30x40 Pole Barn in a Michigan winter - It has begun!

[Cheap5.0]

I got my door up!

$150 for a professional to do it, thanks to my wifes uncle who knew the guy and he gave us the contractor price


I have a question about these tiny gaps in the building:

Can i fill those in with minimal expanding insulation spray foam? Or do i need them for ventilation?

 

[Cheap5.0]

I have a thought id like some feedback on.

Im planning on putting up osb walls after i run the wiring. I was thinking of using a 2x6 run along the bottom of the wall to keep stuff from punching through it by accident, good idea?

 

[911mike]

Those gaps are for the mice to get in. FILL THEM. Never underestimate the power of the mouse.

 

[DoyleDee]

Put steel wool in the lower holes, then inject the expanding foam into those...as for the top, just expanding foam.

 

[DoyleDee]

... That is what I did in my shop. I used about 10 cans and a bag and a half of steel wool.

 

[trbomax]

... That is what I did in my shop. I used about 10 cans and a bag and a half of steel wool.

I gotta ask,whats the steel wool for ?

 

[oliveriv]

I gotta ask,whats the steel wool for ?

The little bastards might chew the foam, but they'll stop at the steel wool. They hate chewing on "metal"...

 

[DoyleDee]

They don't chew through the steel wool... They will chew the foam though.

 

[Cheap5.0]

Great tips, thank you guys Sounds like a good project between working on the jeep this weekend and drinking beers.

Also, i seen this in FireFighters thread on another site....made me chuckle:

I need one of those...

 

[Firefighter315]

 

[NUTTSGT]

Looks like an old hospital recliner.

 

[Cheap5.0]

What did you do to your garage floor? It looks touched up a bit in that pic, or is it just moisture?

 

[Cheap5.0]

Question for anyone:

I got one of these given to me by my employer a few years back, it has about 4 years of mon-fri shop use on it.

I tried googling the model #, but it does not exist on the internet for some reason...anyone know what i would be able to sell this for? Im not sure i want to sell it, but im so close to getting my electrical project funded and im not sure i need a compressor this big...so im just checking out my options.

I also have about 30 of these:

30" length

Any idea on those as well?

 

[Firefighter315]

Looks like an old hospital recliner.

That was an old recliner out of one of our other substations. We were in the process of gutting it and rebuilding the living quarters. The old furniture made its way out to my station while the work was being done. That one is broken because some of the duty crews at that station are notorious for huge wrestling matches and that chair lost at some point. Its in the dump by now. We replaced all of the old stuff with new industrial strength.

What did you do to your garage floor? It looks touched up a bit in that pic, or is it just moisture?

That isn't my garage. I do most of my Jeep and truck work at the sub-station I manage. I'd guess 90% of my tools and equipment are at that station. It keeps the late night noise and mess down at home. The station is only 3 miles up the road from my house. The floor is bare with a little of the sealer still down after install around 4 years ago. I need to get it etched and sealed this summer.

 

[Cheap5.0]

That isn't my garage. I do most of my Jeep and truck work at the sub-station I manage. I'd guess 90% of my tools and equipment are at that station. It keeps the late night noise and mess down at home. The station is only 3 miles up the road from my house. The floor is bare with a little of the sealer still down after install around 4 years ago. I need to get it etched and sealed this summer.

I was going to say, thats one hell of a setup you got there juding by the pics.

I am right, thats one hell of a setup you got there lol.

Still collecting money for the electrical part. My chick forgot to call in her unemployment stuff, so we missed that whole check...i was scratching my head trying to figure out why we were so broke.

So next week i can start saving again. Should not be too long before we start though.

 

[NUTTSGT]

That was an old recliner out of one of our other substations. We were in the process of gutting it and rebuilding the living quarters. The old furniture made its way out to my station while the work was being done. That one is broken because some of the duty crews at that station are notorious for huge wrestling matches and that chair lost at some point. Its in the dump by now. We replaced all of the old stuff with new industrial strength.

Wrestling in recliners, must be a fire house tradition.

 

[Rodhotz]

Around here (LA Socal) the compressor would bring about 3-4 hundred bucks, and the clamps about 10-15 each.

 

[ITSWILL]

Great thread and nice garage. I am hoping to build a 40x60 in the next few months. Was thinking to do steel but I think it may be easier to go with a wood pole barn.

 

[Cheap5.0]

Great thread and nice garage. I am hoping to build a 40x60 in the next few months. Was thinking to do steel but I think it may be easier to go with a wood pole barn.

I dont know what steel company you are looking at, but the one i talked to made it sound very simple. The price and styling was the reason i went with the wooden barn.

So after my concrete guy cut the concrete two weeks ago, i was left with dust everywhere! I tried sweeping it, but one tennis elbow and 2 hours later i was going in circles.

