I just want to scream and cry. Argh. Construction woes

[Lulu-vt]

I’m building my coop. It is 12 x 8. I have framed out the base and it literally took me four days. I am now ready to hang the joists. They are 8 foot across. I am placing them now and I am about one and a half inches shy of, the other side.

The 8ft joists are too short. WHAT!!!
I have 8 ft pieces in both ends. How can it be too short?

What do I do? Go back to the lumber store and buy 10 foot pieces and cut them to size? Or Do I take all the bolts and the screws of the frame out and decrease the length of the gable sides? Can I keep the two short length and squeeze them together somehow?

I’m so frustrated. I’m learning as I go. I’m measuring twice and more so I don’t make a mistake. Ugh.

Please tell me there’s an easy solution to this.

And no comments about the wheelbarrow I left in the middle!!!

 

[Lulu-vt]

It’s me again. Ok, so it’s about an inch shy of the length on the first joist. Maybe it’s possible that the frame I built is warped a little? Although I had to replace one because of warping.
If I slide the joist over they are about 1/2 shy on each side. I can still use the joist hanger thought, I think.
Is this structurally sound?

 

[aart]

Maybe it’s possible that the frame I built is warped a little?

Measure both the frame and the joists to see what's wrong where.

 

[DobieLover]

Maybe it’s possible that the frame I built is warped a little?

Nothing is perfectly square and no stick of lumber I've ever met is perfectly straight and flat.
It's normal for dimensional lumber to have an extra 1" to 1 1/2" on their lengths. I would definitely get a read on your two end 8 footers and the joists.
Did you buy all the lumber from the same yard?

 

[Lulu-vt]

Nothing is perfectly square and no stick of lumber I've ever met is perfectly straight and flat.
It's normal for dimensional lumber to have an extra 1" to 1 1/2" on their lengths. I would definitely get a read on your two end 8 footers and the joists.
Did you buy all the lumber from the same yard?

Ok. I measured and the new joist wood I got isn’t a true measure at 8ft. It’s that ridiculous construction measure where it’s not exact. It’s 93” grrrrr. Well, at least it’s not me. Phew! I’m going to take it all back and get the right measurement. I’ll take my tape measure too. Lesson learned.

 

[woodworm]

I think if you are buying 8'ft joists there is a decent chance it won't all be the same - if it's anything like we get in the UK. I'd cut out the longer edge 1½"

Frustration will pass - I spent a week trying to get my base level, which I thought I had, but when I started building on it I realised it was an inch out at one end. Actually it took an hour to fix, but I was so close to giving up.

A month from now you will be posting a build article about the stuff you did right and wrong, but you'll be basking with your new chicken run ....

 

[wrathsfarm]

It sounds like you or someone loaded 'pre-cut' studs whiçh measure out at 92 5/8" actual.
If your floor measures out to 96" outside, inside will be 3" shy at 93".
If it were mine... I would just use them. There only 3/8th short, especially since your using joist hangers. Butt tight on one side and pound a cedar shim on other to fill the gap.

Or exchange them...

 

[aart]

Ok. I measured and the new joist wood I got isn’t a true measure at 8ft. It’s that ridiculous construction measure where it’s not exact. It’s 93” grrrrr. Well, at least it’s not me. Phew! I’m going to take it all back and get the right measurement. I’ll take my tape measure too. Lesson learned.

Good Deal...hope they make it right and you don't have to drive too far to do it.

 

[avjudge]

What I would probably do is sister a board to the inside of one end board – just put a 1x or 2x board side-by-side with the end board and a bunch of screws to hold it there. That will effectively make the gap between the two end boards either 3/4” or 1.5” shorter, choosing one or the other depending on how much too short the joists are. You then may have to cut a bit off the joists to fit in the now-smaller space, but that is easy enough to do.

Though if you are able to replace the lumber, that’s even better!

 

[aart]

I measured and the new joist wood I got isn’t a true measure at 8ft. It’s that ridiculous construction measure where it’s not exact. It’s 93” grrrrr.

I keep thinking about this.
I wonder if they sold you someone else screw up?
I'd be ticked off.
Have bought lumber that's a bit longer than they should be, but never shorter.