Breaking into the bank

[Obed]

Frank,
I took a some pictures of our pull down steps in our garage. Our floor trusses are 18" high so the framer made us a step between the trusses at the top of the steps. Our steps were just nailed between the trusses with some blocking across in the trusses at the ends of the step assembly.

Obed

 

[scoutcub]

Frank,
That looks like a great use for the excavator. How is it that you own an excavator?
Obed

Obed -

I own 62 acres about 12 miles from where we live now...this is where we eventually want to build our retirement home. The property was logged before I bought it, and there are stumps and tops all over the place. I first bought a dozer to clear the homesite and trails, and started removing stumps, but there are so many stumps I would surely break the dozer. The excavator is perfect for stumping and I'm finding out so much more!

 

[jimmyj]

Wow! I have not checked this thread for a bit and you have made awesome progress. It's looking amazing. You have a great view too as shown in the pic of the trusses being unloaded.

 

[Renze]

What are those metal sheets that hold the trusses together ?
I've never seen this style before in Holland, a couple of years ago my neighbour built a shed, and the trusses were held together by nailing plywood over the joints...

 

[scoutcub]

Jimmyj - Thanks!

Renze - I think you're seeing the housewrap that goes around the gable ends? It is plywood (actually OSB) that is nailed to the end trusses.

 

[EddieWalker]

What are those metal sheets that hold the trusses together ?
I've never seen this style before in Holland, a couple of years ago my neighbour built a shed, and the trusses were held together by nailing plywood over the joints...

I didn't spend a lot of time looking, but here's a link.

Truss Component Services - Truss Plates / Pallet Plates

They are Truss Plates. Metal that is cut so the cut out metal acts kind of like nails to hold the wood together. They are very common here and part of the Engineers Stamp when buying engineered trusses.

Eddie

 

[scoutcub]

I didn't spend a lot of time looking, but here's a link.

Truss Component Services - Truss Plates / Pallet Plates

They are Truss Plates. Metal that is cut so the cut out metal acts kind of like nails to hold the wood together. They are very common here and part of the Engineers Stamp when buying engineered trusses.

Eddie

Thanks Eddie! - I was originally thinking if Renze meant the small metal attaching plates, but forgot to mention them before. That's probably what he was referring to...
I've heard them referred to as "gussets" around here.

 

[scoutcub]

Roof and paper on. Ordered shingles on Saturday. Many alternate projects while waiting.....

 

[scoutcub]

Frank,
I took a some pictures of our pull down steps in our garage. Our floor trusses are 18" high so the framer made us a step between the trusses at the top of the steps. Our steps were just nailed between the trusses with some blocking across in the trusses at the ends of the step assembly.

Obed

Obed -

I guess I got lucky on this one - my trusses are 24" O.C. and the stairs are 22 1/2 wide....so it fit right in, and works great! Now I can actually start clearing out the other garage and storage unit.....and put in windows and doors. (and shelves!)

Frank

 

[Obed]

Roof and paper on. Ordered shingles on Saturday. Many alternate projects while waiting.....

Looks like great progress! Your garage will be done and finished before we are able to move into our house. Great work.
Obed

 

[Renze]

I didn't spend a lot of time looking, but here's a link.

Truss Component Services - Truss Plates / Pallet Plates

They are Truss Plates. Metal that is cut so the cut out metal acts kind of like nails to hold the wood together. They are very common here and part of the Engineers Stamp when buying engineered trusses.

Eddie

"In modern times, the first light wood frame roof trusses were built on the construction site using nailed boards or plywood gusset truss plates at the joints. Use of these early roof trusses offered longer spans, more cheaply, than un-trussed lumber but took a long time to build on the construction site. In 1952, in Pompano Beach Florida, after experimenting with plywood gusset truss plates and varying concoctions and combinations of glue, staples, nails and screws, the metal truss plate connected engineered wood truss was invented and patented."

Sometimes it seems like in certain fields of engineering, Europe is living in another century than America.. But in other fields of engineering, it seems its the other way around...
We still use plywood gussets

We do know this kind of stamped metal strips with nails stamped out of the metal itself, in a different application: I use them only to repair a crack in my wooden shoes

 

[tommu56]

Glue them to the bottom of your shoes spikes down great ice cleats!:laughing:

 

[77transam]

Been awhile since I last checked your progress Scout. Wow, it looks great! Awesome pics and details on your progress!:thumbsup: Keep 'em coming and once again, it looks great! TractorByNet is my all-time favorite site to learn and get ideas because of members like you sharing projects,ideas,and knowledge. Thanks!

 

[scoutcub]

77 T/A -
Thanks for the feedback and kind words! I agree, I've learned so much here on TBN in the last 2 years....particularly with threads like Eddie Walker's and Obed's, and so many more!

 

[scoutcub]

Here's one of my "side projects".....had a full load of dirt and was ready to head downhill with it....fortunately for me one of my sub's workers saw the flat and waved me to stop immediately. I was wondering how I would jack it up on a slope in the dirt, when I looked around and saw a little better option.....!

 

[scoutcub]

Rear access door is in, front window is in, and loft storage (read man-cave)
is floored with 3/4 T&G OSB.

 

[srs]

Rear access door is in, front window is in, and loft storage (read man-cave)
is floored with 3/4 T&G OSB.

Scoutcub, just wondering, if it isn't too late your thought on putting a larger window in upstairs? Especially one that opens to allow cooler air to circulate. If in fact you are using this as a man-cave you would get more light in there. You can pick up good windows cheap on craigslist and/or at the local box store. Just a thought! Also great job you are doing.

 

[scoutcub]

Scoutcub, just wondering, if it isn't too late your thought on putting a larger window in upstairs? Especially one that opens to allow cooler air to circulate. If in fact you are using this as a man-cave you would get more light in there. You can pick up good windows cheap on craigslist and/or at the local box store. Just a thought! Also great job you are doing.

srs-

I think the picture is deceiving, it's actually a good sized window that I bought at Lowe's. I got the good one that does open, with a screen. Thanks!

 

[Obed]

Rear access door is in, front window is in, and loft storage (read man-cave)
is floored with 3/4 T&G OSB.

Frank,
Looking good! That sure is a fancy-smancy window; I bet your wife likes it!

I believe you will be very glad you chose to put the exterior door in the attic. It will make carrying stuff into the attic much much easier. Carrying stuff of any size up our pull-down steps is not fun at all.

Obed

 

[jayste]

Scoutcub, just wondering, if it isn't too late your thought on putting a larger window in upstairs? Especially one that opens to allow cooler air to circulate. If in fact you are using this as a man-cave you would get more light in there. You can pick up good windows cheap on craigslist and/or at the local box store. Just a thought! Also great job you are doing.

Maybe even some french doors or even sliding patio doors. CL would be a good start. Just a mention. I'm really liking this project.

Edit: well now that I've gone back and looked again at your entry door it appears that you've only got roughly 3 more feet than your entry door width to play with and still be the right height. So maybe above mentioned doors wouldn't work.