12x16 Phase1

[John Raabe]

Will everyone please notice... Glenn is getting up at 5:13 am at the start of a long series of workdays to answer questions for forum members before he leaves.

I couldn't (and don't) pay him enough to do this. He does it for free.

[Abbynrml]

Thats very interesting. More to think about.
Thank you Glenn for the advice!

[glenn kangiser]

My pleasure. 

I was just a bit upset when younger that it was likely our kids would never be able to afford their own houses so I just wanted to do as much as I could to help everybody beat their own little part of the system.

Thanks to the rest who contribute their time also.

...and thanks for a place to share ideas, John.

[Abbynrml]

Ok, heres the latest set of ideas/plans for my shed/cabin. Its a pole frame design that is set on precast piers. I think this will be the best combination of ideas for me.

[Abbynrml]

I got a bit more done today. Batter boards and strings set. rough post locations marked. A big tree limb was removed from overhead the site. And I got 6 of the precast piers onsite. Whew, I'm beat. But happy. 




A close up of the piers and my vast tool collection...
1 of the buckets is stuck on the concrete pier. If it does not come loose, I will have to cut it off. 5 came right off. so I can reuse them for the last set of 6 piers.

[Abbynrml]

I'd like to add this. Theres a tree that needs to come down. The top is dead.
I am going to have it sawn into 1x4s. I figure about 1500 board feet in this tree, enough to do the inside of the shed. All 100 yr old post oak. A local sawmill quoted me 50 cents a board foot.

[Ernest T. Bass]

I don't know about other places, but around here you can buy rough cut lumber for under 40 cents a foot, so 50 cents for your own tree sounds kinda high...

Also, I apologize to Glenn for missing an opportunity to cheer for him. Maybe we need to start a Glenn appreciation thread..

[Redoverfarm]

Local mills in this area usually charge $150 a thousand to saw. 

[Abbynrml]

I guess I need to shop around some more for a sawmill.
I got the other 6 piers poured and drying in the buckets right now.
Next trip they will go to the site.

[ScottA]

That's a pretty slick footing system you came up with. Did you reinforce the concrete with anything or just puor it in the bucket?

[Abbynrml]

I just poured it in. I thought of adding a rebar on the hook, but didnt.

[glenn kangiser]

I don't know about other places, but around here you can buy rough cut lumber for under 40 cents a foot, so 50 cents for your own tree sounds kinda high...

Also, I apologize to Glenn for missing an opportunity to cheer for him. Maybe we need to start a Glenn appreciation thread..

Gimme a break, Andrew.

I'm slowly depreciating....  there is no need...

[glenn kangiser]

Pricing on th e sawmill is probably a bit regional or even per operator.  Here our local one gets $1.00 per BF for his lumber - more than HD or Lowes.  He sold me logs at estimated .40 per bf to cut on my own mill.  I also would want $1 around here as I don't want to cut for others much.  I will let Whitlock use my saw.  He trades me work, and is familiar with that type of work as he ran a mill in the past,  but I don't trust many around it.

[Abbynrml]

Well the sawmill can wait awhile. I have a bunch to do before I worry about the inside.
I did get a fair deal today.
I got 7 nice storm windows and a lawnmower for $150.
2 small, 1 a bit bigger, 2 medium, and 2 bigger, all under 3 ft wide.

[glenn kangiser]

Ahhh -- great ... the pile of unnatural resources begins.

[Abbynrml]

I had planned on breaking ground today. However the weather did not agree.
50% chance of rain. So, I plan on going tomorrow.
Here is my footing/foundation layout plan. Does it look good?
I want to get the holes dug, rock packed in, and precast piers set in the holes.
I will fill the holes with the soil cement mix after I get the frame set in place.
I also decided I need to redo the string layout. I am going to swing the cabin to about 15 degree off of north. That will give me a more southeast view from the site.

[Abbynrml]

Well, guess I'm in trouble. I'm over budget and behind schedule.
Got the strings redone and set the 4 corner piers. Turned out to be a beautiful day.

[glenn kangiser]

That's still normal. 

[Abbynrml]

Another beautiful day. I got a bit more done. 
Only 3 more piers to set. Got the outline set up in pressure treated 2x6's.
Everything is square and almost dead level.

[glenn kangiser]

Will the crawlspace be a bit tight?

[Abbynrml]

No crawl space. Plan on gravel/crushed stone to fill then a soil cement floor.
Also think I will put landscape stone around the edge to give it a stone slab look.
At the lowest point it is 2 1/2" to the ground. 8 1/2" at the highest. Fill with the stone and pour the soil cement for the last 1 1/2". Using a jute mat as a barrier between the two. Allowing the stone to act as a french drain to carry water/rain away.
The piers will support the posts for the pole frame. So I will do the floor/slab after the roof is on.

[glenn kangiser]

Cool - an alternative floor.  I see we talked about alternatives a bit earlier.

We find the soil cement to be a bit soft  and chips a bit easily.  Maybe you could up the cement content a  little.  I'll be interested in your formula you use.  Thanks.

[Abbynrml]

I got a little bit more done today.
However, I'm afraid I broke a major rule.
I forgot the camera. 
Anyway got the last of the piers set.
Next time I need to drop that tree thats at the site.
Not much done today, but I did enjoy watching the birds, butterflies, and clouds.
I spent half the time there today just goofing off.

[glenn kangiser]

That's half the fun and an important part of it.

[Windpower]

After 58 1/2 years (and counting) I now think that just sitting and observing is sometimes the best that we can do

it can be remarkably productive

(this is usually understood after much time passes)