tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362725092024-03-14T02:58:49.505-07:0016 FeetUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36272509.post-86805575273607009042010-01-02T18:42:00.001-08:002010-01-02T18:42:55.954-08:00Insulation instulationHere's a time-lapse video of the insulation being installed.<br />
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<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7bOcuHb9g60&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7bOcuHb9g60&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36272509.post-33493819498180816802010-01-02T08:38:00.000-08:002010-01-02T08:38:30.874-08:00Video TourMy friend Nate requested a video tour of the tree house, so here it is!<br />
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<object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XOAAsBy7zM0&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XOAAsBy7zM0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36272509.post-25203350419558705222010-01-01T21:44:00.000-08:002010-01-01T21:44:06.545-08:00Christmas in the treeKristen and I spent about 7 days in the tree house over the holiday season. It was a great trip, the tree house is really starting to feel livable.<br />
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The weather was relatively warm for late December, temperatures were typically in the 30s. The Jotul was more than up to the task of keeping us warm for our stay.<br />
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One thing I wanted to do was to put up some aluminum flashing around the stove. The idea was to protect that walls a bit from the heat coming off of the stove, and maybe reflect some of that heat back into the tree house. Since I was going to cover up the studs with flashing, I figured I might as well put roll insulation up behind the flashing while I was at it. With the fire roaring, the flashing remains cool to the touch.<br />
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Kristen had made some curtains for the kitchen shelving area. I fabricated some hangers out of steel, and bolted everything together. The curtains make the kitchen look a lot more organized. I got the idea while reading up on this <a href="http://luluiswho.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html">cool tree house</a>.<br />
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I got the control panel and LED lights installed. It's amazingly nice to be able to walk into the tree house, flip a switch, and have the lights turn on. No more messing with Coleman lanterns or flashlights.<br />
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I didn't install the solar panel, that will have to wait for another trip. It was pretty cloudy while we were there, and I knew that the installation would be tricky. The tree house doesn't face directly south, so I'd have to make a fairly involved mount if I want to place it on the roof. Realistically, the 40 amp hour battery has enough juice in it to last for a very long stay without needing a recharge.<br />
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I'd picked up some cheap LED Christmas lights that I stapled along the roof line. They were wired for 120 volt AC, so I used a small inverter to power them. With 150 led bulbs, the string drew about .8 amps when lit.<br />
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We also hung a lot of ornaments in the kitchen area to get us in the Christmas mood.<br />
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</div>We didn't bother putting ice in the cooler to keep our food cold. Instead we left the cooler outside on the platform, and could hoist it up whenever we needed something. We'd typically tie the platform off at night, so in the morning we could just open the door to get to the cooler.<br />
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The tree continues to grow at an impressive rate. The eye bolts are slowly being enveloped by the tree. There's little concern that these things will pull out. At this point they are in the tree for the long run.<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36272509.post-88065084404790700132009-10-24T19:03:00.000-07:002009-10-25T09:26:37.872-07:00October TripWe spent a long weekend at the tree house a week ago. The goal was to finish installing the wood burning stove, as we plan on spending Christmas in the tree house.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmW1otFjYyc4gjNoqXmgrMFdowgG0HU8x3h1ROBYZ2SzlSWWCrump6s6u59N6S773G0_9xMRGQNqvn3Fj07Jwo-EkIXbUl1erOei2fssQjhd1l3mtOpeAoNnZpNOb6UuAiLA14DQ/s1600-h/IMG_0433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmW1otFjYyc4gjNoqXmgrMFdowgG0HU8x3h1ROBYZ2SzlSWWCrump6s6u59N6S773G0_9xMRGQNqvn3Fj07Jwo-EkIXbUl1erOei2fssQjhd1l3mtOpeAoNnZpNOb6UuAiLA14DQ/s200/IMG_0433.JPG" /></a><br />
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We arrived late at night, made it up into the tree house, and noticed something was wrong. Everything was dirtier than we expected, there were a lot of squirrel droppings around, and there was an alarming amount of splintered wood. Unfortunately we only had a tiny flashlight, and couldn't really figure out where the splintered wood came from, or how a squirrel could get in. My main concern was that the trunks of the trees were crushing the tree house.<br />
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The next morning in the light of day, we could see that a large limb had landed on the roof, punching a good sized hole through the roof. Luckily the hole was on an overhung portion of the roof, so no rain had gotten into the tree house. The force of the impact had popped some of the siding off by a few inches, which explained how the squirrels got in. A little bit of hammering got everything back together.<br />
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We also patched the hole in the roof, cut a new hole in the roof for the chimney, and installed the chimney box. It took a good full day to get this all done, but it was awfully satisfying firing up the stove for the first time. The Jotul pumps out the heat, I think we'll stay warm in December.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTJ6UnUJrDlWkIffSr0-VBXTANQONQpm0jr0mjqJ7d0T-BVLVkq7WtPkyDEpIhG39MnTntHt1mmDF0YAqsysBRF9He9PgrneVin8NCY_yy0rOWjAAKzHJtNahGXKZj7iZUyPJbw/s1600-h/IMG_0296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTJ6UnUJrDlWkIffSr0-VBXTANQONQpm0jr0mjqJ7d0T-BVLVkq7WtPkyDEpIhG39MnTntHt1mmDF0YAqsysBRF9He9PgrneVin8NCY_yy0rOWjAAKzHJtNahGXKZj7iZUyPJbw/s200/IMG_0296.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxi7gJHQCNuMy_DGwocy6iG111t-1GXX1kXNGiXLwUTreUvJGqVjjhOqghTOdjOntV0-6EJOWZHfF9eKdOVgW1j9aUSzEEZpUBZHgb_7SR29b29F0UVhYp6L1dabIvjIIJXAh0w/s1600-h/IMG_0304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxi7gJHQCNuMy_DGwocy6iG111t-1GXX1kXNGiXLwUTreUvJGqVjjhOqghTOdjOntV0-6EJOWZHfF9eKdOVgW1j9aUSzEEZpUBZHgb_7SR29b29F0UVhYp6L1dabIvjIIJXAh0w/s200/IMG_0304.JPG" /></a><br />
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The large grape vine growing on the tree had come to rest in between one corner of the tree house and the nearby tree trunk. After the initial fear that the tree house was being crushed, we decided to cut it down. Originally we liked the look of the vine, but decided it was time for it to go. Once the vine was down, the tree house returned to its earlier swaying state, which took some getting use to.<br />
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Southern Indiana has had a very wet fall. The area beneath the tree house flooded several times, which completely demolished our original firewood stash. We cut a lot more firewood, and restacked everything. Hopefully we'll have more than enough.<br />
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The pulley system got a pretty good work out. We used it to pull up a lot of luggage, and did a few loads of firewood as well. We're either getting more used to using it, or the rope has lost some of its kinks, we had very few problems with the rope getting jammed in the pulleys.<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36272509.post-60385395129309735122009-10-10T19:11:00.000-07:002009-10-10T19:11:48.732-07:00LightsI've put together a light fixture for the loft. It'll bolt into one of the rafters, and should provide enough light for reading.<br />
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I used a piece of aluminum pipe I had laying around that was just the right diameter for the bulb and base. It was a bit of a tight fit, but I eventually figured out how to cram everything in there.<br />
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With the light switched on, it draws about 200 milliamps. The over-sized battery I have should give me close to 200 hours of continuous light!<br />
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I'm planning another fixture for the kitchen. I'll put the switch on the wall instead of in the fixture, which should simplify things.<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36272509.post-26729710819192769412009-10-03T11:52:00.000-07:002009-10-03T17:14:34.940-07:00Solar investigationOne of my original plans for the tree house was to use it as an excuse to play around with a solar photovoltaic system. I eventually questioned the usefulness of this, since the tree house doesn't get a lot of direct sun, especially in the summer.<br /><br />I decided to at least give it a try. I started doing a little research, and over the last several months I've accumulated some of the necessary components.<br /><br />Initially I'd like to use the system to power some lighting. Looking around on the web a bit, I found some cheap-ish 12 volt <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Screw-Base-Bright-Light-white/dp/B002DD7T3S/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1254596329&sr=8-5">LED lights</a> on Amazon.<br /><br />I had some old lead acid batteries around from another project that where never used. Unfortunately they had sat too long, and I couldn't get them to hold a charge. I picked up a sealed led acid battery locally from <a href="http://www.portablepower.com/powersonic_ps-12400nb-p-82.html">Portable Power Systems</a>. It is bigger than what I need for lighting, but will give me some room to grow the system.<br /><br />For the charge controller, I went with a <a href="http://www.genasun.com/gv-4.shtml">Genasun 4 amp</a> unit. It is small, inexpensive (relatively speaking), and supports MPPT charging.<br /><br />I haven't ordered any solar panels yet, the prices seem to be changing rapidly. Since I have a few months before the trip, I'll wait and see if they continue to drop in price.<br /><br />I built a wooden enclosure to house most of wiring for the system. I intentionally went a little overboard on this, making it more complicated than necessary. I just naturally like switches, meters, and complexity in general. I had fun doing all the wiring, for whatever reason I really enjoy that task.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcR3fMTviQhFru8ywaVfofRHzIFBTkqFWXQnCFiXUbBFVjk9qhzQcbw5qANSRPeWux86T-Rv5QluDwas5mc_xqi-MMMTdbW0U7F66kCMA1Oc2-uUz_GbSyZwG21OoIVdK46bJO8Q/s1600-h/IMG_0194.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcR3fMTviQhFru8ywaVfofRHzIFBTkqFWXQnCFiXUbBFVjk9qhzQcbw5qANSRPeWux86T-Rv5QluDwas5mc_xqi-MMMTdbW0U7F66kCMA1Oc2-uUz_GbSyZwG21OoIVdK46bJO8Q/s200/IMG_0194.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388529840853925714" /></a><br />The control panel supports disconnecting the solar panel(s), battery, and charge controller individually. It also allows you to check the incoming voltage from the solar panels, the battery voltage, and how many amps of load the system is supporting. Fun stuff!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAl43pK9v9aadZ5NwRNckm7q0g2OnnQceWz3sPx0lhZV4l_LQsKfGWm3JaciKHp1HEOrYAevBG1yFw3sWWU6-vZc-z1JZckc-uwfrA387mDhQ9pRrOHcCeDvasBXaz4rEIHoeiSA/s1600-h/IMG_0197.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAl43pK9v9aadZ5NwRNckm7q0g2OnnQceWz3sPx0lhZV4l_LQsKfGWm3JaciKHp1HEOrYAevBG1yFw3sWWU6-vZc-z1JZckc-uwfrA387mDhQ9pRrOHcCeDvasBXaz4rEIHoeiSA/s200/IMG_0197.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388529849920335378" /></a><br />I'm working on some lighting fixtures for the LED bulbs. Other than the solar panels, I still need pick up some wire, and a few connectors.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36272509.post-83130297598589425812009-05-05T20:46:00.001-07:002009-05-05T21:26:09.246-07:00Spring Trip - 2009Kristen and I headed back to the farm for a long weekend toward the end of April. The rumor was that the family planned to have Christmas at the farm this winter. After nearly freezing to death last fall, I was determined to get a stove into the tree. Even with the uninsulated walls I hoped a good wood burning stove would keep the place inhabitable during the cold months.<br /><br />I eventually decided on a small Jotul stove that is rated for heating 800 square feet of living area. The tree house only has a 128 square foot foot-print, so I hoped the extra heating power would make up for the uninsulated walls.<br /><br />One thing I'd always wanted to add to the tree house was a swinging boom arm with a block and tackle. This would make getting large loads in and out of the tree safer and more convenient. Earlier in the year I ordered some pulleys and machined a couple of block and tackle housings. At first this seemed to be the cheaper route, but in the long run I'm not sure I saved any money.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCi72rYxlBwy2B68btm77degHKTX3DhOPAtCUgEpfJG8v1gyL1Xx_5ejXuvLH0uJ-NC5cqhQddc3guQtoXA3WGlNi_wZvL7rw8z0twa2OgEJx6kp9wGilfEl-pBLJGHIRAlCJkQ/s1600-h/IMG_2912.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCi72rYxlBwy2B68btm77degHKTX3DhOPAtCUgEpfJG8v1gyL1Xx_5ejXuvLH0uJ-NC5cqhQddc3guQtoXA3WGlNi_wZvL7rw8z0twa2OgEJx6kp9wGilfEl-pBLJGHIRAlCJkQ/s200/IMG_2912.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332562140303882914" /></a><br />At the farm my father and I fabricated a boom arm out of pressure treated 4X4. To allow the arm to rotate we used gate hinges we picked up at a local farm supply store. Building the boom arm took a lot longer than I expected, mostly due to my inexperience with working with wood. Luckily Dad lent his expertise to the project.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0g7kh8sDswdZMb_AwrRUm4iPoYKkeTBkHIEAPagihReHmd7HDwboBIXKQnoHdqMMNxBtRgbWpQM7GoCQ6yRqZjYfiPySohejkOZZ1HhLfdH5kbBcVdeiOlt61UFjjpCFZb8eDA/s1600-h/IMG_0083.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0g7kh8sDswdZMb_AwrRUm4iPoYKkeTBkHIEAPagihReHmd7HDwboBIXKQnoHdqMMNxBtRgbWpQM7GoCQ6yRqZjYfiPySohejkOZZ1HhLfdH5kbBcVdeiOlt61UFjjpCFZb8eDA/s200/IMG_0083.