I thought about it, and had an idea. I used my electric leaf blower, and a big floor mounted shop fan pointing out my garage door. It worked GREAT! I did wear an expensive respirator my father in law lent me, without it i would not do this....The process was straight forward, start in the back and work my way forward blowing the dust towards the door and fan. Rinse repeat 12 times. I hit the gurts and pointed the blower up to the trusses frequently kicking up the dust where it might be hiding.

I "blew out" the barn every day this week, and last night i think was my last time. I have zero dust in there now. Nothing on my trusses, none on my gurts, none on the floor. Took maybe 5 hours total, and i have a dust free barn.

My yard however, had a light grey coating on it lol...glad the rain came today.

 

[Cheap5.0]

I got started on the racks. This is the first time making any kind of rack/shelf and only the 3rd wood project ive done on my own. Im tired of asking for help, i need to learn this **** on my own.

Basic 2x4 setups. The plan is to run these along the entire back wall.

In the one pic you can see the hacked together shelf (it runs the length of the truss carrier on the back wall) i tried to make with the circular saw a while back. Those 45 degree supports are coming off since they look terrible and eat up a lot of space. I went and bought 18' of 1/8" wire rope and the necessary hardware to tie the shelf into the trusses above it. I plan to extend that shelf around the perimeter of most of the barn.

Its amazing how easy carpentry becomes when you have good tools. Im using a borrowed chop saw instead of the circular saw i have been using. Now that im actually getting square cuts, this is flying together! haha...

I also picked up an old steel level and a chalk line for $0.50 each at a garage sale. No use for the chalk line yet, but the level has been handy for these short boards.

 

[Firefighter315]

Wrestling in recliners, must be a fire house tradition.

Nobody can break stuff like we can, huh?

5.0, any ideas for a bench yet?

 

[Cheap5.0]

Nobody can break stuff like we can, huh?

5.0, any ideas for a bench yet?

For a welding table, my in law gave me a massive steel table he had when he did machining out of his garage. Its rusty as hell, but i think he said its 3/8"s steel and is 4'x4'x4'.

As for a standard, "drop things on and sit comfortably" style work bench...no ideas yet. I dont know how much space ill have left once i get all my tool cabinets in, the car, the mower, powerwasher, etc....Once i get to that point ill start seriously looking at ideas.

I am making some headway with my storage solution though

I started moving the seasonal stuff out, and to my surprise its taking up a lot less room than i thought. I dont think ill need to build racks into the floor space. I think these floor to ceiling wall shelves will fit it all.

 

[Cheap5.0]

I ordered this today...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/150831256327?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Im real close to having everything i need to get power to the barn!

 

[DoyleDee]

One step closer..... the shell goes up easy..it's all the inside stuff that takes alot of time.
Of course I ran all my electrical inside conduit (I had been collecting wire for a while),I borrowed the benders from work and just had to buy the conduit, boxes and connectors.
One of these days I'll buy the wire I need $$$ (insead of 8guage for my 240v setup) and run pvc conduit and a seperate conduit for internet. I also have cat5E cable,ends and the crimper for when that time comes............as I say...time.....
As of now, I can use my shop. I only have a 30amp breaker feeding my shop and have yet to have any issues (my largest power drain is my 125A Lincoln wire feed 120v-sadly).
I did trip a 20 amp breaker when welding and had my shop stereo on the same circuit.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I am making some headway with my storage solution though

I started moving the seasonal stuff out, and to my surprise its taking up a lot less room than i thought. I dont think ill need to build racks into the floor space. I think these floor to ceiling wall shelves will fit it all.

If I may offer some advice.

If you plan on insulating your garage, get the insulation in and whatever your wall covering will be before you start adding shelving. If not, you'll be taking it right back down or working around it.

 

[Cheap5.0]

If I may offer some advice.

If you plan on insulating your garage, get the insulation in and whatever your wall covering will be before you start adding shelving. If not, you'll be taking it right back down or working around it.

This part of the barn wont be insulated. Stage 2 (something ive been working on in my head) will be more "finished out"...but thats a few years down the road. Probably 10 years. lol.

I do appreciate the heads up though, if i had to insulate it would **** to work around loaded shelves.

 

[Cheap5.0]

I know there are a few locals who read this, so if anyone is looking for a nice metal work table...these look nice for the price.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/tls/3032883018.html

 

[Cheap5.0]

The inspector came out yesterday (surprise!) while i was at work. He called and said everything looks good, and he gave me the final He was also a jeep person, and said he likes how i hung my hardtop lol.

 

[volvo]

...
...>>said everything looks good, and he gave me the final>>

..............

 

[Cheap5.0]

...
...>>said everything looks good, and he gave me the final>>

..............

Indeed!

mine is bigger! ^_^

Oh jesus, not this again


Thanks to Sberry down in the tool section guiding me, i was able to pick this up thursday for a very good price!

 

[NUTTSGT]

What came with that, 4 rolls of wire ?

