I know, just built one last year, but I had to buy everything. I finally tracked down a young man that was offering to build sheds, and worked it out at a huge discount to basically just help me do it. LOL Much easier with a second person. So I had help. But quite a journey, and I learned a lot.
You should have made a video of it and put it on youtube, give it the right title and thumbnail and you got a winner. I watch those kinds of videos all the time and they always have a huge view count. But, of course, it would have doubled your construction time to have to film and edit it, Lol
Definitely take them to dinner. Great way to showcase neighbors helping neighbors and the bit about the sign on the shed is awesome and I'm willing to bet there's at least one neighbor that wishes they had nabbed the sign after what you did.
My wife and I lucked out when we were house-hunting and landed one with an auxiliary building, about double-garage size, in which I can indulge all my pack-rat tendencies, including hoarding some 4x4's. ;-)
It's funny you should mention that. I was wondering whether i should listen to music or glean knowledge with podcasts or whatever, while working. But then I decided I needed quiet to be alone with my own head.
I would be willing to bet we have such codes here. And maybe it will be an issue when we go to sell. But no, there are no footings. It’s up on bricks at the corners, and some along the sides, and leveled of course. I did the same with the gazebo platform, and that has been just fine for years.
Our neighbors to both sides would never narc on us. And if the neighbors across the street, or a couple houses down, were tattle-tails, they would long ago have tattled on our neighbors’ 30 chickens! I’d bet dollars to donuts THOSE are not allowed here.
I bet my neighbor would shoot a deer with a bow from his patio if he felt like it, too. And I had to put an animal out of its misery with a .22 not so long ago.
No one here is doing anything wrong. The codes, and their enforcers, can get £#€{ed.
That’s great to hear that you have people who are willing to just let you be. On my street neighbors have narced. “I don’t think you’re supposed to have a fire circle …”
After we put out addition on the house the city was supposed to do the interior inspection, went out back and cited us for things not included in the project.
Michigan is like that in the Southeastern tip. Ponderous.
I've been wantingto build a tiny house with a loft, out of leftovers. I helped a friend build a two bedroom cabin out of an old barn that we tore down for an off grid getaway. I really enjoyed the project. And I got to paint murals 😁 Brilliant work, you are such a a gracious human being 🫂🌻🏡
I got paid for woodworking for 50 years. Now I’m 68 and still do the exact same thing for free. There’s something about bringing something to life using your hands and head. Along the way I’ve built about a dozen wooden boats. Someone once said that men build boats because they can’t make babies. I like that.
I became a working foreman in a custom display business in my 40s and watched many rookies and experts create wooden things. The guys that were really good were the ones that found the most efficient and attractive ways to correct their mistakes, learn from them, and build something even better the next time.
Break some eggs!
And watch your hands, not your tools or the material they are cutting.
You're the real deal. I have really only built three big things in my life—a spec cabin in the middle of nowhere Montana, my gazebo, and this shed. I am a novice rough framer and have never done any proper finish work. But I have learned a lot and I am proud to at least know a little something.
I feel ya, Chris. Have an old shed and mini-greenhouse on the property. Scrap lumber and windows and decks, all day long! I feel like our forefathers (and foremothers) were all about, got some found lumber--what do you want to be?! Great job on the build; got some hidden skills there Chris!
Great; I have a few posts actually inspired from it! It’s really a collection of found windows which were reinforced with lumber from a local sawmill. It's only 4.5 × 6 feet by about 8 feet high. It progressed over time.
But spare lumber and your creativity; it's a blast!
Good work, Christopher!!! I am very impressed by your shed. "Scrounging", it's the American way! It is truly amazing how much waste is out there. When I lived in San Francisco, I was an apartment manager for 6 1/2 years in downtown SF, 1991 to 1997. I was shocked at how many perfectly good and useful items were casually discarded! I would find perfectly good and useful things like clothing, dishes, and other household items. I would never take "yuck" (I'm a discriminating scrounger!) but still, the amount of waste was staggering! Same on the actual streets of San Francisco on the middle flank of Nob Hill where I lived. People would move out and often put items in neat paper bags on the street for inspection. I was not too proud to at least take a look and if items passed my look, I would take them. Discriminating street-shopper and surviver. Again, very good work, Christopher. W.E.W.
