David is anxious to get his cabin-building off and running. When he got his income tax return, he went out and bought enough plywood for the subfloor. And this past weekend, he fired up the cutting torch and cut the angle iron pieces he’d salvaged from the trash at work in half, making two 18-inch pieces of each one. Then he went to the cabin site and drilled holes through each support beam as the steel brackets would hold the ends of each beam together for eternity. Once the holes were drilled, he marked each piece of steel.

David drilling holes in the steel brackets
Here’s what they look like on the beams.

Then he brought them home and drilled holes in each end of the steel to receive the ½-inch bolts our friend had given him (also thrown out at work!). Even though it was snowing and about five degrees above zero with a good stiff wind blowing, David got the beams all bolted securely together. Next weekend, he hopes to get ready to put on the floor joists. (Now if his cough from the flu would go away…) Yep, he’s taking homeopathic remedies and plenty of vitamins.

On the reverse side, there’s another matching bracket, which David is putting into place here.

All this reminds me of when we were building our log house. (You can read that story in my book, Starting Over, in case you’ve missed it.) David would like to build with logs but just can’t afford it. But I’m sure his place will be beautifully rustic anyway. — Jackie

11 COMMENTS

    • Yeah Mike,

      Our old drill press drills very slowly so it doesn’t throw shavings or toss steel around but you’re right. To be absolutely safe, safety glasses and a clamp would be best.

  1. This winter has been so dang cold here I. Iowa, I don’t blame him getting impatient! My hubby has part of our garden I. Basement coming along!

  2. Boy, David is a go better, just like everyone else who ho.esteads. I hope the cough goes away soon. You can be proud of the son you raised. Spring is coming so keep up the good thoughts of planting as I am thinking spring also.

  3. Wow no moss grows under your whole family’s feet!! Wow you guys set such an example.

    It’s going to be 30 degrees toward the end of the week. WOW heat wave and gets your itching for the greenhouse.

    Thanks for sharing!!

  4. I love the scavenging! I built my canning storage room almost totally out of leftover and scavenged wood last year – mix of dimensional lumber, mix of sheet lumber, most of it overkill for the job, painted different colors. Reminds me of my great-grandparents canning storage room.

    • Sure wish I had room for a canning storage room! We live in a city on a small lot. Wonder if I can insulate our shed enough to store canned goods without them being affected by the heat of the summer?

      • When I lived in an apartment in the city I had a sturdy rolling shelf that held my canned goods, in boxes. It resided in my bedroom, and I hung a quilt over it. Was kind of comforting to sleep with my food supply :-) Under bed storage, behind the couch, along a wall… not quite as convenient as the canning room now is, but practical, low cost, and secure.

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