Pole barn renovation/modernization

[kcflhrc]

A Pole Barn in Kansas looks nothing like that. Our Pole Barns have no sides, just poles and a roof.

 

[Wakey]

Really nice barn!

 

[RedTailHawk]

It is making me rethink some of my plans in the barn. I was planning to put storage cabinets/shelves, workbench, etc. Now I'm going with a strategy of "nothing stored on the ground", so all the floor isn't covered up. My workbench will either be a mobile bench or anchored to wall like this: DIY Project: How to make a workbench

Then, without a bunch of junk on the floors, I can just take an electric leaf blower to quickly clean out the barn.

 

[bigtiller]

I like that idea. Are you thinking of a work shop for hand tools only, and going somewhere else with the tractor?

 

[rgr33]

Holley cow RedTail, that is going first class on the floor. Now I hate my plain old concrete floor. I also really like the stone facade idea, maybe you should quit your job and become a barn designer. Wish they had a program like that on HGTV, I'd watch it.

 

[RedTailHawk]

I like that idea. Are you thinking of a work shop for hand tools only, and going somewhere else with the tractor?

My original plan was to setup the barn with several different workshop stations (i.e. wood working, metal working, etc). I was also planning to build specialized dollies for each of my tractor attachments and I could bring those into the barn for storage rather than leave them outside all the time. However, once I started moving stuff into place I quickly realized those plans were too ambitious. I may have to build another building just for storage. Ha.

 

[Zerk]

Call me crazy, but it will still house my Kubota, Polaris side-by-side, and ATV. I will also be setting up a workshop area (something I couldn't really do when it was just a dirt floor). The upstairs loft may be just a studio or a safe area for guests to spend the night (rather than in tents around the bonfire, and risk an encounter with a black bear in the middle of the night).

I had table saw and planer in my pole barn with gravel floor. I moved it in the basement, just so I can putz more in the winter. Concrete floors are nice, but if gravel is all you got, it is all you got. I still use my barn as a shop.

In MI and WI a pole barn would be something the had poles every 6 or 8 feet with perlins, 2x4s or 6s, run hoirzontally between poles, on outside, to attach metal side and roof too.

 

[Zerk]

It is making me rethink some of my plans in the barn. I was planning to put storage cabinets/shelves, workbench, etc. Now I'm going with a strategy of "nothing stored on the ground", so all the floor isn't covered up. My workbench will either be a mobile bench or anchored to wall like this: DIY Project: How to make a workbench

Then, without a bunch of junk on the floors, I can just take an electric leaf blower to quickly clean out the barn.

Personally I think 6 or 8 is to far to go on a work bench without some support in the middle, especially with 2x4s, as the guy in the link did. That would not be sturdy enough for me. Might holdup just fine, I am just paranoid.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Personally I think 6 or 8 is to far to go on a work bench without some support in the middle, especially with 2x4s, as the guy in the link did. That would not be sturdy enough for me. Might holdup just fine, I am just paranoid.

Yes, but easily remedied. Run a 2x6 between the posts just above the floor. Then you can put a couple more diagonal braces. To prevent the 2x6 from bending attach a 2x4 on edge along it. Cross section would be a T.

 

[joeyd]

During the winter when I park my tractor in the pole barn I just put two 24" stakes about 3' apart on the floor and set the FEL down on them. It doesn't take much lining up and they are really easy to pick when I don't want them on the floor.