Monday 19 September 2016

spring slowly forward

The glacial moving of this build continues due to a mixture of factors including teaching, long distance relationship visits, engineering holdups (yup still happening) and bad weather. And these are not the only reasons.

But I have made a start on the internal framing - firstly by installing the waling plates. These are the top rails that the ceiling joists are attached to.



In order to install these on my own I needed to work in 3m lengths as anything longer was to unwieldy and heavy. One hand was needed to steady the timber in the middle whilst the other used 3 different drills (first to drill a pilot hole through the wood into the steel, second was to widen the hole and the third to screw the tek screw into the steel.)

Quite a challenge. But like most repetitive tasks - it became easier the more I did.

One waling plate was 5.4m long - did this as I was being lazy and didn't want to have to move all of my tool shelves and boxes!


Then I was able to attach the ceiling joists using joist hangers. Two temporary blocks screwed to the waling plate so I had two free hands to nail made this job a lot easier.




I am still in two minds as to whether I will attach the ceiling plasterboard directly to these joists or add metal battens first to give the joists additional strength and stop any torsion occurring.

I also ordered my roof trusses so I had to prepare the roof for them

As my engineers designed my roof truss plans the truss manufacturer said they should provide me with the necessary methods of attachment for them. I need to lay down joists for the trusses to sit on.

Well it has been over a month and I haven't heard a word from my engineers over my request. They have been useless from the start and they continue in that vein. I shall be happily badmouthing them whenever and wherever possible!!

So I have been flying blind so to speak. Working on the principle that (hopefully) over engineering things myself will suffice. I will still need to organise an engineer to inspect what I do to 'sign' it off.

The first step was to line the perimeter with 45x90mm timber tek screwed into the metal of the containers. Then intermediate pieces where entire lengths were not necessary.








A second layer was glued and screwed through the first:







And temporary supports put under the cantilevered joists (where the back verandah roof trusses will sit.)


A third layer of joists was added and then I attached metal tie-downs at 600mm centres.



Current stage with tie-downs as yet unfinished:


The trusses have arrived. And they don't look like much for the price!



Now I have to sit down and study how to put them up!

In other news - the winter garden, though very modest, was successful as I had an abundance of boc choy and broccoli.



These are now finished, and the garlic and mint are starting to come good:


With Spring here I need to set aside some time to get the Summer veggies planted. This year I will see how eggplants go, and will also put in capsicum, basil, chives, rhubarb (it's still going well from last year), spinach, squash, pumpkin, strawberries, coriander, chili, and perhaps some beans.