Bike/general worksh...
 

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[Closed] Bike/general workshop/cabin/shed/garage arrghhh!

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Hi All,
We are thinking of moving house. I obviously want a decent size workshop for all the bikes and hopefully space to do some woodworking some time in the future too.

Obviously it would be great if the house we move into has it already built, with power/light/heat etc, and preferably connected to the house via an internal door.

However to extend the house options I want to price something up that I can build if the house doesn't have it already. I'd love a proper stone/brick built pitched roof workshop but I know these will be very expensive - or will they be? I don't know!

Other options would be a log cabin type structure but they all seem to be "summerhouses" with loads of windows which won't be good for security.

I don't want a cheap flimsy shed.

I have thought about building one myself but I lack confidence. I see the threads on here about shed building and they do sometimes simplify things "laid the concrete base" but no details etc etc!!

I also wonder about what tools I'd need to build my own - I have quite a lot but would things like a nail gun or a sliding mitre saw be worth the expense

I don't want to end up with a half built mess which has to pulled down or something that looks shoddy.

Help - what do I do?


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 12:44 pm
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I have struggled to find the shed links on here I have read before, if people could post them up it would be helpful!


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 12:44 pm
 murf
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I've just finished building my own 6x4 workshop. The satisfaction gained from standing back, admiring it and knowing that you built it is worth all the late evenings!
Go for it!


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 12:54 pm
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Any more details Murf? Pics?


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 12:55 pm
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It sounds as though you're just looking for a justification to add a nail gun and a sliding mitre saw to your tool collection.

Aren't we all?


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 1:01 pm
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i did do a step by step on here when we build SSdans shed but im struggling to find it now. the search on here is gash.


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 1:02 pm
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google found it .
http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/new-shed-build


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 1:02 pm
 murf
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http://smg.photobucket.com/user/paul_murphy/library/Sharage

Should be a link to *ahem* a couple of pics!


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 1:04 pm
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Precast concrete panels. Make it any size you want, they come with different finishes, it's secure and there are several companies over the UK that provide & erect them.


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 1:05 pm
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although - add more vents - we thought there would be enough of a draft but it seems there wasnt if you have damp surfing kit in there... so more vents were added.


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 1:07 pm
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Precast concrete panels. Make it any size you want, they come with different finishes, it's secure and there are several companies over the UK that provide & erect them

I know what you're saying, but they are very ugly. I'd rather spend more and get stone/brick/wood built to be honest. The concrete ones don't seem to have windows and once they are up you can't change them.


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 1:07 pm
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Need to build a shed once I've moved house and will be just like the log sheds we knock up at work, but fully enclosed.
Will just need a timber, spade big nails, a hammer and chainsaw(too lazy to cut by hand) as well as whatever I decide to roof it with. Managed to scavenge a door and frame.
Probably won't involve a tape measure, square or level but be 'custom' fitted to wherever is easiest to dig the holes.
Do a search for pole barns.


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 1:08 pm
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pre cast concrete , very ugly , prone to damp , very inflexible once up , a bollocks to move , worse to dispose of .....you can get em with windows - mines has one.

can you tell i have a precast garage in my back garden that i dispise and would rather it wasnt.


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 1:09 pm
 murf
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Link added above.


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 1:10 pm
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Stoner - love the brick dwarf wall on yours, looks excellent. Would something like that be doable to a DIY person?


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 1:41 pm
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I built a 14.5m2 shed last year from 100mm heavyweight concrete blocks.
Provided it is under 15m2, and meets a couple of other criteria you don't need building regs/planning.

The only jobs I 'subbed out' were mixing the concrete for the base (had pre-mixed delivered) and putting the walls up (had a couple of lads put them up in a day for £450.

All in, it cost around 3.5k, that includes a made to measure galvanised steel roof, walls fully lined with celotex, and roof void filled with 25mm celotex and 100mm of rockwool.
It also has a steel security door, and a small double glazed unit.

I just need to sort the electrics.


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 1:50 pm
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for guidance - our shed in the link was 750 quid in materials.

oh and free agent

" Building a detached garage of less than 30 square metres floor area would not normally need building regulations approval if:

the floor area of the detached garage is less than 15 square metres.
the floor area of the garage is between 15 square metres and 30 square metres, provided the garage is at least one metre from any boundary, or it is constructed from substantially non-combustible materials."


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 1:57 pm
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I [i]could[/i] have laid the dwarf wall myself, but I had a tame brickie on site and he threw it up in a day when Id be pratting about making something wonky over the course of a week.....or....more likely I'd not ahve bothered with a dwarf wall at all and just laid sleeper floor plate with chembolts to the slab and damproof strip and just built the upper structure off that. It would have been fine. And easily doable by a DIYer, you just might need to buy/rent a decent SDS for anchor bolting the floorplate down.


