Not a ton of work but not bad for a day and a haft. It snowed like heck the first day and had to work to 8:30 at night to get the posts in a ready for the beams. I would scrape the building site and the snow made it white again in between scrapes. The top 4 inches was still frozen solid and took a pick axe to bust it out. The rest of the diging was easy. Did the beams the next day and was able to get home with the sun still shining! The first day had to use a head lamp to see to level the posts for concrete and dry packed them ready for water. I was real happy it measured out perfectly square even tho it was hard to see at night at the tail end. Going back Sunday to do the floor joists & plywood, the rest will be fun after that. Sure glad I had a trailer with some heat to sleep in that night! Was sore in the morning big time!! Mark
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/CABIN%20FOUNDATION2.jpg)
Good start Mark. I also like drypack -- things don't move around and the concrete sets up harder than the back of my head. d*
Quote from: glenn kangiser on March 27, 2008, 10:53:08 PM
Good start Mark. I also like drypack -- things don't move around and the concrete sets up harder than the back of my head. d*
It is real nice also cause you can set the posts with out braces, and put the beams on right away. They are firming up right now and will be ready for the floor. The 6x6 posts are sitting on 12 inch square pads 24 inches deep in the ground so nothing will settle. Mark
Looks good Mark. Nice spot.
Quote from: ScottA on March 27, 2008, 11:03:26 PM
Looks good Mark. Nice spot.
Thanks but I think I still need to cut out a few more Fir Trees to increase my view of the mountians and valley below. Mark
Looks like a good start, Mark.
Could you include little details of info like, pier spacing, beam sizes, etc? Lots of folks would lie to know that for their own future plans. Thanks
You have been on the ball Mark. I wouldn't worry aboout the view now and the other trees to fall. I'd wait until I get it up and you would have a better idea of which needs to go after your structure is up. Unless you are worried about fire hazzard being too close. Good Job.
Quote from: MountainDon on March 27, 2008, 11:29:46 PM
Looks like a good start, Mark.
Could you include little details of info like, pier spacing, beam sizes, etc? Lots of folks would lie to know that for their own future plans. Thanks
The pier posts are 6X6 pressure treated 60% approved for the use. They sit on a pad 24 inches deep and concreted up to 4 inches below grade. The ground slopes just enought to drain any water that could go by the cabin. No water drains from elsewhere to the cabin site, I only have to deal with what comes off of it. The pier posts are on 6 ft centers and the main floor will span 12 ft with 2X10s on 16 inch centers.
I modifed the plans again and shorten the porch to 12 ft long and moved the closet & bath room into the remainding 12 ft long space that was used for a porch. This gave me a 12X12 area for the kitchen/dining room. I am raising the roof over this 12x12 area 3 ft to give me 7 ft of head room in the loft instead of 6 ft.
The main beams on the posts are tripple 2x8s and I have 2-1/2" carrage bolts each going thru the post to hold them on and keep the beams tight. The 2x10s will sit on top of these. The darker wood is treated 2X8 for the 12X6 coverd porch.
I decided to add french glass doors out the back opening to a deck. That way there is a place to sit outside on both front and rear of the cabin. Soon as the ground thaws I will cut in my circle driveway and put down gravel. I am going back up Sunday to work for 3-4 days and should have all the framing done except the roof rafter.
This will be a big chunk of work to do but then I want to go right back up and finish the rafters, roof sheeting and get some protection from the rain. I will be taking a few pictures each day as it goes up. Mark
Looking twords the Southwest
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/CABIN%20FOUNDATION1.jpg)
This is a view to the Northwest.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/CABIN%20FOUNDATION3.jpg)
Quote from: Redoverfarm on March 28, 2008, 07:05:51 AM
You have been on the ball Mark. I wouldn't worry aboout the view now and the other trees to fall. I'd wait until I get it up and you would have a better idea of which needs to go after your structure is up. Unless you are worried about fire hazzard being too close. Good Job.
Fire is not the reason but I am keeping that in mind to develop a few fire breaks in the trees to slow down a run if it ever happen. I have one spot open right now it does not show well in this picture. I figure once things start going up during my breathing breaks I will look and flag the trees. I have a neibor up there who cuts fire wood for a living and probley have him fall them and cut them up. I will give him the fir trees for doing the work and clean up of the branches. Mark
Off to Chesaw again in the morning. I have 90% of all the framing wood on my flat bed trailer. Pretty good sized load but not coming home till it is all nailed up. Might take 3-4 days of hard work to do it but I love a challenge. I will take lots of pictures and hope it does not snow to much! I got a snow shovel just in case to keep the floor clear for building walls.
This way I can save fuel driving the 160 miles at 7-9 MPG loaded up with the trailer. I got back up regular nails in case my nail gun quits and 3 power saws. I just hope the generator works cause using the hand saw is a joke but I have one also. Need back ups do to how far I have to drive and I can't leave the materials there not nailed down. To many other people building around this area on very tight budgets! Mark
This is a Web Cam 10 miles from the cabin at about the same elevation . It shows me how the weather is. Drop in and peak once in a while and see what I am working in!
http://www.localsnow.org/sitzmark.htm
Cool -- git 'er done, Mark.
Mark I looked at the Web cam and it doesn't look that good at 8:30A. But workable unless it is worse on the ground. We had a Fish & Wildlife cam in Shepherdstown which was set on a Eagle nest. Watched the eggs from laying to hatch and then gone. Real cool. But sort of like watching wood dry. Took a long time.
You mean this one? :) One of my favorites.
http://www.fws.gov/nctc/cam/eaglecam.htm (http://www.fws.gov/nctc/cam/eaglecam.htm)
Here is my local one.
