The beginning of my dream shop is underway...(some pics for ya)

[ayerwood]

Well, after dreaming about it for years, lots of planning, and having the need for our working forest, the construction has begun.  ;D  I am working on an in depth "intro" for you guys that will go through the entire property, history, and what all we have, but that will be for another day.

The shop is being built at my existing landing and the footprint is 100'x50'.  It will also have a large lean-to down the road for additional storage.  It's going to be big, but it needs to be to support over 200 acres.  My thought was build big in the beginning...you can never have enough space.  The "warehouse" will be 50x75 with 18ft ceiling and on the far end will be two story at 25x50.  The first story will have an office/break room and also a mud room.  Lotsa storage as well!  Here are some pics from the dirt work until framing began last week.  I will add to as the build continues.  I know you all like pics, so I hope you enjoy...



  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

[Ljohnsaw]

Very nice.  Looks like you had a bit of rain during your foundation digging  :(  That will be one sweet building soon.  Did you cut or buy your lumber?

[m wood]

Whoa! that's a nice project you got going on.  keep us posted
mark

[Magicman]

   Wow, you work fast.  This should be an interesting project to watch.   

[lyle niemi]

AWSOME!! 8)

[Piston]

This will be fun to watch your progress.  Most of us can only dream of a shop that big!

[customsawyer]

Looking great. There isn't much better than seeing weather moving in and knowing it isn't going to effect you.

[ayerwood]

John- We bought the materials.  Seemed sacreligious since I have my mill, but had to be done.  I don't have the kiln or support equipment necessary to dry and prep the boards...yet.  ;D  It will be my last lumber purchase ever...I promise myself!!!  All interior and siding will be done with my own milled materials.

Also started milling some western red cedar for board and batten siding.  We will have beveled siding in the gables to contrast and will also be building custom cedar doors for the large bay openings.  Here is some of the cedar I have milled already...



  

 

[outerbanxer]

I dunno, it looks pretty and all, but it might not be big enough :D

All I can say, is if I ever get divorced, I will build one of these and just frame in a little apartment overtop! AWESOME workshop!

[slider]

too fine.

[Geeg]

Looks great!, congrats on the new shop, kind of like my new shop except you super sized yours  ;D. Keep those pic coming.

Geeg

[Leigh Family Farm]

Nice! With a shop that big are you gonna host the Western Pig Roast?!  :D :D

[grweldon]

Just absolutely magnificant!  That cedar on the outside will add a BUNCH of class to the building!  I'm drooling just thinking about it!

[sawmillhand]

My thought was build big in the beginning...you can never have enough space

My thought always when in doubt build it bigger and add 20 feet to that lol  looks very good i know you will enjoy it.  ;D

[amgont75]

It looks amazing.  Can't wait to see the finished pictures.  GOOD LUCK

[sandhills]

There is one major problem I see that will need to be addressed immediately, location location location!  I'll send you my address  ;)

[dboyt]

Beautiful.  Will it house the mill, too?  That telehandler is the perfect tool, opens up a lot of possibilities for construction & log handling.

[thecfarm]

A very nice plan and building you have there, good luck with the adventure.

[chevytaHOE5674]

50x100 may seem huge now, but wait until you start putting stuff in it. Suddenly you will need a second build for the rest of your stuff. hahaha.  :D

[ayerwood]

Well, last week, we got the second story up and some of the osb siding.  It is starting to look more like something that I may be able to use.   ;D  We are currently waiting on a custom sized beam so I will get more pics as things get done next week.

  

  

  

  

 

[hackberry jake]

You could fit two of my shops plus two of my saw sheds in that dude. Do we have an envy smiley?

[ayerwood]

In response to dboyt.  The mill will not be inside.  I will have an open air shed to house it under.  I will probably start this in the fall/early winter when things slow down for me a bit.  I am also putting up a dehumidifier kiln(or 2 or 3 for different quantities and lengths) and building a bunch of "air drying roofs" for my stacks.  I stole Jim Rogers' idea for that.  ;D  Thank you Jim!  It's a great thread for those of you who haven't seen it.  Simple and smart.  The thread is called "My lumber storage story" and you guys should check it out if you haven't yet.

