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oldironfarmer
Well-known member
I like likes!
I must admit I'm surprised I didn't give up.
"We do this not because it is easy, but because we thought it would be easy"
Above 1200 Sq/FT Cleaning Up My Shop
- Thread starter oldironfarmer
- Start date
Wokspaces above 1200 squarefeet.
I must admit I'm surprised I didn't give up.
"We do this not because it is easy, but because we thought it would be easy"
OP
oldironfarmer
Well-known member
Kitchen area from the scaffold. It feels high.
Rigged and ready to lift.
Sadly I have no pictures of the wall section before it was lifted. It is 19' 10-1/2" and the room is 22' wide so the scaffold had to be rolled into the kitchen area.
Shane had helped my build it the night before. We had lifted it on to the saw horses in the picture to get it started. All went well. I was alone and could think. Here it is ready to bump into place.
Unfortunately I have the sling to close to the scaffold and couldn't quite pick the section off the floor. You can see it's not quite plumb.
So I had to let a little out, climb the scaffold and push it over center by hand. I was a little puckered up but it went smoothly. It is slightly slack in this picture.
Rigged and ready to lift.
Sadly I have no pictures of the wall section before it was lifted. It is 19' 10-1/2" and the room is 22' wide so the scaffold had to be rolled into the kitchen area.
Shane had helped my build it the night before. We had lifted it on to the saw horses in the picture to get it started. All went well. I was alone and could think. Here it is ready to bump into place.
Unfortunately I have the sling to close to the scaffold and couldn't quite pick the section off the floor. You can see it's not quite plumb.
So I had to let a little out, climb the scaffold and push it over center by hand. I was a little puckered up but it went smoothly. It is slightly slack in this picture.
OP
oldironfarmer
Well-known member
Getting the first section set and nailed in place proved the method and I could relax.
Second section was built and erected that evening.
Third section was big but went smoothly.
Things are getting more complicated.
It is a ways to the ground from the level we're lifting on.
Second section was built and erected that evening.
Third section was big but went smoothly.
Things are getting more complicated.
It is a ways to the ground from the level we're lifting on.
OP
oldironfarmer
Well-known member
I have the remnants of an old (1910-1915) bridge which was replaced in the early 1990's. I talked to the county, then to the contractor about salvaging wrought iron for blacksmith work. The contractor was agreeable, said he was going to bury the scrap and gave me one weekend to get what I wanted after he pulled it off the stream.
I thought these lattice pieces might be wrought. The tension bars under the bridge are. These tested to be steel however. I checked and these beams are sufficient to hold up the balcony.
I am not a hoarder. Hoarders never use their stuff...
This is the style bridge. These were compression members.
Set the fourth section of wall.
Almost to finish the big wall. I was worried about the large face of the wall flexing under strong winds. A civil engineer who was checking some calculations for me said "Why not build it out of 2x8's?" Of course, smart lady!
It looks right.
Cut the beams to length and welded clips for support of joists and trusses.
The close ones are for the balcony joists 12" O/C. The others are for the attic trusses over the kitchen. The kitchen opens to the great room so the beam has to hold the ends of those trusses.
Ready to ship.
I thought these lattice pieces might be wrought. The tension bars under the bridge are. These tested to be steel however. I checked and these beams are sufficient to hold up the balcony.
I am not a hoarder. Hoarders never use their stuff...
This is the style bridge. These were compression members.
Set the fourth section of wall.
Almost to finish the big wall. I was worried about the large face of the wall flexing under strong winds. A civil engineer who was checking some calculations for me said "Why not build it out of 2x8's?" Of course, smart lady!
It looks right.
Cut the beams to length and welded clips for support of joists and trusses.
The close ones are for the balcony joists 12" O/C. The others are for the attic trusses over the kitchen. The kitchen opens to the great room so the beam has to hold the ends of those trusses.
Ready to ship.
Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Andy, considering the time frame when you were building the house, did you have any issues getting lumber? I had issues getting lumber when I was having my shop built. When I did get it, I had to bend over to pay for it.
techkelly
Well-known member
If people, ask me about my sh er I mean stuff, I tell them its inventory.
