I'm told there are locust posts in the fencelines around me over 50 for sure... why not sit it on plinths though? There are threads with detail a great answers on the subject
was that a Mr Chickadee video? I have been watching those with my 6yr old. someday... all exept the sawing, but the 6 yr old can do that when he is big
I want to build a barn, but I am not working on a level 2015 cement pad… in fact i do not get along with cement in general. It looks so easy, but has hidden costs and problems etc. Before I leap in, I would like to describe the site and my plans & see if anyone can poke holes or point out better ideas. First, the back wall about six feet higher than the front wall. The good part is that it is a rock ledge, and gravel run. But what do I use as a foundation? If I were doing a timber frame i would set it on plinths, but i am not likely to have that option…
I'm sorry to read about the fire, i was scrolling down to see workshop pics and was so sad to see a fire damaged shop & home instead!! I wish you well as you re-build. I do want very much to do a workshop here!!! A barn, or the small home (one whole month with Jay teaching!!) workshop would fit us to a 't'. I dont know how to pm anyone but I can try calling Jay!
What sort of foundations did theses have? Does anyone know if a (wrapped in landscape fabric? I guess, though i dont like the material) rubble foundation would work?
Hi, its great to see replies! Thank you Jay for the careful advice. & the kids are all great! Twins are huge and proof of how great nursing is (no 'food' yet!!)!!!
The whole barn is american chestnut (according to old old original family next door) The peg was pulled out (god only knows why) but the timber was intact at the time when I had it first looked at. The 'expert' who visited thought he could see a peg, He also thought that the dinky stick built additions on either side would "keep the building in place regardless". I did not really agree, but left it alone.
Two heavy snow loaded winters later (2014 I couldn't get in there.. ) I noticed and posted that there was a problem. If you can see the back wall, upper left, the beam seems to be splitting due to the pull that the peggless beam allowed. So, really, HELP!
I have access to a real come-along with chains (courtesy of my electrician, who is all around handy.. but a little too 'don't worry' for my taste on these things) and we were talking about running right through the outside wall to circle the upright beam we want to pull, and the same on the other side, so that we would be pulling the two uprights to each other. (he wanted to do something like Scott said on the beam to rig the other end to, but I want to be comfortable about this) and then pull the frame together.
If we went forward on this, what do I do about the far wall? Pull it at the same time, to be sure it doesn't torque ? And do I then add some detail to strengthen the now weakened beam attachment?
Jay, are you in this area some time, on a fancy job you can take a moment away from?
Thank you Jay. Yes everyone is growing super big and strong… nursing only & both are closing in on 20lbs, 30 inches!! The site is all slate, shale outcropping on bank run. the base of the left wall is about 6 feet higher than the base of the right wall. My concerns regarding the site are that I can't do a timber frame! I am planning uprights like a pole barn, with the wood mortised into the side so it is wood (not screws/bolts) holing the weight of the 2 by 6 boards. I was going to do uprights at either 8 foot or 6 foot apart on the 24 foot side. I will sketch a plan. the real question is about the floor. I plan a composting floor. This is wood to sticks to bedding… with IMOs applied… I don't want to compost my walls though!!! So do I tongue oil the wood? Just use locust? Apply a coat of clay?
Hi, finally managed to lo in!!! I have a hillside that is mostly bank run, shale outcroppings and a mostly thin layer of soil.I am back to the idea of doing a barn that would line up with a future milk barn (timber framed) so that especially in winter I can 'put away' the herd at night. I had finally settled on a hoop roof on knee awl;ls.. but the plastic and the ascetics have pushed me back to real wood/ral roof…. so instinctually I feel I can sit my barn on the hill… on rocks where there might be soil and on bare rock if an outcrop is favorably situated. I plan a 20 by 24, or a maximum of 24 by 30. I will do some sketches tonight. the higher up wall starts about 6 feet above the lowest low wall point. The lower wall will be mitigate by terracing in front of it later. I want to use black locust for the wood that touches any soil… but wood still gives me heebie jeevies and my mind turns to pied d terre… but then what if it gets wet? I run not walk from cement… I have pics of the hillside, but they really don't seem to give a great idea of the site
The blue insulation is recycled jeans, it works really well... I had wanted to wash and card out waste wool, but couldn't get it all lined up in time.. Here's a pic of the opposite wall for reference.
The four pics after the one of the beam are from the same side of the joint, I'll send more. Yes Jay, it's the same barn, I was hoping you'd get to see it on here. I'll get some we'd angles when I go out today.
I had this inspected when I bought the farm ( by a so called timberframer at that) and they said no worries... But I was right, the peg was gone (removed?) and the beam has moved!!! How do I fix this? The barn is only about 13 funny typo wide.
Not really sure the construction looks like it's meant to travel much... A real gypsie van would be nice, they travels everywhere, and horses could eat anywhere if you followed the weather!!!
I am about to build a hoop barn... And after much consideration I am doing a composting floor. The Korean pig farm idea is worth looking at.. Those pigs haven't needed a cleaning/change in 12 yrs.. No smell, clean, sanitary and super earth /animal freindly. My building is for milking cows and goats... Actually I am going to write in about it next.. I hope to get feedback on the knee walls:-) -I like moveable housing.. But I realised that it's for rose with flat/flattish feilds.. I hop around 400 ft from one feild to the next!! Besides, why break my back for sort of clean housing when using IMOs (indigenous micro organisms) I can have super clean no mucking quarters for my critters... ?
Does the masonary stove book include plans? I am about to build a stove.. I hope to do a small 5 run design using brick that floats inside a soapstone shell sitting on a slab.. This will heat my barn studio.
I would love to be at this!!! But can't leave the farm as I am the "hired"help... When can I host one of these??!! Jay is an amazing source of knowledge, I want to watch him build.
Don't forget the wormers! They can persist for 20 yrs and kill your garden's vermiculture friends… Some stables require boarders to worm every month, so its a LOT of residue.. not to mention the meds.. Yes, fungi are your friends.. but can you afford to test to see if your personal pile is clean? Some horse owners are all natural/organic in their practices, if you can find one you are golden. My animals are in that category, but I do look wistfully at the HUGE piles at the stable… they could sure speed things up!
