Grizzer Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 With so many sharing their builds, I thought I'd share mine, too. Being lucky enough to live in the Florida Panhandle my build, especially the foundation, is going to be much cheaper and simpler. This is the start on an enclosed 30 x 36 pole barn. I am just not up to doing the roof, so I hired it out, the rest is going to be done by me as time and money allows. These pics are from yesterday. The timing was perfect, as there was a lull in their schedule so they could send their entire crew, and the job was done in 5 hours. Even though I am very strongly a do-it-yourself kind of guy, I do have to confess that is was nice to kick back with a cold drink and let the youngins do the work :) In the end, it is going to be enclosed and insulated, with seperate 200 amp service, so power won't be a problem as I grow. I also allowed room for expansion, and though the wife hasn't said anything, I think she is suspicious about the placement! :D I had the roof insulated as they installed it, which will be a real time and back saver. I am insulating more against heat in the summer than cold in the winter. I am far enough inland that it can get pretty hot and humid for quite a few months out of the year. I am also having to design for good air flow for not only the forge, but also to keep the humidity down inside the shop. Not all that hard to do, but definately needs to be thought out ahead of time. Around here, frost depth is about 1/8 inch, so I don't have to worry about heave. The 6x6 poles are set 3 ft. into the ground and concreted in, and bridged with welded metal trusses starting at 10 ft. With a 4/12 pitch, I will be able to place my forge and anvil towards the middle at one end, and have about 14-15 ft of overhead space, with plenty of space to the sides for larger projects. Even though I am outside the main hurricane zone, I am building it to hurricane spec, and this roof is rated to wind speeds of 154 mph. I am planning to build a Hofi style forge and go through the wall rather than penetrate the roof. It solves a lot of problems with both the roof and red tape with the local building code. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pug}{maN Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 Wow! Can't wate to see it come together Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Rider Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 Be sure to do a good job with the house wrap and weather stripping. Here in VA we have the same heat and humidity as the Panhandle, but it just lasts for one month rather than three. My first shop was all mold, mildew, termites, and vermin -- the cracks let everything in. The new shop is comfortable enough to live in year-round with the same AC gear. The only difference is better sealing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianinsa Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 Looks brilliant, big too! nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzer Posted November 15, 2012 Author Share Posted November 15, 2012 Yeah the plan is to wrap over a hybrid frame, and do board and batten. Metal is faster and cheaper, but my father-in-law used metal and has nothing but trouble with humidity and critters. B&B is not all that much more expensive right now, and the wood has it's own small R value, and should act as a good buffer. Air flow is going to be through open metal mesh alon the top of the side walls, which should be plenty, and circulate the air around the ceiling area pretty well. I am working on scheduling the tractor work, the first schedule fell through, so not much will get done until around the 30th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bosox Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 Smart! Please do some updates here . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry H Posted December 15, 2012 Share Posted December 15, 2012 I'm jealous, 1/8" frost line, but I have the north blood......3' frost line here. Same size shop i'm building in the north. You know it seemed big, seeing the framing, but when the walls went up it looked smaller inside. Where I live 1,050 sq. ft is the max. so I'll live with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clinton Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 Looks great I like the high roof. If you are required to have inspections I would get the building final inspection before installing a forge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzer Posted December 17, 2012 Author Share Posted December 17, 2012 Finally got the tractor guy to show up, and have the levelling and rough gravel done (Dolomite). We've had a run of cloudy weather around here lately, so I haven't taken any pics yet, but will post them when I do. Yes, the forge will go in after everything is done and signed off. I needed/have a permit for the build, especially since I am going to be putting power to it. I spoke with the local building inspector the other day, and he has given me the green light to build to completion without any intermediate structural inspections. This is a pretty relaxed area when it comes to barns and outbuildings. (But they will put you through the wringer for a house.) I will still need a quick electrical inspection prior to the power hookup, but it is going to be nice to not have to have an inspection at every step. However, since I am not going through the roof, I won't need a permit for the forge. All our permit requirements in this area for things like wood stoves, etc. are based around roof penetrations. I plan to build a side draft forge and go out through the wall. Though I have seen a good number of pictures showing forges built right against the wall, I plan to leave about a foot between the forge and the wall as a bit of a safety margin, and double insulate the wall penetration. That should also help if anyone wants to raise an issue about it in the future, I should think. I am considering building it out of brick, but I do have a decent amount of granite stones ranging from small to medium size laying around. I am tempted to use those and have something old fashioned looking, and you can't beat the cost! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzer Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 Making some more progess! A lot more time and work has gone in than what is apparent in the photos. The first pictures didn't show it well, but there was a slope where this was built, that dropped off about 18 inches by the time it reached the other side of the shop. It's taken about 28 tons of fill dirt, and 8 tons of gravel to get it levelled out, as well as contour it down to meet the edge of the existing driveway so I can pull my truck in later without problems. I had some issues when it settled, and had to bring in one last load of fill and recontour. If that's the only problem I run into on this project I will be a happy man. :) The secondary posts got put in this weekend, so now I can frame against them. I still have a bit of hand work to do for final level, but it's just a matter of raking it out a bit. Framing it up is the next step. I've been blessed with some great working weather, but my budget only allows me to do so much at one time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironman50 Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 So far it's looking great and super build and forge on the roof. Can't wait to see the finished shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck in Ms Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 This is going to be a nice one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzer Posted August 28, 2014 Author Share Posted August 28, 2014 After numerous delays, including a 2nd heart attack and two surgeries, among other things, the main building is done. I've had a bit of settling near the front, but a load of dirt is waiting for cooler weather, and probably a helper since I am no longer capable of the heavy work. Given my health, I am still going to put in my forge and