maybe even a couple of hinges...... belts and suspenders!
Before I do that I have to put OSB on the outside edges of the trusses.
I think I'm going to do the short walls first. I think I can get those up with the wall jack. Then they will help brace the long walls. I will do the west wall first! It is hot up there!
Austin
Looks great, I have enjoyed watching this build thread, if I was closer......
When I built my house I was by myself and live on top of a hill that gets some strong wind at times so for me it was easier to frame the walls in place one stud at a time and sheath with t&g boards.
You may already know this but I will put it out there for you, to prevent the bottom of the wall from running away when lifting besides some blocks on the outside wall you can toe nail the bottom plate to the floor before you lift it, it also helps keep the wall from tipping over the side as well.
This talks about it some under "Raising & Bracing Walls" http://www.hometime.com/Howto/projects/framing/frame_3.htm (http://www.hometime.com/Howto/projects/framing/frame_3.htm)
Hilltop,
You might be far away but it is all downhill from there!
Yes, I've seen the toe nail trick and I will most likely try it. I'm at the top of a hill too and I will be sure to brace well. I would hate for something to come down once it was put up (unless I get really mad again and throw something over the wall like that floor truss.....) I'm thinking strong ropes at the cap plate to stop the wall from going over, toe nail trick and blocking at the bottom to stop it from scooting out, and a bunch of guys. Lots of prep work but that will lead to no stress (or less) during the lift.
Since I'm up to the second floor now, there is no way I could wait on the sheathing. That has to go on the wall before I lift it. I rather a heavy wall that I need more guys to lift than a lite wall that needs a bunch of ladder work later.
Austin
It has been raining and lightning here on Tue and Wednesday so not much got done. I did get to spend a little time up there yesterday after work and found these little piles on my subfloor. I think it is a little ant. What is the best thing to spray to get rid of them.
thanks
Austin
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/006%7E0.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/007%7E0.JPG)
My vote is for borax. 1 to 1-1/2 lbs per gallon of water and spray it liberally with a garden sprayer. Make sure you stir until it is all dissolved in the water. 20 mule team from the grocer works just fine. Takes care of almost all chewing insects and provides some fire retardant also. Safe for humans and pets.
BB,
Thanks. That will be easy to do. The wife has some of that in the laudry room right now.
Also, I saw that you lost a building to fire too. So sorry.
Austin
I believe it to be ambrosia beetles that are exiting the boards after the boards have been drying. They have come and gone. Spraying now is probably a waste of time and chemical. They cannot live in dried wood. They are different than the dreaded powderpost beetles that infest dry hardwood. I believe that you are OK.
Thanks WDH,
I'm going to spray some anyway because I am seeing a bunch of ants. If the borax drives the ants away, it will be worth it.
Austin
Austin
The ants are not eating any wood. I wouldn't worry about them. Waste of time, effort and borax.. as mentioned.
An ant spray, like Ortho Home Defense, might be more worthwhile.
If they aren't eating wood, where do they get the material to build the little mounds?
Could they be carpenter ants?
They are only boring their way out to escape the dry wood. Those little "escape holes" will cause you no problem.
QuoteCould they be carpenter ants?
Carpenter ants don't eat good, dry wood, only after the wood is decayed, wet and they bore it out for nesting.
Austin,
Borax is approved for new home construction pest prevention. It is inexpensive and will help keep other bugs away even after completion. If you have the time to do it, it does no harm.
I don't get to the internet often enough, but your phoenix is looking good. 8)
Allen
Hey Allen,
Thanks for the info. I hope all is well with you and your projects.
All,
This weekend I finished the subfloor abd got the OSB put on the "face" of the floor trusses. I need to finish putting up the house wrap and some other odds and ends so I can move on the framing up the 2nd floor. I also measured for square up on the 2nd floor and got within a 1/4" on a 26x52 floor. Not bad in my book. Not bad at all. Lastly, I got about 1/3 of the 2x6s for the upstairs studs cut to length.
I hope to have pictures later this week.
Austin
Austin,
You're showing off now!! That 1/4" is really close on a build that size. You can eliminate that little bit when you snap the chalk lines on the floor to set the walls to. Keeping it close will make for great fitting trim all thru the house. And the cabinet builder will really thank you for a good square room!!! Keep up the good work, and stay safe. Let me know when raising time is, as I am back to the Hondo project for a while. :P :P 8) Andy
What Andy said! 1/4" off of square shows that you take time to do things right!
I'm kind of the same way ... slower than molasses in January, but when it's done, it's done right. You can take pride in a job well done!
Thanks for keeping us posted, been fun to watch your progress
Thanks guys. I really appreciate the kind words. When Bill came down a while back we "worked" the corners of the building before Andy and Nancy got there to set the trusses. That helped a ton.
Andy,
With all the rain I have no idea when I will have the walls framed up. It just keeps raining!
Austin
I'm still here! Sorry it has been so long between posts. It is HOT and momma has been without an AC car for some time now. About a year ago her 02 explorer dropped a valve at 185k miles. Since then she has been in my old 1990 F250. So, she asked that I put the build on hold a little and drop a used 4.0L in her explorer. Luckily, the 05-10 mustang V6 is the same engine as the 02 explorer so a low milage engine is pretty easy to come by.
So, I got the old busted V6 out this past weekend. I've ordered some gaskets and will go pick up the newer V6 this coming weekend. The explorer will be back on the road!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/045_small.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/046_small.jpg)
The kids are crazy excited. They have grown to HATE the truck but are glad to have it. HA!
Austin
Austin,
I guess that is why you are the Engineer in the bunch, you are multi-talented! Carpenter one day, and mechanic the next! That is a good thing. Get mom,s car going, and she will remember that at hunting season! Looks like the rain has settled into the every day pattern for the summer. Keep posted when raising time, and we will be there. Andy
Thanks for the update Austin, and I wish you the best with the engine swap. smiley_thumbsup
Be mindful of the Thermostat housing on the 4.0 SOHC. There's 2-3 different types and they like to leak along the seams of the box. Something to watch for during reassembly. Hate to pop the new motor cause it ran outta water.
Andy,
Thanks for the compliment. I was a motorcycle mechanic in college and have always enjoyed machines. I've still got tons to learn about carpentry but I think I have machines just about figured out.
MM,
Thanks. I'm taking lots of pics and keeping up with what I did for another forum (explorer forum). Lots of guys are getting way up in miles and the mustang engine swap is a great way to get a low milage motor for cheap.
Scott,
thanks for the reminder. I changed out the water pump and thermostat housing about two years ago. I will inspect it and make sure it is good to go. I remember you never just ordered a housing from ford because there were so many. You had to take the old one up there to match it up! I had a focus split the thermostat housing in two!
The explorer intake, thermostat housing, exhaust manifolds, oil filter adapter and dip stick will be swapped over to the mustang engine. That is it! I'm just waiting on some exhaust and intake manifold gaskets....oh and the rain to stop.
Austin
Good luck on the swap. Hope it turns to a 200 thousand mile motor. Keeping mom cool keeps you cool in the long run. Hows the garage working out? bg
Yes, I'm glad I have somewhere to work that is sort of out of the weather. You can see that we just have the subfloor upstairs. I keep all my tools in the explorer to keep them dry. No upstairs walls yet or roof. That is next after the motor swap. The gaskets are coming in Thursday or Friday so I will be dropping it in soon. In not so great news, the wife was driving my car yesterday and the check engine light came on. I ran the code and it is a bad coil, spark plug or blown compression ring. I'm going to drop some plugs in and see if that does it. It is a 2001 mercury grand marquis w/ 115k miles. If it isn't one thing..... So that is what I'm doing tonight. I'm just about worn out!
Keep on keeping on my Friend. I admire your endurance.
I swapped the coil over from the #7 to the #6 and cleared the code. Took it for a drive and the sure enough the code changed from a 307 (misfire on #7) to a 306 (misfire on #6). I picked up a new coil today at lunch. I will let the car cool down and swap it before I go home after work. I brought the tools with me. That poor car is jumping around like it is only running on 4 of the 8 cylinders.
I also got a tarp today so maybe I will be able to work on the engine swap in the down pour this weekend. I'm ready to get back to framing!
It's tough when "life" gets in the way of what we want to do. I appreciate the way that you tackle head on. 8)
It has been a while since an update but that is the way it goes sometimes.
If you look at the older posts, you saw that I was working on an engine swap on my wife's explorer. Well, what would have taken me a weekend with a carburated car took about double that with the electronics and tight spaces. Finally got the new motor in and then had zero fuel pressure. Worked my way back and traced it to a bad fuel pump. I cut a hole in the floor and got the pump swapped out. It ran great until it would get hot. Then the computer was turning the engine off. Finally tracked that down to a pinched wire behind the power steering pump (that one took me a while). Now the explorer is running like a top and Stacey has been driving it for the past two or three weeks.
Then the flu hit! It is this weird summer flu. It got the kids and Stacey first. I thought I had dodged it with my super masculine immune system. Nope! So for the past three weeks we have been at various stages of sick. I'm finally feeling better but the wife still has a cough that is keeping her up.
Now! Enough excuses! I had a whole 16' trailer load of 3/4" 4'x21' dow foam board insulation delivered. 200 pieces. They were used from a chicken house! I'm going to use them on top of the roof deck and on the outside of the OSB. Should really keep the house cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Last night after work, I felt well enough and did some clean up around the build and squared up some 13 and 16' 2x6s for top and bottom plates for the 52' walls upstairs. I've got the windows marked and some of the studs. That is about all I got done. I'm HOPING that by the end of this weekend (if it doesn't rain) that I will have both long walls built and ready to lift. I work in a manufacturing environment so I've got tons of guys around me. I've cajoled enough of them into coming to help lift when the time comes! HA! I figure 6 guys and me should make for an easy lift. I will try and get some pictures tonight.
Austin
It is good to see you back alive and kicking and making progress. (sorry about the illness :-\ )
The 15th is three weeks away. We plan to see you and your family then. :)
I've missed this thread for awhile apparently, and had to chuckle when I got caught up. Sorry about the troubles you've been having, but I swear we must be related! We have all been sick the at one time or another for the last three weeks or so and I'll give you a run down on our vehicle situation: for the first time I finally broke down and got a loan for a pickup :-X, the tranny went on my old chevy again and I needed something dependable, drove it for a month and the brand new long block the dealership put in it had the wrong oil pan so it wore through on the cross member, so it's back in the shop. Sunday went floating on the river for daughter's birthday and the fan belt broke in my daughters car hauling kids around, got the wrong belt yesterday and it's still by the river (45 minutes away of coarse). So now we're down to my wife's Trailblazer, tranny went on it last night while I was taking her to work :-\. Hopefully get the new pickup back from the shop today, fix the car by the river and don't break the borrowed pickup I'm using in the process :D. I hate having a yard full of 200k+ mileage vehicles! Hope we can both get back on track soon ;).
Yep! I hear ya.
The flu wasn't terrible, but it puts you down for multiple weeks. No energy at all.
The mercury has 130k miles on it now and get another 80 every day. The explorer has 185 on the body and 55 on the engine. My old 90 F250 has 80k miles but has no AC and gets 10 MPG. HA! Love that truck but it might have to go to finish the house.
Finally moving forward again! I'm working on the 52' front wall with four windows. I had a pretty good helper yesterday after work.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/help.jpg)
After I took the below picture, I finished putting on the top plate and then spent 2 hours trying to find my 100' roll up tape. I need it to make sure the wall is square before putting on the OSB. NOTE: The top of the wall is about half way over the stair opening. I have hit my head going up the stairs three times now! I think I'm going to write "DUCK" on one of the stair treads!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/015.JPG)
Speaking of OSB, I had some delivered. I was not looking forward to getting it upstairs. Then I remembered Bill's forks! I bolted them on the bucket and gave it a shot.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/016.JPG)
So far, so good. Two sheets in the bucket!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/018%7E1.JPG)
Yep! That works pretty nice. I can put three sheets in the bucket and then go upstairs and pull them out all at once. I tried four sheets but I wasn't strong enough to lift them out of the bucket and drag them over to the stack. Three at a time is plenty.
Looks like rain all weekend, so I will cover the OSB and play with the kids.
Austin
I don't know if I ever posted what it is supposed to look like when done. We will probably build the porch after we are in it.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/028.JPG)
Looking good
Take the helper to the D G 8)
thanks!
That was the first time that helper has been upstairs. She is bringing me a 36" 2x6 for the window opening. Later she brought me a 80.5" cripple stud. She grunted while putting it down. Then dusted off her hands! ha! She cracks me up.
Austin
Your kids are getting some good lessons on carpentry. They will appreciate that later. Good help of any magnitude is priceless. Glad to see you are back at getting more done on the house. Hopefully cooler weather is on the way so you can work in a more comfortable environment. bg
Well, it did rain a little but not as much as it was supposed to. I got the wall sheathed, cut the windows open and put the house wrap on. That wall is ready to stand up.
The second 52' long wall is all set up and ready to be nailed. If the rain holds off, I should have it nailed up tonight.
Forgot the pic. Didn't get a shot of it after the paper went on.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/002%7E2.JPG)
Thanks for the update. I'll get to put my eyes on it on the 15th. :)
Thats right! I'm going to be gone for work from the 7th to the 11th. Knowing that, Momma has already been up to the build a couple of times to let me know what needs to be cleaned up before you get here. The build site was looking a little rough and the area was getting to be a little dangerous so, yesterday was spent cleaning and working on the stairs. The stairs will be between two walls but there is only one wall right now. Plus, the treads were built from old 7/16 plywood. HA! The stairs had a little bounce to them that was unnerving to the boss and kids. That is all fixed now.
I'm hoping to get both walls up before you get here but with the rain this week and my trip for work, I don't see it happening. Oh well.
Austin
No worry for us. Visiting with you, Stacey, and the "helpers" will be our treat.
I think Momma just needed an excuse to bring the hammer down. With the kids around, it needed to be done anyway. Plus, it always makes me feel better working in a clean area. I just don't ever want to stop to clean up!
Wednesday after work, I framed up the back 52' wall. I had everything cut and ready to go but I still wasn't putting on the top plate until 9pm.
So, with that work done, here is what I started with last night.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/012%7E1.JPG)
I squared up the wall and got to work bringing up OSB and putting it on. It always takes longer than I think it will.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/014.JPG)
Finally finished putting on the paper around 9:15.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/017%7E0.JPG)
I've got buddies from work coming up to lift both walls today. I will have stops nailed to the top of the existing walls so we don't slide the new ones off the floor. It looks like I'm going to have at least 10 guys so it will make for a safe lift.
-Austin
Looking good Austin. Hope all works out this evening. Be careful and don't let those walls get away from you. bg
Like I said in the last post, I had guys come after work on the 5th. We had 10 guys plus me and it was a nice smooth lift. Mostly engineers and a couple of draftsmen, so only one guy had any experience lifting a wall. Most were pretty worried about it going on over and even when we had it standing up, then didn't want to stand it up straight. It was always back at least 10 degrees. HA! After it was up, I ran along with the level and braces. It was tough for them to push it on out to get it straight. Lots of nashed teeth. The 2nd wall went faster since they had done it once before.
Then I was gone for a week on work stuff. Now I'm back and hope to start on the short 26' walls this week.
Austin
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/006small.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/011small%7E0.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/013small%7E0.jpg)
Austin,
It's beginning to look like we all knew it would! A good job of standing up the walls. It looks bigger every time I see pictures. When the short walls go up, and every thing is squared up, the interior walls will be a breeze. It won't be long, and you will be in the "dry"!!!~
Glad you had a good work trip, and you are back. See you and the family soon. Andy
I am SO glad to be home. Stacey and the kids picked me up in Houston and the first thing I did after kissing the wife and kids was to head for some TEXMEX and Dr Pepper. I was starting to freak out a little without my Dr P!
Yes, I'm very much looking forward to getting it in the dry. While I had the 10 guys, we should have stacked the attic trusses on the 2nd floor but I didn't even think of it. I will rent a skytrak or manlift to set the trusses and hopefully do at least the first row of sheathing on the roof.
Austin
Awesome Job! Looking good!
The weekend didn't go as planned but it wasn't bad either. I spent all day Saturday messing with a broken nail gun and a wall jack that didn't do jack. Finally I figured I better go get another nailer so the weekend won't be a total loss. The old one needs a rebuild. I drove the 35 minutes to Nacogdoches and picked up one at the blue big box store. The wall jack was a bust. I bought it years ago and never got to try it. I wanted to use it to lift the finished 26' long west wall but it didn't lift a thing.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/013%7E0.JPG)
Sunday was a little more productive. I already had all the boards cut and the top and bottom plate marked for the 26' long east wall so it didn't take me long to finish it up.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/framed_1.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/framed_2.jpg)
If it doesn't rain, I've got some friends coming by to help stand the two walls up.
I also spent a little time trying to move around the 26' long attic trusses. I was hoping to be able to rig something up to pull them up on top of the 2nd floor walls but it didn't work out. I'm just going to rent a skytrak next weekend and use that to set them. So hopefully next Monday I will have some pictures of the trusses going up.
Austin
Great progress! Thanks for taking time for pics and posting. You are doing a great job!
Thanks. The two short walls went up but it was dark by the time I tried to take some pictures. I will have some Wednesday.
Nice going Austin. I am loving the progress. :)
Thanks Lynn,
I'm pleased as well. It looks like it is going to be too wet this weekend to rent the skytrak to set the trusses. I will try again next weekend. Still, plenty to do while I wait.
Here is a shot with the 26' walls up. The top plates are tied in. I still need to get the corner OSB on and finish the house wrap.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/walls_are_up.jpg)
Those walls look good standing up. 8)
Alan, how is everything handling being exposed for this extended period of time? I'm curious because of me wanting to build my own home someday.
Yes, everything gets wet but it isn't a big deal.
