Framing help needed.

[richinok]

Hey guys how's everyone doing. I need some help with building a 40x40 weld up metal shop. I got quotes from several people and decided heck I may as well put it up myself and use some of the labor costs to by a new tractor. I am hiring out the cement work and will be using weld up plates in the cement for the columns using 3x3 square 11 ga set on 10' centers.

I already have the trusses built but need help on the framing of the walls. I have never done this and was wondering how you guys would go about it. How would you set the posts and keep everything plumb and square. Would you frame a 10 foot section as you go, like build the front wall across then go down the sides? Keeping things square is the biggest worry I have since I have never famed anything. Thanks

 

[crbr]

Shoot this guy a PM.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/102976-rebuilding-my-shack.html

 

[tallyho8]

Shoot this guy a PM.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/102976-rebuilding-my-shack.html

I sure appreciate your confidence in my abilities but I am not a master craftsman, I am just a jack-of-all-trades. Eddie Walker would be the best person to ask.

 

[toolaholic]

This My trade for 45 years ,but I need a pix of the detail or Manuf. Spec.
We really need more info.

 

[richinok]

lol,i am the manufacturer. The columns will be made out of 3x3 11 ga. square tubing 12' high, 10 foot on center. There will be a 3x3 header running on top of the columns.

The trusses are made out of 3"x2" 11ga. rectangle tubing. The trusses will set on top of the header on top of each column, spanning across the open floor space. The trusses are engineered and I have a stamped drawing for my city permits.

My wall perlins will be 3"x1 1/2" 16ga. rectangle tubing spaced out at 48". The roof perlins will use the 3"x1 1/2" 16ga. retcangle tubing. Not sure on the spacing. It will have 1 10x10 overhead door and one 3x7 walk through.

The slab is gonna be your basic ( for Oklahoma) 4" slab on 12" x 30" deep piers with an 1 1/2 sheet ledge around the edges with 6x6 3/8" weld in plates.

Since I am using 20 foot pieces for the header should I set my header on top of 3 of the columns, square everything up, tack everything up and move on to the next three columns with the 20 header. This is my dilemma, not sure how to start the wall sections while keeping everything in line and square.

I know it sounds like alittle overkill with some of the material but prices in Oklahoma arent that high and we do get alot of high winds and sometimes twisters.

 

[LarryD]

Are you simply trying to find the point for the column bases to sit square?

I would run a string line and mark the 6x6 plates for one wall. Then run a string line 90º and mark the plates using a tape for the diagonal,
A²+B²=C².
40²+40²=3200, √=56.56 should be close enough IF your true inside dimensions are 40x40. Plumb should follow one the first column is braced.

 

[rural2]

Doesn't sound like the slab is poured yet? Basically what LarryD said. Control lines should have already been established to place the footings/piers/weld plates? If not, you better hurry up and establish/re-stablish control with batter boards or marking your weld plates and double check everything. Establish inside or outside column dimension and square up as already mentioned or measuring a diagonal. Place the four corner columns, plumb and brace. All other exterior columns can probably be placed using the four corner columns and string lines, brace as needed. Pretty simple really, just takes time and a couple helpers.
BTW, you gonna be able to get concrete trucks in there for the slab after the exterior walls and trusses are in place?

The slab is gonna be your basic ( for Oklahoma) 4" slab on 12" x 30" deep piers with an 1 1/2 sheet ledge around the edges with 6x6 3/8" weld in plates.
Since I am using 20 foot pieces for the header should I set my header on top of 3 of the columns, square everything up, tack everything up and move on to the next three columns with the 20 header. This is my dilemma, not sure how to start the wall sections while keeping everything in line and square.

 

[richinok]

Sorry guys I missed this detail. Slab is already finished with the plates in the crete. All I have to do is show up and start setting my columns.

Rural2 I think your answer was what I was thinking but wasnt positive and needed some one to help me see it. I have the time and some help, 16 year old son that doesnt know what hes about to be used for lol.

How does this sound?- Set a corner column. Plumb. Then tack in place and brace or brace then tack it in place. Move to the next corner and repeat until all corner posts are up.
Then stretch a string line between each corner post. Then set each wall column, plumb, then tack in place until all of them are set.
Then set my header on top of the columns, making sure everything is square and plumb then tack in place until there is a header running all the way around the perimeter. Then go back and weld up all the joints.

Any thoughts?

 

[khd]

Sorry guys I missed this detail. Slab is already finished with the plates in the crete. All I have to do is show up and start setting my columns.

Rural2 I think your answer was what I was thinking but wasnt positive and needed some one to help me see it. I have the time and some help, 16 year old son that doesnt know what hes about to be used for lol.

How does this sound?- Set a corner column. Plumb. Then tack in place and brace or brace then tack it in place. Move to the next corner and repeat until all corner posts are up.
Then stretch a string line between each corner post. Then set each wall column, plumb, then tack in place until all of them are set.
Then set my header on top of the columns, making sure everything is square and plumb then tack in place until there is a header running all the way around the perimeter. Then go back and weld up all the joints.

Any thoughts?

I'd almost think that you might want to consider pre-assembling sections and then standing them up. This way each section can be set in a "jig" for assembly guaranteeing same size and squareness. Two posts, header and bottom strap, weld stand. Never done a steel frame building before but in my mind I see the inflexibility of steel and try to imagine making an adjustment to something once you've committed to it, i.e. two posts across from each other not being directly in-line with each other. Just my thoughts.

Regards,
Kevin

 

[richinok]

I wondered about that also. I could do them in 10' sections in my garage with a mig and then transport them to the slab. These are good ideas and what I was looking for.