How hard is it to assemble a quonset hut type bldg

MotorSeven · Nov 1, 2011

myslash said:
MotorSeven,

More questions. We are going to go w/the Industrial Base Plates. Are the all interchangable from company to company? Seems like each time we call or e-mail someone at SteelMaster, we get a different length that we'll need or a different price.

Thanks!

Yes their price is really based on how much you will pay....that's what I hate about this type of business. You need 72'....I don't know how they can be confused on the length

They do not overlap, they butt together...simple.
I have been told by more than one source that there are only two mfg plants that make the arches/parts and that they are virtually identical. But, I have never mixmatched them, so just to be safe I would get a written guarantee. In 2007 I paid $1200 and change for 100' of Industrial Plate. With the cost increase in steel since then, I am guessing that you should pay somewhere between $1K & $1200 for 72'. Heck, if you keep getting different quotes, just keep calling until you get one you like:thumbsup:

Or, call a few other dealers and get quotes for 72'. I would even ask them if they will fit a SteelMaster arch, then call SM back and ask right for a supervisor, tell them you are tired of the run around and you will buy from them if they beat the other price. Trust me it works and if they say their plate is different, act like you know positively that they are identical.

Don't forget about shipping prices..they need to be competitive, their HQ is in Va, but I bet they ship from a different location. Ask where it is & you might be able to pick them up if you are close.

Did you get the footers done?

myslash · Nov 1, 2011

Supposedly now we need to have a footer for the 1 endwall that we have. 2 weeks ago when my husband spoke w/the salesman we bought the barn from, he told him we didn't need it. Now, we've gone from 74 ft (we have to allow a bit more over the 36 ft of the acutual building???) to 106 ft only to have to cut part out for dutch doors down the road.

The guy who's doing our footing is going to do it as he has time. He's finishing some other jobs up & will watch the weather. At this point, with the weather & time chage, when we get the footing done we'll just take it 1 day at a time. My husband drives a FEDEX truck & is going into the busy season. Our window of opportunity has gone for this year.

Wish you lived in IL, I'd have you put it up! :laughing:

myslash · Nov 1, 2011

And,their shipments come from Canada. I have no way of picking them up so delivery is my only option.

MotorSeven · Nov 1, 2011

Too bad about the weather, and trust me, 'Ole man winter is also breathing down my neck,. We are hanging the steel on my roof today, basement slab gets poured on Thur(if it doesn't rain). I have been waiting for my concrete guy for 3 weeks.....cutting it close.

If you are closing in one end right away, yes a endwall footer would be nice. You can always add one later, but I think I would go ahead and do that now. when you pour start a new thread w/pic's so we can watch the progress.

IL a bit of a stretch from here. If you were closer I'd just make a stop on the way to Manitoba where the in-laws live. We usually go up once or twice a year.

freebird914 · Nov 17, 2011

I have two sections up and I have a slight lean inward to center? is this normal, since I don't have actually plans for this model wondering if I have the width correct? was correct to a copy I was given with the same dimension's of the metal??? Any comments do I need to move my trough over some more? Suggestions? Thanks

MotorSeven · Nov 17, 2011

No, it should not be leaning. Do you have it supported on scaffolding and tied down with ropes? It's very vunerable to wind right now and can pretzel on you until you get at least 4 sections up. Can you post some pic's???

freebird914 · Nov 18, 2011

Pictures I can post this weekend... One side has a slight inward lean other side is fine. Tied up right now surprised it was standing after the storm we had yesterday to be honest... Thanks

MotorSeven · Nov 18, 2011

Without pic's I think it is that way because you only have 2 sections up and they are very " wet noodle like" at this stage. As soon as you can start the "L" strapping and that should straighten it and keep it straight.
If you have an "extra" person, put them in charge of inspecting your arches as they get assembled making sure the laps are correct on the steel. There are a lot of sections and it's easy to make a mistake if you are doing the labor and building arches. An incorrect lap(under lap) lets water run right into the building. During my build we had two done wrong, one, we caught as it was being lifted with the boom, the other was not discovered until it was 3 or 4 arches in.....what a pain that one was to fix...took 3 hours.

myslash · Nov 30, 2011

Footing was dug yesterday, concrete is being poured today. My neighbor sent me an e-mail that they were working so I know it's happening. :thumbsup:Baseplates are to be shipped out Friday, if all goes as planned. But, going into busy time for hubby's work. He goes on 6 days a week starting Monday so not sure when we'll actually be able to start putting the arches together on the ground. It's been really windy here this fall so putting them up will be based on wind permitting. Not going to rush, already know it's not going to happen before the end of the year & I'm ok w/that. Would rather have it done right instead of quickly.

But, there is a small light at the end of the tunnel & I don't think it's a train, anymore.