WALLS: From the pictures you can tell that I like to build a wall in one day. I will cut the top and bottom plate to length, mark them, put in the studs, and then square up the wall. At that point try to put on the OSB. If it is getting really late, I put on at least three sheets of OSB. Once that OSB is on there, nothing is going to move or warp. The next day I finish putting on OSB and then put on the paper. If it is going to be a few days before it gets stood up, then I will block up the high side of the wall so it has a very slight slope. That way if it rains, the wall won't hold water.
Roof Deck: I haven't gotten there yet but on the last house I built, I just had plywood on the roof for three months. I had one corner of one sheet of plywood that delaminated. If it would have had paper on it, it would have been good for more than a year.
Subfloor: The last house I built, I used 3/4" tongue and groove plywood. It stayed like that with no roof for five months. It was fine. It wasn't even that special plywood with the coating on it. On this house, you can see that I'm using 1x pine. It does have some cupping on a couple of the boards. I'm planning to do what Lynn did with the cabin addition, which is to recess the nails a little and hit it with a sander. Since it is a large area, I will rent a big floor sander and hit it all with 60 grit to even it out. Then I will put an oak floor on top. I obviously won't do that until I get the roof on. I don't want to sand it and then have it cup more.
Trusses: They are fine.
The only thing you have to look for is the edges of the OSB. The edges are coated but can get water logged and puffy. Protect those OSB edges with house wrap ASAP.
We are in east TX and get 42-48" of rain a year.
Austin (but you can call me thumper Alan if you want to)
My bad, Austin...I'll remember for next time. Thanks for the info. Its good to know that most of the building materials will last for a bit in the elements.
If I can build a house, then anyone can. All the info you need is out there. We went with a very simple design cut out extra expense and to be as fast as possible. If you keep it to 20' wide or less, you can go with lumber and no center posts. If you go wider, do trusses, ibeams, or use center support beam. Once you decide on how wide the house is, it is pretty easy to figure out how much length you need. I usually like to do mulitples of 4' to keep things simple. Lots of people over on countryplans builds 20x30 or 20x34 1 1/2 or 2 story houses. With our four kids, we wanted a little more.
Another way to keep things simple is to plan for the bathrooms to be back to back to each other. I also have the bathrooms right above the kitchen. Keeps the plumbing simple.
If you are building on land where you can point the house which ever way you want, have the long wall face SOLAR south. We will get lots of light in the winter and not much in the summer. I put the garage on the west end of the house so the sun isn't heating up a room I'm in all the time.
Looks like I'm getting a little long winded. I like talking about house design. Last thing...
For us, the 1st house build was supposed to be a way for us to become debt free by not having a house note (or a small one that could be paid off quickly). This 2nd one is now about getting us out of the giant hole. Even though it didn't work out well for us the 1st time, I still tell people that they should build their own house if they are physically able. If I would have been real smart, I would have built a 20x30 one story with a room or two up in the attic for the kids. Then once we were in that, add on a larger two story. I would have put a nice kitchen in the one story so that work wouldn't have been lost. Then the 1st floor of the 2 story could have been living, dining, and a master bedroom.
Lots of ways to skin a cat.
Austin
Looks great Austin! I like the design info you give. I started on one 7 years ago and it still doesn't have siding on it. I need to finish it one of these years!
This last weekend, I rented the SkyTrac for some truss lifting fun. Friday after work, I got a couple of the trusses lifted and then hit the ground running the next morning.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/truss_1.jpg)
The end of the house where I started is much harder to do due to the sloping ground requiring a very long reach for the skytrac. By COB Saturday, 16 out of 29 trusses had been set.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/truss_3.jpg)
Sunday I was done by 1pm except for the two gable end trusses and attic floor. I spent a couple of hours putting the attic floor in the attic. Then I tried to set the gable end trusses with the barge rafters installed but it didn't work out. I fought with them until 8:30 last night. 14 hours on the job and lots of time on ladders. Needless to say I'm beat!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/truss_4.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/truss_5.jpg)
Austin
Outstanding progress on the roof framing!! Every thing looks really square and plumb from here. It looks like the lumber stacks are getting smaller every day. We may get back up soon, if we can get thru with these funerals for some of my dearest friends. Seems like every week for the last four weeks. Maybe things will change for the better. Looking good, and you be careful up on that roof!!!! Andy
Congratulations on getting those roof trusses up. I ditto what Andy said, and also urge you to stay safe my Friend.
I'm crazy scared of heights so when I'm up there, I'm all about belts and suspenders. Plus, most of the decking can be done from the "inside". I stand between the trusses on the attic floor and put a sheet of OSB on the outside. Then I lean over the piece and nail it on.
Andy,
I'm sorry about all the funerals. That sounds terrible.
Austin
Since the last post, I've gotten the gable end trusses fully sheathed and mostly papered, along with building the attic stairs. The treads are temporary but it sure makes it nice not having to climb a folding ladder and then "hopping" up into the attic.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/attic_stairs.jpg)
Another big step was I got the barge rafters built and installed. Needless to say it was quite a task doing it alone but it got done. I bought a 120v winch to pull them up the side of the house and then got them in the rough position and tied them off. Once secure, I could adjust them with a ratchet strap and then nail them down. They look pretty good to me!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/barge_rafter_1.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/barge_rafter_2.jpg)
Now I can finally start putting on roof sheathing.
Austin
Looking good my Friend. Thanks for the update. :)
Austin,
Looks like you have been taking advantage of the nice weather we've been having. The house is looking great. You will be in the dry before you know it. We are still planning to make another trip to give you some help, just working out the schedule. It looks like you have learned how to take small "bites" from that elephant. It will be gone soon!! Keep up and be safe. Andy
Thanks Lynn and Andy. We are really looking forward to it being in the dry.
I wanted to put the grace triflex (roof underlayment) on at the same time as my decking but it won't get here until the 10th. With all the rain we are supposed to get in the next couple of days, I might still be working on the frist row by then so it won't really hold me up. HA! By the time I got home last night, it was almost dark so I cleaned up all the tools and did a general clean up. I left the winch installed up in the rafters but with OSB nailed above it. It should do ok.
Andy,
We are looking forward to seeing you and Nancy again. I know you have lots going on, but do come up when you can. Have your boss text my boss and we will make it happen.
Austin
Austin
Looks great! I remember how anxious I was to get my roof sheathing on and how good it felt when it was done!
This is awesome. What are barge rafters? Never heard that term before.
Quote from: kilgrosh on November 05, 2014, 11:29:47 AM
This is awesome. What are barge rafters? Never heard that term before.
Kilgrosh, Barge rafters are the outside edge rafter on a gable end of a structure. In the last pacture they are the 2x material running up the roofline outside the walls.
*DanG near lost a finger cutting in the out riggers for one back in the 80's
Sean P.
Thanks guys. I really appreciate it.
Kilgrosh,
Sean said it best. They basically extend the roof line out past the wall. The fun part is getting them where they go. With them being out past the end of the house, it makes it tough and requires some problem solving, doing it on your own. The great thing about this time is I had the truss guys build the gable end truss (last outside truss that is sheathed and has the window) 3.5" shorter than the other trusses. I did that so that the 2x4s that hold the barge rafter out past the edge of the house, go OVER the gable end truss and attach to the truss that is one inside the gable end truss. It is a much more secure conection. If this isn't clean I will try to find a better picture.
The last time I did this, I didn't have a 3.5" shorter gable truss, so I had to attach the barge rafter assy to the outside of the gable truss. I lifted the barge rafter up on the roof of the house with it upside down. Then I attached hinges between the barge rafter assy and gable truss. Then I just PUSHED! It flipped into place, right side up. I leaned over the gable end truss and nailed it into place. It was a little more complicated that what I'm saying but it worked!
More than one way to skin a cat.
Quote from: dablack on November 05, 2014, 01:38:49 PM
...
More than one way to skin a cat.
And the interesting thing is that the cat does not seem to enjoy any of them...
Herb
I'm going to be working on roof sheathing this weekend.
If anyone has some two story scaffolding or a long ladder that I could borrow, I would appreciate it. The roof eave is right at 18'. Even if it isn't available for this weekend, I could still use it for other stuff.
thanks
Austin
Spent Saturday building a ramp out of old pallets and four crooked 16' 2x4s. Also got my old burned up scaffolding back together and built a new platform for it. Got a couple of sheets on the roof using my winch but not many. Sunday Dennis ( Den-Den ) showed up and we got a ton done. From 9 to 4:30ish we got 3/4s of one side done and that was with a nice break for lunch. This week I will be building more spacers for between the trusses and hopefully finishing this side. Next week will be the other side.
Austin
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/roof_1.jpg)
Short update. Dennis came by Wednesday and we got the four full size OSB rows put up on the back of the roof. It went really well and the roof is really coming together. No pictures right now but I'm sure to have some after Thanksgiving.
I'm going to buy about half of the windows today. If it will stop raining, Sunday I'm going to finish the 10" wide OSB strip at the peak of the roof and then start putting on the paper. I have next week off so I will start putting in windows then. December should mostly be inside work. I'm ready to start on plumbing!
Sounds good. I am planning on putting a crew together to hang the drywall when you get ready. :)
WHOOT! Can't wait to be to that point Lynn!
Funny story to go along with building during the winter. I usually wear myself out on the weekend but during the week I only get about an hour of work done and I'm still full of energy. So last week after an hour of work, I decided I needed to mow in the dark. There is a wooded area that I usually mow twice a year but this year I haven't done anything overthere because I've been so busy. The quick grow back sweetgums were already four feet tall so I figured I get get to it. The tractor has headlights but that area is pretty rough even with a tractor. I took it slow and get a bunch done. At one point, I was coming around for another pass and saw something in my headlights. I got a little closer and realized it was the wheel from the back of the brush hog. Opps! I was almost done so I just kept going. I was only doing the area visable from the driveway but at one point while going around some trees, I looked up and couldn't figure out where I was! I don't think I have ever gotten that feeling on my own land before. No moon! Pitch black and just the tractor headlights. Luckily the whole area is on a slope so I just went up hill. I popped out near the driveway 100 yards from where I thought I was. WEIRD! I've never been turned around like that.
Well, it was a good and bad week. I got most of the 2nd floor and attic windows installed but the man lift would barely reach the roof. I was able to put on the facia board on the front and back, but could only get two rows of synthetic felt on the front and one row on the back. Turns out I'm just not capable of getting out on the roof.
The last house roof pitch was 12/12 and I thought that was why I couldn't get out there. Nope, even with the new 8/12 pitch I just can't do it. Panic hits and I'm out of luck. Even tied off I feel like I'm about to fall. Tomorrow I'm going to call roofers to see about finishing the paper and getting the roofing done. Hiring roofers was NOT in the budget. Ha! Didn't see this coming. Oh well.
I will post some pictures tomorrow.
Austin
Austin,
A good move on your part about hiring the roofers. That is the only thing we hired out when we built our house, because of my old knees.
I keep thinking about my high school physics class about terminal velocity and my fat self reaching it! They say it's not the fall, but the sudden stop that hurts. I'll never know. Great news that you will be in the dry soon. The inside work should go much better, as the weather won't be a factor. Be safe and post some updates for us. Keep up the good work.
Andy
Pics are going to have to wait for tomorrow. I just checked my phone and I don't have any good ones. The cold front just went through and it dropped from 66 to 49. Things got a little wet but I should be able to get a couple shots and a little work done after work today.
Austin
Well it looks like roofers are out of the picture for now. I met with one early last week. He gave me a good bid and then showed up and doubled it. Um..... no! The rest of the guys I have trouble getting them to show up to give me a price or they won't even call me back. I have found a place to get the material for $1000 less than I thought I was going to pay.
Like I said above, the rented man lift didn't reach as far as I was hoping so I'm back to putting on the paper myself. I still don't have the peak sheathed so I'm able to come down a rope from above. I get a little paper nailed on and then come inside, get my heart rate down and then come down again. I got a little done this past weekend. I'm hoping to finish up this coming weekend.
I'm stuck at home with a sinus infection so I finally have some time to post up a picture. The top two rows of paper are just attached along the top. Now that they are attached like that, I can stand on them and attach the rest of it. The back part of the roof only has the first row on.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/house_pic.jpg)
Is it cost prohibitive to rent scaffolding?
Beenthere,
If you look at the picture posted Nov 10th, under the ramp you can see my old scaffolding. They got burned in the fire but work fine. In fact I'm using that to install the windows on the west end of the house where the ground slopes away. If I buy one more level for that scaffolding it will get me up to the level of the facia board. That is how I'm planning to finish the peak of the roofing (climb up from the eave with the rope over the top of the house). I'm sure the 3rd level will also come in handy when it comes time to install the metal.
thanks
Austin
dablack,
I really wish I lived closer to you. Heights don't bother me and if you were able to shuttle the materials up to me, I'd install them for ya! I hope you find a solution soon so that you can start the insides.
I wish you lived closer too! Ha!
I think I will be able to finish the paper this weekend if it doesn't rain too much. It is synthetic paper and is rated for uv exposure. It will keep everything dry until I figure out what I'm going to do. I think if I put up some lathe that will help me install the roof even if I don't actually need it.
Austin
I've researched all the types of roofing, installed asphalt shingles and roll roofing and also installed metal roofing. At 36" coverage per piece for the entire length of the slope, metal installs the easiest and is less labor intensive, is extremely durable, looks good and can be a color that will match your chosen decor. I will have some roofing to do in the future... I'm going with metal all the way.
Just a thought...
I've done two tin roofs this year and a friend of mine and my house. His was a tear off, re nail, synthetic felt, insulation and tin, that tear off was a lot of work. On mine we just wnet over with the same synthetic tar paper, insulation and tin. I enjoyed it and it goes up fast except cutting valleys but you have none, yours would be up in no time. Good luck
mmartone and grweldon,
I'm for sure going with metal. There is a place 20 minutes away that supplies all the local roofers and rolls the sheets in house. I'm going with a tuff-panel galvalume. It should go really well with the colors we have picked out. I have some used 3/4" foam board that I really wanted to put up there as well. I'm hoping with the scaffolding, I can put the first layer of foam up and then the lathing. Work my way up from the eave. Once the foam and lathing is done, it will be like a ladder all over the roof. The metal should go up fast except for the last piece. The last piece will be rope work.
Here is a shot of a sketchup model I did.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/sketchup_house.jpg)
When I installed the metal roofing on my shop, it came in 39" wide sheets, with 3" overlap on the rib. I built a wooden 'ladder' that hung over the top of the peak, and tied a rope off to the other side of the building for extra strength and security. At the time, I was 6'2", 265 lbs., and no way I was staying up on that slope without some security and help. It ended up being a real nice system of going up and down the slope, and when I was finished with a sheet, I slid the contraction over just enough for the next piece, and got right back at it. I had both sides of the roof done in a day. I installed the ridge cap the next.
Cheers, and your project is looking great.
woodworker9,
I call your contraption, a chicken ladder and it sounds like a very good idea. It will be tied to the other side of the house and so will I. When I'm working on the peak, I will be tied to both sides of the house so I can't fall either way! HA! By then I should have my two lightning rods up so I will most likely be tied to them.....as long as their aren't clouds in the sky!
thanks
Austin
And.. in the end after the last piece of ridge goes on, how will you get yourself down?
I'm not sure.....
Maybe buy two extra pieces of roofing (for spares in case one or two gets damaged which can happen) and at the end, build a scaffold that you can make into a frame for a slide. Put those two extra pieces on the scaffold and send the roof ladders (chicken ladders) down the slide, and last but not least you go down off the roof on the slide.
Kids might even enjoy helping if you do that. ;D
Better than a zip line (which may be another alternative). Or a sky hook.
Hi dablack, this will be long, but hopefully helpful if you haven't worked with tin extensively......
A steel roof is a very efficient and long lasting roofing material, you mentioned selecting a color, if you're going with any shade of grey I'd suggest going with bare galvalume. Bare galvalume typically has a 30 year warranty, is considerably less expensive than a painted panel, will not corrode as readily if scratched, and is what in the trade is called a "self healing" in that it will oxidize and seal minor scratches at the surface of the aluminum/zinc coating. (not major scratches exposing the substrate). (Galvalume, not galvanized, galvanized is guaranteed to rust)
Galvalume as manufactured under license from Bethlehem Steel has been in use on industrial and shipyard buildings for over 50 years without significant coating failure. Painted galvalume must be first chemically etched for the primer coat of paint to adhere, this effectivley reduces the corrosion resistance of the galvalume and any corrosion resistance must be addressed by the paint coating. Past siliconized polyester paints had a reasonable 20 year lifespan, and the newer flourocarbon coatings have extended that out to 30 years, but none of these have any significant abrasion resistance and scratch very easily.
If you read the painted warranty they are very heavily prorated over their service life, and have more ways to void that warranty than carver had liver pills (some even require that the cut edges be sealed with paint by the installer in order to maintain their warranty in the event of edge rust). Corrosion is usually addressed in terms of "penetration" (read holes in the panel) and not so much in terms of surface failures. And any scratches will void that warranty as to coating integrity. Different colors are also allowed specific degrees of fading, with brown fading the most followed closely by red.
Another thing to be aware of are the different grades of panel within any product line, and different thickness gauges, 29 ga will support a 40# live load at 2' purlin spacing, 26ga will support the same load at up to 4' purlin spacing (R panel with 3/4" profile)
a) liner panels with a thinner finish coating and little or no wash coat designed for building interiors, typically ceilings, very little corrosion resistance in exterior applications.
b) secondary panels with full thickness coatings, sometimes minor surface blemishes, but more often having not passed quality control in the surface treatment when curing the finish coat, they look really good for a short time in exterior applications but in 5 or 10 years when they begin showing wear you find out why they were sold at a discount without warranty. A panel can also be rejected and designated as secondary for tensile strength deficiencies, i.e. a grade D 40kpsi determination when a grade E 50kpsi minimum is required for loading engineering.
c) ag panels, typically good products but usually only having a 20 year warranty, somewhat lower quality paint but still very serviceable, used in agricultural buildings with predetermined lifespans due to their severe service environment so the building and roofing will "wear out" at about the same time.
d) residential/commercial panels, usually those with 30 year warranties, a flourocarbon-kynar and ceramic type paint that will provide the service life commercial installations require, a very good product, but scratch it and it will rust just like any other panel.