OP
oldironfarmer
Well-known member
Surprisingly not really. I ordered the full slate of lumber (about 75% of what I needed) in October before the blocks were finished from a local lumber yard. They beat Lowe's and HD and offered to keep it in their sheds and dole it out as I needed. Sweet deal. I offered to pay in advance and they said just when we deliver.Andy, considering the time frame when you were building the house, did you have any issues getting lumber? I had issues getting lumber when I was having my shop built. When I did get it, I had to bend over to pay for it.
The price shot up and they raised the prices on my third delivery. I went ballistic. Manager came to the site to visit. I convinced him we had a valid quote and he wanted to honor it. By the time I needed to order more the prices had moderated a lot. OSB for instance. I paid him $18/sheet, it got to $50, and I bought more at $15.
The only major problem I had was with Lowe's. I was looking a 2x12's and got a big splinter in my hand. Police strong armed me as I was leaving and said I was shoplifting over $20, a felony. I honestly didn't think the splinter was that big or I'd have pulled it out and left it in the store...
My Mexican friend says it's good chit. I gots lots of chit.
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oldironfarmer
Well-known member
Loaded the beams on Bob's ride to take from my house to her house.
A bale spike makes a fine crane.
Used my tower crane to drag off the trailer, then to roll between studs where I could pick it.
Pick and roll then set into place. Easy. This is over the kitchen opening.
Then I did number 2
It landed on the pipe column.
A bale spike makes a fine crane.
Used my tower crane to drag off the trailer, then to roll between studs where I could pick it.
Pick and roll then set into place. Easy. This is over the kitchen opening.
Then I did number 2
It landed on the pipe column.
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oldironfarmer
Well-known member
You can see the clips to support trusses, above, and joists, far side of the other beam.
The second beam was twisted a bit, so I plumbed it and welded to the first beam then pulled it and tacked it down on this end.
Please ignore the gap. These are old twisted and bent beams. But kind of straight.
Rolling scaffold is great!
Then the balcony joists go in.
Up and down the ladder...
The second beam was twisted a bit, so I plumbed it and welded to the first beam then pulled it and tacked it down on this end.
Please ignore the gap. These are old twisted and bent beams. But kind of straight.
Rolling scaffold is great!
Then the balcony joists go in.
Up and down the ladder...
Sifan
Well-known member
I don't know how you ever got enough straight lumber delivered to build anything.
I got invited to leave Lowe's because I was sorting through their stacks
They really know how to hurt a guy ... Home Depot is 5 miles away, Menard's is 5.5 miles away, and locally owned yard is 3.5 miles away
I got invited to leave Lowe's because I was sorting through their stacks
They really know how to hurt a guy ... Home Depot is 5 miles away, Menard's is 5.5 miles away, and locally owned yard is 3.5 miles away
OP
oldironfarmer
Well-known member
I blocked between joists, toe nailing to the previous one and straight through the next one. One nail in the bottom of each jist through the steel.
All in place and ready for the stair header.
The round plate needs to be trimmed to avoid it sticking out into the stairwell and room. I refrained from trimming it before erection so I could ensure accurate alignment of the cut. Marked it then cut the 3/4" plate with a HF portable band saw. I was ready to bring my torch up but the little band saw ate right through it and completed both cuts by cutting from both ends.
This is as far as I got on the first cut, but was able to complete it from the other direction.
I laid out some loose lumber and was able to convince a very hesitant lady to venture out on the newly constructed balcony. She loved the view.
And we've got a garage door header.
Also a stud wall over the kitchen.
All in place and ready for the stair header.
The round plate needs to be trimmed to avoid it sticking out into the stairwell and room. I refrained from trimming it before erection so I could ensure accurate alignment of the cut. Marked it then cut the 3/4" plate with a HF portable band saw. I was ready to bring my torch up but the little band saw ate right through it and completed both cuts by cutting from both ends.
This is as far as I got on the first cut, but was able to complete it from the other direction.