Basically, Rome wasn't built in a day.  I hope to have all the infrastructure by late spring/early summer of next year.  I will continue posting pics of the progress and I hope you all enjoy.  It's very exciting for me and my whole family.

[mad murdock]

Wow, tell me about it!! 5,000 sq ft and that is just the bottom floor plan, add the upstairs and leantoo, I bet that place squares out at almost 12,000!!! I wanna see pics of all the toys it gets stuffed with 8). That WRC board N bat going to be my-T-fine!!

[Magicman]

That is some serious building.   

[WoodenHead]

That is a really nice building!

Perhaps I missed the story behind the building, but I was wondering what you were planning on doing?  Lumber sales I assume?

[Jim_Rogers]

In response to dboyt.  The mill will not be inside.  I will have an open air shed to house it under.  I will probably start this in the fall/early winter when things slow down for me a bit.  I am also putting up a dehumidifier kiln(or 2 or 3 for different quantities and lengths) and building a bunch of "air drying roofs" for my stacks.  I stole Jim Rogers' idea for that.  ;D  Thank you Jim!  It's a great thread for those of you who haven't seen it.  Simple and smart.  The thread is called "My lumber storage story" and you guys should check it out if you haven't yet.

Basically, Rome wasn't built in a day.  I hope to have all the infrastructure by late spring/early summer of next year.  I will continue posting pics of the progress and I hope you all enjoy.  It's very exciting for me and my whole family.

There is no stealing here.
I posted it for all to use and learn from.
If you found it useful then donate to the forum.
If it wasn't for this forum we all be on our own......doing it the hard way. Learning by making mistakes.

Jim Rogers

PS. thanks for your comments.

[drobertson]

Just nice! not much else to say,   Real happy for you,   david

[giant splinter]

That is some very clean workmanship on the framing, You Coasties do nice work.  ;D

[ayerwood]

Well, after a short delay, we got our custom beam in and set.  The plywood siding and the house wrap is mostly done.  There is a small area on the front of the shop that will be finished after the trusses are installed.  This will be another couple weeks due to previous scheduling and was already part of the deal.  Some rains came through and it was kinda sad to see a roofless, wrapped building getting rained in.   :-\  But the excitement is killing me!!!

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

[Knute]

Great project. I love the look and smell of that cedar. We have cedar board and bat on our house and really like it.

[Peter Drouin]

Nice shop.

[mikeb1079]

that building is looking great.  nice work for sure, i'm jealous.  on a framing note:  i've noticed that most builders move the headers up under the top plate like you did,  just curious as to why.  all my old books show the header right over the rough opening, with the cripple studs above it.  i suppose it makes no difference load wise,  perhaps it's just a touch easier?

also:  using a telehandler is cheating   ;D ;D

[Andy White]

Mikeb1079,
I recently completed my house, and that is the way I did my window and door openings. It is easier and faster, and it resists racking a lot more till the sheathing goes on. All the openings are the same height, and the door units fit in the rough openings like they were made for them, using 2"x12" headers.             Andy

[mikeb1079]

I recently completed my house, and that is the way I did my window and door openings. It is easier and faster, and it resists racking a lot more till the sheathing goes on. All the openings are the same height, and the door units fit in the rough openings like they were made for them, using 2"x12" headers.

makes sense.  i've seen the production guys doing it this way and i figured it was just a quicker, better way.   8)

[Waterford Woodworks]

That's not a shop, its a fortress. Where the sniper tower Can I come play when its done??? Very nice. how long is the span on the 2 large openings?

[5quarter]

Sniper tower is a separate facility...Ayerwood might call it a deer stand.  ;) Great work so far btw...I put a second floor in part of my shop...smartest thing I did.

building a dream shop is easy btw...filling it up with all the toys tools you could ever want need is the hard part... ;) :D

[ayerwood]

Thanks for all the nice comments guys.  Trusses have been scheduled for next Friday and then the dry in should be complete the following week. We are currently flip-flopping about a set of dormers in the attic space above the warehouse.  I am thinking we will go with them but its not for sure yet.

