A Lean-To Tale (with pics & maybe vids)

slimjimmc · 17-09-2011 08:56AM

TopTec wrote: »

I think he means puttinf a notch on the end of the rafter so it sits over the bolt head. (If there is room for the hanger to fit over it).

TT

Do that and you'll never be able to check the bolts haven't loosened as they'll be hidden under the joist hanger. For example, timber shrinks in frosty winter weather when the air is much less humid so, imo it's a good idea to be able to check and retighten bolts if necessary.

TopTec · 17-09-2011 09:58AM

slimjimmc wrote: »

Do that and you'll never be able to check the bolts haven't loosened as they'll be hidden under the joist hanger. For example, timber shrinks in frosty winter weather when the air is much less humid so, imo it's a good idea to be able to check and retighten bolts if necessary.

Hmmmmm. Could have used serrated dogs instead of washers - they never move!

harry21 · 17-09-2011 12:12PM

Ya like TopTec said.

I would have taken a notch (say 50mm square) out of the end of the rafter to allow is fit up against the wall plate. (The bolt would then site in the notch). End bearing would be affected slightly, but nothing major.

If you didn't have the post in place already moving the ratfer probably wasn't an issue anyway, but like you I likke things in 'order'..:D. Was the post in place?

dnme · 17-09-2011 04:48PM

harry21 wrote: »

Ya like TopTec said.

I would have taken a notch (say 50mm square) out of the end of the rafter to allow is fit up against the wall plate. (The bolt would then site in the notch). End bearing would be affected slightly, but nothing major.

If you didn't have the post in place already moving the ratfer probably wasn't an issue anyway, but like you I likke things in 'order'..:D. Was the post in place?

Posts are fixed, they are in metal surround brackets which have been bolted to ground. Not worth moving for a 3" move over 10ft. Even looking at it from the bottom of the garden, it still looks dead square. Its a non issue.

TopTec · 17-09-2011 06:34PM

dnme wrote: »

Its a non issue.

Bless You!

TT

dnme · 17-09-2011 08:00PM

Day 8

I'm not one to generalise but......FCUK EVERYTHING!!!!

I should explain that I am rain battered and have been all freaking jesus h willoughby christ day....Im hungry, tired and angry.....real angry. Hopefully no runt rings my doorbell toinight co's there's a broken jaw right there!!!

add your own goddam captions

wush06 · 17-09-2011 08:09PM

dnme sit back put an extra log on the fire grab a cold beer and enjoy the night.

harry21 · 17-09-2011 08:26PM

TopTec wrote: »

Bless You!

TT

alexlyons · 17-09-2011 08:32PM

Good man, stay cool, have a shower when wet and cold, nothing like a shower in the evening after a days work outside! Good work!

harry21 · 17-09-2011 08:33PM

dnme wrote: »

Posts are fixed, they are in metal surround brackets which have been bolted to ground. Not worth moving for a 3" move over 10ft. Even looking at it from the bottom of the garden, it still looks dead square. Its a non issue.

Perfect so.. todays work looks great. Well done..

dnme · 17-09-2011 08:44PM

harry21 wrote: »

I dont get it

harry21 · 17-09-2011 08:46PM

dnme wrote: »

I dont get it

If you stay out in the cold and rain for long enough you will....

TopTec · 17-09-2011 08:47PM

I know how you feel dnme. Been trying to fit and seal a new window today - Yours is looking good dude, From your pics it seems you have made very good progress. Get that tarp over your bench it will make a huge difference = if you stay comfortable your quality of work goes up.

Aaahhh Tishoooooo!

TT

dnme · 17-09-2011 09:03PM

Yeah I waas gonna put up a tarp yesterday, I have one on the boat and 2 small ones covering the lumber on pallets. As I was about to do it, it lashed rain and I couldn't bring myself to expose either ther boat or the lumber to that for x days. I'm now ready to start the cross members (lets call them runnerss) so a tarp will be in the way.

Got the wall plate up on the L tonight. It runs from the corner of the L to the back door reveal (about 5 feet's worth). As I drilled into the wall, I was met with hollow block, so had to head into town and go with compression rawl bolts. Chem anchor no good here unless I managed to get special tube inserts. I live 6 miles from Boyle, so your lucky to get a screwdriver, nevermind anything a bit special like that on the hoof.