(http://www.jamesreserve.edu/%5B/url)
http://www.jamesreserve.edu/ (http://www.jamesreserve.edu/)
Boy 3 days and a wake up and I am BEAT!!! Nailed up 6,000 lbs of wood and my nail gun would not drive the framing nails!! It worked on the 8s so it did save me some work. I ended up raising the Loft to 7 ft head room and taking part of the front attic area for living space. This was the hardest project I have built in a LONG TIME and I am out of shape. Ran out of propane in the middle of the night when it was 8 degs outside. It was 22 degs in the trailer before I found a little bottle to run the camp stove with to warm it up to 50 degs. My shower when I got home felt great! Mark
Here is a link to more photos;
http://imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge
Front View
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/CABIN%20FRAME7.jpg)
Back View
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/CABIN%20FRAME9.jpg)
End View
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/CABIN%20FRAME10.jpg)
Quote from: Willy on April 02, 2008, 03:31:12 PM
Ran out of propane in the middle of the night when it was 8 degs outside. IN%20FRAME10.jpg[/img]
Been there, done that. The only thing worse is to run out of battery for the furnace blower, if that's what you have.
Good amount of work that you got done. :)
Too bad about the framing nails. Had it worked previously?
The link to more pictures doesn't work... it goes directly to image7 that is in the message already. But I figured out some of the others...
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/CABIN%20FRAME6.jpg)
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/CABIN%20FRAME1.jpg)
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/CABIN%20FRAME2.jpg)
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/CABIN%20FRAME3.jpg)
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/CABIN%20FRAME4.jpg)
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/CABIN%20FRAME5.jpg)
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/CABIN%20FRAME8.jpg)
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/CABIN%20FRAME11.jpg)
Wow! Awsome progress Mark. You're a one man framing crew. Looks great. :)
Quote from: ScottA on April 02, 2008, 04:32:51 PM
Wow! Awsome progress Mark. You're a one man framing crew. Looks great. :)
Thanks but I did bring a kid with me to hand me wood and go-fer stuff so I could cut and nail from 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM each night ending the day wit a head lamp to see! You can only do so many 13 hr plus days in a row working this way. Mark
Quote from: MountainDon on April 02, 2008, 03:58:26 PM
Quote from: Willy on April 02, 2008, 03:31:12 PM
Ran out of propane in the middle of the night when it was 8 degs outside. IN%20FRAME10.jpg[/img]
Been there, done that. The only thing worse is to run out of battery for the furnace blower, if that's what you have.
Good amount of work that you got done. :)
Too bad about the framing nails. Had it worked previously?
I tested it a few times on some wood but seems to lose power on the last 1/4 inch on the longest nails? I even jacked up the air to full pressure. Number 8s work great even at low power. It was a borrowed trailer and had a forsed air heater but we were useing a small portable to knock the chill off. With it getting down to 8 degs that night it was sorta a joke! I realy wanted to make a great start on it hoping that would be the last of the real heavy loads with the 1 ton. Gas is killing me pulling the steep grades with 10,000+ lb loads at 4-5 mpg
Fantastic progress Mark. You certainly know what you're doing and make full use of the time available. I really like the size and design of the cabin. I usually work on mine only 4-5hrs/day for 5 days before my body tells me it's time to go home and feed the cat. Ibuprofen is the magic pill for me. Will be a couple weeks yet before I head over for the first time. Just heard from my brother in WI that he'll be driving out to the cabin to visit for a few days and help with construction in late July. Probably will be working on building a porch by then, so the help will be useful. We'll also try a little trout fishing in the mountain lakes.
Keep up the good work and nice pics of the progress.
Steve
Quote from: Woodswalker on April 03, 2008, 12:42:47 PM
Fantastic progress Mark. You certainly know what you're doing and make full use of the time available. I really like the size and design of the cabin. I usually work on mine only 4-5hrs/day for 5 days before my body tells me it's time to go home and feed the cat. Ibuprofen is the magic pill for me. Will be a couple weeks yet before I head over for the first time. Just heard from my brother in WI that he'll be driving out to the cabin to visit for a few days and help with construction in late July. Probably will be working on building a porch by then, so the help will be useful. We'll also try a little trout fishing in the mountain lakes.
Keep up the good work and nice pics of the progress.
Steve
With me all the time needed to set up like the generator, compressor, cords, air lines, saws ect including the 3+ hr drive to get there and the time loading the trailer up with the right materials can burn up a day easy! I have to have it done by fire season so it won't mess with my USFS Wildland Fire Contract work. My body does not want to work that long but on the fires I do 16 hr days for 14 days in a row so it is getting me back in shape. Mark
Wow great progress and beautiful views.
Larry
Quote from: BiggKidd on April 04, 2008, 06:36:07 PM
Wow great progress and beautiful views.
Larry
Thanks just got back from the lumber yard. Trailer has the rest of the framing wood on it and leaving sunday or monday to wrap up that part. Looks like the foundation and framing will take only 7-8 days total to finish so it isn't even going to take a month to finish drying it in. I am going to have to figure something else to build now or add more to it?? Mark
Day 9 1/2 working on the cabin and the framing is done and ready for the roof rafters. The weather Gods were with me it was only cold. I put the rafters over the porch storage area cause I had them. The rest of the 2X10 rafters will go up on the next trip and be sheeted off complete. The project is coming along nice and won't be to long till it is dryed in.
Some More Pictures;
http://imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge
Rear View;
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/CABIN%20FRAMED6.jpg)
Front View;
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/CABIN%20FRAMED1.jpg)
Front View;
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/CABIN%20FRAMED2.jpg)
Rear View;
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/CABIN%20FRAMED5.jpg)
End View;
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/CABIN%20FRAMED7.jpg)
Looks like you are really getting with the program, Mark.
Way to go Mark [cool]. Looks like you chose the wrong profession years ago. Need a job.
Quote from: Redoverfarm on April 09, 2008, 09:33:39 PM
Way to go Mark [cool]. Looks like you chose the wrong profession years ago. Need a job.
Funny you say that but 38 years ago I tried to become a carpenter and had a real hard time getting things dropped on me and tring to keep up on the job with the other guys. That is when I figuredn I would try being a electrician instead.