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332561574029077602" /></a><br />To attach the gate pegs to the wall we had to make a few additional 4X4 support blocks, and inlay them into the interior wall.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3ttTbTGPcM_l5zg0ghBmhduv6lnT-0JbjZaY8NHq2XXYZz03-977WS9b0VCiDyjON4BwtdIxcbuN4DwiLMuZLyLsf2yQ2xUgFsfSsmF0Cc5PmWyetWOHVFRNA85nkyuEqcThcw/s1600-h/IMG_0088.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3ttTbTGPcM_l5zg0ghBmhduv6lnT-0JbjZaY8NHq2XXYZz03-977WS9b0VCiDyjON4BwtdIxcbuN4DwiLMuZLyLsf2yQ2xUgFsfSsmF0Cc5PmWyetWOHVFRNA85nkyuEqcThcw/s200/IMG_0088.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332561578304975474" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpEHCA-z8s0gSGmukeuP8bmY1yE3AwwWj0ppkEs9aKo16iubU_MerZ5niHKWoE38Vsf_J3aoz8lduZ14Y9iXfatZ6XdTG-6tZW3iYKFIFNOmFKAQ_mUj7unej2gOie8jXOPil0Ww/s1600-h/IMG_0090.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpEHCA-z8s0gSGmukeuP8bmY1yE3AwwWj0ppkEs9aKo16iubU_MerZ5niHKWoE38Vsf_J3aoz8lduZ14Y9iXfatZ6XdTG-6tZW3iYKFIFNOmFKAQ_mUj7unej2gOie8jXOPil0Ww/s200/IMG_0090.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332561580263772514" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBLh2zaC8-gYz_QHyIKAP8p0DLy5jxLzIxfguOf5j20Iris1yr2ZOZJ-BFh3IQsubTxokSP_v04-kwWEhuP1i88YlajfYxjXHUTdc9MVfkcRZ5qv61-roF8qifEA9_wF32asuMg/s1600-h/IMG_0092.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 164px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBLh2zaC8-gYz_QHyIKAP8p0DLy5jxLzIxfguOf5j20Iris1yr2ZOZJ-BFh3IQsubTxokSP_v04-kwWEhuP1i88YlajfYxjXHUTdc9MVfkcRZ5qv61-roF8qifEA9_wF32asuMg/s200/IMG_0092.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332561581609035842" /></a><br />We set the pegs up so that the boom arm would swing to the midway point of the doorway. In theory this would allow us to swing loads directly into the door.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMNM20-25QqxNZmNk9W1nC_NbDiHIUss0jmX6iTKN9YpScZj3-248Q6iw4jzesG150clbYxRGHWCX_8dkNtigUw3xE7hJ5GHguN_1oS39X60YGjDvPJiKsOXwrTiUZ3cYOfWudg/s1600-h/Image3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMNM20-25QqxNZmNk9W1nC_NbDiHIUss0jmX6iTKN9YpScZj3-248Q6iw4jzesG150clbYxRGHWCX_8dkNtigUw3xE7hJ5GHguN_1oS39X60YGjDvPJiKsOXwrTiUZ3cYOfWudg/s200/Image3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332560843055430514" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQaZuWjlkBWF0SL3e4j5mrnol-GaLndpCefZO5HVpd3jNaNevRnz_iLqwVdcZft7GgmKVLipWcxRZLyuNShyphenhyphenqWb_X3VFSVz2v_jQ7LmElFuXez0mT_XSbZy_l35CU-_TcnFxKMw/s1600-h/Image4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQaZuWjlkBWF0SL3e4j5mrnol-GaLndpCefZO5HVpd3jNaNevRnz_iLqwVdcZft7GgmKVLipWcxRZLyuNShyphenhyphenqWb_X3VFSVz2v_jQ7LmElFuXez0mT_XSbZy_l35CU-_TcnFxKMw/s200/Image4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332560842349116178" /></a><br />We hooked up the block and tackle, and I did a quick stress test by putting on a climbing harness and pulling myself a foot off the ground. Nothing broke or made alarming noises, so we were ready for the main event.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioebe0Td-qv75GYYF10l8FgZMo1JdQ3F61eet5QT-DJXHsJc3yTAH6RSA_sIizbKVz1ItpWo7NqRegcxOJO1CRRWepUL10G6JHZuLp2rRSOyrMl5QB6M_JBvel-7FYdlwlHR0l5g/s1600-h/Image5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioebe0Td-qv75GYYF10l8FgZMo1JdQ3F61eet5QT-DJXHsJc3yTAH6RSA_sIizbKVz1ItpWo7NqRegcxOJO1CRRWepUL10G6JHZuLp2rRSOyrMl5QB6M_JBvel-7FYdlwlHR0l5g/s200/Image5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332560847292518978" /></a><br />Although the stove is small, it weighs a lot more than you'd expect. Even with the block and tackle it was difficult to pull up its 200 pounds of cast iron. Everything worked as planned, with the stove easily swinging into the doorway once we reached the right altitude.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBE0o08FLaqVkxY_IZ9TY5xdPdVYP-NZFVZkIAXzr7oWSSqnagxrDSvdDxp69eTpYFNhHDpVxYZXPhIRb4sMHIE-EQipom8VPc_8XkOtte7tZJUARQvtU-qd_G54Ij6GKj4pcR5Q/s1600-h/Image6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBE0o08FLaqVkxY_IZ9TY5xdPdVYP-NZFVZkIAXzr7oWSSqnagxrDSvdDxp69eTpYFNhHDpVxYZXPhIRb4sMHIE-EQipom8VPc_8XkOtte7tZJUARQvtU-qd_G54Ij6GKj4pcR5Q/s200/Image6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332560848178997538" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizfoIyDa_sFmbst2A3DuM_PtOQselX9T_OKqOIlEIgdFW05YgQUmmXde7JtPysJMz689BwvQzDtPuC9H0Xr7yHdq8pkkxnNchtMuKUCXVoef5FzufdECQfmYr2yZ6O50_70UIsA/s1600-h/Image7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizfoIyDa_sFmbst2A3DuM_PtOQselX9T_OKqOIlEIgdFW05YgQUmmXde7JtPysJMz689BwvQzDtPuC9H0Xr7yHdq8pkkxnNchtMuKUCXVoef5FzufdECQfmYr2yZ6O50_70UIsA/s200/Image7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332560852679022866" /></a><br />Unfortunately I ran out of time to get the stove pipe and chimney installed. That'll have to wait for a trip later this year. Even though I had to give up some floor space for the stove, I'm sure I'll be thankful for it come December.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9g8EKXq4zwcvH1VANw3U0km20pq6ClEOIW6kz62LQ1eD_rTrcSlPWo3_uB4E_IGnrO87ydD26fq3sWt01Q0XkWEmvF_ecWL7nigOCq8dmuNkeJjJDdiQQg6mYwM5qTtndidUAw/s1600-h/IMG_0094.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9g8EKXq4zwcvH1VANw3U0km20pq6ClEOIW6kz62LQ1eD_rTrcSlPWo3_uB4E_IGnrO87ydD26fq3sWt01Q0XkWEmvF_ecWL7nigOCq8dmuNkeJjJDdiQQg6mYwM5qTtndidUAw/s200/IMG_0094.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332561587931756338" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36272509.post-16253690289243812832009-05-05T20:28:00.000-07:002009-05-05T20:46:08.557-07:00Wind StormsSouthern Indiana seemed to have its share of wind and ice storms within the last year. The remnants of Hurricane Ike hit the farm, as did a big ice storm in February.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-xPU2gJbT51BbMouCLMaukfZyULsTZNFTaKQTT45fNR2a4HczfpipC-hQFg5IR-uHXIqDisvxhoS37SM38GHdtatip78FRYYrPz19H1zoehSaGUmL4NJ4IzLF0g8aVy74H3XNw/s1600-h/IMG_1643.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-xPU2gJbT51BbMouCLMaukfZyULsTZNFTaKQTT45fNR2a4HczfpipC-hQFg5IR-uHXIqDisvxhoS37SM38GHdtatip78FRYYrPz19H1zoehSaGUmL4NJ4IzLF0g8aVy74H3XNw/s400/IMG_1643.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332551571573992626" /></a><br />The tree damage overall was extensive. A forester estimated that 50 percent of our pine was blown down, and the hardwoods suffered as well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhb4Ja0SILNziXPzcw2-VcAXbKdzEfS5kAs4J5Wo-ZvyIdlTpZypvjpwCOCn814Yiwt5SOcjBsaOXAdSoqmS4iojcPAetiUS-uUr9c5Pmw5P199uHvPaNkuZ6ljRi5TPZIYo1rw/s1600-h/IMG_1630.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhb4Ja0SILNziXPzcw2-VcAXbKdzEfS5kAs4J5Wo-ZvyIdlTpZypvjpwCOCn814Yiwt5SOcjBsaOXAdSoqmS4iojcPAetiUS-uUr9c5Pmw5P199uHvPaNkuZ6ljRi5TPZIYo1rw/s400/IMG_1630.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332551566309689906" /></a><br />Every time I'd hear reports of how bad the damage to the farm was, I'd find myself holding my breath until I heard the tree house was OK. The sycamore stood strong, protected from the worst of the elements due to its location. A few more bullets dodged.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaa_OT35wv3izGyq6ffZBLpa0VVF6C-aqMNs54U0rterxjRa91s5BkEZkK5w1vpYL5ENmgyYIV8Pocl5cCD5PkWRuCxF9GI9SyM9rDbL1SugLtD8NjXECjOXiMpqh8ZAA48WFsRg/s1600-h/IMG_1628.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaa_OT35wv3izGyq6ffZBLpa0VVF6C-aqMNs54U0rterxjRa91s5BkEZkK5w1vpYL5ENmgyYIV8Pocl5cCD5PkWRuCxF9GI9SyM9rDbL1SugLtD8NjXECjOXiMpqh8ZAA48WFsRg/s400/IMG_1628.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332551568071267346" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9UFLu0oou3-1jND1oCICmCpAanRl2csFkCy1GT-op9-LuYDhClzCCQjTdCLXlQXJ9LDpzOkW8ALI57Fa5oEEJe_AtyAbSFukoqDW0M8ip5CG9VrBTvvRWg5ZrViisvhCB9Do3JA/s1600-h/IMG_1622.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9UFLu0oou3-1jND1oCICmCpAanRl2csFkCy1GT-op9-LuYDhClzCCQjTdCLXlQXJ9LDpzOkW8ALI57Fa5oEEJe_AtyAbSFukoqDW0M8ip5CG9VrBTvvRWg5ZrViisvhCB9Do3JA/s400/IMG_1622.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332551562387926466" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36272509.post-51226648884919153002009-05-05T20:01:00.001-07:002009-05-05T20:27:40.145-07:00Freezing my butt offI'm a little behind in the updates. I made it back to the tree house in November of 2008 for a short visit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HwPkC6YwsnSvi1G4i9I3JXQrECG5z30rjqlUCdeQ8HLD_AgUAhF0ugCaMDSd4UQSwBZ04uKDN8ccehz6xgowdtSJyvJ34U3nTSGTQ6_-NyAyIHoiwWgPB3pLS1XvVGNHdLtAXQ/s1600-h/IMG_2480.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HwPkC6YwsnSvi1G4i9I3JXQrECG5z30rjqlUCdeQ8HLD_AgUAhF0ugCaMDSd4UQSwBZ04uKDN8ccehz6xgowdtSJyvJ34U3nTSGTQ6_-NyAyIHoiwWgPB3pLS1XvVGNHdLtAXQ/s320/IMG_2480.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332545190962764978" /></a><br />I didn't accomplish much in terms of progress, but I did manage to spend every night in the tree house. The temperature dipped into the low teens which made for some chilly evenings. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0pglE9JqsxWcoII7elI86F1kh1u6MI2n3naaJEDrNROwX4gyHq-TArvX9RnlvjTIY3OUT4e4nP05jlUi_8qU5rBsllGuDO7ekj-RX2xv8FiZmZHxc8pMQet694dlrTY_Ah1mZg/s1600-h/IMG_2499.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0pglE9JqsxWcoII7elI86F1kh1u6MI2n3naaJEDrNROwX4gyHq-TArvX9RnlvjTIY3OUT4e4nP05jlUi_8qU5rBsllGuDO7ekj-RX2xv8FiZmZHxc8pMQet694dlrTY_Ah1mZg/s320/IMG_2499.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332545192060986114" /></a><br />No mice had made it in, which was a relief. There were a few dead bugs here and there, but for the most part everything was exactly as I had left it in the summer. While cleaning up, water from the washcloth I was using would freeze on the counter. It made the idea of insulating the place and installing a heat source more attractive.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdqd4RiodBwml59-TCUrSdaf-W7MSOcFub-74c6qkH8sig6sbY4ixT8FY21wEyqWx4JzRzVoaunhPCPpUFah-dRkNeclxhIYep3NFLmo34r2tFL993NFI6V5nYXKCoaLdJOLjbQ/s1600-h/IMG_2475.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdqd4RiodBwml59-TCUrSdaf-W7MSOcFub-74c6qkH8sig6sbY4ixT8FY21wEyqWx4JzRzVoaunhPCPpUFah-dRkNeclxhIYep3NFLmo34r2tFL993NFI6V5nYXKCoaLdJOLjbQ/s320/IMG_2475.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332545188083602578" /></a><br />Even though the Sycamore tree that the structure is in is old, it's still growing at a fairly impressive rate. It's starting to grow around the washers on the anchor points a bit. It will be interesting to watch the tree get closer to the eye of the bolt.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVR0aD73FTH4k2RUFyIi4f3kJKjddSYwQpDt4_dGIQgljLVgLBZpWKX4ZEvuMB7PfnR1EL9JOh65NWGW-nQDTAnsRk7oOJmP6RHiuEOjl3cf93dgB4mZyGa-95zGWOrzpMVe5I-g/s1600-h/IMG_2513.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVR0aD73FTH4k2RUFyIi4f3kJKjddSYwQpDt4_dGIQgljLVgLBZpWKX4ZEvuMB7PfnR1EL9JOh65NWGW-nQDTAnsRk7oOJmP6RHiuEOjl3cf93dgB4mZyGa-95zGWOrzpMVe5I-g/s320/IMG_2513.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332545198119971634" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36272509.post-19179684993764895352008-08-13T19:51:00.000-07:002008-08-13T21:45:14.026-07:00A month in the treesAn unexpected turn of events at work gave me an opportunity to spend some time in the treehouse this summer. I headed to the tree in mid June, and left in mid July. This gave me plenty of time to make the place a little more livable.<br /><br />The structure was still up in the tree, and there was very little sign of mice. We'd spent a good amount of time on the last trip closing up any obvious holes, and it seemed to help. There was a bit of mouse sign here and there, but it was hard to tell if it was new, or if it was something we missed the last time around.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gfeHWNo1u3thl9ucuj7GqNZYLfZh8zCqLdIJL6QfbEAICPzt336pA0T2Q7p26UnLnAw4zLKz7p9EveRaIhhyQhoHnWZJb-jbpJAOEFVPrRepNagvQDioM7W6ve6ftKoEAbLYBQ/s1600-h/IMG_2811.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gfeHWNo1u3thl9ucuj7GqNZYLfZh8zCqLdIJL6QfbEAICPzt336pA0T2Q7p26UnLnAw4zLKz7p9EveRaIhhyQhoHnWZJb-jbpJAOEFVPrRepNagvQDioM7W6ve6ftKoEAbLYBQ/s200/IMG_2811.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234226661617658098" /></a><br />One of the first things I did was build a ladder into the wall going up to the loft. While this seemed like a great idea, it is amazingly awkward to climb a vertical ladder like this, and getting in and out of the loft wasn't much fun. I ended up using a normal ladder to access the loft for most of the stay.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ00c1rnacjLhZeGqiB7I4G2NA-7L-fAdHFLNAw0mi8VAXqJA1q-0kr8aBDPh6KIRLeLximTLLoh1HaUPhw4UzCIqxnppnL4GXJ3rgo71EOoQ6HZbieJUkGcTjtjXRRFuVEE-NPg/s1600-h/IMG_2821.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ00c1rnacjLhZeGqiB7I4G2NA-7L-fAdHFLNAw0mi8VAXqJA1q-0kr8aBDPh6KIRLeLximTLLoh1HaUPhw4UzCIqxnppnL4GXJ3rgo71EOoQ6HZbieJUkGcTjtjXRRFuVEE-NPg/s200/IMG_2821.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234226659752923890" /></a><br />I spent at least a day shoving steel wool into any crack that would light in. Apparently it's a good deterrent for mice, as they won't chew through it. I did most of the chinking around the rafter blocks. It seemed easy until I got to the blocks on the high end of the roof, at which point I had to lean through the windows to chink from the outside.<br /><br />Next on the agenda was getting all the windows screened in. For the lower windows I used the expandable screen inserts you can pick up at Home Depot. For the upper windows I built aluminum framed screens from a kit that I also found at the Depot. It took several nights to get everything secured well enough to keep the majority of the bugs out. It was a bit trickier than I expected, but being bug free was really nice. I'd forgotten just how buggy southern Indiana can be in the summer.<br /><br />I spent a large amount of time painting the windows. The upper windows weren't too difficult, as I just needed to prime and paint the trim. The lower windows were a real chore, requiring scraping, sanding, washing, priming, and painting. I also caulked to lower window casements to prevent water, smart bugs or mice from coming in. I suspect I made 7 or more passes for each of the lower windows to get them completely finished. Buying brand new windows didn't seem like such a bad idea, in hindsight.<br /><br /><center><table><tr><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZU7TRVbzdz_Qye_dO9-7iCm2g-pI_U7uyF29LTm_905MPs1oeSQoj9XCGphmBcc3X_oBT8Dhdz9hxRTc2QbviriH_oMcLJV_knzn7bOeOFgk6dBkVl24LqdV2nL4PLCQuy3Cyjg/s1600-h/IMG_2835.