Woodenhead:  The shop will be to support basically all aspects of our forest practices.  We sell logs to the mill and I also mill "regular stuff" as well as custom beams, beveled siding, wide slabs, etc.  I am hoping to expand the milling part but my lack of a home base with storage, etc., keeps me from expanding.  I don't even advertise because I did that for awhile and couldn't keep up...a good problem to have I guess.  ;D

Waterford:  The opening on the end of the warehouse is 30' wide.  It will be a double, bi-fold door on some custom tracks we need to put in later.  The opening on the side of the warehouse is 24' and will have barn doors.  All of these as well as all interior/exterior doors we will build with cedar.

[customsawyer]

Looking good.

[scsmith42]

That is going to be an awesome shop!  Thanks for sharing the pix and story.

[Sawdust Lover]

That's awesome! Good for you. Nothing like a dream coming true and being able to build it yourself. smiley_clapping

[fishpharmer]

Outstanding!  Can't wait to see its completion.

[ayerwood]

Today we got a good start on our trusses.  Due to a late start, we weren't able to finish them on the second story but we did get them all on the warehouse side.  We also decided last week to go with a set of 12' dormers in the attic.  It will give the building a little character as well as some more room.  At the end of the day, the shop started to take shape.

These first 2 pics were from yesterday.  A catwalk was constructed to help us install the trusses.  It was big, strong, stable, and looked like a structure within a structure.  I joked that we should take the whole thing out in one piece when we are done with it and I could use it as a frame for my new mill shed.   :D

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

[beenthere]

That is some awesome building and going to be great!  Glad to see you are making good progress and maybe will get it weathered in before the "weather" hits.

[sawmillhand]

man that building is going to be awesome  ;D. Your more than welcome to come build one at my house.  ;D

[OneWithWood]

Looking very good!  8)

I am working on a similar project in my spare time.  Got the frame up and it is sided.  Just need to make the time for the soffits and run electricity and insulate and finish the interior and . . . :

Looking at your building I wish now that I had incorporated an attic space for additional storage.  Keep the progress going.  8) 8)

[ayerwood]

Hello all!

The last few days we were able to finish the trusses on the second story side, plywood the attic floor and most of the roof.  The dormer framing and the last set of stairs to the attic should be completed by Friday.  Then, hopefully, next week we put on the roof...thank you God!     We are already getting rain and you know what they say about rainy Washington.  It's gonna be a busy winter but at least I will keep dry!  We are going to do a green metal roof.  I wanted that lodge style look to go with the cedar siding.

Thanks to all for all the nice comments.  I will keep posting pics as our progress continues.

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

[Sixacresand]

Good job.  Very nice.

[ayerwood]

With a huge rain storm coming through our area over the last several days, we managed to get the dormers and all the plywood sheathing finished.  The attic floor is also finished along with the stairs leading up to it.  As you can see in the second pic, lotsa water in the structure and the roofing begins Wednesday.  Unfortunately, the price of a green metal roof I really wanted is 3 times the price of a comp roof so I had to go with the comp.  Guess I will have to change it in 20 years or so.   ;D

Also, a question for you western red cedar guys.  I have a lot of cedar boards that have been air drying throughout most of the summer.  I wondered how dry is "dry enough" to use it on my siding?  I have heard and read several opinions on it and was hoping I could start with this "somewhat" air dryed cedar.  Would it be ok to put it up if I only used screws down the center to allow for any movement?  Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

  

 

[highleadtimber16]

I'm not really sure on the fastening part of the siding. But I do know that it will be plenty dry by now. Someone else will have a full answer.

[ayerwood]

The last couple weeks, we have got a lot accomplished.  The roof is done, gutters are up, windows are in, and the doors went in this morning.  Dry in complete!  I had my heart set on a green metal roof that I thought would give that sharp "lodge look" with my cedar siding.  Unfortunately, the metal roof cost was 3 times the composite.   :(  I did go with a forest green composite color and am very happy how it turned out though.

There was nothing better than milling cedar yesterday as it rained.  I was in a nice dry shop with a level ground to stack and sticker.  I couldn't have been happier.     This winter, sawdust will be flying out of there!