Next thing I knew 38 years went by and I decided to retire from it and do as I please. The carpentry stuff is just a past time cause I can't afford to pay to have things built when I can sorta do it and it comes out square. I would hate to do this for a full time job my joints are to wore out now. Mark
Quote from: glenn kangiser on April 09, 2008, 09:25:37 PM
Looks like you are really getting with the program, Mark.
These little homes are fun to build! It seems I am on a roll now in getting it done. Sure would not want to build a 6,000 sq ft one! Mark
Mark,
Wow you realy knocked the framing out quick. [cool] Good Job! Wish I moved that fast. Looking good.
Larry
Quote from: BiggKidd on April 09, 2008, 10:43:43 PM
Mark,
Wow you realy knocked the framing out quick. [cool] Good Job! Wish I moved that fast. Looking good.
Larry
Thanks but my hands are paying for it right now. I have at least 10 cracks in them down to the meat from the cold weather and not wearing gloves working. I have them inside plastic gloves with super hand cream soaking into them right now. They will be OK in a couple days. I just haven't figured how to hamer nails and cut wood with gloves on yet?? Mark
I can't wear gloves either. Unsafe for lots of things. Hammers fly out of your hands etc,
A kid that worked with me was trying to keep his hands lily white but soon lost the gloves and said he saw why I didn't wear them.
Gloves are great for barbwire but not much use for anything else.
I can't run tools (skill saw hammer drill) with gloves either. But I wont even look at my chainsaw without a good pair on. Concrete blocks are hard on the hands too. So I guess I am just a wimp. ;)
Larry
Not a computer programmer are you, Larry? Executive type? ;D
There are lots of jobs where gloves a quite suited. Cutting wood, concrete bloc work are only two. I's add splitting and stacking firewood, any serious digging, and handling bulk lumber. Anytime I handle a winch cable I wear gloves. Ditto when moving, handling rocks on a 4x4 trail.
Probably more, but that's it for now.
With the evening gown when going to the policeman's ball. ::)
Oh, wait a minute... policemen no longer have balls.
Hey Mark what did you find out on the air nailer? Hope you got another one or at least a spare to take up this weekend.
Quote from: Redoverfarm on April 18, 2008, 09:32:50 PM
Hey Mark what did you find out on the air nailer? Hope you got another one or at least a spare to take up this weekend.
It is working great for #8s on the plywood so I have been just nailing the rest of the 2/bys with my hamer. Seems like it is easier anyways then tring to hold that nailer up to do walls with. Now for the plywood I love it! Mark
What diameter hose are you running? If it is too big, it won't give the proper drive. In NH, we would get frozen hoses, they sell a special gun oil that is antifreeze to keep things working. I can't stand gloves either, unless the temp is below 25 or so. Once it gets colder than that, I can't do without them. I keep two pair of the rubber coated thinsulate gloves. One on my hands, the other inside my clothes at my chest to keep them warm. When the pair I'm wearing get cold, I switch. Nothing beats a good burn barrel though, just the thing for those days when it is -30 with the windchill, and you really need to warm up for a few minutes. Don't worry about running out of work there Willy, the other 90% of building is yet to come! :)
Quote from: hobbiest on April 19, 2008, 10:35:52 PM
What diameter hose are you running? If it is too big, it won't give the proper drive. In NH, we would get frozen hoses, they sell a special gun oil that is antifreeze to keep things working. I can't stand gloves either, unless the temp is below 25 or so. Once it gets colder than that, I can't do without them. I keep two pair of the rubber coated thinsulate gloves. One on my hands, the other inside my clothes at my chest to keep them warm. When the pair I'm wearing get cold, I switch. Nothing beats a good burn barrel though, just the thing for those days when it is -30 with the windchill, and you really need to warm up for a few minutes. Don't worry about running out of work there Willy, the other 90% of building is yet to come! :)
The other 90% will be for some one else to do, at least the inside part. I am running a 3/8" hose on my air gun. Mark
Got the carport/patio done today. It was a long 13 hours including the 165 mile round trip! So now I am at day 14 on the cabin and I am ready for siding on the next trip up. Took my camera up this time no real snow except a dusting in the morning but it was in the 20s!! Mark
Front view;
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/CABINA2.jpg)
Rear view but I still have the deck to put on after the siding is up.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/CABINA3.jpg)
Great progress Mark. What do you eat for breakfast? Going to have to get me some to get the get the drive you have in building.
Good job Mark. You must have changed it again. I thought it was a shed roof design. Looks sturdy.
Quote from: glenn kangiser on April 13, 2008, 11:15:37 AM
Not a computer programmer are you, Larry? Executive type? ;D
HAHA,
Me an exec. or programer no way. Nope I just work with my hands for a living. They stay about like 80 grit most of the year. I know just how he feels with the cracked hand too. That gets a bit sore happens to me a couple times a year.
Larry
Mark,
You are quick. Must be eating super wheaties. Your cabin looks great so far. You have gotten a lot done in 14 work days. WOW
Larry
Well - Drew is and we need to feel sorry for his hands and wrists, but he has the stick to-it-iveness of hot tar and we have to give him credit for being a real trooper. :)
Quote from: ScottA on April 20, 2008, 09:37:32 AM
Good job Mark. You must have changed it again. I thought it was a shed roof design. Looks sturdy.
It was a shed roof design and guess you could say it still is with modifications. The area that has the porch covering is the same with a shed roof on the living side and shed roof on the porch side. All the rafters sit on top of the walls but since it has 2 angles it looks like a regular truss or roof design. The loft end I got rid of 12 ft. of the porch and turned it into living space. I also raised the loft roof up for more head room and removing the porch made it 18 ft wide in this end. Yes it has gone thru changes as I built it different than the plans. Heck as it goes up I could see things that would make it a better design so I just did it. The carport/patio part I had to draw up and pay a extra $75.00 in permit fees! I got over so to speak on the rest of the changes. No inspector has been to the site and he will only show up when it is dried in? Mark
Quote from: Redoverfarm on April 20, 2008, 07:24:42 AM
Great progress Mark. What do you eat for breakfast? Going to have to get me some to get the get the drive you have in building.
Well 2 pecies of toast and 3 cups of coffie by the time I get to work thats it. I cheated yesterday I left at 6:45AM and worked till 7:30PM with out a break or eating again. It was supposed to snow storm on us so I had to keep going. Ended up being a nice day except for the 20 deg temps! I just need to get my helper to pound nails!! He is great at getting me my wood and making some cuts but I have to nail off everything? Mark
Just looked at the Web Cam View and I am sure glad I got the patio area done yesterday and came back home. It is snowing like crazy up there now and ice is on the camera lense. Mark
(http://www.fsvisimages.com/images/photos-main/pasa1.jpg)
Another 1 1/2 days and most of the siding is up. Boy was the weather lousey the second day!! It snowed then turned to wet snow and haft rain/snow the rest of the day. It is a drag doing sofets under the eaves with water running down your neck. Putting the siding up under the eaves is no better but we still got it done. Could not go up on the roof due to it being slipery so it is saved when I go back to do trim. Sure got dark inside real quick when the siding was installed. I will need to bring lights with me now to work inside. Mark
Got some rain on the lense!
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/SIDING4.jpg)
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/SIDING2.jpg)
This end was a pain working off a extention ladder to hang & nail it off.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/SIDING3.jpg)
Hey Mark your a work horse :) Looks good and pretty country to.
Working under a eve in the weather really stinks. I used to carry some drip edge on the truck if I thought I would be under a eve in the rain. Flip it over and work it under the first row of shingles and run it past the rake edge on a angle. it would help a lot. Looks like you have felt that might be harder don't want the wind to get a edge.
Mike
PS Been wanting to ask you mentioned in one of your posts 3 dogs= 500LBS? you crossing them with those funny looking Cows :)? Hope ones not a chihuahua? You feed them bears, maybe inspectors?
Quote from: mvk on April 24, 2008, 03:48:51 AM
Hey Mark your a work horse :) Looks good and pretty country to.
Working under a eve in the weather really stinks. I used to carry some drip edge on the truck if I thought I would be under a eve in the rain. Flip it over and work it under the first row of shingles and run it past the rake edge on a angle. it would help a lot. Looks like you have felt that might be harder don't want the wind to get a edge.
Mike
PS Been wanting to ask you mentioned in one of your posts 3 dogs= 500LBS? you crossing them with those funny looking Cows :)? Hope ones not a chihuahua? You feed them bears, maybe inspectors?
They are Newfoundland 2 at 150 lbs and one allmost 200 that one is heavier than the standard!
Funny you mention the drip edge cause a guy told me yesterday he carries a short rain gutter with him to do the same thing. It allows the water to run off to the side instead of down your neck. He just moves it as he works. Wish I had known this sooner but not finished yet with 2 sofets, still could get some use out of one. Mark
try running a 1/4 inch hose. that might take care of your problems. 3/8 is good for a lead hose, to have multiples coming off of...if your compressor can handle the delivery. 1/4 is better for single tasks. Good job, and lucky you with the interior farming out. Of course, the finish is the fun part (after drywall)!
Quote from: hobbiest on April 25, 2008, 11:44:10 PM
try running a 1/4 inch hose. that might take care of your problems. 3/8 is good for a lead hose, to have multiples coming off of...if your compressor can handle the delivery. 1/4 is better for single tasks. Good job, and lucky you with the interior farming out. Of course, the finish is the fun part (after drywall)!
I do have 2 tanks on my set up. I keep them both at 125 PSI and regulate the output down to what the nail gun does best at. This way with 12 gals of air the compressor turns on way before I get low on pressure. I am leaving the insides for the next owner to do. This way they can have it the way they want it fancy or plain jane. This cabin is being sold when I get the outside done. I will rock the bath room and closet wall so the inside doors will give some privetcy. The stairs to the loft will be complete except staining. It will be wired complete for a generator/solar but not hooked to the grid because power is a few miles away at this point. Mark
It took a day and a haft but it is ready for painting now. I will stain the deck, stairs and railings after the paint is on. The roof will be blue metal and have 6" wide flashings over the end edges. Drip edges will be on the eve edge. Over 600 ft of cedar trim to do the cabin including the 1x8 on the eves. Once I cut in the doors and windows I will put up there trim pre painted. Mark
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/DONE5.jpg)
Back view with deck frame.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/DONE3.jpg)
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/DONE2.jpg)
End view.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/DONE1.jpg)
Neibors Small Cabin he is building next door.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/DONE13.jpg)
Looking good, Willy! You've accomplished a lot in record time!
Looks great Mark. You know you are making us slower builders look bad. d*
Quote from: ScottA on May 01, 2008, 12:17:12 PM
Looks great Mark. You know you are making us slower builders look bad. d*
Thanks I just have a deadline to meet building it. Got the base paint on today!! Mark
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/PAINT8.jpg)
Got the Porch, Deck & Railings done I used a Rhino Decking material lifetime no maintanence (Barn Grey color) and 2x6 fir on the railings attached to treated 6x6s & 4x8s posts. I primed and painted all wood twice to protect it. Nice not having to worry about staining or dirt messing up the finish on the deck boards. I still have to build my stairs but this is a nice chunk done this week end. Day #20 on the cabin and the roof goes on next week. Mark
There is a small area to put flowers on the front of deck in front of the railing
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/DECK7.jpg)
I left a edge for flower pots on the end of the back deck also
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/DECK5.jpg)
Well,
you did ask at several points for comments. And i will qualify mine by saying that my expectations of a cabin derive from a completelty different paradigm to yours.