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZU7TRVbzdz_Qye_dO9-7iCm2g-pI_U7uyF29LTm_905MPs1oeSQoj9XCGphmBcc3X_oBT8Dhdz9hxRTc2QbviriH_oMcLJV_knzn7bOeOFgk6dBkVl24LqdV2nL4PLCQuy3Cyjg/s200/IMG_2835.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234226668954242578" /></a><br /><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_Er5vpcDXhSi1TpwKtVRLtJcdKjDptV7_FCliuFRNSUZl3JSBqkGwc8B4Y_-vRY0buRTy6iH28X29zHvrPWrkUis1qyt3cUDpAaN-Fc0kbjtIEU8ybfx2yv9Y15eyFZ0yWGWMQ/s1600-h/IMG_2845.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_Er5vpcDXhSi1TpwKtVRLtJcdKjDptV7_FCliuFRNSUZl3JSBqkGwc8B4Y_-vRY0buRTy6iH28X29zHvrPWrkUis1qyt3cUDpAaN-Fc0kbjtIEU8ybfx2yv9Y15eyFZ0yWGWMQ/s200/IMG_2845.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234227407962418594" /></a><br /></table></center><br />One night as I was enjoying my new bug-free environment, a large thunderstorm blew through. I was in the loft watching the trees and treehouse move erratically in the wind, when an amazing bolt of lightening hit a tree about 200 feet away. It was quite an experience, one I hope not to relive any time soon. After sleep finally found me, a large crashing noise woke me up a bit later. In the morning I discovered that the strike had blown the tree apart midway up its trunk, and it had eventually buckled at that location. The upper portion had come crashing down toward the treehouse making an amazing noise as it whipped through the leaves of surrounding trees. It certainly was an exciting night.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1D3vL3Yj7x6xpljQ6vpGpGCpJqmxW6GFqxbFlz8CjCn2aRfHdy84W6WaoNDYxdudnzLO0w30UqcTb3EsoFWqKJUEyuRH6QBq9vh3A4zBxa3L-YFDcEbuUEfaD751fjy97aMuUeQ/s1600-h/IMG_2836.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1D3vL3Yj7x6xpljQ6vpGpGCpJqmxW6GFqxbFlz8CjCn2aRfHdy84W6WaoNDYxdudnzLO0w30UqcTb3EsoFWqKJUEyuRH6QBq9vh3A4zBxa3L-YFDcEbuUEfaD751fjy97aMuUeQ/s200/IMG_2836.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234227402921843394" /></a><br />Next I put the finishing touches on the skylight. I had to modify the original Home Depot skylight a bit to allow it to open. It originally was sealed to the frame, and on the previous trip we had separated the frame from the window material. We'd installed frame in the roof and made a rough wooden cap to cover the opening. I managed to use some aluminum flashing and a lot of caulk to modify the upper portion of the skylight in such a way that it fit like a cap over the opening, and was easy to lift up and remove. This gave me some light in the loft, and easy access to the roof.<br /><br /><center><table><tr><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAMMKgQCvbPN4kMj2wKGq9ytgkvjMz3fR2LZ3eTjs4aMKQOnTsyBxn2WE8t_vv3ywT5a39Nsl5678InGsoZ0b9Hcxqm25KZbReiDJ0Q8kycwgjrywt8ZAvGAqMrY3CtG9-l2z4Q/s1600-h/IMG_2829.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAMMKgQCvbPN4kMj2wKGq9ytgkvjMz3fR2LZ3eTjs4aMKQOnTsyBxn2WE8t_vv3ywT5a39Nsl5678InGsoZ0b9Hcxqm25KZbReiDJ0Q8kycwgjrywt8ZAvGAqMrY3CtG9-l2z4Q/s200/IMG_2829.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234226665017460402" /></a><br /><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWhv45G52N8TGbLaoNZ855Fb2SkIk2ix7K-jb9DPWYfJoMh-6ovKWiilmEyUOqB9CkSIYOX1PogFBZGXq2r2lkBCzIiu6gFVCbS7c-TYDfIpFx7KBU6m5IDGCFZiIlOILZic-VQ/s1600-h/IMG_2831.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWhv45G52N8TGbLaoNZ855Fb2SkIk2ix7K-jb9DPWYfJoMh-6ovKWiilmEyUOqB9CkSIYOX1PogFBZGXq2r2lkBCzIiu6gFVCbS7c-TYDfIpFx7KBU6m5IDGCFZiIlOILZic-VQ/s200/IMG_2831.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234226665446258994" /></a><br /></table></center><br />It was amazing how much light such a small skylight afforded, and it was a lot of fun to lay in the loft and peer upwards into the canopy of the tree. I was amazed to see squirrels playing around at the very highest points of the tree.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QB48ZoHXZ2BoYdMldwvfCyFqpW7i8N4oxf0QnoOjyx-qqWWpNksiS0B-dnWidHxcdPHyzePPXFg3Gh73dtYlahZRQ0K1RHNJidC3SmC7_0LN0fFB0p9hn8kjtGiaq22FZ41eAg/s1600-h/IMG_2869.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QB48ZoHXZ2BoYdMldwvfCyFqpW7i8N4oxf0QnoOjyx-qqWWpNksiS0B-dnWidHxcdPHyzePPXFg3Gh73dtYlahZRQ0K1RHNJidC3SmC7_0LN0fFB0p9hn8kjtGiaq22FZ41eAg/s200/IMG_2869.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234228071707972242" /></a><br />Next I turned my attention to making a kitchen area. I had brought a small stainless steel sink and an RV range top with me from Colorado. My friend Ted had picked up the sink second hand for a project that never panned out, and I found the range top at a surplus RV center. The RV center seemed like a great place to find treehouse related items, I'll probably spend more time there in the future.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBoPYhLaYCuziv-FWeiKwCA1AnBZ5W7Qnt6SHza2rNlwExe3gmQmyWvWFBgBtKqVfsIvZglOrOHtyhpc5mTwLw96sf3WSqtZF-lNGZ_ORquz96YTfFU0FGuuwCXVNxzXjvqAfeA/s1600-h/IMG_2851.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBoPYhLaYCuziv-FWeiKwCA1AnBZ5W7Qnt6SHza2rNlwExe3gmQmyWvWFBgBtKqVfsIvZglOrOHtyhpc5mTwLw96sf3WSqtZF-lNGZ_ORquz96YTfFU0FGuuwCXVNxzXjvqAfeA/s200/IMG_2851.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234227408755042610" /></a><br />For building material I used plywood from the Depot, and a lot of rough sawn lumber that was laying around the farm. I made the counter top out of plywood and "wall board". If I would have wandered around Home Depot a bit more I probably would have found and used a more appropriate material.<br /><br />I rounded out the kitchen with what seemed like a thousand shelves. Even after they were all installed, there still wasn't quite enough room to store everything. I left a blank spot on one wall, and hope to find a good sized cabinet to bolt to the wall.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3NVdKSGyyqSd6WEpTgAV37V6I1WBVW7UUyrP6e3biWSMx8eroLxyXXcqa5sWZiNA91xBTrxcy0Kvs7ccX4qmJHJzrEV1AAcr7EF6acb_o799K-ri7_J9E02-P57GKEe1Nnqp7Q/s1600-h/IMG_2866.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3NVdKSGyyqSd6WEpTgAV37V6I1WBVW7UUyrP6e3biWSMx8eroLxyXXcqa5sWZiNA91xBTrxcy0Kvs7ccX4qmJHJzrEV1AAcr7EF6acb_o799K-ri7_J9E02-P57GKEe1Nnqp7Q/s200/IMG_2866.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234227416085659922" /></a><br />I haven't insulated and covered the interior walls yet. I want to make sure I solve the mouse problem first. I've heard horror stories about mice getting into wall insulation, and I'd rather avoid that if possible.<br /><br />The kitchen was quite functional. The sink drained to a bucket, I'll eventually plumb it to the outside somehow. A water collection system for the roof is a top priority, it was a lot of effort to keep enough water in the place to wash dishes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE65oIqPKIFgGgbd3kdX0cQ8Hz1vGdasXl8Uj7H7OU5kvZosYGQ7NuiLoot_8tXN5NvAwrrTvnwdg_U9GQw8QBXLtq7u21ffUMFVljWh5LD-O2TE6G8y_SXYTQNEH_ecw6K0tKHw/s1600-h/IMG_2883.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE65oIqPKIFgGgbd3kdX0cQ8Hz1vGdasXl8Uj7H7OU5kvZosYGQ7NuiLoot_8tXN5NvAwrrTvnwdg_U9GQw8QBXLtq7u21ffUMFVljWh5LD-O2TE6G8y_SXYTQNEH_ecw6K0tKHw/s200/IMG_2883.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234228071480233090" /></a><br />For refrigeration I used a normal cooler. Eventually I'd like to get a small RV propane fridge up there, hauling ice up to the treehouse on a daily basis was also a lot of work. <br /><br />For a table I used the platform Nate and I had built as the table top. It's hinged to the wall, and swings out of the way when necessary. There's a central leg that gets clamped to the platform. The table should seat four, although I only have two appropriate chairs at the moment. The view from the table is quite nice.<br /><br /><center><table><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXBTw3iwJVcwGthmp2hdTv3hi1hiy7LEYLpo2xiEESawrxhKGdPGSju0F5x2WbOjcNUv4HiEDGyqw-tja289LXWMz2yFm_RPvI3bGrDm5_jgupEGlKXUQyLR4yNWPDrSaXhtEJQ/s1600-h/IMG_2887.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXBTw3iwJVcwGthmp2hdTv3hi1hiy7LEYLpo2xiEESawrxhKGdPGSju0F5x2WbOjcNUv4HiEDGyqw-tja289LXWMz2yFm_RPvI3bGrDm5_jgupEGlKXUQyLR4yNWPDrSaXhtEJQ/s200/IMG_2887.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234228073001878018" /></a><br /><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yi199sEJWi-mQzTHhEXEtbFXBd6-NIOFaW-s5rqEliXo7dh-YzTwpA7VIOj-y9sWAU_tprgnlwHLuPqYE3ZDyP7VbMgG5u6R_igtRBnjFWqtOJHh6jiE3qlouafpXSSOk_FJ_A/s1600-h/IMG_2890.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yi199sEJWi-mQzTHhEXEtbFXBd6-NIOFaW-s5rqEliXo7dh-YzTwpA7VIOj-y9sWAU_tprgnlwHLuPqYE3ZDyP7VbMgG5u6R_igtRBnjFWqtOJHh6jiE3qlouafpXSSOk_FJ_A/s200/IMG_2890.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234228072256247954" /></a><br /></table></center><br />In the southwest end of the treehouse I set up two camping chairs, and used a storage container for a coffee table. This seemed to work out well, although I eventually want to make a wood tabletop to fit over the plastic container. That should give it a better coffee table feel.<br /><br />One big issue that came up was various rodents chewing on the T-111 siding material. I was awakened many nights by very loud chewing noises. After about a week of trying to discover the source, I eventually spotted a squirrel chewing on the side of the tree house, and a day later I found a mouse chewing near the roof.<br /><br />A bit of web research seemed to point out that the glue that is used to make the siding has enough salt content that various animals enjoy chewing on it. It seems like the manufacturers would try to combat this someway. Your siding product shouldn't be tasty to animals.<br /><br />Regardless, one solution is to use hot pepper spray to help deter the hungry rodents. I found some at Home Depot, and after a week of using it I had no more nocturnal chewing. Apparently you need to re-apply it often, so I'm not sure how long that will help. Right before I left I applied a fresh coat, let it dry, then put a clear wood sealer over the top. I'm hoping this will lock in the hot pepper a bit, and also protect the siding from any further weathering. I may need to paint the entire structure, something I'm not looking forward to after the window experience.<br /><br />Eventually real life called me away from the tree, so I closed everything up and headed back to Colorado. I may be able to slip back to check on things in the fall, or I may have to wait until the spring. Either way I'm already eager to get back, I really enjoyed my time in the tree.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVpCa797XDip-fdmd_WjefrayItn8h4la6KZ99eDoYhiMCr8Zb3H7ITaDj_lvbZDJSVbcH4K78nBlFr8e3OBBMDXSLRkTwCRuGv0cOzV_seK1FDpdkdVQzxDzeWbKX3Z3Y97ikA/s1600-h/IMG_2855.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVpCa797XDip-fdmd_WjefrayItn8h4la6KZ99eDoYhiMCr8Zb3H7ITaDj_lvbZDJSVbcH4K78nBlFr8e3OBBMDXSLRkTwCRuGv0cOzV_seK1FDpdkdVQzxDzeWbKX3Z3Y97ikA/s200/IMG_2855.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234227407526264770" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36272509.post-58680052001499457902008-05-30T13:27:00.000-07:002008-05-30T15:27:57.869-07:00Spring TripKristen and I headed to the treehouse late in April to see how it wintered.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg293jqpMpI9UJDUV1NnBjBWfB-HEkEBhRUS49mf3mUKrEIplmmkp2Lu0b3RGotqMnTAb48GpZhH6TQ8GQ4u1gua90RDRnaxxjfIDA_zbn766dHQqSl-LGQeiAgW8dzY5fa4ODN7A/s1600-h/IMG_1562.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg293jqpMpI9UJDUV1NnBjBWfB-HEkEBhRUS49mf3mUKrEIplmmkp2Lu0b3RGotqMnTAb48GpZhH6TQ8GQ4u1gua90RDRnaxxjfIDA_zbn766dHQqSl-LGQeiAgW8dzY5fa4ODN7A/s200/IMG_1562.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206299743641990898" /></a><br />We opened the place up, and took a look around. There wasn't any apparent water damage on the inside. It did appear that the siding on the rear of the treehouse was aging prematurely due to water running off the roof, hitting the trunk of the tree, then splashing back onto the siding. Nothing major, just some discoloration of the T-111.<br /><br />The big surprise was the amount of mouse feces inside the treehouse. Being 16 feet above the ground, only attached to the tree via chains, I really didn't expect to have mouse issues. Even though there wasn't anything of interest to them in the treehouse, they appeared to have spent a lot of there spare time in there. We swept up, and unpacked our luggage.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3uIWKUh4SV4y62-yFqOwFKXsR_KnRV64J6ozOGMmdNamAxJkcZ-Ac4aJM0UijB5KPwdSxpxWgIPLtEkaxQO5yxX5TidaMUtYlc_XV16IC18ulCAMZHImhA21-Ffda343_JyV9w/s1600-h/IMG_1574.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3uIWKUh4SV4y62-yFqOwFKXsR_KnRV64J6ozOGMmdNamAxJkcZ-Ac4aJM0UijB5KPwdSxpxWgIPLtEkaxQO5yxX5TidaMUtYlc_XV16IC18ulCAMZHImhA21-Ffda343_JyV9w/s200/IMG_1574.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206299751103846306" /></a><br />A few small trees had fallen nearby, so we spent some time cleaning up the area. We also cut down one dead tree that looked like it could fall into the treehouse if things went badly.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgZV6R2jvRPyfkqTGObJF5VEmdmhqQQq2ARmKq47-NJGvIPdB5OHpeRj-05UgLXfHQmyDGsDpZ0t_ZqA2t-S9-jM7Bn4qgEO57B50OHztjBqtO7HQXpZ7JudoPIWB7PlrGI-MqQ/s1600-h/IMG_1684.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgZV6R2jvRPyfkqTGObJF5VEmdmhqQQq2ARmKq47-NJGvIPdB5OHpeRj-05UgLXfHQmyDGsDpZ0t_ZqA2t-S9-jM7Bn4qgEO57B50OHztjBqtO7HQXpZ7JudoPIWB7PlrGI-MqQ/s200/IMG_1684.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206299763335787346" /></a><br />One of the goals of the trip was to get a door installed. The original plan was to have it swing outwards, but without a landing near the door, it would have been difficult to hold it in place while it was being attached. Instead we installed it so swung inwards. While this was easy to do, eventually we want to flip it around. Installed the way it is now, it's difficult to reach the door handle from the ladder, and you have to keep a pretty good area clear on the inside for it to open completely.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6m9401Vu7b5gKQE2B6AH2uDTK3pLuSOVSCXLJwdMOnS_hmST5kO2tyl5OhZxoM0c_svyE91_3K0qcPere14vHmtIIHgTDTKHnCjFYcg0QUEzobOGXKxd8qkBuO_JXGoPqdv941Q/s1600-h/IMG_1691.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6m9401Vu7b5gKQE2B6AH2uDTK3pLuSOVSCXLJwdMOnS_hmST5kO2tyl5OhZxoM0c_svyE91_3K0qcPere14vHmtIIHgTDTKHnCjFYcg0QUEzobOGXKxd8qkBuO_JXGoPqdv941Q/s200/IMG_1691.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206299771419026898" /></a><br />We'd pulled all the boards off the non-windowed rough openings in preparation for installing the windows. An enterprising bird decided that the treehouse was a great place to build a nest, and snuck an amazing amount of moss, leaves, and bark in while we were off doing something else. The bird filled up one of our rain hats with the stuff, and sprinkled a fair amount around the place as well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfKuUM7BGsm9rmp_-Y3LJam0oNlCLfAmuqpof_CixKrUOZei-oe1b2UE_UfCTP1RDTnErwLaGmuqUbIDLXVgN-jk3U2AAL7_qWQR8ZfMabukHugaqOLtdDzdrW4vXOM8SwA6oiA/s1600-h/IMG_1704.