Iron Hill Shed

theboman · Aug 30, 2009

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 · Aug 31, 2009

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 · Aug 31, 2009

theboman said:
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 · Aug 31, 2009

Looks like a good shady spot.

Thomas · Aug 31, 2009

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

rambler · Sep 2, 2009

White oak I hope.

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

--->Paul

piller · Sep 2, 2009

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

theboman · Sep 2, 2009

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 · Sep 5, 2009

theboman said:
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 · Sep 7, 2009

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.