post and beam

Well, I'm moving along finally. Last weekend, I singlehandedly hung the second 2x12 support beam with nary a scratch (well a dinged up finger). Today, I picked up some old 2x6 boards (to be used later) from a buddy in town. Then, my buddy from across the street came over and we started on the understructure. You can see from the pictures how far we got!

Woo Hoo!

FINALLY, some warm, sunny weather. I took the day off and my daughter and I started the treehouse. First, we put up one of the main support beams, then we dug and poured two footings to support the other side of the main platform. Lots of digging there were tree roots in one hole and ledge rock in the other.

Rain,rain,rain,rain,rain,rain,rain,rain,rain,rain,rain,rain,rain,.............

11 inches in three weeks! That's what weather is doing to my work days. We are getting 4 days of sun this week and my daughter is free this week, do we hope to begin. I have the wood and the bolts needed for the main support beams.

Two minor changes. I bought two - 2"x12" 16-footers (PT wood). I was going to use them nailed together as on 4x12. I decided it would be better to install them as 2x12 s one on either side of the tree trunks.

Also, I think that I'm going to change the structure of the 4x6 posts holding up the other end of the platform. I will install a 4x6 beam on top of the two 2x6 beams build a deck-like understructure for the fixed end of the main platform. I am thinking of adding a foot to the deck and a foot to the house. This will allow more room in the treehouse and on the deck.

PS Thanks to http://www.winternet.com/~carols/maine/ for the picture.

Build Your Kids a Treehouse

A quick correct on that treehouse book. The correct reference is: The Black & Decker Complete Guide: Build Your Kids a Treehouse (Black & Decker Complete Guide) (Paperback) by Charlie Self (Author), John Drigot (Contributor)