The Shed Project - Day 3
July 27, 2008 | Filed Under Storage Shed | Leave a Comment
Dave stands in the framed doorway after erecting all four walls onto the platform. / July 27, 2008
Scattered thunderstorms was the theme for the day, but that didn’t stop me from framing the front and back walls and then erecting them.
The day started out with blue skies and sunshine. But I knew the rain was coming, so I put up my EZ-Up popup canopy over part of the platform and behind it to keep everything dry when the wet stuff arrived.
I finished the back wall and 90% of the front wall when the lighting and thunder rolled in. After the thunder-boomers left the area, and only a light rain remained, I went back out to finish the front wall.
Once again, a hard rain started again. After about an hour, the rain quit. Linda ran off to the grocery store and I went out to prepare the platform for the walls. I moved the canopy to an open area in front of the shed, cleared the platform of wood, saws, etc. and was ready to put up the walls.
I didn’t want to wait for Linda to return, so I tackled the job alone. I setup the left sidewall, and braced it with a 2×4 to keep it stable. I screwed the bottom plate to the platform and plumbed the wall.
The backwall was next, followed by the other sidewall. Just as I was about to put up the front wall, Linda returned and gave me a hand lifting it onto the platform.
Boy, this sucker looks huge now. Next stage, the siding.
Total costs so far: $473
Day 3 Photos
The Shed Project - Day 2
July 26, 2008 | Filed Under Storage Shed | Leave a Comment
One of two sidewalls framed on the second day of the shed project
I awoke this morning only slightly stiff — much better than I thought I would feel. So, it was off to Home Depot again to load up with the wood needed to complete the four walls.
Keely wanted to help today, so I started her out with a small hammer, some finish nails and a few scrap pieces of wood to practice hammering. She practiced for about 10 minutes before deciding she would rather measure stuff. So, as I was finishing the first wall, she helped me in measuring to check for a square wall.
I completed two side walls and noticed some dark gray clouds moving in — so I cleaned up and put everything away. The forecast is for rain this afternoon/evening and into tomorrow. So, not sure how much more I will be able to complete this weekend.
Total costs so far: $385
Day 2 Photos
The Shed Project - Day 1
July 25, 2008 | Filed Under Storage Shed | Leave a Comment
The platform built on the first day of the shed project, sits on cement stones and gravel. / July 25, 2008
Well, today I finally started building the 8×12 storage shed that I have had the plans for since about the turn of the century. The actual plan is for an 8×10 shed, but I’m extending it two additional feet.
I got up this morning and headed off to Home Depot to get all the supplies I would need to build the platform. All the wood for this portion of the shed is treated, which means heavy! The heaviest items were the three 4×4x12′ and the three sheets of 3/4-inch PT plywood.
After loading the truck, I headed over to get my permit. Surprisingly, that went very smooth.
Linda and the kids headed off to a friends house for the day to do some swimming, so I had the entire day to myself.
At first it was a slow go, for I had to cut the 4×4’s to exactly 12-feet, then cut a bevel on each end. I then had to cut the 2×4x12’s also to exactly 12-feet, followed by cutting the 2×4x8’s to 93-inches. I was antsy to use my hammer!
By about 11:30a I finally nailed a floor joist to the rim joist- woo hoo! I nailed about 4 of the 13 joists when I took a lunch break.
The platform framing was done by 1:00, and all that was left was to put on the plywood. The hardest part about that was carrying the boards over to the platform. The three boards went down quickly, and the platform is now complete and square!
I guess tomorrow I’ll have to run over to Home Depot again to get the wood to start on the walls.
Total costs so far: $250
Day 1 Photos
Gilmore’s Raid
July 22, 2008 | Filed Under FAMILY | Leave a Comment
Civil War reenactment soldiers at their campsite / July 29, 2008
Saturday we visited Jerusalem Mill for a Civil War era renactment of Gilmore’s Raid on the General Store. Seeing so many people dressed in vintage clothing in the setting around Jerusalem Mill, made us feel like we were back in the late 1800’s.
The weather was pretty sticky — mid-90’s with high humidity. We found a nice shady area near the water to eat lunch.
A player on the Potomac Vintage baseball team explains some of the rules to a spectator. / Saturday, July 19, 2008
In addition, we also got to watch a 19th century vintage base ball game. The locals in their 19th century garb played against the Chesapeake and Potomac Base Ball Club. The players play by the rules as they were back in 1863. They wear the same type of uniforms, use the same type of ball and play with no gloves — just as they did over 145 years ago. I really enjoyed it, and am thinking of contacting and joining the base ball club.