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfKuUM7BGsm9rmp_-Y3LJam0oNlCLfAmuqpof_CixKrUOZei-oe1b2UE_UfCTP1RDTnErwLaGmuqUbIDLXVgN-jk3U2AAL7_qWQR8ZfMabukHugaqOLtdDzdrW4vXOM8SwA6oiA/s200/IMG_1704.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206299778280211170" /></a><br />The remaining windows that needed to be installed did not have any casements. I'd debated hinging them some way so that they could swing inward. I couldn't figure out a good way to do it without consuming a lot of interior room, so instead I opted for a solution that would let me just remove the windows easily. The thought was that I could remove them and put screens in their place during warm weather.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJ-lyqNXvzVczd_Ka3tjWroXHqYiZrNAx-CvdZ1Rs6MPl1Nn5m-bKeySTcZrjMvQS48FxBs5wdfuV-qdjr9eREtVTMcN9cmp-fHQkF8RCJ-p-o56o8isjUc-yWea5xT97U4Ghwg/s1600-h/IMG_1708.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJ-lyqNXvzVczd_Ka3tjWroXHqYiZrNAx-CvdZ1Rs6MPl1Nn5m-bKeySTcZrjMvQS48FxBs5wdfuV-qdjr9eREtVTMcN9cmp-fHQkF8RCJ-p-o56o8isjUc-yWea5xT97U4Ghwg/s200/IMG_1708.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206300277517293858" /></a><br />To do this, we cut four trim boards sized appropriately so that they formed a lip that prevented the windows from falling outward. I temporarily used two screws to hold the top and bottom of the windows against the trip boards. I'll come up with a better long term solution down the road.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-p4GEQHg5OAnTOWl-ALgH5yn0intLSZR2Ile3sd35-y8BicsMb-6eT50NHI6a7zWqlggOSZuUn5Jrd4jDIMHBYMVGrtenUbjyZmnOLr-QOg40Z8MqZbtJlwNq5SgdCZcu-LgGQ/s1600-h/IMG_1765.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-p4GEQHg5OAnTOWl-ALgH5yn0intLSZR2Ile3sd35-y8BicsMb-6eT50NHI6a7zWqlggOSZuUn5Jrd4jDIMHBYMVGrtenUbjyZmnOLr-QOg40Z8MqZbtJlwNq5SgdCZcu-LgGQ/s200/IMG_1765.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206300297656907682" /></a><br />The newly installed windows looked good from the outside. I'll need to eventually paint the trim boards, they're pine, and won't last long if exposed to the elements. For that matter, the lower windows also need to be re-painted, they're in pretty bad shape.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpPRE5aSYNDHFwGQl0tRd4neBRj8HIt97vANfC0oznj-vjefGDRPdITfIBOsSXp23JgPd_4AqsDc8BRMXvlFPtJCbWRGmiV9tS4G5pDFhHTECK5A8eWWrXn2UxIi7vAbxoSfG-Q/s1600-h/IMG_1751.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpPRE5aSYNDHFwGQl0tRd4neBRj8HIt97vANfC0oznj-vjefGDRPdITfIBOsSXp23JgPd_4AqsDc8BRMXvlFPtJCbWRGmiV9tS4G5pDFhHTECK5A8eWWrXn2UxIi7vAbxoSfG-Q/s200/IMG_1751.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206300293657715122" /></a><br />I realized afterwards that the window solution that I chose will have issues if water runs down the window. It'll get trapped behind the trim board, and eventually leak into the interior. I might be able to solve this with an angled sill board that will cause the water to run back to the outside.<br /><br />Kristen and I slept in the treehouse for 4 nights. Every night around 3 am, something would jump onto the roof, scurry around, then jump back to a tree trunk. Kristen was a little worried, especially since she was near the windowless rough openings. Luckily nothing jumped in and ate us.<br /><br />We also weathered a few rainstorms and one particularly windy night. I awoke on the windy night to the treehouse swaying a lot more than I expected. It was swaying enough that the roof was colliding with one of the trunks of the tree. It wasn't anything too terrifying, but still surprising.<br /><br />It was great finally getting to spend some time in the treehouse. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNmkZ87msLK-sLER068PlvC-MziHjbSffZ-ODKnhhCNB4a-7m_pOXFRmvkMJ34vyWEkKhkhgP_gK67imd_W6U9dZ-BMFiLuWJBY4Wbg4zOgbgpdZMbmGCnps5VtEWR7Tx2TcgZg/s1600-h/IMG_1750.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNmkZ87msLK-sLER068PlvC-MziHjbSffZ-ODKnhhCNB4a-7m_pOXFRmvkMJ34vyWEkKhkhgP_gK67imd_W6U9dZ-BMFiLuWJBY4Wbg4zOgbgpdZMbmGCnps5VtEWR7Tx2TcgZg/s200/IMG_1750.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206300284021853778" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36272509.post-88054043832925582582008-03-09T10:10:00.001-07:002008-03-09T10:21:33.454-07:00Strange WeatherSouthern Indiana has been experiencing some interesting weather lately. A month ago or so strong winds managed to knock down a good number of pine trees on various ridges around the farm.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50aj4_dhs1F0LfOx-lW8otv1MWBSyibjB4v3CG4ZzdxW5LULMBJ5vwLpKRjvx0HTJHNckKsx59zARugvK8GdO9TvY5hyphenhyphenMj8l1TIpuhvcbCXSqmkI9Wcxnun2GDwgMfzrbDULE7A/s1600-h/IMG_0820.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50aj4_dhs1F0LfOx-lW8otv1MWBSyibjB4v3CG4ZzdxW5LULMBJ5vwLpKRjvx0HTJHNckKsx59zARugvK8GdO9TvY5hyphenhyphenMj8l1TIpuhvcbCXSqmkI9Wcxnun2GDwgMfzrbDULE7A/s400/IMG_0820.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175792393667845058" /></a><br />A few weeks later, everything got coated in a layer of ice. Luckily it appears that the treehouse is still up in the tree. Our friend Tommy swung by the place and snapped these pictures.<br /><br /><center><table><tr><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYWEhtfayRcgU1eBpUCmjnX1cQJF7L19jkyrzIPAje9PVqUEMXU4ZK3cCG95VwYTa5JdhXvokrxhX3eXJIR6YoBXEn9e4QXD1ViZgFl1WA3w9iMUEAEMDMHGxbscKByccs9jWQg/s1600-h/IMG_0813.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYWEhtfayRcgU1eBpUCmjnX1cQJF7L19jkyrzIPAje9PVqUEMXU4ZK3cCG95VwYTa5JdhXvokrxhX3eXJIR6YoBXEn9e4QXD1ViZgFl1WA3w9iMUEAEMDMHGxbscKByccs9jWQg/s400/IMG_0813.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175792698610523090" /></a><br /><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsrstbDHSNbmeC5xRR8npdoQJTLwxxCYiyR2j0RGggPKe-KophREbdDhJYPzyEm0L8YVXsrUMQxnKg2EA6cNysT8sDCtls9lpDrz8_zkdt-CMqjVKSyn-kCclUefHlwDtpuQYfQ/s1600-h/IMG_0828.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsrstbDHSNbmeC5xRR8npdoQJTLwxxCYiyR2j0RGggPKe-KophREbdDhJYPzyEm0L8YVXsrUMQxnKg2EA6cNysT8sDCtls9lpDrz8_zkdt-CMqjVKSyn-kCclUefHlwDtpuQYfQ/s400/IMG_0828.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175793020733070306" /></a><br /></table></center><br />Now it looks like Indiana and Ohio just experienced a record snowfall. If the treehouse can survive these events, I'm confident it'll stay up in the tree for at least a few years, hopefully longer.<br /><br />I'm planning on heading back to the farm in April for a long weekend. It'll be fun to see how things weathered over the winter.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36272509.post-65530629748548125872008-01-23T10:03:00.000-08:002008-01-23T10:05:58.180-08:00No Leaves!My sister and brother-in-law stopped by the treehouse site recently and snapped a picture. Things look a little different with no leaves on the tree!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHK3oMt_5eSe6irQgvdEQhDZWex2qQFHNvP25cgJJbb0A7UxqbF5RnBRIb8RIhogfMrKwamfW0FUokKEIeN9Fd7mjItxA1doeSGSMXChh1m1I-pJgEjRRSB8W24UDMw227Gfoo9A/s1600-h/winter+07+08+086.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHK3oMt_5eSe6irQgvdEQhDZWex2qQFHNvP25cgJJbb0A7UxqbF5RnBRIb8RIhogfMrKwamfW0FUokKEIeN9Fd7mjItxA1doeSGSMXChh1m1I-pJgEjRRSB8W24UDMw227Gfoo9A/s400/winter+07+08+086.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158734633139729506" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36272509.post-78112520167824604062007-12-04T11:16:00.001-08:002007-12-07T13:15:50.742-08:00Roofing & Closing up for the winter.On Friday Brent and I got up early to finish the framing, and to try to get the roof on. We'd made such good progress the previous day, we were optimistic that we could get a lot done.<br /><br />Framing the last wall was rough, as access was a lot more difficult. We didn't have the loft to stand on, so there was a lot of ladder manipulation and movement. Hanging on with one arm as we tried to toe-nail studs together was tiring and time consuming.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEegZx_Fp4axENiOiWXqwM4VszAvMP3v-WV8lY-XkGriFltgvK3LHYRMVpu_bSZjFamazdW9mGwp0AgIoB-wXJxabnGQOmi2Ir2uASxELuaWYfpqImIwOd2Z03vtb9ozTNAoUXuA/s1600-h/IMG_2686.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEegZx_Fp4axENiOiWXqwM4VszAvMP3v-WV8lY-XkGriFltgvK3LHYRMVpu_bSZjFamazdW9mGwp0AgIoB-wXJxabnGQOmi2Ir2uASxELuaWYfpqImIwOd2Z03vtb9ozTNAoUXuA/s200/IMG_2686.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141340203681017842" /></a><br />Installing the last few pieces of siding were difficult too, since we had to nail it from the outside, and we couldn't access the side of the tree house via scaffolding. We eventually got everything finished, and started thinking about getting the OSB onto the rafters.<br /><br />The roof has a 21 degree slope, which is scary enough when standing on it. OSB is surprisingly slippery, and it was a long way down to the ground. Luckily Andy and my dad showed up around this time and were willing to help out. Andy had a lot of rope, a few pulleys, and a harness. He set up a rig where he could get to each corner of the roof, and be tied in securely the whole time. I settled for a climbing harness and a fixed length of rope that would prevent me from sliding off the nearest part of the roof. Unfortunately that meant I couldn't reach the corners of the roof.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqEoJfaS-cJibRfvmF6ITOXUWyeXqZK4tjVJWmFjCdvjzA-nuIsbRz19cRSC5nksw8q-yft0vZoyjAkpoBhPeqsOlEwVWt5A5Kc3d8KG3Ygwc_t1e7ej5qOJIZEp8xRhs5gO4JA/s1600-h/IMG_2698.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqEoJfaS-cJibRfvmF6ITOXUWyeXqZK4tjVJWmFjCdvjzA-nuIsbRz19cRSC5nksw8q-yft0vZoyjAkpoBhPeqsOlEwVWt5A5Kc3d8KG3Ygwc_t1e7ej5qOJIZEp8xRhs5gO4JA/s200/IMG_2698.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141340427019317250" /></a><br />We started with the lowest sheets of OSB, and started going up from there. We left a gap in the middle of the roof so that we could get on and off easily. It was also the same slot we planned on installing a skylight into, so it worked out well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSQIdVh_L06ktUAcDSLnaUi5pAfXZXYNJWApTgK5Y6C2HDw5FIABYWqD7DFrUR3hvL_oIK10lqdX84CoF59LE84u8bVPbElAjRp8f1vDA3DmTbW4q2-lqWsGLLBAuEioe_zgFTA/s1600-h/IMG_2691.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSQIdVh_L06ktUAcDSLnaUi5pAfXZXYNJWApTgK5Y6C2HDw5FIABYWqD7DFrUR3hvL_oIK10lqdX84CoF59LE84u8bVPbElAjRp8f1vDA3DmTbW4q2-lqWsGLLBAuEioe_zgFTA/s200/IMG_2691.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141340538688466962" /></a><br />We overhung the OSB by a foot on each side, to allow for a good eave on each end of the tree house. We also added two 18' 2" x 6" caps on the high and low side of the rafters. These helped counter lever the extra rafters that weren't resting on the frame of the tree house.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXP9tj1Trv9NMoLgVICpZ5MjASuJ7ToDiHik2omU9a8GkbSN1S3IRSaSmkkpc8MX4Usz3iNyaDIe_GbKhPMYnDZ-0FY46986Tj8gCO76KbiblUOUrg8aF2on14HB49N0M38RBLg/s1600-h/IMG_2693.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXP9tj1Trv9NMoLgVICpZ5MjASuJ7ToDiHik2omU9a8GkbSN1S3IRSaSmkkpc8MX4Usz3iNyaDIe_GbKhPMYnDZ-0FY46986Tj8gCO76KbiblUOUrg8aF2on14HB49N0M38RBLg/s200/IMG_2693.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141340689012322338" /></a><br />After all the OSB was up we started laying and stapling the roofing felt. This made things feel a lot safer, the felt wasn't as slippery as the OSB alone. We also starting framing in the skylight opening. The skylight would have the dual purpose of letting some light in, and giving us access to the roof down the road.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLzYaCc_fml1rC-WpWnCx8sq91zNH8pLeZvS3WrrVRb1qKp1_2eBxp03DZFkX8aRZAjqyO4sCY1KRPBe3F8ceh2yoo0Bnh7DgXicRWTEiwhikcKI2K53p-Lc0I-djkTUTRMdYoA/s1600-h/IMG_2700.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLzYaCc_fml1rC-WpWnCx8sq91zNH8pLeZvS3WrrVRb1qKp1_2eBxp03DZFkX8aRZAjqyO4sCY1KRPBe3F8ceh2yoo0Bnh7DgXicRWTEiwhikcKI2K53p-Lc0I-djkTUTRMdYoA/s200/IMG_2700.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141340860811014194" /></a><br />By the time we got all the felt on and framed in the rough opening for the skylight, it was time to call it a day. We didn't quite get as much done as we hoped, but had one more day of the trip to get the actual roofing material installed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7otXbXXo1FeAVHZVZbis6UsSQkaJpEBJXc4N9M8RueIGaiMl2FkzR3mxTUj8kRshjb9sXQBJg1lXFiCLzJD-iwyA87g2Z6QpIR4rLV2eJAjndgkTr6jRjMmEur4og7cvgSeVwQ/s1600-h/IMG_2701.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7otXbXXo1FeAVHZVZbis6UsSQkaJpEBJXc4N9M8RueIGaiMl2FkzR3mxTUj8kRshjb9sXQBJg1lXFiCLzJD-iwyA87g2Z6QpIR4rLV2eJAjndgkTr6jRjMmEur4og7cvgSeVwQ/s200/IMG_2701.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141341006839902274" /></a><br />We did manage to get the roll-roofing install on Saturday. We also managed to get several of the lower level windows in, although a few ended up a bit large for the rough openings. We unfortunately didn't take many pictures, but tarring and nailing the roofing material down isn't really that exciting. Hopefully we managed to get everything watertight for the most part.<br /><br /><center><table><tr><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyB8Cg96F1Apo7vOFxuFpyhW2Rw-P75w1VsgVvRyMNJ0B1C9P-FlzkgvcGVK9-ww7Kh2mxlTwLQ45IK2aQRhpRPn6MLJSwawMEEJv0AsAboUiU1uWzknZKbXXf9MA71rt8YIXog/s1600-h/IMG_2702.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyB8Cg96F1Apo7vOFxuFpyhW2Rw-P75w1VsgVvRyMNJ0B1C9P-FlzkgvcGVK9-ww7Kh2mxlTwLQ45IK2aQRhpRPn6MLJSwawMEEJv0AsAboUiU1uWzknZKbXXf9MA71rt8YIXog/s200/IMG_2702.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141341200113430610" /></a><br /><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaffD7pB8v2YOoRdB_3cYrJfDj8IBkQ-e_TCH0R34K3_rqswMiHwmTke7X3TzwkUoSw9oNth4EoW3pRQvJulLiOn3D6p6GNIecnFaMlbq4u4CX_MD1pSzSiKyEEQ5hogFpAq9Pw/s1600-h/IMG_2706.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaffD7pB8v2YOoRdB_3cYrJfDj8IBkQ-e_TCH0R34K3_rqswMiHwmTke7X3TzwkUoSw9oNth4EoW3pRQvJulLiOn3D6p6GNIecnFaMlbq4u4CX_MD1pSzSiKyEEQ5hogFpAq9Pw/s200/IMG_2706.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141341389091991650" /></a><br /></table></center><br /><br />Saturday night we quit a bit early and went to a friend of the family's 50th birthday / anniversary party. It was nice to get out and be a little social after 9 very full days of work.