When handling/storing the panel keep it covered and sloped in the stack, do not allow it to be exposed to rain while stacked, it will wick moisture between the sheets and may allow "white rust" to start on the coating surface, a blemish which while not corrosion is very hard to remove. (and yes this is spelled out in the warranty) bare galvalume is more suceptible to this than painted product.
When taking sheets from the stack try to always have two people, do not slide one sheet over another, lift them straight up. The sheets are cut to length with a shear after forming, this means that the sheet will have a burr upward on one end of he sheet and downward on the other end, and sliding that downward burr over the painted surface of the sheet below it will strip the paint like a razor blade or paint scraper. Many of these concerns are mitigated with bare galvalume and it has an excellent warranty as well.
Do not install the panels with nails, use screws with metal backed neoprene washers. 1 1/2" galvanized ring shank nails will fail with less than 200 lbs pullout, 1" screws have about 700 lbs pullout.
When finishing panels for the day always make sure all the fasteners are installed, a light coating of dust overnight will make it more difficult to walk on the sheets the next day. (little trick, gummy shoe soles with a very light misting of water on the panels can help your feet stick to the sheet with painted panels) (another, predrilling the sheets with an 1/8" drill bit while stacked for one side at a time will make installing the screws much faster and easier, make sure you have the sheets oriented correctly, they have a very specific orientation, with a lap rib with anti siphon designs)
If you're considering a grey color selection you might look at using bare galvalume as it will (within a few years) weather to a pleasant nondescript grey color.
Good luck, extra hands make it safer and easier, long ladders with jacks and planks are easier than scaffolding. Battery screw guns are a necessity, offset snips for long cuts, butterfly snips for cross rib cuts, and scoring adjacent to a rib base with a utility knife will usually allow folding and snapping off a full length sheet (be careful this edge will be razor sharp)
Very good advice and information Josef. Want to come install my roof? ;D
Josef,
Great information that will come in very handy on my build! Thanks
Josef,
Thanks for the detailed post. I am going with a 26 gauge galvalume on 2' purlin spacing. Should be pretty tough! I will use proper screws and I have a cordless driver with a spare battery.
thanks
Austin
hello,
thechknhwk, I'd be happy to if I were closer
dablack, Galvalume is a good choice, 26 ga over your roof deck may be overkill, but you'll have a roof that will outlast any other roofing product besides slate or copper.
A few more points, (didn't think of these yesterday, memory like a steel sieve) when walking on the roof panels don't walk on the ribs, keep your feet between the ribs on the flats, the ribs will kink pretty easy with the concentrated load of a boot heel. (kink the sheet, fracture the coating, start rusting of the substrate)
When dragging the sheets up the roof a welding visegrip with pads clamped to the end makes a great handle, use gloves if you have enough grip to wear them, don't even think of trying to install sheets in a light wind as a flying or loose sheet can remove fingers in the blink of an eye.
Tin roofs typically fail upward, not downward, wind uplift fasteners placement pattern usually is 1 per square foot, 8 across the panel at the eave and ridge, alongside the ribs in each flat, and 4 across the panel aligned on the side of the flat next to the lap rib at each intermediate purlin. Screws always go in the flats, screws go thru ribs only to attach trim.
If attaching purlins over a roof deck make sure you attach them directly to your rafters not just to the decking. If you're considering adding insulation to the roof under the panels start the purlins off with a 2x6 at the eave, then place a 2' wide strip of 1 1/2" thick foam board on the roof and capture it with the next 2x4 purlin, repeat up the roof and finish it off with a 2x6 at the ridge, this will make sure you have a structural purlin with solid lumber that will match up with the flat flange of the ridge cap to place the fasteners. A 2x4 won't be wide enough at the ridge unless placed below the ridge point. If you're using 1" foam insulation then 1" rough cut boards work excellently as purlins over a roof deck.
Don't forget a roof starter (drip edge) and foam rib closures at the eave and ridge cap, these will slow down the ingress of warm moist air that can cause condensation.
When you order your sheets measure your roof slope and order it to the inch, doesn't cost extra and you don't pay for material to cut off and throw away, cheat the sheet down 2 inches for an overhang that will work with gutters, and the 2 inch space at the ridge makes fitting the ridge easier.
When starting the run the first three sheets should be attached with only a few screws, this will allow you to see if the sheets are running square (without a step in the pattern), it they are not the roof deck is probably a bit out of square, not at all unusual, most are. I don't know if this will make sense but the procedure is to align the sheet overhang to run straight, if the sheets are not parallel to the roof edge you can pull the sheet lap rib about a quarter inch per sheet (stretch the pattern) either top or bottom to get the outside edge square and allow the pattern to shift to stay straight at the overhang. Continue across the roof and check the distance to the opposite edge every few sheets so you can plan adjustments to the pattern so the last sheet ends up parallel to the other edge. Not paying attention to the pattern can result in the sheets trying to run off the roof down the slope with a very unattractive uneven roof overhang.
Many times its easier to lap the sheet an extra rib space or two to finish the roof instead of ripping the last sheet to fit so long as it works out to match the 9" rib spacing of the sheet.
Sorry I can't be of more help installing, 10 years ago I'd have been in Texas several times a year standing up buildings, but retirement is keeping me in PA now.
Oh, and before you pay for an extra sheet you'll find they probably will include an extra as a cover sheet for shipping. Mueller building materials was my favorite supplier in TX.
You know how hindsight is always 20/20, If your windows were not yet installed you could attach outriggers to the rough frame openings with diagonal braces for support and spread an extension ladder section between them with a 2x10 walk board on top as a pik and work the roof overhang for installing fascia/soffit and roofing sheets all at the same time without scaffolding. Then shift the outriggers down to the garage door openings to work the windows, siding and trim for the first floor. That hindsight is a bugger.
Quote from: Josef on December 12, 2014, 11:42:04 PM
If attaching purlins over a roof deck make sure you attach them directly to your rafters not just to the decking. If you're considering adding insulation to the roof under the panels start the purlins off with a 2x6 at the eave, then place a 2' wide strip of 1 1/2" thick foam board on the roof and capture it with the next 2x4 purlin, repeat up the roof and finish it off with a 2x6 at the ridge, this will make sure you have a structural purlin with solid lumber that will match up with the flat flange of the ridge cap to place the fasteners. A 2x4 won't be wide enough at the ridge unless placed below the ridge point. If you're using 1" foam insulation then 1" rough cut boards work excellently as purlins over a roof deck.
I bought some used 3/4" foam board that I was really wanting to put up there. I wanted to use at least two layers. I saw on youtube some guys put it on horizontally, the way you describe. Then I read about guys putting the foam board up and THEN putting up vertical purlins screwed through the foam into the rafters. After the vertical purlins are on, then you put on your horizontal purlins. This will leave you a vertical air chase all the way up the roof. Then the metal itself is vented at the peak. Keeps the metal cool and lets any moisture out. Thoughts?
When starting the run the first three sheets should be attached with only a few screws, this will allow you to see if the sheets are running square (without a step in the pattern), it they are not the roof deck is probably a bit out of square, not at all unusual, most are. I don't know if this will make sense but the procedure is to align the sheet overhang to run straight, if the sheets are not parallel to the roof edge you can pull the sheet lap rib about a quarter inch per sheet (stretch the pattern) either top or bottom to get the outside edge square and allow the pattern to shift to stay straight at the overhang. Continue across the roof and check the distance to the opposite edge every few sheets so you can plan adjustments to the pattern so the last sheet ends up parallel to the other edge. Not paying attention to the pattern can result in the sheets trying to run off the roof down the slope with a very unattractive uneven roof overhang.
I understand completely. I will do my best to keep it straight but I will have gutters so that will help too.
Many times its easier to lap the sheet an extra rib space or two to finish the roof instead of ripping the last sheet to fit so long as it works out to match the 9" rib spacing of the sheet.
I wouldn't have thought of this! I don't have an exact measurement right now but the house is 52' long with about 21" of gable end overhang on each end. That puts me close to 56'....which is NOT a multiple of 3'!
Josef,
Excellent. Very informative.
"Thoughts?" (way too many as my wife always reminds me)
Well, there are two trains of thought on insulation applications and moisture infiltration, the regs (building codes) follow the premis of an air chase in reroofing over solid decks and require designs that allow free movement of air from the bottom to the top of the slope under the sheet. These designs are typically engineered to support a volume of air greater than the volume of the ribs that your plan would allow. They usually require placing firing strips 90 degrees to the purlins and under them attached directly over the rafters, this void space under the purlin is the designed air chase up the roof. In actual practice this has little or no effect on roofing temperatures, think of an attic, relying on natural convection to reduce excessive temperatures has been pretty much replaced with forced ventilation by attic fans in locals where these temps are destructive.
In any discussion of insulation designs there is one common point, in order to have condensation you have to have warm moist air coming into contact with a cold surface, think of the underside of a tin roof at night. To prevent condensation you have to eliminate that contact, hence the other train of thought, limit the ingress of outside air as much as possible under the tin. What we have found in practice is that placing a thermal barrier directly under the tin and isolating the tin from outside or inside air is the most effective. New products have replaced the T-Max type insulation barrier, now the most used are the rolls of 1/4" thick foil backed "bubble" insulation barrier, or the foam filled 1/4" thick foil backed product. The foil acts a reflective radiant barrier to excessive heat (faced up under the sheet of course) and the impermeable barrier prevents warm moist air from contacting the tin.
This is all well and good and provides the ideal (in my opinion) solution, but many more reroofs are done with voids between purlins flush filled with foam insulation and the tin fastened directly to the purlins, this fills the voids and prevents accumulation of moist air under the sheet, provides a barrier to excessive heat transmitted thru the sheet to the roof and, if the rib voids are filled with foam plugs, will prevent ingress of any warm moist air. This also provides a direct (hard) mechanical connection of the tin to the rafter structure thru the purlin without the movement allowed when foam insulation compresses over time and the fasteners become loose because of this compression with structure (purlins) placed over foam insulation. The disclaimer here should be that this installation process might not meet UBC in your area.
"That puts me close to 56'."
Lets see, thats actually 55.5 feet, devided by 3 is 18.5 sheets, lap the last sheet by half (two rib sections) and thats 55.5 feet (approx, not counting the extra lap rib at the beginning of the roof, about 3") But the advantage is that if removing part of a sheet is necessary it is infinitely easier to do it from the edge of that sheet than trying to split it beyond the first rib section.
It suddenly registers that my posts are quite far from the "sawmills and milling" topics in this part of the site, and I apologize for this, if I should move this part of the discussion elsewhere please point me there. Just trying to be helpful, as so many of you have been so helpful to me as I'm beginning my journey in sawmills.
Quote from: Josef on December 13, 2014, 11:24:27 AM
They usually require placing firing strips 90 degrees to the purlins and under them attached directly over the rafters, this void space under the purlin is the designed air chase up the roof.
This is exactly what I was trying to describe. A layer of foam, followed by furring strips that run from eave to peak and are attached to the rafters. Then horizontal purlins 2' on center. This would leave a 3/4" x 20" chase all the way up.
In actual practice this has little or no effect on roofing temperatures, think of an attic, relying on natural convection to reduce excessive temperatures has been pretty much replaced with forced ventilation by attic fans in locals where these temps are destructive.
I think some people call it ASV (above sheathing ventilation). I can see your point about the lack of air flow to carry away the heat.
..... but many more reroofs are done with voids between purlins flush filled with foam insulation and the tin fastened directly to the purlins, this fills the voids and prevents accumulation of moist air under the sheet, provides a barrier to excessive heat transmitted thru the sheet to the roof and, if the rib voids are filled with foam plugs, will prevent ingress of any warm moist air. This also provides a direct (hard) mechanical connection of the tin to the rafter structure thru the purlin without the movement allowed when foam insulation compresses over time and the fasteners become loose because of this compression with structure (purlins) placed over foam insulation. The disclaimer here should be that this installation process might not meet UBC in your area.
No building codes here. I'm just doing the best I can with the most up to date knowledge (like yours). I never liked the idea of the structure holding the tin having to be fastened through foam. Your idea of filling the area between the purlins with foam will work great. It breaks the thermal bridge between the rafters and the outside and it will be much easier to install. The only worry is if water does get under the tin, it might sit against the purlin.
But the advantage is that if removing part of a sheet is necessary it is infinitely easier to do it from the edge of that sheet than trying to split it beyond the first rib section.
I totally agree. Like I said before. I'm really glad you brought this up. I would not have thought of it.
It suddenly registers that my posts are quite far from the "sawmills and milling"
I don't know if you know the back story but about a year and a half ago, the house I built for my family burned down right before we moved in. Unable to afford the materials to rebuild, I was looking into an inexpensive mill so I could mill my own lumber. Magicman remembered me posting about my almost complete house build and asked why I needed so much lumber. When I explained, he and others joined forces to come to my aid. Some forum members came to help me fell my trees, buck them and stack them. Magicman and others came about a year ago and cut all my trees into 1x, 2x6s, 2x4s, 2x8s, and 2x12s so I could rebuild. Many other forum members donated to make the trip possible.
Not everything in this thread has to do with "sawing and milling" but it has everything to do with the wonderful people that are here. I've been given SO MUCH, the very least I can do is take some pictures and talk about what I'm doing so the members can see what they have done for me.
"The only worry is if water does get under the tin, it might sit against the purlin."
One of the great things about tin roofs is the ability to install them in one sheet from eave to ridge, no horizontal seams or joints means no potential leaks. Take care installing fasteners, don't overtorque them and there isn't any opening for water to get in. Seal your ridge cap lap joints with mastic tape or caulking and you're good to go.
Installing fasteners is a quality control point, examine the screws washer and you'll see they are cupped with the neoprene attached under the cup. This bunches the neoprene under the cup and forces it tight around the screw shaft. Overtorqueing will do two things, first it will collapse the metal cup, squash the neoprene and force it out from under the metal backer effectively thinning the seal material, but more importantly it will strip the screw shaft from the wood fiber and allow it to loosen over time, when it does it leaks. If you drive the screw hard enough for the washers metal backing to actually contact the tin panel you probably overtorqued it.
"I've been given SO MUCH, the very least I can do is take some pictures and talk about what I'm doing so the members can see what they have done for me."
I understand completely, I've recieved the benefit of many of this forums members assistance, sharing a little insight is the least I can do in return. Would have enjoyed the gathering when your trees were milled, but the distance might have been prohibitive.
OK! You have convinced me. I will run horizontal 2x purlins 2' OC attached to the rafters under the roof deck. Between the purlins I will place two layers of my 3/4 foam board. That will give me about R8 and break the thermal bridge of the rafters.
So, yesterday I finally found a way to get out on the roof! I convinced myself to get out there with the rope, but was VERY uneasy. I worked for about an hour but got very little done. In desperation I tried going down the roof on my stomach feet first. I slid down the OSB but once I got to the paper, I didn't slide at all. The paper I'm using is grace triflex and it is very grippy! I found I was able to move all over the roof on my stomach and nail the paper down as I worked up the roof. I didn't even have tension on the rope. This REALLY helped get a bunch done. So now I have four rows of paper on the front and back of the house done. I have the peak of the roof left to OSB and paper. It is supposed to rain tonight so I'm hoping I at least get the OSB on. I will have pictures tomorrow.
Finally note. Last night while working on the 4th row of paper, the sun was mostly down but I still had enough light to finish the last 15' of paper that I was working on. Since the sun was down it was cooling off fast. At one point I tried scooting over to the left like I had been doing for the past hour. My feet slid out from me but that was it. It felt like my shoes were wet. I finally move to my left some and that was all she wrote. Apparently as it cooled down dew covered the roof. I was ok in the spot where I was working because I was keeping that spot dry. Once I moved off that spot, I moved to a wet spot and slid down. I still had my rope on but I slid about 10 feet down before it caught me. That roof was like ice just from the dew. I was amazed at how fast the roof went from grippy to ice in just a few minutes. I had to pull myself up with the rope! At least now I have a way to be on the roof and feel secure (when it is dry).
Austin
For all the roofing We have done we put full length staging with top rail (could be metal or properly built wood) across the side that you are working on that comes up to a few feet from the eaves, then use roof brackets and planks for roof pitches over 6/12. When I was doing this kind of work it was not required but now contractors now have to use proper safety harness as well. Stay safe
Thanks Hilltop. I will always be tied off. Sometimes I tie off to two spots just because it makes me feel better.
Ok, yesterday afternoon, I got a little OSB and paper at the peak. I didn't get all the OSB on but did get some.
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I'm pretty pleased. It is supposed to pour the end of this week. I'm out of grace triflex so I'm going to have to order more but I'm hoping to at least get the rest of the OSB on.
That 9,000 board feet of lumber we milled sure looks different now from a year ago. bg
I reminded Marty last week that it was that day a year ago that we left to go to Rusk. I copied that "Goodwill" thread link to someone a while back and then read the entire thread.
After Austin has the interior stud walls, wiring, AC/heat duct, and insulation done, we will form a Drywall Hanging Crew and make another trip.
Bill, I made that same comment to Stacey yesterday. Those big piles are pretty much gone.
Lynn, I'm hoping to start the interior walls by end of year. Then plumbing the DWV, plumb the supply, then electric, then HVAC. Since AC is last, due to budget and schedule we might just have to put a window unit down stairs and the add central air upstairs after we move in.
I understand. We will accommodate whatever you work out. :)
Talking about Marty and the lumber piles, the last day of the goodwill trip, Marty and I were admiring the lumber piles and he said, "look at that! We made you a house kit! There is going to be some assembly required." As he said it, he slapped me on the back and laughed. Ha!
Here is a LINK (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,69061.msg1069732.html#msg1069732) toward the ending of the sawing. 8)
Wow! I just read from where you posted to the end. Stacey is the only one who looks the same. I have a beard and the kids have all grown a foot! Madeline looks like a young lady instead of a little girl. Amazing what changes in a year.
