New Glastron Cave, in need of help

[Jason]

What does the shed company recommend for footings?

[WetRaider]

The building manufacturer probably does not recommend anything, because soil conditions and frost lines will vary wildly based on location.  On the bigger houses, we drilled core holes and had the soil and bedrock analyzed before sending it all to the structural engineer for the foundation plan.  My architectural plans were all done in house, but the foundation was always subbed out to a structural engineer as a form of insurance policy.

If you do all piers, and have a water source near one side, the soil moisture can lift those piers, where drier ground only 60 feet away might allow those to settle a few inches.  Nothing worse than spending money on an awesome building that goes up and looks great for two years, then starts getting out of whack because of frost heave and other ground problems.

[wiliermdb]

I would go talk to the building authority for your city, town or whatever and see what their "code" is for this type of building. I know here in south Louisiana we have to have a chain wall that is 12" wide and 18" into the "original soil. I had to bring in some dirt to level where my workshop is. The slab in the rear of the building is 30 inches of concrete.

[WetRaider]

I would go talk to the building authority for your city, town or whatever and see what their "code" is for this type of building. I know here in south Louisiana we have to have a chain wall that is 12" wide and 18" into the "original soil. I had to bring in some dirt to level where my workshop is. The slab in the rear of the building is 30 inches of concrete.

You may find that information here ... http://www.doli.state.mn.us/ccld/codes.asp

It would all depend on where the property sits in relation to the city.  Being MN, whether piers or continuous footings, you'll have to get below the frost line (according to the map, depending on the county you live in, you'll need to be 42" below natural grade or 60" below natural grade) 

Determine the classification of the building, first.  I have the code books/cd's for residential & my experience means these suggestions come from the viewpoint of someone who had to provide a 2/10 year warranty.  This is your building, on your property, with you doing the assembly ... meaning you warranty your own. 

[Rosscoe]

I am supposed to be getting the actual building plans fed ex'd soon. The county requires 2 copies for some reason. I'll get copies made and take them to the county. The footing design may be up to them. When we did my deck, I just went 48" and that was plenty. The soil here is heavy clay. When they poured the footings for my attached garage, the forms were minimal and just poured against the clay. I pretty much did the same thing for the deck. Took the tubes and cut them in half. stuck them in the hole and leveled the tops and poured into the hole and filled them. Probably used a bit more concrete then needed but what the heck.
After the county inspector looks the plans over, they'll likely say what needs to be done.
If I get this guy to do the cement work, I may be renting stuff to get the rest put together. Still need to resolve the issue of getting it off the truck. My pickup is so gutless, I dont even think I can pull a bobcat with it. Might have to rent a truck too. Thought I saw some outfits that deliver somewhere but I can not find them now.
The plan was to have someone do the whole thing so I wouldn't have too. Messed up back and shoulder. It was different when I was in my 40's when the house, attached garage and shop went up and I did a ton of the work. I am trying to get my business up and running before my unemployment runs out too. Contractors dont call back etc. Been very stressful and there is some kind of bug going around as well. Joni hasn't been able to get out of bed since Tuesday except for me taking her to the Doc yesterday. Its a virus so there is nothing they can do. Think I am getting it now but not as bad as her. Spent the better part of Wednesday sleeping.

[MarkS]

Hope you and Joni both get to feeling better soon Ross, we've had the same deal at my house this week.  (The wife and grand-kids, I haven't gotten it yet.)  Sounds like you'll have a great boat shop when you get that thing done, good luck with the task!  A buddy in TN recently poured a 24'x48' slab for his new shop, I think it was 5 or 6" thick?  Cost over $3500 for the slab alone, I think he said $135 a yard for the concrete. 

[Jason]

New business? lets hear more!!

Your truck will pull a bobcat just fine. Just take it slow.

Hope you two feel better soon!