<br /><br />Sunday involved a lot of clean up and further waterproofing of the structure. I was out of time to get the door or upper level windows in, so my dad and I took some discarded T-111 and shuttered up the rough openings. Since the skylight was going to require some modification, I made a temporary cover for it out of a few 2" x 4"s, T-111, and some roofing material.<br /><br /><center><table><tr><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_RITfe45Mk9vhTqHmSlOF9pcJpF-SszdJxVBDqpPF_BB7wDF6y6sN9QkaTEeGNqbgxQaBnayTflrJbW5xIA06rK5fyt3sTMYvYlfF-7w6be8c-4f_3hRPyGL_h1cdI8kqQjXAQ/s1600-h/IMG_2709.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_RITfe45Mk9vhTqHmSlOF9pcJpF-SszdJxVBDqpPF_BB7wDF6y6sN9QkaTEeGNqbgxQaBnayTflrJbW5xIA06rK5fyt3sTMYvYlfF-7w6be8c-4f_3hRPyGL_h1cdI8kqQjXAQ/s200/IMG_2709.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141341582365519986" /></a><br /><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GZ0czhDP7cHImz0ckdjURehRnj9fHdv0m12m1JbPkCVNnowOviBHvJ41xbjzeE3p-etUtMRF0V1FBXjTClsYX390o73YTZ4zG_ks0zkVJirf0a2oYC2Vf26v6YmHnLF41rI9Pw/s1600-h/IMG_2711.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GZ0czhDP7cHImz0ckdjURehRnj9fHdv0m12m1JbPkCVNnowOviBHvJ41xbjzeE3p-etUtMRF0V1FBXjTClsYX390o73YTZ4zG_ks0zkVJirf0a2oYC2Vf26v6YmHnLF41rI9Pw/s200/IMG_2711.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141341745574277250" /></a><br /></table></center><br />I also had to cut short 2" x 6" blocks to fill up the gap between the upper portion of the rafters where they sat on the frame. Brent had gotten the lower portion of the rafters taken care of the day before. I hammered these into place, relying on a press-fit. I suspect some will fall out during the winter as the structure shifts slightly under the various stresses.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WLDGYPG_HtNIZo1lm8yC6_AE4o24ievRbdgnvzMprMNYwzWt9FUTl4YQJ-fTJYYtCMMb3p9vEWx2rJnFy3VEOSJpZx7yQHMHiCdeheHqWhamdndae9K3RzN0ifJ0F3IGKDrvXg/s1600-h/IMG_2731.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WLDGYPG_HtNIZo1lm8yC6_AE4o24ievRbdgnvzMprMNYwzWt9FUTl4YQJ-fTJYYtCMMb3p9vEWx2rJnFy3VEOSJpZx7yQHMHiCdeheHqWhamdndae9K3RzN0ifJ0F3IGKDrvXg/s200/IMG_2731.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141341878718263442" /></a><br /><br />Buttoning everything up took a lot longer than I expected. I barely had time to really look at what we accomplished before I had to jump in the car and drive back to Colorado. Dad made a comment about how he was happy to see me go, so he could actually relax a bit. I could understand where he was coming from, I was truly exhausted after the long trip.<br /><br /><center><table><tr><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgln51x0Py0l2ZQbchX_1c4fwB0cMUroQ7MaagMYwVXMh9RzXU-cq6CH_ykSX7c-8GbmEtGSw6J_dnZwJ2rTyt5sUrDWe9TRxvBZ9ekpisYZIYH3K1oP3wIAd20VaPm6fcZeTKTtw/s1600-h/IMG_1783.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgln51x0Py0l2ZQbchX_1c4fwB0cMUroQ7MaagMYwVXMh9RzXU-cq6CH_ykSX7c-8GbmEtGSw6J_dnZwJ2rTyt5sUrDWe9TRxvBZ9ekpisYZIYH3K1oP3wIAd20VaPm6fcZeTKTtw/s200/IMG_1783.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5037203434290105570" /></a><br /><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxykvN9L309Yd1AOLbi7CXcoUdMSd7RnWUys_hHEykgU8oBQYXOiAPEWk5vbOO0zvQCbpO5T5_bx9Sy_6s8I6UpJvmDVvBcXZoBKynCZV4cfiPc9NGG4phf4dkUPgX-bD_-OFdpg/s1600-h/IMG_2732.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxykvN9L309Yd1AOLbi7CXcoUdMSd7RnWUys_hHEykgU8oBQYXOiAPEWk5vbOO0zvQCbpO5T5_bx9Sy_6s8I6UpJvmDVvBcXZoBKynCZV4cfiPc9NGG4phf4dkUPgX-bD_-OFdpg/s200/IMG_2732.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141342291035123874" /></a><br /></table></center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36272509.post-43193417987256555612007-11-01T21:21:00.000-07:002007-11-01T22:42:57.826-07:00The loft , rafters, and three out of four walls.After a full day's work, we drove into Louisville to drop Nate off at the airport. Ted and I picked up some 2" x 6" lumber for the loft and a few other supplies.<br /><br />The next morning, we carried each 2" x 6" up the ladder by hand, no longer having a crane and not trusting our knot tying skills. Ted and I tore through the loft construction pretty quickly. However, we did make one mistake in not realizing that the walls had bowed out a bit toward their centers. This caused us to pull out a few nails, pull the walls together using the come-along, then re-nail the loft joists. We put a few sheets of OSB down, and had a fairly complete loft.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNb8dqwAq5J1X3ZgANk4JOlh0sGt5sDgVJ703VnSslC1tXPdHT6csYAt98c_sK0Edw7hKGEiXF-XAQ4PYhoGj-if8dgtiCdtpnG_nlKzsfC1DgoyMkJiqXxvbQnAmE0z-k-7R5rw/s1600-h/IMG_2666.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNb8dqwAq5J1X3ZgANk4JOlh0sGt5sDgVJ703VnSslC1tXPdHT6csYAt98c_sK0Edw7hKGEiXF-XAQ4PYhoGj-if8dgtiCdtpnG_nlKzsfC1DgoyMkJiqXxvbQnAmE0z-k-7R5rw/s200/IMG_2666.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128111704091980258" /></a><br />That evening Ted took off for Colorado, and my other buddy Brent flew into town. Even though I'd lost two good workers due to real-life constraints, I suspected that Brent had more framing experience then Ted, Nate and I combined. That wasn't hard to accomplish, since Ted, Nate and myself had zero framing experience up until now.<br /><br />After a late night of story telling, Brent and I started putting the rafters and the side walls up. We notched the rafters so that they'd sit on the top sills properly. I used 2" X 6" X 12' for the rafters, which gave a decent eave on the rear of the tree house, and a pretty huge eave on the front. Having a larger eave on the south facing side would help provide shade in the summer, and keep rain and moisture off of the tallest wall. Or that's the theory, anyway.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNus3zBXZqY8h8Oe6S8E7dLvfZO7iT6B0ErmvAY35eP6FU1RqDcN6t_mi6LRBiEkUR-l4mBhxUmYiCRIwGaG1glYHjkqYzxONaMAj6ql3wnlfpaeFUnJYS3c2fD2kshGmbTFZlg/s1600-h/IMG_2672.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNus3zBXZqY8h8Oe6S8E7dLvfZO7iT6B0ErmvAY35eP6FU1RqDcN6t_mi6LRBiEkUR-l4mBhxUmYiCRIwGaG1glYHjkqYzxONaMAj6ql3wnlfpaeFUnJYS3c2fD2kshGmbTFZlg/s200/IMG_2672.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128112262437728754" /></a><br />For the rear 16' wall, Brent and I had covered the 1 foot tall wall with screen. The rear wall is well covered by the eave, and it seemed like a logical place to get some ventilation.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJTQXmOj8t0A8hWjrhFQF6dVtpCHC_Iw429_rnC-_O25chCWcQXNcy4TYwzc2K7jiUS30fOFrzNZOdHo4pCnO_VD579AVieVqNBORnCCs6fMAwyCc4emxjc38evStq4NKvDzJNw/s1600-h/IMG_2677.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJTQXmOj8t0A8hWjrhFQF6dVtpCHC_Iw429_rnC-_O25chCWcQXNcy4TYwzc2K7jiUS30fOFrzNZOdHo4pCnO_VD579AVieVqNBORnCCs6fMAwyCc4emxjc38evStq4NKvDzJNw/s200/IMG_2677.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128112374106878466" /></a><br />We used hurricane clips to help keep the rafters in place. We also toe-nailed them to the top sill using 16d nails. This seemed to secure them more than enough.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZlhhvhpKRaps8C4YSA6GYkzpFh6kBg3RZLzNodDtOTok7jg95_Vr3z-zxFcCgYn1XhkONQ7txRbjVW57OfNe2ZQCEvnp1MQ9PA7S9iG_PAATPtm5chOjQWW50fEKQTab8Y2jCQ/s1600-h/IMG_2678.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZlhhvhpKRaps8C4YSA6GYkzpFh6kBg3RZLzNodDtOTok7jg95_Vr3z-zxFcCgYn1XhkONQ7txRbjVW57OfNe2ZQCEvnp1MQ9PA7S9iG_PAATPtm5chOjQWW50fEKQTab8Y2jCQ/s200/IMG_2678.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128113069891580434" /></a><br />We managed to also get one of the odd shaped walls into place and sided. There was a lot more toe-nailing involved then we expected, and without the nail gun at the tree house, it was slower going then we hoped. Regardless, by the end of the day things looked like they were really coming together.<br /><br /><center><table><tr><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrqRV1jPLJ7JKh1YToHsEIkNLqZ5D7bH1qrnIoUWwkRd7dJj33GEqYNd44pv4fRAhiZU2ZjjfzXv0Xta79vfanydLaVbCd78vWwdFCiBbmKWwT39EHZzdRP0TZDd7PLKWwwN9tQ/s1600-h/IMG_2679.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrqRV1jPLJ7JKh1YToHsEIkNLqZ5D7bH1qrnIoUWwkRd7dJj33GEqYNd44pv4fRAhiZU2ZjjfzXv0Xta79vfanydLaVbCd78vWwdFCiBbmKWwT39EHZzdRP0TZDd7PLKWwwN9tQ/s200/IMG_2679.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128113370539291170" /></a><br /><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dRMK85mksTEGmq9pRGqcQgHjy6MJfEneg7KGJ55ytX5RYlfqlBQN73b0RSECIMeaQhY1Ik_gY0N51ph1BNgTaYB82x3u1iF332SLBAG2MDlvEhvI9nIEVJWVjCmZ44J0WhRXPw/s1600-h/IMG_2680.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dRMK85mksTEGmq9pRGqcQgHjy6MJfEneg7KGJ55ytX5RYlfqlBQN73b0RSECIMeaQhY1Ik_gY0N51ph1BNgTaYB82x3u1iF332SLBAG2MDlvEhvI9nIEVJWVjCmZ44J0WhRXPw/s200/IMG_2680.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128113761381315122" /></a><br /></table></center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36272509.post-91757904696054094712007-10-24T19:27:00.000-07:002007-10-24T20:57:54.620-07:00Crane!With the siding on, we estimated that the 16' walls weighed between 300 and 400 pounds. Luckily our good friend Andy had a crane that he used for his tree service. It had just enough reach for the project, and we hoped it would really simplify getting everything up onto the platform.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNKhyry84qB3PEncIyhvvqI8k8XkdMVKhIGUdJfFSyAaucliYMO1wrBKkDgxZ8Km8lqbf8vze-e5x7i01u4rgDXkZSlZ2dWmhRAIKesyAS0MO8FE4EVljzsu9gko92OiGcM4zLQ/s1600-h/IMG_2613.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNKhyry84qB3PEncIyhvvqI8k8XkdMVKhIGUdJfFSyAaucliYMO1wrBKkDgxZ8Km8lqbf8vze-e5x7i01u4rgDXkZSlZ2dWmhRAIKesyAS0MO8FE4EVljzsu9gko92OiGcM4zLQ/s200/IMG_2613.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125114031667736882" /></a><br />We got everything down to the site, and got the crane situated as best we could. We looped a few straps through the rough openings for the windows on the farthest wall. We also tied a rope to one corner, allowing us to swing the wall around as necessary as it was lifted onto the platform. Once the wall was on the platform, we braced it with two 2" X 4"s to keep it in place.<br /><br /><center><table><tr><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQFHkqp9L4Bg868xYFhfKMT2kDUVn6N6NSRuMwi6bmduFsgFhMG5i23KNVOIE4Ew_Pjzvk05TK4ET7Xei1QRRU618pPllj9XgG3dYC5ry2IPBDg-6NLVHNJI0GkW8aKce0IVdJg/s1600-h/IMG_2624.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQFHkqp9L4Bg868xYFhfKMT2kDUVn6N6NSRuMwi6bmduFsgFhMG5i23KNVOIE4Ew_Pjzvk05TK4ET7Xei1QRRU618pPllj9XgG3dYC5ry2IPBDg-6NLVHNJI0GkW8aKce0IVdJg/s200/IMG_2624.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125114349495316802" /></a><br /><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBf_Ui2oiEOpHsGAVDIRU9OhUjqLN-l4k_WAbi2xS0Lo42grrT2KxZ39j56KretPG-tUwuZsCbNkAyxrt3oSuyXSXMjBFhUUkzTJvrz1UEGE5UkF7yucpddMeDZeRF1bQd92P3g/s1600-h/IMG_2632.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBf_Ui2oiEOpHsGAVDIRU9OhUjqLN-l4k_WAbi2xS0Lo42grrT2KxZ39j56KretPG-tUwuZsCbNkAyxrt3oSuyXSXMjBFhUUkzTJvrz1UEGE5UkF7yucpddMeDZeRF1bQd92P3g/s200/IMG_2632.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125114499819172178" /></a><br /></table></center><br />The two 8' walls went up pretty quickly. Ted and I were wearing harnesses that were tied off to the trees, so we had to do a bit of fancy foot work to keep our ropes out of the way. In the second picture, you can see the temporary stubs we screwed into the platform to prevent the bottom of the walls from slipping off while we positioned them.<br /><br /><center><table><tr><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhdsb_vrMyzWKTgWsR8YWUuMlFUa1Qk9QF69f-Jsl68uBdY9V2nzTvh4i9yJIt6Agt78Kwyf8qdKM6wRCrmJV9ML3kT-iP0S8UBg4UvuSSAa5mFGJKs3YxLfG7_70OoeFXBbqBg/s1600-h/IMG_2641.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhdsb_vrMyzWKTgWsR8YWUuMlFUa1Qk9QF69f-Jsl68uBdY9V2nzTvh4i9yJIt6Agt78Kwyf8qdKM6wRCrmJV9ML3kT-iP0S8UBg4UvuSSAa5mFGJKs3YxLfG7_70OoeFXBbqBg/s200/IMG_2641.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125114847711523170" /></a><br /><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOHC1nHDnkSDU7w6nCLoF23TGehR3-1VvNkZkQspkMI49155URP9aap4nAAHRZbaE8eBmNn6Lamp9flHLmkmlHN-r3HCgn8ew8XWcP4aleReaC4JGgzvjUefrUeKY1Op_0d7iaA/s1600-h/IMG_2645.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOHC1nHDnkSDU7w6nCLoF23TGehR3-1VvNkZkQspkMI49155URP9aap4nAAHRZbaE8eBmNn6Lamp9flHLmkmlHN-r3HCgn8ew8XWcP4aleReaC4JGgzvjUefrUeKY1Op_0d7iaA/s200/IMG_2645.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125115058164920690" /></a><br /></table></center><br />The last 16' wall was a bit tricky, since we had to lift it higher than the others in order rotate it into place. Once it was rotated, it slipped into place beautifully. We nailed each wall to the platform, and also lag-bolted each wall to it's neighboring walls. Once this was done, the platform was noticeably stiffer.<br /><br /><center><table><tr><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DUKtMz60dy0fwJBeELmdOasrzh69xOnDmw2NjpRZBrHsgg5VZK4w23wzZ4zNdkNMDA3Yb0Z9L1naJqu-RhvpakyZ1nBZpdAzHhQT0PsFsFDbgVpW2Chy7PvReKA5UNEdNyvKLw/s1600-h/IMG_2650.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DUKtMz60dy0fwJBeELmdOasrzh69xOnDmw2NjpRZBrHsgg5VZK4w23wzZ4zNdkNMDA3Yb0Z9L1naJqu-RhvpakyZ1nBZpdAzHhQT0PsFsFDbgVpW2Chy7PvReKA5UNEdNyvKLw/s200/IMG_2650.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125115320157925762" /></a><br /><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJyQFbhkqb0IyAqF2qs5OTpylN2YQIpThqn06Rx4gNUGVWcIwpvE-bqlZKt441IUEjqSUEeLOSTYXdu4qjUWnUyWn02uYHvt8i6waxWOiwLUD1nrHuYfWSrpbGoXfDS6vKeyL4g/s1600-h/IMG_2651.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJyQFbhkqb0IyAqF2qs5OTpylN2YQIpThqn06Rx4gNUGVWcIwpvE-bqlZKt441IUEjqSUEeLOSTYXdu4qjUWnUyWn02uYHvt8i6waxWOiwLUD1nrHuYfWSrpbGoXfDS6vKeyL4g/s200/IMG_2651.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125115569266028946" /></a><br /></table></center><br /><br />My main concern up to this point had been whether or not the lag eye bolts would pull out of the trunks of the tree. So far the bolts in the tree had held, and everything felt solid. We still had a lot of weight to add to the tree house, but so far things were looking good.<br /><br />We'd made such great progress that we decided to hurry back to the shop and put the siding on the 4 foot tall wall, so we could get it up in the tree while we had access to the crane. With a full five people working at once, the siding went pretty quickly. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWkesf9NH8bcQmUoQiW7rTQmBAIhOKO0-KidGa_Am4v_f5e9EpUpwfjLdDq48DLr6xWxVbMGwqV2rGD99ABGSBtTu3DXISN4HtYas7gldhdIAvdZLRShwVpSIA8IEcn64ABzdSg/s1600-h/IMG_2655.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWkesf9NH8bcQmUoQiW7rTQmBAIhOKO0-KidGa_Am4v_f5e9EpUpwfjLdDq48DLr6xWxVbMGwqV2rGD99ABGSBtTu3DXISN4HtYas7gldhdIAvdZLRShwVpSIA8IEcn64ABzdSg/s200/IMG_2655.