Been a pretty busy week, so had no time to work on a shed, but what is left in terms of wall construction is more of the same: cut your studs to size, line up base plates, nail the studs. Except now we have to create door and window openings.
The only difference is that both doors and windows get a header, that will support the load on the increased opening, and windows also get a sill. But first, we interrupt this program to bring you some more lumber:
A few extra pieces coming right up.
Tools required: miter saw or circular saw, framing nailer, measuring tape, rafter square.
Materials required: lumber, collated nails.
I know I said I would be doing rafters next, and in fact I did, but I won’t tell you about it just yet. Rafters are probably the most involved piece of construction there is (due to angles), and truly deserve their own chapter. What happened is that after I constructed a few of them, I realized the roof pitch might be too steep and too high. I don’t want my shed to stick out of the yard like a Freedom Tower calling on the neighbors: “yo, motherfuckers, check dis out!” In fact, the less attraction it gets from the city inspectors, the better. After all, this is an illegally constructed shed (even if it’s up to all codes).
New saw – new construction updates!
Today we will be sheeting the constructed floor frame.
Tools required: good circular saw (or a big-ass table saw if you run a woodworking shop), framing nailer, adhesive gun, tape measure (optional).
Materials: OSB T&G (Oriented Strand Board, Tongue & Groove), construction adhesive, collated nails.
This is a pretty simple step if your frame is level and square – that is, of course, if you didn’t spare any effort on your foundation. If it’s not – lord have mercy on your poor soul. We will be using 3/4” 4×8 sheets of OSB with a tongue-and-groove system. These sheets click into each other and form a tightly jointed floor.
Tongue on one end, groove on the other. What a concept!
What time is it? It’s evening shed story time!
All right, today we can do floor framing. If you spent the effort to level your foundation to near perfect, this part is super easy. If you didn’t – you are gonna have a baaad time.
Tools needed: circular saw or miter saw (optional), work stands, framing nailer, tape measure, carpenter triangle.
Supplies needed: lumber, collated nails.
Start by cutting your rim joists to size. Set them together, and start marking where your lateral joists will be attached. This is where the cool part is: no tape measure needed. A carpenter triangle is exactly a foot on one side, so if your joists are 1’4” apart, simply slide the triangle along the rim joist, mark a foot, slide four inches more, make the mark on both rim joists and set an X where your lateral joists will be attached. Keep running along the board like that. Very precise, perfect right angle every time – and a ton of time saved.
Mark your future joist attachment on the broad side, then flip the triangle and transfer your location precisely onto another joist.
Haven’t had time to post on Sunday, so here’s an update from yesterday. Today we will be leveling the foundation and securing it together.
Supplies needed: gravel, long piece of lumber, collated nails.
Tools needed: shovel, pick-axe (optional), bubble level, tape measure, framing nailer.
All the tools you need for the job
Step 1: foundation. You need precast cement piers with wooden cap, pressure-treated beams, a shovel, tape measure, gloves and lots of patience. Spray paint and string are optional, but they help.First, lay out the beams on the ground where you will build your shed and get them straight and parallel. Measure between the beams and diagonally to make sure you get a tight box. Set up string as a guide and use visible spray paint to mark the position of your foundation piers.
A helper is invaluable when getting your foundation piers.
