Timber Frame Carport Project

[EddieWalker]

Nice seeing you get so much use out of your saw mill!!!

 

[s219]

Since you pre notched your beams how did you make sure that they were all level as the cement set?

After the footings cured, I setup a laser level and then stuck a metal ruler (taped to a tamper handle) in each post hole and read the relative heights. That let me work out where to notch each post with about 1/16" accuracy.

 

[s219]

Nice seeing you get so much use out of your saw mill!!!

Thanks - I don't think I'll ever run out of projects!

 

[cqaigy2]

Following this one.

For post, i'm thinking of using metal or something stuck in the concrete and set/attach the post above ground.

 

[Sigarms]

I'm always in awe of people with woodworking/building skills.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Following this one.

For post, i'm thinking of using metal or something stuck in the concrete and set/attach the post above ground.

I've had very good results with just setting the post with crushed rock like S219 has for ground cover. Because it's crushed rock as the pole moves the rock settles in around the post and they get surprisingly tight.

I do like his idea of pouring a footing in the hole and setting the post on top of the cement though. It gives the post a good surface to sit on.

What I like about the crushed rock is that the water can drain away from the post.

 

[Molalla1]

"What I like about the crushed rock is that the water can drain away from the post." . . . this is it exactly mechanic. :thumbsup:

 

[EddieWalker]

"What I like about the crushed rock is that the water can drain away from the post." . . . this is it exactly mechanic. :thumbsup:

The reason I do not like crushed rock inside a hole with a post is that it gives water a place to go to. Virgin soil around the hole is harder and then inside the hole. By creating gaps inside the hole with rocks, you provide a place for water to gravitate to, and remain for extended periods of time. If there was no rock in the hole, no water would go into the hole.

 

[Dougeye]

The reason I do not like crushed rock inside a hole with a post is that it gives water a place to go to. Virgin soil around the hole is harder and then inside the hole. By creating gaps inside the hole with rocks, you provide a place for water to gravitate to, and remain for extended periods of time. If there was no rock in the hole, no water would go into the hole.

I don't get this theory... maybe I live in a wetter climate, but my experience says that water gets everywhere, it doesn't matter what the texture or content of the materials are. Once the water table rises in the wet season, water is there regardless. At least crushed rock allows better drainage when the water recedes.

 

[EddieWalker]

For drainage to work their has to be a path for water to drain. Putting gravel in a hole is just like putting gravel in a bucket. The water just sits there with or without the gravel. But if you fill that bucket with concrete, or compacted soil, then water does not go into the bucket. The gravel just allows the water to remain in a hole longer that it should never have been in there to begin with.