Hi. Welcome to my "home" design page.
This is my recording of my weekend home design progress for my home on
my Lula property.
To see the original concept, click here.
To see July 2002 progress, click here.
latest photos - August 24, 2002
August 3 work.
This photo shows the first F2 panel. In the foreground are the two F1 panels
that have been bolted together using 3/8" bolts. The F2 panel has a 6x6 at the end to represent the end sill
on the prototype. The D&RGW railroad actually used 8x8 and 8x11 sized lumber where I'm using 4x4 and 6x6. Obviously
it is not intended to move.
In the foreground in an F1 panel, you can
see the decking joist hangers that are being used on the panels. This provides several plusses including an easy
way to connect the members and added strength when moving the panels.
In the background two of the 3/8" bolts used to attach the 4x4 beams of the adjacent panels together can be seen.
The first F1 panel used a 4x4 on the ends.since the ends are to be supported
by a 4x4 underneath, I felt that the ends could be made from 2x4s'. The corners of the panels are connected using
decking braces. One can be seen here on the first panel where the two 4x4s come together. I originally used these
braces both top and bottom for rigidity until the flooring was put on. I think only the bottom one is needed now.
Both these panels are ready for the subfloor. I plan to use 3/4" plywood.
Here is the F1 panel showing the 6x6 end sill. The 4x4 next to the end
sill was not originally planned but was added when I realized I needed a place to nail the flooring next to the
end sill.
Another shot of the 6x6 end sill on the F2 panel. The 3/8" bolts used
to attach the 6x6 to the 2x4 can be seen.
Here is a fuzzy shot showing where both F1 panels and the F2 panel coming
together. When this was shot, the F2 panel was still on top of some 2x4s that were used for assembling the panel.
The panels are assembled upside down to connect the decking braces to the wood and then turned over. Since a 6x6
is taller than a 4x4, a means to level everything out was needed. I used some 2x4s to level out the bottom of the
panel (upside down) for initial assembly.
Here is a fuzzy shot showing the first panel with the flooring installed.
August 10 and 17/18 work.
To show the
progress of Sunday Aug. 11 and Monday Aug. 12, I took these photos on Monday Aug. 12. This shows the completed
F2 panel at more of an eye level.
This is the other side of the F2 panel.
It already has junk sacked on top of it.
This shows the newer F1 panel with a piece
of sub-floor plywood on top but not attached.
This shot from the other side shows that
some hardware needs to be removed from the older (prototype) F1 before flooring can be added.
Due to rain and other business, I was not
able to accomplish much Aug. 17/18.
I did find I had an error in leveling the workbench proper. I discovered it after I extended the workbench (naturally). I was able to level off the first panels with a wedge by resetting the bench timber closest to the 7.5" gauge RR will have to wait for a dry day.
All three panels now have the 3/4" subfloor installed.
August 24 work.
I completed leveling the workbench proper.
The new end support for the next two panels is in place and the 4x4s for the next two panels are lined up on the
benchwork ready for assembly.
Now if the weather would cooperate and cool down about 10 degrees, I'd be able
to complete more.
A slightly better fuzzy photo of the work
site with a fuzzy blob - Jenny, my cat. She is the work inspector.
I know I could get a better digital camera. However, on these next two panels I'll be using my 35 mm and scanning
the developed photos for a sharper picture for a how-to book on assembling this structure.
I'll be building a couple more buildings for extra space and I may as well have an instruction book on how to do
it so I do not repeat my mistakes.
The two new panels have the outer framing
done. They are going to be bolted together and to the other panels before the inner joists are attached.
One more section of benchwork needs to be constructed for the final three panels and the floor will be done.
Here is a closer shot of the two middle
panels. With Dick Benltey's help, I flipped the panels over to be right side up. I then bolted them together and
to the older panels using the 3/8" bolts.
There is a loose 2x4 lying on the work bench below the floor panels.
This shot shows the middle joint between
the two panels and the row of bolts holding them together.
The pot in the back ground is one of four citronella candles I am using successfully to reduce the number of flying bugs and mosquitos from the area while I am working.
This shot shows the four bolts used to connect
to the earlier panels.
Between the 4x4 workbench girder and the 4x4 workbench joist a milled down 2x4 is stuffed in to level the original panels. The workbench girder is uneven but the joists are level. The wedge is about 1" thick.
Here is the new workbench joist and the
new panel on top. To level the bench, I had to cut a new leg (out of sight in this picture near the camera) and
then wedge a couple of 1x2 scraps between the girder and the joist. If this had been a permanent installation,
I would not have accepted the wedges - I would have leveled the entire girder.
I may still level the girders once the caboose is removed to my Lula property before I start on the box car.
Taken from the same spot but farther to
the left, this is the other panel and the work bench leg can be seen. I do need to get some 2x4s and brace the
new legs.
If the weather forecasters are correct, it should be cool enough for me to complete these two panels this coming week after work and get on to constructing the last section of workbench and the last three panels to complete the subfloor.
Then comes the walls.
I was corresponding with Bill Kepner who is in charge of restoring D&RGW 0579
(short caboose) for the C&TS. He has been able to point me to some ideas about building the roof that excite
me a lot. I've looked at some plans he pointed me to for RGS 0400 short caboose. It does help. Thanks Bill.
Here is the inspector walking the new panel.
I guess it passes inspection :-).
Return to Doug's
home page.
I may be contacted at douglasvanveelen@mindspring.com