I laid out some loose lumber and was able to convince a very hesitant lady to venture out on the newly constructed balcony. She loved the view.
And we've got a garage door header.
Also a stud wall over the kitchen.
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oldironfarmer
Well-known member
I don't know how you ever got enough straight lumber delivered to build anything.
I got invited to leave Lowe's because I was sorting through their stacks
They really know how to hurt a guy ... Home Depot is 5 miles away, Menard's is 5.5 miles away, and locally owned yard is 3.5 miles away
Easy way is to buy a unit. My local guy sorts through it and takes returns if I can't use it. I use chit when I can.
The biggest issue I had was improper dimensions. I think supervision was trying to run the mills (of course we can) and lots of lumber was odd shaped. Usually thin on half of one side.
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oldironfarmer
Well-known member
Here's the wall over the kitchen opening. Hard to put up without a crane.
A 2x4 fit nicely into the channel and was screwed to the steel then the wall nailed to it.
The floor to the left is built in the trusses and there is no floor to the right.
The great room trusses set on top.
Stair header in place so the deck can be finished. We're climbing a ladder behind where I'm standing to take the picture to get to this floor.
A matching hallway on the far side accesses the rooms on the far side and a stairway to the next level (attic trusses) is at the end. This wall is finished except for headers.
A 2x4 fit nicely into the channel and was screwed to the steel then the wall nailed to it.
The floor to the left is built in the trusses and there is no floor to the right.
The great room trusses set on top.
Stair header in place so the deck can be finished. We're climbing a ladder behind where I'm standing to take the picture to get to this floor.
A matching hallway on the far side accesses the rooms on the far side and a stairway to the next level (attic trusses) is at the end. This wall is finished except for headers.
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oldironfarmer
Well-known member
Time to smell the roses.
Jumped to the other side of the house to start putting purlins up. First chalk line and trim the tails on the trusses from the tall scaffold. Fortunately you could access it from a window or a short climb on the uphill end.
Purlins go up pretty fast, putting barge rafters on the ends took scaffolding.
Everyone likes snow.
Flooring was guaranteed to not need sanding after one year of exposure. I still shoveled the snow off as soon as I could.
Jumped to the other side of the house to start putting purlins up. First chalk line and trim the tails on the trusses from the tall scaffold. Fortunately you could access it from a window or a short climb on the uphill end.
Purlins go up pretty fast, putting barge rafters on the ends took scaffolding.
Everyone likes snow.
Flooring was guaranteed to not need sanding after one year of exposure. I still shoveled the snow off as soon as I could.
bowtiguy
Well-known member
was the 1 and 1/8” Huber advantech?
OP
oldironfarmer
Well-known member
No, it was Weyerhaeuser Edge Gold. $65/sheet.
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oldironfarmer
Well-known member
I've said I used no drawings on the house...
Getting a nice valley can be a bit of a challenge.
You can see my sheetrock nailers/truss lineup blocks in the background.
The bridge beams came from an old bridge like this. All riveted construction. All of my beams have a flat plate on one side.
You can't see it but the solid beams have lattice work on the bottom.
We have trusses and now a crane has arrived.
This is a local guy who runs an oilfield service company. Nice 25 ton picker, he roaded it several miles and didn't charge move in, just charged for erecting the jib.
The jib is the boom extension, generally lattice construction.
It extends the crane's reach but lowers the capacity significantly.
Getting a nice valley can be a bit of a challenge.
You can see my sheetrock nailers/truss lineup blocks in the background.
The bridge beams came from an old bridge like this. All riveted construction. All of my beams have a flat plate on one side.
You can't see it but the solid beams have lattice work on the bottom.
We have trusses and now a crane has arrived.
This is a local guy who runs an oilfield service company. Nice 25 ton picker, he roaded it several miles and didn't charge move in, just charged for erecting the jib.
The jib is the boom extension, generally lattice construction.
It extends the crane's reach but lowers the capacity significantly.
OP
oldironfarmer
Well-known member
I missed the truss delivery in the previous post. End dump this time.