make it a blacksmith shop, but I won't be able to do as much as I'd orginally planned. The doctor's all want me to stay as active as I can, and light smithing may let me rebuild my strength over time to what limit it can be. I will just see where it goes. As a hobby smith, time is not a major factor in completing projects, so I will just do what I can do, and not sweat it. The County was pretty generous with me on this build, giving me a long extension and not pressuring me to complete it. It's nice to live in an area that is still small town/rural enough to work with me on something. This build is also likely to have saved my life, causing me to have a minor heart attack and catching the problem (one of my bypasses from years ago has failed) before it bult up to a major or fatal incident. My next step, along with getting the ground levelled out a bit more, is to get it stained. I'll post a pic when that's done, and as I finish it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notownkid Posted August 28, 2014 Share Posted August 28, 2014 Very nice shop, wish mine could have been as big but we do what we can. I understand the staining and finally broke down and hired a young guy to go with me to stain it over the labor day weekend. We invited his wife to join us so everyone is excited and he'll only charge me work time, no travel 200 miles or anything. Just can't do it on my own and my son is still trying to get his haying done, lousy wet weather in VT this summer. Be careful and enjoy your shop, this getting old isn't for sissy's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Traylor Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 My shop is a metal building with board and batten over the metal sides. Makes quite a difference in hot Texas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzer Posted August 31, 2014 Author Share Posted August 31, 2014 Yeah, down here it is pretty standard for folks to just put up some sheet metal on the sides and call it done. I prefer not to work inside a solar oven :) When I had the roof put up, I had them install this new-fangled insulating sheet that reflects the heat back out through the metal roof. My original plan was to insulate the walls as well, but I have found that having the the insulating sheet in the roof, and B & B for walls has provided all the insulation I need for the summer heat. The shop does not go much, if at all, above ambient temperature all day, and stays a little cooler in the morning. Having provided for plenty of flow-through ventilation for the forge, I have the side benefit of it not getting stuffy inside either. I can definately recommend wood in regards to insulating properties, and I do think that the ventilation I designed in has helped as well, allowing any heated air to escape through the main roof vent and draw cooler air into the building. For those with an all metal building, I do recommend looking into the insulating sheet, I was pleasantly surprised at how effective it has been with the roof. Of course, all this is for warmer climates, where we are more concerned about insulating against summer heat than winter cold. All I need for winter is a small wood stove to make it more comfortable in the morning for the most part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacobd Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 My shop is a metal building with board and batten over the metal sides. Makes quite a difference in hot Texas. What part of Texas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilyeag Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 This is my work in process. Just open air, no need for walls around here, except ,maybe in rainy season! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notownkid Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 update on my post on Staining my shop. amazing what an airless sprayer can get done in 2 hrs. Two coats with half hr between, and even had time to spray a the back wall of my main repair shop that had waited 10 yrs for stain. We would have been two days with a brush and most likely would have only got one coat and used as much stain plus the fact I would still be waiting for my son to show up and do the high peaks. Took longer to prep, cover the windows and doors, removing the rolling doors and hardware, putting back and cleaning machine than to spray. haven't a clue on how to get a picture on here. Read a number of comments on it and know less now than before. Will look into it future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notownkid Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Oh forgot nice shop Neil, lucky you don't have to deal with below 0 temps, snow and wind or by the looks pesky neighbors, snakes maybe! Enjoy your shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacobd Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 update on my post on Staining my shop. amazing what an airless sprayer can get done in 2 hrs. Two coats with half hr between, and even had time to spray a the back wall of my main repair shop that had waited 10 yrs for stain. We would have been two days with a brush and most likely would have only got one coat and used as much stain plus the fact I would still be waiting for my son to show up and do the high peaks. Took longer to prep, cover the windows and doors, removing the rolling doors and hardware, putting back and cleaning machine than to spray. haven't a clue on how to get a picture on here. Read a number of comments on it and know less now than before. Will look into it future. Did you use one of the little <$100 Wagner sprayers? We sell those at work and I've never used one. People always ask how well works and I tell them "personally I've never used one, but they sell well and they don't get returned often", so your opinion would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzer Posted September 4, 2014 Author Share Posted September 4, 2014 I am curious to get the answer to this as well. My wife is after me to use one instead of brushes. If it works that fast and well, without wasting a bunch of stain, I'll let her win this one :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notownkid Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 Jacobd The sprayer was a professional one that a fellow has that has done work for us this year on the CT place. Offered him and his wife a weekend in VT to get him and his sprayer to come up. (paid him for his painting time) Nice even stain, two coats, (that depends on the stain) little to no overspray. He had a 30" tip on it so he could do the overhangs from the ground. No back brushing like other's. Stain went in 5 gal bucket and it drew from there so color was consistent from gal to gal. I've used in the past the small hand held Wagner's with the container on the bottom. Have to stop every few minutes to reload and had to use the ladders a lot and my knees don't like that anymore. plus a lot of back brushing. Also tried the Wagner backpack version to use on ladders, that was cumbersome to use. Keep the sprayer on the ground use a long hose and wand and you will be happier. I own two Wagners and never crossed my mind to use these on this building after seeing what he did on our big two story barn earlier. They must rent these things. I bought expensive stain from a company specializing in Log Cabin finishes and there wasn't enough wasted stain so it bothered me, just cleaning out the hose and wand was about it. I've painted/stained my last building with a brush. The stain was water based so cleanup was with water as well and fast, neat, easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzer Posted September 5, 2014 Author Share Posted September 5, 2014 Thanks! I'll definately look into it. Hadn't thought about renting a rig, that may just be the way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Traylor Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 jacobd - I am in Bellville, TX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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