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 2:43 pm
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What do you mean by floor plate? Is is a timber length just bolted into the concrete? And where does the DPM go, between the wood and concrete I assume?


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 3:35 pm
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I would have used some tanalized/dipped modern sleepers bolted down to the slab making the base/wall plate. (not the huge ones though). Then sandwich a roll of DPC between the top of the sleeper and the bottom stud rail of treated 3x2. If you put the stud rail at the outside edge of the sleeper you can then overlap your cladding and/or vapour membrane over the sleeper to cast any rain down below your DPC level.

If you also make sure your base has a fall around the perimeter of your wall plate then there's even less risk of the sleepers sitting in water for long.


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 3:43 pm
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I built this a couple of years ago, 8x4m:

[url= https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3862/14378955052_0daa67f155.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3862/14378955052_0daa67f155.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/nUBUo9 ]More paving[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/75003318@N00/ ]brf[/url], on Flickr

[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8256/8858017189_41434b6dbb.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8256/8858017189_41434b6dbb.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/euKDUi ]Velux grilles by Ashland Engineering[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/75003318@N00/ ]brf[/url], on Flickr

http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/rate-my-brickie


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 3:45 pm
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Stoner - nice one, thanks. How do the uprights fix to the baseplate? This is the sort of detail I am struggling to find out online but it is important when making the whole thing solid and long lasting.

I could do with making a plan but that'd have to wait until I bought the house.....

I am guessing the permitted development limits are 15m2 for a wood shed and 30m2 for a brick/stone/block construction. Problem is 5x3m isn't that big, is it?

I suppose I need to measure my current cellar and figure out what I really need.


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 5:24 pm
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45degree screws.
The more the merrier 🙂
Once it's ply lined and clad, it's not going anywhere.


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 5:26 pm
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Hi,

Currently building a shed myself. As in an actual shed. whats shows above isnt a shed, its a workshop / house imo. Dont get me wrong some folks are very talented and have lots of skill / money / mates to help them build stuff like this. Try building stuff like that on your own and you will run in to all sorts of fun stuff. Big ladders to get on the roof and all that stuff that i dont have. Its fun planning this stuff but I also very quickly found out how expensive materials are. Ive done it because i fancied giving it a go but after 2 weekends doing it its become clearer that i would have saved some earache buying a shed off the internet. Still its all fun and games but be clear about how much time and money you want to spend vs what you need. Im about 400 quid into my shed (admittedly 130 quid of that is a shingle roof etc so it could be cheaper) and im hoping i can pull it off but its taking a lot longer (for someone with no experience, help or propper tools (like a long ladder)) than expected.


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 5:34 pm
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Andybrad - that's my worry. I don't want to spend a lot on materials and find myself out of my depth and either find it wasted or try to fine someone to finish it which may be more than I can afford.


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 7:34 pm
 br
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[i]Stoner - love the brick dwarf wall on yours, looks excellent. Would something like that be doable to a DIY person? [/i]

Based on the basic questions you are asking, no...

tbh probably best for you is to buy a house with a garage and go from there.


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 8:36 pm
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Have a look at Structural Insulated Panel building too. Easy to get a good warm and airtight structure up cheaply and quickly, then either clad or render to suit the surroundings. Surplus panels go for not too much on ebay. Youtube for basics on construction method.


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 8:42 pm
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only hand tools needed


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 9:04 pm
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oh and free agent

" Building a detached garage of less than 30 square metres floor area would not normally need building regulations approval if:

the floor area of the detached garage is less than 15 square metres.
the floor area of the garage is between 15 square metres and 30 square metres, provided the garage is at least one metre from any boundary, or it is constructed from substantially non-combustible materials."

and there-in lies the problem - it is the corner of my garden, less than 300mm from two different boundaries, and we don't particularly get on with either neighbour, so didn't want to risk them calling the council.
whole thing is constructed from/clad in non-combustible materials though.


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 9:18 pm
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Robson....do you have a budget?


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 9:35 pm
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As midlifecrashes says,have a look at sips panels.I built my shed out of them and if i can find some pics i will post them on here.


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 9:38 pm
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[img] http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/sargey1/media/shedhouse002_zps14930be1.jpg.html ][IMG] http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b542/sargey1/shedhouse002_zps14930be1.jp g" target="_blank">http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/sargey1/media/shedhouse002_zps14930be1.jpg.html ][IMG] http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b542/sargey1/shedhouse002_zps14930be1.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL][/img]It is finished now so must get some up to date pics.


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 9:43 pm
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No budget as yet. I need to check out the options so I can factor in something when we move.


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 9:58 pm
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Sargey - that's ace! Did you design it yourself or was it a flat pack type pre done?


