I am trying to determine the fastest and easiest way, to set up and/or to build semi-permanent housing/quarters.... Cheapest is good too! I began to take another look at the *"starplate building system", which uses some 11 plates that you bolt 2x2 or 2x4's to, in order to erect a pentagon, (a 5 sided) structure. It looks simple but the plates now cost about $85.00 a set. Not cheap by any ,means just for the connectors. My intention was to use 2 x4's in the 9 ft lengths, which give you a floor 14 ft in diameter, and some 1371 cu ft of space. It takes some 25, 2 x 4's, and 50, 5/16 inch x 4 inch carriage bolts, plus nuts and washers. Then you have to cover the whole frame work with ply or osb sheets. Again, not so inexpensive! To get a really structurally sound building, you have to go to 2 x 6's..... (they do NOT recommend that!) Then you'll need much heavier bolts, say: 3/8 inch x 6 inch, and they should be of the galvanized type. This small structure has advantages and disadvantages, it is small, fast, and relatively simple to assemble (for the most part). But, it also requires a lot of angular cuts (template's supplied with kit). You still have interior walls and insulation to complete the unit! Then there are the actual sides of this structure, where they are angular (triangle shaped) and angle inwards, causing a loss of floor width. I want to build a structure similar to a rectangular shed, or gararge, with as simple as possible to use dimensions....like full sheets of 4' x 8' sizes. I am not concerned about using 2 x 4's as studs for the walls, but I have tried using them before, for roofing and found that it's NOT a really good idea! I am considering 12' x 24', or similar sq ft sized buildings for people to live in. (200 sq ft to 240 sq ft.) Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! *http://www.strombergschickens.com/starplate_building_system/starplate_index.php
Howabouta "yurt"??? http://www.yurts.com/what/virtual-build-popup.aspx http://www.yurts.com/products/custom-features.aspx http://unclutterer.com/2008/10/09/small-living-in-a-refurbished-shipping-container/
I like the cargo containers, but here,... so do the sellers! They want at least $2,000-$2,500 for the 8 x 20's, and then they charge you up to $700.00 and more for delivery! Now that wouldn't be so bad, but the containers here for that price, have holes in them, some have half the floors ripped out! A really clean and decent one, with two doors that open and close, etc., that have no holes in them, and the floors are still in one piece, they get $4,000.00 each for! Paint is optional, as are doors, windows, etc. A group north of me bought one that was in poor condition and they paid $2,700.00 with having it delivered and all. They recently had an OTR driver pickup and deliver them 3 more from Long Beach, at a cost of $500.00 each and a delvery fee of $500.00 each! Not so bad! I went on Craig's list and had a dozen drivers willing to haul them here, from Long Beach as well, but you have to pay in advance, and there is no way of knowing who to trust with that kind of money! They have to buy fuel, they have to pay the yard to buy the containers, and then haul them back.... It's a "catch-22"!
Wow! They really LIKE those yurts don't they? I mean after all with those prices, I'd buy an RV! At one time, someone, somewhere, had kits for sheds and such, but I haven't found them... I figure you'd need at least an 8 x 24 to a 12 x 24 to have decent floor and storage space. I know that the travel trailer I have, which is only 7 x 18 at best and it is crowded beyond use! I figuire I can build a rectangular building, that has fold down tables, and leave a lot of space for clothes rods, totes with supplies to be stacked, and areas for sleeping, as well as heating/cooking. (which opens a new can of worms!) Smoke, and smells....! Propane is good to keep down smoke odors, and if you take care NOT to season food as it cooks, but just before you eat it, you remove a lot of "problems"...On the other hand, it is expensive to use consistently and you have to have a good supply squirreled away, or....? With the wood, it's easy to get (for now) as long as you can cut and haul your own firewood.....(without chainsaws!) Reason: I can hear one of them about 5-6 miles from me on the wind! Smoke from the wood fire is a nuisance at best....A "dead" giveaway, in the worst case scenario. I am "researching" the use of that smoke, being piped into a "gassifier" unit as a fuel source....
ok, tin barn? chicago style balloon frame of 2x4, 2x6 rafters and homemade truss of 1x6, sheet roof w/ 1x6 @ 36 and cover the whole thing in corrugated metal. or check out military tents, decent size can be had for about $800, use 2x4 frame. Woodstoves available for these as well. something like this http://store.colemans.com/cart/tent-used-temper-20-x-32-without-framing-desert-tan-p-2018.html
you could use wet cardboard to keep down the smoke. I saw that on this survival show the other night.
I saw the wet cardboard and was absolutley amazed! I NEVER knew wet cardboard over a fire could absorb smoke! Much less stay wet for any length of time... But then it wasn't my show...so....ya gets what ya pays for! I have 2 of those wondrous 12 x 20 x 9 ft "carports"...(poly tarp crap!) I doubt they'll last more than a few minutes in any wind at all, and less in snow much less a real hail storm..... For ONLY $800. I can get a 12 x 20 "roofed" carport with corrugated metal on top, made of 2 x 2 sq steel tubing....no walls, needs to be set up on a concrete slab with anchor bolts.....(may be able to cover with ply or osb, but they set the "ribs" at 3 foot intervals/spacings) Always something.....
I was just kidding or being a smart donkey about the wet cardboard. I don't think it has a real practical use. It was on that armaghedon(sp) man show.
Have you looked into concrete and chicken wire? How about daub and wattle? Rammed earth walls? Stack wall construction? jim
It sounds like a pole barn is what you need. Not sure about in your area. In the Pacific NW a 24'x24' pole barn kit start at about $4,000 depending on height of eaves and amount of windows and doors needed. Of course there will be other expenses involved on top of the purchase of the kit.
I like the "POLE BARN" idea! It would fit in nicely up there.... Just have to get those poles hauled in from Flagstaff! Here, a "pole barn" type of building doesn't raise your taxes either! A Win-Win situation! A kit huh? I like it even more!
Here is a link to a company here in Oregon to give you an idea of what you get in the kit and pricing. Sorry, I forgot to put that in my original posting http://www.parkerbuildings.com/Pricing_R2.html
I thought I was the only one that "caught" the wet cardboard thing! Not! It was informative..... As long as people watching knew what the truth was, and the fact that these shows are pretty unrealistic.... The "tire iron"/"crowbar"/"grappeling hook" was outrageous! I was wondering about how many people carry a decent amount of 11mm climbing/rapelling rope! I bought 100 ft of good rope, and decided to NOT carry it around.... (Felix the cat and his magical bag of tricks)
The rope is in the BOB and parachute cord too. I considered pole barn and quansit hut too. I lived in a quansit hut as a kid
LoL you fellas need to check this out http://tinyhouseblog.com/stick-built/building-the-weebee-tumbleweed-tiny-house/
Yes you can DIY, I dont see why you couldtnt lay your basic materials and gear on your little trailor and when you get to a safe spot, get to work. I guess you can make it as basic or elaborate as you would like. I first saw one of these on an extreme home program. The lady built it herself and really lives in it
