A Chicken Coop Christmas Ornament

[bjmoose]

As I keep coming back to this thread, that little corner of blue cardboard is really starting to bug me. I think after it's opened, I'll have to take it out to the garage for a little finishing work to cover that with a tiny custom cut piece.

 

[aart]

As I keep coming back to this thread, that little corner of blue cardboard is really starting to bug me. I think after it's opened, I'll have to take it out to the garage for a little finishing work to cover that with a tiny custom cut piece.

That was bugging me too.(not really-haha!)
Does it hang well?
I'm sure she'll be charmed as she knows of your true building talents

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Oh boy, how many volunteers does my hubby have... because they only see the GOOD side... Or because I'm a house wife. It's OK I know the truth is we ALL have issues. And we have learned to live with and accept the other faults that go along with having a wonderful spouse... Even if my hubby made that for me, we are procrastinators and starting projects is easy but finishing is hard (for us). I came up with a coop/tractor idea that is only 3x5 and I'm ALMOST done with the finish details... after 2 YEARS! Seriously though, I can't wait to post the result. A lot of time went into getting the functionality of it correct and it has cute factor to boot.

Hope you will post your end results as well, with a pic of your lovely, smiling wife as well!

 

[bjmoose]

I think you just asked me if I can finish what I started.
That's OK. Talk is cheap on the interwebz and we all know someone whose "Say/Do" ratio is all out of whack.

So, all in good fun, but Challenge Accepted. Construction starts tomorrow.

 

[aart]

we all know someone whose "Say/Do" ratio is all out of whack.

Hahaha!! Boy, ain't that the truth!

So, did she like it?

 

[bjmoose]

She does like it. After discussion. It'll now have an inaccessible "blind side" that's designed to be backed up against a different wall.

 

[MrsMistyReal]

Absolutely love it, lucky lady. Now go into business, I'll buy 1

 

[bjmoose]

So, here's today's construction update. As you know, the process of drawing out plans, getting exact measurements, and creating a shopping list takes some time. Not to mention the time at the lumberyard. Fortunately, Home Depot wasn't busy, because I spent about an hour at the mill having pieces cut to various lengths.

Here's the revised concept agreed to with the Mrs:

Here's the quick cutting guide I took to the lumberyard sawmill so I could have them do the cutting, as well as the detailed list of lumber. I omitted roofing materials. I'll make another trip for them later. I wanted to get started building.



Here's my loaded up cart:

And, my loaded up truck. Some folks suggested that I build a bigger coop. But it's easier to fit the lumber for a six foot coop in a six foot truck bed. I had a fair drive to home depot, so I wanted everything buttoned up tight, not hanging out the back willy nilly.

And, unloaded into the garage. Finalllly! Let's get started!

If you're gonna build one of these, you need a circular miter saw. Don't even try it without. This is a very affordable Harbor Freight model.


Here's the first panel we're starting: the Left Side:

Framing cut and laid out. This is pretty simple.

OK, now the panel with window cut out. Final trim framing, mesh, and closing shutters will come later. Note that the correct width for the window is 20" - not 18" shown on the plans. I use quick "rough" plans and sometimes have to correct some exact measurements at construction time.

You probably already know how to cut a hole in a panel, using a drill and a jigsaw.

Finished side panel.

It's important that the panel overlaps both sides of the frame by roughly about 3/8" on both sides. I'll explain why later -you'll be able to see on the "how corners fit together" diagram.

In addition to fasteners, I use "liquid nails" construction adhesive to attach the panelling to the framing. It's probably worth calling out here the use of "structural" panelling. This is "LP SmartSide" stranded panelling. A lot of panelling has no shear strength and is only designed to be attached over an OSB structural sheathing. For simplicity, cost, and weight, I wanted to use a single layer. You could use plywood, but this has a nicer outward appearance.

(Yes, this is a lousy glue bead. I do better when not holding the camera in the other hand.)

Finished one wall, and time to call it a night. Now that the job is set up, I'll get a lot more done tomorrow. But first, I promised to show why that overlap was important:

 

[bjmoose]

Absolutely love it, lucky lady. Now go into business, I'll buy 1

Thank you.

 

[jthornton]

If you're gonna build one of these, you need a circular miter saw. Don't even try it without

I could live without my chop saw but not without my Kreg pocket screw jig. A speed square and a circular saw is almost as good as a chop saw for 90's and 45's.

JT