Iron Hill Shed

[theboman]

It has officially started to up, now I don't know exactly how long it'll take to build my 24X16 masterpiece, but 3 poles are now officially set and boy my hands ache (old school PHD). Pics a coming.

All the holes so far are 3' deep and have about 8" or so gravel base. Pole one, BO-DADDY did'nt think about cutting to 12' or so and had a bear of a time getting set, but the mightly little 'Bota with a small chain on the bucket got the job done. The other three were a piece of cake to walk the poles into the holes. Thus far my help has been wonderful but they concentrate on shovel and gravel work. Only nine more poles to go and the diggin' will do nothing but get harder.

The poles are tree poles. So far all oak, and most likely all will be oak The bottom 3' are coated with foundation block/wood sealer. A local farmer said "it's the only way to go".

Still debating on roof type. Kinda like the salt box, but may go with the regular old slanted roof. Looking of salt box truss/rafter designs, needin' them for a 16' shed, so if you know any good sites please let me know.

Again, pics a coming in a day or so.

 

[theboman]

Got some pics a coming. They are just as I got started, then thought about pics. Notice the help...a happy go lucky sort.

 

[flusher]

It has officially started to up, now I don't know exactly how long it'll take to build my 24X16 masterpiece, but 3 poles are now officially set and boy my hands ache (old school PHD). Pics a coming.

All the holes so far are 3' deep and have about 8" or so gravel base. Pole one, BO-DADDY did'nt think about cutting to 12' or so and had a bear of a time getting set, but the mightly little 'Bota with a small chain on the bucket got the job done. The other three were a piece of cake to walk the poles into the holes. Thus far my help has been wonderful but they concentrate on shovel and gravel work. Only nine more poles to go and the diggin' will do nothing but get harder.

The poles are tree poles. So far all oak, and most likely all will be oak The bottom 3' are coated with foundation block/wood sealer. A local farmer said "it's the only way to go".

Still debating on roof type. Kinda like the salt box, but may go with the regular old slanted roof. Looking of salt box truss/rafter designs, needin' them for a 16' shed, so if you know any good sites please let me know.

Again, pics a coming in a day or so.

I'm anxious to see how your project turns out.

I've built several small saltbox sheds.

Equipment shed (10x12 ft):





Observatory shed (8x15 ft)





Greenhouse-sunshed (10x10ft)



Hope this helps.

 

[2manyrocks]

Looks like a good shady spot.

 

[Thomas]

Shall be looking forward to updates...got feeling the yard boss will keep eye on the project.

 

[rambler]

White oak I hope.

Are you going to use the rotten (hollow) one in the pic too? Hummm......

--->Paul

 

[piller]

Keep us updated. I need to build something similar myself in the next couple of months.

 

[theboman]

I think if there's an oak tree I have it! Most are white, pin and black oak, which are very common to this part of the world. Most the posts should be white oak, but I'm sure a few black oaks will make a pole.

I know the black oaks are not as good a tree as the white oak, but it'll do perfect for the task at hand.

The hollow tree, firewood, we have plenty of that and no wood burner..huh?? Still cuttin' and draggin' trees from the pile they cleared off the lot. Got several nice white oaks still to be toted up the hill that will make several more posts.

 

[SuperCobra]

The poles are tree poles. So far all oak, and most likely all will be oak The bottom 3' are coated with foundation block/wood sealer. A local farmer said "it's the only way to go".

Hi,
I'm searching other threads an answer but haven't found one yet:

What is the foundation block/wood sealer? Is that found in normal home stores? I was making making my own oak fence posts and was looking for creosote or some kind of treatment and couldn't find anything a "homeowner" could buy. Ended up painting the ends in asphalt fence paint. Don't know how well that will work. I wanted to use oak for a pole run-in but I didn't know if it would last long enough to justify not buying pressure treated posts.

Not to hijack your thread but can you explain the pole method a little. Are you peeling the bark off the bottom off the pole, painting it, putting 8" of gravel in the hole and then just planting it and backfilling with dirt. No concrete? How long do you think the oak will last?

Edit: just ran across this related thread on treating posts - http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/88890-treating-wood-posts-3.html

 

[theboman]

Just foundation sealer like you use on block walls. Read it..many say for wood too. Find tar, that works too. Got mine at Lowes for $35 for a 5 gallon can and then a $4 brush.