I need to go take a picture in front of the house wearing my wood-mizer shirt!
I have received a PM from a FF member wanting to make a donation toward your AC.
Any others that want to do so may contact me by PM and I will provide mine or dablack's mailing address.
Well I don't know what to say! That is a real blessing and is obviously very appreciated. Wow!
Austin
I have gotten two PM's with Pledges. :)
Ok guys. Not much to report on since I'm still working but I did get to see Andy White this weekend and he did a full house inspection for me and the only finding was that I needed to post a couple of sketchup views of the downstairs for him. I don't argue with inspectors, so here they are:
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While I'm off work, I'm planning on finishing the paper on the roof, sanding the subfloor to use as the actual floor, power washing the slab (still have soot and junk on it), and walling up the front of the house.
Austin
I can see some nice slabs on that kitchen island.
I now have pledges and one check from four different FF members for several hundred $$$ to help with the Heat/AC unit.
Quote from: WDH on December 22, 2014, 08:20:23 PM
I can see some nice slabs on that kitchen island.
Oh man! That would be SO cool! I think at first we will have some plywood and polyurethane. That will get us in there and then I can swap it out for some book matched walnut or something similar. That will be really sharp.
Quote from: Magicman on December 22, 2014, 09:09:36 PM
I now have pledges and one check from four different FF members for several hundred $$$ to help with the Heat/AC unit.
What a blessing!
"I'm planning on finishing the paper on the roof, sanding the subfloor to use as the actual floor, power washing the slab (still have soot and junk on it), and walling up the front of the house. "
Well, I came close to getting all that done. I did get the slab power washed and it did get all the soot up. I did wall up the front of the house and bought all the windows and doors for installation but I haven't sanded the 2nd floor yet. A couple of dog boards snuck into the subfloor and I'm going to have to pull them and take them someone to get planed down. I hoping to get some pics after work tonight to post tomorrow.
I also finished the paper on top of the roof. It was the worst thing I have ever done. I was tied off but I had to climb up my three level scaffold and then go from the scaffold to the roof. The scaffold was scary, the roof was scary, but stepping from the scaffold to the roof was crazy scary. I think I'm going to have to give up my dream of not being afraid of heights. With that said, it has been nice and dry inside for a couple of weeks now, so I'm happy.
Austin
Austin
http://biggeekdad.com/2015/01/changing-tower-light-bulb/
I thought I posted this earlier, but I must have botched the job...
This was pretty scarey, but pretty handy at the time...
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I would have that truck key in my pocket. ;D
And I would put some blocking under the truck frame to keep it from swaying as I moved around on it. I don't like being on high things that sway :(.
On the build that burned, the roof started at 10' from the ground. We had a 1990 ford RV that we stayed in on the weekends when we were building. The top of the RV was right at 10' as well. Made a great mobile platform.
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Here is the latest picture of the new build. This weekend will be downstairs windows and doors.
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Austin
Looks great Austin! I know you are anxious to move in!
I got all the rest of the windows and two of the exterior doors in over the weekend.
Right now we are recessing the nails in the subfloor. Since we don't have enough oak 1x material for the 2nd floor we are just going to live on the subfloor for a year or so. It has lots of gaps but it will work fine. Once all the nails are recessed, we are going to sand it to get it a little flatter and then throw some poly on it. Not really sure what to do with the gaps between the boards. It wasn't a concern when it was just subfloor but now that it is the floor I will need to do something.
While I'm recessing nails, Stacey and the kids are putting in the blocking at the top of the 2nd floor walls. She has mastered the chop saw and only needs my help when the blocking boards are a little too tight for her to pound in. Benjamin and Margaret (the middle two) have been coughing but still want to help momma put the blocking in. I will try to get a shot of the blocking crew in action tonight.
I'm really looking forward to getting to the interior walls and plumbing.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/front~0.jpg)
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On the back of the house, on the first floor you can see Stacey's kitchen window. It was 2x3 like the bathroom windows above it. After an inspection, the inspector said that this window was too small and she wanted more light and more view. I hadn't bought the 2x3 window yet and it was only an hour of reframing so a 3x3 went in. The inspector was very happy. We also got the kitchen door that is mostly glass to let the morning light in. That door faces east.
When the inspector is happy. I'm happy.
Great job! Looks good. Your house is in the state mine is in on the outside, except my housewrap looks like it's been on for about 7 years... One of these years I'll get to the siding... maybe this will be the year. Speaking of siding, what have you determined to use on your house?
Austin,
The project is looking really good now! It looks more like a real home. This may be a little premature, but GET READY, I'm ready to start some cabinets. Another week or so, and Nancy's project will be finished. When you get everything ready for measurements, we will start! I hope you won' t mind if I use power tools, cause I don't think I would live long enough to do them by hand!! Keep up the good work, and tell the kids we said hi! 8) 8) 8) Andy
grweldon,
I haven't decided on siding yet. It isn't required for moving in so it really hasn't entered my mind yet. I do know the inspector wants horizontal siding. I don't know if I will go wood or hardisiding. I haven't even priced it either way. One thing I have decided (and bought) is rigid foam insulation on the outside. I bought a bunch of it from a friend of mine that parts out chicken houses. My sheets are 4' wide, 21' long and 3/4" thick. That stuff is R5 per inch. I'm planning on putting on three layers so that will give me R11.25 on the outside of the framing. Then I will put on vertical furring strips for the siding.
Andy,
Oh! We are ready. We can do the kitchen measurements anytime. Bathroom will be soon. Don't worry about the power tools. I'm planning on telling everyone the cabinets are handmade if they actually are or not. Stacey has never really looked at cabinets before. Now when she watches a show or goes over to a friends house she really checks out the cabinets. I think she has lots of questions and ideas for you!
Austin
We will schedule another visit with a sketch pad and a stenographer to take notes and answer questions . Stacey will be an expert for sure before this thing is done. When she sees the dovetail drawers, she may start opening every one's cabinets to see. The hard part is picking the color for the finish. That is what I'm waiting on now for Nancy's. They will be there for a long time, so pick what you won't get tired of! ;D ;D :P :P 8) Andy
I know that those cabinets will be very nice.
Everything Andy does is very nice. I don't think he knows how to do it any other way.
Well, I didn't get much done last weekend. The kids and I had a pretty rough cough. Late Sunday and yesterday after work, I finished up the blocking at the top of the 2nd floor walls and up in the attic along the gable end truss. The gable end truss was 3.5" shorter than the other trusses so 2x4s could be used to hold the barge rafter out past the gable truss and attach to the 2nd to last truss. I like this setup but it leaves a gap between the top of the gable end truss and the roof so we needed some blocking there.
I used 2x6s to fill the gap so I could nail along the bottom and tie it in tight. There are still some small air gaps that will be filled with spray foam from a can.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/barge_blocking.jpg)
Austin
Monday Update:
Spent the weekend behind a floor sander. We are going to use the pine subfloor for a while until we can get some more oak and get it turned into flooring. The subfloor had cupped a little since it was exposed to the elements for so long. I got the floor sander and some 20 grit and went to town. I thought that 20 grit would really knock it down. It didn't. It really took some time to get those edges down. Came back with 60 and 100 grit to finish it out. There were plenty of low board that didn't even get touched with the sander.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/075.JPG)
Luckily, Stacey liked the look of it. Then late yesterday I finally put the first coat of poly on. I will come back and put another coat on tonight and then another tomorrow. Then we can finally build the upstairs walls and move on to plumbing.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/077.JPG)
That pine really sucked up that poly. The can said, 400-650 sqft of coverage. I was getting about 300 sqft. I'm thinking the 2nd coat will go farther.
Austin
Just my 2 cents...but I think the sanded subfloor looks terrific as is. If you can live with the gaps , you have created something beautiful in my mind. Rob
Looking good Austin. Pine dents but it is still much harder than you would think. My "Pine over Pine" is holding up quite well.
Rob and Lynn,
I like it too and the cracks don't bother me. I'm not sure what we will do in the bathroom. I can see the kids making a mess and water hitting the ceiling below. I'm good at cement board and tile but it will be a while before I get to that.
Austin
i think the light and dark coloring of the flooring is awesome.
my company just did a couple million dollar remodel to an older home, they went with walnut that had all kinds of rough spots, sawmill marks, and knots.... rustic is the thing these days...
The first coat got sucked into the wood and there was very little glossy left when I finished the first coat. The 2nd coat went on well last night and when I was done it still looked really glossy. We will see how it dried over night. It was dark when I was finishing so I had to get out the big light. I was worried about bugs in the finish but it was cold enough that the bugs didn't come out.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/floor_2nd_coat.jpg)
In the picture you can see that the 1st coat is completely sucked in and how glossy the 2nd coat looks against it.
Austin
I think it looks gorgeous!
I like it Austin. Maybe a piece of linoleum for the bath. bg
Austin,
I've got a finishing project going on now that you would be good at. It wouldn't take you long at all. That don't look like the same floor. Every thing you do now gets you that much closer! Remember, {one bite at a time} 8) 8) Andy
Thanks guys. I really appreciate it. I'm not sanding between coats because it would require hand sanding. I've decided to wait on the 3rd coat, put up the walls, do plumbing, electric, and HVAC, then I will lightly smooth the floor with a fine grit by hand and finally put on the 3rd coat.
I will be cutting studs tonight.
Andy, That elephant looks a little smaller every day. 8)
Bill, I have pitched the linoleum idea to the boss. She said, "We will see". To me, that means some cement board and tile in my future. ;)
Austin
I know that you are not close yet, but let me know as far in advance "when". :)
Austin
I don't notice any signs that your finish is showing "overlap" the way you are doing it, but a good way to avoid it is to finish out a "board" (or 3 or 4) the full length, then go back and do another run full length.
That is how horizontal siding is finished as signs of overlap come when the previous finish dries and a top coat is added. If that makes sense...
Lynn,
I will send you a PM. Lots of drama, no need to put it on the forum.
Beenthere,
I think if the boards were more uniform, it would show signs of overlap, but with the rustic look, you can't see anything. In my final coat, I will make sure to look out for that. With it being a big open room, it would be easy to make that mistake. Once the interior walls are up, I don't think I will have that problem. It shoud stay wet while I finish that room.
thanks
Austin
Had a weekend with great weather so I got plenty done on the house. All my helpers were away seeing family in Houston. Not having extra hands really slowed me down!
These pictures are from Sunday around noon so more got done after pic time but you get the general idea.
I got the two walls on either side of the hall mostly done. These took a while because everything else references off of them. I needed to make sure they were where I needed them to be! I got them pretty close.......my old tape is getting worn out, so those walls are within an andy or two (around here an andy is 1/32nd). In this picture, I'm standing at the base of the attic stairs and facing North East.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/upstairs_framing_1.jpg)
Behind the door on the left is the kids bath. Behind the door on the right is a hall closet and master bath. The door on the short wall in the foreground is to Benjamin's room.
I also got Margaret and Sadie's room framed. In this picture I am standing in the kids bath, facing South West.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/upstairs_framing_2.jpg)
The master closet and wall got put up too, but don't I don't have pictures.
Also, I knew it would happen eventually, I ran out of 2x4s! So, I pulled the front passenger seat out of the old explorer (just four bolts) and I drove it to work today. After work, I will run by big orange and pick some up. It is a sad day indeed. Store bought lumber just doesn't feel right.
Austin
Looks good Austin. That southern style look on the floor is great. I know what you mean about the difference in store bought and farm raised lumber. Keep up the good work. bg
Austin, your home reminds me of my Grandmother's. Your floor is unreal. smiley_thumbsup
Thanks guys,
The floor is physically rough right now. I threw on those two coats of poly as quick as I could so I could get to framing. Not a sock feet floor yet. I will need to go back, hit it with some fine grit to knock everything down by hand since it is so uneven. Then put on at least one more coat, maybe two. I'm just glad the floor didn't totally suck up the 2nd coat of poly. I need that surface build up so I can have something to smooth! I am very pleased with the way it turned out. I will feel better when it doesn't feel like sandpaper under my feet.
Austin
Looking good. I believe that your plans for the future will be just fine.
Be prepared for sticker shock on the studs. $3.21 each is what I paid for the "premium" 2x4x8' that weren't so "premium". That was 3 weeks or so ago, I doubt if they've come down since then! Keep up the good work young man!
WOW! 3.21? No way.
If I buy stuff, I usually buy it here in Lufkin. Lufkin is 2 hours north of Houston but is still part of the Houston market so our stuff is pretty cheap. If I bought stuff up in Nacogdoches or Palestine, they are NOT in the Houston market and are more expensive.
8' studs in Lufkin are $2.87 each. The 92-5/8" studs are $2.82 but aren't long enough for me. My interior wall studs need to be 92-7/8" so I have to buy the 8' ones and cut them or borrow Lynn's board stretcher. With the front seat out of the explorer, I don't have to pull the trailer and I still get 20mpg on the way home.
Rusk (home) is about 45 minutes north of Lufkin but I'm in Lufkin everyday for work anyway.
Austin
So last night I loaded up 44 2x4s in the back of the explorer. I got out to the explorer with the wood and realized that I hadn't brought my straps. Really didn't want to spend more money in big orange so I improvised.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/explorer_wood.jpg)
I pulled the seat belts out all the way so that they would ratchet back in tight. Worked great! I got them all trimmed to length last night and stacked upstairs ready to go for today after work.
I think I'm going to need another 30 or so but I rather put these up and get a good count of exactly how many I need to finish out.
Austin
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN1781.JPG)
These looked better. ;D
That's the truth!
It's my own fault. I miscalculated how many 2x4s I would need.
Austin
It will all work out my Friend. smiley_thumbsup
I may have to buy a couple of 2X8's on my Cabin expansion project. You can not stretch a 2X6. ;D
Looks great Austin! I know you are pumped on how the floor looks! Awesome build you have going,
Austin, that floor looks awesome! It's been fun to watch your progress, please keep posting!
This is awesome
Had me some good helpers yesterday. I had the top and bottom plates marked. Then the helpers came along, spaced out the top plate, from the bottom, and then set in all the studs for my marks. When I would start nailing, they would move on to the next set of top and bottom plates to do the same thing. Once I was done nailing, they would come back, and stand 'em up! I had tape and marks on the floor where they would line the wall up. I would nail it down and then they would hold the level and make sure we were all set before I nailed along the top. Great crew.
I marked the top and bottom plates yesterday. I got home around 4:45 and we finished five walls in an hour and a half.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/wall1.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/wall2.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/wall3.jpg)
Austin
Can't beat having good help. 8)
And they take some ownership in those walls that will surround them soon.
Austin,
I have nothing but admiration for the ethics you and Stacey are instilling in those precious children. They are reflecting their upbringing in every task they do, even tho they may think it's a fun game. The framing is looking great, and you are really making progress now. Keep up the good work, and tell your "crew" we said hello. See you soon. 8) 8) 8) Andy
Thanks guys. I really appreciate it.
Tomorrow we find out about the layoffs. Oilfield lost hundreds a couple of days ago, foundry lost a bunch today. We find out in my branch tomorrow. Prayers requested.
thanks
Austin
My prayers are with you my friend.
Praying that your job will always be there for you and the family. bg
Looks like I made it through the layoffs! I'm very pleased and I really appreciate the prayers.
Last night the boss and I got another 60 studs cut to length and I got two walls of the laundry room built. I'm hoping to finish the big stuff tonight so I can move on to plumbing this weekend.
thanks,
Austin
Prayers are answered. Now you can keep on with the new home building. smiley_thumbsup
Reap what you sow {old saying} has always been true for me, and I see it works for you too!!! Great News, keep up the good work. 8) 8) 8) Andy
Got most of the interior framing done. Still need to do closets and door trimmers/headers.
Here is Madeline standing in the laundry room. That front wall she is standing in, hits three other walls. She and I built that wall about 10 ft away and then had to move the whole thing over to where it went. It took a little bit but it was sort of fun.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/framing.jpg)
I got started with DWV. Sure enough, the toilets lined up almost on top of the floor trusses! I got some offset flanges and made it work. It is going to be too cold for me today after work so I won't be getting back to it until Tuesday.
Austin
The joys of DIY. :)
With plumbing, here is a Corollary:
One trip to Lowes = two trips to Lowes :).
Quote from: WDH on February 16, 2015, 08:07:38 PM
With plumbing, here is a Corollary:
One trip to Lowes = two trips to Lowes :).
.......and your just getting started. ;D
When doing plumbing work, remember the golden rule! IT runs downhill. 8) 8) Andy
Quote from: Andy White on February 13, 2015, 12:29:57 PM
Reap what you sow {old saying} has always been true for me, and I see it works for you too!!! Great News, keep up the good work. 8) 8) 8) Andy
That is quite possibly the oldest old saying that has been used on this site. I understand that Jesus used that one. ;D
Quote from: POSTONLT40HD on February 16, 2015, 08:10:47 PM
Quote from: WDH on February 16, 2015, 08:07:38 PM
With plumbing, here is a Corollary:
One trip to Lowes = two trips to Lowes :).
.......and your just getting started. ;D
The closest Lowes or HD is about 30 minutes away. Luckily, there is a good hardware store with a huge plumbing section just in town (5 minutes). Unluckily, they close on Sat at noon and arne't open on Sun at all.....
To combat the situation, I have bought many random pieces that I might need. If I don't use them, I can just take them back.
Austin
Well, I got just a little more done with the DWV. Weather and a sick kid have taken their toll on productivity.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/dwv.jpg)
Last Thursday Andy White and Nancy came for a visit. We were so busy trying to figure out how to use our sloppy tape measures that no one pulled out their camera for some pics! Andy has offered to take up the task of building our cabinets. That is a great task to it self, but the main hurdle is trying to figure out what my wife and I mean when we say, "long skinny drawer" and other such statements. We would point at stuff, showed him pictures on the internet and he happily took notes. He made it through the visit with a smile on his face. I've said it once and I will say it again. He is a better man than I! With so little info, I would have been frustrated in his position. After they left, I told her that I have no idea what we want, so I'm not sure how we expect him to know.
