New Pole Barn - Some Assembly Required

[jdfire]

Actually used my backhoe to dig the holes. The crew showed up with shovels and clamshell diggers planning to dig the holes by hand "just like the Amish." They claim that's how they always do it. After struggling with the first two holes and hitting heavy clay it was decided that a little machinery might make for a better day. Had all 26 holes done in a couple hours.

 

[Johndeere3720]

We finished the shop today. Put on the metal which was delayed and got it all up within 4 hours. :thumbsup: Looks sweet now, we even painted it. :thumbsup:

 

[jdfire]

The shop looks great JD! You guys win.

 

[Gizmo2]

The shop looks great JD! You guys win.

Patience young grasshopper!
Although Johndeere3720's is looking pretty good. The holes you have in the ground are by far pretty nice.:thumbsup:
Seems like a lot of people on this forum are putting up buildings this year.

 

[jdfire]

Poles added to the holes! First picture is the first pole going up. The second is when all but two poles are up. Had to leave two holes open for the inspector. Inspector came by later and approved. The crew says all the framing should be complete tomorrow, although it may be a long day. The lumber yard forgot to include the colored screws for all the steel with the delivery. That will set back the steel installation a day or two. All in all though, pretty exciting!

 

[BeezFun]

We finished the shop today. Put on the metal which was delayed and got it all up within 4 hours. :thumbsup: Looks sweet now, we even painted it. :thumbsup:

The doors look like they're for daddy bear, mama bear, and baby bear.

 

[jdfire]

Making progress! Most of the framing completed yesterday, hopefully finished today. Steel starting either tomorrow or Tuesday.

 

[BeezFun]

Could you take a closer picture of how the lean to rafter attaches to the ledger. I'm planning to do something similar (someday).

 

[jdfire]

Could you take a closer picture of how the lean to rafter attaches to the ledger. I'm planning to do something similar (someday).

I won't be out there for a couple days, but I will get a picture then. The tails of the trusses were cut flush and a 2x8 (I think) was attached across their face as a ledger board. The lean-to rafters were then attached to the ledger board with joist hangers. The trusses are 4ft on center and the lean-to rafters are 2ft on center.

 

[jdfire]

Framing was completed yesterday. New schedule is concrete prep Tuesday, pour on Wednesday, then complete steel Thursday/Friday. Crew has been doing a great job so far. It's been fun watching someone who does this for a living. I've learned all sorts of tricks and techniques.

 

[hcallaway]

Really looking good and a nice size to boot!

 

[sbussell]

Very nice. I'm envious. Wish I had that much space to store my "toys". Congrats. Keep us posted with the finishing pics.

 

[schoolsout]

Nice! Looking to do something similar in size soon. Would like to have a liveable area to stay in on weekends, too.

 

[Johndeere3720]

With all that extra room you will need to get more implements to fill the empty space.

 

[jdfire]

I'm sure it will fill up fast! Already planning to clean out the garage at home and store little used items at the barn.

 

[davygp38]

Framing was completed yesterday. New schedule is concrete prep Tuesday, pour on Wednesday, then complete steel Thursday/Friday. Crew has been doing a great job so far. It's been fun watching someone who does this for a living. I've learned all sorts of tricks and techniques.

:laughing:I have to agree, I love to watch the pros work, just so I can steal a trick or two. I know they think I am watching in case they make a mistake, but really, I just want to see if they have a better way to cut roof rafters.

 

[JK10MF1635]

This may be a dumb question but how deep did they set the post? I'm assuming that they are down 4 feet and the post were 16 feet long to start with to get your 12 foot ceiling? I was just looking at it and thinking about the frost. Also I guess there is no worry about the floor and frost since it appears that will just be a floating floor as well? I hope to someday put up a 28X45 barn but was thinking of having to do a 4 foot foundation around it to protect against the frost here in CT. I see you are in MI and I know it gets cold there as well. BTW it looks good and I'm envious!

 

[jdfire]

Post holes are minimum 42" then have a concrete pad put in the bottom (about 6" I think) so the pole itself is about 36" deep. This was following local code. The floor will be a floating 5" concrete pad. Before pouring the floor the sod layer will be stripped out and sand brought in and compacted. Between the floor on the inside and some additional grading on the outside the poles will actually be somewhat deeper.

 

[powergod1]

looks like the project is coming along nicely

 

[jdfire]

New floor today!

Crew was there bright and early. Started with excavating the sod, then brought in sand and compacted. Concrete started arriving at noon and the whole job was completed by 3 O'Clock.

Almost lost the barn though. In the one picture you can see how the concrete truck was pulling up to the large door. The one truck actually bumped the building at the top of the door, moving it a couple inches, but luckily it bounced back. No broken wood and it is still straight. Phew!!! Concrete company almost bought me a new building!