Tobacco Barn Shop

[Riverfarm]

Just joined...thought I'd share my "project".

We wrapped the old barn last year and are in the process of putting in a new shop. I have lurked here for quite a while and have incorporated a great deal of what I learned from the collective posts.

 

[ghnl]

Just joined...thought I'd share my "project".

Looks great!

I have lurked here for quite a while.

Then you should know we need more pictures!

 

[Riverfarm]

My bad...more grist for the mill:

Floor coating is next. Then paint.

 

[DoyleDee]

Nice, I like it...
And you want to say you are a lurker...I only have 5 posts since 07...been gone a while, still need to do my own shop- but I get by with my cluttered garage.

 

[rieferman]

Oooh, I need to take that step with my barn (see signature), I'd love to get some tips from you regarding re-skinning an old structure with the rolled metal siding.

 

[autoist]

Oooh, I need to take that step with my barn (see signature), I'd love to get some tips from you regarding re-skinning an old structure with the rolled metal siding.

Do you think? It loses some of its character when it just becomes another big metal building!

 

[rieferman]

If barn board can be saved, I believe 110% in saving it.

In my case most of the original barn board is no longer in place. What remains has been without paint or maintenance for well over 75 years. To keep the building weather tight, siding is sometimes the best option. (especially when $$ and maintenance concerns are in play)

Also, there's lots of character that you can save on the interior of a building by keeping beams and posts exposed and by reusing original components.


(sorry for derailing the thread )

 

[Bull]

Oh man, I love barns!

Do you have any "before" and more "during" shots that show how the old barn was brought back to life?

 

[autoist]

If barn board can be saved, I believe 110% in saving it.

In my case most of the original barn board is no longer in place. What remains has been without paint or maintenance for well over 75 years. To keep the building weather tight, siding is sometimes the best option. (especially when $$ and maintenance concerns are in play)

Also, there's lots of character that you can save on the interior of a building by keeping beams and posts exposed and by reusing original components.


(sorry for derailing the thread )

I agree with you...next summer I'm beginning work on a barn that was built in the late 40's, early 50's & never painted....don't know how far I'll go in making it weathertight but, I want to repair in & replace what is damaged.

 

[willy3486]

I made my shop from materials from 5 buildings that were to be removed. I used some of the corragated tin roofing to put on the sides. I had seen a building sided with that in a movie and liked it. The lumber siding I put on the inside naturally. I also insulated it as well. I then have some really nice 5 v type roofing I used to do the roof. I really like it thatt way. Its sealed,keeps the wind out and I can see the natural wood in my workshop. So I guess there is all types of preferences.

 

[Bull]

Do you have a thread on this site, with pictures? I'd love to see it!!

I made my shop from materials from 5 buildings that were to be removed. I used some of the corragated tin roofing to put on the sides. I had seen a building sided with that in a movie and liked it. The lumber siding I put on the inside naturally. I also insulated it as well. I then have some really nice 5 v type roofing I used to do the roof. I really like it thatt way. Its sealed,keeps the wind out and I can see the natural wood in my workshop. So I guess there is all types of preferences.

 

[willy3486]

I posted somewhere here on it in more detail,not sure where though. I have about 2200 bucks in it and its 30x52. That comes to less than 1.50 per square foot. Its insulated ,wired and concrete floor. But you can see pictures at
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/569408649spoWff
You can see my shop there and some of the vintage tools I have restored. I like the old powermatic,delta homecraft and Craftsman stuff made before the 70s.
I also have in the other albums my Ford truck I redid, its been in True Blue trucks magazine twice so far. Then you can see my two vintage campers I have restored.

 

[ultimatesooner]

I posted somewhere here on it in more detail,not sure where though. I have about 2200 bucks in it and its 30x52. That comes to less than 1.50 per square foot. Its insulated ,wired and concrete floor. But you can see pictures at
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/569408649spoWff
You can see my shop there and some of the vintage tools I have restored. I like the old powermatic,delta homecraft and Craftsman stuff made before the 70s.
I also have in the other albums my Ford truck I redid, its been in True Blue trucks magazine twice so far. Then you can see my two vintage campers I have restored.

damn, thats the deal of the century right there

 

[Riverfarm]

We've owned the farm for 16 years. I engaged with the Maryland historical folks to see if wrapping the barns was inappropriate. Their advice was to keep the exterior wood when you wrap so if the next owner wants to return to wood they can.

None of the original posts, framing, beams or exterior wood were replaced.

I own a working farm...small by many standards but money still matters even though my wife and I work outside the farm. As well, we are right on the Potomac River and the barns were getting tossed by storms, one after the other...yet another factor in my decision to wrap.

I'll post some pictures of the wrap, but here are some more recent pics:

Do you think? It loses some of its character when it just becomes another big metal building!

 

[Riverfarm]

From October of last year:

 

[cletus66]

Beautiful place !!!

 

[Bull]

Now wait a minute, are the guys doing the concrete Amish?

