84 Lumber DIY kits

[asylum575]

I was looking at 84 Lumber's website for a gazebo kit (for the wife) and noticed they have pole building kits and whole house kits. I was wondering if anyone has bought any kit from 84 Lumber and how was it to put together?

 

[nickel plate]

I once worked summers for a retail lumber yard while in college. They had several kit packages, one being an octagonal Gazebo which was quite similar to the 84 Lumber's version. They were nothing short of a "Saturday Sam's" nightmare. Being as they were way too complicated to piece together, it was not uncommon for the frustrated purchaser to return the package for credit. The gazebo went out for delivery as a neatly bundled pile of jack straws and came back for credit as a disheveled pile of jack straws suitable only for a bonfire. If you want to build a gazebo, buy a set of plans providing you have the equipment to cut the angles or buy the most basic kit availible from a nearby company that has one built on display for your reference and add your own gingerbread per your like and skill level.
That lumber company I worked for eventually quit manufacturing gazebo packages.

 

[Gil Case]

I bought a Pergola kit from Costco of all places. It shipped from Canada, all 1700 lbs of it. The guy from the mill called and made sure I had all the instructions and left a number for me to call if I ran into any problems.
After getting the base set up, It took me and two hired friends a full day to assemble, but the quality was excellent all cedar. Pergola does not have all the angles that a gazebo has but it is much bigger.
So my bottom line is that I had a good experience with a kit, but it was from a different retailer.

 

[asylum575]

Thanks for the replies guys. I had good success about 20 years ago with a "shed in a box kit". It was a 10x10 and my skill level was much lower. I'm trying to convince myself to build a gazebo from plans.

My mistake is I just built a 12x24 deck, 9 feet off the ground completely by myself. It got the little lady thinking.

 

[jayste]

I've built a pole barn from a similar company named Lumber2. I was pleased with what I got and the detailed plans that came with it. I would think that a gazebo would be a little more advanced due to the angles to be cut but of course that might be already figured and included in the kit. I would think that if you already have experience in building a deck and such then a gazebo would be a good step to do for a next project. Bear in mind that these kits are figured pretty closely on material so any variation might cause you to buy more.

 

[Gil Case]

The deck was your first mistake-never, never, never, let the wifey know you can build anything. Except maybe a workshop or barn to put the tractor in, but chairs, decks, trim on the house etc. can only be done by a member of the recognized trades.
That goes double for fixing her car, fixing a tractor is guy stuff, but changing the oil in her car is very specialized and requires that she take it to the repair shop.
My gig is that "retired guys are not allowed to dig in the dirt (we are too old and rickety)" unless it is done with the tractor of course.
The pergola is another story- a weak moment for sure.

 

[nickel plate]

I bought a Pergola kit from Costco of all places. It shipped from Canada, all 1700 lbs of it. The guy from the mill called and made sure I had all the instructions and left a number for me to call if I ran into any problems.
After getting the base set up, It took me and two hired friends a full day to assemble, but the quality was excellent all cedar. Pergola does not have all the angles that a gazebo has but it is much bigger.
So my bottom line is that I had a good experience with a kit, but it was from a different retailer.

Good experience Gil, I built this pergola from recycled timbers and lumber ten years ago. The creek rock floor is from an old school chum's ranch just above Lake Berryessa, CA. and there are two grape vines planted for full summer shade as it reaches between 100/110 degrees f many days during the summer.

 

[smstonypoint]

The deck was your first mistake-never, never, never, let the wifey know you can build anything. Except maybe a workshop or barn to put the tractor in, but chairs, decks, trim on the house etc. can only be done by a member of the recognized trades.

I have to disagree.

If she asks you to build something, you can say "Honey, I would love to, but I need a _______________________ to do that."

Fill in the blank with the power tool/tools that you have been lusting after.

I'm just waiting for the Missus to ask me to build something that would give me justification for buying a Makita track saw.


Steve

 

[asylum575]

If she asks you to build something, you can say "Honey, I would love to, but I need a _______________________ to do that."


Steve

She wins on that one, she lets me go to Harbor Freight twice a month to pick up the "thing" I "Need".

 

[sodamo]

Excellent point :laughing:

I have to disagree.

If she asks you to build something, you can say "Honey, I would love to, but I need a _______________________ to do that."

Fill in the blank with the power tool/tools that you have been lusting after.

I'm just waiting for the Missus to ask me to build something that would give me justification for buying a Makita track saw.


Steve