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 9:59 pm
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I think one of the problems is that I don't have confidence in my own abilities. I've made a few things including recently a double glazed wooden window (quite proud of that!) but haven't done a big project yet. I like to know that I CAN do something before I start and know all the techniques and pitfalls.


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 10:06 pm
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Don't think too long and hard about whether you should do it or not. Just do it and spend the time learning techniques techniques. You could build as per tratrailrat but build the sides 1 side at a time on the floor. Top and bottom rail with the studs every 400mm. Building this way you can screw through the rail into the studs ( two screws top and bottom ). You can then clad with the shiplap. One side complete. Repeat for the other side. Two sides done. Build a narrower side for one of the shed ends. Remember to overhang the shiplap either side of the framework so that it would cover the end stud of the sides. When using dry shiplap I always butt up tight to the previous plank and then release a couple of mm to allow for expansion when wet. You can buy tanalised shiplap. If freshly finalised you won't need to allow for expansion.


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 10:44 pm
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I had never built a summertime before but trust my measuring/cutting/fixing skills.

I started with this
[URL= http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac50/tymbian/IMAG0472_zps78646e34.jp g" target="_blank">http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac50/tymbian/IMAG0472_zps78646e34.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

And got to this

[URL= http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac50/tymbian/004_zps811816c0.jp g" target="_blank">http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac50/tymbian/004_zps811816c0.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

Somethings just take longer to work out. Framing the roof was an absolute pain as the octagonal roof was irregular

[URL= http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac50/tymbian/IMAG0496_zpsefa8ff77.jp g" target="_blank">http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac50/tymbian/IMAG0496_zpsefa8ff77.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

[URL= http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac50/tymbian/IMAG0514_zps6362a7b6.jp g" target="_blank">http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac50/tymbian/IMAG0514_zps6362a7b6.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

[URL= http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac50/tymbian/006_zps9d6e39aa.jp g" target="_blank">http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac50/tymbian/006_zps9d6e39aa.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 10:52 pm
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Robdog,mine was all my own work. My advice would be to get doodling, draw some ideas up and research materials then steer clear of the big day chains, use local timber merchant etc,then have a go.


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 11:03 pm
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Find out where your local sawmill is. Ask about Heaney edge pine or spruce. Explain what your trying to build and chances are sawmill man will work out a cutting list for you...


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 11:10 pm
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I meant waney edge pine..


 
Posted : 27/10/2014 11:47 pm
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I was eyeing up dungwall in the agri store the other day as they had it on offer for about £3/m + vat. 2" thick and 200mm high with T&G and is pressure treated. Next time I build a shed I think I might try that for more of a log cabin look and feel and I can't see it being easy to break through!

I am just finishing off trying to make the best of one from a place called urban forest timber buildings who I suggest you avoid like the plague. Terrible quality and even worse customer service. As the roof was so bad I couldn't re-felt it so have gone for box section steel cladding which cost about £220 including all screws and trim for a 16x10 shed/workshop.


 
Posted : 28/10/2014 12:03 am
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Andyl have a look for loglap. It's like shiplap only more loggy.

Just had a look at the Dungwall..50mm thick that's quite substantial..


 
Posted : 28/10/2014 12:47 am
 br
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tymbian

While the outside style isn't for me, love the interior fittings (and quality).

Although rather than the heater after-thought you could've gone for oil-filled rads under the seats - the Champagne Bar at St Pancras has these.


 
Posted : 28/10/2014 6:55 am
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That dungwall is fantastic!


 
Posted : 28/10/2014 6:57 am
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What sort of insulation is best to use? I am guessing the thickness of the wall timbers determines how think the insulation would be - but is an air gap needed at all?

I'd like some insulation as I could put a small heater in and the heat would hopefully not be lost immediately.

One thing I need to do is find a decent wood supplier. Should be plenty round here.


 
Posted : 28/10/2014 7:00 am
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Tymbian - what's the roof on yours? The whole build looks excellent. (Note to self - build workshop in a normal shape!)


 
Posted : 28/10/2014 7:02 am
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@ b r.....the heater wasn't an after-thought. The idea is that the heater can be put away in the garage in summer. The under-seating storage is for the cushions from the decking furniture but idea duly noted though for my next build.

Robdob. .the roof is cedar shingle.

Studwork- 100mm
Celotex insulation 80mm/ building wrap/ baton/ loglap cladding.

[URL= http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac50/tymbian/IMAG0487_zpsda2af28d.jp g" target="_blank">http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac50/tymbian/IMAG0487_zpsda2af28d.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]


 
Posted : 28/10/2014 6:36 pm
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i bet thats really handy for storing the bikes / messy garden tools

and how much did it cost?


