Meanwhile in Canada 🇨🇦

[TeeJay]

Looking great! It goes up really quickly hey 

[Fudmucker]

We spent a week with family on holiday at Edisto Island in South Carolina.
During that week I saw a house go up from the slit tops - 1st floor, 2nd floor, roof and cladding.
There were 4 workmen on site + 1 guy with a super sized bakkie who fetched all stuff from the builders merchants.
They team was highly organised, with proper bench saw table equipment for trimming and sawing boards etc.
They all worked all the time - no standing around looking at others working.
Each worker had a tool belt and at least one portable power tool or compressed air tool hooked to his belt
It was a pleasure to watch.

The main reason for the speed is that there are no wet trades involved that require a setting / drying period.
Everything is simply nailed together - something which makes me cringe as I am a "screwed and glued" person when it comes to wood construction..

US construction grade timber is standard sized, cured properly, is straight and with minimal twists and bowing.
Compared to US timber products, ZA's construction timber is only good for plywood, matches and paper because it grows too fast in our sunshine.

[immigrant]

We spent a week with family on holiday at Edisto Island in South Carolina.
During that week I saw a house go up from the slit tops - 1st floor, 2nd floor, roof and cladding.
There were 4 workmen on site + 1 guy with a super sized bakkie who fetched all stuff from the builders merchants.
They team was highly organised, with proper bench saw table equipment for trimming and sawing boards etc.
They all worked all the time - no standing around looking at others working.
Each worker had a tool belt and at least one portable power tool or compressed air tool hooked to his belt
It was a pleasure to watch.

The main reason for the speed is that there are no wet trades involved that require a setting / drying period.
Everything is simply nailed together - something which makes me cringe as I am a "screwed and glued" person when it comes to wood construction..

US construction grade timber is standard sized, cured properly, is straight and with minimal twists and bowing.
Compared to US timber products, ZA's construction timber is only good for plywood, matches and paper because it grows too fast in our sunshine.

It’s just like building LEGO. Measure twice and cut once. It’s unreal how many pieces goes in to a little cabin like that, just because if the weather extremes. But do one thing wrong and it will rot and fall apart in 3 or 4 years.




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[immigrant]

Almost there! Two more days and then it should be all done. But it’s back to work for 5 days....just as well because it will be raining for the next 4

[Ganjora]

You know, I have been an avid watcher of this thread for the longest time, and feel I have to raise a complaint.
There need to be more pictures.

[TeeJay]

Do you cover the space between the bottom of the house and the ground (soil) so that critters/snakes/baby bears/whatever don't get in under the house?

[DUSTRIDERS]

Immigrant what was your wood building experience when you moved to Canada?
I know at work you do the opposite with wood you shred it instead of building so your work is easy peasy compared to building!!

[Sláinte Mhaith]

Do you cover the space between the bottom of the house and the ground (soil) so that critters/snakes/baby bears/whatever don't get in under the house?

Did not do it with the previous cabin.

[immigrant]

Do you cover the space between the bottom of the house and the ground (soil) so that critters/snakes/baby bears/whatever don't get in under the house?

I will not be covering it. I need air movement below it for moisture control. The floor is “boxed in” with treated plywood. It should be critter resistant. I also built it a little higher so I can easily put a jack underneath the 2 beams it sits on to level it if I have to.

Immigrant what was your wood building experience when you moved to Canada?
I know at work you do the opposite with wood you shred it instead of building so your work is easy peasy compared to building!!

No experience Chris. It’s actually not that hard. For the rest there is YouTube.

[Sláinte Mhaith]

Wish I could get those fire pit concrete blocks here in SA

[TeeJay]

Wish I could get those fire pit concrete blocks here in SA

Yup - me too - I posted the exact same thing before 

Thanks for posting re the previous cabin - I see now 

[TeeJay]

Do you cover the space between the bottom of the house and the ground (soil) so that critters/snakes/baby bears/whatever don't get in under the house?

I will not be covering it. I need air movement below it for moisture control. The floor is “boxed in” with treated plywood. It should be critter resistant. I also built it a little higher so I can easily put a jack underneath the 2 beams it sits on to level it if I have to.

Immigrant what was your wood building experience when you moved to Canada?
I know at work you do the opposite with wood you shred it instead of building so your work is easy peasy compared to building!!

No experience Chris. It’s actually not that hard. For the rest there is YouTube.

Makes sense - thanks 

[immigrant]

I got all the insulation and vapour barrier done and also sheeted the ceiling after work.




 
It’s starting to look like a cabin!

[Sláinte Mhaith]

I got all the insulation and vapour barrier done and also sheeted the ceiling after work.

Forgot how you do it but how do you fix the cladding without making holes in the vapour barrier again?

[immigrant]

You don’t 
You want to use as little as possible staples to keep the vapour barrier up. And obviously  when  you nail the panel on the stud you will make a hole. But a small screw/nail hole on a stud is ok because  the panel and the stud nailed together makes a pretty good airtight seal.
A hole or a cut over the insulation will definitely cause frost. That is why it is very important to make sure you don’t miss a stud when you nail.  We have “tuc tape” (the red and blue tape) to patch holes and tape down the seams where it overlaps

[immigrant]

Now I just have to paint the inside, install the wood stove and kitchen counter and it’s ready to enjoy. Next project I do is in the fall. Way to much rain this time of the year.






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[Sardine]

Wow, that looks fantastic! 

[LoopSoosStroop]

Excellent! And so quick from start to finish.

[Mr Zog]

Excellent job Andrew!

BTW, just today I was using those Craftsman tools you bought for me and was thinking about you! They are still going strong, I use them on every project I do at home now 

One day I need to build a new garden shed behind my workshop, and they will be used again... 

I "upgraded" to Milwaukee tools on my work van some time ago, because I got the Milwaukee PVC pipe cutter and the copper tubing cutter. Now all the other hand tools are also Milwaukee, makes having extra batteries fully charged a breeze. Now the Craftsman tools are enjoying an easier life at home. 

[immigrant]

Excellent job Andrew!

BTW, just today I was using those Craftsman tools you bought for me and was thinking about you! They are still going strong, I use them on every project I do at home now 

One day I need to build a new garden shed behind my workshop, and they will be used again... 

I "upgraded" to Milwaukee tools on my work van some time ago, because I got the Milwaukee PVC pipe cutter and the copper tubing cutter. Now all the other hand tools are also Milwaukee, makes having extra batteries fully charged a breeze. Now the Craftsman tools are enjoying an easier life at home. 

  Good to know they are still going strong. Milwaukee often have awesome specials at Home Depot. You always get extra batteries or drill bits. They sure are giving DeWalt a run for their money.