Sunday 13 November 2011

Time for another shed.




I think one knows when its time to build another shed. A good clue is when one can't actually move anything, including oneself, in the shed that exists. At the moment, Cubbie's Shed houses Cubbie, the Bulto, Skorpy, the 250cc MZ project, a pillar drill, one (too) small workbench, a nice wall unit full of 'stuff', several tool boxes/tool chests, two big wooden ramps for getting bikes in and out of the shed, compressor, flame thrower/gas bottle, plus a heap of general tools and farm equip, plus half a dozen Cub projects (the roof space alone is home to about 6 spare wheels) which can't be worked on as there is no room to get to them or do anything with them. The bench is temporarily home to a gigantic chop saw, bench grinder, box of trials Cub project bits, Terry's engine, battery chargers and so on. So yep, it's time to crack on and build the sectional concrete shed that's been piled up in the yard for a year or more. Work began yesterday with the removal of a few shrubs that need to be re-homed, and hopefully today, while Mrs BC and I catch and move sheep around, the Man from Muckle Flugga will be able to get the site marked out and work out the levels and other technical stuff; then start the real digging. If all goes to plan, it should end up as a 20x20ft box, on a 5" thick base, with a double door and a single door in the front, a window in the side, and I quite like the idea of roof windows or clear panels to let as much natural light in as possible. We'll have to make the trusses and roof it ourselves as it's only the walls that we have. The trusses, I'm told, will have to be beefy and sturdy to support such a large roof area, and of course, I'll want to use the roof space for storage. At least if the base can be laid before the frosts set in, then the rest of it can be done on those lovely sunny, snow-free, dry winter days that we *sometimes* have.
View to the left of the site, and view to the right. Its just the small shrubs to move and a few of those bigger willow branches will have to 'pruned'.

One down....


Just a quick update, all the shrubs have gone - 3 have been rehomed and the other 2 are promised to the local farmer, Mrs BC doesn't think he was serious about taking them but I'm sure he was.

We decided that pruning them would be the way to go, even though, according to some, the middle of November isn't quite the right time. It sure made it easier to dig them up, plus there was no way they'd fit in the back of the car without a haircut!

The last piccy shows the first big of serious digging by the MFMF. He's gone all technical and has set out his level line and done measurements and everyt'ing.


And cos the spoil from the new shed base has got to go somewhere, it might as well go around the base of the original Cubbie Shed to stop the rubble wandering off, and to form a ramp at the front, which will be finished with something non-slip at some point.

9 comments:

Bodger said...

We must have reports and pics as it goes on. Another bigger shed, you caan't go wrong! Just keep non shed things out of it....chairs, wheelbarrows and the like or you'll be back to square one....no room.

Gorgeous Biker Chick said...

Trouble is, the room in the house where Cubbie was built, that used to be more workshop, is now full of things like chairs and tables and 'stuff', and I fear that when the new shed goes up all of the stuff in the house will end up in there... boo ... but with some loft space, that shouldn't be too bad.

Hairy Larry said...

Interesting, a 'sectional concrete shed'..? Concrete blocks that will have to be mortared together? Or something more high tech? With thicker walls than a wooden shed, and if the roof were insulated...might be a smidge warmer to work in this winter. Looking forward to seeing this go up.

Gorgeous Biker Chick said...

Larry, its 6ft tall by 2ft wide concrete sections that bolt together. Will have to be lined inside to stop the condensation though. Sounds simple don't it!

Geordie J. said...

Yep, line it with ply or some sort of wood - wood helps to "draw" the damp. Nothing worse than damp concrete for bringing on an attack of Meriden Wireworm!
I think you can buy "off the shelf" trusses which should give you a reasonably economical roof.

Hairy Larry said...

Now that does sound intriguing, that should go up a lot quicker than block-wall construction. Sky lights would be nice, maybe designed to swing open for control of air in the warmer months. With doors at each end that would be really nice. Sounds like you need a wheel and tire rack, it is amazing how these start to multiply as you acquire more bikes!

Bodger said...

And don't forget some type of rubber matting or carpet on the floor, your feet and knees will thank you for it later.

See what happens when you start to talk about sheds?!? All sorts of helpful advice comes your way. :)

Gorgeous Biker Chick said...

Are you thinking of somewhere in particular Geordie for the trusses - I'm searching for online prices but can't find much info, got to send exact details before anyone will give me a rough idea of cost. I just know its gonna be 20x20ft at the moment!

Wheel rack - good idea, remind me when the shed's up!

Anonymous said...

A new shed? Sounds like a great idea as you have plenty of room and why struggle with cramped conditions. I'd wholeheartedly support the clear roof panels idea - nothing beats daylight to see what you're working on. I hope to safely find a way of replacing one of the asbestos panels on my garage roof with clear, it would make such a difference.

Graham B

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