All in all today, I had to go into town 4 times. Forgot stuff, needed stuff as the job progressed, lost stuff, you name it. Also, a few days ago, I borrowed a step ladder from a neighbour. It's a rickety old death trap, anyways, today, I fell through it (from 3rd step). By that, I mean the step broke away. Unscathed but christ what a fright. Borrowed another step ladder tonight from another neighbour. This one is mint.

Me and Honey spent the day looking at each other miserable with rain. I kept darting in and out the backdoor which itself was taking a lashing. Everytime I ran, so did she, wise dog, likes her comfort.

Kat1170 · 17-09-2011 09:30PM

Don't worry. Soon rain stopping play will be a distant memory. Keep up the good work.

:D

vicwatson · 17-09-2011 09:38PM

Great feckin work dnme.

Looks great.

Get a cup of 'cha and you be grand.;)

vicwatson · 17-09-2011 11:44PM

Hi dnme,

As you are doing such super work on the boat and lean-to project I felt obliged to make my 1000th post here !

A lot, and I mean a lot, of people are following both these threads and are fascinated by your guile and unwillingness to give in.

So on my 1000th post - Cheers to you !;)

dnme · 18-09-2011 12:05AM

vicwatson for president. Here's to the next 1000 posts vic.

dnme · 18-09-2011 09:47PM

24 hours later and the mood is up. It's a bright clear day, no rain since morning although it lashed here all night. So much so that it washed away a lot of my wood preservative. I've had to redo a lot of the rafters which is probably unwise. Stuff is expensive!

I love this stage of a job. The stage where key joins or couplings start to make the job look and feel right, rigid, strong etc. After trimming all rafters to length, I have started to add runners along the rafter tops. I had initially planned to notch them and today as I uncovered the 3x2's, I had no doubts. They look awful thick. I will neeed room to get the corrugated sheet in under the gutters so the closer to the top of the rafter I can get these runners, the better. I laid the first runner unnotched along the outside. Once bolted to the L wall plate, it immediately added serious rigidity to the overall job. Then I notched the second one in 2.5cm. (I'll notch the next one in 4cm tapering my way back to the wall.

The notching adds serious strength and looks awesome so I'm delighted I decided to take the trouble and time to do it. It involves running a plumb line along the rafters where the runner will eh.....run. Marking out the profile of the 3x2, then running a circ saw through several times with the blade set to the depth of the notch. Then bash out the leafs with a hammer and clean up with a rasp. Not for the feint hearted - standing on top of a step ladder that itself is standing on unevern ground, all the while holding a running circ saw. Look we all have to die sometime!:D

I have two runners in tonight. Not only that but the uprights and rafters trimmed and levelled in all directions. Even the adddition of just two runners makes the job rock solid. I'm thrilled with todays progress. Out there in the sunshine, match on the radio, cuppa in hand and a big ol black lab lazing about beside you. It's literally why I do this shjt; Therapy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgW83n2Am5w

This is where I keep the job lUmber, miraculously it's remaining dry.

Slapping on the Cuprinol to the L wall plate, much easier to do it on the bench than on the wall.

The L wall plate up. Had a few issues finding good anchoring. Hollow block mostly so I had to use expanding rawl bolts. I have since taken it down to add notches for the runners before remounting it. What'll I do with the yard light? Will it work ok under the leanto roof? Might mess with headroom etc? suggestions?

All rafters trimmed to length and re-covered in preservative

Dont ya just love it when you go back to check and.....

Runners coming off L wall plate. I got these brackets in Woodies for a couple of quid each. They are strong and have a curved profile centre so they cannot bend.

Notching in the runners. Bit of hassle and time but well worth it. I'll look on at these joints with pride for years. Slapping preservative on all joints as I go.

I ordered my 3x2 lumber in 16's and 14's. The 16's almost fit perfectly from L wall plate to third rafter. I join the runners with a flat half lap roughly over a rafter. Looks good, strong and retains a clean profile through the runner length.

Two Runners completed

View from back door

Pete67 · 18-09-2011 10:45PM

Looks fantastic Dnme. Love the view from your garden too!

Re the yard light, you could take it down, and put a weatherproof junction box in it's place. Then clip a cable out to the new work area and put a couple of fluorescent strip lights over the boat. You could fix them to the underside of the runners. You will have light where you need it and (presumably) a switch inside the back door to switch it on and off.

dnme · 18-09-2011 10:50PM

Pete67 wrote: »

Looks fantastic Dnme. Love the view from your garden too!

