Old Hog House Revival Thread....

[Kaiser37]

Hey all,

Just moved into an old farm house in the southeastern corner of Nebraska and the property has a couple of old barns/structures on it. I've done a lot of thinking and have picked the old hog house as the most suitable to turn into a makeshift garage/shop. It's gonna be a good bit of work and brain power to figure it out but from the minds that I've seen collab on here I definitely think its possible.

Only have two pictures right now but will upload more for a better idea of what I have to work with and to get a better idea of what needs to get done. On the road with work right now, as soon as I get back I'm going to clear out all the trash and get some solid measurements and all that good stuff.

As of right now I know that I need to rebuild the south side wall as its rotted away in most places, I need to fill in the window holes with something and the door that the hogs used to go in and out. I'll need to either put new skylights in or replace them with pieces of tin(more likely), I'll need to cut a door sizeable enough to get a CCLB dually into it, and then last and most importantly move all the beams inside the building towards the outside walls(the part Im struggling with the most).

The building already has some 220 going to it so that shouldnt be an issue even though I might have the power company come out and check it out to make sure Im not gonna burn it up. Also work with a couple electricians that would be more than happy to come wire up outlets and lights in the building once its all done for a case of beer

Only two pictures I have for now until I get back.

Outside picture from the NW corner.

Inside, sorry its not a more in depth picture....

 

[KEH]

Nice old building. Looks like you have enough material in there to go a long way toward sealing the building. Also a couple of benches made from thick lumber that could be converted into a work bench. How high could the ceiling be made on the ground floor? Insulating the place might be an interesting challenge. HAVE FUN.

keh

 

[Kaiser37]

Nice old building. Looks like you have enough material in there to go a long way toward sealing the building. Also a couple of benches made from thick lumber that could be converted into a work bench. How high could the ceiling be made on the ground floor? Insulating the place might be an interesting challenge. HAVE FUN.

keh

Depends on how far out I can move the support beams or what I can do to support the ceiling. I'd say at the peak of the ceiling its gotta be at least 20 feet. I know I wont get all of that but as long as I can get a leveled CCLB dually in is my main thing. Sealing it for the weather will definitely be fun, I'm sure I'll find most of the leaks when the cold midwest winter winds come rolling in. Definitely a lot of good lumber there that I can reuse for sure.

I think for the structural portions that I have to rebuild though I will buy new material.

 

[garage rookie]

Looks interesting. If you can maybe you can put a set of barn doors where the windows and door are? Put a header of proper size and then the doors or an overhead door. I'll bet you could almost get a pickup between the supports if you pulled in the mirrors. Probably move the supports back about 2ft on each side for the dually. However things go it looks like it's gonna be fun and challenging.

 

[Kaiser37]

Looks interesting. If you can maybe you can put a set of barn doors where the windows and door are? Put a header of proper size and then the doors or an overhead door. I'll bet you could almost get a pickup between the supports if you pulled in the mirrors. Probably move the supports back about 2ft on each side for the dually. However things go it looks like it's gonna be fun and challenging.

The beams in the middle "walking lane", are barely wide enough to fit two people through.. it's hard to explain how its all set up. I think it'll make more sense once I have it all cleaned out and can take measurements and put it on paper. The barn doors aren't a bad idea but I was thinking something that seals a little better than that mainly due to the wind in the winters. Mice are coming in either way, no point in trying to protect against those a-holes.

 

[matt_i]

In my opinion, to change the location of those posts/columns is not going to be trivial in the overall structure of this building. (can it be done, absolutely, but at fairly large cost of time + material)

I would personally not invest the time into that, I think you'd be better served making the hog barn into a different purpose. Anything other than "cold storage" I would attempt to replace the running flat boards with some type of sheet and then siding. Love the look of it, but the one detriment is the sidewalls are so low (understandably due to a hog being a low slung animal)

 

[dadsEH]

Im smellin what you stepped in Kaiser.....
pull it down and use the tin and lumber to fab a decent shed.

 

[Kaiser37]

This structure is all I really have to work with unfortunately. Dont crucify me but this is a rental property so any money invested in the shop portion is coming out of my pocket... It doesn't need to be anything terribly fancy, just something to keep the elements off my MIG is my biggest concern.

 

[Farmall 1066]

Welcome Kaiser37, from another SE Nebraskan!
Looks like you've got your work cut out for you there. I totally get where you're coming from, with working with what you have.
Is it all concrete, or just the center?

