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finally some progress
So the last photos posted were essentially all i could do until i got some help. Below is what some good help will do for you. NOTE: there are pictures after each paragraph.
We were able to put up the last row of boards. This was the height that I cut the telephone poles too. Its roughly 9.5 feet inside. However, i chose to go with 8 foot exterior walls to avoid having to rip/cut my siding. Once this was put on we cut the poles, added 4x4's to the inside and then put a 2x8 top plate over both, the top plate being flush with the outside. The purpose of the 4x4 was a last minute upgrade. We should have notched them in but didnt think about it and went the joist hanger route. (At $3/hanger, we should have notched)
4x4 top plate.JPG
Top plate.JPG
We also built the header for the opening. Since I knew a ton of weight was going to be put on this header i beefed it up. I used a double 2x12 LVL beams notched into the poles. We notched it for structural but also to get the last row up on the outside. On top of that, as you can see, is the top plate. Then, instead of a 6x6 which i planned initially, i took that $20 board back and just used a piece of telephone pole to sit on top and support the ridge beam. Only needed about 3.5' anyway.
Header 1.JPG
Header 2.JPG
Finally, and i know someone is going to balk at this, we put the ridge beam up. The place where i bought it had their engineer figure out what i should use. I was planning to use a double 2x12 LVL beam. However, after explaining that i wouldn't have any joists they said i needed either a triple 2x18 LVL or a double 2x24 LVL. Not wanting to prove them right I took the advice and went with a double 2x24. Yes, i do think it is overkill after 1) having seen it in person and 2) having put it up. However, its a little late for that. We ended up notching the ridge beam in 18". This was fun work with a chainsaw. Side note: wear goggles and a mask when cutting telephone poles. I wear saftey glasses but goggles were needed and the dust being slightly carcinogenic.. as mask is never a bad idea.
FYI - ridge beam was put in place using a boom on a skid steer. We used guide rope to put it up but were fortunate that only minimal shimming was required to get it level and vertical. Also, the plywood you see down was for a scissor lift. My family member is letting me borrow it and it has also been a blessing to have. Not sure how else one could work at 14' up without it. A tall ladder wouldnt be fun with a 16' 2x8.
The 2x24 LVL ran me $11.42/ft and i had 60'
The 2x12 LVL ran me 5.42/ft and i had 28' (garage header, 2x 14 ft'ers)
Then i bought 60 2x8x16 for rafters.
I had the 4x4s so no cost there. All in all i spent about $2k this time but am not finished using the materials i've bought.
Ridge Beam.JPG
So the last photos posted were essentially all i could do until i got some help. Below is what some good help will do for you. NOTE: there are pictures after each paragraph.
We were able to put up the last row of boards. This was the height that I cut the telephone poles too. Its roughly 9.5 feet inside. However, i chose to go with 8 foot exterior walls to avoid having to rip/cut my siding. Once this was put on we cut the poles, added 4x4's to the inside and then put a 2x8 top plate over both, the top plate being flush with the outside. The purpose of the 4x4 was a last minute upgrade. We should have notched them in but didnt think about it and went the joist hanger route. (At $3/hanger, we should have notched)
4x4 top plate.JPG
Top plate.JPG
We also built the header for the opening. Since I knew a ton of weight was going to be put on this header i beefed it up. I used a double 2x12 LVL beams notched into the poles. We notched it for structural but also to get the last row up on the outside. On top of that, as you can see, is the top plate. Then, instead of a 6x6 which i planned initially, i took that $20 board back and just used a piece of telephone pole to sit on top and support the ridge beam. Only needed about 3.5' anyway.
Header 1.JPG
Header 2.JPG
Finally, and i know someone is going to balk at this, we put the ridge beam up. The place where i bought it had their engineer figure out what i should use. I was planning to use a double 2x12 LVL beam. However, after explaining that i wouldn't have any joists they said i needed either a triple 2x18 LVL or a double 2x24 LVL. Not wanting to prove them right I took the advice and went with a double 2x24. Yes, i do think it is overkill after 1) having seen it in person and 2) having put it up. However, its a little late for that. We ended up notching the ridge beam in 18". This was fun work with a chainsaw. Side note: wear goggles and a mask when cutting telephone poles. I wear saftey glasses but goggles were needed and the dust being slightly carcinogenic.. as mask is never a bad idea.
FYI - ridge beam was put in place using a boom on a skid steer. We used guide rope to put it up but were fortunate that only minimal shimming was required to get it level and vertical. Also, the plywood you see down was for a scissor lift. My family member is letting me borrow it and it has also been a blessing to have. Not sure how else one could work at 14' up without it. A tall ladder wouldnt be fun with a 16' 2x8.
The 2x24 LVL ran me $11.42/ft and i had 60'
The 2x12 LVL ran me 5.42/ft and i had 28' (garage header, 2x 14 ft'ers)
Then i bought 60 2x8x16 for rafters.
I had the 4x4s so no cost there. All in all i spent about $2k this time but am not finished using the materials i've bought.
Ridge Beam.JPG
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