Over the weekend I spent some time with the wife and tried to translate what we wanted into a drawing for poor Andy. We think we have it figured out.......
More than a year ago Allen (ARp) and a friend of his, helped me fell, buck, and stack most of the pines from a back field. Those pines (and others) were then cut for lumber during the big sawyer trip a little more than a year ago. That back field still has some oak and sweetgum in it along with the old pine tree tops. Luckily West TX A&M has a sapling program where you can reforest cheaply. I was able to purchase 25 pecan seedlings for $35. They showed up Friday and I put them in Saturday morning. 11 of them went to that back field and 14 went to another area. I spaced them at 35'. The plan is to let them grow a couple of years and then take out the other trees that are in the way. These are seedlings from improved varieties, but are not grafted. I might buy some grafted varieties in a couple of year to fill out the field. I will need at least another 20 or so to fill out that back field. I'm hoping in 10 to 15 years I will have some pecans.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/pecan_close.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/pecan_far.jpg)
Once the house build is done, I will chip up those old pine tops and dress the pecans. There is no way for me to get water back to them so I hope they do ok. If it is a dry year, I will have to figure something out.
Austin
Austin
Mulching should help to keep the sun from baking the moisture from around them. The first year will be the most critical.
Andy and Nancy are true gems. ;)
What do you do when you order a one piece shower/tub combo and it won't fit up the stairs. Well, you cut out the stairs of course! Cut them out as one big piece.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/dropped_stairs.jpg)
Now the shower/tub will fit but how do you get it up there? You use the same winch you used to lift all the OSB up onto the roof! Mounted the winch at the top of the stairs and pulled her up. Once it was high enough, I put some boards across the stair opening and set the tub down. Then just slid it over onto the floor. No muscle required. I love that winch. It has paid for itself 10 times over.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/winch.jpg)
The stairs behind the winch go to the attic. If I was smart I would have come up with a trap door that went from the attic, all the way down to the garage. Mount the winch above the doors and there you go. From the back of the truck, to the attic! Unfortunately, the kids bedrooms are between the attic and garage.
After the shower was in place, I used the winch to lift the stairs back where they went! HA! Cutting out the stairs took about 30 minutes. Putting them back took 15.
Austin
You are da man with your innovative ideas. smiley_thumbsup
Austin,
You are showing off now! You took a page from old Clint, "adapt, improvise, and overcome!" You will be living in there before long, so I better get busy. Looking good. Andy
Oh no! Not showing off. I just love my cheap chinese winch. You can pick them up at harbor freight for less than $150 and they are oh so handy. 120v and 30' of cable. The brackets bolt to a 2x2 but with longer bolts you can bolt to a 2x4. I used that thing to lift fully sheathed gable end trusses into place. You have enough cable to throw a pulley on what you are lifting and double the capacity. If I hit the lotto, everyone on the forum gets one.
It is sort of like the forks BG built for my front end loader. You didn't know you needed 'em until you got 'em. [old saying]
Time for an update. I didn't mean to wait 3 weeks between updates.....
Last week, I took a week off to do pex and wiring. I'm about 70% complete with wiring and about 50% complete with pex. I should be done by Monday the 6th.
I promised pictures yesterday but it was already late by the time I got home so the pictures aren't the best but I did promise.
The electric comp came out and installed the lines to the meter box. The lines go up the pole but aren't connect. I can see the three lines hanging from the pole. I check those lines before doing anything. It would be bad if they snuck up there while I was at work and hooked up to the pole!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/meter.jpg)
Inside I've got the breaker box and most of the wires run to it.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/box.jpg)
I've got all the home runs done. Now I'm working on the plugs and lights.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/boxes.jpg)
I've got my spool set up in the hall upstairs to pull wire from. The board is bracing from the shower. Waste not...(old saying)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/spool_1.jpg)
I've also got a spool downstairs by the breaker box. Bill and Andy will recognize the structure holding the wire. They built that for me out of scrap to hold the other end of the boards by the chop saw. I'm not doing much chopping right now so.... waste not....oh never mind.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/spool_2.jpg)
Up in the attic I've got power to the water heater and right next to that is the pex manifold. I've got showers and toilets to do and I will be close to done.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/pex.jpg)
And for all the guys that are still in winter, I got a picture of a honey bee doing his thing on a black thorn tree. You can see the pollen on his legs. Also my pecan trees that went in are getting buds on them. The pear trees and apple trees that went in Dec of 2013 are doing ok. The pears have leafed out way ahead of all the other trees so the deer are eating on them. I'm going to have to put up some fence or something.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/spring_has_sprung_II.jpg)
Austin
Austin,
Looking good with the project! All will be known when test time gets here. Does the conduit in the meter base go to the power pole? What size wire is that , and is it the same size as hanging at the breaker box? The pex looks good, I have never used that before, so how do you make the connections? Did you ever think you could put that much wire in a house? Our house ended up with over 3000' of 12-2 with ground, for plugs and lights alone! Don', t be afraid to put too many circuits in that box. I used all the spaces in a 40 space panel. Sorry about all the questions, but inquiring minds want to know! (old saying) Watching the weather for a cabinet delivery Saturday, I will need the space in the shop for the island!! Keep up the good work! Andy
Looking good my friend. smiley_thumbsup
I believe that your black thorn tree is a plum.
Looking good Austin. That Pex is pretty nice stuff to work with. I have it in my house. I bought the 1/2" and 3/4" ring clamper. They work pretty slick. bg
Quote from: Andy White on April 01, 2015, 05:50:52 PM
Austin,
Looking good with the project! All will be known when test time gets here. Does the conduit in the meter base go to the power pole? What size wire is that , and is it the same size as hanging at the breaker box? The pex looks good, I have never used that before, so how do you make the connections? Did you ever think you could put that much wire in a house? Our house ended up with over 3000' of 12-2 with ground, for plugs and lights alone! Don', t be afraid to put too many circuits in that box. I used all the spaces in a 40 space panel. Sorry about all the questions, but inquiring minds want to know! (old saying) Watching the weather for a cabinet delivery Saturday, I will need the space in the shop for the island!! Keep up the good work! Andy
Yes, the conduit goes from the meter box on the back of the house to the power pole. I'm not sure what gauge the power company uses. I'm guessing it is 00 or 000. So, right now I don't have the meter box connected to the breaker box. The breaker box and meter box are back to back so those lines won't have to be long. The black cables you see hanging in front of the breaker box are 6 gauge for the oven and cooktop. I didn't really need 6 gauge for the cook top but it was cheaper to guy 25' of prepackaged 6 gauge and use it for both oven and cooktop than buy 5' of 6 gauge for the oven and 20' of 8 gauge for the cooktop.
I've always read that you use at LEAST a foot of 12-2 for every sqft of house. I don't think I'm going to get there. The breaker box is on the center of the back wall and so far I don't think I'm going to break the ft=sqft rule. We will know by Saturday.
I'm close to using all the spaces in the box. I think I have one single breaker empty on the left side and one double on the right. That is with lots of home runs for the frig, 2 for the kitchen counter plugs, bathroom plugs, laundry plugs, so on and so forth (old saying). I was shocked how many home runs I needed. Once all the home runs are done, you are 75% of the way full. Then the real fun began by pulling tons of wire for lights and general use plugs! I've got the one 1000' spool upstairs and one down. We will see if I use it all.
Austin
Thanks Lynn. I'm really feeling good about what we are getting done. Can't wait to get the house under its own power.
WDH, I hope you are right but I don't remember it making anything but little berries. I will try and get a shot of what it produces this summer.
Bill, I'm using the skarkbite brand crimper. It works great and comes with a go - no/go gage that tells me if I'm good or not. Really like this system.
Austin
Great Job! I remember how exciting it was to get my home under power. I have an exterior load center with pass-through lugs. I use the pass through lugs with buried cable to feed an interior load center, that way I can turn off all power to the interior load center without removing the meter and involving the power company.
I see your labels at the outlet boxes. I am assuming that you are as diligent with labeling the circuits coming in to the load center. That would be a hot mess trying to sort them out if they aren't labeled. Every time I finished ran the wire for a house circuit, I installed plugs, switches and light bases and hooked up the breaker in the box so I could test. My situation was different than yours, I completed different parts of the house at different times and needed power and lights to the semi-finished section before the others.
Once again... Great Job! I'm excited for you!
dablack
If you are running out of spaces in your box, you might want to check to see if they make a mini beaker for your box. 2 mini beakers fit in the space of one standard. We used them when installing electric heat in houses with individual room thermostats. Electric heat added many more wires to the system above what the standard breakers would allow.
Quote from: grweldon on April 02, 2015, 07:50:54 AM
Great Job! I remember how exciting it was to get my home under power. I have an exterior load center with pass-through lugs. I use the pass through lugs with buried cable to feed an interior load center, that way I can turn off all power to the interior load center without removing the meter and involving the power company.
I see your labels at the outlet boxes. I am assuming that you are as diligent with labeling the circuits coming in to the load center. That would be a hot mess trying to sort them out if they aren't labeled. Every time I finished ran the wire for a house circuit, I installed plugs, switches and light bases and hooked up the breaker in the box so I could test. My situation was different than yours, I completed different parts of the house at different times and needed power and lights to the semi-finished section before the others.
Once again... Great Job! I'm excited for you!
I've seen the external breaker box and then an internal one before. I like how that works. Like you said, you get to kill power to the whole house. The internal breaker box is wired as a sub panel.
For sure everything hanging at the breaker box has a label. I tend to over plan and sometimes spend too much time planning and not enough time in actual action.
Quote from: Remle on April 02, 2015, 05:29:14 PM
dablack
If you are running out of spaces in your box, you might want to check to see if they make a mini beaker for your box. 2 mini beakers fit in the space of one standard. We used them when installing electric heat in houses with individual room thermostats. Electric heat added many more wires to the system above what the standard breakers would allow.
Oh, I'm not running out of spaces. I planned all the spaces out before I even bought the panel. Mini breakers work for a retrofit like what you are talking about but for new construction, if you need more than 40 spaces, I would go with a subpanel mounted next to the main panel. I'm not an electrician, but that is the direction I would go.
thanks
Austin
Austin, looking really good! I too remember both the excitement of progress on building a house ... and the late nights spent plumbing, pulling wire, hanging doors, cutting trim, running ducts, etc etc etc after work for quite a few months. I always had my radio on, seems like it gave me the energy to keep working.
Congratulations, I'm really excited for you!
Thanks Pete, things are moving quickly now.
So, this was a crazy weekend. We got the metal roof on, Andy came and dropped off some cabinets, Dennis came and dropped off some planks and posts, and we got the spray foam done.
For the metal roof, I had them place 2x4s horizontally, and then put two layers of 3/4" rigid foam between them. This will give me R 7.5 on top of the roof deck.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/roof1.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/roof_4.jpg)
Things were so crazy Andy and Nancy were only there for an hour or so. I only got a couple of pictures. I will get shots of the cabinets once they are installed.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/andy_1.jpg)
For the spray foam, I only requested 3" in the walls and between the rafters. I would say that on average, I got about 4" and in some spots got 5.5". So, I'm thinking I'm good as far as insulation goes.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/foam2.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/foam1.jpg)
Of course we took a little time to do Easter. Two of the many cousins came up to help and hunt eggs.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/easter1.jpg)
Austin
It is coming along great. You have got a lot of work done (a lot of it probably seeming slow and tedious).
A lot of work, for sure!
Looking good.
The roof looks great! I'd be interested in details about the cost of the spray foam in you have time to share. I've always liked the idea of using it but considered it cost prohibitive.
Dennis and Downsouth,
Thanks guys. I'm really pleased with the results. I finally feel like the move in date is getting closer. Also, I'm really pleased with the temperature change with the silver roof. Usually, when it is sunny out, the top floor and attic gets pretty warm. It might only be 70F outside but the attic would be pretty hot. You could open the windows but anyspace above the window got really hot. After that 1.5" of rigid foam and silver roof, no extra heat upstairs.
GR,
I originally wanted to go with just an inch of closed cell foam to seal the house well and add a little insulation. I was going to then put three layers of rigid foam outside for the added insulation. A friend of ours came to do the bid and calculated exactly what I wanted. It would have been about R5 for the closed cell inch of foam. It came out to be about $1 per board foot (sqft an inch thick). Then he said, really in the south we want open cell foam and that it was less expensive. For the three inches that I paid for the open cell, it was about 19 cents a board foot. That works out to about 56 cents a sqft for the three inches of depth.
Two things I like about the open cell is that the blowing agent is water and it doesn't offgas like the closed cell does. If water does get behind the open cell foam, it can still dry to the interior of the house which is what we want in the south. A wet wall up north, dries to the exterior. That is why they have plastic up under their sheetrock. We let stuff dry to the inside here because we use AC and the interior is the low humidity area. If we used plastic sheets under our sheetrock, we would have really moldy walls.
The open cell foam has a rating of R3.7 per inch. So that gave me a minimum of R11 in my walls. Then I'm going to use 1.5" of rigid foam on the outside to give me another R7.5.
With no air leaks, that is pretty good. Also, the south side of the house will have a big porch on it which will shade the front of the house. Then I have a pretty good roof over hang as well so in the middle of summer, the front upper story windows are in the shade from it. With the air tightness, shade, good insulation, and silver roof, I'm hoping it stays cool.
Austin
Thank you for the explanation. There may be some of the foam in my future...
My god that is the crappy insulation job I hope they aren't finished.I would have them pay me if it was my house.Just throw money out the window.Geez
Quote from: scor440 on April 08, 2015, 11:03:38 PM
My god that is the crappy insulation job I hope they aren't finished.I would have them pay me if it was my house.Just throw money out the window.Geez
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/serious.jpg)
I'll admit that it isn't the most aesthetically pleasing foam but I'm pretty sure it will get the job done. Also, these photos are while the work was being performed. All the foam on the floor is where the scrapped off the face of the studs. They cleaned all that up before they left. Then again, my sarcasm meter might be broken.....
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/sarcasmmeter.jpg)
Austin, I was following your line of thought on the insulation, and you did very well. Yup, it is all different here where our main concern is cooling rather then heating. smiley_thumbsup smiley_thumbsup
I spent a lot of money spray foam insulating the Royalston House. Closed cell because the walls are only 3" deep. My take on spray foam is, It is the only product I can think of that pays you back almost every day of the year. When it comes to heating and cooling it is the way to go, and the best place to put your hard earned money.
Thanks Lynn and Holmes. I'm pleased with the way it is turning out.
I stayed up there late last night to finish wiring the breaker box (load center). We would have had power today but the big storm blew threw last night so lots of people lost power and they are working on that now. We might have power by Monday.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/breaker1.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/breaker2.jpg)
This weekend I will finish up some plumbing bits and have all that done. Should be able to flush a toilet by Monday if things go well. We will see.
Austin
Austin, I have several buildings with open cell spray foam insulation, and I think that your's looks fine. Good choice with it.
Scott
Scott,
Thanks for the support.
We had a couple of cool nights and "hot" days. The house stayed nice and cool during the day. Upstairs didn't get warm at all. It was the same temperature as downstairs. I'm very pleased.
Austin
I cut these pine boards 5/8" thick for Austin to use as paneling. A neighbor gave me the trees (cut down in their yard). This is one of two stacks (1200+ sq ft total). In a few weeks they will be dry enough to run through my planer; I will plane them to 1/2" (backside may be hit/miss).
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33766/Photo142.jpg)
Good for you (and Austin too). That family will have a home if we all keep plugging along. 8)
I bet that paneling will look nice.
Great going Den-Den. That lumber will have the eyes of Texas upon it. bg
Wow Dennis! Thanks so much! Stacey pulled up the thread last night to see if anyone had posted and there were you pictures. We talked for a while on where it would best be used!
Austin
Almost forgot I have a small update. The power guys came by on Monday and got us hooked up. Monday night after work, I spent some time installing the kitchen plugs. It is nice not to have to run extension cords in from the pole. Of course that outside pole is now dead, so if I wanted any power, this had to be done! Tonight I'm going to try and finish the outdoor plugs so I can have power out there.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/power.png)
Austin
It's nice to have "trick-ah-licity" everywhere. Just do not forget that what was not.....now is. :o
Thanks!
I'm only turning on the main breaker when I'm there. Even then, I'm only turing on the individual breakers when everything on them is completely done. I don't want a wire to a switch hanging out and popping someone!
Austin
Got a little more done over the weekend and had a special visit.
Andy and Nancy came by and dropped off most of the kitchen cabinets.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/andy_cabinets.jpg)
We are obviously blown away by the quality and beauty of the cabinets. Andy is a top notch craftsman.
I got a little more wiring done and a little more venting of the upstairs pipes done. The HVAC guys are coming tomorrow to get the upstairs unit installed. We are putting off the downstairs unit for a while. If the summer gets really bad, I can always buy a small window unit to get us through the summer, but I think we will be ok.
To hold the coming cold air in, I installed the door between the garage and pantry.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/garage_door.jpg)
I also got the door handles installed on the front and back door. I only got a shot of the front door.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/front_door_lock_set.jpg)
Tonight will be finishing up the pipe vents in the attic so I will be all ready for the HVAC guys tomorrow.
oh yeah! I figured out that rabbits can get the "deer in headlights" look. I hadn't mowed in some time and the grass was starting to get high. So from 8pm to 10pm I got some mowing done. This guy would not move! I almost scooped him up with the front end loader! He and another buddy finally ran off and out of harms way.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/bunny1.jpg)
Austin
Thanks for the update on your progress. 8)
That Andy & Nancy are a Class Act. :)
C'est un lapin!
Where is Marcell when you need him?
HVAC guys showed up yesterday. Didn't get finished but that is the way it goes. They are up there today finishing up. Stacey is supervising and there to answer any questions.
While they worked yesterday I was able to get some wiring done. Also big orange dropped off my hardi plank and some sheetrock. I hope to get some sheetrock up in the kitchen this weekend, so I can go ahead and install some cabinets next week. We are running out of space with those cabinets in the middle of the room.
