Dec 2013

Cabin build Pt 4. Finishing up the Exterior Framework., 2nd Dec

This week saw a lot of finishing up of the exterior studwork including the toilet/gas cupboard wall.

On the roof, the rafters were cut back and the facia boards fitted. The front door area was finished up ready to take the door frame and inside, the framework to carry the ceiling was put in place, this is also additional bracing for the roof and helps to stiffen the whole upper structure even further.

The roof is now ready for its covering and final measurements have been taken to start making all the external joinery next week.

Nov 2013

Cabin Build Pt 3. Outline Structure Really Shaping Up, 25th Nov

Despite the volume of rain we have seen lately, the project is still running on schedule; there’s no better way to slow a job down with time spent covering power tools up constantly instead of cutting the timber!

This weekend we have managed to get the doorway opening set out and the bulk of the roof framework in place. It was really pleasing to feel the whole structure become rock solid and square itself up after the 6 hip rafters were fixed in place; this is exactly how I had designed the structure to work, with lots of triangulation.

Next weekend, the plan is to finish up the roof structuring and complete the studwork on the last of the external walls which will partly house the toilet area and gas cupboard. The Toilet will be set in a room which projects slightly into the decked area (the perimeter walkway).

After this comes making all the external joinery such as windows and front door. Three of the windows are round and one is a panoramic rectangle. The front door will be arch topped, again with a round window in it. These should keep me busy for two or three days working on a bench indoors out of the rain!

Nov 2013

A Start on the Walls, 18th Nov

Last week we launched the cabin platform from Lagoon walk where the bank was flat and wide enough to build it. This weekend’s first job was to punt the platform framework to Blackberry Hill on the other side of the lake; William and the little-un’s came along for the ride! So now the rest of the timber and other materials only have to be carried half the distance to finish the build.

Saturday afternoon was spent building the 6 main corner posts of the cabin and temporarily propping them in position at the correct angles; the walls will lean out at 10 degrees and it’s critical that the posts are set exactly right. Normally you would use a spirit level to verify walls are level and true, but everything on a floating platform has to be checked with measurements and this slows things down a little, but time spent at this stage getting things spot on will save huge complications later in the build.

Sunday saw the corner posts tied together in final position with a wall plate and three of the wall frameworks infilled and braced. The arch top door and round window positions were also finalised today.

Next weekend we will finish up the wall structuring and then I’ve got a nice complicated six sided roof to start!