YAPB (yet another pole barn)

[Neuropel]

Regarding the metal posts, I have another question. I've found that I can get similar sized "H" beam for quite a lot cheaper than the tubing. Strengthwise, how would something like that hold up versus the square tubing? A local metal shop put an addition on to their building using it, which is why I ask.
Thanks!
Todd K.

 

[phantom309]

Hi Todd-

I bet that you are right. Just yesterday after I read your note I was walking through the gym at the school where I work and noticed that the roof was supported by steel I/H beams. None of the books that I have include any specs for those so I can't give you any specific numbers, but I would sure guess that an equally sized I beam would perform similar to tubing.

Just curious, what is the price difference? Maybe I should have considered that option!

If the weather holds, it looks like we'll be pouring concrete by the end of next week!!!

Mark

 

[Neuropel]

Best price I've found for the tubing is around $7.85 per foot. But a local yard said the H beam would be less than half, perhaps in the $2-3 range. I'm going to take a look on Saturday.

I wish I was near the concrete stage! I had a guy in there with a dozer a few weeks ago but he had to stop due to the weather, leaving a huge muddy mess. Now there's about 8" of snow on top of it, and perhaps more coming next week. I guess that'll just give me more time to prep my poles!

Todd

 

[phantom309]

An update on the progress to date.

We did the rough in for the plumbing the week before last...

 

[phantom309]

...it wasn't too big a job because the plumbing needs were small. This shop will have an office area that might one of these days be used as an efficiency apartment.

So outside of the bathroom there is a kitchen sink on one side and a shop sink on the other side of the divider between office area and workshop.

Backing these two other sinks up to the bathroom keeps all of the plumbing in a small area. With good insulation, a small space heater in the bath should protect all of the plumbing from freezing during the dead of winter.

(image of Autocad plans for bath attached)

 

[phantom309]

Then last week we dug the footings between the poles and at the gable end walls...

 

[phantom309]

... set the forms and rebar and poured the concrete...

 

[phantom309]

Ended up pouring 47 yards of concrete. Here my wife is setting the very last of 57 anchor bolts in place while my friend and neighbor finishes the slab and the concrete contractor works on the front door.

Everything turned out pretty well. There are a couple things that aren't 100% up to my obsessive standards, but nothing that can't be fudged or just lived with.

 

[phantom309]

Bought some used scaffolding over the weekend. It is the "walk through" type which doesn't have any steps like the "utility" scaffolding I've used in the past. So I welded up some steps using leftover 1" tubing. This works pretty well because I can walk into the scaffold from one end and then climb up the other. I also built a second plank at 9.5' high out of some scrap lumber in addition to the aluminum plank at 7'. Between the two, I should be able to reach most of what I need. It's nice to finally own some scaffolding of my own versus borrowing from friends as I'm sure that it'll be a loooooong time before I'm done with this building!

So I'm now ready to start cutting the poles to length, welding on my mending plates and building walls. I'm planning to have enough of the walls up and braced to allow me to put up the roof rafters in six weeks or so if the weekend weather coorperates...

Pictured is my wife testing out the scaffold. I'm happy to say that it held up just fine. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[kevinO]

Looks good. It must be nice to be beyond the planning stage!

Did they pour your concrete all at once or did they pour the footings first and then come back and pour the slab? I've started talking to some concrete folks and some of them are encouraging me to pour footings and slab separately.

What are the pros and cons of these two options for the concrete?