Only in Texas, Don and Harv doing

[wroughtn_harv]

Doggone it James, if I'd known you was going to be in the area I'd have asked Miss Glenda to make a cake. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Yes, the new barn is at the same location.

Jim, you came up with a design yet?

Don, James is right about the concrete. I had an old boy visit one day and he noticed a crack in the sidewalk I'd poured about ten years ago. "Concrete will tell you where you should have put an expansion joint" was what he said. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Now, I feel I need to say something. Every now and then a mood will hit where I look around and am compelled to feel extremely fortunate and I count blessings. One of those blessings is some of the friends I have met through TBN. You know who you are and I believe you know what I'm talking about.

"I love you guys!" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[wroughtn_harv]

I don't like scorpions. I suspect mostly because when I was a kid in Arizona I'd remove the stinger off of those big yellow ones they have there. Then I'd handle them and do bad things like put them in teacher's desks or in a penny match box for the girls who wanted a light. They'd make a heckuva racket in the girl's restroom. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I think I'm afraid the scorpion gods might be waiting for their turn............

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The batter boards are up and level to each other. )</font>

I think I must have missed something, but if you're going to set steel poles in the ground, what are the boards for? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[txdon]

<font color="blue">"Where is your computer anyway?"
</font>

The computer is in the west wing, /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif, the 16x16 room that is the living room, kitchen, dinning room and most recently the study. This was my first scorpion sting. There are so many around here I was beginning to wonder if they could sting. I was on TBN and felt something crawling on my leg, reached down to throw it off, without looking, and he got me on the finger. It stung for about an hour and this morning my finger is stiff when I bend it. If I find one at the bottom of a hole he will not get an elevator ride out. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Moderators, if the attachment is too graphic please delete. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[txdon]

Bird, the batter boards seemed to be the best way to line up the poles and keep the building square. The time from the hole digging to the pole setting will be about a week. I wish I would have used the batter boards before we drilled the holes. I could have moved the string for the tractor, then replaced it afterward and put the string on the nail in the exact place. I then I would have had to square up the building just once.

I made them level to see how much the land was sloping and it also gave me a chance to check out my laser level before I use it on the poles. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[MF1455v]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Doggone it James, if I'd known you was going to be in the area I'd have asked Miss Glenda to make a cake. )</font>

If Glenda is going to make a cake, I'll make sure to call ahead next time. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

James

 

[EddieWalker]

Don,

The size of your building and having all that sand available will make it easier. I just like to get the dirtwork done first, than build up from a level platfrom.

With the poles in place, you will have to work around them and risk damaging them.

As for the batten boards, I only use them for an irregular shape. Like an "L" or something other than a rectangle.

Once the pad is level, then I mark where I want one wall. From there it's a simple method measuring out the corners and squaring it up by going corner to corner and getting the exact same measurment.

Then mark your holes with some paint and start drilling.

I'm enjoying your post and look forward to how your going to tie your pad to the poles. Will it float seperate from them, or be tied into them?

With your sand, you shuldn't have any problems with cracking in your concrete. Sand doesnt' move like clay and is the perfect base for a pad.

Eddie

 

[txdon]

<font color="blue"> "....and look forward to how your going to tie your pad to the poles. Will it float seperate from them, or be tied into them?" </font>

Eddie, That is a good question and I am right at that point. Let me check with my consultant. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Harvey, The poles for the storage area will be inside the slab area. Should I stick some rebarb in the top of the cemented pole holes that can be tied to the slab rebarb? That will be kind of like using the pole holes as piers.

I Also need to start thinking about getting some slab tools to work the 9'X21' cement. What will be needed?

I also want to buy an electric screw-gun. Do I remember correctly that Scott had something on his screw-gun that had a sliding sleve and a magnet so he did not have to hold the screw?

 

[wroughtn_harv]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Harvey, The poles for the storage area will be inside the slab area. Should I stick some rebarb in the top of the cemented pole holes that can be tied to the slab rebarb? That will be kind of like using the pole holes as piers. )</font>

What I did was put two lengths of rebar on each side of the posts forming a beam, incorporating the posts into the slab. I don't believe I'd worry about the tying of the piers to the slab, it's going to happen when you place the rebar around the posts.

I ended up with four pieces of rebar running the perimeter of the slab. The attachment will show you what I'm talking about.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I Also need to start thinking about getting some slab tools to work the 9'X21' cement. What will be needed?)</font>

A finishing trowel and make sure you have a curbing tool. I call it a curbing tool but what it does is round off the edge of the slab. The rounded off edge not only looks better. It lessens the risk of chipping the concrete along the edge and it lessens the chance of someone or thing getting hurt on the sharp corner.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I also want to buy an electric screw-gun. Do I remember correctly that Scott had something on his screw-gun that had a sliding sleve and a magnet so he did not have to hold the screw? )</font>

I have a Dewalt and like the torque and light weight. I also have a Milwaukee and it's got more torque but it's a little heavier.

What you will do is remove the screw cone off of your new screw gun and slide in a nutsetter. A nutsetter is a forged socket that is made to quick connect to a screw gun. It has a magnet built in.

Call Texas Specialty Fasteners 972 442 0001 Ask for Russ.

The screws you want are Item # 1216KW and they will cost you four cents ($.04) each. The minimum is a thousand which is a ton more than you will need.......for this project. But they are nice to have around for the next one.

He also has item # MSHL5/16. It's a power nutsetter for the screws you will use plus they will fit the screws your siding supplier will give you. The nutsetter will cost you $3.15 each. I'd order three. One for your screw gun. One for your cordless kit that a friend will use while helping. And a third one because these things are so fine they develop legs.

After talking to you this morning I had a chance to talk to Scott. He wants to come down and help you skin the building.

So it sounds like a middle texas get together excuse if I ever heard one. We can drive down, skin the beast, and then have a bite to eat, drive back home.

Also Scott is having a party the 20th. He's supplying all the meats and drinks. Guests bring sides and and no intention of working.

He asked if I would invite the TBN crew.


What do you think?

 

[txdon]

<font color="blue">"...We can drive down, skin the beast, and then have a bite to eat, drive back home....What do you think?"
</font>

That sounds tempting but it also sounds like a LOT of work in the heat of the summer Texas sun. I think most TBNer's would, like me, (if I had a choice) would probably prefer helping online in their cool home at the beginning or end of their day.

Everyone's encouragement is overwhelming. The suggestions that are being made are really making me think about the building process I am already learning shortcuts to make the next building go quicker.

Another get together during cooler weather for TBNers to check out the building system to see first hand how it looks and feels and just to catch up on each other lives while eating BBQ sounds great.


I will order the screws today, thanks for the source.

Yesterday we re-dug a few holes. We made sure the post could level on their marks and were approximately the right height or higher. After we cement them in place we will cut the poles level on top.

Today we will start to place the poles in cement, this is the before picture.