However. Where are the windows? And I did not notice ANY noggins on the framing - or for that matter diagonal bracing against wind. Or plumbing for sewerage and the like, but like I said. Maybe I have missed something.
Other than that, it looks good and very well made.
Robbo
Quote from: Robbo on May 05, 2008, 04:52:10 AM
Well,
you did ask at several points for comments. And i will qualify mine by saying that my expectations of a cabin derive from a completelty different paradigm to yours.
However. Where are the windows? And I did not notice ANY noggins on the framing - or for that matter diagonal bracing against wind. Or plumbing for sewerage and the like, but like I said. Maybe I have missed something.
Other than that, it looks good and very well made.
Robbo
Well, other than the fact it is not finished yet. I am not putting plumbing into it nor sewage disposal because it is a cabin and does not have a well, or septic system. It will be wired for a generator but I have not put the wiring in yet because I don't want it to get wet. I want to finish the roof metal first to totaly dry it in.
It will have 5 windows a sliding glass door and a entry door in the hole that were framed into the building. I have not cut out the plywood for them till the windows get here. Not sure what a "Noggin is but the OSB sheating is approved for the diagonal bracing. I have steel huricane tie downs on every attachment point of ALL the roof rafters, the beams are bolted to the pier posts and the siding and floor joists are nailed to the beams, floor rim joists, loft rim joist and all top plates as a unit. Every 4 ft there is a block put between the rafters to stop twisting under load
Here is a link to the other pictures and you can see how it is built in them.
http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge
You can see the holes for the windows in this picture.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/CABIN%20FRAMED5.jpg)
Hi there,
Your cabin is looking great. It's inspiring. Thanks for sharing it here.
I hope you don't mind a few questions. I'll try to explain myself a bit first. I'm from the Coeur d'Alene area and I've been looking all over eastern WA and north Idaho for land to build on and I have noticed the relatively cheap land prices in Okanogan county. Somewhere, as soon as I can find the right land, I'd like to build a variation on John's Builder's Cottage and start out with water catchment, a sawdust toilet, and a simple branched drain for greywater. This would be a year round residence. Trouble is those alternative systems are not well liked by any of the county offices I've called (2 in N. Idaho and 1 in E. WA). Simple living is apparently illegal these days.
I noticed your comment about having to pay a bit more in permits for changes that you were making along the way and I was wondering if you would comment on your experience getting a permit in Okanogan county. Sounds pretty relaxed compared with what I've been encountering. I'm particularly curious about how they responded to you not having conventional septic and plumbing.
I don't want to hijack this thread by any means, but if anyone else has any comments on this sort of thing, I'd love to hear them.
I must admit I'm pretty frustrated myself. Feels as though a person isn't really free in this country anymore. Land of the bureaucrat and home of the debtors.
-Eric
I didn't realize that was my first post. I've been reading this forum for so many years. It's a great forum. Thanks all.
And Hi, I'm Eric.
w* Eric
All you have to do is ask and someone has " been there done that" or will be willing to lend a hand or should I say and ear and idea. Wouldn't wory too much about highjacking as the post eventually get back to the subject at hand and m
ost of the times they are relavent anyways. Again w*
John
Glad you finally spoke up, Eric. Welcome to the forum. :)
You just realized we aren't free here. Freedom here is an illusion of the past that most want to believe in and they will not look at what the criminals holding office have done to the freedom sought after and provided for us by our founding fathers.
That's how you hijack a thread Eric. See that didn't hurt did it? ;D
Quote from: glenn kangiser on May 06, 2008, 01:55:33 AM
That's how you hijack a thread Eric. See that didn't hurt did it? ;D
Beginner's luck??? ;) Welcome Eric. Not much better as far as permits here in Minnesota. Up on our up-north land (by Lake Vermillion-Boundry Waters), there is a county wide permitting system. Most septic is done by mound system. Gets pricey fast. They do allow holding tanks, but then you have to meter the water run to the house, and pump accordingly. Don't know what they would say for grey water systems.
We mey go the composting route, as the property is more a get-away than a year-round proposition.
Quote from: eric on May 05, 2008, 07:11:31 PM
I noticed your comment about having to pay a bit more in permits for changes that you were making along the way and I was wondering if you would comment on your experience getting a permit in Okanogan county. Sounds pretty relaxed compared with what I've been encountering. I'm particularly curious about how they responded to you not having conventional septic and plumbing.
I don't want to hijack this thread by any means, but if anyone else has any comments on this sort of thing, I'd love to hear them.
I must admit I'm pretty frustrated myself. Feels as though a person isn't really free in this country anymore. Land of the bureaucrat and home of the debtors.
-Eric
Well it is what they call a 60 Day Resort Cabin Permit and you can do all kinds of different stuff than a regular home. You still have to build to code but can leave things out also and still get signed off. I have no real problems ever dealing with Okanogan County and have built many buildings so far. Most just using a Agruculter Building Permit and $20.00 with out any inspection at all or plans. You just need to tell them where it is going (site plan) and a foot print design. Once you want to build a home to live in it all changes!! Mark
Got the steps done for the porch and back deck today. I just got off the phone with the inspector and I can get away with just a gaurd for the hand rail next to the steps. So I don't have to build all that 4" gap stuff and code hand rails! It is the 3 step rule and not over 30 inches up for the steps. Wonders what a little dirt will do to save big bucks on Code Hand Rails! I have over $1,000.00 into the deck and porch Rhino Planks all ready but they sure look nice and easy to clean off. Mark
Front Porch Steps picture taken from the roof above;
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/STEPS2.jpg)
Back Deck Steps;
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/STEPS4.jpg)
View from roof of Back Deck;
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/STEPS1.jpg)
Rear Deck
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/STEPS3.jpg)
Front Porch
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/STEPS6.jpg)
It's all looking just great, Mark!!
Thanks for the replies, all.
Those porches are looking really good, nice job Mark.
