Now that I have my absolute overkill pressure treated 6" x 12" pressure treated skids for my planned 1-story w/small loft 12' x 12' shed/cabin, I'm getting close to starting actual construction. The person who sold me one of the skids mentioned that he used to move buildings and recommended notching across the top of the skid for the joist instead of just resting on top. Other than this being fairly time-consuming, it sounds like an interesting concept and sounds like it would really beef up the connection for a building that will probably end up being moved/dragged at some point. Since I'm trying to low-buck this, so I ended up buying from different people to assemble materials and not everything is going to match perfectly or be super-pretty.
I figure I'd cut to a depth of around 2-1/4" across the skid, which is about the max depth of the Skilsaw I have. My thought would be to cut the outer ones a little loose, then lay in the joists, square the thing, then fasten with something along the lines of a Simpson H-clip. After that, (I'd try to!) cut the rest of the notches tight & square. The plan is to put the skids at 10' centers, leaving roughly 9" of joist overhang on each side.
Pros? Strong connection, lower height & more stability for moving, Can compensate for different skid heights and lousy surfaces typical of PT wood...
Cons? Time consuming, Am I overthinking?...
Thoughts anyone?
Less room underneath - could go pro or con or indifferent.
How about toenailing through the joist and into the side of the notch with 40d or 60d spikes - possibly predrill to prevent splitting if the joists are on the dry side.
Quote from: glenn kangiser on October 07, 2010, 07:33:07 PM
Less room underneath - could go pro or con or indifferent.
How about toenailing through the joist and into the side of the notch with 40d or 60d spikes - possibly predrill to prevent splitting if the joists are on the dry side.
Less room underneath I can add lift kit later ;D
Toenailing Would starting with the H-clips to square it on the outer end joists to locate and square things, then pilot drill for the rest of them be a good plan? Would I want 2 nails per joist end, one from each side, into the skid?
I think that sounds like a good plan to me. I'm just making this up as I go along though and thinking about what you will be working with.
If you notch them that deep into the skids then they just need something to hold everything together. I'd go for the 60d's myself.
I would space them apart a bit too - maybe at 1/4 of the way in from each side or so but opposite sides.