On Wed, 05 Mar 2008 02:04:29 -0500, "Michael A. Terrell"
wrote:

Gerald Miller wrote:

On Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:13:03 -0500, "Michael A. Terrell"
wrote:

wrote:

PS - the ONLY advantage of building big things with wood is you can
wack it with a big hammer if its a bit out, - that, and the invention
of Silicon caulking guns.....and cornice cement...


Hammer? I built the floor for a 16' * 20' double wide portable shop
building, and discovered that the 2 * 10 lumber was cut with about a
three degree angle and the plywood wasn't square to the frame. I drove
my car up against it, and pushed one corner, till it was in alignment.

Chap I worked for occasionally as a teenager, fancied himself as a
builder of cottages to sell to the city slickers (the family farm had
a large lake, and this was before there were building inspectors -
probably helped start building inspection) his only tools were a buck
saw and a couple axes. His cottages were described as "rustic".


It sounds like 'Decrepit' would be a better description.
Father and his younger brother had determined that it was time to
renovate the sleeping facilities in the family hunting camp, and since
the building was 24 feet square, they settled on three double bunks,
two high, giving room for twelve men. After they started work, they
realized that a level would have been a useful item to have on hand.
The improvised solution was a CI fry pan with a bit of water; which
worked out quite well. One end of a board was nailed in place and
while one carpenter steadied the "level" the other raised or lowered
the other end prior to final attachment.
"How's that George?"
"Right on, just bring it up an inch, inch and a half, or two inches
and it will be perfect."
Must have worked out OK because the sound of twelve snoring men was
something to behold!
Gerry :-)}
London, Canada