 

[Kaiser37]

Welcome Kaiser37, from another SE Nebraskan!
Looks like you've got your work cut out for you there. I totally get where you're coming from, with working with what you have.
Is it all concrete, or just the center?

I know there's concrete along the sides but I cant really guarentee that the entire thing is concrete until I get it all cleaned out and swept up... I had a different idea about how to approach it, very rudimentary drawing but I thought about cutting a "bay" structure into the north side (long wall that you see in the picture) and re-beaming just the "bay". Would be more solid than it is now and fairly "simple" design.

Maybe have it be about 12' tall at the north end, put a 10' metal roll up door on it.... If I really wanted to, extend it out to be long enough to fit a CCLB dually in there with the door closed!

Dont laugh at my drawing, gonna need an imagintation to picture it....... you'll have to imagine this bay is dead middle of the building on the long wall.

OK.... now you can point and laugh.

 

[hotrodscott]

I'm only here for the crucification.

Just so you know, I'm not as smart as I think I am.

 

[Kaiser37]

I'm only here for the crucification.

Just so you know, I'm not as smart as I think I am.

All I require is some will to work and a smidge of a brain. Plus I reward with free beer. Possibly shop use.

 

[hotrodscott]

I can work...that brain thing though, not sure i can help.

Just so you know, I'm not as smart as I think I am.

 

[Fishplate]

it's hard to explain how its all set up.

It's set up like a hog house. Makes perfect sense to me...

 

[Kaiser37]

It's set up like a hog house. Makes perfect sense to me...

Couldnt have worded it better if I tried

 

[hotrodscott]

I know there's concrete along the sides but I cant really guarentee that the entire thing is concrete until I get it all cleaned out and swept up... I had a different idea about how to approach it, very rudimentary drawing but I thought about cutting a "bay" structure into the north side (long wall that you see in the picture) and re-beaming just the "bay". Would be more solid than it is now and fairly "simple" design.

Maybe have it be about 12' tall at the north end, put a 10' metal roll up door on it.... If I really wanted to, extend it out to be long enough to fit a CCLB dually in there with the door closed!


OK.... now you can point and laugh.

Why not do this on the south side? Since you said you need to rebuild that wall anyways, seems like a time/money saver. South side also has the skylights that need replaced. If it's a matter of the way the ground lays, we can fix that.

 

[Kaiser37]

Why not do this on the south side? Since you said you need to rebuild that wall anyways, seems like a time/money saver. South side also has the skylights that need replaced. If it's a matter of the way the ground lays, we can fix that.

The south side is covered in grass... haven't really given it much thought really, haven't even been over there to see what the ground looks like. Not a bad idea though.

 

[hotrodscott]

I might take the weed whacker down there this weekend for you...

 

[Kaiser37]

What a sweetheart

 

[hotrodscott]

SHHHH, don't tell her. <---

 

[garage rookie]

The beams in the middle "walking lane", are barely wide enough to fit two people through.. it's hard to explain how its all set up. I think it'll make more sense once I have it all cleaned out and can take measurements and put it on paper. The barn doors aren't a bad idea but I was thinking something that seals a little better than that mainly due to the wind in the winters. Mice are coming in either way, no point in trying to protect against those a-holes.

Sorry for the misunderstanding on the "walkway", it just looked a lot wider. On the barn doors, I was thinking hinged on the sides and latched in the middle, not the sliding type. I figured a board across the top to stop them from being pushed in by the wind. I didn't know you were renting, I can understand not wanting to put too much $$ into it.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Clear the vegetation around the perimeter, even if you just spray with Roundup. On the inside, clear around the outer walls so you can inspect the footer and determine what if any foundation there is.

Likely the footer is rotten and probably some of the bottom of the studs, but that is not hard to fix.

 

[Kaiser37]

Sorry for the misunderstanding on the "walkway", it just looked a lot wider. On the barn doors, I was thinking hinged on the sides and latched in the middle, not the sliding type. I figured a board across the top to stop them from being pushed in by the wind. I didn't know you were renting, I can understand not wanting to put too much $$ into it.

I've kinda figured about 2k into the brunt of the project, maybe a couple of small things here and there afterwards... but that should about cover it. As for the door I think a roll-up metal door is what I'll end up with, be easier and probably a better seal. These Nebraska winter winds are no joke.

