J Korny

Glenn Herbert wrote:First, a response about Dillon's clear span question is essential to us giving good advice.

If it will be shop/storage and not tightly enclosed, the poles should work fine. Even though such toxic materials are discouraged here, recycling them from other uses is frugal.

If a 20' clear span is acceptable, you could do it with a row of posts down the center, and a ridgepole with rafter poles every few feet. The required size and spacing depend on your climate: how much snow do you get in the worst winters (average is irrelevant here)? What kind of extreme wind loads do you have? Any other factors like earthquakes to consider?

The sketch you posted is not sound, as the sloping rafters will push the walls apart with or without a ridgepole. You need a ridge post or a truss, and a 40' truss requires professional-grade engineering.

As aforementioned, I need everything dumbed down. So, to clarify, ridge posts are posts running down the middle?

Dillon Nichols wrote:Hi J, welcome to permies!

A couple things come to mind without really getting into the meat of the design...

I think you're right about clear span being unlikely, but it would certainly be helpful to know how much clear span you absolutely need?

Do you have a quality ventilator to use if you are cutting treated utility poles?

Do you have access to heavy equipment to move and lift these poles?

All the cutting will be done outside. If necessary, I'll rent heavy equipment but I've got a lot of buddies that work for beer. LOL

Tyler Ludens wrote:Is this meant to be a dwelling? Utility poles outgas stinky toxic gick.

No, it'll be used as nothing more than storage/shop.

Hello everyone! I stumbled across this website while researching "roundwood framing" and it is quite a bit more than I expected! In fact, I'm addicted! From everything to living frugal, off-grid, growing etc.! With all that being said, please allow the ridicule to ensue! I have attached a windows paint photo of a projected idea that I have. Let me start off by saying I have an abundance, and access to basically a limitless supply of utility poles. I'm a complete stranger to carpentry so please, dumb down every piece of advice down to a kindergarten level please! I am trying to be as frugal as possible without compromising safety and longevity. I would like to frame a 40x60 building ENTIRELY of utility poles (minus purlins, walls etc.)I would like a free span, but that seems to be nearly impossible to achieve without trusses. In my mind, if I can get this building framed up with "free" utility poles, then I can afford to skin it with anything I'd like. So, with that being said, let the games begin!