BUILD Phase 3 - Coop Rafters and Porch
Here's where the magic of @U_Stormcrow comes into play. I simply cannot thank you enough for your willingness to go out of your way to help me. I will never forgot this moment and you DESERVE 100% of the credit!
First up is cutting the pieces needed for the pony wall, ridge pole, ridge pole supports, and the crutches for each of the ends of the rafters. If this is new to you (as it was for me), I had no idea what a pony wall was. It's a way to raise up and provide support for the rafters. The pony wall is also used to provide great ventilation into the coop.
Note: There was a mistake in the height of the pony wall and ridge pole. I will point it out below. I believe I gave @U_Stormcrow a wrong measurement which caused this. He quickly made the adjusts for me and I cut new pieces and installed the new pony wall and ridge support. Small set back, but accidents happen! All good.
The plywood triangles were used as temporary braces to stiffen the pony wall and ridge pole during the build.
Pony wall and ridge pole for the coop are up!
Now, it's time to start making the rafters. I had trouble making the birds mouth, but after speaking with @U_Stormcrow, he showed me how to properly use a speed square to make the birds mouth!
Here is the original size of the pony wall and ridge pole. In the next few pictures you will see I had to remove it and install the new ones which look much taller!
Installed the taller ridge pole...at night! I don't have a picture of the new pony wall after install.
Instead of cutting one at a time and installing, I cut the birds mouth for each one then installed.
Back side of the coop rafters are installed!
Here is a good picture displaying the new pony wall size. It's much taller.
View of the rafters from inside looking up!
This was one of my favorite pictures. Stepping back that day and looking at it was just amazing. Never have done anything like this before, I couldn't believe my eyes!
Farmer J came over to help hold the 4x4 porch posts while I screw them in with lag bolts and installed the header. Thanks for your help Farmer J!
Added the crutches to the end coop rafters.
On to the Run rafters!
First up is cutting the pieces needed for the pony wall, ridge pole, ridge pole supports, and the crutches for each of the ends of the rafters. If this is new to you (as it was for me), I had no idea what a pony wall was. It's a way to raise up and provide support for the rafters. The pony wall is also used to provide great ventilation into the coop.
Note: There was a mistake in the height of the pony wall and ridge pole. I will point it out below. I believe I gave @U_Stormcrow a wrong measurement which caused this. He quickly made the adjusts for me and I cut new pieces and installed the new pony wall and ridge support. Small set back, but accidents happen! All good.
The plywood triangles were used as temporary braces to stiffen the pony wall and ridge pole during the build.
Pony wall and ridge pole for the coop are up!
Now, it's time to start making the rafters. I had trouble making the birds mouth, but after speaking with @U_Stormcrow, he showed me how to properly use a speed square to make the birds mouth!
Here is the original size of the pony wall and ridge pole. In the next few pictures you will see I had to remove it and install the new ones which look much taller!
Installed the taller ridge pole...at night! I don't have a picture of the new pony wall after install.
Instead of cutting one at a time and installing, I cut the birds mouth for each one then installed.
Back side of the coop rafters are installed!
Here is a good picture displaying the new pony wall size. It's much taller.
View of the rafters from inside looking up!
This was one of my favorite pictures. Stepping back that day and looking at it was just amazing. Never have done anything like this before, I couldn't believe my eyes!
Farmer J came over to help hold the 4x4 porch posts while I screw them in with lag bolts and installed the header. Thanks for your help Farmer J!
Added the crutches to the end coop rafters.
On to the Run rafters!