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125115972992954786" /></a><br />We also decided to crane up all the OSB we were going to use for the roof. That seemed like less work than pulling each sheet up via rope. After that, we got the 4 foot tall wall up easily enough, and tacked it into place with some handy 2" x 4"s. <br /><br /><center><table><tr><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6dfncOS1vSJrgCLWROc8CwoixlxabW6vZOg9RfE3qsM-q6yrnsyBY4SiTrr2UAU1d_a4g87eBjqPUDem_ZizghyYKjLuOZZS9cXTggV14ImiA1EbDAuUxziozCj5IDEmBBWwfA/s1600-h/IMG_2659.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6dfncOS1vSJrgCLWROc8CwoixlxabW6vZOg9RfE3qsM-q6yrnsyBY4SiTrr2UAU1d_a4g87eBjqPUDem_ZizghyYKjLuOZZS9cXTggV14ImiA1EbDAuUxziozCj5IDEmBBWwfA/s200/IMG_2659.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125116187741319602" /></a><br /><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZAcja4A959SJWegRYkrY0roNg8dI717cVLEUS5iWOW23zKC8ZHzFR4xO0vHb9pyedXPhaSHjQGgHcHn3PtjLdsgEXFhJCVfZgbEc3nLiGS4tJwPo75dsaL-NIPvXiyLiEy1g-A/s1600-h/IMG_2661.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZAcja4A959SJWegRYkrY0roNg8dI717cVLEUS5iWOW23zKC8ZHzFR4xO0vHb9pyedXPhaSHjQGgHcHn3PtjLdsgEXFhJCVfZgbEc3nLiGS4tJwPo75dsaL-NIPvXiyLiEy1g-A/s200/IMG_2661.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125116312295371202" /></a><br /></table></center><br /><br />After all the preparation, traveling, and building, it was great to see a good portion of the structure fall into place in one day. Andy's crane certainly made our life a lot easier, and it was great having so many helping hands during the day. Thanks guys!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIr9KMiPn2WNoof7rk9EfZ8xoUuyd5aXp8y8MSROTFaF8pASWpYe92njLF0TCmN9jzQY9gxiXD9xwKYvh_T0vWumKl1IerfH29rtkpJQW30q9sFMAPLo5gub0wq1m3kvQXtYXhkg/s1600-h/IMG_2663.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIr9KMiPn2WNoof7rk9EfZ8xoUuyd5aXp8y8MSROTFaF8pASWpYe92njLF0TCmN9jzQY9gxiXD9xwKYvh_T0vWumKl1IerfH29rtkpJQW30q9sFMAPLo5gub0wq1m3kvQXtYXhkg/s200/IMG_2663.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125116617238049234" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36272509.post-3463153973624591852007-10-18T09:46:00.000-07:002007-10-23T13:32:09.594-07:00First few days of the trip.The marathon building trip is over. We survived with all our limbs and digits intact, and ended up with something in the tree that looks pretty cool.<br /><br />Ted and I left Denver around 5 am on Friday morning. The trip went smoothly, although we had to rush to make it to the Louisville airport in time to pick up Nate. The timing worked out great, we showed up right as Nate was walking out the door of the airport. Not bad for 17 hours of driving.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv1sxhJx1Dfp7w23fT0uJ1ZcQ4RX_yUn8naNHlH2xbrzqIzO1ITSpHhMPbDr0A1tasU2Xvm5WKW9tMaGBpJy2CW0fqLS7pKAit2WOObcVR88FnkmLNBozgagBlgkz48b4jWk8YTA/s1600-h/IMG_2525.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv1sxhJx1Dfp7w23fT0uJ1ZcQ4RX_yUn8naNHlH2xbrzqIzO1ITSpHhMPbDr0A1tasU2Xvm5WKW9tMaGBpJy2CW0fqLS7pKAit2WOObcVR88FnkmLNBozgagBlgkz48b4jWk8YTA/s200/IMG_2525.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124628079511047074" border="0"></a><br />On Saturday morning we headed to the local lumber yard. We'd estimated how much lumber we'd need, and picked through a lot of stock before we found everything. They didn't have enough T-111 siding, so we knew we'd have to pick that up elsewhere.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bGdT_ypOqjeEj3aIe0ciQKBflDSQHb13ipK1Zl7oHnKYTjZ0p8ER5HcQtuatMaQJGzU6_-zbf__wMVUI5T2EF4Nas9iXg6kLx1G6v1TQGbrg2nPng1DXFkBjdJpYrMlurV2cKg/s1600-h/IMG_2530.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bGdT_ypOqjeEj3aIe0ciQKBflDSQHb13ipK1Zl7oHnKYTjZ0p8ER5HcQtuatMaQJGzU6_-zbf__wMVUI5T2EF4Nas9iXg6kLx1G6v1TQGbrg2nPng1DXFkBjdJpYrMlurV2cKg/s200/IMG_2530.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124628277079542706" border="0"></a><br />We also took a look at the platform, and discussed the trapdoor and additional attachments to the tree. We decided to scrap the trapdoor idea for various reasons, including placement issues, ladder access issues, and knowing we'd be pressed for time otherwise.<br /><br />Sunday Nate and Ted started adding the additional attachment points to the platform. Dad hauled the scaffolding down to the site, and the three of them set that up. They attached a wire rope sling to each trunk, using a 3/4" stainless steel lag screw and some giant washers. The hope was that these would be backup support, in case one of the original attachments points pulled out. At the very least we hoped it'd give us some time to get out of the tree if things started to collapse.<br /><br /><center><table><tbody><tr><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0q7OiYnN7gOEssa1t2j2VbZVJJyt1ghn3EpRAgcZud-9eXdDdS0FyUT02_NCqySUElzxInrzszrFPS1x1qkUYm84pqcNFaJ4HGSiQ4KMF8BVB28eDCVjDVnB6qbUYQRYZ3lviQ/s1600-h/IMG_2541.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0q7OiYnN7gOEssa1t2j2VbZVJJyt1ghn3EpRAgcZud-9eXdDdS0FyUT02_NCqySUElzxInrzszrFPS1x1qkUYm84pqcNFaJ4HGSiQ4KMF8BVB28eDCVjDVnB6qbUYQRYZ3lviQ/s200/IMG_2541.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124628504712809410" border="0"></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAcR4zS2_T_AlsWTLeRg4SMBU0BbBa9pEhCGDVMRb9HDZhbtcObQsUeYiFtcchz6S4fw4e3x1zzaahWyOJif-m-BzSrCXKKIqWANSRKXaJwRfRvZrIBo80sDt2v7sC-6_IkU2hQ/s1600-h/IMG_2543.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAcR4zS2_T_AlsWTLeRg4SMBU0BbBa9pEhCGDVMRb9HDZhbtcObQsUeYiFtcchz6S4fw4e3x1zzaahWyOJif-m-BzSrCXKKIqWANSRKXaJwRfRvZrIBo80sDt2v7sC-6_IkU2hQ/s200/IMG_2543.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124628685101435858" border="0"></a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></center><br />Later in the day we headed over to Tommy's shop to grab some windows and a door. Tommy had generously offered up some spare windows he had, and one of many doors he had laying around. We also picked up 16 sheets of T-111 siding. Ouch, that stuff is expensive!<br /><br />With the windows in hand, we laid out the final design, and started building the first wall. Ted and Nate were pretty antsy to actual build something, so we were up until 11 pm or so building that first wall.<br /><br /><center><table><tbody><tr><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-QSDQZorP8jssz2TXhvhkctOo-suP0vSYxPSufgCfBFsmG6PVgSRLWfsMBMVAmE6_vqY5gjjto1WHC9m3qWny66Lo9c-CEblq-MuZW4Hzir5SSSQnc6blwojC6Ouyc_7AQK1BA/s1600-h/IMG_2555.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-QSDQZorP8jssz2TXhvhkctOo-suP0vSYxPSufgCfBFsmG6PVgSRLWfsMBMVAmE6_vqY5gjjto1WHC9m3qWny66Lo9c-CEblq-MuZW4Hzir5SSSQnc6blwojC6Ouyc_7AQK1BA/s200/IMG_2555.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124629239152217058" border="0"></a><br /></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iui-VbEFu9c9jrmu5moQW2ToCLyQM1Fnx_KMYNCvKkOKrA_eNI7H2khHOuCqjDcnBW0L-HrsGMMrpp2dFGajuJ_EIkx_ClYdFuRkyhjJPDr3efHpeXO2A53ZUCk0e-7lfe_wqw/s1600-h/IMG_2552.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iui-VbEFu9c9jrmu5moQW2ToCLyQM1Fnx_KMYNCvKkOKrA_eNI7H2khHOuCqjDcnBW0L-HrsGMMrpp2dFGajuJ_EIkx_ClYdFuRkyhjJPDr3efHpeXO2A53ZUCk0e-7lfe_wqw/s200/IMG_2552.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124629423835810802" border="0"></a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></center><br />Monday was a flurry of framing. As my dad and I put the siding on the first wall, Ted and Nate knocked out the remaining first level walls. After we put on the siding, we hauled them down to the site via wagon. Later, we managed to build the four foot wall that would raise the roof line on the south facing side of the building to 12 feet. <br /><center><table><tbody><tr><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqT-g42qgWfIRDivg4Oq-AlVjptMwXRwKF30H-_BUsjKNSt-Ak440RSnotABXQQBO8-IjtX1-uFxKORDdMF8VbBxhUy_zHINYj458X7B-9ejnuMlXKyJEtcHb143Txvn-jrr2Qg/s1600-h/IMG_2557.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqT-g42qgWfIRDivg4Oq-AlVjptMwXRwKF30H-_BUsjKNSt-Ak440RSnotABXQQBO8-IjtX1-uFxKORDdMF8VbBxhUy_zHINYj458X7B-9ejnuMlXKyJEtcHb143Txvn-jrr2Qg/s200/IMG_2557.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124629728778488834" border="0"></a><br /><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTqgcHmmcuSTt3tdGSMCGAJxTKQi2twWyaUZ2m6k17dTv73gUJkKJJmPngfUsAu1KnPErc6dMo7FxwelmsSb75ejx48rRfe1HxVXV9g9Y3ycJvRMZqTVcfPrHjdmMs9FQRb4nVQ/s1600-h/IMG_2556.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTqgcHmmcuSTt3tdGSMCGAJxTKQi2twWyaUZ2m6k17dTv73gUJkKJJmPngfUsAu1KnPErc6dMo7FxwelmsSb75ejx48rRfe1HxVXV9g9Y3ycJvRMZqTVcfPrHjdmMs9FQRb4nVQ/s200/IMG_2556.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124629956411755538" border="0"></a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></center><br /><br />It's amazing how quickly one can frame when using a miter saw and a pneumatic nail gun. Putting the siding on took a bit of work, since we had to cut out seven rough openings. We worked until after dark trying to prepare for the next big day of getting the walls up into the tree.<br /><center><table><tbody><tr><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhrfd-JneiTw0euDb9_JsHbY444GAxcu6kS8gV8Ml-KIMPZrIsjq6cmeolVD1Nndec5tTkKaWzFs-Cz5jKhXaoAbOtAEln-ML8-qkPKth4Pa-q7-O0JB2LEgE5XKwB01kC5ugdA/s1600-h/IMG_2572.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhrfd-JneiTw0euDb9_JsHbY444GAxcu6kS8gV8Ml-KIMPZrIsjq6cmeolVD1Nndec5tTkKaWzFs-Cz5jKhXaoAbOtAEln-ML8-qkPKth4Pa-q7-O0JB2LEgE5XKwB01kC5ugdA/s200/IMG_2572.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124630158275218466" border="0"></a><br /><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8yUZSp1DViPTuydynspYCkFLMjiKdHlMwcV2OiYE1pvvEdiPdnFz6KwZBu89L6wNBjNQ25jpGyAx3agQHG4aV_KYEpByy6VH4XdsCkD8sin8r-2VgG1JqF9U58XMSNthKSWrDA/s1600-h/IMG_2577.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8yUZSp1DViPTuydynspYCkFLMjiKdHlMwcV2OiYE1pvvEdiPdnFz6KwZBu89L6wNBjNQ25jpGyAx3agQHG4aV_KYEpByy6VH4XdsCkD8sin8r-2VgG1JqF9U58XMSNthKSWrDA/s200/IMG_2577.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124630338663844914" border="0"></a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></center><br /><br /><br />After all that hard work, we had a few tape measure races. We eventually added stabilizers to the tape measures, and added jumps to the race course. Nate's tape measure was fundamentally faster than the others, although both Ted and I managed to squeak out a few wins due to clever engineering.<br /><br /><center><table><tbody><tr><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHK2tSpKyhfy3fyU2x2FgGlPxpfYhSLKxrkCmLrjcl91ZAh2oYrQ5rZvTmoNy2Q01Hfl0Jh529dag4D6eLKR8YjbaTMCfhg5yxNP3WGG7u74nMQlAxrN9H8Z64zGjNLrMTPTd8yw/s1600-h/IMG_2605.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHK2tSpKyhfy3fyU2x2FgGlPxpfYhSLKxrkCmLrjcl91ZAh2oYrQ5rZvTmoNy2Q01Hfl0Jh529dag4D6eLKR8YjbaTMCfhg5yxNP3WGG7u74nMQlAxrN9H8Z64zGjNLrMTPTd8yw/s200/IMG_2605.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124630446038027330" border="0"></a><br /><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6m3YDJYpGX_kJCxGNUkAJWx0pqciVyPWqh2_CLSWqD9JBmRI9qA6OaLq-3kaghtLcjIOy9ovkDMydN4ViJTufW-Pq2l2Ts7cLX1-4dDwVwVtSN91Xh3aT1wEtvR0gX_W3l3eQQ/s1600-h/IMG_2609.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6m3YDJYpGX_kJCxGNUkAJWx0pqciVyPWqh2_CLSWqD9JBmRI9qA6OaLq-3kaghtLcjIOy9ovkDMydN4ViJTufW-Pq2l2Ts7cLX1-4dDwVwVtSN91Xh3aT1wEtvR0gX_W3l3eQQ/s200/IMG_2609.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124630531937373266" border="0"></a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyI2DPw6vK7T1Er88G0d-gGS9eY6imaLx1S4kC41-KFQFHaGhisC4XcKaYKorghwOaTYj8CL5B8iw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36272509.post-8269913251172736202007-10-03T20:14:00.000-07:002007-10-03T20:22:21.217-07:00Two days before the trip!And my mind is turning. Here's an alternative design idea that Matt suggested:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhxsjs_BUixabTDf32pqIdywSgNNxcMDCQBDzth1CQ6qm6nq53DyCx82OADCACParKg7zHyJsjeUliyq0jBPwhP13pdh3WWpB4wps7rLABFzyHpZpPlnJN8Dxebug21ErfHNMyg/s1600-h/3d-sketch2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhxsjs_BUixabTDf32pqIdywSgNNxcMDCQBDzth1CQ6qm6nq53DyCx82OADCACParKg7zHyJsjeUliyq0jBPwhP13pdh3WWpB4wps7rLABFzyHpZpPlnJN8Dxebug21ErfHNMyg/s200/3d-sketch2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117315841243875154" /></a><br /><br />There are several benefits to this design over the original. <br /><br /><ul><br /><li>Half again as much room in the loft<br /><li>The roof would be simpler and safer to build<br /><li>More south facing exposure<br /></ul><br /><br />The downside is that the treehouse is starting to look top heavy. Since it's only hanging in place, how badly will it want to tip over? Unfortunately, it would seem that if you had a lot of weight to one side, that side would want to sink, which would raise the other side, thus making it want to tip more...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36272509.post-8245545784853415042007-10-02T20:44:00.000-07:002007-10-02T21:15:13.422-07:00PreparationI leave in 3 days for the big build trip. I've been reading up on framing, trying to prepare for a full week of building. There's a lot for me to learn, and I'm pretty sure it's not all in a book. The book I have been using is titled "Graphic Guide to Frame Construction", which has been very helpful.<br /><br />I've sketched out a few concepts, starting with a rough floor plan.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIum7gA8twXUVaYmrr5Dwonhea9l8b5ko-yTWbayvdSa4Fc6cOSvwzhxgTYYD7RoX-Yp-BEKNiv-EWdkhKoa5URgq3jweTGeg3SPanTrDJUAKAn8WiDhlyJaMXm4x192_LsdZgg/s1600-h/floorplan.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIum7gA8twXUVaYmrr5Dwonhea9l8b5ko-yTWbayvdSa4Fc6cOSvwzhxgTYYD7RoX-Yp-BEKNiv-EWdkhKoa5URgq3jweTGeg3SPanTrDJUAKAn8WiDhlyJaMXm4x192_LsdZgg/s200/floorplan.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5116956434085578498" /></a><br /><br />I decided to have a loft for sleeping and storage. The floor plan with a bed on the main level was getting too crowded. In order to have a loft be usable, I went with a high pitched roof (12 in 12, in the parlance of our times). This should allow for a bit of movement once you get into the loft, at least enough to crawl into bed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6v4BrWHi1X2DaADH-e-XCGTlLL1CU4rFF_Nh8EWNUaZfWtWKglFRUZ3nAZQG3qAVLjTeiMD1j5y47VZRzgGc97eaRy_iMjnL3zbJW_1P_QGMBnFKBxlM4QUEnN6jHEobzLSraug/s1600-h/side-top.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6v4BrWHi1X2DaADH-e-XCGTlLL1CU4rFF_Nh8EWNUaZfWtWKglFRUZ3nAZQG3qAVLjTeiMD1j5y47VZRzgGc97eaRy_iMjnL3zbJW_1P_QGMBnFKBxlM4QUEnN6jHEobzLSraug/s200/side-top.