Re the yard light, you could take it down, and put a weatherproof junction box in it's place. Then clip a cable out to the new work area and put a couple of fluorescent strip lights over the boat. You could fix them to the underside of the runners. You will have light where you need it and (presumably) a switch inside the back door to switch it on and off.

Thats a great idea !!!!

Would light units under that thin pvc corrugated sheet be safe? I'm thinking what if it leaks, dew, condensation etc ?

oscarBravo · 18-09-2011 11:07PM

Pete67 wrote: »

Re the yard light, you could take it down, and put a weatherproof junction box in it's place. Then clip a cable out to the new work area and put a couple of fluorescent strip lights over the boat. You could fix them to the underside of the runners. You will have light where you need it and (presumably) a switch inside the back door to switch it on and off.

That's exactly what I was going to suggest. Get the type of fluorescent fittings that are designed for dampish areas - they're like IP55 rated or so - and you won't need to worry about water once you run the cables through glands.

TopTec · 18-09-2011 11:13PM

dnme wrote: »

Would light units under that thin pvc corrugated sheet be safe?

Safer than standing on top of a step ladder using a circular saw one handed !!!!

Tut Tut dnme. Where's your helmet, harness, specs, muffs, 14 ply trousers and a mate with a red flag??

;)

TT

Stove Fan · 18-09-2011 11:18PM

Looking great:D I am enjoying your updates:)

Stove Fan:)

Pete67 · 18-09-2011 11:19PM

IP65 rated are the ones you want. Check local electrical wholesalers or try online, available in various lengths, single or double tube etc. Ebay has loads at good prices but mostly in the UK and shipping is a killer. But you might get lucky!

dnme · 18-09-2011 11:22PM

TopTec wrote: »

Safer than standing on top of a step ladder using a circular saw one handed !!!!

Tut Tut dnme. Where's your helmet, harness, specs, muffs, 14 ply trousers and a mate with a red flag??

;)

TT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p_mdGtY26Y

Worth a watch, give it a few mins to get goin.

slimjimmc · 18-09-2011 11:37PM

Nice job dnme.
I know we all have to die sometime but I'd rather it not be from a slow and painful bleed out after an 'incident' with a circular saw.

PS: that curved profile centre in the angle brackets are known, for obvious reasons, as "bird beaks".

Looking forward to tomorrow's episode!

red sean · 18-09-2011 11:56PM

Hi dnme, regarding the lights that pete mentioned if you want to cost them roughly before you decide, go to Meteor Electrical online. Weatherproof flourescent fittings, pvc PG11 glands for the cable entries and 3x1.5 nymj cable. Their price will be a guideline but I would'nt order off them. Someday you're in Sligo hop in to Derry Taheny beside Hughes Bridge and I'll be shocked if he has'nt a better price.(and service!)

dnme · 19-09-2011 12:11AM

red sean wrote: »

Hi dnme, regarding the lights that pete mentioned if you want to cost them roughly before you decide, go to Meteor Electrical online. Weatherproof flourescent fittings, pvc PG11 glands for the cable entries and 3x1.5 nymj cable. Their price will be a guideline but I would'nt order off them. Someday you're in Sligo hop in to Derry Taheny beside Hughes Bridge and I'll be shocked if he has'nt a better price.(and service!)

Hi Sean.
I'm seeing IP65 4ft double units on ebay for 24 quid. I don't think Derry Taheny would come close, even factoring in delivery. I went into them last year to source components for a modular 4 gang TV outlet (2 x sat, 1 x DTT, 1 x rj45). All in ...... €50. I told him what I thought about that, walked out of the shop, came home and ordered the lot on ebay for £10 + £5 delivery. As it transpired, the stuff got lost in the post so the ebay vendor re-sent the lot and refunded me in total. Freebie.

I'd love to shop local and shop Irish.....If only it wasn't so expensive and if only they valued me as a customer.

dnme · 19-09-2011 12:19AM

BTW

Seeing as I'm on a forum, there might be people from the trade etc knocking around. I was wondering if anyone can advise or get a trade deal on pvc roof sheets? Is anyone in the trade watching, or perhaps knows anyone in the trade? It's expensive stuff and I'll take any help I can get.

A Lean-To Tale (with pics & maybe vids)

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