Key points to make a successful lift:
1 Known load
2 Adequate equipment
3 Competent personnel
4 Suitable foundation
5 Known lift distances
6 Cooperation and communication
As part of proving the lift distances extend the boom
Make a proof lift to insure you can reach the target
Many crane accidents happen by not knowing the actual distance and overloading the crane trying to over reach. We have such a light load all we have to do is make sure we can get there without interfering with the structure.
Then rinse and repeat.
Smooth and sweet on a nice sunny day with little wind
A challenge was figuring out how the roof line should be on the tapered ends with the short trusses.
It's great watching a load until you have wind. We were blessed.
Double trusses at the end for the stairwell
Key points to make a successful lift:
1 Known load
2 Adequate equipment
3 Competent personnel
4 Suitable foundation
5 Known lift distances
6 Cooperation and communication
As part of proving the lift distances extend the boom
Make a proof lift to insure you can reach the target
Many crane accidents happen by not knowing the actual distance and overloading the crane trying to over reach. We have such a light load all we have to do is make sure we can get there without interfering with the structure.
Then rinse and repeat.
Smooth and sweet on a nice sunny day with little wind
A challenge was figuring out how the roof line should be on the tapered ends with the short trusses.
It's great watching a load until you have wind. We were blessed.
Double trusses at the end for the stairwell
OP
oldironfarmer
Well-known member
These last two trusses set by themselves with one more a few inches to the right. Butch is a professional carpenter who came out to help. He and I set and nailed this run of trusses. He's good.
The last set of trusses were duck soup, low to the ground.
Crane is packed up and gone.
By the way, the garage door is 16 ft wide and it has trusses setting above it all the way across with a room above. We had two feet from the header to the top plate so sheathed it in plywood to make a very healthy beam.
Same old trick, build a tower and use the crane to set the flooring at elevation.
Time to admire the work.
Now we can see the house profile.
A comment was made earlier on the quality of lumber. The truss guys had the same struggles. You can see how these trusses don't match well.
An issue we just had to account for throughout the build.
The last set of trusses were duck soup, low to the ground.
Crane is packed up and gone.
By the way, the garage door is 16 ft wide and it has trusses setting above it all the way across with a room above. We had two feet from the header to the top plate so sheathed it in plywood to make a very healthy beam.
Same old trick, build a tower and use the crane to set the flooring at elevation.
Time to admire the work.
Now we can see the house profile.
A comment was made earlier on the quality of lumber. The truss guys had the same struggles. You can see how these trusses don't match well.
An issue we just had to account for throughout the build.
Last edited:
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oldironfarmer
Well-known member
Shane is up top putting a foundation in for the cupola.
None of us had ever built a cupola so we had to wing it.
Went ahead and built stairs to this attic room as there was really no easy way to get access.
The view is looking ever better
A few walk boards and we're moving on up.
None of us had ever built a cupola so we had to wing it.
Went ahead and built stairs to this attic room as there was really no easy way to get access.
The view is looking ever better
A few walk boards and we're moving on up.
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oldironfarmer
Well-known member
I really hadn't designed this stairwell. Just built the dormer as I went.
Tied the double trusses together.
And started framing a dormer.
Part way through she decided that would be a good place for a stained glass window so I extended the dormer so you could see it from the ground.
And extended it again.
Tied the double trusses together.
And started framing a dormer.
Part way through she decided that would be a good place for a stained glass window so I extended the dormer so you could see it from the ground.
And extended it again.
y'sguy
Well-known member
Which bodies of water are those in your view?
I love it.
I love it.
OP
oldironfarmer
Well-known member
Hand built a few little trusses for the dormer
The cupola is decked and we cut the access hole. (center top in the photo)
Started framing the cupola
And somehow convinced the lady to go up and see the sights.
She was really nervous but a real trooper.
I like the view.
The cupola is decked and we cut the access hole. (center top in the photo)
Started framing the cupola
And somehow convinced the lady to go up and see the sights.
She was really nervous but a real trooper.
I like the view.