Looking good mark and taking shape. Now if someone would invent the substructural timbers to set the Rhino on then it would be great. You have got this great product and have to atach them to PT lumber. I am going to try something different for my garage appartment. I used 6" galvanized guardrail post that are cantelevered and I will either attach a composite plate or attach the flooring from the underneath side on the flange of the I beams
Quote from: Redoverfarm on May 07, 2008, 02:41:23 PM
Now if someone would invent the substructural timbers to set the Rhino on then it would be great.
Already done.
Steel or Aluminum ;D ;D ;D
Mark
I like your railing detail for your back deck, great job. nice and clean. I've never worked with that Rhino stuff but I did a ton of decks, treated, ceder, redwood. I would of mitered it and it would have opened up eventually. I have done splines, blind splines even tried to do a dovetail spline once.
Peg you have any tricks? Anybody else?
Mike
Oh yeah the rest of the place looks great.
Quote from: mvk on May 07, 2008, 04:56:50 PM
Mark
I like your railing detail for your back deck, great job. nice and clean. I've never worked with that Rhino stuff but I did a ton of decks, treated, ceder, redwood. I would of mitered it and it would have opened up eventually. I have done splines, blind splines even tried to do a dovetail spline once.
Peg you have any tricks? Anybody else?
Mike
Oh yeah the rest of the place looks great.
Thanks, the railings are fir and I thought about mitering them but snow is going to be sitting on them in the winter and long hot dry days in the summer. I keep seeing mitered corners opening up and cracking later. I wanted maxium wood on the ends that is why I extended the rails out past the posts. To expand the deck larger later it would not be hard to remove a rail section and just continiou on with it also. The Rhino Deck is nice to work with unless you need to rip a long section then a special blade may help. You need a straite edge to make long cuts but a regular miter saw is a breeze on cutting the ends square. I like no knots, splinters or cracks on any plank. Mark
Quote from: Redoverfarm on May 07, 2008, 02:41:23 PM
Looking good mark and taking shape. Now if someone would invent the substructural timbers to set the Rhino on then it would be great. You have got this great product and have to atach them to PT lumber. I am going to try something different for my garage appartment. I used 6" galvanized guardrail post that are cantelevered and I will either attach a composite plate or attach the flooring from the underneath side on the flange of the I beams
I did do a lot of painting under the deck first that the rhino is screwed to. I did not want bare wood to show anyhwere even if you layed on your back and looked up! They make railing, posts ect in the rhino line but it is big bucks to buy!! It is not rated for structial load use tho and that is where the other wood is needed. Mark
Very nice work, Mark! Someone's gonna get a nice get-a-way cabin :)
Mark,
Your cabin must be a record setter by now and looks super too. You have really done a job getting it all built so fast.
Larry
I wired the cabin today. All I need to do is cut in the outside lights and hook a generator to the feed. I also finished the driveway and cleared the land of weeds and grass to level dirt all the way around. Still waiting for my windows and roof metal. I guess I could go up and bolt in the stairs but sure would like to make it worth while for the drive! Mark
I graded around the cabin for fire reason. It tends to slow down grass fire.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/GRADED.jpg)
Finished the roof, stairs and electrical today. It was allmost 90 degs the last 2 days working on it!! It was so hot the metal would burn you. I got my doors and windows in so I will go back tomorrow to finish the cabin. I hooked up the generator to the feed and tested everything. It all worked 15 lights and 18 plugs total on 6 circuits. Mark
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/ROOF7.jpg)
I forgot to bring the hand railing so it goes up tomorrow
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/ROOF4.jpg)
This is the storage area above the porch. It is 6' x 12' in size
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/ROOF6.jpg)
This is part of the loft area. It shows the access to the porch storage and a 6x12 closet room that is next to the 12x12 bed room.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/ROOF5.jpg)
This one of the 3 matching outside lights. One on each deck and one in the carport area
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/ROOF2.jpg)
Mark I take it that the storage is not insulated or is it. Also what kind of a price did you have to give for your lights. I got 4 the other day for my cabin. Rubbed Bronze colored similar to yours.
Quote from: Redoverfarm on May 16, 2008, 09:09:26 PM
Mark I take it that the storage is not insulated or is it. Also what kind of a price did you have to give for your lights. I got 4 the other day for my cabin. Rubbed Bronze colored similar to yours.
Home Depot $29.99 each for the outside lights. The porch storage could be insulated but it realy was not intended to be. The roof, walls and floor joists are only 2x6s in that area only. The rest of the roofs are 2x10s for code insulation values. Mark
Hi Willy, I have a question, ok 2 questions. Please excuse me I'm construction terminology challenged.
1 Way back when you first posted pictures of the post and piers. I noticed that the beams were in 2 pieces. The beams appear to be bolted to the piers through a metal dumoflagy. Each dumoflagy has a bolt hole in the center by which to accomplish this. Each center pier supports the butted up ends of two beams. What doesn't show, and what I would like to know is how did you bolt the dumoflagy to the two butted up ends of the 1/2 length beams?
2 Did you drill any holes in the floor joists to run electrical or plumbing, and if you did, when did you drill them, before or after you put the floor frame together?
Patience with the beginner, please.
Quote from: considerations on May 17, 2008, 11:06:12 AM
Hi Willy, I have a question, ok 2 questions. Please excuse me I'm construction terminology challenged.
1 Way back when you first posted pictures of the post and piers. I noticed that the beams were in 2 pieces. The beams appear to be bolted to the piers through a metal dumoflagy. Each dumoflagy has a bolt hole in the center by which to accomplish this. Each center pier supports the butted up ends of two beams. What doesn't show, and what I would like to know is how did you bolt the dumoflagy to the two butted up ends of the 1/2 length beams?
2 Did you drill any holes in the floor joists to run electrical or plumbing, and if you did, when did you drill them, before or after you put the floor frame together?
Patience with the beginner, please.
