Vent - I am terrible at coop making

[Rob Tof]

Wow good excuse to buy tools. Go to Home Depot and ask for a class on shed building . Or use YouTube to learn how to build a shed.

 

[21hens-incharge]

The math would work if my posts were straight. The posts didn't set straight, which is 90% of my problem. They are at a slight angle (there should be 7' 5" between the posts, 8' on the outside, top and bottom. They are only the correct distance apart at ground level.) But I was in a rush and wasn't able to keep the posts upright while the concrete set. NOTHING IS SQUARE!

Even the ground slopes, which is why I didn't cut my posts to length before setting them. I'm also working only with a jigsaw and a hack saw - I have NO idea how I'm going to do the roof (I have plastic corrugated roofing, but attaching it is... a whole other ball of wax.)

I ran your issue by my DH and we have a "solution"......

Get a ratchet strap and draw the uprights into the correct position and bolt a 2x6 to the uprights. The board needs to be a 2x6 for the strength to hold it since it is so far out.

I recommend using lag bolts and predrilling pilot holes. Using 5/16 lag bolts will give the needed holding strength. Carriage bolts would mean drilling all the way through and using washers and nuts on there. Carriage bolts are what I would use but lag will. To hide the heads which will get them out of the way you would need to drill shallow but larger holes....... Something to think about for fitting siding etc.

 

[junebuggena]

And after you've measured it, learn and remember which side of the line you put your saw blade....

And remember which side of the cut line is the piece you need. Made that mistake more times than I care to admit.

 

[NancyNurseCxMama]

You mean that things don't go like they do on the Saturday morning DIY shows?
I am shocked.

 

[junebuggena]

You mean that things don't go like they do on the Saturday morning DIY shows?
I am shocked.

I always laugh when those people think they can do a whole kitchen in 2 days.

 

[User395221]

And remember which side of the cut line is the piece you need.

Better yet, mark the offcut.

 

[Cyneswith]

Progress. I kind of used the ratchet idea, and got the back so it was only an inch off - two pieces of lath and I was able to get it put together. Now I need to make the egg door and put on the back (it's 8'x4', or close enough, so it's the easiest part.) Then the run. The roof for the coop covers half the run, and I'll do fishing line over the rest. Chicks coming in 2 weeks. DH is helping me with the run over Labor Day weekend. Roof is... not good, but it'll work. Best I can manage on my own. Going to paint some lath white for trim on the front and paint the 2x6 support on the front.

 

[Cyneswith]

Oh, and the roosts will be from a tree I removed behind the coop, screwed onto scrap 4x4s.

 

[User395221]

The girls will love it.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Nice progress!

One thing coop building will challenge most people with is testing problem solving skills. Looks like you are passing that test!