Hope to have HVAC pictures tomorrow.
Austin
Things will go fairly quick from here, won't they Austin? You could be just a few short months from moving in! That could be some housewarming party...
I wish I had months. The faster we can get rid of the trailer, the better off we will be. Once I finish electrical, get a working bathroom and kitchen, we will move in. We will have some sheetrock up in the bathroom and master bedroom. That will be it. We will then finish each bedroom, one by one. To finish that bedroom will be sheetrock and a door! HA!
Oldest girl gets her room finished first. Then the other two girls (they will be sharing a room) will get theirs done. Finally my son will get his finished. I don't think he will really care if there is something on the walls or not!
We will also need to finish the 2nd bath, and flooring downstairs. Downstairs still has the pitted concrete slab from the fire.
Really, before we do all that, i will want to finish the hardie board and exterior.
Lots to do, but we will have a good roof over our heads, conditioned air, and much more room. That will be enough for move in.
Austin
Austin,
Now you may have some idea of what my shop looked like before we made those deliveries!! That material takes almost no room until it is assembled. I know you will persevere until you have them all out of your way! ;D ;D ;D 8) Andy
Quote from: dablack on April 22, 2015, 12:25:30 PM
Really, before we do all that, i will want to finish the hardie board and exterior.
Oh yeah, I forgot about that. My house has been without siding for 7 years. Some of the OSB will need replacing before siding...
Quote from: Andy White on April 22, 2015, 01:07:10 PM
Austin,
Now you may have some idea of what my shop looked like before we made those deliveries!! That material takes almost no room until it is assembled. I know you will persevere until you have them all out of your way! ;D ;D ;D 8) Andy
Andy,
Your shop is big but if you would have held onto everything and waited to deliver, I'm not sure how in the world you would have been able to turn around in there.
I'm excited to get them on the wall! With them in the middle of the room, I can't put anything in the kitchen area because i will be putting up drywall in there. Then I can't work in the living room because all the cabinets are in there. That leaves the dinning room, so that is the room I wired yesterday while the AC guys were working. HA!
Austin
Austin,
A quick update, the kids vanity is complete except the drawer trim and the door panels. I should finish it up tomorrow. If you need it before I finish the island, let me know, and we will schedule another delivery. 8) 8) Andy
I'm not nearly that quick. We would love to see you again, but won't be needing the kids bath for at least two weeks.
I'm hoping to start sheetrock in the kitchen tonight but it might be this weekend.
Austin
Got home a little late yesterday but was able to get a couple of AC shots before it got too dark.
Here is the unit in the attic. You can also see how much spray foam went into the attic.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/ac_3.jpg)
Here is what one of the vents into the 2nd floor looks like. This one goes to the laundry room.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/ac_1.jpg)
Here is the return in the middle of the 2nd floor ceiling. Bathroom is to the left and Benjamin's room is to the right. At the end of the hall is the master bedroom.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/ac_2.jpg)
Here is the thermostat below the return.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/thermostat.jpg)
The Ac works great. I was really impressed with how quiet it was. I was up in the attic checking it all out and it turned on. I thought it was some sort of start up hum but that it wasn't running yet. Then I went downstairs and felt the cool air pouring out of the vents. Crazy quiet. Didn't stay on very long at all to maintain that 69F.
Austin
Spent Friday night and Saturday morning doing drywall in the kitchen area so I could install cabinets. Got that all done and let the mud dry for a while. Saturday afternoon a buddy and I were going to lift the huge upper cabinet in place and let the wife screw it in. Sure enough, right on time, Dennis shows up to drop off some 8x8 posts for the front porch. He offers help lifting and we gladly take it. The three of us lift the upper and then Dennis screwed it in place. Later that night the wife and I installed the oven box and the other upper cabinet.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/cabinet_1.jpg)
Andy found out I was installing cabinet and couldn't help himself. He and Nancy came by Sunday to see the product in place. As an excuse to satisfy his curiosity, he also brought the kids bathroom vanity.
I will get a picture of the vanity installed after I do sheetrock in there. I did get a shot of Andy's "brand". His mark of excellence.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/cabinet_2.jpg)
I was going to install the lower cabinets Sunday afternoon but I was beat! They will have to wait for another day.
This morning didn't help me get some rest at all. I woke up to lots of lightning and thunder. Living in a trailer, you tend to notice those things more. Sure enough, a HUGE storm was blowing in on us and we were under a tornado warning. Luckily, the worst of the storm blew around us but due to down trees on the road and flooding, I wasn't able to get to work until late but I've been up since 3am. I doubt I will get much done today after work except rest.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/work_1.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/flooding_on_69.jpg)
We are still without power.
Austin
Congrats on getting the cabinets hung. Looking good. smiley_thumbsup
Austin,
Everything looks great in the pictures, but better in person. Those storms were tough on us too! Lost power at 5.40 AM and it came back on at 10.05 last night. A full day without the Forum had me a Grumpy soul. Lost a full day on the island, and helped me make a decision we have been discussing for a while. Today, we are getting a Generac whole house system to avoid this in the future. Hope your power comes back on soon, and keep up the work, It's looking great!!! >:( >:( :( :( 8) Andy
Thanks Andy! Power came on last night about 6pm. So, it was a little more than 12 hours without power. We are at the "end of the line" (old saying) so it takes them a while to get to us. I'm just glad the cleared the roads so quickly. Gotta be a tough job and high pressure.
I didn't know until yesterday off work, but the tires on top of the foam weren't enough to hold it down. Sure enough a bunch of pieces got broken. I hate that! It is a big mess to clean up too! I'm thinking of moving the foam to the garage until I need it.
Last night the next big storm rolled through and shook the house. Luckily, I was so tired, I fell right back asleep. No tornado warning or hail with this one.
So I'm feeling a little more rested and should get back to house work today after work.
Austin
Got a little more done over the weekend. We did a big clean up downstairs and got the rest of the main kitchen cabinets installed.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/kitchen.jpg)
I've been doing sheetrock in the kids bathroom so I can get their vanity installed. It was getting dark up there and I was tired of dragging an extension cord up the stairs so I went ahead and got the bathroom plus and light installed. That also got me light out in the hallway.
Next drywall delivery, I'm going to see if I can bribe the guys into carrying it up the stairs. Maybe HD can deliver it upstairs. I would have to pull a window but it would be worth it.
This week will be working on the bathroom. I'm hoping to have it functioning by the end of the week. It will depend on how long it takes me to get the drywall done.
Austin
Austin,
Is that the dish washer in that hole? If it is, give me the distance from the top of the washer cabinet, to the top of the cabinet frame, for the closure panel. Don't forget the flooring thickness under the washer. Those cabinets look like they were custom built for that wall!! You are really making headway now. I think I can see a light at the end of the tunnel! [old saying]. Things on my end are really ramping up for the finish of this really FUN project. We will try for a delivery for the weekend if the weather looks ok. I will get my neighbor to help me get the island loaded! That thing is heavy! 8) 8) 8) Andy
Hey Andy,
Yes, it looks like they were custom built for sure.
Yes, I put the dishwasher in there to get it out of the way. I don't have it level yet but I would say 1" will do it. Cut it 24 3/4" long and I will trim it to fit just right.
We will have to watch the weather this weekend. This week looks rough! Nothing got done last night. I needed the night off. Mondays are always tough. 3pm coffee usually comes around 1pm on Monday.
Finally Did It,
Yesterday was a really good "forum day" for Nancy and me. We looked closely at the weather, loaded the island, and headed to Austin and Stacey's. All went well, and we got the island in the house without a single drop of rain in sight. Shortly after lunch, Austin said that Den-Den was bringing some pine boards. Four forum members in the same room at one time! It was great meeting Dennis in person. I read all his posts, and admire his lathe work
projects. Had a great visit, and admired the "denim pine " boards. Like all the other members I've met, he is a "real "person. Looking forward to spending more time with him again. These forum people are the greatest! Andy
Forestry Forum members are the "bestest". Congrats on getting the latest addition to the "Rebuild" done and delivered. smiley_thumbsup
Looking really good! that insulation job looks GOOD! you wont' have any regrets for that investment. That is going to be one fine dwelling! Andy did good ;D
YES! It was a productive weekend. Andy and Nancy came up and delivered the island. Dennis came up and dropped off a bunch of pine for the walls. I got the bathroom mostly drywalled and the vanity installed.
Now for pictures to proved it happened.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/island_2.jpg)
Here is Stacey doing the initial inspection and the primary photographer (Margaret) documenting the work.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/island_1.jpg)
I had to get Stacey to stop playing with the drawers so I could get this shot.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/island_3.jpg)
Here is Madeline, Stacey, and Nancy gravitating toward the island. Why do people always hang out in the kitchen?
Austin
Quote from: drobertson on May 11, 2015, 09:40:13 AM
Looking really good! .......... Andy did good ;D
The new "old saying".
Andy did good ;D 8) 8)
Looking more like a home every day!
Austin, I don't recall if it's been mentioned, but what are you doing with the pitted floor? In a way I kind of like it, sort of a reminder of 'what was' and what it became (the phoenix thing :)). That said, if the pits are pretty deep it could be kind of annoying to walk on and they'd be a wicked dirt catchers.
Have to say this as been a very fun thread to follow and kudos to all those that have helped out. :)
That thing looks too small to be an island. Looks more like a small continent :D.
Way to go Andy, Nancy, and Den-Den.
Quote from: WDH on May 11, 2015, 08:46:17 PM
That thing looks too small to be an island. Looks more like a small continent :D.
Way to go Andy, Nancy, and Den-Den.
Funny cause it's true (old saying). I actually laughed out loud.
Stacey isn't the best at looking at a house plan and getting a feel for the way it will actually turn out. Even a 3D model doesn't really help. I kept telling her she was getting a big kitchen. She would look at the drawings and would say, "it doesn't look very big" and "are you sure it will hold everything". I think she is starting to believe me.
Quote from: JohnM on May 11, 2015, 08:03:03 PM
Austin, I don't recall if it's been mentioned, but what are you doing with the pitted floor? In a way I kind of like it, sort of a reminder of 'what was' and what it became (the phoenix thing :)). That said, if the pits are pretty deep it could be kind of annoying to walk on and they'd be a wicked dirt catchers.
Have to say this as been a very fun thread to follow and kudos to all those that have helped out. :)
How we deal with the pits all depends on what flooring we go with. If we do tile, I will fill the pits with mortar. If we do a wood floor, I will fill the pits with some self levelling cement. There are two spots that are about an inch deep and pretty rough. I might have to fill those before we do floor.
So many people from the forum helped in different ways, it is the least I can do to post pictures and keep everyone up on the progress.
Austin
Coming along good now.
One thing I would do before hanging anymore sheet rock and mud, I would put down some cardboard or heavy paper to cover the floor. That will save you a lot of clean up time before doing your floors.
Also to prime paint your sheet rock, rent a power sprayer instead of roll painting the primer. With a power sprayer, you can wipe out the complete house with two coats of primer in just a couple hours. And if your ceilings are going to be all one color like white, spray that too! 5 gallon buckets of primer, a drill and mixer are a life saver.
fishfighter
Spraying the primer might be good when all the drywall is up and before any cabinets are moved in.
Austin doesn't have that convenience, as the pics show. Seemingly would be real difficult to do any spraying with the build plan he is having to follow. Has mentioned even moving in before some walls are dry-walled.
Know the urgency, but don't envy them having to do it that way. Whatever it takes. Coming along nicely.
As to the floors, maybe do some test areas to see what filler, leveler cement, or epoxy might adhere to the old 'crete. Seems to me an epoxy troweled on would be workable. Have my doubts about cement not breaking up with traffic.
Beenthere is correct. Apparently, he HAS been there. There will be no spraying of anything.
We will be moving in well before drywall is done. In fact, we will finish the drywall around the kitchen and in the bathroom and that will be it. After that, pine boards win as far as clean installation. I figure I can cut them to length and put them up with a finish nailer. They are also something the kids can carry and hand to me on a ladder. We will see how it goes.
Austin
I see you have a plan. A man has to do what he needs to do! 8)
Got a little more done this weekend. I got the bathroom vanity installed along with two sinks, and a toilet. I sure like how the pex turned out. Hook something up then go up to the attic and turn the little valve. Water for that item and water for that item only! Very handy.
I still need to put in the shower valve. It is already hooked up to pex so it is just getting it through the shower wall.
I was upstairs and saw something outside. Sure enough a doe was munching along the tree line about 300' away. I had to see how close I could get. I kept the trees between she and I, the wind was in my face, and since the ground was so wet, I didn't make much noise.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/114.JPG)
Also, since we will be moving soon I figured we better have some closets. So I put up the wall behind where the closets will go. This is the 1/2" pine that Den-Den did for me. Looks great. I don't know how we will finish the wood. I would hate to just paint it.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/127.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/125.JPG)
Also, cleaned up the floor and got about half the floor done with another coat of poly. Stacey has been sanding that floor and cleaning it up for the past four days! I will have pictures when it is done.
Austin
You did a good job on the wall. If you decide to NOT paint, consider a water based finish. My experience is that an oil based varnish or poly will darken and muddy the blue stain.
Outstanding!!!
That looks so much better than drywall! Smells better too. Pick a good "pickleing" stain and you will be all set.
Did you shiplap, or t&g the planks? We will not let you "just paint it"! Nancy wants some of that on her porch conversion. Keep up the good work, and you will be in it real soon. 8) 8) 8) Andy
Dennis and Andy,
That is exactly what I was thinking, maybe a white wash stain or pickle. I will pick some up later and give them a try.
As far as the T&G or shiplap, neither. They are just straight boards. I didn't do it on these walls but the other walls will get some roof paper or house wrap (grace triflex) behind them to block the gaps. The shorter wall is Benjamin's. Madeline is standing in the hallway. When I put boards up in the hallway, I will put the paper up there. I doubt the gaps will line up across the wall but why risk it.
Sweetgum on the left, sweetgum on the right, and a doe in the middle ;D.
That pine wall looks very fine.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN0109.JPG)
We seem to be partial to white pickling stain. ;D
I have not read back through to see if yours was planed or not. Mine was.
Lynn,
That is the perfect picture. I kept trying to find a good picture to show Stacey how it would look and couldn't find it. Now I have the perfect one. Yes, the wood from Dennis is planed.
Austin
Well, we are in the house. It was dry enough Sat to get all of the big stuff and about half of the small stuff. We rented an in town Uhaul and that made it easy. I was able to back it right up to the door and just wheel stuff in. Loading from the trailer into the Uhaul was the same height so I didn't even have to push stuff up the ramp. Unloading was easy too because it was down ramp. The furniture and appliance dollys helped as well.
Sorry, no pictures but I promise it did happen! I'm not sure what I would take a picture of anyway!
The boss will spend the rest of the week running back and forth getting the little stuff.
Austin
smiley_thumbsup
That has to be a very exciting time for the family, and a long-time a-coming. Great to hear.
Yes, very exciting indeed!! 8)
YEEEE HAAA! Good for you guys!
Very glad to hear You'all are moving in. God bless all !
jim
A little heads up on white washing/pickling staining. Try to use Kilz's primmer 2. Put about a cup in a bowl and add water to thin it out( about 1 1/2 cups). Get a scrap board and a rag. Apply a little on the rag and wipe it on. With a clean rag, wipe off some as you like what you see. You can adjust how much white stain you like.
Comes out real nice. I will try to get a picture of a coffee table I did in my man cave.
Thanks everyone. We are very excited. The boss has prioritized the to do list and I am working it. Slowly turning it into a home.
Austin
That is great. You are going to have a nice home that the family will be very proud of.
smiley_thumbsup smiley_thumbsup
Finally have a little picture of the work I have been doing.
The small gaps between the pine boards upstairs generally don't pose a problem but no one likes to be in the bathroom and be able to see downstairs.....
So, I finally decided to try to caulk up the gaps. We tried some brown caulk in a test area in our closet and it turned out looking purple. Then we tried the black caulk and it looks great. I tried putting the caulking in and then wiping away the excess with a wet finger but that didn't always work. Some of the low boards are still rough enough to catch and hold the caulk and not allow a wipe off. So, out came the painters tape. I put blue tape on each side of the gap and then went to town with the caulk. While I was on a lowes run, quality control came in and pulled the tape for me. A couple of spots didn't turn out just right so quality control flagged those spots with some blue tape so I can touch those up later.
HA! Turned out great! Some of the larger gaps got some compressible foam rod stuff in the gap first. We will see how it holds up long term.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/bath.jpg)
Austin
Looks good. smiley_thumbsup It also looks like the sawyer had whacked a saw tooth on that lumber. :-\
I don't know if he whacked a tooth or not. All I know is it looks great and everyone really likes it. Maybe he could sell whacked tooth lumber special for flooring.
Seems like you got a good solution. You can always upgrade things later when it is all done. ;D
Don't ask how I know this. :snowball: :snowball: :snowball:
Its been a tough row for you and the family to hoe. but you have managed to get it done. I am glad to see that you can finally say that you have a home to provide the needs for all of you. Soon you will be able to step back and say finally its done, then you need to plan a vacation for you and the family. You all need a break. bg
Bill,
Thanks for the kind words. We are still working the "must do now" list but it is getting shorter. I think some time next week, things will really slow down. Poor Madeline still needs a closet rod.....
I always know what I'm going to be doing when I get home.
Austin
Dennis came by yesterday and he and I did some tradin'
I'm thinking I got the better end of the deal. He dropped off about 650 sqft of blue stain pine for the walls and I gave him an arm full of stickers. He said this load of wall boards, make 16 huge bags of planer shavings!
They should start going up this weekend.
Austin
There,you are in!! It will be alot easier now.