We need some more details on the story of this barn and its transformation...and lots more pictures of the before and during!

We like the process and story as much as the finished product here on GJ

 

[Riverfarm]

My bad

The farm was a complete dump when we bought it 16 years ago. There were three old tobacco barns on the place, all covered with vines and other trees. I was able to save two, get them shored and painted. The third we tore down and put a stable in it's place.

There was also an old stable that was not salvageable. That old foundation became a much needed burn pile pit

Last year it was apparent that time had taken a toll on the two old t-barns. The Amish guys you see in the pictures below are the best in the area at working old barn issues. We, for reasons stated in another post, decided to wrap.

Harry is a well known Amish leader in my area and we've been friends for over ten years.

I post some more picures.

Now wait a minute, are the guys doing the concrete Amish?

We need some more details on the story of this barn and its transformation...and lots more pictures of the before and during!

We like the process and story as much as the finished product here on GJ

 

[kbs2244]

Just a little bit of aviation background in those weather fronts coming through PICs!

It looks like the original “t-barn” had the alternating wall boards hinged at the top for air circulation?
And you left them behind the metal siding?
Good choice.
Even though I doubt you or any future buyer will ever be drying tobacco in there it will keep the history preservation people happy knowing all than has to be done it peel off the “modern” siding and they are back to “original.”

I don’t agree that the building becomes “just another metal box.”
The shape of the old buildings is just different.
Pretty rare to see a 4/12 pitch on anything old.

Besides just “looking right” there is the satisfaction of making something old serve again.
Sometime a tax advantage or even the ability to have the building at all.
Often it is legal to “update” an existing structure where it would not be allowed to build a new one.

Making old “square” to modern standards can be a challenge sometimes.
It looks like you found the right guys.

Good job.

 

[Riverfarm]

Some updates:

Finished the interior paint (two coats of Kilz, two coats of paint), heating/air conditioning unit in, as is all electricity.

Plug for compressor is outside the shop in the barn.

Floor is next. I have gotten a great deal of feedback on floor coating issues from some folks on this board. Thanks to all.

Once that is done, the small storage shop adjacent to the new shop gets rehabbed.

After that, I'll begin to organize the work space.

 

[Bull]

What are the details on the heater/AC unit? It looks similar to the Mitsubishi AC unit I have for the downstairs of my house.

 

[Riverfarm]

It is a SoleusAir unit. 15000BTU cooling, 14000BTU heating.

I'll augment with fans but the thought of being able to work in a relatively cool, bug free environment drove the extra cost of the unit.

I put a lot of insulation in...on the coldest days here in Jan/Feb, I was very comfortable at 58 degrees.

 

[Riverfarm]

Update:

Not quite "finished" with the interior (the picture show some boxes and old shelf units that will be removed), but I've been working in air conditioned splendor!

 

[slammedstepside]

I love what you've done with the place. Any updates?? It's been nearly a year!!

 

[Kevin54]

Now wait a minute, are the guys doing the concrete Amish?

We need some more details on the story of this barn and its transformation...and lots more pictures of the before and during!

We like the process and story as much as the finished product here on GJ

The Amish around here do it all. Very talented craftsman. What I don't understand with them though is that they need a driver to get where they are going, but will drive diesel equipment and will use electricity although most use a generator. If they drive diesel equipment, I wonder the reason for not driving diesel on the road?

I've watched them build a few huge pole barns around here and it is interesting. When they break for lunch, only one will eat lunch at a time. When he is done, he goes back to work, then another will take his lunch break. But in a matter of days they can have a large barn complete from start to finish.

What is this Amish guy holding up in his hand. I know it is probably a tool of some sort, but what kind of tool?

 

[smschriefer]

^^ Looks like a power trowel for concrete work.

 

[fastbroshi]

Yes it is. The round tubular part is a guide for the blades that are held parallel to the deck while they spin and scrape along the concrete.

 

[Riverfarm]

I'll post some more pictures soon. I borrowed heavily from many projects here...the year has flown by. It has been nice to work on equipment in a heated space this winter.

 

[JC23]

^^ Looks like a power trowel for concrete work.

Also known as an Italian Helicopter - haha

 

[Riverfarm]

The Amish around here do it all. Very talented craftsman. What I don't understand with them though is that they need a driver to get where they are going, but will drive diesel equipment and will use electricity although most use a generator. If they drive diesel equipment, I wonder the reason for not driving diesel on the road?

It is an interesting question. It took me a few years to get to know Harry, the lead Amish guy on the crew that did the work, to a point where I felt I could ask questions. So I did...he smokes as well, and they all drink a little bit.

Some answers here: http://www.amish-heartland.com/amish/page/faq

I bought all my fence boards from Amish mills run off diesel motors, the Italian Helicopter ran off a generator, as do all of their tools.

It is, as Harry said, a separation of direct work related use of electricity versus getting to the job site.

It gets even odder when you see horse drawn implements with gas motors powering pumps used for spraying fields.

My take? They make great neighbors and friends.