On 7/16/2016 5:45 PM, Michael wrote:
I'm making this solar kiln.

https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/420/420-030/420-030_pdf.pdf

My kiln is smaller, 8' X 4'. I haven't done much framing in my life, so I'm a little at sea, although it looks pretty straightforward. But I do have two questions.

On page 9 of these plans -- North wall frame and doors -- the plans call for a 2x8 across the frame. I have two questions. 1) Since I am making a smaller version, will a 2 X 6 do for this piece? (I have one handy. That's why I'm asking. And 2), are there two 2X8s in this plan fastened together. The reason I'm wondering is that if there is just 1, I'm not sure how the doors close flush.

Sorry for the rookie questions, but I'm trying to avoid getting bogged down with mistakes.

Any other advice appreciated as well.

Thanks,

What to size the floor joists depends on the span, the type of wood, the
weight it is expected to hold. You can calculate it yourself he

http://www.awc.org/codes-standards/c...tware/spancalc

Myself, I often find these calculators are over cautious, particularly
when if it fails, all that happens is a pile of lumber falls a few
inches to the ground. Myself, I'd use the 2x6's, in fact, looking at the
picture, the joists are sitting on the ground, so you could use 2x4's if
you wanted. (Make the floor joists out of PT lumber, rated for ground
contact, if sitting on the ground.)

For the doors, they don't have to be the same thickness as the framing?
I'd make them out of 2x4's half lapped joints, t-111 skins, or
whatever your siding material is, and let the skins overlap the fame a
bit for stops.

--
Jack
Add Life to your Days not Days to your Life.
http://jbstein.com