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Dave's Wood Shelter
- Thread starter flyer
- Start date
- Views: 4249
bebster
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2003
- Messages
- 527
- Location
- Cape Cod, MA
- Tractor
- JD 4410 eHydro & 430FEL w/ 4N1 bucket & pallet forks
Re: Dave\'s Wood Shelter
I'd use a doubled up 2x6 for the front and back. A 4x4 is just 3 1/2" high, and that's not enough to span 8' without eventually deflecting. The width of the 4x4 doesn't really help that much, but the extra 2" of the 2x6 does. It will just make the roof 2" higher, but top plate a lot stronger. If you make one of the 2x6's flush with the outside edge, you won't see the inside one being a little shy of the inside of the 4x4 posts. Nail the 2x6's together every 12" for added strength.
I'd use a doubled up 2x6 for the front and back. A 4x4 is just 3 1/2" high, and that's not enough to span 8' without eventually deflecting. The width of the 4x4 doesn't really help that much, but the extra 2" of the 2x6 does. It will just make the roof 2" higher, but top plate a lot stronger. If you make one of the 2x6's flush with the outside edge, you won't see the inside one being a little shy of the inside of the 4x4 posts. Nail the 2x6's together every 12" for added strength.
BigMike
Bronze Member
Re: Dave\'s Wood Shelter
Flyer,
There is a great book on pole construction called "Practical Pole Building Construction" by Leigh Seddon. It actually has a plan for a shed very similar to yours. Shows how to place your girts and rafters, and has a table to show minimum safe grit sizes and spans according to live and dead loads. I am about to start a 16'x24' pole barn for my tractor (and other things), and I have gotten many good ideas and tips from this book. Keep the pictures coming..
Flyer,
There is a great book on pole construction called "Practical Pole Building Construction" by Leigh Seddon. It actually has a plan for a shed very similar to yours. Shows how to place your girts and rafters, and has a table to show minimum safe grit sizes and spans according to live and dead loads. I am about to start a 16'x24' pole barn for my tractor (and other things), and I have gotten many good ideas and tips from this book. Keep the pictures coming..
surfran
Platinum Member
Re: Dave\'s Wood Shelter
Many CAD programs will allow you to download and try them out. This may be the way to determine what you like.
I personally use Autocad Light at work (about $500). I have used Actrix Technical which is a diagramming tool from makers of Autocad (I don't think this is available any longer). Another diagramming program is Microsoft Visio which I have not used, but is supposed to be similar (I think that is what Autocad was trying to compete with for the Actrix). You can download a free trial from Microsoft.
Visio Site
In any event, the diagramming software is typically easier to learn, but is more limited. I have drawn my entire house layouts for remodeling projects, as well as a new deck design on Actrix in the past, so it can be done as well. Only issue I had was the dimensioning was kinda a pain.
Good luck
Many CAD programs will allow you to download and try them out. This may be the way to determine what you like.
I personally use Autocad Light at work (about $500). I have used Actrix Technical which is a diagramming tool from makers of Autocad (I don't think this is available any longer). Another diagramming program is Microsoft Visio which I have not used, but is supposed to be similar (I think that is what Autocad was trying to compete with for the Actrix). You can download a free trial from Microsoft.
Visio Site
In any event, the diagramming software is typically easier to learn, but is more limited. I have drawn my entire house layouts for remodeling projects, as well as a new deck design on Actrix in the past, so it can be done as well. Only issue I had was the dimensioning was kinda a pain.
Good luck
Re: Dave\'s Wood Shelter
I'm slightly familiar with using Visio for flowcharts, but never thought of it for engineering drawings. I'll give the trial version a try. I was checking out Autodesk's web site and thought AutoSketch might be a good, relatively inexpensive ($99) solution. It looks like AutoSketch might be very similar to Actrix Technical, which, like you said, may no longer be available. Thanks for the guidance!
I'm slightly familiar with using Visio for flowcharts, but never thought of it for engineering drawings. I'll give the trial version a try. I was checking out Autodesk's web site and thought AutoSketch might be a good, relatively inexpensive ($99) solution. It looks like AutoSketch might be very similar to Actrix Technical, which, like you said, may no longer be available. Thanks for the guidance!
surfran
Platinum Member
Re: Dave\'s Wood Shelter
The Autosketch does look like a nice option for $99. I was not aware of this product.
Good luck,
The Autosketch does look like a nice option for $99. I was not aware of this product.
Good luck,
Re: Dave\'s Wood Shelter
Well, I'm back at it and have the lumber to frame the roof. I have 6 20'x2x6 to support the rafters, and 12 12'x2x6 for rafters (24" centers with one rafter on each side of the posts). I am in a bit of a conundrum as to whether to nail 2 2x6's together for the rafter supports, or to nail one 2x6 to each side of the posts. All the pavillions/sheds/barns I have seen nail one support to each side of the posts, although I would think I would get more strength out of the 2x6's nailed together. My concern about nailing them together and placing them on top of the posts is getting lateral stability: you end up with the rafters sitting 5 1/2 inches up on top of the support with only 3 1/2 base. Does that make any sense?
Also, should I have any front-to-back supports or are the rafters enough?
Well, I'm back at it and have the lumber to frame the roof. I have 6 20'x2x6 to support the rafters, and 12 12'x2x6 for rafters (24" centers with one rafter on each side of the posts). I am in a bit of a conundrum as to whether to nail 2 2x6's together for the rafter supports, or to nail one 2x6 to each side of the posts. All the pavillions/sheds/barns I have seen nail one support to each side of the posts, although I would think I would get more strength out of the 2x6's nailed together. My concern about nailing them together and placing them on top of the posts is getting lateral stability: you end up with the rafters sitting 5 1/2 inches up on top of the support with only 3 1/2 base. Does that make any sense?
Also, should I have any front-to-back supports or are the rafters enough?
