Fire House and Garage part II

[Junkman]

Bull........ you can't fool me. I know that you go up into the cupola so you can get a birds eye view into the girls dorm at UMass.......

 

[Bull]

Bull........ you can't fool me. I know that you go up into the cupola so you can get a birds eye view into the girls dorm at UMass.......

I like your way of thinking, Junk

 

[Skyline]

Looks like you live in a very rural area. Do you have fire hydrants? If not, I wonder if you can get a discount on your homeowners insurance by having a working fire engine on the property. I'm not sure what the requirements would be, but it is a similar reason a lot of comercial properties build artificial ponds, with bublers or fountains to keep them from freezing. You might need a Class A with a 1000 gal tank....who knows, if your current pumper does not meet that, the insurance savings might justify adding to the collection of engines once you get the Firehouse built. Used fire engines are pretty cheap.

 

[bry@n]

Wow............................wow!!!!!

I don't know what to say. I looked at the Geobarns website and fell in love.

These are true works of art and look to stout. I am happy for you, jealous, cranky cause I don't have one.. lol.....I want one. They are great and look great.

How tall is the tallest point? We have limits in my town, that's why I ask.

edit:
I called and I'm waiting for a return call. I feel like a kid waiting for Santa. haha...

 

[Bull]

Bryan, please let us know how your conversation with George goes.

And, start a thread on here once you get your own Geobarn build going!

Wow............................wow!!!!!

I don't know what to say. I looked at the Geobarns website and fell in love.

These are true works of art and look to stout. I am happy for you, jealous, cranky cause I don't have one.. lol.....I want one. They are great and look great.

How tall is the tallest point? We have limits in my town, that's why I ask.

edit:
I called and I'm waiting for a return call. I feel like a kid waiting for Santa. haha...

 

[onemoretry]

Those are two beautiful barns, you should be very proud.

The floor assembly looks rock solid like it wouldn't "Bounce" at all. Would that be a good assumption?

I like the second one better because it's bigger! How big is it exactly?

There really isn't any bounce at all, and I weigh an 1/8th of a ton. For as large as the span is, it is amazing.
The building is 32X48.

 

[onemoretry]

To bad they don't make clear siding!! I wish I lived somewhere where I could have a Geobarn with no interior or exterior wall coverings. These builds are true works of art. I wonder if they could build a Bungalow style home
Great pics keep them coming

I'll bet George would be willing to at least chat with you about any type of design.
One of the crew did mention a guy that did a section of the interior wall in acrylic to show the diagonal framing.

 

[onemoretry]

Onemoretry, I am curious to know what your plans are for the large, tricked out cupola that George mentions. I was obsessed with the idea of a cupola, too. Mine is small, but has a seat and is a a great place to sit with a beer and just watch the world go by.

We are still talking about details, but we will at least have a seat and some interesting framing. George has a temporary floor there now to work off of, and I must say it is a great view (not quite the view that Junk thinks you have...) and could be a very relaxing to sit and have a beer.

 

[onemoretry]

Looks like you live in a very rural area. Do you have fire hydrants? If not, I wonder if you can get a discount on your homeowners insurance by having a working fire engine on the property. I'm not sure what the requirements would be, but it is a similar reason a lot of comercial properties build artificial ponds, with bublers or fountains to keep them from freezing. You might need a Class A with a 1000 gal tank....who knows, if your current pumper does not meet that, the insurance savings might justify adding to the collection of engines once you get the Firehouse built. Used fire engines are pretty cheap.

I have mentioned that to my insurance company, but no luck. I would have to incorporate as a volunteer fire department, and I'll bet the insurance ain't cheap for that...
It is a class A, but only a 750 gal tank (or at least it was considered a class A awhile ago).

 

[onemoretry]

Wow............................wow!!!!!

I don't know what to say. I looked at the Geobarns website and fell in love.

These are true works of art and look to stout. I am happy for you, jealous, cranky cause I don't have one.. lol.....I want one. They are great and look great.

How tall is the tallest point? We have limits in my town, that's why I ask.

edit:
I called and I'm waiting for a return call. I feel like a kid waiting for Santa. haha...

Just talked with George, he is getting a shower and will call you.

I must say that the building is fantastic, but frankly the build process has been just as good. I never thought I would say that about a contractor (I suppose that is the difference between a contractor and a craftsman), and I certainly wouldn't say that about my concrete sub...
The tallest point is pretty far up there, I don't know but George would be able to tell you when he calls. I am sure that George can come up with something that would meet code.