OP
oldironfarmer
Well-known member
That's the Cimarron River and Three Mile Slough (the lake with a causeway to access an oil well across it, to the left is Cottonwood Creek WMA, a waterfowl preserve)
I should make you come out and look.
OP
oldironfarmer
Well-known member
I hand built trusses for the cupola. They can just be handed up.
At this stage we had a wind storm.
Just before dark the wind was 30 mph out of the south and the cupola was leaning. I shouted at Shane and scrambled up with a ratchet strap and got it stabilized. He arrived soon after and we got the one he brought up. with two straps on it we were able to jack it back plumb. In retrospect it was a risk not worth taking but we got lucky. No more wind forecast but we got sheathing on it in a few days.
The kind lady threw a fit when I started to put roofing steel on. I hired a local guy and his dad and they got started.
She was being unreasonable, the purlins make a ladder but I compromised. I carried the metal and stacked it on the scaffold for them.
It was good to see steel going up. Purlins kept magically appearing on the roof.
I decided against sheathing the roof because the material was high. 2x4x16 was much cheaper and makes a solid roof. I used to build pole barns so I was comfortable with this design. We had decided to use spray foam and it will stick nicely to the underside of the sheet metal.
At this stage we had a wind storm.
Just before dark the wind was 30 mph out of the south and the cupola was leaning. I shouted at Shane and scrambled up with a ratchet strap and got it stabilized. He arrived soon after and we got the one he brought up. with two straps on it we were able to jack it back plumb. In retrospect it was a risk not worth taking but we got lucky. No more wind forecast but we got sheathing on it in a few days.
The kind lady threw a fit when I started to put roofing steel on. I hired a local guy and his dad and they got started.
She was being unreasonable, the purlins make a ladder but I compromised. I carried the metal and stacked it on the scaffold for them.
It was good to see steel going up. Purlins kept magically appearing on the roof.
I decided against sheathing the roof because the material was high. 2x4x16 was much cheaper and makes a solid roof. I used to build pole barns so I was comfortable with this design. We had decided to use spray foam and it will stick nicely to the underside of the sheet metal.
OP
oldironfarmer
Well-known member
At this point I framed an access hatch in the roof of the cupola to allow maintenance. It's a hard place to get to, it would prove a challenge to scaffold with frames.
I suggested to the lady we put a steel platform and flag pole on top of the cupola so she could get a good view.
She just said "No".
I suggested to the lady we put a steel platform and flag pole on top of the cupola so she could get a good view.
She just said "No".
OP
oldironfarmer
Well-known member
Stairs can be frustrating to build. You can sense 1/8" or less in a difference in height of steps. The top step has to be the same height as the intermediate steps and the bottom step. The problem is that the thickness of the stair tread must be deleted from the rise for the first step, and the rise of the top step should be more than the rest if you're using 1-1/2" stair treads but the decking on the top floor is less than 1-1/2". In my case the decking was 1-1/8". So you account for the two end step differences then divide the floor to floor by the number of steps. Sounds simple. Most folks mess it up. Including me. I figured the rise and run, then calculated the distance to the apex of each step and measured as closely as I could with the tape instead of trying to measure each one and building up an error resulting in a 1/2" short step at the bottom. Anybody can do that, including commercial builders.
Goofy maybe, but it worked for me.
Rian will tell you all the steps feel the same.
Maybe.
You know how he is.
Goofy maybe, but it worked for me.
Rian will tell you all the steps feel the same.
Maybe.
You know how he is.
OP
oldironfarmer
Well-known member
She said she could see a grandchild hanging off the steel platform I wanted to build on top of the cupola.
I got over it.
I let it go.
I never mention it.
Unless there's visitors.
Or I think about it.
I got over it.
I let it go.
I never mention it.
Unless there's visitors.
Or I think about it.
Sifan
Well-known member
Wife's brother in law has a place, central Illinois built 1867, has an enclosed cupola. Has a ship telescope he found somewhere, on a clear day you can read town names on water towers 25 miles away,
Conveniently, one of the windows that is supposed to be fastened in place, isn't ... but I wouldn't know anything about that.
Conveniently, one of the windows that is supposed to be fastened in place, isn't ... but I wouldn't know anything about that.