Each beam is 3 - 2x8s on 6 ft centers sitting on top of 6x6 posts. The beams are bolted to the posts with 2 -1/2" bolts and no metal brackets. I cut a section out of the post for the beam to sit on and left some wood to bolt thru. The building inspector approved this method of doing it. The floor joists are nailed to the beams with 20P Gavinised nails. The beams are stagered 12 ft long so there is full length 2x8 crosing iach post minium. I started with 2-12' boards on the first row and then a 6' board followed by a 12 ' and then a 6' board. The third row is 2=12' boards again. Each joint has a 1/2" bolt thru it. Mark
Got some doors and windows in today but still waiting for 3 more windows and the sliding glass door. The total sq footage is 792 sq ft including the storage area and car port. The rear deck and front porch is another 192 sq ft of space. This all adds up to 984 sq ft. total. Mark
More Photos;
http://imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge
I have the cabin pluged into the generator. This makes it look more like a finished cabin now
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/cabinproperty/large/DOORS2.jpg)
Part of the living room. The wall is 12' tall on this side
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/cabinproperty/large/DOORS13.jpg)
Another close up of the porch
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/cabinproperty/large/DOORS3.jpg)
The railing is now on the stairs to the loft. It lookd close to the steps but it isn't the angle makes it fit this way
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/DOORS6.jpg)
This is the bathroom and closet goors I put in along with some sheet rock to close off the rooms
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/cabinproperty/large/DOORS7.jpg)
Good to see your progress. The layout sure looks like it's going to provide the maximum amount of living space per square footage, and even has storage. I like your light fixtures too.
The stair posts are attractive and give me a hint of your details to come.
I'll look forward to seeing it when you get more windows installed.
Christina
Great progree on your home. I really enjoy the interior updates photos.
I was just wondering about a picture of the stair to the loft that you posted today. It is the second to the last. How are you going to support the corner of the landing (to the right of the stairs as you go up)? Just curious what your finished plans are!
Please, keep the great pictures and updates coming!!
Amy
Quote from: AAA-DAY on May 18, 2008, 01:46:04 PM
Great progree on your home. I really enjoy the interior updates photos.
I was just wondering about a picture of the stair to the loft that you posted today. It is the second to the last. How are you going to support the corner of the landing (to the right of the stairs as you go up)? Just curious what your finished plans are!
Please, keep the great pictures and updates coming!!
Amy
That loft floor is made of 2x10s and that small section is cantalevered. It has a 4x4 holding the stairs weight and that section up some what. But that section is only 4 ft square with 10 ft long floor joist and 4 ft is sticking out. So to say it another way the 2x10 joist you see in the picture goes all the way to the outside of the building and is supported by a wall below and the outside wall also, only 4 ft is unsupported. The stairs are bolted to the end and on the side wall and joist going full length accross the building. On the bottom of the post and stair bottoms they are laged thru the floor right next to the floor joists under the building. Mark
Quote from: CWhite on May 18, 2008, 10:54:06 AM
Good to see your progress. The layout sure looks like it's going to provide the maximum amount of living space per square footage, and even has storage. I like your light fixtures too.
The stair posts are attractive and give me a hint of your details to come.
I'll look forward to seeing it when you get more windows installed.
Christina
Thanks, The bathroom area is large enought for a sink, tub/shower and linen stuff. Storage is very important in a small cabin. A closet just coming into the house is nice for all the junk you need to wear outside when it is cold out! I hated to see the large space above the porch wasted so I put plywood on the floor before the roof rafters went on. Not a lot of head room so I put a gaurded light fixture in there, also for fire reasons if it was left on keeping the bulb protected in a heavy glass globe and steel gaurd. Mark
Coming right along. :) How are those stairs to climb? Is the covered area outside for a car?
Quote from: ScottA on May 19, 2008, 07:36:14 AM
Coming right along. :) How are those stairs to climb? Is the covered area outside for a car?
With out a railing the stais are hard to go up, little scary. With the railing on now there not bad like going up a ladder with bigger places to put your feet. The covered area is realy not for a car but could be used for a small one being 12 ft deep. I figured it would be good for ATVs, BBQs, tools, snow mobil, tractor ect but it also is where the generator is wired for hookup to. Mark
A second hand rail along the wall might improve things on the stairs. I'm going to put rails on both sides of mine. I thought that looked a little small for a carport. Should work great for the stuff you mentioned though. Nice to have a covered storage outside.
Quote from: ScottA on May 19, 2008, 01:27:42 PM
A second hand rail along the wall might improve things on the stairs. I'm going to put rails on both sides of mine. I thought that looked a little small for a carport. Should work great for the stuff you mentioned though. Nice to have a covered storage outside.
I will see if another hand rail will help Wednesday & Thursday when I am back at the cabin. My framing & final inspection is on Thursday so that is D-Day for me! I will have the last 3 windows and sliding glass door installed Wednesday and BBQ time that night and the next day waiting for him. Re/painting the front door and 2 interior doors with molding completes my last part of the project. It was listed today to be sold so I will soon know how my idea doing one each year works out?? Mark
WOW I PASSED INSPECTION with out a problem!! I even got my FINEL signed off today. The inspector liked the cabin. Got all windows in along with the sliding glass door which was very heavy to getup on the deck! Oh by the way the cabin that was being built next to me got busted! He did not get a permit and the inspector saw it. He Red Taged it and it could cost him double permit fees now and a $1,000.00 a day fine if he does any more work on it till he gets one! Glad I got a permit for mine it was not that big a deal to do it right. Mark
Here are a few pictures of the cabin finished now.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/cabinproperty/large/FINISHED1.jpg)
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/cabinproperty/large/FINISHED4.jpg)
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/cabinproperty/large/FINISHED8.jpg)
Quote from: ScottA on May 19, 2008, 01:27:42 PM
A second hand rail along the wall might improve things on the stairs. I'm going to put rails on both sides of mine. I thought that looked a little small for a carport. Should work great for the stuff you mentioned though. Nice to have a covered storage outside.
