Hello,

I've searched this forum.  Can anyone tell me where to get the concrete pier with bracket mentioned in the boat builder's little house  construction?  http://www.countryplans.com/nicolaisen.html

Thanks!

http://countryplans.com/foundation/index.html

John refers to it as an EPB bracket.

Thanks youngins.  I did see that pdf.  However, it looks like the pier boat builder used came with the bracket installed.  Here is a better shot.  http://www.coyotecottage.com/cabin/cabinconstruction/foundation.htm  

Am I missing something?

You may not have these pier blocks with brackets pre-installed at your lumber yard as they are not availably nationally (too heavy to ship very far). They depend on local concrete batch plants that usually make them up with left over loads of concrete.

In the Little House plans I have a diagram for a homebuilt version that can be taken to the site preassembled. (Or you can probably figure it out from this picture of a local product here on Whidbey Island.)

If you make your own, I recommend the stuff Glen pointed me to to embed the threaded rod/bolt - rockite
http://www.countryplans.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1184979778/1#1

There are several brands but Rockite is a good one.  Pourstone is also good.

Thanks for the info.  I will check locally to see if I can get them.

Pls let me know if you find any...I haven't located any here in Hampton Roads (Tidewater to those of us with some years behind us).
MikeG

These are found at Lowes here and the local hardware....I was thinking of Simpson brackets added on...

http://www.deckplans.com/support/sizeshape.html

more info http://www.decorprecast.com/code/HowTo/HTDekBlock.html





Lowes locations to pick up block

Dek-block says NO to foundations....they better view some cabins eh?  

http://forums.deckplans.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1760&sid=75d06b7c6262a0c0bbef3c009554873f

I've looked high and low for the piers with the adjustable bracket installed.  No luck  :'(.  I was told that I would not likely find them here on the East coast because of building codes.

NorthernMich - I as thinking along the same lines.  I found those same Dek-bock at the local Lowes.  In a deck building book I flipped through at Home depot they showed how to use this very same block, drill a hole in the middle, fill with epoxy, and install a EPB44T bracket.  I have to build my own I think that I will try this route.  

I've seen some photos on this forum where this deck block is use with a 4x4 post and no bracket.  I'm guessing that the weight of the structure keeps the post in place?  I would feel more secure using some sort of bracket.

Buy a bracket , make a box , pour box full of concrete , insert bracket. Let sit 24 hrs.  Done ! Ain't that hard , might even save a buck DIY.

G/L PEG

Hey PEG,

Easy for you to say.  You are talking to a certified novice here.    To your post:

Buy a bracket (there a many - what kind?), make a box (with what? How big?), pour box full of concrete (have you seen the many types of concrete on the box store shelves?  What type works best?).  I appreciate the feedback but it is a little Greek to me.

Besides, although the building site is in rural VA, I live in the city (Philadelphia) with no easy place to build blocks and let them sit for 24hrs. I like the idea of the adjustable bracket for leveling purposes.  It seems like the dek block retro fitted with a bracket is something I can do on site.  And from the number of people viewing this thread, I don't think I'm the only one that would like to go this route.

Keep the ideas coming!  Thanks!!!

View this as one of the many things you will learn before you can successfully cmplete your house, georgevacabin.

Box size is not critical so using the above block as a guide, find some scrap 3/4 or so plywood or boards.  Lay out your trapezoid to the proper dimensions.  Say 8" top 12" bottom-- 8 to 10" deep.  Make the two ends the same plus 2 times the thickness of the wood to make the tapered block square.  Screw the form together.  Put the small side down over smooth ground or plywood.  Take a 7/8"' or 1 1/8" dowel - drive it vertically into the dirt or screw it to the plywood piece or insert it into a tight hole in the bottom plywood - clean out loose dirt and pour your concrete into the form -- smooth the top with a scrap piece of flat wood. .  You could also use 3/4 or 1" dowels wrapped with wax paper to make them a bit over the size of bolt you want to use and release them from the concrete.  When the concrete has firmed up in an hour or two remove the dowel - unscrew it - pull it up etc depending on the method you used .

Use standard bags of ready mix concrete - not post type - mix in a wheel barrow or mixing tub using a hoe- available at HD.  Very simple really.  Can be moved after 1 day - cure at least 7 days before use.  Keep damp for best cure.

George, here's a link with brackets....can't find a page of pictures of Simpsons, all links but...

http://www.strongtie.com/products/connectors/AB-ABA-ABE-ABU.html

This will work...

or this...

BTW, AB stands for adjustable bracket.

The 4x4s sit in the Dek-block channel about an inch and yes, the weight retains them.

I'm online looking for the 4x4 L-shaped corner brackets I saw at Lowes  

Dek-blocks cost @$5 here....so I pass on making them.  Maybe we need a thread just on small cabins on Dek-block piers  

Thanks for the info Glen but I think that NorthernMich and I are on the same sheet of music.  Logistically, making them (pouring them) does not work for me.  The blocks are $5 here also.  

Mitch please keep me posted and I'll do the same.  Thanks!!!    

More you for George
http://www.coyotecottage.com/cabin/cabinconstruction/foundation.htm

Here's link to a cabin built by plans here This a page that I did not find a link from here.

Thanks NM,  

This is the gallery that got me going down this road.  If you go to Home Depot you can pick up a Simpson brochure "Home Project Connectors."  On pg 34 under EPB44T it reads:

"Drill a 3/4" hole 2 1/2" deep minimum into the concrete.  Half fill the hole with epoxy.  Insert the EPB44T and adjust to the desired height.  To adjust after the epoxy cures, drill a hole in the center of the post and turn the post base up or down to the desired height."

or with a nut

"Drill a 3/4" hole 2 1/2" deep minimum into the concrete.  Install a 5/8-11 NC (national course) nut and cut washer on the threaded rod.  Insert the EPB44T into the hole and adjust to the desired height."


I'm guessing you could do this with a Lowes block.  No mixing.  No pouring.