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5116956717553420050" /></a><br /><br />After those decisions were made, I started with a more detailed layout of the walls, floor, and roof. I tried keeping everything as simple as possible, since I know we'll be short on time.<br /><br />I don't yet know what sized windows or doors I'll be using, so most of the detailed work isn't laid out yet in the CAD. I'd like to have 4 or more windows, and a few skylights would really be nice. Our friend Tommy has kindly offered up what spare windows and doors he has in storage. Andy has also offered to help get the walls and roof up to the platform via crane.<br /><br />I tried lowering the loft so that the joists would be at around the same height as the windows. I also made sure that the eaves don't hang below where I expect the windows to be.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBXEZyUPel6cT4_-Gk27NB6X3OQvBrRqsSgVCbFdWzVY9m4brvBSEDxBuxcEEgoMp9iOkpU8mcbA2QCQIkJauWM6_pdQ6YLA_JQG47kTzJbqfWI9RZAby7QPJ9KT9QBDv7XHW4g/s1600-h/3d-sketch.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBXEZyUPel6cT4_-Gk27NB6X3OQvBrRqsSgVCbFdWzVY9m4brvBSEDxBuxcEEgoMp9iOkpU8mcbA2QCQIkJauWM6_pdQ6YLA_JQG47kTzJbqfWI9RZAby7QPJ9KT9QBDv7XHW4g/s200/3d-sketch.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5116958865037068098" /></a><br /><br /><br />Who knows what we'll end up with at the end of next week. It'll be interesting to compare these drawings with the final product. Here's hoping no one falls out of the tree or gets hurt!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36272509.post-73201000320839442282007-09-17T20:33:00.000-07:002007-09-17T21:14:56.595-07:00Leveling the platformI headed back to the farm in May to check on the platform and do a little work. Since I could only get away for a long weekend, I didn't plan on making much progress. I hoped to level the platform and add a few more attachment points. Having a backup attachment point on each trunk would add some piece of mind.<br /><br />I was also curious how things held up over the winter. My dad had put a tarp over the platform after I left last fall to try to keep things dry.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tiKzTYi7JekvXxd3Kz25si7Dr2blD2JesJv44GeAeJYkNrPmvt5YGu9SprUP3XmqLaIK0Mkgih0rD7sP4quXkNRtCmhMKijjbqOJ_i9GUCS7JrHjQFtjDHEUrqeFWJWV74f2bg/s1600-h/IMG_2282.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tiKzTYi7JekvXxd3Kz25si7Dr2blD2JesJv44GeAeJYkNrPmvt5YGu9SprUP3XmqLaIK0Mkgih0rD7sP4quXkNRtCmhMKijjbqOJ_i9GUCS7JrHjQFtjDHEUrqeFWJWV74f2bg/s200/IMG_2282.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111389399691071506" /></a><br /><br />There wasn't much debris on top, and the tarp looked like it had held steady over the winter. There was no obvious rubbing on any of the trunks, and things generally looked great. The galvanized hardware was looking brand new.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7S3mjZaoKHebSu-I3tNM9weQzELU87KRUMgbVNtxEN9uVuHZPfQTTk4azPHeHmVFK_Eyvf7-r_SRxtn4moSUI6FpKCbglVgopFYsuRApelQxMgASol5lLXoWQjQ5nURw_pxqwg/s1600-h/IMG_2290.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7S3mjZaoKHebSu-I3tNM9weQzELU87KRUMgbVNtxEN9uVuHZPfQTTk4azPHeHmVFK_Eyvf7-r_SRxtn4moSUI6FpKCbglVgopFYsuRApelQxMgASol5lLXoWQjQ5nURw_pxqwg/s200/IMG_2290.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111389816302899234" /></a><br /><br />I'd brought a bunch of wire rope slings to use as backup attachments. These were drastically cheaper than chain and were rated plenty strong for what I wanted to do.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJdWuqfbHETwIIY3HrsrGPHEEichKqJfwBdRjNMUHKWdFIoISIuF5Q2UlbViG0Qc_jIpce5MtCxaNyrRL5B1ULWBmOR7FqMMUUQ6gCqDNqbGSrzP_r5WssUMYEU09ct_PHWs6qQ/s1600-h/IMG_2286.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJdWuqfbHETwIIY3HrsrGPHEEichKqJfwBdRjNMUHKWdFIoISIuF5Q2UlbViG0Qc_jIpce5MtCxaNyrRL5B1ULWBmOR7FqMMUUQ6gCqDNqbGSrzP_r5WssUMYEU09ct_PHWs6qQ/s200/IMG_2286.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111390237209694258" /></a><br /><br />I quickly realized that they would not fit onto the same clevis as the turnbuckles. Since I hadn't brought extra clevises, I had to give up on adding the additional attachment points this trip. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJsXrb9he_o3KRqgZucNx8UJjAUhK7lxzF1SOUJYCu0_4vkCVnR_Rq1AW5J2O3VdT8K_YZt3RJR7aVepTSS6qTGnka7ikxf2P2NqnhilPkidXPAGM1zilZ44w1v4jskeukFzIhg/s1600-h/IMG_2285.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJsXrb9he_o3KRqgZucNx8UJjAUhK7lxzF1SOUJYCu0_4vkCVnR_Rq1AW5J2O3VdT8K_YZt3RJR7aVepTSS6qTGnka7ikxf2P2NqnhilPkidXPAGM1zilZ44w1v4jskeukFzIhg/s200/IMG_2285.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111390550742306882" /></a><br /><br />We switched our focus on leveling the platform. When I'd left it last year we couldn't quite get things level using the turnbuckles. In order give us enough play we had to cut a few more lengths of chain. You can see in the below picture that we were completely at the end of travel in one of the turnbuckles.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TCzT2noCkDEWjgqwmUmcKbRcf05wGZP59t90LEObIS5fCJc_cB3Au_Yryta4jRCVrlfLCManC_7meEJdzBBugO8lKYYU6TAEwxAC2nKZQYGEq_a2nhj5pWffmTnLtAutYD3MgQ/s1600-h/IMG_2283.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TCzT2noCkDEWjgqwmUmcKbRcf05wGZP59t90LEObIS5fCJc_cB3Au_Yryta4jRCVrlfLCManC_7meEJdzBBugO8lKYYU6TAEwxAC2nKZQYGEq_a2nhj5pWffmTnLtAutYD3MgQ/s200/IMG_2283.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111390838505115730" /></a><br /><br />We also swapped out one chain/turnbuckle combination for a wire rope sling. Since one point could be a static length, we thought we'd save the turnbuckle for some other task. Also, we wanted to see what the wire slings looked like on the tree!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVbNWFVBk_A_NCjBOLSRjf9gAQBxwnoR-r9rkYgXEM8kAiN3pqHKn7Y8N42o6DCUhKethgwKyivNznUvaHNvfkr7A1w1l5D0HGmUmYEgRt7Y1WnbTHuHdx8OykWWxG21VONLdLA/s1600-h/IMG_2297.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVbNWFVBk_A_NCjBOLSRjf9gAQBxwnoR-r9rkYgXEM8kAiN3pqHKn7Y8N42o6DCUhKethgwKyivNznUvaHNvfkr7A1w1l5D0HGmUmYEgRt7Y1WnbTHuHdx8OykWWxG21VONLdLA/s200/IMG_2297.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111391207872303202" /></a><br /><br />We managed to get everything level, and leave about half of the throw in each remaining turnbuckle. This way if things change as we build onto the platform, we'll have a bit of leeway to level things out again.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAXTSp1VHh54OCC5lFmE26bgeXn70LcvCFpB21oAt0MO7NGkltTVEf5hsU9N4y-J_4f4Tz2L-dbhoHOEBB25SjkxLbRVxD-gCtchhVwO8KRVfNEt7MYWIR21BL1FA-bLxnEPhrA/s1600-h/IMG_2299.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAXTSp1VHh54OCC5lFmE26bgeXn70LcvCFpB21oAt0MO7NGkltTVEf5hsU9N4y-J_4f4Tz2L-dbhoHOEBB25SjkxLbRVxD-gCtchhVwO8KRVfNEt7MYWIR21BL1FA-bLxnEPhrA/s200/IMG_2299.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111391607304261746" /></a><br /><br />We buttoned the tarp back up, and I took off, hoping to get back in October to actually build some walls and a roof. That looks like it's going to happen, and I'll have a few more helpers this time. Hopefully the next entry will have a lot more progress!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NvYVl37zGSHhizSV1uzr0WK2b11cOen1K3url-osLO0saEvWwufAiExh7tykZgRiZdAY_NN11Hhuuz0jAEoXVVbUxIrFwdTra4jdxwxLWWA4yXyAXKneGwHy1P3jBYWbXdc7kA/s1600-h/IMG_2301.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NvYVl37zGSHhizSV1uzr0WK2b11cOen1K3url-osLO0saEvWwufAiExh7tykZgRiZdAY_NN11Hhuuz0jAEoXVVbUxIrFwdTra4jdxwxLWWA4yXyAXKneGwHy1P3jBYWbXdc7kA/s200/IMG_2301.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111391946606678146" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36272509.post-40102732745155864652007-03-01T21:24:00.000-08:002007-03-01T22:12:03.643-08:00Finishing the platformAfter hoisting up the cross beams we bolted them to the main beams. Luckily, hauling up the smaller cross beams was a lot easier than hauling up the main beams. It wasn't as difficult to maneuver them around the existing beams and get them into place.<br /><br /><center><br /><table><tr><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7d-n5gbkVduLJOphU7ZE8YWuIN2M98Lc55fG-VkGv0X1-iTXU5izxvdAo5XPY1rvBvwX-1zqxfGFbQwTD_2nf14rDNMY5JGHOEX7lPSfJBhSUEhhJsLiKP57L4_rvkkVKNlJRw/s1600-h/IMG_1746.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7d-n5gbkVduLJOphU7ZE8YWuIN2M98Lc55fG-VkGv0X1-iTXU5izxvdAo5XPY1rvBvwX-1zqxfGFbQwTD_2nf14rDNMY5JGHOEX7lPSfJBhSUEhhJsLiKP57L4_rvkkVKNlJRw/s200/IMG_1746.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5037201690533383282" /></a><br /><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGNNdqtPfhLQnLYcDPrvoA1yonnLBZSpVkqRaLWTWssyI2J0ocFaROUqmjY-EqUoYnr-gwzKknRF_lzYwxrqntlY6mpPppaXqO1Jrkou3FUigmU92sKxVh79H93rhTBaU9NjTQQ/s1600-h/IMG_1749.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGNNdqtPfhLQnLYcDPrvoA1yonnLBZSpVkqRaLWTWssyI2J0ocFaROUqmjY-EqUoYnr-gwzKknRF_lzYwxrqntlY6mpPppaXqO1Jrkou3FUigmU92sKxVh79H93rhTBaU9NjTQQ/s200/IMG_1749.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5037201888101878914" /></a><br /></table><br /></center><br />After cutting the floor joists to length and hauling the joists to the site, we drilled the holes for the eyebolts into the tree trunks. We basically eyeballed their location to place them as symmetrically as we could. We had to use a pretty large lever to twist them all the way into the tree. After they were in, we determined how much chain we'd need to reach from the platform to the eyebolt, and cut the chain to length.<br /><br />We next start hanging the joists. It was pretty exciting sitting 16 feet up on a 4" X 10", trying to hammer in the hangers at a weird angle. Luckily we all survived, and made pretty quick work of it. We left one joist out, knowing that we'd frame in a trap door spot later.<br /><br /><center><br /><table><tr><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRc-b3-knOvhx3Z6rMoI8FvgV3uEVTwnKvTljAixwU02eDHKdJsxnD-pmEGUAqm0j_7JFEhcZgf8b5KwoVi_QThVO1AEdPTQ9Qu4exjFRMZGk8hsvWSjrgSTiiDtxqzafd1DwWw/s1600-h/IMG_1760.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRc-b3-knOvhx3Z6rMoI8FvgV3uEVTwnKvTljAixwU02eDHKdJsxnD-pmEGUAqm0j_7JFEhcZgf8b5KwoVi_QThVO1AEdPTQ9Qu4exjFRMZGk8hsvWSjrgSTiiDtxqzafd1DwWw/s200/IMG_1760.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5037202317598608530" /></a><br /><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUAJoNasZVI1FtjmRyVduTH3iWpl3FiHeR2QqLeOGBpMgYa2fPzAzTUtxOUc3zWZyFByuj6Ad9J0nDelsPo11l7xazRQ1Lo2u_2nrmK7fsnavm_CPYrULXlUx-4NvIpU-BGApHg/s1600-h/IMG_1762.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUAJoNasZVI1FtjmRyVduTH3iWpl3FiHeR2QqLeOGBpMgYa2fPzAzTUtxOUc3zWZyFByuj6Ad9J0nDelsPo11l7xazRQ1Lo2u_2nrmK7fsnavm_CPYrULXlUx-4NvIpU-BGApHg/s200/IMG_1762.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5037202433562725538" /></a><br /><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQ9Mh9M1jfLNyvKGhRUoRaPJrci6wKfwHT5Byn3X0ZhgtFr3dKaiyQY0FWKYXc1IYYRlhADMvYndgKbVGfLZp-zPRBuCQJIoMkWV21OMc5pSLyIp_OVwmH137hnElV7i893rWbQ/s1600-h/IMG_1764.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQ9Mh9M1jfLNyvKGhRUoRaPJrci6wKfwHT5Byn3X0ZhgtFr3dKaiyQY0FWKYXc1IYYRlhADMvYndgKbVGfLZp-zPRBuCQJIoMkWV21OMc5pSLyIp_OVwmH137hnElV7i893rWbQ/s200/IMG_1764.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5037202562411744434" /></a><br /></table></center><br /><br />Since the platform was 16' X 8', we didn't have to trim any of our plywood subfloor. We quickly screwed it down, stiffening the platform significantly. <br /><br /><center><br /><table><tr><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJzlYHuh1luTpdn8K_7GXcplryNvu8aTFU69ADVIoOPoiAhe9_zIrQ9RBl6dGLYgq71MkXuCakTz_2RoPmMqGRmNrVbTivuez7Cse7tLJV2R3W2_ud7R73UzLmCS3JZ5He3nyIw/s1600-h/IMG_1753.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJzlYHuh1luTpdn8K_7GXcplryNvu8aTFU69ADVIoOPoiAhe9_zIrQ9RBl6dGLYgq71MkXuCakTz_2RoPmMqGRmNrVbTivuez7Cse7tLJV2R3W2_ud7R73UzLmCS3JZ5He3nyIw/s200/IMG_1753.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5037205972615777522" /></a><br /><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19Z80lKgzO7olMJZlehI-pr5s1Iuo3ejukCYjC-njEWR16o7qAMe3cxxjoC_i3Am2hllafkqyIUX5r-oIo17PNu7wEmNn4HiEgNk4Aw9OZac3AOHRrIGX3kyJrTkMg9mX9ACoFQ/s1600-h/IMG_1767.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19Z80lKgzO7olMJZlehI-pr5s1Iuo3ejukCYjC-njEWR16o7qAMe3cxxjoC_i3Am2hllafkqyIUX5r-oIo17PNu7wEmNn4HiEgNk4Aw9OZac3AOHRrIGX3kyJrTkMg9mX9ACoFQ/s200/IMG_1767.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5037202893124226242" /></a><br /><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6XomqUUQWKVciRss2vcS7a7bhN-Uc0rO_pQ-PWlL07tgAsCg3oJLOwTdSjVScyL4Ow2BLcPQvdwgaqB4fwTKMde8HMTXeDndy6PYbTrGLNv3K6Lvv07Lh-8Jsdd-Kig6l_3vtA/s1600-h/IMG_1768.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6XomqUUQWKVciRss2vcS7a7bhN-Uc0rO_pQ-PWlL07tgAsCg3oJLOwTdSjVScyL4Ow2BLcPQvdwgaqB4fwTKMde8HMTXeDndy6PYbTrGLNv3K6Lvv07Lh-8Jsdd-Kig6l_3vtA/s200/IMG_1768.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5037203047743048914" /></a><br /></table><br /></center><br /><br />Then the moment of truth came, and we removed the temporary supports from under the main beams. I was worried that the platform would swing and rub against one of the trunks, which wouldn't have been a fun problem to solve. Luckily the platform hung centered between the trunks. We adjusted the turnbuckles to try to level the platform, but it appears we'll have to re-cut some chain in order to level it out correctly. <br /><br /><center><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgln51x0Py0l2ZQbchX_1c4fwB0cMUroQ7MaagMYwVXMh9RzXU-cq6CH_ykSX7c-8GbmEtGSw6J_dnZwJ2rTyt5sUrDWe9TRxvBZ9ekpisYZIYH3K1oP3wIAd20VaPm6fcZeTKTtw/s1600-h/IMG_1783.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgln51x0Py0l2ZQbchX_1c4fwB0cMUroQ7MaagMYwVXMh9RzXU-cq6CH_ykSX7c-8GbmEtGSw6J_dnZwJ2rTyt5sUrDWe9TRxvBZ9ekpisYZIYH3K1oP3wIAd20VaPm6fcZeTKTtw/s200/IMG_1783.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5037203434290105570" /></a><br /></center><br /><br />When up on the platform it moves and sways more than I expected. I suspect it won't sway as much once we add the walls and roof.<br /><br />I ended up spending the night on the platform that evening. It was amazing to hear all the nocturnal activity around me. The tree is located near a creek and there seemed to be a small army of raccoons working the creek banks. There was a possible UFO sighting, but I'm not supposed to talk about that.<br /><br />I hope to make a trip back in the spring to see how the platform weathered. Hopefully the tree is still standing, the platform hasn't warped, and it otherwise survived the winter intact.