OP
oldironfarmer
Well-known member
OP
oldironfarmer
Well-known member
My son dropped by for a visit
And the plumber and his daughter
Did the basement stairs
I needed some help on a scaffold. She surprised me and climbed up. The board her hand is on is about 14 ft up.
And the plumber and his daughter
Did the basement stairs
I needed some help on a scaffold. She surprised me and climbed up. The board her hand is on is about 14 ft up.
Sifan
Well-known member
I'll be up in spring to help put crops in, I'll get some then.
I can tell you there is 10 stair steps from the ground to first floor, 23 stair steps from the first floor to the second floor. After a LONG exhausting day on the farm, you make sure you have every thing you need before starting the climb
I can tell you there is 10 stair steps from the ground to first floor, 23 stair steps from the first floor to the second floor. After a LONG exhausting day on the farm, you make sure you have every thing you need before starting the climb
OP
oldironfarmer
Well-known member
Scaffold mania. I put up scaffold to build the front porch roof. Then had to add scaffold to hold up the primary beam the joists will go on.
A real mess
Also cut up an old bent scaffold to make extensions to lift some frames to get up to the cupola. Otherwise the cross braces would hit the top of the purlins. I set them on 2x12's on purlins.
An old friend had helped on the house until he found work. Mark stopped by for a visit.
A real mess
Also cut up an old bent scaffold to make extensions to lift some frames to get up to the cupola. Otherwise the cross braces would hit the top of the purlins. I set them on 2x12's on purlins.
An old friend had helped on the house until he found work. Mark stopped by for a visit.
OP
oldironfarmer
Well-known member
Can you drive a team?I'll be up in spring to help put crops in, I'll get some then.
I can tell you there is 10 stair steps from the ground to first floor, 23 stair steps from the first floor to the second floor. After a LONG exhausting day on the farm, you make sure you have every thing you need before starting the climb
We'll need to plow...
OP
oldironfarmer
Well-known member
The balcony made a perfect place for a miter saw station. We had one in the garage and one on the balcony to save steps.
Scaffold on each end of the cupola and a pick board between let the guys install windows.
I hired a local contractor to install windows and siding.
It was great to get siding started.
And the roof trimmed out
And roofed!
Scaffold on each end of the cupola and a pick board between let the guys install windows.
I hired a local contractor to install windows and siding.
It was great to get siding started.
And the roof trimmed out
And roofed!
Sifan
Well-known member
The team I drive have a few more horses ... Steiger & New Holland 9482
OP
oldironfarmer
Well-known member
Not sure how a 9482 would handle my three bottom plow.The team I drive have a few more horses ... Steiger & New Holland 9482
I think the subsequent tire passes for succeeding furrows might recompact the soil.
Sifan
Well-known member
recompact ... probably weighs 40,000# with duals and is 15' wide
You don't have enough ground cleared to turn around
Get your M fired up, it will pull that 3 bottom. And I know how to run that!
Dad's three bottom even had a rope pull, I'm sure you know what that is.
You don't have enough ground cleared to turn around
Get your M fired up, it will pull that 3 bottom. And I know how to run that!
Dad's three bottom even had a rope pull, I'm sure you know what that is.
OP
oldironfarmer
Well-known member
How can you lift a plow without a rope?recompact ... probably weighs 40,000# with duals and is 15' wide
You don't have enough ground cleared to turn around
Get your M fired up, it will pull that 3 bottom. And I know how to run that!
Dad's three bottom even had a rope pull, I'm sure you know what that is.
The dog does all the work.
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oldironfarmer
Well-known member
We got 360 degree coverage with the scaffold. But we can't put it back up when the roof metal is on so the work has to be finished.
The guys I hired to do the metal have a rough terrain forklift allowing them excellent access without scaffolding, except the cupola.
Really good to start protecting the structure from the weather.
Roof progress
The guys I hired to do the metal have a rough terrain forklift allowing them excellent access without scaffolding, except the cupola.
Really good to start protecting the structure from the weather.
Roof progress