Join smaller walls to make long wall

[donscastle]

Hello,
New member, been looking at the posts, interesting stuff!
My project in the planning stages is a 12 x 20 shed. I have a decent idea of the design I want and will build it myself. 2x4 framing; 16" OC; 4 pitch roof
I have come to realize that I cannot lift a framed 20' wall myself; maybe not even the 12' wall. Has anyone here lifted a 10' or 12' framed wall by themselves?
My idea now is to breakup the walls into sections. Is this reasonable?
Meaning create a 12' wall out of two 6' walls; 20' as two 10' …
Thinking this through - the double top plate would run the entire length - to strengthen the "two walls into one".
Lumber yard does not stock but can get 20' 2x4 and 2x8 (floor frame). They also say to wait a month or two for lumber prices to come down …

Is this feasible - to assemble a longer wall out of multiple short walls?
Thanks much for comments, suggestions, advice.
Donald

 

[firebirdparts]

It’s easy. A 10 foot section is really light. Bridging them is what the top plate is for. If you are working alone, just prop the wall up with an extra 2x4 or two. Drive a stake in the ground next to your prop board an pop a nail in it.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Little chunks into long walls is done all the time. I raised my shop/house in 8' chunks

 

[Boilerhouse]

Did the same thing - built my own and raised walls alone. Longest section I could grunt into place was 15'. Studs were 2x6, 24" OC.

 

[nadogail]

Lifting a wall section by yourself allows the use of a Gin Pole and a small hand cranked winch such as found on a boat trailer.

 

[The Cobbler]

you've got good answers above

 

[rsanter]

Done all the time by framers. General rule is that you can splice the top plate, needs to be 3 studs offset from the joint in the wall. You don't need to get a 20 foot top plate. So, on a 20 foot wall, break it into two 10's. Put a 4 foot piece at the corner, a 12' piece over the splice, and then another 4 foot piece at the other corner.

Or a 6, 8, 6. I prefer to splice over a stud, though, so prefer the 4,12,4.

This is good information, and you don't need 16" on center for a shed. 24" on center is pleanty strong for a shed

 

[James-W]

You can build the walls and then have a few friends stop by to help you raise the walls into position. That is done all the time around here with people who are building a garage or a shed or shop. Usually friends don't mind helping if it is real short term help and you have some cold refreshments to offer them.

 

[Kaizen]

Frame 12 foot wall but only sheath with one sheet to keep from racking. Add sheathing after.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[donscastle]

Thanks everyone for the replies! Definitely glad I found ya'll.
Great advice is hard to find and much appreciated.

 

[matt_i]

Just a followup that a good practice is to run a string line outside of the wall before placign the 2nd top plate to join the sections. Just a simple 3/4" or 1-1/2" block on each end of the building, pull the string tight and then sight down it to visualize spots that deviate and to help align. Good to clamp the 2nd/upper top plate in position and tweak before finalizing the nailing.

Seems like I used a minimum of 24" distance between upper and lower splice/**** joints.

 

[Bretny]

Since your working alone put the sheething on the wall when its horizontal.

They do make a tool called a wall jack but it's a bit overkill for a 20ft wall. I have lifted a 23ft wall with 3 people. It was very easy and no issues. The sheething was on as well as tyvex.

 

[rusty1]

...built these 11 foot tall walls myself, one stud at a time,..your's should be no problem...

 

[DJF3]

I built a 15' wall and put sheathing on one side. Then I tied one side off after I calculated the length of rope, and either winched or pulled the wall up. I had it tied off so it wouldn't fall over the other way. Worked well.