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36272509.post-13041363221282406382006-12-08T20:11:00.000-08:002006-12-18T13:47:41.630-08:00Hoisting the BeamsAfter eating a big breakfast, we started moving the beams down to the tree site. It took three trips with the tractor, one trip for each 16 foot beam, and one trip for the two cross beams.<br /><br /><center><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeXlly-gxpiv2E31r8puapioCTLxpBoC-EZr5WRwTim_io1MBQBKhFjW1PT7WsANm5nBAWJK9MRVTBAOFajdIV3YhCieZVF2J1R0hyQ3Ozx2nLz-yNg0j-HUcRqBj8CEFx-lQIA/s1600-h/IMG_1744.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeXlly-gxpiv2E31r8puapioCTLxpBoC-EZr5WRwTim_io1MBQBKhFjW1PT7WsANm5nBAWJK9MRVTBAOFajdIV3YhCieZVF2J1R0hyQ3Ozx2nLz-yNg0j-HUcRqBj8CEFx-lQIA/s200/IMG_1744.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5006382643361649506" /></a><br /></center><br /><br />In order to get the 16 foot beams up into the tree, we installed a lag bolt 3 or 4 feet above where we expected the permanent eyebolts would be screwed into the tree. We attached a pulley to each of these upper lag bolts, and then tied a rope to each end of the beam.<br /><br />The plan was to pull up one end of the beam, tie it off, then pull up the other end. Luckily my brother-in-law Jason showed up, giving us a much needed extra set of hands. This was definitely a three person job, and we could have used a fourth.<br /><br />One of us did most of the pulling, one guided the beam past the scaffolding and other obstacles, and the third took up the slack in the rope, wrapping it around another tree so that rope couldn't accidentally slip out.<br /><br /><center><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzzIrsgeuk-osOl6_sxgphi_FOIb_dro3t2VcEf3F76RfGwE5TRMYQaOmxxn9wzb_r6SX-BpYg7MDEduglXJLcT33P2Aiy6TYFDREGpCq4APepklQHo3ksXL8S-Mwe3Yc2P1bjw/s1600-h/IMG_1741.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzzIrsgeuk-osOl6_sxgphi_FOIb_dro3t2VcEf3F76RfGwE5TRMYQaOmxxn9wzb_r6SX-BpYg7MDEduglXJLcT33P2Aiy6TYFDREGpCq4APepklQHo3ksXL8S-Mwe3Yc2P1bjw/s200/IMG_1741.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5006383072858379122" /></a><br /></center><br /><br />After getting each end of a beam up to an appropriate height, Dad climbed either the scaffolding or a ladder to tie that end of the beam off. We used a lot of rope in the process, and often had two or three methods of holding each end of the beam up.<br /><br /><center><table><tr><td><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3votDMtJeHq6UV1d0RndHw0GjsGOw8rvtUqNDB6Dc486PV6W2f0dvV_NQ4UJiybJKLs0GfsoAfBB3H_omv6VWhRhdOzL4dFnJlCKG7rfcTE1uxHEf4aCVp5GrBHBC16Dw43e0w/s1600-h/IMG_1742.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3votDMtJeHq6UV1d0RndHw0GjsGOw8rvtUqNDB6Dc486PV6W2f0dvV_NQ4UJiybJKLs0GfsoAfBB3H_omv6VWhRhdOzL4dFnJlCKG7rfcTE1uxHEf4aCVp5GrBHBC16Dw43e0w/s200/IMG_1742.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5006383536714847106" /></a><br /><td><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FcOlFyjeJbELw8nY04REd4Aop5eceZnmKHI6oR7WmN1t6W8u7gEqXhP5AbHvBqvoSTleDbCfni1pAEIVa2hB7lD6Cyfv4sjkuxK6WgdjttqUPOcaXRfjiuNOHK5gkK9vdbbxZA/s1600-h/IMG_1743.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FcOlFyjeJbELw8nY04REd4Aop5eceZnmKHI6oR7WmN1t6W8u7gEqXhP5AbHvBqvoSTleDbCfni1pAEIVa2hB7lD6Cyfv4sjkuxK6WgdjttqUPOcaXRfjiuNOHK5gkK9vdbbxZA/s200/IMG_1743.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5006383661268898706" /></a><br /></table></center><br /><br />This was a lot of work, luckily our support crew showed up with some good mexican food that gave us a boost.<br /><br /><center><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPs-V8AAiXb8paYRZnYKeZsu5FV9bp-oRy0EGiZvHS2ymdvTT5csXB7DfJfZyDz9I_FRSUkaBRLGd6G-cBRnvmpYtfyAjxafXDLGX802lf5tYCS7Th4Ln1H4m4bV6p6Ac8CINfog/s1600-h/IMG_1745.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPs-V8AAiXb8paYRZnYKeZsu5FV9bp-oRy0EGiZvHS2ymdvTT5csXB7DfJfZyDz9I_FRSUkaBRLGd6G-cBRnvmpYtfyAjxafXDLGX802lf5tYCS7Th4Ln1H4m4bV6p6Ac8CINfog/s200/IMG_1745.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5006384138010268578" /></a><br /></center><br /><br />After getting the main beams up, we temporarily bolted some 14 foot 2" X 8"s across the trunks, so that we could rest the beams on them. We did this so we could later move the main beams around a bit to bolt the platform together. It was at this point that we realized just how much a tree moves around in the wind. I could understand how a statically bolted multi-trunk structure could tear itself apart relatively quickly.<br /><br /><center><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1kjhRX1TK_JEEOqi-z9zLK8MnARY-oRZCH6F5FYHHPOUv0XL10GnorA0bTJwOYxkLlDtPXUFe5QpblQtBZSxwe4hIAmraheAUNhLC2ib8ugYG5UskZV6B1Hl3gKlygz6d6Ow8w/s1600-h/IMG_1747.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1kjhRX1TK_JEEOqi-z9zLK8MnARY-oRZCH6F5FYHHPOUv0XL10GnorA0bTJwOYxkLlDtPXUFe5QpblQtBZSxwe4hIAmraheAUNhLC2ib8ugYG5UskZV6B1Hl3gKlygz6d6Ow8w/s200/IMG_1747.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5006384580391900082" /></a><br /></center><br /><br />We were running out of daylight, so we made sure we had everything roped off well, and quit for the day. We hoped that the tempoary sub-frame would survive the night. If it didn't, nothing would fall, but it might mean a lot of re-work for us in the morning.<br /><br />It was another successful day, and it was starting to look like we were actually building something up in the tree.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36272509.post-33057272521795908152006-12-03T19:30:00.000-08:002006-12-03T21:47:34.284-08:00Beam BuildingThe next step was to start building the 16 foot beams. We ripped 4 strips of plywood to sandwhich with the 2" X 10"'s. We debated on whether the seam in the plywood should be in the center of the beam, or out toward the end. We decided it was safer in the middle, since otherwise it'd end up where the suspension points where, which already was going to be a weak point. We intentionally undersized it a bit, we didn't want it to form a ridge on the beam that would make laying the floor difficult.<br /><br />We then clamped the four pieces together, and ran carriage bolts through the beam to hold it all together. Next, we used the outer plate of the suspension brackets as a template to drill holes through the beam. We wanted to get as much done on the ground, in the shop, as possible. Trying to do this kind of work up in the tree sounded nearly impossible.<br /><br /><center><br /><table><tr><td><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherZf_26tNZsVhpCSg15YOSAHcrFFQnUiwqbtSTAHwrwnVyzIsIVB-zMstxy6SyAlfqAIKNY7iiM0VBb6YjlXKYQmkU-lw5ffdFit92IZCbyjcFnvENXyH8zcqwfUTldRef9GYJg/s1600-h/IMG_1702.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherZf_26tNZsVhpCSg15YOSAHcrFFQnUiwqbtSTAHwrwnVyzIsIVB-zMstxy6SyAlfqAIKNY7iiM0VBb6YjlXKYQmkU-lw5ffdFit92IZCbyjcFnvENXyH8zcqwfUTldRef9GYJg/s200/IMG_1702.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5004515888111535954" /></a><br /><td><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3pKilj0DZIsNNbsQ9224HiHNCpXXUsebCkUJi2Ch1J7ds0oY8B_zleBB6ppKCxjXER58mzu6nhUF824EhvkZrs_UPfTy_bRStppapzmBl7v5kahHYsqjXxneAWzJA46BlIavJw/s1600-h/IMG_1703.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3pKilj0DZIsNNbsQ9224HiHNCpXXUsebCkUJi2Ch1J7ds0oY8B_zleBB6ppKCxjXER58mzu6nhUF824EhvkZrs_UPfTy_bRStppapzmBl7v5kahHYsqjXxneAWzJA46BlIavJw/s200/IMG_1703.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5004516313313298274" /></a><br /></table><br /></center><br /><br />It took a solid day of work to build up the two beams this way, and get the hardware mounted to them properly. We estimated that each beam was well in excess of 200 pounds, possibly as high as 300 pounds with all the hardware on them. <br /><center><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwE9_ixh__qAP_4K1JDoNaiEbIrye97ez1SB70z1KFPRc6rIHxlCpqr40-k76weNvjAqci1X0paSMVnFsXRqz13niw_HSiA3nQo_DQJJYn9X-ddovMrWdoqVficAbZWHznMmhPw/s1600-h/IMG_1719.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwE9_ixh__qAP_4K1JDoNaiEbIrye97ez1SB70z1KFPRc6rIHxlCpqr40-k76weNvjAqci1X0paSMVnFsXRqz13niw_HSiA3nQo_DQJJYn9X-ddovMrWdoqVficAbZWHznMmhPw/s200/IMG_1719.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5004516605371074418" /></a><br /></center><br /><br />It took a few more hours to build the two connecting beams. We used two 2" X 10"s again, but this time without the plywood in between. In hindsight, I wish we had put the plywood in there due to the stresses on these beams caused by the suspension points.<br /><br /><center><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FaodyoejE6H8RIeTaIykJSkqzkqb16hdekloapqmtLsIcZRcdwWyi7ILx66XzYxwa09FQVQskN0NVgfik_0VKB2G3XRU3vWg5T9chXVnnoMu34osAvq3aPYhSoEimMcsbIVSSw/s1600-h/IMG_1725.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FaodyoejE6H8RIeTaIykJSkqzkqb16hdekloapqmtLsIcZRcdwWyi7ILx66XzYxwa09FQVQskN0NVgfik_0VKB2G3XRU3vWg5T9chXVnnoMu34osAvq3aPYhSoEimMcsbIVSSw/s200/IMG_1725.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5004517326925580162" /></a><br /></center><br /><br />We then bolted the whole thing together, and checked for squareness. The angle brackets appeared to keep everything square, it measured square on first try.<br /><br /><center><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5K5Qkyy7BpHtMoNK1dkbrX2hdYIlDtciVO_cePteSqBMIC3mWFlpRjqx8KTgM5m_oxBm797yHbJwJ4Qf9c_bTD4aRYpDiQKM8on08uqzzUgO0820Kr2_bR1QRRwz19ZegMzKFWA/s1600-h/IMG_1722.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5K5Qkyy7BpHtMoNK1dkbrX2hdYIlDtciVO_cePteSqBMIC3mWFlpRjqx8KTgM5m_oxBm797yHbJwJ4Qf9c_bTD4aRYpDiQKM8on08uqzzUgO0820Kr2_bR1QRRwz19ZegMzKFWA/s200/IMG_1722.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5004517743537407890" /></a><br /></center><br /><br />We labeled all the sides so that we could match everything up correctly when we were in the tree. We disassembled the platform, and tried to mentally prepare ourselves for the next big task, actually getting it up in the tree!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36272509.post-77581033302879879162006-11-25T22:36:00.000-08:002006-12-03T19:29:52.797-08:00Final Design and Lumber TripThere were still a few things to figure out for the platform. The heart of the platform is two 16' beams. We tossed around all kinds of ideas: Rough sawn lumber, reclaimed beams from old buildings, built up beams, engineered beams, etc.<br /><br />We knew the structure would sit out in the elements over the winter, so it had to fair well in wet weather, that ruled out a few options. We didn't want it to warp as the timber dried, that threw out the rough sawn beam idea.<br /><br />After some advice from our friend Tommy who had a lot more experience doing this kind of thing then we did, we went with the built up beam idea. We'd use two 2" X 10" X 16', with a .75" layer of plywood sandwiched in between for each beam. We figured the plywood would add support to any weak points in the beam. Each beam would be suspended from two points, with about a 10' span between suspension points.<br /><br />After changing our minds several times over a few months, we settled on a in-frame floor joist system. Originally Dad thought that the joists should sit on the frame, but he came around to hanging the joists inside the frame. It helped solve a few problems: the plywood floor on top of the joists would help keep the frame square removing the need for cross braces. It saved us from buying two more 16' pieces of lumber to use as joist caps. We also didn't have to worry about hurricane clips, or other methods of ensuring that the joists would stay on top of the beams.<br /><br />With these decisions made, we updated the drawing, and calculated how much lumber we'd need. We decided to go with preassure treated lumber, since it would be exposed to the elements, at least for several months.<br /><br />We rolled down to the local lumber yard, and spent a good amount of time picking out the straightest and strongest looking lumber. We went through every piece of lumber that was apporpriately sized.<br /><br />I was amazed at how heavy treated lumber is. I was also surprised by how expensive it is. The lumber plus a bit of miscellaneous hardware totaled about $500. Ouch. Hopefully this painful trend won't continue.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36272509.post-78203605066517138552006-11-23T19:18:00.000-08:002006-11-23T19:53:34.376-08:00Build Trip!In early October, I headed back to Indiana to hopefully build the platform. There were still a few design decisions to be made, but I had a pretty good idea of what the end product would be. I was hoping that the weather would cooperate and that nobody would get hurt.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/6525/4427/1600/588025/farm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/6525/4427/200/893459/farm.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />My Dad and I got started setting up a base camp near the tree. Luckily it was possible to drive within 15' of the tree, which made it easy to haul supplies to the site. We cleared out some of the underbrush near the tree so that we'd have a nice clean work area.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/6525/4427/1600/880165/site.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/6525/4427/200/131475/site.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />We set up about 18' of scaffolding along one side of the tree. We roped it off to one of the trunks so that there wasn't much chance of it tipping over. At first it seemed impossibly high near the top of the scaffolding, but after a few trips up and down I started to get use to it.<br /><br /><center><table><tr><td><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/6525/4427/1600/428418/scaffold1.jpg"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/6525/4427/200/427661/scaffold1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><td><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/6525/4427/1600/617838/scaffold2.jpg"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/6525/4427/200/97941/scaffold2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><td><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/6525/4427/1600/519254/scaffold3.jpg"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/6525/4427/200/298929/scaffold3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /></table></center><br />All 300 pounds of hardware showed up successfully. Making sure everything was there by the time I showed up required more planning than I expected. I was really nervous that I'd show up and some critical shipment wouldn't be there, and I'd lose a few days waiting for it. I was happy to see that all the heavy packages had made it OK.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/6525/4427/1600/721627/hardware.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/6525/4427/200/308018/hardware.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0