 

[onemoretry]

It was great working with the guys today, I was pretty much on clean up and labor detail, but loved every minute of it. All of the framing is done, so there won't be too many more days when you can see the diagonal framing from the outside. I am not sure how I feel about that, thought I do love the shiplap.
The last pic is the waste pile for the entire build.

From George:
We had a shorter day today in high winds and lower temperatures--and got
the upper gables framed and the last transom installed. The crew could
not take any measurements without two people on the tape--one at each
end--with the wind being what it was....

It has been a wonderful week--we are ready for at least a Sunday
break....we are grateful for the safety and camaraderie we have
experienced over the past days.


george

 

[Junkman]

You really need to take a picture of it before the siding goes on with the fire truck in the bay. If you plan it just right, I'll bet that you can get a little snow into the picture and use it for next years Christmas card to your fellow SPAAMFA members...

 

[onemoretry]

You really need to take a picture of it before the siding goes on with the fire truck in the bay. If you plan it just right, I'll bet that you can get a little snow into the picture and use it for next years Christmas card to your fellow SPAAMFA members...

Great idea, but I don't think the drive will be cleared before the siding goes up.

 

[onemoretry]

So we had some friends over and the crew joined us for a fantastic dinner. After a couple of adult beverages, I decided that everyone needed to go out and see the barns. George agreed to turn on the work lights so we all went out. George had placed the lights perfectly, so we decided pictures were in order.

Here goes

 

[Skyline]

Wow, that scrap pile is small. Very efficient use of material.

 

[Bevis]

Seems to be a shame to cover up all that nice detail...but the barn sure looks good though.

 

[snm95ls]

Wow!!

Very neat design. I am jealous of the space you have.

 

[Junkman]

May I reserve a bay for my fire department ambulance? I'm out of room in my garages....

 

[naki kid]

That is fantastic, why dont you just cover it in glass.might be a bit cold in the winter and hot in the summer but it would look KOOL. Only having you on,But it would be a shame to cover the garage.

 

[onemoretry]

May I reserve a bay for my fire department ambulance? I'm out of room in my garages....

The wife has put me on a 1 fire vehicle limit. Now if you have some other crazy vehicle, let's talk...

 

[onemoretry]

That is fantastic, why dont you just cover it in glass.might be a bit cold in the winter and hot in the summer but it would look KOOL. Only having you on,But it would be a shame to cover the garage.

I keep going round and round about it. My going theory is now to let it rest for a year and think it through. I know it will be more expensive to take care of it in the future as I will have to deal with all of the stuff I move in between now and then, but it will give me the time to figure something out.

 

[onemoretry]

We got some more night shots from the opposite direction on yet another bitter night.

Eye candy:

 

[Bull]

I think that leaving the framing exposed will probably hinder you in terms of being able to decorate the inside as you want.

I took a lot of pictures of my barn, as you have, too. I selected the best 14 or so and had them made into quite large black and white prints. You might even use a few color prints for the beautiful night shots that you have. These pictures I framed and have hung, in chronological order, in a room of my home. They also might do well when hung in the barn itself. That way, you are constantly aware of and exposed to the beauty of your framing, you'll always have access to that look, without being imprisoned by it.

 

[Jpfreak33]

Wow, work of art. I love these more and more every time I see more of your pics

 

[onemoretry]

Wow, work of art. I love these more and more every time I see more of your pics

And the pictures don't even do it justice. If you are ever in the area, stop by.

 

[onemoretry]

Well, the guys got the cupola, (I like to call it the barn on top of the barn) framing done and it looks fantastic. The view is phenomenal, I will have a hard time getting work done when I can just sit up there with a beer...

From George:
We had a great day today--in spite of the fact that the crew was in poor
health fighting off colds. They hung in there and did a superb job
framing thew cupola and we got it roofed right after lunch and finished
the framing for the windows and louvers--and then did the winch beam so
our client can haul cars onto the upper level.... :-D

The cupola is slightly oversized and and will make a great room from
which to peruse a good book and the back forty with aid of a good
ale...tomorrow we tackle the stairs and a storm moves in...just in time
for siding.... > ....oh well...we cannot complain and no one listens
anyway.

george

 

[onemoretry]

Some of the white stuff out there today. The crew got started on the stairs and prepped the shiplap getting ready for tomorrow.
From George:
Today was a hard day--with all of us waking up sick and the crew getting
better and me getting worse as the day wore on....it was cold, snowy,
wet and gray. We carried all the shiplap into the barn in preparation
for our big push once the storm has passed, and got the stringers
measured and cut for the stairs--after having to pull the landing and
raise it up a tread because somehow I managed to convince myself that I
could get ten 10" runs into a 90" space....I share that with you only as
a barometer of my day... :-[

At the same time--every job has its down days and this was one of them.
We also got the first building's doors framed out for the installers,
and it is now ready for the doors our client ordered. I am still
grateful for what we were able to do and the kindness of the crew.


george

 

[cyclopsblown34]

Winch beam so the client can lift cars to the second level? holy Schnikes, this is awesome.

