I'm building a wood shed....I need some help

teg · Dec 12, 2015

I might have missed it... but I always setup string and square that up before digging any holes. As for squaring up, (1x) 3,4,5; (x2) 6,8,10; (3x) 9,12,15; (4x) 12,16,20; (5x) 15,20,25 The longest you can do the more accurate I think it is.

You can still do the string thing at this point you.

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LD1 · Dec 12, 2015

So General Lee, Did you ever get it squared up?

newbury · Dec 12, 2015

I'm building a similar size shed and just want to mention recycled lumber.
In both Mississippi and Northern Virginia there are a few places that sell wood from torn down buildings at about half the price of new "big box" stores. It's straight and not going to warp. And I can go up a size (2x8 vs 2x6) at little cost.

General Lee · Dec 12, 2015

LD1 said:
So General Lee, Did you ever get it squared up?

I sure did, Just came in finishing up the back 3 posts. I did what you suggested and pulled 12' and 232 1/4 and marked it. Sure didn't look like it would line up with the other post but when I did the same on the other side and measured my width, BOOM 16'. I have learned so much so far from you guys replying and helping out. Thank you guys.

Tomorrow I'll start the header work. I did upgrade to 2x8's, went and picked some up this afternoon.

I also did what Eddie and others said I believe, I went and got longer posts. Set them in the hole and called it a day. I will cut off the excess as needed instead of trying to get them all the same height.

EddieWalker · Dec 12, 2015

I don't know what you have for saws, but when I cut posts, I measure and mark then where I want them cut on all four sides. Then I make my first cut using my cordless circular saw on all four sides. This leaves me with about a 2 inch section of solid wood in the middle of the post that my circular saw wasn't able to get to. Then I finish it off with my cordless sawzall using a 9 inch demolition blade.

LD1 · Dec 12, 2015

That's how I cut posts that I want to look nice and purdy for deck rails or similar.

For a polebarns...its the small chainsaw

tbrooks26 · Dec 12, 2015

LD1 said:
That's how I cut posts that I want to look nice and purdy for deck rails or similar.

For a polebarns...its the small chainsaw

Yep

actually other than chipping/rough cut I use mine on anything more than 4x. I makes all kinds of things from logs though, so I've had lots of practice. I must advise for most people chainsaw+ladder=ER. I wouldn't try it if your not very used to running a chainsaw.

cat fever · Dec 12, 2015

General,
I would suggest building a working platform. (if you have pallet forks) I built this one from just scrap wood before building my barn. It was used as much as any tool I had.

General Lee · Dec 13, 2015

Yes, I plan on using my pallet forks w/ a pallet as a platform to work off of using my Kubota. Some work will probably be off a ladder too.

Eddie, for saws I have a cordless circular, saw zall, chain saw, and electric circular if I want to drag out the generator to the work site. For notching the posts for the header I will probably use the cordless and the clean up the cut w/ a hammer and chisel.

EddieWalker · Dec 13, 2015

For notching my posts, I draw my lines and use my cordless circular saw to make my first cut. This gives me a very straight line. Then I finish it off with the cordless sawzall using the 9 inch blade. This eats up the battery, so when I'm doing a big deck, I will have all three charges out with batteries in them. There is no need for a chisel and the results are perfect every time.