💯 The people who used to live across the street threw our such good stuff. We are still using a patio set that they threw out almost ten years ago. We also have an outdoor couch and four chairs from another neighbor. And a giant big screen TV that worked just fine!
Nice job. I need one of those. You should ask for a can of paint for your birthday present. Then you wouldn't have to classify it as a purchase, by you, of "new materials"!
Noice! Very impressive work there.
I know, just built one last year, but I had to buy everything. I finally tracked down a young man that was offering to build sheds, and worked it out at a huge discount to basically just help me do it. LOL Much easier with a second person. So I had help. But quite a journey, and I learned a lot.
Respect. I'd share a foxhole with ya.
New materials? What are you, some sort of royalty or something? 🤣🤣🤣🤴
"I'd share a foxhole with ya."
—I promise I don't snore (much).
Only rule is, don’t think about being braver than me.
No worries!
Good job! What you did is what my Substack is all about. Upcycled materials are capable of making positive impact.
I just took a look through some of them. Some really lovely stuff. And I am totally digging that sunroom!
You should have made a video of it and put it on youtube, give it the right title and thumbnail and you got a winner. I watch those kinds of videos all the time and they always have a huge view count. But, of course, it would have doubled your construction time to have to film and edit it, Lol
And I also would have had to pay at least 15 of the chickens as union extras. Pricey!
Chickens will work for scratch :-)
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Except for the roosters
What they work for, I ain't givin'.
Definitely take them to dinner. Great way to showcase neighbors helping neighbors and the bit about the sign on the shed is awesome and I'm willing to bet there's at least one neighbor that wishes they had nabbed the sign after what you did.
Everyone in the neighborhood wishes they were me 100% of the time.
🤣🤣 Spoken like a Dad.
🤣🤣🤣
Throwing away 4x4's of any reasonable length almost qualifies as a sin. Glad you were able to make good use of materials that almost went to waste!
Totally! Even if you just use them in landscaping or whatever.
See, this is one of the reason I need a big piece of property and a barn. To save 4x4s!
My wife and I lucked out when we were house-hunting and landed one with an auxiliary building, about double-garage size, in which I can indulge all my pack-rat tendencies, including hoarding some 4x4's. ;-)
Outbuildings kick ass.
Bravo, my brother!!! 💖
I love that you can both think about cool stuff AND build cool stuff!!
Not usually at the same time, though. 🤣
Thanks!
Congratulations. I'm glad you had so much fun with the project. I find such projects to be a great balance for creative mental work.
It's funny you should mention that. I was wondering whether i should listen to music or glean knowledge with podcasts or whatever, while working. But then I decided I needed quiet to be alone with my own head.
Great job with the trusses. Far less cutting as well, that was good thinking.
I love the “well we’re rolling now just make it work” ethos. We need a lot more of that these days.
Question for you - no footings required for the deck? We have building codes that are so restrictive here, and neighbors who nark.
Thanks!
I would be willing to bet we have such codes here. And maybe it will be an issue when we go to sell. But no, there are no footings. It’s up on bricks at the corners, and some along the sides, and leveled of course. I did the same with the gazebo platform, and that has been just fine for years.
Our neighbors to both sides would never narc on us. And if the neighbors across the street, or a couple houses down, were tattle-tails, they would long ago have tattled on our neighbors’ 30 chickens! I’d bet dollars to donuts THOSE are not allowed here.
I bet my neighbor would shoot a deer with a bow from his patio if he felt like it, too. And I had to put an animal out of its misery with a .22 not so long ago.
No one here is doing anything wrong. The codes, and their enforcers, can get £#€{ed.
That’s great to hear that you have people who are willing to just let you be. On my street neighbors have narced. “I don’t think you’re supposed to have a fire circle …”
After we put out addition on the house the city was supposed to do the interior inspection, went out back and cited us for things not included in the project.
