Little Deck Project

TMcD_in_MI · Jun 28, 2005

( TM - I'm working on my deck right now too. Why did you use a beam so close to the house? I just used a ledger board bolted to the rim joist on the house. I then only needed one beam 13 ' from the house, it sets on 6x6 posts. )

Good Question. I did a deck tear-off in a previous house, and found that there was some rot starting behind the ledger board. When I replaced that deck, I decided to make it free standing and I just did the same with this one. I'm sure that when it's done right, a ledger board can be weather-tight and last a good long time. I know most decks are built that way.

I may be a little paranoid. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Tom

TMcD_in_MI · Jun 28, 2005

( TMcD,
that sure brings back memories. my first
deckwas built with a hammer, it took about
three weeks for my arm to get back to normal.
that is when i bought a nail gun. all my projects
have been much easier since then. )

A nail gun sounds great, but my arm doesn't get all that tired because I work so slowly. I try not to work any faster than I can think. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I'm afraid that with a nail gun, I would get so far ahead of my brain that by the time I figured out I'd messed up, I'd have a few hundred nails in.

Tom

TMcD_in_MI · Jul 29, 2005

It took me over a month, but just for the record, I got my deck done. The next project will be more fun - a tractor shed. I will probably start it in September. This summer has been too @#!! hot for a heat wimp like me to build in.

Tom

FL_Cracker · Jul 29, 2005

Nice job. You really finished it off great.

As for the tractor shed,

Get-R-Done /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Sorry couldn't pass on the one-liner, We went to see Larry Live in Ft. Lauderdale last night. He's one funny guy.

GerardC · Jul 30, 2005

Nice looking deck. You did a really nice job on it. Now sit back and enjoy 'til you start on that tractor shed.

Larstan · Jul 30, 2005

Fantastic Job! But I think you may be a little fuzzy from the heat.. If you ramp those stairs and put a roof over the deck your tractor shed is already finished, then you can start on a deck for the wife. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Nasty135 · Jul 30, 2005

( I try not to work any faster than I can think ) 

Boy aint that the truth!! I must stare at a projected space and go through it in my head at least a dozen times just so I can visualize every aspect of the job before I start /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif The older I get the longer it takes...

Great job on that Deck , I love those steps , they must have been fun to figure out.. Its always best to work at a pace your comfortable with /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

EddieWalker · Jul 30, 2005

Great job on the deck. Those stairs really say "WOW!!"

Eddie

TMcD_in_MI · Jul 30, 2005

Thanks for the kind words guys. Of course, that's what I was hoping you would say. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif It definitely turned out OK.

Larry - Before I turn that deck into a tractor shed, I probably better recalculate the floor loading. Also I'd better decide where I want to sleep at night! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Nasty135 - Yeah, the stairs took quite a bit of head scratching /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif before they started coming out right.

Tractor shed, here I come.

Tom

Larstan · Jul 30, 2005

( Larry - Before I turn that deck into a tractor shed, I probably better recalculate the floor loading. Also I'd better decide where I want to sleep at night! )

It seems to me you can handle the engineering side no problem /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif As for where to sleep - With the tractor of course /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif