Dutch Barn Model

Dave Shepard · November 02, 2011, 10:10:29 PM

Wow, just reading this now. I logged in to the Forum to see if I could figure out who the culprit might be. :D Didn't have to look to far.

Thank you very much. I will try to get some pics of the mill and the model together and see if I can get the perspective right.

Mooney · November 03, 2011, 08:33:05 AM

Good! You got it! ;D Glad it was a pleasant surprise! Looking forward to seeing some photos.

balsabones · November 03, 2011, 03:31:15 PM

Why did they build the original with the right side, top sill? (I dont know the correct term), higher than the left? It makes the square on front, top, off center. Do you see what Im asking. What was the original purpose of that?

Dave Shepard · November 03, 2011, 07:39:41 PM

That is the purlin plate that the rafters land on about mid-span. The offset makes each of the side aisles a different width. On the left side, or North, the loft joists are lower, and the aisle is narrower, 10'- 1/4" from outside to the face of the purlin post. On the right, or South side the aisle is 12'-1/4" from outside to the face of the purlin post. The loft joists are also 6" higher on this side. The reason is that the oxen would be on the smaller side, and the horses on the longer, taller side. These aisle would have originally been in the dirt. This barn would not have had that basement originally. On the first Dutch barn that I restored, the outside aisle widths were the same, but the loft was higher on one side. This is the more typical arrangement.