Michigan is like that in the Southeastern tip. Ponderous.
The very thought of dealing with that enrages me to a degree I can barely describe.
I've been wantingto build a tiny house with a loft, out of leftovers. I helped a friend build a two bedroom cabin out of an old barn that we tore down for an off grid getaway. I really enjoyed the project. And I got to paint murals 😁 Brilliant work, you are such a a gracious human being 🫂🌻🏡
You are very kind. I hope you get to build that tiny house! (And I hope someone helps you. Construction is hard alone :-)
So true, It's like weightlifting. One should have, at least, a spotter 😂😎😳
I got paid for woodworking for 50 years. Now I’m 68 and still do the exact same thing for free. There’s something about bringing something to life using your hands and head. Along the way I’ve built about a dozen wooden boats. Someone once said that men build boats because they can’t make babies. I like that.
I became a working foreman in a custom display business in my 40s and watched many rookies and experts create wooden things. The guys that were really good were the ones that found the most efficient and attractive ways to correct their mistakes, learn from them, and build something even better the next time.
Break some eggs!
And watch your hands, not your tools or the material they are cutting.
Well done, wood rat.
Thank you!
You're the real deal. I have really only built three big things in my life—a spec cabin in the middle of nowhere Montana, my gazebo, and this shed. I am a novice rough framer and have never done any proper finish work. But I have learned a lot and I am proud to at least know a little something.
Outstanding work! Big respect for you coming through it relatively unscathed!🎉🥳
"Big respect for you coming through it relatively unscathed!"
The fact that that is a big win is a testament to middle age!
This is awesome Chris. Great job!
Thank you :-) It was wasn't always fun, but it made me happy.
I feel ya, Chris. Have an old shed and mini-greenhouse on the property. Scrap lumber and windows and decks, all day long! I feel like our forefathers (and foremothers) were all about, got some found lumber--what do you want to be?! Great job on the build; got some hidden skills there Chris!
Nice! Thanks :-)
How's the greenhouse working for you?
Great; I have a few posts actually inspired from it! It’s really a collection of found windows which were reinforced with lumber from a local sawmill. It's only 4.5 × 6 feet by about 8 feet high. It progressed over time.
But spare lumber and your creativity; it's a blast!
Just took a look. Nice!
We're north of y'all—in western NY state. How do you like PA?
I’m a Pennsylvania boy. We’re settled here in S Central Pa; it's peaceful. Been up to Ithaca, Lake George, and Niagra. Awful pretty up your way.
We are considering the very northern edge of PA as a possibility…
Cost of a house and land should be a plus. We have ‘school taxes’ that homeowners pay, based on property value.
Good work, Christopher!!! I am very impressed by your shed. "Scrounging", it's the American way! It is truly amazing how much waste is out there. When I lived in San Francisco, I was an apartment manager for 6 1/2 years in downtown SF, 1991 to 1997. I was shocked at how many perfectly good and useful items were casually discarded! I would find perfectly good and useful things like clothing, dishes, and other household items. I would never take "yuck" (I'm a discriminating scrounger!) but still, the amount of waste was staggering! Same on the actual streets of San Francisco on the middle flank of Nob Hill where I lived. People would move out and often put items in neat paper bags on the street for inspection. I was not too proud to at least take a look and if items passed my look, I would take them. Discriminating street-shopper and surviver. Again, very good work, Christopher. W.E.W.
💯 The people who used to live across the street threw our such good stuff. We are still using a patio set that they threw out almost ten years ago. We also have an outdoor couch and four chairs from another neighbor. And a giant big screen TV that worked just fine!
Yep and good for you!!! I do not understand it except to say our dear USA is rather spoiled by the vast abundance of riches.
Yeppers.
Nice job. I need one of those. You should ask for a can of paint for your birthday present. Then you wouldn't have to classify it as a purchase, by you, of "new materials"!
Yes—in a ridiculous color. Red shed with lime-green trim.
Hi, neighbors!!
Well done !
thanks :-)