 

[autoist]

I sure want to see details of that cuppola - how you get up there, how the arrangement fits.

Plus, please post photos of that winch setup.

 

[onemoretry]

Winch beam so the client can lift cars to the second level? holy Schnikes, this is awesome.

George was just horsing around. The upstairs will be a wood shop so no room for cars.
I think he and the wife are trying to suggest I have too many vehicles.

 

[onemoretry]

I sure want to see details of that cuppola - how you get up there, how the arrangement fits.

Plus, please post photos of that winch setup.

I will post pictures of the cupola when it is done. There will be windows on two sides and louvers on the gable ends. There will be a floor and benches up there as well so we can sit and relax. It really is a lovely place.

 

[Jpfreak33]

I cant wait to see it finished, but I will shed a tear when you cover up the framing haha. I just may take you up on that offer, where are you located? I might need to get away from home for awhile haha

 

[Junkman]

George was just horsing around. The upstairs will be a wood shop so no room for cars.
I think he and the wife are trying to suggest I have too many vehicles.

sneak up there one night, and leave an old toy car on the floor......

 

[porschedude996TT]

Nice builds and looking forward to the pics. But this pic just kind of chills me to the bone and make we want to stay in instead of heading out for anything.

So is it harder to drill the wood when it is Frozen?

 

[onemoretry]

I cant wait to see it finished, but I will shed a tear when you cover up the framing haha. I just may take you up on that offer, where are you located? I might need to get away from home for awhile haha

Well, it started, about 1/3 of the shiplap is up. Pictures will be up in a second.

 

[onemoretry]

The weather wasn't really cooperating today, but the guys were really productive, even when I was "helping". The shiplap has started, so, from the outside at least, the diagonal framing will be hidden. It makes me a little sad, but the shiplap looks fantastic too.

From George:
We ended up having a good day today after prepping for shiplap and
finishing the stairs this morning....doing the lower west gable and
almost half the north eave side. After a bit of a rough start--with
things not as plumb as we would have liked--we got in the groove and ran
a lot of shiplap--under the icy rain and occasional sleet and ice
avalanche off the metal roof...the guys were drenched at the end of the
day abut at least it was not that cold...we are grateful for a good day.


george

 

[moody]

Did he say "at least it was not that cold"? Maybe it's because I'm in Florida, but I see ice everywhere....that meets my definition of cold, as in "too cold to risk smacking my hand with a hammer".

Beautiful barns, beautiful view, outstanding craftsmanship, a genuinely decent and efficient contractor, a wife who clearly understands your hobby, and a fire truck of your own....man, what else could a guy want?

 

[Moon63]

What a beautiful build! And it´s a bunch of tuff guys working with it. But, I se some icicles in the pics, so it must have been over freezing point some days
About a month left before I will go on with my build, way to cold and to much snow for me now.

 

[onemoretry]

Did he say "at least it was not that cold"? Maybe it's because I'm in Florida, but I see ice everywhere....that meets my definition of cold, as in "too cold to risk smacking my hand with a hammer".

Beautiful barns, beautiful view, outstanding craftsmanship, a genuinely decent and efficient contractor, a wife who clearly understands your hobby, and a fire truck of your own....man, what else could a guy want?

Not that cold means that it got above freezing. Certainly a lot better than it was. Of course if it is cold enough you can smack your hand with a hammer and not feel it...

Thanks, thanks and thanks.

 

[onemoretry]

What a beautiful build! And it´s a bunch of tuff guys working with it. But, I se some icicles in the pics, so it must have been over freezing point some days
About a month left before I will go on with my build, way to cold and to much snow for me now.

The guys have been great. They rarely if at all complain about the weather. If it were me, I would be crying like a baby everyday when I went out.

I have had the luxury of traveling to Sweden a couple of times. I loved it both times, or course, I visited in the summer when it was absolutely beautiful. I don't think I will visit in the winter.
Cheers.