I have a fabricator coming next week to figure out and give me an estimate on a track system for the large bay doors.  Once the tracks are in, I will begin the build on our custom, insulated, cedar bay doors.

And as usual, I will keep you all posted with pics on the progress.  Thanks to all for your nice comments, pms, and views. 

Some more pics...

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

[beenthere]

Is looking better all the time.   So far, plenty of room...   ;D

[Piston]

Sooooooooo Jealous!  ;D

[logboy]

What Lucas are you running?

[barbender]

Mercy! I am jealous! Not just the building but how fast you are gettin' 'er done ;)

[submarinesailor]

DITTO what barbender said, plus WOW!!!!!!!!!!

Bruce

[ayerwood]

logboy,

I have an 827 with the slabber. I see you have the planer attachment.  How do you like it?

[Lud]

Fine looking structure.  I put metal on a 32 x 32  millshed.  It matches the structure it's attached to but there's one drawback you have avoided.  Noisier than heck in a rainstorm!!

[ayerwood]

I know it's been a few weeks, but just a quick update.  We passed our final inspection last week and are finishing milling cedar for the siding to begin.  Lots of figuring odds n ends you don't really think about.   ;D  I do have a "wack" of boards though!  We will start with corner boards, window/door trim, and the belly boards. 

I decided to go with 8" boards and 4" bats.  I felt it gave a better, bulkier look.  Above the belly band will be 8" beveled siding.  Corner boards will be 2x8 and belly boards will be 3x12.  Also, 1x2 horizontal spacers under the b & b.

Lots going on so I may not have siding progress pictures for a few weeks or so.  Happy milling...

[thecfarm]

I saw 10 inch boards and 4 inch bats used on a building. I use to drive by it on the way to work, I finally saw someone out one day and stopped and asked what widths he used.  He did admit it was just the way the lumber came. There is a sawmill just about half way between us and it was a package deal,10 inch and 4 inch boards.

[JSwigga]

I would love to build a shop like that here in New Jersey but it would raise my property taxes by like $15,000 a year.   I gotta stick with my fabric buildings.

[ayerwood]

Hi cfarm,

I would have gone with 10" boards as well, but the blade on the ol' Lucas 827 isn't stretching properly for me.   ;D  We are trying to think outside the box on some of the siding material/layout.  We may be using some live edge cedar from the leftover slabs for trim and around the bay doors.  There will be some "winging it" to see what we like.  The funny thing is that when we started, I had planned to have a pretty straight forward siding.  Now that the shop is built, I want to fancy it up a bit...more work, but I can't help myself.

[logboy]

logboy,

I have an 827 with the slabber. I see you have the planer attachment.  How do you like it?

If you saw a lot of big slabs and want to clean them up down the road the planer attachment is great.  It comes in handy for woodworking too if you're into that sort of thing.

[ayerwood]

At least it's a start.   ;D  Off and on over the past several weeks we have been milling cedar and have started to put up the siding.  With several other projects, a small accident, the holidays, and any other excuse I can use, we have a little bit done.  I will start hitting the siding hard next week...here are some more pics.  In the first two, I make my first FF appearance and in others is my brother helping out.  Hope you all enjoy...



  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

[Ljohnsaw]

WOW, that is going to look really sweet - envious!  :D

[sawguy21]

And that is the shop. What is the new hacienda going to look like? :D That is a fine job. I didn't see blocking between the studs, did you not use any or were they added later? Without them I would think you are asking a lot of the OSB to keep the studs from bowing on a structure that size.

[samandothers]

Sorry to hear 'accident' thrown in as reasons for slow down.  You are making great progress and looks fantastic.

[beenthere]

Progress is looking real good.
And a very impressive stickered stack of lumber there. Great care to get stickers lined up like that, and over the supporting bolsters too.

All in all, very well done and looking super great.

[brendonv]

Thats awesome.

I wish we can get cedar like that over here.

[jrapwoodworking]

Wow this is going to be one hell of a shop/warehouse/office/getaway area... 8)

Is any of this going to be a woodworking shop by chance?
Btw the cedar looks amazing.

[Magicman]

There is nothing like seeing your dream coming true.  Congratulations !!!

