New Octagon Coop Construction Underway - Progress

[macadam8157]

 

[ParadiseFoundFarm]

Waiting for your updates -----

----- or are you now building and ark like the rest of us are thinking about doing

 

[Z80GameCoder]

We started constructing the frames for the walls. I managed to get together sixty three 2" x 4" x 8' boards. Strategy now is to take the car to Lowe's. Go through about 40-50 boards (minimum) and pull out 10 decent boards. Trying to do more than 10 is painful. Then bring the boards back in the car. More runs to Lowe's, but it gets the job done. I combined those runs with getting other things. Also trying different Lowe's stores so I am not going through the same stack of boards. Seems to be working. I'll do some more runs so we have enough to do the framing for the roof too. We'll have to take the truck to get the T1-11 plywood.
So...
We planned out and built one wall frame. The missus came up with assembly order. We built it around the window to start with. We figured we'd try one wall so we could learn what worked best. Next we are going to repeat the process six more times for the seven sides that have either a window or a vent. Then there will just be the people door side to do. The framing for that will be different obviously (no studs down the center). I will take photos on the next run so it is clear how we are putting this thing together. The first wall was just a learning experience. We are not carpenters, so I am not expecting perfection. Good enough will do. Some photos will likely be posted here by day's end.

 

[juliette2009]

This coop is soooo neat! I'm jumping on the bandwagon, anxious to see it completed!

 

[Hope49]

Z80GameCoder - - we aren't either!! Not builders, that is. My DH is doing our building (I'm the painter) and we are making like chickens and "wingin' it".

We just adore your design - it's super cool and the chickens will love it.

I can SO relate to finding good boards! We have been picking out the cheaper grade of trim boards and 2"x2"s for (something or other) to support roof panels, I guess. It's a painstaking process.

My DH is not a game coder, but has been a gamer for eons, WOW and many others. I assume you are a programmer, skiills which we appreciate greatly. Anyhoo, come visit us - our teeny little coop/run is going up at https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=488008 We are being "just 20 more dollars"d to death here... a few more boards, another gallon of paint... so we are going a lil' slow right now. Are you "on budget", GULP, I think we under-estimated.

 

[CannonsChicks]

That is looking awesome so far. I am way excited to keep watching to see the finished product.

 

[Z80GameCoder]

First Wall Frame. We built one wall to start. This was to see how best to put it all together. The walls will have either a window or a vent in the top framing part. The door's wall frame will have the two inner studs out at the edge instead.

All Wood Cut. After having built the first wall we decided to get all the wood cut for the rest of the wall frames.

Window Frame. We built three of the window/vent frames so far. Another four to go. We set a window in between the four pieces of wood. Squared it all up and screwed it together, making sure it's not so tight we can't get the window back out.

The first thing we did was miter cut sixteen pieces of wood at 22.5 degrees to make two octagons, one for the base, one for the top, of each wall frame segment. We are done for the day. I have to prepare some sort of meal, but I will get back on to do some replies later. We'll be back at work on this tomorrow, and maybe also Sunday. So I am hoping we can get a lot done (like all the wall framing). I'll get a photo marked up with dimension and stuff at some point, so you can get in idea of how it is all being put together.

 

[Z80GameCoder]

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I am 'letting' the missus direct the construction. I do the cutting of wood and the screwing pieces together. She measures, and figures out how it all fits together best. Teamwork.

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Thanks. I hope they do. They broke out today whilst we were busy constructing their new home. Luckily it wasn't for too long, or our sunroom would have been a real mess. We like to give them 'chicken time' each night - let them out, run around, flap and get picked up.

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It would be a lot easier if everything were being covered up, like with dry-wall, but its not, so... we do our best to pick them out.

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I am both a programmer and a gamer. Working on an iPhone app, which I hope to have in the store by mid-June. I am certain it will make money, it's good. I don't do anything by halves. I'll pop over to your page next. I think we are within what I expected it would end up costing, but yes, it is a growing amount. We know what we want though, and we know it isn't going to be dirt cheap, but it will be worth it.

 

[Z80GameCoder]

Hey everybody! Thanks for following along!
Hope to have much more progress tomorrow, and I will be sure to post photos of it.
I will definitely put together a shot with dimensions and where screws went etc.
It's something I would like to see, so I am going to get it done.
Hope everyone has a great weekend.
See you here again soon.
Cheers!

 

[Z80GameCoder]

Half Way Framing. We got half the framing for the walls done. We have the two center parts for all the rest of the wall frames ready to assemble too. Looking good so far.

I am very picky about things being square, the missus is not always so happy about my wish for preciseness.
We did a big run to Lowe's and dropped almost $700 on stuff. Eight sheets of T1-11 plywood, 10 feet of vinyl flooring (opted for 5 year guarantee rather than the cheapest 1 year guarantee stuff), screws, primer paint, vents, hinges, latches, a new jigsaw, gloves, ear protectors, knee pads ... the kitchen sink. Pretty much anything we could think of that we need to get everything but the roof done. Phew. We are definitely going to need help to get the siding on. I haven't documented how each wall frame is put together yet, I'll do that on the next build phase. Tomorrow should be another productive day of coop building.