[Rosscoe]

Part of the reason for the new building is to free up my shop and am going to pursue woodworking. Need to figure out all this website design and hosting stuff. Its all new to me. From what I've seen, there is no way I want to pay someone 90/month for web hosting.
This is probably the only reason I want to get this building up this fall. I need to start bringing in some income.
As far as what I will be making....its wide open. I will NOT do entire kitchens. Then people want them stained and installed. Trying to stay away from that. I (we're) going to focus on pet and animal stuff and I'll offer other things as well. I made myself some speaker stands that turned out well so I think that will be on the list. Made to order and size. Personalized doggy beds, cat perches etc.
I attempted this back in about 2004 but never marketed my stuff other then posting a business card here and there. Going to be more aggressive this time. Last time I focused on outdoor furniture which will still be part of the mix.
Here are some pics of the stuff I made so I had some samples. Cedar and pine, which would need to be painted so I'll be designating and area in my shop as a paint booth.
Problem with the big stuff is shipping. I may have to make them, then disassemble or only sell them locally. I am going to try to stay with smaller items.

[75starflight]

Wow! that is some good looking wood work!

[dorelse]

You need some boating stuff in there!  LOL:

[Hyperacme]

That's COOL !

[Rosscoe]

You need some boating stuff in there!  LOL:

You are right!
I'd hate to cut up real skis.

We'll be heading down to Nebraska over the weekend for Joni's brothers wedding. Leaving about 4 am tomorrow. Not looking forward to the drive.

[dorelse]

You need some boating stuff in there!  LOL:

You are right!
I'd hate to cut up real skis.

Well, I love some of the true high end classic wood skis...but the 'run of the mill ones' are a dime a dozen...and honestly, its called 'upcycling'...and the yuppies will pay big money for stuff like that.  Otherwise, they're going to a landfill soon...might as well give them a new life.

(Google it...its a real word.)

[dorelse]

Well, if you need a break, I'm in the NW corner of Des Moines right by I80/35.  Give me a call if you stop.

[catchnedge]

Here are some pics of the stuff I made

Very nice work Ross!

[Rosscoe]

Ill be keeping my eyes open at garage sales for stuff like that.
Thanks for the offer but you will likely be at work both times through. Maybe not on thecway homr. Not sure when we'll be leaving.

[Rosscoe]

Here are some pics of the stuff I made

Very nice work Ross!

Thanks but they are all from plans. Pretty much anyone could do it if they have the equipment. One problem I encountered with the planters is the after they sit out on the sun, the miters all start opening up when the wood shrinks.

[catchnedge]

Still, good workmanship! 

As far as separating... let the wood age, dry out a little before you use it maybe?... I know it's tough when you put things out in the sun, treated or not, especially with the intensity down here.

When I replaced a section of my privacy fence this spring, in about 3-4 weeks I noticed the space between the slats had opened up considerably.  Next section I let the slats age for a month before I treated and put them up, and didn't have the same problem. 

[WetRaider]

Ross - the website stuff isn't as difficult as you'd think.
I have used GoDaddy for years.  Right now I have their ultimate hosting ... $7.50/month - unlimited bandwidth, unlimited websites.
You can get a simple website builder for an extra $1.00 per month, upgrade that to $4.50 for additional themes, etc.
Keep in mind, though, you pay by the year - so you'll pay $12 x 12 = $144 to have 12 months hosting and the website builder.
I typically order my stuff through them 3-5 years at time.

my personal site is not fancy ... www.architectureindoors.com ... and I have purchased some iweb themes to create these on my mac and upload through an FTP server.  One thing about GoDaddy is that their customer service is excellent.  They can walk you through things step-by-step if you need the help & most information is available online.  I can typically answer my own question after searching the GoDaddy help section.

[kert0307]

For right now, my hobby business website, phone, ect is all with free Google services. You can tell it's not a high dollar set up, but it works for what I need. Also it's nice to have the Google Voice phone number because it lets me keep my private numbers off business cards, but I still get notified on my cell phone when I get calls.

Here's my website  https://sites.google.com/site/accurateproductstargets/home