Clear the vegetation around the perimeter, even if you just spray with Roundup. On the inside, clear around the outer walls so you can inspect the footer and determine what if any foundation there is.

Likely the footer is rotten and probably some of the bottom of the studs, but that is not hard to fix.

Plan is to definitely to get everything cleaned up before I have to leave for work again... maybe even have everything mapped out and possibly supplies purchased so that way when I get back next time I can roll right into tearing the old stuff out and throwing the new stuff in. I wouldn't be suprised if the footers on that south wall are rotted out, but like you said... that wall would be pretty easier to rebuild.

 

[ahab]

As someone that grew up on a farm in Iowa the only thing you want behind a north facing door should be a snowplow or snow blower.

Doors on the south or east work best.

The verticals on either side of the walkway look pretty integrated with the rafters, yikes.

 

[Kaiser37]

As someone that grew up on a farm in Iowa the only thing you want behind a north facing door should be a snowplow or snow blower.

Doors on the south or east work best.

The verticals on either side of the walkway look pretty integrated with the rafters, yikes.

While I agree with the north side having the most snow, the north side has a metal barn twice the size of the Hog House™ blocking that drift of snow. Doesnt mean it would stop all of the snow thats blowing around, that would be impossible but it is something to take into comsideration. The south wall has nothing but about 100ft of pasture in between it and the crops. Also the area of the property where the trailers are stored... So as long as the south wall ground isnt attrocious, it's probably where I'll put the add-on and the door. Nice easy access from the shop to the trailer as thats the only way the Ranger will get to and from.... also probably the most common two places for my Powerstroke.

As for the verticals being integrated, you are 100% correct on them being the back bone of the structure. I will probably have to put in supports while I knock those out and move in the new permanent beams. With the stall in place it should have tons more support for all areas of the roof.

 

[racinfarmer]

I've kinda figured about 2k into the brunt of the project, maybe a couple of small things here and there afterwards... but that should about cover it. As for the door I think a roll-up metal door is what I'll end up with, be easier and probably a better seal. These Nebraska winter winds are no joke.

Come up to northern MN or North Dakota for a winter! It isn't cold until the propane won't flow anymore.

 

[Farmall 1066]

Looking forward to seeing this come along. Budget builds are the best!
Whereabouts you located Kaiser37?

 

[Kaiser37]

Looking forward to seeing this come along. Budget builds are the best!
Whereabouts you located Kaiser37?

Just south of Omaha in Plattsmouth

 

[James-W]

You won't care for my recommendation, but here it is anyway. I recommend tearing it down and starting over. Whatever you decide to do, keep in mind that you will have to bring the structure up to the current building codes, especially since it is a rental property.

 

[Farmall 1066]

I'm down by Beatrice. You're up in the mountain country!

Wouldn't worry about permits / codes...should be zoned agricultural.

 

[Kaiser37]

Come up to northern MN or North Dakota for a winter! It isn't cold until the propane won't flow anymore.

My sister used to live in Minneapolis... plenty cold enough for me there.. Specially since Im a Florida boy by raisin.

--Side note, I'd like that truck back more than I want my first born--

You won't care for my recommendation, but here it is anyway. I recommend tearing it down and starting over. Whatever you decide to do, keep in mind that you will have to bring the structure up to the current building codes, especially since it is a rental property.

While I do care for your recommendation, it's just not in the cards for me. That'd be waaaaaaay out of budget and by the time I finsihed, I'd have a nice set of orders and I wouldn't have been able to enjoy it... plus the land owner said it's all getting torn down whenever he sells the property. No building inspector is going to come bug me out in this part of town. Maybe if it was a house or I was building a whole new structure. This building has long been forgotten about.

I'm down by Beatrice. You're up in the mountain country!

Wouldn't worry about permits / codes...should be zoned agricultural.

You'll have to swing by when it's making some progress and have a beer... give me some solid thoughts.

 

[hotrodscott]

Lots of progress this past week!

Just so you know, I'm not as smart as I think I am.

 

[Farmall 1066]

Any updates on this?

 

[kbs2244]

Due to the low walls and the roof supports I would think about the barn in the background.

 

[hotrodscott]

Any updates on this?

He scrapped the idea. Has another friend with extra garage space doen the road. I may have talked him out of spending money on someone elses property.