If the bark is chewed up, I peel off what I can until its really tight. The coat the stuff really good and it it runs, so what.

Zero concete. It holds moisture against the pole and cause rot. I put the gravel in the botton to help with drainage and it will help level the bottom of the pole. I GUESS the poles will last 30+ years based on what I've seen with my own eyes.

When I was 13ish, my brother, dad and family (me too as I could) built #6 (brother 4) an 30X40 (I think) garage (body shop). 30 years later my brother moves into the old home place and rebuilds his shop on flat ground and much closer to the house.

He took off all the metal sides and roof. We slid the trusses off the walls and the started tearing out the poles. Every pole in concete had rotted, most completely apart. Every pole just in the ground was in good shape, some spots but solid. Most the poles were treated 4X6 and there was a good amount of TREE posts, most oak and I believe popular. I became a believer of the no concrete process. These days no concrete is being more popular. Some do a concrete base in the hole, a rupper pad and backfill.

So, I'm backfilling with the native soil...it's all I have!

One better. There are almanc's that tell you the best days to set posts. I heard the Amish/Menoitites always go by these dates. The gravity is supposed to be stronger and the posts hold in the ground better. I've seen the dates online but I can't remember where.

 

[theboman]

3 more post in the ground this afternoon. Holes I had dreaded digging, especially since the PHD ain't in the budget after the $7600 truck repair bill... These holes went in areas where there was only a couple inches of fill or top soil and only hit one hunk of ore (Iron Hill for a reason). I only have one more hole to dig that has little or no fill. The others shall be no so bad to dig.

To date 7 of 12 are in the ground! If I could get a day where the phone wasn't ringing (real estate, but not a lot of buying) or the wife will leave me alone (but I love her, so I go obey).

I hope to get a few more pics tomorrow.

 

[damartin]

Wow, digging by hand that will keep you in shape. The pole planting is the hardest part soon you will be doing the easier part. That'l be fun. I've heard the same thing before about concrete around posts and I belive it. What kind of roof do you have planned, metal or shingle? Don't forget to keep taking a few pictures now and then.

 

[theboman]

It'll be a metal roof. We kinda want a saltbox type roof, the kind they put on sheds, just small 3'-4' front. I having trouble on how to make the rafters, but reckon I could figure it out with a few extra braces.

http://www.webuildpolebarns.com is where I found this picture, and it's similar to the type of shed/roof we want. Since we are building a wood shed it'll look different and IMHO a lot better!

So, any ideas on how we make rafters...I'm all eyes, ears and keyboard!

 

[studor]

Boman
try googling salt box rafters and you will find a google book on the subject as well as other sites. It is pretty simple -- you just have two different lengths of rafters

 

[theboman]

Here the most recent pics with 7 of 12 poles standing and a closer look at one ready for a hole.

 

[theboman]

Okay there are 9 of 12 in the ground.

Okay, you guys brag on one of those PHD things. You'll see mine in the pic and I can't figure out how to hook it up to the PTO. Geez.

You'll see what's going on with how deep the holes are and in one you'll see about 3" of a 3' level sticking above the ground. That hole ended up close to 39" after I took out the loose dirt.

Also pics of the post in the ground. I should have all in the ground this week unless I get lucky and folks want to see houses!

 

[theboman]

A pretty good day. I reset one post.... Just to square things up a bit better, with logs as posts it'll play tricks on a tape measure and being me it was the thing to do!

11 of 12 poles in the ground and the last one should not be a problem. I've become a pretty good PHD operator

Here are the pics of what's done so far.

 

[theboman]

12 of 12 poles are in the ground! Ready to add the stringers. I hope to get a good days work in on Wednesday or Friday.

Bottom run will be 2X6 treated since they are on and next to the ground. The rest are 2X4 from the wood I had milled here.

Didn't do pics this evening, to dark when I crawled off the mighty B. I'll try to snap a couple before I attach stringers.

 

[EddieWalker]

Interesting project. I like that you are using logs from you place. Makes it that much cooler!!!!!

When you say it's a wood shed, does that mean for storing firewood?

Keep up the post and pics, I'm enjoying following along.

Eddie

 

[Carykong]

Do you have any opinion or did you receive any advise on suspended copper solutions for use on wood exposed to ground contact? One brand name is "copper brown" sold at Lowes.