txav8r's new barn construction (RV but could be boat)

[itsdgm]

Looking good mel.

 

[swatski]

@txav8r This is a great thread, I am watching it like a hawk. Looking great coming up and together so fast!

--

 

[txav8r]

All bolts have a watertight washer and panels of each arch waterfall over the lower panel by 12", and finally, each arch has an overlapping lip that seals over the next. No caulk is even necessary on the building seams, just the perimeter of the base plates and under them.

But based on experience so far, you need a big crew and be flexible in body as well as adapt to mounting challenges. But we are getting it up. I have found 4 panels with at least one hole not punched. 5 more arches up today.
Pics to follow.

 

[txav8r]

 

[Speedling]

View attachment 50178 View attachment 50179 View attachment 50180

Boy am i glad to see you have screw guns out for that, LOL! Wow! Coming along now!

 

[Wayloncle]

@txav8r is there a common concrete practice for it stopping like this instead of going the little bit farther to meet the existing?

Great job!

 

[txav8r]

@Wayloncle , yes it is common practice. You don't want to run any concrete to a point as it will crack off. So they will always cut a point and square it.

 

[Wayloncle]

@Wayloncle , yes it is common practice. You don't want to run any concrete to a point as it will crack off. So they will always cut a point and square it.

Makes sense!

 

[txav8r]

Yesterday I hated this barn. But we have adapted and overcome, although I a a civilian. It's a tough build but it is far superior to a conventional metal barn. The manufacturer says wind loading of 130mph and 5 foot snow load. And...while slow progress has been made, we are beyond the lower curve and cured the ailments as well as learned the techniques to build it well. But I intend to hold the manufacturer accountable for miss drilled panels.

 

[Zarrella]

@txav8r
Mel,

You should set up a live streaming camera for us. Just like the ones we have been watching hatching the eagle eggs!

 

[txav8r]

If I wasn't in deep just trying to build on limited timeframe, and if I had some help on streaming, I would do it.

 

[tdonoughue]

...the world's biggest Erector set...

Love the progress! Keep with the updates!

 

[txav8r]

Only 5 arches to go!!!

 

[txav8r]

 

[txav8r]

You know, I have had a few days of regret and now seeing the finish line, satisfied that this is a good barn. But...would be nice to talk to someone you trusted to give you straight advice in the way to build this type of structure. Anyone that chooses to build one of these, talk to me. It's a great structure, hit the manufacturer will glaze over the actual work to build it. It has taken a team of 5 to 7, 3 full days to build to where we are, and another couple of days with only a few working. We are back to 3 or less workers. One half day was taken removing 2 full arches and rebuilding them, as our pace was faster than my supervision. And yesterday and today, I have spent a great deal of my time, drilling the panels that were shipped to me and not fully drilled. Regardless, I feel this is a quality building. But the issues caused by lack of quality control have yet to be shared with the manufacturer and not sure what that will result in.

 

[tdonoughue]

I have only done a small shed of that type of construction and had similar issues (undrilled holes, needed more people than anticipated to put up, etc.). I can only imagine this project. Well, except for the pictures. That helps the imagination some.

Quite an undertaking!

 

[txav8r]

@tdonoughue , a much bigger project than I ever imagined. But all in all, my bro in law thinks it is a great barn and they have been here for the bulk of construction. He wants to get one to build a shop for my sister. They already have two barns on 7 acres in the Texas panhandle. It is actually an amazing structure free of other support but yet stronger than any other design.

 

[txav8r]

My wife tells me out last push today to tighten up the last 4 arches and brace the next 4, had us complete 1 more arch than I thought...only 4 to go!

 

[txav8r]

We are on the last arch. Our family helpers left yesterday and we ran into issues later that afternoon. Had to remove what we did all afternoon. Anyway, just about done with the shell.

 

[itsdgm]

Looks great Mel. Keep up the great work and thanks for letting us follow your progress.