"HoustonRunner" (houstonrunner)
03/04/2019 at 13:47 • Filed to: None
1
7|
"HoustonRunner" (houstonrunner)
03/04/2019 at 13:47 • Filed to: None | 1
| 7 |
Not the bikes, but a small shed to cover them. Kids bikes have been languishing in the back yard since we moved into the new house. We have a slightly larger garage, but still just two car with a bit of extra room.
The elements have not been kind, but luckily the bikes were cheap. With the kids getting bigger we need new bikes, and the wife insisted we have something to cover them. I had been resisting as I did not like her initial suggestion - plastic shed.
I do not like the small plastic sheds you can buy at Lowe’s / Home Depot. I’m always worried about a fully enclosed space becoming a home for rodents (I include squirrels and possums in that category), so I wanted something more open.
After some careful negotiation , we agreed on the design above and my dad and I built it Saturday afternoon.
It is not yet complete, the open side closest in the picture will be covered with fence pickets. It is freestanding, so we can move it around a bit if desired. Simple 4x4 posts with 2x4 supporting beams, 3/4" plywood roof with rolled roofing material screwed on. Leftover plywood on the back so I can build in some hooks for helmets.
The open side is about 4 feet from the side of the house, so with protection on the three other sides it should keep all but the most intense rain off the bikes, and direct sun off them as well.
Everything is screwed together, because we don’t use nails in my family. I think my dad had a bad experience building something as a kid, because I can’t ever remember him fixing or building anything with nails . It generally takes longer, but at this point in my life I don’t know any different.
Took a little longer than I thought, mostly due to the natural slope the ground has towards the french drain. So keeping the posts level while building it in place was a challenge.
Also was able to use wood recovered from a few past projects for everything except the roof, so that was nice.
Ash78, voting early and often
> HoustonRunner
03/04/2019 at 13:55 |
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Yes, screw nails! Err...
Also, I don’t know if you’re a convert yet, but Torx decking screws are amazing, if only we can get the companies to agree on a single size (T15/20/25) so I don’t have to go searching for a new bit every time.
Square drive are also great, but not as prolific.
farscythe - makin da cawfee!
> HoustonRunner
03/04/2019 at 14:03 |
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wait... freestanding?
is it anchored?
(or just not all that windy there)
coz that will break shit in high winds
TheRealBicycleBuck
> HoustonRunner
03/04/2019 at 14:04 |
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Interesting scarf joint you have holding those posts together. I hope there’s some glue in there to help reinforce the screws.
You might like the Kreg pocket screw system. I’ve used it on a number of projects and they are all still holding together despite being exposed to the weather for over a decade.
The only thing that sucks about it is the proprietary screws. Standard wood screws won’t work. The bottom of the screw head must be flat and the top of the shaft has to be thread-free in order for the screw to pull the two pieces of wood together.
punkgoose17
> HoustonRunner
03/04/2019 at 14:06 |
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That looks like a good thing.
Brickman
> HoustonRunner
03/04/2019 at 15:10 |
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I thought it was a chicken coop at first :P
looks good and straight .
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HoustonRunner
> farscythe - makin da cawfee!
03/04/2019 at 16:05 |
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Considered anchoring it to the fence post behind it, but it is protected by the 8' fence on one side and house on the other. I live in Houston, so yes, we get winds, but hard to see them getting bad in that area.
But you make a good point, I need to take a closer look and probably attach it to the fence.
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HoustonRunner
> TheRealBicycleBuck
03/04/2019 at 16:08 |
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That does look interesting. No glue in there, but that is the beauty of screws! I can loosen them up, apply glue, and put back together pretty easily, thanks for the suggestion!
Alternatively I am thinking about some additional cross-bracing. Again, now that is it up adding that in is pretty straightforward.