Megado said:
Weldingisfun,
I too am planning on building my own Pole Barn this Spring and had found the website you posted while doing research via the web. Sounds like I'm probably following the same path you had done. Care to share insights on things you might have done differently if you had to do it all over again now that it's completed?
My biggest concern is in building the trusses. Did you by chance take any photo's along the way as you were building them? I'm sure that the last truss you built was much easier than the first, so any tips, tricks, or suggestions would certainly be welcomed.
Looking forward to getting started soon...
Jim
Yes, the last truss was the easiest to build. As WayneB pointed out the end trusses are different that the interior. Unfortunately, we didn't take any pictures of the truss building operation. It wasn't as difficult as what we thought it would be. We very carefully built the first one paying very close attention to the dimensions of each piece. Once it was assembled, checked and rechecked, we made cardboard patterns of each angle cut. Since we built them on the concrete floor of another barn we were able to use a marking pen to draw around each critical point on the floor. Then as mass production began it was easy to check that every piece lined up correctly. All we had to do was check to see that the critical points lined up with the floor markings and before nailing it together. Building the first one probably took ten times longer that the last one.
What would I have done differently?
For one, I would have made sure that all of the ground sloped away from the barn. A neighbor put in the pad, but I didn't check it all that carefully. One of the reasons might be that it barely rained all summer around here. At least that is what I keep telling myself is the reason when the rains did return that there is seepage under the walls at a couple of points. Now that I know where it is happening it can be fixed with a little additonal FEL, BB and good old fashioned shovel work.
I would have started earlier in the year as you plan on doing. Believe me, working in the July and August heat was no picnic. However, since I teach school during the most pleasant months of the year that wasn't an option or I would have been limited to working the weekends only. I don't know about you but when I start a project, I want to stay with it. Too many things go wrong when you leave a job and come back to it a week or so later. At least, that is how it goes for me.
One more thing that may or may not be a consideration for you. I raise goats and they will climb on anything that doesn't move. I had my metal on a trailer for nearly three weeks before I was ready to start hanging it. Did I mention that goats will pee on anything that doesn't move? Handling some of that metal after it had been pee'd on and left to ferment and dry in the sun for weeks was not a pleasant experience. Keep your metal away from your animals if possible.
Have fun with your project. If you need any advise or have questions, put them on TBN. There are lots of knowledgable folks who will assist you. Don't be shy about asking and welcome to TBN, I saw you had just 7 postings. Thanks for contributing to my topic with one of them.
