Wetzel
Mill
Sawmill Shed Rebuilding
The first step in the shed rebuild process was to get building material. Arrangements were made to secure oak logs from a site clearing project and mill them at Al Gouldey's local sawmill.
The new posts & beams were put on a low-boy trailer and brought to the mill to be set into place.
Once the new beams were in place the floor boards were ripped to size and nailed onto the beam system. Old style cut nails were used for authenticity.
On 16 January 2021 the lumber floor was completed.
The roof line was determined, with the next step being the acquisition of roof rafters, support posts, and LAM beams to span the two 23 foot openings for logs and sawn material to move through.
Newly cut posts and beams staged for wall and roof supports.
February's snow melted and on the first day of spring in 2021 the building begins to rise from the deck. LAM beams have been purchased to span openings in front and interior of the shed.
Lam beams have been placed and secured and now a roof rafter test for the main section of the building takes place.
Two permanent rafters were secured to the
beams, allowing tuning of the joinery for the
remaining rafters. The material for those rafters needs to be created at the sawmill, where our efforts will be directed again.
Spliced beams atop posts have been completed and secured around the entire perimeter of the building and now await rafters.
All the LAM beams are in place, windows defined, and the rafter system begins
Rafter material was cut at Al Gouldey's sawmill.
Cypress sheathing lumber was purchased from a Bucks county lumber yard willing to work with us and offer good suggestions, saving money.
Cypress siding was put up on two walls of the sawmill in a morning. Window openings were then cut. Trimming at the roof line and bottom edge will be done later.
Saturday, July 17, 2021
Friday, July 23, 2021 over a thousand board feet of poplar roof sheathing was made at Al Gouldey's sawmill. Saturday, 24 July the material was installed on the roof before it warped from uneven drying. Another trip to Al's sawmill is planned to make the remaining material we need.
Saturday, July 31, 2021 newly made lumber was installed to finish off the under-layment for a metal roof which is on order.
Tuesday, August 17, 2021 contractors began the installation of metal roofing on top of ice and water shield applied to the roofing lumber.
Saturday, August 29, 2021 We installed windows and faced the LVL lam beams in milled lumber to conceal their appearance to become more historically correct. As an industrial site, permanence and engineering safety were never a big concern, but are a major concern of ours having seen how the last iteration of this building fared.
The crew on Saturday, August 29, 2021. Greg had to leave early, so is not in this image, unfortunately.
