The $500 barn

[HenOnAJuneBug]

If I was doing that I would probably use small diameter pine logs with lap joints. Then just nail or screw. Lapping the pole also will give more strength

 

[aart]

at the top? how would that hold it from racking front to back?

No, what I drew would be a top view of your side view.
Showing to put the diagonals between the posts.
Sorry I didn't make that clear.

 

[yogifink]

No, what I drew would be a top view of your side view.
Showing to put the diagonals between the posts.
Sorry I didn't make that clear.

okay, were on the same page. diagonals, with a gusset at the joint, between the posts. set them horizontal.

do you think toenails will suffice in holding them to the post? I kind of like the idea of a sil to hold them in place in addition.?

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

On second thought I'd probably just notch the vertical poles and toenail a pole in like they do on fencing supports. Then notch the middle of that pole and nail in a shorter diagonal.

 

[aart]

okay, were on the same page. diagonals, with a gusset at the joint, between the posts. set them horizontal.

do you think toenails will suffice in holding them to the post? I kind of like the idea of a sil to hold them in place in addition.?
View attachment 1131763

No, not a sill. HOAJB has shown a good example of what meant about the angled supportsbeing in between the vertical posts.

 

[yogifink]

not much of an update today, but i got the framing done with the exception of the nesting boxes over the weekend. It took me quite a while to figure out how to frame the front out, but we got it done.


The natural taper of the cedar posts was tough to work with when trying to get the front wall level and plumb. There is more than a 4 inch difference from bottom to top on one of the posts, so it took some creative thinking....

This weekend I'm hoping to tackle the doors and maybe start working on the siding. I figure I can hold off on the next boxes for a while, and I don't want to start on them and leave a big open hole when I start working on the house. I might have 2 more weekends to pick away at this before I transition my efforts for a while.

 

[yogifink]

it's been 4 months, but I'm finally back at it. Got the house finished, for the most part, still need to paint the outside, but it will need to warm up first.

I took advantage of the snow day a few weeks ago and put together some nesting boxes for my ladies in the warmth of my shop.

I used 2 sheets of 3/4 ply to build 4 sections of 3 boxes. The individual boxes are 14x16x12. the dimensions are odd, i would have prefered to have made them square, but wanted to reduce my cuts and save on wood.

I mocked up a cut list to reduce waste and then broke the sheets down using my cicular saw and table saw. Out of 2 sheets of ply my waste was 4, 2x2 inch pieces!

After I had everything cut to size, I used a kreg jig to drill pocket holes. My 3 year old helped, a jig is a perfect learning tool for a young builder. We used 1.5 inch kreg screws and glue to assemble.

The following weekend was also cold, so I put together the doors for the boxes as well. For these I used 2x4's and a piece of wood siding.

I needed the wood to be true, so the doors would function correctly, so I had to pick up a couple 2x4's. between the 2x4's and the ply I'm another $72 dollars in. I think that brings my total up to $360, I'd have to looks back at by previous posts.

At first, I was going to put the doors together with pockets holes, but after putting the frames together, I decided the joints were to weak.

I ended up going with lap joints for the frames. Once I had the joint hogged out, I ran each board through the table saw using a dado stack to cut in a grove for the siding.

sorry, no close ups, but I'll get them if anyone asks.

Last weekend it warmed up a bit, so I went to town installing the boxes and doors.

i hauled the boxes down to the coop along with 400' worth of drop cord and a circular saw. I marked out where the boxes would go and than cut through the wall with the saw.

I used the original purlin as a guide for the bottom of the boxes. they're a bit low, around 24 inches from the middle of the kick plate, but I'm okay with that. DW and I had a long chat about the height from the ground and decided it would be better for the kids to leave them lower.

Not pictured, I added a 2x6 running from post to post, parallel to the purlin, on the inside of the posts. This put the 2 boards about 8 inches apart, and provided all the support needed for the boxes.

Once I got the hole cut, and the 2x6 tacked into place, I stuck the box in the hole and screwed down. I had to add nailers to the tops of boxes for the wall sheeting.

I used the plywood waste from cutting the holes in the barn wall to add hats to the boxes to prevent roosting. Then with a long branch I mocked up a quick perch.

After I got the boxes installed, I added some trim (2x4's) to the outside and installed the doors with hinges.

I still have to make latches to hold them open and locks to keep them closed, but will not do until after I have the barn sided.

There are 2 sections of nest boxes on each side of the barn. a total of 12 boxes. Our thinking, is that we can add more later in need be by adding a second row.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

This is an incredible thread! Nice job!

 

[yogifink]

This is an incredible thread! Nice job!

thanks.