I wonder if you could make some homemade shake shingles out your pallets?

 

Now there's an idea for the cave!! I live right behind the only hardware store in the area, and he moves a couple dozen pallets out to scrap a week. I didn't consider using them for any kind general repair, as that kiln dried wood is a pain in the butt to work with, but as shingles?

That would even look cool, and I could use that old holey tin on the back and side instead.

I'll keep that in my back pocket.

 

Here is a video about shake roofs:
Make log cabin shakes shingles - YouTube

 

I understand about using purlins on edge.
And the trusses Are on edge...
But how do they splice together to make a gable roof?
Do you simply splice them together with a plywood scab in the center? Scab a 2x4 along side the bottom chord from plate to plate?
When they're not nailed off to sheeting what are you using to brace them diagonally, to keep from folding like a house of cards?
I DO understand how this would work if you had a structural ridge or a pole barn.

 

OK, finally making some progress.

I got the electrician out here yesterday, and we decided together that we'll replace the current meter base with a 200a 8/16 meter base load center.

As I understand things, and I'm NOT an electrician, is what I currently have is a standard meter base with a 100a sub-box peeling off of it. That sub-box is currently feeding my well, my kiln shop, and the RV that my oldest son and his wife live in.

Can we say "under-powered"?

Also a problem is the feeder wires going from the meter box to the sub-box are undersized. Great. I'm a fire waiting to happen, right?

So the new load center supposed to feed my 200a main panel inside the house, AND provide an additional built in 200a service for my outbuildings. Total cost for the job looks to be about $500-550.

I need to get permits and such, so just as soon as I can get those and schedule in the electric company, we'll get this mess off the side of my house and install the new load center.

Power for the Man Cave is becoming a reality!

Comments?


Old meter box and sub-box:

 

Sounds like you have it scoped out well. And, things have been undersized, for sure. As Jim says, progress is good!!

 

Scored some siding today. Got a few more joists from a burn pile also.

I think I'm just about ready to tear down the back wall and replace the load bearing posts that have rotted out. I'll be able to fix the rear of the roof where the tin has rusted out while I'm back there. I picked up a few sheets of usable tin, so I'll have to jack up the roof a bit and install the new posts, then pull out the rusted tin.

Anyways, about the siding I got. It's 80 year old tongue and groove pine heartwood. The piles, and the pics below, don't do the stuff justice. Under the grime and paint, this stuff is beautiful! The guy that gave it to me said that in order to get the long pieces, I had to take the shorts too. I looked at the pile of shorts, and saw cabinets. Beautiful, rustic cabinets. There are people in the burbs that pay a ton o' cash to have cabinets like that in their "rustic" kitchens.... So I said, "yea, I guess so." Took two loads to get it all out of there, long and shorts.

So here's the pics. I still have to sort it all out this weekend, and stack it under the eves so's it don't get rained on. Gotta get me a belt sander now, and a miter box. Gonna build me some cabinets.

 

Lots of good material there. You did well!

 

Looking good, man!

It's good to see that you'll be getting that fire hazard undone from the side of your house. I wouldn't even name the electrical issues that have been where I'm at. It's a wonder my house has stood as long as it has. It's crazy what kind of ways people will rig junk up to get things to work.

Has the breaker ever tripped? I would imagine it would trip often if the right amount of load was put on it.

On a side note... pallet wood (birch) is often used in the manufacturing of firearm's wood stocks. The best birch you can get comes from Maine.

 

1983f150- You ever see that show Holmes on Holmes? Their reactions to stuff like that are priceless.


Anafiel- how much wood (if any) do you still need for the build?

 

I watch Holmes on Holmes every Sunday night and sometimes during the week.

Definetly get the wiring upgraded. Too many homes/garages fall due to fire from electrical issues.

I could use some of those trusses...

 

Called the county office yesterday and checked on getting a permit for my wiring. $38.00, I guess everyone has to get their cut.. Monday, I'll get the permit and swing by the electric supply house and get my new load center.

I guess what I don't get here is, why do I have to PAY the county to get PERMISSION to work on MY house? If I wanted to walk around the exterior of my house, and bust holes in it with my 10 pound sledge, do I need a permit for that too? I don't get why any of this is any of their business.

Crap.

Anyway, I scored some more lumber yesterday. Got 15 12' lengths of 1x6, and 7 12' lengths of 2x6, along with some various 4'-5' lengths of 4x4, all for $40.00. Should be useful boards, you think?

So I'm standing by my pile of heartwood pine siding with my wife yesterday, and she says to me..

"Hoooney...?"

"Yes, dear?" (???)

"That's some really pretty wood there..."

"Why, yes it is." (uh-oh)

"You know where that would look really good?"

"No dear, where?" (on the side of my shop?)

"That would look GREAT as flooring in the two bathrooms."

"Yes, dear, it most certainly would." (well, there it is. a new project. crap!)


Thing is, she's right. So she started looking on the Internet for procedures and tools, and bought me a DeWalt random orbital sander, and a rubber sanding block, so's I can do the finish work in style. I also see some body and paint job work on the '85 in my future. (Good job, Dear!)

 

That wood would () make good flooring. I hadn't figured out the flooring bit, but was sure the sander was for the wood, probably cabinets. Just think how happy your wife will be and what that will mean in funding for other projects!

 

Yep, a demolition permit in my town is $750. They now charge $10/dog for a 'license.'

750k residents, one of the highest avg. incomes in the state. I still can't get road maintenance.

 

Demolition permit $500

Fine for not getting a permit $500.

Hmmm What to do....