Featured Post

October 2 - Meetings, Grading and Pews

Image
Another Status Meeting in the Church - A week ago Sunday the second status update meeting was held at the church. While there were some assembled pews, they were all in the sanctuary, and not in the dining hall where the meeting convened. So, everyone that wanted to sit had to bring their own chair. In the picture, Bob is standing but not because he failed to bring a chair. He wanted attention so he stood up in the front to give his status update. After Sam reported on the finances discussion ensued about whether or not to increase our self imposed debt ceiling. While the church could be 'completed' without the increase, some desired items like an epoxy sealed kitchen floor would have to be deferred. The congregation agreed to up the debt limit. Sam stated that the bank is fine with the new debt ceiling. Sam also said the projection stand in the picture is only temporary. With the current projected spending, we will still not have a completed kitchen so the eagle-eyed shoppers ...
Post a Comment

September 12 - Fussin' with Trusses


Positioning and 
Adjusting Trusses

Sixty foot trusses are big and heavy. When the weight is being borne by a crane, they can be easily pushed into place by hand. Before they are nailed down it is still possible to move one with a sledge hammer. In this picture, Nate is either catching a quick snooze or eyeballing down the trusses to check alignment.
It must be the latter since when he jumped up he pointed and the truss was shifted a little 'that way'. Being still cabled to the crane, it was an easy move.

Once the truss is nailed down and the crane has gone home, the job gets a little more complicated. Andy, Tim and Sam team up to adjust the location of the four ply truss.
Now three-quarters of an inch on a building this size does not seem like a big deal to me, but to other folks it is important enough to fuss over. So, first take the nails out from the base on both ends. Then use the tines of the forklift to nudge it a little. Oops. too much. Attach the tow strap and pull it back a smidge. Ah! Just right!


















Then on the inside. let's move the wall and its anchored post just a bit. Push on the top of the wall a little with the lift. Then get the big machine involved to position it correctly.




Now that we have the big forklift here, let's take the weight off the post so we can move the bottom where it needs to go.













Loosen all the hardware and shove the post temporarily on to a block. Get the hardware out of the way, locate a new hole placement for the anchoring bolt, and drill. Re-position the post, lower the forklift tines and put the load back on to the post. And just like that, an adjusted truss without the misalignment.









I still think it would have been easier to do when the crane had it up in the first place, but then again, that may be why I am the chronicler and not the builder. I lack the gift of foresight but abound with smart-aleck hindsight.















About the Posts - 




















The eight posts that carry the weight of the entire center section of the trusses and roof are made up of laminated toothpicks.



The technological changes in building materials over my short lifetime have been phenomenal. We see historical pictures of huge western redwoods, cedars and fir trees being cut to provide building materials for a rapidly growing nation as the population surged westward. Trees cut with the mind of them being a limitless resource. Now, through technical advances, heavy load-carrying posts are glued up from pieces that would have been burned in the woods without making it to the sawmill. Amazing.


  

The posts must be secured to the concrete slabs that were poured. These slabs provide a solid footing for the post but also add weight to keep the roof from being blown off. While gravity keeps the posts in one place, two size pretty-big through bolts are needed to keep the posts from unexpected leaping off the slab.


Ben drills holes from both sides, first with a smaller bit to provide pilot holes, then with a big auger so the bolts can be pushed through and secured with nuts on each side of the bracket. I admire Ben's persistence in sticking with this boring job.

















The Ironworker in Training - 
Brian mentioned when he was hauling rebar for the concrete footings that he wanted to add ironworker to his resume. He appears to be continuing this pursuit. Here we see him mastering the art of looking relaxed while sitting on a beam.

Admittedly, a wood beam at twelve feet off the ground with a solid foot rest does not yet show mastery, but one has to start somewhere.












I add the photo below as inspiration for Brian to continue the pursuit of his dream.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

February 17 - Pouring the Floor, Part 2

Image
Pouring it On Sweatshirts and jackets came off as the morning wore on, the temperature rose, and that heavy concrete hose was dragged all over the church.  When I returned to the church at about 11:30 that morning, I saw the last of the concrete truck parade.  One truck was emptying its load, another was cleaning up, and a third was pulling away to return to home base. Inside was a surprise -- the floor was almost finished!  The last of the narthex, office, coat room, and mechanical room was being poured.  Here you can see the power screeding machine in action again.  The reference laser it uses can be seen in the distance, fastened high on the door jamb leading to the sanctuary, visible just above Brian's head. By now, everyone seemed to know exactly what to do and when to do it. The pump outside is controlled remotely by Jeff Wikman, via the yellow control box he's holding.  While Mark directs the hose, Jeff monitors the progress, ready to stop the pump i...
Read more

October 2 - Meetings, Grading and Pews

Image
Another Status Meeting in the Church - A week ago Sunday the second status update meeting was held at the church. While there were some assembled pews, they were all in the sanctuary, and not in the dining hall where the meeting convened. So, everyone that wanted to sit had to bring their own chair. In the picture, Bob is standing but not because he failed to bring a chair. He wanted attention so he stood up in the front to give his status update. After Sam reported on the finances discussion ensued about whether or not to increase our self imposed debt ceiling. While the church could be 'completed' without the increase, some desired items like an epoxy sealed kitchen floor would have to be deferred. The congregation agreed to up the debt limit. Sam stated that the bank is fine with the new debt ceiling. Sam also said the projection stand in the picture is only temporary. With the current projected spending, we will still not have a completed kitchen so the eagle-eyed shoppers ...
Read more

September 25 - Last Saturday: A Really Big Day

Image
Concrete Pour -  Another concrete pour, this time the sidewalks across the front and the walk under the portico. Two truckloads of mud got all the sidewalk done and half of the dumpster pad beyond the back edge of the parking lot. Sonny Johnson, Phil Johnson and Charlie Halonen from the Minneapolis congregation as well as Dale Muhonen from Rockford volunteered to help with the job. Once again, a helping hand from the neighboring congregations is greatly appreciated. It is always fascinating to watch this work - when the truck is spilling its contents, many hands and feet are required to coax the heavy goo into its desired location. Phil is shown pushing the goo around while Sonny and Dale operate the screed. After the concrete is leveled out, the bull float is used to smooth the surface. The float may reveal a spot lacking just a little material so the master adds a shovelful here and there to make sure the surface is just right. After the mix has a chance to set up a bit, the red ...
Read more