Framing progress!

Lots of progress has been made since my last post. It's been cold and snowy, and I've been working under a tarp a lot of the time. All four walls are up in this photo, although some studs have yet to be installed, in order to allow access to the hold downs.

Here's a close up of one of the 8 hold downs. The 5/8" threaded rod, which is welded to the trailer, comes up through a hole in the 2x4 sill. After installation of the wall, the hold down is lowered into place, screwed into the adjacent double studs with ten 1/4" lag screws, and then held down with a nut and lock washer. I don't think the wall will easily separate from the trailer! The studs next to the hold downs can now be installed.

 

A couple of days later we had some decent weather, and Marsha and I were able to install a few rafters and the ridge beam, which would be quite difficult to do alone.

A stack of identical rafters, awaiting installation. I made one, checked it for fit, and then used it as a template, tracing it onto each new piece of wood.

 Once the ridge beam is in place, the rest of the rafters go up rather easily. (Well, it would have been easier if I hadn't been under a tarp).

I was able to install most of the rafters while working under the tarp which, while a bit difficult, was easier than removing the circus tent sized tarp, which measures 30' x 50', and probably weighs close to fifty pounds. I try not to remove the tarp unless I have a nice long stretch of clear weather since it takes a lot effort to get it on and off. On sunny days, the heat accumulates under the tarp and I actually end up sweating, even though it may be only 15-20 degrees outside.

A week or so after the rafters went up, I had the double luxury of temperatures in the 30's, and the help of my son Doug who is home from college, 18 years old, strong, smart, and agile.

We got all the 1/2" roof sheathing on in just several hours, something which, again, would be very hard to do alone. We worked with the tarp on, and pulled it back to reveal one end of the house at a time.

Here's a little jig to help keep a piece of plywood in position for nailing. Just nail scraps of wood onto two rafter tails, and hammer them outwards if you need to adjust them.

The view from inside.

The rear portion (in this photo) will be the loft bedroom with 4 windows in the dormers, and the kitchen and bathroom below. The area in front (with the steep cathedral ceilings) will be the living room. Should be nice!