Tree house

[missingstexas]

So the Easter Bunny decided to tell my kids (6 & 8) that Dad was going to build them a tree house. He obviously hasn't priced treated lumber in our neck of the woods because he grossly underestimated the cost when he left them plans for a 130 sqft mansion in a tree and gift cards to our lumber yard.

I'm very excited and a little nervous but ready to get rolling none the less. We set 5 posts last weekend and hung some framing today. This weekend will be lots of work and LOTS of fun.

My plan is to go in stages and pace myself but I tend to get carried away sometimes so who knows.

 

[TheGoose]

Subscribed.

 

[KTurner]

I think your camera needs adjusting. Some of that lumber looks pink.

Keith

 

[missingstexas]

The kids are both girls and boy were they excited when they saw my truck pull up to the house this afternoon with those studs on the trailer.

 

[RJD2516]

Oh, the things we do for our girls. Very cool, dad.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

The kids are both girls and boy were they excited when they saw my truck pull up to the house this afternoon with those studs on the trailer.

What, did you paint them or did you get them like that???

 

[CurlyDave]

I would be certain to cover every square inch of that pressure treat with something else before I let them play in it.

The old pressure treat had enough arsenic so that kids who played frequently on a deck made of PT had a significant chance of developing bladder cancer later in life. The new stuff is supposed to be safer, but why take a chance with your own children?

 

[missingstexas]

I would be certain to cover every square inch of that pressure treat with something else before I let them play in it.

The old pressure treat had enough arsenic so that kids who played frequently on a deck made of PT had a significant chance of developing bladder cancer later in life. The new stuff is supposed to be safer, but why take a chance with your own children?

I'm planning to use non treated for all of the areas they'll have direct contact with.

 

[TheGoose]

What, did you paint them or did you get them like that???

Not sure about everywhere else, but around here "pink" boards mean they are stud boards. Cut for 8' walls, I forget the exact dimension.

I would be certain to cover every square inch of that pressure treat with something else before I let them play in it.

The old pressure treat had enough arsenic so that kids who played frequently on a deck made of PT had a significant chance of developing bladder cancer later in life. The new stuff is supposed to be safer, but why take a chance with your own children?

Are you thinking the pink is treated?

 

[Garybake]

Subscribed.

+1 :thumbsup:

 

[missingstexas]

Made some progress today but had lots of "help" from the kiddos. Wouldn't trade a second of it either. Floor joists are hung and framed around the tree. This is my first framing job so I'm pretty much learning as I go.

The pink studs are cut 92 5/8" for framing 8 foot walls like Goose mentioned. Someone told me once they were treated to be fire retardant but I don't think that is correct. They are a little cheaper than full 96" lumber.

 

[Nick D]

Looks good so far. Can't wait to see it when it is finished,good luck.

 

[Garybake]

Looks good!:thumbsup:
It will be nice to have all that overhead framing done.
Good Pics!

 

[Chooglin]

Looks good..........your kids will really enjoy that :thumbsup:

 

[GPintheMitten]

Looks good. One suggestion is to put some cross bracing on the posts.

 

[Garybake]

Gusset corner posts to floor framing for extra stability GP?:thumbsup:

 

[GPintheMitten]

Gusset corner posts to floor framing for extra stability GP?:thumbsup:

Yes, and maybe a few 2x4's crossing between the posts depending on how much the structure can rack when side pressure is applied.

 

[ustmd]

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[Western]

Looks like a fun project, the kids helping will make it mean that much more.

Dont forget to add a slide for the "pool" they'll want later

 

[missingstexas]

Thanks for all the tips. This is very obviously my first large scale building project. It took me probably 3 hours worth of measuring remeasuring and calculating right angles to set the posts and with that it's still nowhere close to being square. I finished decking the top and it does still move a little too much for my taste. I feel strongly that it's safe for kids that don't weigh 235lbs like I do but I do believe I'll be adding some braces and more structural "beef" to it prior to building the stud walls.

This evening my wife and 2 kids and I all went and had tea before sunset on it. I hauled up 2 lawn chairs and the kids hung out. Now that's the good stuff (my tea was actually a Shiner Kosmos) so that didn't hurt.