Another small step for man.............. :)
Austin,
A year ago this past December, did you think it would take less or more time to get to this point? To me, it seems like just a short time ago that we got together for a SAWING! You have traveled far my friend! Keep it up, and soon, you will ask What do I want to do today? The project will end. Time is a great thing to have, 8) 8) 8) Andy
Andy, I was looking at the pictures and thinking the same thing this morning. LINK (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,69061.msg1036142.html#msg1036142) plus reading all 28 pages of the thread. The gathering starts on page 19. ;D
Andy,
When we cut the lumber Dec 2013, I really thought that I would be in the house by March 15. From other forums, it seems like it takes motivated self builder about a year from first wall to finish. I figured since I had just built a house and I was REALLY motivated, that it would go more quickly.
I haven't checked but it looks like the first wall went up on this build in May of last year. So, the one year rule holds true again. Waiting on the tax return slowed us down a little but I don't see how I could have gotten it done much faster.
Of course without the love and support from this forum, it wouldn't have happened at all.
Austin
Status Update:
Kitchen sink and dish washer are in.
First in house shower was taken by me last night.
Now the main focus is getting the island installed along with the cook top.
The boss has clear out 99% of the old place. I need to run in there with the cordless drill to pull down her ironing board and my tie rack (ha!). Then the old place will be empty and the new place full.
It got up to about 90F yesterday and we will hit it a couple of times this week. The house stayed nice and cool. You could tell it was a little cooler upstairs than down, but overall it was great. So far, we are fine with only having AC upstairs. Putting on the exterior rigid foam will help make sure it stays that way. Also, putting on the front porch will shade 60% of the south side of the house.
Austin
It has been great to see your progress. This thread brings back some of the best memories of my life. It seems like yesterday we were having fun, being served great food and seeing sawdust fly. It was my pleasure to work with the all Forum members who were a part of this project.
I am so happy for you and your family! I know how it feels to finally be able to move in! The rest is still a lot of work, but it's gravy compared to what has been done! Blessings my friend!
Quote from: wwsjr on June 03, 2015, 10:34:05 AM
It has been great to see your progress. This thread brings back some of the best memories of my life. It seems like yesterday we were having fun, being served great food and seeing sawdust fly. It was my pleasure to work with the all Forum members who were a part of this project.
Willie,
It was a ton of work but we really did have a bunch of fun and a ton of great food. What a great group of guys. You are always welcome at the house.
Austin
Quote from: grweldon on June 03, 2015, 03:10:11 PM
I am so happy for you and your family! I know how it feels to finally be able to move in! The rest is still a lot of work, but it's gravy compared to what has been done! Blessings my friend!
Thanks! I pulled the hard mounted stuff out of the trailer, carried some heavy stuff and then we ran the first set of dishes through the dishwasher last night. I spend about an hour or so when I get home doing whatever needs doing, and then I have fun with the kids. A little progress and then a little fun. It balances out just right.
Austin
Austin
Austin,
Just a quick word, and an apology! When Nancy and I got to your place Friday, everything looked so good. All the furniture in place, and looked like a real home. I'm glad we went when we did, because I think on the way home, I got to feeling really funky. Flu like and feverish. Still feel weak. Anyway, sorry about the mess we left for you to deal with. Stacey and Nancy had to unload most of the pieces, cause I was worn out. I know that was the last thing you wanted to deal with after working all day. I am sorry we missed you, but we will be back again soon. Again, thank you and Stacey for letting Nancy and me be a small part of your great project. It was really fun for me and her both, and we got some quality time together in the shop. Andy
Quote from: Andy White on June 06, 2015, 09:42:38 PMIt was really fun for me and her both, and we got some quality time together in the shop. Andy
Honeymoon in the shop. That sounds like the making of a good Country Song. smiley_love
I can only offer a quick word and apology too.
I would like to thank you and Nancy for the cabinets. They really are a huge addition to our home. We would have been living with milk crates hanging on the wall if not for the two of you. My buddy Jose came by after work on Friday (he lives farther away from work than I do and pass my place on the way home), and we got all the cabinets upstairs.
My apology is that I don't have any pictures. Saturday morning, I woke up feeling really run down. Things only got worse from there. Sunday was spent in the recliner with a box of tisue. Today I'm at work but only because I really have to. Big meeting at 11 and then going home. So nothing got done this weekend.
Austin
There must be one heck of a bug going around. It started hitting me last week. And now took it's toll all together. I hope this breaks soon. I have two right heart caths to do Friday.
Hope all get a break on that bug too!
I'm still slowly fighting this bug off. Still not back to 100%.
There has been plenty of work going on at Black Acres but nothing finished to take a picture of. We have started on the master bath. Been putting up wall boards and getting some of the bathroom cabinets in place. Once that is done, I will get a picture.
Then we decided I better focus on getting the cook top in place. It is rough cooking for six on a hot plate! So, to get power to the cook top on the island, I was going to drop power down a post. I finally got the hole drilled down the post. The posts are 6x6s that Dennis cut for me. From the counter top to the ceiling is about 56". Needless to say, it was a tough hole to drill. I got a 1 1/4" ship auger that was 22" long and two 18" extensions. It took some time but worked out great. Today after work, I will put a plug box in the side to get 120v to the island top. I will try to get a shot of that.
Anyway, I didn't want people to think I fell under a stack of wall boards or somethin'....
I will have pics once I complete something...
Austin
Thanks for the update Austin. We have patience but it does not equal your diligence. You are a good man and we are proud of you.
I am glad to hear that you were able to drill through that post, I was concerned that would be a problem. It is hard to stop and rest when you are sick, hope you get better soon.
I never heard of bit extensions. Where did you get those ???
As long as you are moving forward you will get there eventually. ;D 8) 8) 8) :snowball:
.
.
Click here:
boring bit extensions (https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=boring%20bit%20extension)
Austin, Andy and I really enjoyed this cabinet project together. So glad Stacy is getting her dream kitchen with us being part of it. We always enjoy our visits with you and family. I know the kids think we should just move in! We love seeing the kids growing up. They hold a special place in our hearts. see ya'll soon.
;D
Quote from: nmericle53 on June 26, 2015, 08:40:03 PM
Austin, Andy and I really enjoyed this cabinet project together. So glad Stacy is getting her dream kitchen with us being part of it. We always enjoy our visits with you and family. I know the kids think we should just move in! We love seeing the kids growing up. They hold a special place in our hearts. see ya'll soon.
Thanks Nancy! Yes, we are enjoying and slowly finishing the kitchen. Yes, the kids do love the visits. They are great kids.
OK! Finally some pics! I'm slowly finishing some things. None of these pictures are of finished projects but I gotta show somethin'
Dennis kindly cut some 6x6 posts for me. One of those posts got drilled down the middle and got power to the cook top.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/post1.jpg)
Here is the post installed. It was first sanded with the belt sander, then random orbit sander down to 180 grit. Two coats of water based poly and it is up! Originally I was only going to put in two posts (one on each end of the island) but then I decided I wanted some beams. The post is 6x6 and the "beam" is 3x6. I wanted it to sort of look like it was set into the ceiling. There will be another "beam" that will go to the other post at the other end of the island. It really helps frame the kitchen.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/post3.jpg)
You can see the 8G and 12G wires that power the cook top and plug on the post. The next beam that goes up will be notched on the end to go around the wires.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/post2.jpg)
Here is the plug installed. Took a little chisel work but I got it done.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/island2.jpg)
Finally, here is the new cook top. The island top is just 3/4" plywood right now. I stained it with a dark walnut stain and then put three coats of poly on it. It works great for right now. Dennis is drying some QS oak for me to use on the top later on.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/island1.jpg)
Also, a while back I remember people posting pictures of there shop/mill dogs. Well, we don't have a dog anymore but I do have a couple of shop cats. I don't have a shop door yet so they have taken up hanging in the shop at night. When we first moved to the property we had a problem with field mice. Not anymore. Here is Lucky Black the black cat!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/shopcat.jpg)
Austin
Austin,
Outstanding !! That dark counter top makes the white cabinet "POP". The top looks like granite. Really shines. Nancy said the cooktop looks right at home setting up there. Looking at the background, it looks like Stacey has the cabinets full. I hope you will have enough space! ha. Every thing looks great, and I can see how busy you have been. Keep up the pretty work. 8) 8) Andy
When you are ready for those framing chisels, call, and we will make a trip.
Looks great! Starting to look like a finished home!
Thanks guys. I'm no Tule Peak, but I like the way it turned out.
The juxtaposition of the dark counter tops with the light wood posts really works. When I get the QS oak from Dennis (den-den), I don't know if I will go THAT dark but it will still be dark.
Then the white cabinets with the stainless sink, dish washer, cabinet hardware, and a silver tin ceiling, it will going to turn out great. I have a vision!
Starting to look like a home.
Looking good. ;D 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) :snowball:
Quote from: dablack on June 29, 2015, 10:18:44 AM
... I have a vision!
I went to the doctor and found out they have medications for that!!! :D :D :D :D
Good work.
Herb
I am loving your plans Austin.
Plane flat nice! real happy for you and your family there Austin,
Thanks guys. I'm still jumping around between projects but I guess that is how I do things so..... Here you go.
Thursday after work the talented Den-Den came over to drop off the last load of pine boards and to pick up a few beam trees. If anyone caught my timber frame post, I plan to build the porch in a "timber frame" style. I'm not promising metal won't be used....
So, Dennis had already cut me four of the five posts but ran out of trees for the four beams. Sure enough one of my "big" pines hadn't greened up this year so I thought it would be perfect to take out. I thought we would for sure be able to get at least two of the 13' beams out of that tree. NOPE! Obviously, big is relative. It was only hiding one 8x10 beam, but will give us at least the other 8x8 post needed.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/dead_pine.jpg)
The good news is, it was dry enough that my little kubota could pick up the 14' log using the BG bucket forks and even taking it up the hill to Dennis' trailer. It is a little rough down there and I was worried about the trailer getting there.
So we had to find another pine. We found another "big" one down by one of the ravines not to far from the driveway. The only problem is, I hadn't mowed over there and there was lots of brush growing up around it. While Dennis moved his truck, I mowed a path.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/2nd_pine.jpg)
The 14' log was too much. Too wet. I was able to move it but no way could I lift it onto the trailer. No problem for Dennis!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/loademup.jpg)
In the picture above where Dennis is starting to load the logs on the trailer, the house is right behind those trees in the back ground and is most likely centered in the picture. Can't see the house for the trees..... old saying.
Anyway, Friday and Saturday I put up more wall boards and got some of the master bathroom installed. The sink vanity is just sitting on the platform in this picture. At that point, I hadn't drilled the holes for the drain and water lines.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/master_bath.jpg)
Slowly but surely!
I like the fact that you are taking the time to do quality work. It is looking good and getting better and better.
I've got lots of good friends that help me out.
Austin,
Another fine looking wall job you have there! Things are beginning to come together now. I just hope the dressing table will fit in the remainder of that space! If it don't, ,, I've got a big saw!! The tin ceiling sounds like a great look for your downstairs. Keep up the good work, and stay safe. We will see you soon. 8) 8) Andy
I have been watching your build and it just reassures me that there are some good people left . Best of luck to ya from a fellow East Texan .I guess we should count our blessing everyday . Keep making sawdust you are on the down hill stretch !
Well, it has been a while. The family and I took about a month off. Somethings got done in that month but not much.
Dennis came by with the porch beams/posts on Thursday and I said, I would post something on Monday so here I am.
Dennis' beams and posts look great. He supplied five 8x8 posts and four +13' long 8x10 beams! They were big but the Kubota helped. I'm not sure when I will get to the porch. Probably right before I put on the siding.
The house has stayed nice and cool with just AC upstairs. It has been really nice with the spray foam and will get even better with the rigid foam on the outside. I did get to barrow a thermal image camera and using that I found some leaks and some hot spots. I took pictures with my cell and the thermal image. I will try and post up those pictures too.
Right now I'm painting kitchen cabinet doors. I do three or four every couple of days. The boss is about ready to get her kitchen table back so I need to finish up!
I also finally ordered the oven today. We should get it late this week or early next. WOW! I got an employee discount and it was still a bunch of money.
I will try and get some pictures this week.
thanks
Austin
Austin,
It's about time! I was almost to the point of calling out the search party to look for you. I know how the time flies by, and how sometimes you just need a break!! Sounds like your project is still moving forward. The porch project should make the front of the house really "pop". When you are ready, I can still cut a joint on a timber frame. Can you see the light at the end of the tunnel yet? I know as the weather cools, my getup really goes into high gear. Your camera must be full of progress by now. Can't wait to see them. ;D ;D :o 8) Andy
Thanks Austin for the update. I kinda know how building (and $$$) goes, so your progress always brings a smile. :)
Thought I would post up some interesting photos (to me at least). I borrowed the thermal image camera from work and did a little inspection. Since we don't have sheetrock or wall boards up everywhere yet, I figured now was the time to check stuff out. I did find some air leaks and some weak points in the foam insulation and framing.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/035.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/035_t.jpg)
As you can see above, where I had two trusses stacked up for the attic stair way, lead to an air leak.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/043~0.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/043_T.jpg)
Above, you can see that I also had problems under the 2nd floor walls.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/049_T.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/049.JPG)
The kitchen door had a big leak below the door. You could see the heat on the inside of the house and it was cold on the outside.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/047.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/047_T.jpg)
Finally, I just thought this was a cool picture. I think a shower and dishwasher was going at the same time. The cold lines opposite from the hot lines that are flowing are also warmer than ambient. This is up in the attic and shows how cool the attic stays with the silver metal roof, spray foam, and rigid foam.
That is interesting. :) Mine would go crazy. smiley_dizzy
Austin,
That technology is really fascinating in what it can show. If you use it on the whole house, and seal everything you find, your house should be very energy efficient for sure! The power company may have to send you a check every month! I know it won't be long now that we can get the grand tour of the progress you are making. Keep us updated, and we should see you and Stacey really soon. 8) 8) Andy
Andy,
Yes , I did use it on the whole house when it was 101F out side. I'm trying to fix what I can. I only posted about 15% of the stuff I noted.
Like I said before, we pretty much took the summer off so there really isn't much to show that you haven't already seen. I did get our GE oven delivered. Being a GE employee really helped and it was also on clearance. That was good too! I'm going to try and install it this weekend but it is so heavy, I might have to wait for Monday after work when one of my buddies drives by.
This morning, I'm just painting cabinet doors. Someone made a Whole WHACK of them!
Austin
Quote from: dablack on August 22, 2015, 10:05:24 AM
Andy,
This morning, I'm just painting cabinet doors. Someone made a Whole WHACK of them!
Austin
Yes and judging from the pictures he did a mighty fine job.
Gerald
A very fine job, indeed.
Must have had access to some highly valuable framing lumber. 8)
Well, sorry for the lack of updates but no one wants to see pictures of drywall mud drying.....
With that said, we did finally get the oven in.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/008small.jpg)
I've also been busy putting up the wall boards that Dennis cut for me.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/007small.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/015small~0.jpg)
It is turning out really nice. On one side of the wall or the other, I'm putting paper up behind the boards so you can't see through the gaps. The last picture with the girls in it, you can see the window shining through the gaps on the left. That wall only has boards on one side. It will get paper put up and then the boards will go up on the other side. This will block the light from coming through if the gaps in the boards line up.
We are really please with how the house is turning out. The kids love helping put up the wall boards. I'm sure they will be even more pleased when I get done with the master bath so momma and I will be out of the kids bath!
thanks
Austin
Looking good!
Building while living inside is a journey more than a destination, you are moving along nicely.
Austin; did those gaps come from the boards shrinking after installation or was it from the boards warping before installation?
Just a little warping before installation. Most, I can bend straight but others fight me. Sometime, I hang on a board and Madeline (eldest) nails it on! I'm sure it is a sight. That bright light from the window makes the gaps seem much bigger than what they are. Since those boards have been in the house for the last couple of months, I doubt they will shrink much more on the wall.
Looking good! Glad your young ones are having a good time helping. I am definitely enjoying the :P even if it is just watching the mud dry! :D
Austin, I have been off for a few days and your progress update made me smile. :)
Austin, when I did the walls upstairs in my girls bedrooms years ago, I used a dado blade from Harbor Frieght on my table saw to make a shiplap joint. Then there weren't any visible gaps as the boards shrink. Pretty easy, one pass, flip the board and make the second pass on the other side. Just a thought. The house is looking very nice and know how we felt as we built and lived in our house at the same time. Now that my girls are moms and their kids sleep in their old rooms when they stay over, the memories flood back and the old stories abound! You are making memories and great adults to be! Thanks for the progress update.
Hey guys. Sorry it has been SO long since I posted. I haven't been working on the house much. Working in Oil & Gas, I'm sort of reluctant to spend any money. I did do a month long clean up around the place. Cleaned up a bunch of old stumps and construction debris. Burned the old slab pile and tree tops that had been sitting in a pile since the goodwill trip. House site is now looking much better. Last weekend we also picked about 4 gallons of blackberries off the property. The apples trees I planted back in 2011 finally put on a couple of apples but I snipped most off since the trees are still so small.
I'm finally ready to get back to the house. I'm finishing a few things that go inside the house and then will build the porch. After that will come hardiplank siding.
The few things that I'm doing on the inside is to help clean out my little 1 car garage. Then we can finally move out of storage. Storage is cheap in Rusk, but I'm sick of paying to store my stuff! I should have built or bought a little shed a year ago!
Anyway, I'm not giving out any details on what I'm working on but I will post pictures. Yall will have to figure it out as I go.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/008~2.JPG)
Apples already ? Our trees are just now getting there leafs.
The little apples I cut off were the size of native pecans. I should have been watching and gotten them earlier. I left one or two on each tree. I really need to spray for the green aphids! They are taking over.
No idea what you are doing, but it is nice to see you come up for air. ;D
Either you are putting in a mortise in that beam/post (not sure which it is) or you are making a recess for that blue electrical box - in which case, I'd say you are making a post.
dablack I sure have missed you. This thread has been a must read for me.
Thanks for the kind words guys. I'm glad to be back at it.
So, yeah, the electrical box beside the wood sort of gave it away. (then again, most people that have seen my garage know that there is random stuff everywhere)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/010.JPG)
Of course, this really doesn't tell you what this is or where it goes. I will show that tomorrow.