[ET]

Ayerwood; been following your progress as well for months now, great feeling to get a project of that size coming to completion. Nice stack of siding too. I finally signed the bottom line for my new barn a few weeks ago and cant wait to get my saw under roof too!  Watching you gets me more anxious than ever. Hope you have lots of good times to come. Ernie

[thecfarm]

ET,I hope some pictures of the build will follow.

[ayerwood]

Thanks to all for your kind words.

Sawguy21..We did put in blocking and marked all studs and blocking for fasteners.  And the hacienda plans are, and have been under way.  I figure this thread will be ongoing for awhile as I continue the shop build and add some outbuildings including a sawmill house, pump house, and dry kilns.

Samandothers...the accident I referred to was a concussion I got a few weeks ago.  I put a small piece about it in the Safety section.  I'm o.k. now...back in the saddle!    Thanks for your thoughts.

jrapwoodworking...Although I am not officially a woodworker, I do tinker a bit.  So, yes, eventually.  The first machine will be a planer/moulder for sure and then get more toys from there.

Magicman...Thank you.  And congratulations to you for being, in my opinion, the biggest heart on the Forestry Forum.  Your leading the project for the Blacks is the very definition of humanity, help, and giving in a time of need.  So many on the FF are very proud and envious of you.

ET...Congrats to you!  You will love it.  Even though it is a lot of work, it is not "real work". ;D  The construction and progress of something so personal right before your eyes is a feeling I can't describe.  You better make a thread like this too for your build!   ;D

[Dave Shepard]

That siding looks great! As does your stickering.  I hate to see poorly stickered lumber. All that work done to log and saw lumber only to have it spoiled.

[mesquite buckeye]

Loooking very muy bueno extra primo good. ;D

[outerbanxer]

I know why this man has not posted so much, he's got 20K dollars of architectural shingles on the roof. Unbelievable space, we are all jealous. 8)

[ayerwood]

Hello all.  I know it has been forever since I have updated this post and I apologize.  I have been very busy with many things going on throughout the summer.  So, today, I went and took some pics of the finished siding on my shop.  The belly board and door/window trim will be a darker stain. And the gutters, downspouts, windows, and soffit will all be painted a dark forest green color.  That will all take place when weather permits.  The next few weeks I will be constructing the bay doors.  These will be cedar as well and be given the burn patterns with a weed burner before staining.  Should all contrast and come together nicely.  Hopefully. ;D  As winter comes, I will be finishing up the interior and doing some other projects around the outside of the shop.  I will try to be more consistent with my updates starting in the next few weeks.  Hope you enjoy the pics.  I am excited to get back to it!




  

  

  

  

  

 

[Ljohnsaw]

That is amazing!  WOW! 8)

[scouter Joe]

That's a really nice shop . I see a lot of attention to the little details that add such a lot . Lots to do yet . Keep us in the loop . scouter Joe

[Nomad]

     Good looking workmanship.  I really like the way you trimmed the windows.

[grweldon]

Amazing and beautiful!  I wish I had one!

[thecfarm]

Thanks for the update. Don't keep us waiting so long for the next ones.  ;D

[OneWithWood]

Ahh, your hard work is really paying off. 
That is going to be one mighty fine place to play work.  8)

[Magicman]

Wow, the wait was worth it.  That is an amazing workshop.   

[Sawyer697]

Very nice job. Looks like the upper rooms would make living quarters till you get your home up. You have been busy, Doing a great job!

[woodworker9]

Well, I must be working too much, because somehow......I missed this entire thread until today.  I just read the entire thread, and just wanted to say congratulations!!   8)

You must be extremely proud of what you've accomplished.  Your work is inspiring to a guy (me) who is supposed to take delivery of his first ever sawmill (WM LT40 hydraulic) tomorrow.....with luck.  I have plans to do what you already have, although at a smaller scale, so I have absolutely enjoyed reading your story.  I even showed it to my wife for inspiration.  She wants to know where we can get some western red cedar logs like yours here in the midwest.  :D :D :D

Awesome work.

Jeff

[brianb88]

Impressive shop!

[barbender]

Absolutely stunning!

[JimFX]

one word sums it up
Sweet ..........