Oh my gosh.....this is harder than I thought!!

[Mojo Chick'n]

if I used nails to build something, Hubby would divorce me.

nails bad -- screws good.

Get a good screw driver bit for the drill, and have at it - much faster/easier/better job.

btw - for everyone - you can get screws in bulk on ebay which is a lot cheaper than buying little boxes at Lowes and the like. There's a couple of guys who sell them in huge boxes, all different sizes.

All of the building we've done on the farm, we had to buy them in bulk, we'd be "hardware poor" if we kept going to Lowes for screws.

meri

 

[nochickensyet]

Thanks everybody for your replies!!! They all cheered me up. I didn't even think of using screws!! Gosh I love this board, ya learn so much stuff on here!!! My hubby built a huge garage about ten years ago....so I figured he would know a little bout building something outta wood... but, the whole thing came with step by step instructions.... both he and I are police officers...so...we don't know much bout contruction...... but I'm gonna build me a chicken coop if it's the last thing I do !!!!! I'll keep yall posted on my progress.

 

[smith2]

Almost any job is easier with the right tools. Pick screws in different sizes, battery powered power drill, light weight power saw, good wood that is hard dried hard as a rock in the sun. I always cry when I get stressed. It really is frustrating to me, but freaks others out. When I was in college I cried every day in a math class and still got a B--almost had a A. The professor was freaked out--told him to calm down, I cry when under stress. Can't seem to find tears for anything else.

Another thought, if you really need help. Call your local high school and ask if they have young teenagers in a building trades program doing service learning. They can usually send you some really good help. That is where I go when I need extra muscle. Some of those "boys" are really good to teach and help. They appreciate someone having some faith in them. Some of those kids have remarkable talent and skills for their age. Might want to try that.

 

[Chick_a_dee]

Quote:
Ditto! We get youngens who need volunteer hours (40 hours minimum to graduate from high school here) to do our fencing LOL.

 

[MissJames]

Quote:
Hi neighbor!
My hubby does build houses for a living,next door to you.Big ,expensive ones I can't go look at or I turn green with envy.He is building a chicken coop and it's taking a loooong time.So be patient.If you have any questions you can PM me and I'll pass them on to hubby.
Good luck! We'll have to check out each other's coops sometime.

 

[Rufflemyfeathers]

I am sorry you had problems with the nails building your coop and that your hubby helping now..my hubby used his nail gun for nailing and stapple gun for the fence part of coop...He built on mine on and off for three weeks..it is 32 ft long and 8 ft deep...I am not sure that I could of built mine..my coop is on the coop index listed.."My finished coop'good luck..


Quote:

 

[geareduplyn]

For ther best buys in screws try these guys http://www.mcfeelys.com/

 

[nochickensyet]

Thanks everybody for your kind words!!! Yall have given me hope!! And the Screw site is great, they do have good prices, I did check today at Lowes and screws are expensive if ya buy alot of them. But, I guess it's worth it! They are alot easier to work with than nails.

 

[OrpingtonManor]

I built my coop last summer, almost entirely by myself. My S.O. didn't really want to help. I guess he thought I would learn something if I had to do it myself. (He did return to help me shingle the roof.)

The things I learned are mostly what have been said already:

*Use screws as much as possible. (Rubbing them on a bar of soap make them go in easier.)
*Drill pilot holes whether you use screws or nails.
*Use two drill/drivers - one to drill, one to drive screws
*Use true decking screws. (I personally like star bit screws. They never stripped out. )

*Borrow any and all good ideas you find here on BYC.
*Be patient with yourself.
*Don't work tired. It's how you can get hurt. Take tea breaks to think things through.
*There is always a smarter way to do something that looks like it needs brute strength. Choose the smarter way.
*Enjoy the moments when you get to do it your way, with no interference.
*Share your frustrations and your victory with this forum. We care.

 

[Jena]

And don't worry about the tears, that is how women express frustration.

I used a drll, and to be honest, I am only small (and I know that is not a good excuse) and I was terrified of my big electric drill. But last year I got myself a small cordless. It was wonderful, and now I use both.

Because I have arthritis which affects my arms I am very cautious, but since building my run and adapting my coup I have found loads of things to do using the drill. lol.... Never too old to learn eh?

Thank you for asking the questions because these fantastic guys on this thread have now helped all us women who need to know these things.

Great advice guys, and will have lots of women running around now building things. lol.....

Jena.