Austin
Looks like overhead lighting to me. Running romex on the other (top) side?
Yep, you got it. This is for over the bar. This is a 3x6 beam that is supposed to look like a 6x6 that is half in the ceiling. I already have a 6x6 post on one end of the bar that has the wires to run a plug and the cook top in the island. It is supposed to give the kitchen a sort of timber frame look. The boss is very pleased with how bright it is now in the kitchen. Before we only had the two can lights in the ceiling. When standing at the cook top, you would block the can lights behind you. These pendants are much better and throw a ton of light, right where you need it.
Austin
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/007~1.JPG)
That looks great!
Thanks Dennis. It is turning into a nice house, VERY SLOWLY! I've got to finish the pine "timberframe" stuff in the kitchen so I can then clean out the garage, get out of storage and then FINALLY do the porch and siding.
We are so proud of your accomplishments. :)
I've got two good news items and one bad news item.
The good news is, last month, Dennis (Den-Den) brought by some beautiful Lufkin Red Oak that he had sawn. The boards are about 14x1.5" and 10' long. This wood is for the island top.
The second good news is that I have much more time to work on the house.......
The bad news is cash is tight until I find job. GE has cut Lufkin industries in half a couple of times and this time it finally got me. So if any of you have been emailing me at the old GE email...... I don't get those anymore. I'm looking locally right now and then will spread the search to Houston and Dallas. Then San Antonio and Austin. THen finally out of state. We will NOT be getting rid of the house and land even if the job takes me out of state. This is our forever home and I'm not letting go!
Now on to the good stuff! PICTURES!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/012~2.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1465519325)
This is the first two boards on the island. I'm cutting out the cooktop opening so I can screw down the top from below. Dennis planed, jointed, and cut biscuits for me. It made it EASY! My only failing was, I should have had more clamps.
Tomorrow I should have a little more done. I'm hoping I will have the 3rd piece on and stained.
thanks
Austin
Austin,
All is looking good. I know about the work situation. Just knowing you have a forever home makes the future somewhat easier to deal with. It is all looking great, and soon me and Nancy can come up for a visit. Andy
That island top will really pop when finished. smiley_thumbsup
Did a little more yesterday and got up early to get more done. I think it is turning out pretty nice. Again, should have had more clamps.....
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/017~1.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1465570278)
Please excuse the mess. Most of the drawers under the island top are out the stuff is everywhere. I also have a big box fan in the window to pull the stain smell out.
I'm hoping to put on some poly tonight.
That looks great! But before you put your finish on, have you thought about putting a radius on the corners? A lot less painful when you walk into them in the dark...
Yes, we talked about it and I even bought a nice router bit but we decided against it. I rounded off the edges and corners before I put on the stain.
If anyone wants the details, the extended part of the bar where we will put some bars tools is about 9". The rest is the top extends 1.5" around the cabinets.
Austin
You did a good job on that installation! The stain really brought out the character of that oak.
smiley_thumbsup smiley_clapping looking good
Thanks guys. I'm really pleased with the way it has turned out. The boss really likes it too.
Here it is with about four coats of poly on it and the cook top put back in.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/035~0.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1465693946)
Now I need to finish the post on the other end of the island.
Now that looks good...
Thanks! Dennis did all the hard work. I just slapped the boards on the counter did a little glue, then put in screws from below. Sanded a little, rubbed on some stain and some poly.
Finally have something to update!
We bought 3000 sqft of pine shiplap from a local mill to finally finish the interior walls upstairs. It is coming along well and it is nice not having to look at spray foam wallpaper!
Also, We finally got the front porch poured. It is 10' deep and runs the full length of the house (52'). Next is to get it covered. Now I can finally start looking at brick or stone for the front columns. Dennis (Den-Den) has already cut me my 8x8 posts and 8x10 beams. It is going to turn out great!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/slab.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1474893391)
Austin
Thank You Austin for this update. Pat and I have been wondering. ;) ???
Thanks for update. Hope Job search stuff is going good!
Thanks! The job search is over. I took a job a couple of months ago that is only 20 minutes from the house.
Found some bricks in tyler that I like for the columns. The brick porch columns are going to be about 3' high and then the 8x8 posts will go on those. Now I just gotta figure out a way to get the brick to my place. Truck delivery or pick them up!
Austin
House looks awesome
Just wanted everyone to know that work is still going at Black Acres. I'm about 80% done with the front porch brick columns. Here is a picture of the 2nd column I built (no pictures of the first one...... it is far from the front door thank goodness).
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/brick_column.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1485970958)
Also, we had a great Christmas and found the perfect tree not more than 50 yards from the front door.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/background_tree.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1485971051)
After the bricks are done, then the 8"x8" pine post goes on top and the 13' long 8"x10" beams go on top! (thanks Dennis)
Austin
Thanks for the update Austin. It's nice to see your progress and also nice to watch your family growing up. :)
Great to hear how things are going. Family looks happy! Hope progress continues to go good.
Nice progress :). Those kids sure are growing :o.
Austin,
Great to see you back on the forum! We sure have been missing the kids! Are you spending time in Waco as well as Rusk, or Waco full time? The porch is looking good, and the brickwork looks great. Will try to work in a visit this month, as we are taking my brother to Houston for his stroke treatments when his wife is teaching. Time seems to be at an all time minimum these days. Stay safe, and tell the kids we will see them soon. Andy
Looking good Austin and so do the kids. Tell them and Mom I said howdy. bg
I have only been a member for a short time now, so when I saw most recent posts, curiosity got the best of me so I started at the beginning and read both threads start to finish. This is truly inspiring. Inspiring what a man and his family can accomplish with hard work, determination and God's grace. Inspiring that there are still some great people of character and generosity around. Hope everything continues to come together.
Thanks guys! I'm still having fun working on the house so that is a good thing.
Andy, I'm splitting my time between Waco and Rusk about 50/50. We would love to see yall ASAP.
BG, Thanks and they said Howdy right back!
Treehack, You are one of the reasons I'm still posting. This brick work has NOTHING to do with sawmills but everything to do with God's grace. This is a "as cash allows" build so that means there is no hired labor. I rely on the generosity of others and gainful employment. It has been slow but steady and in the end we will have a finished house that we own. I want everyone on the forum to see what they have helped to make and for the new guys to see what this forum is about.
I will be back to mixing mortar in the morning! If the rain holds off I'm hoping to be mostly done with the brick.
Austin
Got a little more done. I planed the posts (8x8) that DenDen cut for me and got them mounted on the brick base.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/post_pic_3.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1488396659)
The BG forks on my tractor made the perfect work bench.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/post_pic_1.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1488396657)
Next it was time to try and set the 13' beams (8x10). The tractor bucket didn't have the reach to set the beam so I tried to hang the beam from the tips of the forks. The tractor didn't like that much and it felt a little unsafe. I material lift that guys use for beams is only $50 a day. Rather safe than sorry. This beam in the pic has not be planed or sanded yet.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/post_pic_2.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1488396657)
Still having fun!
Love the look of those posts. What's the size of that tractor? It looks like it was able to do almost everything you asked of it.
Those are nice looking timbers and brickwork. Going to look great when it is finished.
Thanks guys. The tractor is a B2620 Kubota. It is just the right size to pull a 5' brush hog (shredder) through all my little wooded areas. The time it has ever let me down is its reach and lift capacity. To move the oak that we wanted to cut up for flooring, Bill G and I had to run a chain behind the bucket to lift it up. Even then Bill had to ride on the brush hog to stop the tractor from picking up the rear wheels. We creeped up the hill like this with the oak about an inch off the ground. Also, I wish it had the reach to set those beams. It can lift them but can't set them. I wish I had a little bigger frame. I wish I would have stepped up to the L-series but then it would have been a little big for the woods work I do.
Austin, I was on the road sawing and missed this last update. You continue to make me smile Sir, and you are an inspiration to the Forestry Forum. smiley_thumbsup
Quote from: dablack on March 02, 2017, 08:54:15 AM
Thanks guys. The tractor is a B2620 Kubota. It is just the right size to pull a 5' brush hog (shredder) through all my little wooded areas. The time it has ever let me down is its reach and lift capacity. I wish I had a little bigger frame. I wish I would have stepped up to the L-series but then it would have been a little big for the woods work I do.
I have the largest of the "B" series Kubotas. When I am dragging firewood, wish I had a larger machine and when I'm tilling my garden or mowing my yard I wish it was a size smaller. That tells me - that short of owning two tractors - I have the best option available for my needs.
Back to Austin's thread here ... I am continuing to be amazed at your perseverance.
Austin,
The columns and brickwork is really looking great. The grass is really growing now that the lumber stacks are gone! A really fine new home you have created. Nancy and I will try to get up to see you all soon. Business comes and goes here at a rapid pace, but after I get my eyes back, things should slow down again. Tell the kids we miss them, and will see them soon. Andy
Thanks for the kind comments guys. I'm up in Hackettstown NJ right now so not much is getting done but I'm hoping to be back to it this weekend. That big porch will really change the look of that house. One bite at a time!
The beams are up. I rented a material lift and got all four beams up in one day.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/beam_1.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1491234986)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/beam_2.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1491234986)
Just noticed that you were in Hackettstown which is about 45 minutes from me. It is the home of the M&M Mars candy company.
smiley_thumbsup Very Good Austin. Seeing your progress makes me smile. :)
Lookin good. A few more bites and you'll be sittin on that porch in a rocker sippin iced tea.
Thanks guys! This weekend will be roof rafters. I have no idea if I will get all of them done or not. Then I have to figure out what I want to put for a porch deck. Since it will be visible from below, I don't want to use OSB.
Austin
All the roof rafters are up and I'm waiting on an order of 1x material so I can deck the porch roof. The decking is going to be visible from the underside of the porch so I didn't want to go with OSB. After decking, I will get some metal that matches the house roof.
I also started the little shed roof cover for the kitchen door. The kitchen door is on the gable end of the house and the roof eave is at least 15' away so the door has zero protection from the weather. Here is one of the knee braces I built for the little roof.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/IMG_1027.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1493649894)
Two of these will support a 3x6 "beam" that the rafters will rest on.
What would have really helped is if I could have cut the circular notch with one push of the hole saw. Can anyone recommend a 4" deep, 3" or 4" diameter hole saw?
This is what the kids were working on while I played with wood. This is just a small sample. Stacey made two cobblers and this weekend she is making jelly.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/IMG_1025.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1493650033)
It's good to see you plugging away and steadily checking stuff off of the list. I have no suggestions other than I know how to eat cobbler. ;D
search for a coring saw. or a forsner bit. either one should do the trick. typically coring bits are for concrete not sure how they will work on wood.
Quote from: Magicman on May 01, 2017, 02:04:04 PM
I have no suggestions other than I know how to eat cobbler. ;D
;) :D
Your typical "hole saw" that attaches to a mandrel, and run in a drill, will not hit a depth of 3" to 4". They are usually for construction lumber, and will have a max depth of 2".
What you need is a forstner bit, or even an adjustable spade bit, if you can find one. I've got one I use in a brace that adjusts out to 6", so maybe you can check with ebay or something like that.
Forstner bits can get that large, too. I know I have a 3.5" forstner bit from a job, so I know they are out there.
Austin, if you find a big bit like you want: be VERY careful and hold on tight when using it.
Grizzly tools sells BIG forstner bits.
When I would use the hole saw, I would use my hand drill and go from one side and then the other. The two cuts would almost meet but they never lined up. I would break out the cut piece and then have a bunch of sanding to do with my belt sander. This would get the two cuts lined up but it took forever. I have at least eight more of these to build.
So, I have a little drill press in storage. I will get one of the big forestner bits and be able to go all the way through with one go. I will take small bites and have the piece well camped to the table.
For the curved cut on the brace, I just used a jig saw since it was only 2x material but it was SLOW! The braces that will go on the porch will be 4x material so I will either pick up a small band saw or sneak into Den-Den's shop to cut the curves down in Lufkin.
smiley_curtain_peek I like the "sneak" idea. smiley_thumbsup
After you go as deep as the hole saw will allow, get your wood chisel out and chisel out the 2" of material. Set the hole saw into the hole and drill again. Before you go all the way through, if your center pilot bit goes through, turn it over and then you won't have tearout and it will line up. Good luck, things are looking good.
After you drill about an inch or two take a long ¼ bit and push
the hole all the way through to the other side. Then you can
hole saw from both sides and they will meet.
Why not just cut them on the band saw when you go to cut the other arches? :)
To avoid blowing out the bottom of the cut with either a hole saw or a forstner bit, clamp a sacrificial piece of wood underneath. That will prevent blowout.
Quote from: dablack on May 02, 2017, 08:04:57 AM
When I would use the hole saw, I would use my hand drill and go from one side and then the other. The two cuts would almost meet but they never lined up. I would break out the cut piece and then have a bunch of sanding to do with my belt sander. This would get the two cuts lined up but it took forever. I have at least eight more of these to build.
So, I have a little drill press in storage. I will get one of the big forestner bits and be able to go all the way through with one go. I will take small bites and have the piece well camped to the table.
For the curved cut on the brace, I just used a jig saw since it was only 2x material but it was SLOW! The braces that will go on the porch will be 4x material so I will either pick up a small band saw or sneak into Den-Den's shop to cut the curves down in Lufkin.
come on over, if it is not too big to lift, my shop band saw will cut it.
Quote from: 21incher on May 02, 2017, 04:54:51 PM
Why not just cut them on the band saw when you go to cut the other arches? :)
I didn't think a band saw would be able to cut that tight of a curve. No idea!
Sounds like I won't have to sneak into Den-Den's shop. He is being kind enough to help me yet again!
I did not communicate clearly, you are welcome to come over and use my band saw. It has plenty of capacity for thick material but will not do well on 3" dia curves (especially interior curves).
Yeah, I didn't think a bandsaw could cut that tight. Those holes will be cut before I head your way. NOTE: This is months away. I still have to do siding most of the way up the house before I get to the "craftsman corbels".
thanks
Austin
A 2 inch radius on a 3 inch beam should be no problem. I use a 1/4" blade with the guides properly set. I like to cut in several relief cuts so You never have to worry about backing out. The tip of a belt sander will clean them up quickly, or a bit would also work. :)
House is slowly coming along. I'm finishing up the metal roof on the front porch. The truck makes a great work platform for porch work.
Siding isn't too far away now.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/IMG_1317_small.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1497617492)
You just made me smile this morning my Friend. :)
Looking good!!
That nice porch would be a motivational inhibitor when it comes to working.
Thanks guys. I did finish 99% of the metal over the weekend. It isn't 100% because the little drill bit I was using to predrill the metal finally bit the dust. At that point I was ready to get off the roof! This coming weekend will be 30 minutes of roof work and then installing two more windows downstairs. Once the porch went on, the downstairs became VERY dark. Then I start on downstairs exterior trim. Once trim is done, siding goes on.
Austin
Nice looking place--but why siding? Here in NH Tyvek is the most common siding we have! :D :D 8). All the best, Rob.
Well, most of the house wrap will need to be replaced. It has been the siding since late 2014 so most of it has had as much UV as it can handle. After I put the porch on, I replaced the house wrap above the porch. It was the worst! The front of the house faces south so that side get pounded year round.
It just makes sense to replace it all. After windows and before trim, the down stairs will get new house wrap. I will finish doing siding down stairs and then above the porch. Then I get to buy some scaffolding and do the 2nd floor. The east and west 26' long walls will be easy but the ground is uneven on the back of the house (52' long). Back there will be a little tougher.
You may be better off renting a man lift. one of the offroad variety. Much nicer work platform.
I rented a man lift to help with windows and it was NOT happy with me. The ground slopes away from the house on the west and north and if I didn't have the support arms down and on wood boards, the thing would beep at me the whole time. Warning beeps for tipping over. It just wouldn't let me go where I needed to.
Plus, I'm slow at work. I'm installing the siding myself because I can't afford a crew. Renting an off-road man lift for more than a month is probably the same cost as a crew to install the siding. So, scaffolding will have to work. I will look at the numbers again after I have done the lower siding but I'm guessing scaffolding will be the most cost effective for how fast (or slow) I work.
thanks
Austin
Quote from: dablack on June 20, 2017, 03:33:08 PM
So, scaffolding will have to work. I will look at the numbers again after I have done the lower siding but I'm guessing scaffolding will be the most cost effective for how fast (or slow) I work.
thanks
Austin
Especially if you do like I did - I found it free or really cheap on CL! I have about 120' now and I made some funky 7' tall I frames out of scrap material that give me another 80' or so.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30640/20161004_Cabin_2.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1475634774)
What kind of siding you plan on installing?
Hardie Plank will be going up.
Austin
Hardie Board has been going up now for a couple of weeks. I've got the 1st floor just about done. So far so good.
Since my framing nailer has a depth adjustment, I was able to dial it in for the hardie board. No need for a siding nailer.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22776/IMG_1393.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1501532144)
Austin
Thank You Austin for the update. 8)
The siding looks really nice, you are doing a good job. Slow and steady is a winner.
Looking good! Great progress.
Well, I guess it is time to close the page on this chapter. Two years ago I started a new job in Waco (2.5 hours west from the house). The original goal was to finish the house on the weekends and then decide what to do. Well, after two years, the house isn't finished and it doesn't look like it will be any time soon. It is perfectly livable and looks great but there is still lots of work to be done inside. Now that the kids are older, they have lots of activities on the weekends in Waco. For those and many other reasons we have decided to sell our Rusk house. We found a buyer quickly and we are looking forward to having our weekends back. My wife and I really enjoyed our house and property and we really feel like the experience the kids had here will benefit them in the future. Also, I really believe that my experience building my own house helped me get the job I love in Waco. I will post some pictures of the painted house once I'm back to a computer.
-Austin
Pat and I wish you and your family the very best throughout your life's journey. It was truly a joy to be able to contribute to that journey during a time when life seemed to be throwing nothing but potholes in your family's future.
Things seem a lot brighter now than they did several years ago before thesawing event. Congratulations on the new job and your family moving forward!