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Building a wood shed w/cut logs???

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Treecutter

09-15-2004 07:17:48




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I'm looking to build a cheap wood shed to store at least 2 winters of wood and maybe a tractor if there is any room left. I'm figuring on a 10x30x10 size. I want to make this cheap because money is tight on the homestead. I'd like to make my own poles from trees that I cut. What trees have the best attributes to resist the rot from being in the ground for a long time and exposed to rain on the top side? Can I cement them in? Should I strip them of bark or leave it on? How long will they last? I live in MN, full of hardwoods, snow and freeze/thaw cycles. If anybody has some plans or other ideas too, that would be great! Any help you can give would be appreciated!

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BrokenFences

09-15-2004 16:20:42




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 Re: Building a wood shed w/cut logs??? in reply to Treecutter, 09-15-2004 07:17:48  
I agree that locust would be the best for ground contact, as dry as you can find. As I write, I'm drawing my plan for a shed to cover both my firewood and outdoor furnace. I'm trying to decide what size poles and spacing to use for the roof. I have a pile of slate roofing I want to use, so i'm concerned about the weight. Do you plan to side yours, or let it open? Mine will be about 16x 20 x 12



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Treecutter

09-16-2004 05:20:24




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 Re: Building a wood shed w/cut logs??? in reply to BrokenFences, 09-15-2004 16:20:42  
I plan on putting tin on the north side because the shed will double as a windbreak for my house. The 2 small sides then will have 1x6 staggered like a fence to allow the air to move through the pile. The summer winds mostly come from the south so i figure it will get some good drying time in during the summer months. The tin is going to be the most expensive part unfortunetly.



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PJW

09-15-2004 16:47:58




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 Re: Building a wood shed w/cut logs??? in reply to BrokenFences, 09-15-2004 16:20:42  
About 20 years ago I was faced with the same situation, free wood but no money. The poles I used were 8” x 8” x 14'. I treated them by soaking in a product called creotech. After about 12 years or so some of the poles were showing signs of failure at the point the pole entered the soil. Not knowing the best technique during installation some of the poles were cemented others I used gravel near the bottom of the hole and still others were just soil. The poles with the gravel lasted the longest. About five years ago I braced the shed and replaced the poles with new .06 retention womanized, which is the right material for wood foundations right next to the old pole.

If at all possible save and buy the right poles. The effort it took to replace the poles and save the building was not worth any money I saved.

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Guy

09-15-2004 14:29:34




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 Re: Building a wood shed w/cut logs??? in reply to Treecutter, 09-15-2004 07:17:48  
Not sure of what type of structure you are thinking of building, But if you are thinking of a pole barn type, check with your local power company. About 15 years ago they gave me all the old power poles I wanted, and delivered them for free in northern MN. If you were thinking of another type of structure, a friend of mine built a outbuilding using cordwood construction. It turned out really nice.

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Kendall

09-15-2004 08:38:58




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 Re: Building a wood shed w/cut logs??? in reply to Treecutter, 09-15-2004 07:17:48  
Treat whatever post you decide to use with a presertaive such as what I linked to below. There are other brands that have the same stuff in it. Coppertox is one of them. They are all green. Get a few gallons and let the ends of the logs/poles soak it it for a while (see directions). That would be best but I guess you could paint it on let it soak in and repeat that process a few times. Wood rot is your greatest concern and this stuff will prevent it. Will also keep termites and other bug out.

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Peanut

09-15-2004 08:02:43




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 Re: Building a wood shed w/cut logs??? in reply to Treecutter, 09-15-2004 07:17:48  
The dryer the logs are, the better. Once the bark is stripped, stack/lay them in a way where air can circulate and dry them. If you build it with "wet" or "fresh" logs they will change in size as they cure. This could possibly affect the stability of your structure. If you are in a hurry or dont care to much go ahead and use green logs.

I agree with the White Oak. It is a VERY hard wood and very common for log structures. They'll last longer than you will. It is a good idea to put a sealant on the logs after they are up.

As far as cement ... Why? Notch each log at the ends with your chainsaw and be prepared to fit each log as you build from the ground up. Long spike can be used to secure the logs in the notches. Just pre-drill before you attempt to drive a spike. If you are looking to ensure no water gets in between the logs, there are lots of products available to "caulk" between the logs.

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log types

09-15-2004 07:42:55




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 Re: Building a wood shed w/cut logs??? in reply to Treecutter, 09-15-2004 07:17:48  
Black locust would be suitable for ground contact. White oak not red oak. Cedar poles stripped of there sapwood. There a view posts floating around that have links to barn/farm structures I think its the North Carolina Ag school or North Dakota but theres downloadable prints. If your going to do cement maybe pour footing in sonotubes and raise sill off the ground a foot.



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Pitch

09-16-2004 17:28:11




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 Re: Building a wood shed w/cut logs??? in reply to log types, 09-15-2004 07:42:55  
How about just using cordwood. Several old cordwood buildings around here that are probably 150 yrs old. Most use a rock rubble footer and the cordwood stacked and mortared.



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Ron Anderson

09-19-2004 15:46:42




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 Re: Building a wood shed w/cut logs??? in reply to Pitch, 09-16-2004 17:28:11  
I would get used poles from a electric utility company then put a add in newspaper for used steel paneling. Look for a iron supply place that recycles used iron. used steel panels are light weight so are real cheap to buy. Last year we got enough used steel panels for a roof of a 40X90 building for less then 50.00$. The screws cost more then the steel.lol.



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