 

[Cheap5.0]

125 cu ft argon bottle (filled, unknown gas mix..could be 75/25 95/5 or straight)
new gun liner
35' power cord
15' whip
newer helmet w/new #10 shade
New regulator
Used regulator
3 new/unopened 33 lbs spools of .035 wire for mild steel + 2 old/rusty spools (scrap)
-Adaptor nozzle P/N Q999452 x 14
-Adaptor tip P/N Q17983 x 3
-Contact Tip .045 P/N 37290 x 31
-Lever Switch P/N 2075214 x 1
-Front insulator P/N 999474 x 1
-Contact tip .035 P/N 996995 x 6
-Assorted sizes/new Gas nozzles for gun x 13

I scored pretty well I got it up on a local 4x4 site for trade. Ill keep it if i dont see an interesting offer, its definitely an awesome machine. But if i can catch the right person in the right mood and make a really good trade ill do it.

 

[Nutty 5.0]

Wow, congrats! Its really coming along well for you.

Not sure about the compressor either, but if its 60-80 gallons, I'd try and keep it. I went with a 80 2 stage and buddy went with 60 gal single stage. His has trouble keeping up sometimes with what's he's running.

 

[Cheap5.0]

Nutty reminded me, the compressor and the mig welder are the same color...i cant sell the compressor now! iIm starting to match

 

[Cheap5.0]

Just a quick update. Im going on a trip here soon. When i get back the fun begins again. I will be ordering up a 30 yd dumpster to put most of the old garage/garage junk into and burning the rest (wood products). I will also rent the trencher around then to run my feeder line and we will have POWER!

Baby jay hit 100 days old yesterday, he celebrated by sleeping from 9:30 PM to 8:00 AM. Ahhh refreshed at last! I cant remember the last time i didnt wake up tired!

 

[johnjw77]

First off, beautiful barn man! I just finished (well last night at about 3am) reading through your entire build thread. I am actually planning a 30x40 or 30x48 from DIY in the very near future.

We have a 5 acre plot here in IN and have decided to just build our barn first and then the house later. I plan to section it off in the middle and make half a living quarters/salon for the fiancé and the other half will obviously just be a garage. I thought I would ask someone who has recent experience building one a few questions.

I picked up some graph paper the other day and drew up the size with all the poles/windows/doors/interior walls and plumbing I will need. Thats where I came across my first question. I have decided to place 3 entry doors around the structure and have managed to set all 3 against a 6x6 that is already placed for structural support. I know I will need to have some sort of support for the other side of the door frame to secure to as well as something for the wall girts to mount upon. I can not tell from your picture if you used 6x6 posts on each side or if you possibly just used a 4x4 on the other side just high enough to mount the door.

P.S. nice choice on the sahara, looks identical to my first TJ when I bought it. I now have a 04 rubi which sadly may hit craigslist to help fund this endeavor.

 

[Cheap5.0]

First off, beautiful barn man! I just finished (well last night at about 3am) reading through your entire build thread. I am actually planning a 30x40 or 30x48 from DIY in the very near future.

We have a 5 acre plot here in IN and have decided to just build our barn first and then the house later. I plan to section it off in the middle and make half a living quarters/salon for the fiancé and the other half will obviously just be a garage. I thought I would ask someone who has recent experience building one a few questions.

I picked up some graph paper the other day and drew up the size with all the poles/windows/doors/interior walls and plumbing I will need. Thats where I came across my first question. I have decided to place 3 entry doors around the structure and have managed to set all 3 against a 6x6 that is already placed for structural support. I know I will need to have some sort of support for the other side of the door frame to secure to as well as something for the wall girts to mount upon. I can not tell from your picture if you used 6x6 posts on each side or if you possibly just used a 4x4 on the other side just high enough to mount the door.

On my one entry door, the kit supplied two 4x4's that were sunk down the same depth as the 4x6 posts (48" here). They go to the first 2x4 above the door frame, and terminate there. Nothing more It was a bit shakey, but once i got concrete in it was shored up considerably.

I can get a pic of it if you need to see it.

P.S. nice choice on the sahara, looks identical to my first TJ when I bought it. I now have a 04 rubi which sadly may hit craigslist to help fund this endeavor.

See bold, and good luck!

 

[Cheap5.0]

Pic i got the other day. All buttoned up. The yard is still a mess, but ill start on that this fall/next spring.

 

[richtersrodz]

Those gaps are for the mice to get in. FILL THEM. Never underestimate the power of the mouse.

Ha ha ha.. This is funny. We moved into our new house, and the builders left these nice little gaps between the house and the trim around the garage doors. I finally found them, and filled them with spray foam, but not before the mice got into most of my kids toys and ruined stuff, and filled the boxes with pee and poop. My wife is now unpacking every box and has been washing everything. Damn they are a mess. So far, I've only killed a copperhead in the barn (dirt floor) but he was there hunting mice I'm sure..