Talked to the inspector about the hand railing. He told me I did not even need the one I had because it was a ladder instead of stairs. Mark
Very nice job - someone is going to get themselves a unique, well-built cabin - you got it done amazingly fast! Congratulations on passing inspection & getting the final!
Looks great Mark. I think the rail was still a good idea.
Quote from: glenn kangiser on May 23, 2008, 12:55:19 AM
Looks great Mark. I think the rail was still a good idea.
I will probley put it in even if they don't care. I find it would be nice to have 2 to hang onto when going up. It gives you a couple places to pull on at the same time. Mark
Quote from: Sassy on May 23, 2008, 12:47:05 AM
Very nice job - someone is going to get themselves a unique, well-built cabin - you got it done amazingly fast! Congratulations on passing inspection & getting the final!
Thanks I hope they enjoy it and keep it nice. I learned that if you do your own electrical on a home you can't sell it for 2 years!! Glad I did not need a permit or they just over looked it due to a generator feeding the building. I will have to remember that on the next one. Mark
I was out at the cabin today showing it to the people from Canada. They like the cabin and sound promasing to me. As we were walking around I took a picture of a area I have not seen on the place. I spent 99% of my time building the cabin instead. Kind of a nice spot for another cabin! Mark
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/cabinproperty/large/MEDOW1.jpg)
It's amazing how many cool places there can be when you have some wooded acreage.
I love your place. I have an offer on 21 ac to the east of you (Colville, WA) and would love to ask you a TON of questions. This series of posts is what brought me back to active vs lurking. Thanks again!
What was your total cost?
Craig
soomb w*
Just thought I would let you know that Mark has been working fighting Forrest Fires in WA so it may be a while before he checks back in. But while you are here look around. A lot of interesting builds at the present and past.
John
John,
Thanks for the heads up. How far is your place from Winchester VA? or Berkeley Springs, WV? I used to live out that way.. loved it!
Craig
I hate to hijack Marks thread so I sent you a PM.
Yo Craig, welcome to the landed gentry of N-central WA. I am just finishing up building a cabin on 20 acres overlooking the L. Curlew Valley, about 40 miles from your place. Haven't tallied the final figure yet, but estimate it will come in at around $25-$30/sq.ft. Bought most materials here in the Olympia area and transported them over. Posted a thread here about the process a while back that has some tips on ways to save $'s.
Lots of mule and white-tail deer in my area, as well as bears, cougars, coyotes, wild turkeys, and a variety of other wildlife. Imagine you have about the same there.
Lots of great ideas, plans, and info on this site that should be of great value to you as you plan and build. Wish I had found the site BEFORE building, rather than partially through.
Steve
Quote from: Willy on March 27, 2008, 10:46:24 PM
Not a ton of work but not bad for a day and a haft. It snowed like heck the first day and had to work to 8:30 at night to get the posts in a ready for the beams. I would scrape the building site and the snow made it white again in between scrapes. The top 4 inches was still frozen solid and took a pick axe to bust it out. The rest of the diging was easy. Did the beams the next day and was able to get home with the sun still shining! The first day had to use a head lamp to see to level the posts for concrete and dry packed them ready for water. I was real happy it measured out perfectly square even tho it was hard to see at night at the tail end. Going back Sunday to do the floor joists & plywood, the rest will be fun after that. Sure glad I had a trailer with some heat to sleep in that night! Was sore in the morning big time!! Mark
(http://photos.imageevent.com/willy/pontiacridge/CABIN%20FOUNDATION2.jpg)
Can I get an explanation of dry pack? ???
When putting posts in the ground with wet concrete they will want to fall over. When the posts are put in with dry concrete mix - cement- sand and gravel, they can be tamped into place. I like to throw a cup or so of water in to assure that the concrete will cure but I don't make it all wet.
Some say concrete should be mixed with the proper amount of water for maximum strength, but I find the dry pack method with added water to work quite well and extra support of posts to keep them lined up is not necessary.
The concrete will all harden eventually. Adding the water will insure it does soon
Quote from: glenn kangiser on September 05, 2008, 01:51:51 AM
When putting posts in the ground with wet concrete they will want to fall over. When the posts are put in with dry concrete mix - cement- sand and gravel, they can be tamped into place. I like to throw a cup or so of water in to assure that the concrete will cure but I don't make it all wet.
Some say concrete should be mixed with the proper amount of water for maximum strength, but I find the dry pack method with added water to work quite well and extra support of posts to keep them lined up is not necessary.
The concrete will all harden eventually. Adding the water will insure it does soon
1st: we are up way too late.
2nd: to clarify this d* Do you pack and tamp the posts with a fully dry mix and then add water once you have reached the "top"? Or are you adding just enough as you go to keep it "chunky" with out getting the "oatmeal" mix?
I burned out --- hit the sack --- d*
I like to put a bit of water - maybe a couple cups - dry cement mix -- tamp it with a shovel handle - a bit more water and mix - tamp - continue but not really getting enough water in to make it liquid. Packed rather dry and tamped as you go- the post will be firm enough to work with soon.
I did this last installing gate automatic openers. I didn't use the opener for a few days though so that the concrete could harden, and it did harden.
Thanks for the clarification! Now I just need: the land, the plans, the time, the money, and the skills. Short list!(5 items) I'm all set ;D
There you go -- we're waiting. :)
Keep it simple go for one item at a time. You can take money off the list. No money is used in the construction of my cabin. Only lumber, nails, concrete, shingles, felt, etc.
Anyone heard from Mark (Willy)?
not a peep
If Willy can be found I would be interested in knowing what the snow accumilations are like on Pontiac Ridge. I have a cabin north of him on Cow Camp. I am a caosty and want to head that way soon. Any info would be great.
check out what I posted on your thread...
http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=6985.0