 
Posted : 29/10/2014 10:18 am
 Gunz
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Rob, if you've made a double glazed window I'm sure you'll have the skill for a workshop build. Ref your original post, I'd always recommend a mitre saw as I use mine a lot but have you seen the price of nail guns? I'd have to be doing a lot of nailing to justify one of those. Good luck with it though.


 
Posted : 29/10/2014 10:40 am
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I used local wood recycling for my shonky shed, just about to insulate it.

I was inspired by this [url= http://ruralroutediaries.weebly.com/pallet-shed-building.html ]pallet shed[/url] & got the pallets for free.

During the build the difference was that none of the pallets I got were of a uniform design/build so the bolt approach suggested in that web site didn't work. I ended up using metal plates to link them together.


 
Posted : 29/10/2014 11:33 am
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Gunz - my thoughts exactly. I would be keen on buying a good quality sliding mitre as I am reasonably confident with mitres using a block and tenon saw but it is a PAIN IN THE BUM. My dad taught me to buy quality stuff so if I get a decent one I can use it for other projects later on.

Nail guns - I probably wouldn't buy one, maybe rent. However I prefer screws so would probably screw together most of it where possible.

It's all guesswork at the moment anyway, it will depend on how much spare room the new house has outside. It may already have a concrete base I can use which may dictate the size I can build, or I might have to make my own, or maybe concrete posts in and suspend it off the floor a little rather than a concrete base.

DaRC_L - love the pallet shed idea, certainly would save a lot of money for the basic structure. Doubt it go down well with the new neighbours initially - looks shoddy to start off with!


 
Posted : 29/10/2014 12:08 pm
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Bump for the Thursday shed folk... 😉


 
Posted : 30/10/2014 9:49 am
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Yeah the Pallet Shed didn't go down too well with my neighbours either, plus it's right upto 2.5 metres.

They've settled down a bit now it's clad and they've realised it has a flat roof.


 
Posted : 30/10/2014 12:00 pm
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I'm up for doing it now. I think I'd like something with a widish single door, a pent roof (for ease of construction), and maybe up to 5x3m to stay within planning. As far as windows go I can probably make my own now, done it before! I have a local glass company who can make any double glazing window pane in any size and thickness, can do obscure glass too (very useful for security!) very cheaply - was only £12 for my last pane which was about 90x50cm.

If I budget a decent amount of money for it it should be ok, I'd like to use recycled but new timber is obviously going to be more uniform and easier to build with.


 
Posted : 30/10/2014 12:16 pm
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Any other ideas/examples about?


 
Posted : 03/11/2014 12:55 pm
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Have a look here too... [url= http://www.onegranddesigns.com/category/build/ ]One Grand Design[/url]


 
Posted : 03/11/2014 1:56 pm
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Here's mine. built as a studio where light was the key objective, but cladding the walls in timber would make an excellent shed.

http://www.petermclarenfineart.com/Blog/Studio-Build-Blog

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 03/11/2014 6:34 pm
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This was a pretty simplistic build as in 3 sides built on the floor and then screwed onto the base and at the sides into each other, roof then doors..

[URL= http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac50/tymbian/20140521_123703_zpsgoliygts.jp g" target="_blank">http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac50/tymbian/20140521_123703_zpsgoliygts.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

[URL= http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac50/tymbian/20140521_123653_zps2saxhx4f.jp g" target="_blank">http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac50/tymbian/20140521_123653_zps2saxhx4f.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]


 
Posted : 03/11/2014 10:16 pm
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McMoonter - thanks very much, I hadn't seen the link to your blog before.

How did you secure the posts in the ground? I am concerned about them rotting in the damp ground if I chose that method.


 
Posted : 14/11/2014 12:29 pm
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Tymbian - is that a self design or a kit one you bought? Looks fantastic.


 
Posted : 14/11/2014 12:30 pm
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@Robdob ..they are both self designed. The latter now has decking built up to meet it.


 
Posted : 18/11/2014 10:28 pm
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..and as for an expensive sliding compound Mitre saw I used one of ...[url= http://www.diy.com/departments/mac-allister-1300w-corded-240v-210mm-sliding-mitre-saw/194482_BQ.prd ]these[/url]
Spend an hour or so checking and adjusting the angles

Also buy a large framing square like [url= http://m.tooled-up.com/product/201379 ]this..[/url]


 
Posted : 18/11/2014 10:46 pm
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McMoonter - thanks very much, I hadn't seen the link to your blog before.

How did you secure the posts in the ground? I am concerned about them rotting in the damp ground if I chose that method.

The posts are just set in the ground with the same material from the hole. It's a rocky sandy material about a foot down. The posts were dug eighteen inches deep. The water off the roof is all guttered away and the generous overhanging roof means the ground the posts occupy is dry. The posts were treated beforehand, so I don't anticipate them rotting quickly.


 
Posted : 18/11/2014 11:09 pm

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