Bracing bearers/ Joists

Once out bearers were on we had to make sure they were straight.  We marked out halfway down on the vertical edge of the bearer, and took this mark back to the profiles and put up a new batter board.  From there we measured out 30mm so that we had a line which was 30mm out from the bearer.  We nailed the top side of the brace on to the jack stud, and using a dodgem bloack that was cut at 30mm we used the bottom end of the race and moved it over until our bearer was sitting on the 30mm string line. 

Next we started cutting out our lengths for the joists.  On the top side of the house we had two different lenths 3.6m and 3.9m.  We had to take of 45mm off both joists because we will need to attach the boundary joist later which is 45mm thick.  So we have been cutting to 3555mm and 3855mm.  We checked the bow on each length so we have bow up to support our floor.  Using the plan we checked where our joists change from dry to wet areas.  Dry areas we use H1.2 and wet areas we use H3.2.  Also on the ends of the house we laminated the joists with a H3.2 on the outside and a H1.2 on the inside.  We have completed half the joists now, and when we finish the other half our next part is to do the nogging.

Jack studs/Bearers

Once we had our sole plates sorted, using the plans we measured out where our jack studs awere going to go.  Again, we used the dumpy to mark out our correct height of the jack studs to allow for the gradient of our building site.  We secured the jack studs with two nails on each side and used the level while securing them to make sure they were plumb.  After that we had to laminate our bearers.  We had different lengths of timber, and had to mark in 30mm on each side of the face of the bearer, and spaced out our marks at 500mm, so we know where to nail them.  When nailing we had to make sure our top side was flush and we used the clamp to hold it and used the set square to make sure it was plumb before nailing on the angle with the 100mm nails. Once we completed our 3 rows of bearers, we all picked them up and lined them up over the bearers.  Rich was calling it telling us to move which end forward so it was in the right place.  We nailed the bearers on an angle to attach them to the jack studs.

Site prep for the house/Profiles

Last term we started on our house.  Firstly we went down to the site and cleared it of all rubbish before we got into it.  Using our plans we used the dumpy level to mark out where our profiles were going to go.  We then marked out where our FFL was going to be and put up our batter boards at this level.  Once our profiles were up, we marked out our building line using the string line. After that we marked out where our sole plates were going to go, and made sure these were flat to the gorund. 

4th till 6th April

On Monday we had a mornng class were we went over and worked on ou assgnements.  In the afternoon we d our site safe trainin learning about keeping safe and identifying hazards on th worksite.  Tuesay morning margi came in for the tutorial and gave a quick lesson on how to write out paragraphs.  After that we kept working on our tech drawings which we had to hand in wednesday morning. After lunch we couldnt do profiles becaus of the rain, so we went back to the workshop and carried on with the saw horses, i put my cleats on and now just need to put on the braces.  Today on wednesday i handed in my tech drawing before first class.  We had a video on the hilti gun, learning saftey information for using it.  Second period we were down on the field starting our profiling exercise  Using the dumpy levels, marking out our FFL on our corner stakes, and seting up our string lines for our boundary lines.  we put in our profile pegs on all four corners, and using the dumpy level marked out our FFL so we could out up our batter boards.  Then we measured out from one corner the distance from our boundary lines which created a crossovere for our house string line, we then carried this round the other 3 corners, and finally measured the diagonals and adjusted them so they were the same length.  We also did our practical for the hilti license today.

Last week

On monday we had our last class in the workshop finishing the saw horses.  I was unable to finish mine as i was away 2 days the week before.  I still have to put on my cleats and braces, marty and rich said when we get rained off the site we can come and finish them off.
On tuesday and wednesday we did our first aid course.  We learnt about how to do CPR on adults, children and babies, how to put people in recovery position, how to tie slings, and control bleeding. 
On thursday i went in for the morning for a tutorial to get some help on the assesment.  i spoke to louise and got given the t square to do my tech drawing.  afterwards a few of us went to the computer lab and did our online quizzes for buit 4540. 

Monday 21st March

Today we had a thory class where we went over what was needed for the assesment.  Rich wrote up the 7 stages of house construction and wrote detailed notes on each stage so we have some more ideas what to write in our assignment.  I have started writing up my draft for the first part, will try the timeline as well.  In the afternoon we went back to the workshop to carry on the saw horse.  I measured up my top, made the 1 in 3 cuts and chisled out the angles for the legs to be attached.  I marked up my legs with a 1 in 3 angle and cut the line i had drawn.  When i went to attach there was a little gap between my leg and the point where it was supposed to join.  I had marked out from the wrong point.  I had to do a new top, marked it out, made the cuts, chiseled it out which was a lot easier and familiar by now.  Made the straight cuts on the legs and planed them so they fit tightly into the top.  Just need to drill rest of the holes and then nail legs on, before moving on to the end cleats and the braces.

Wednesday 16th March

On wednesday we had two classes of theory going over our first assignment, and also getting used to how to read house plans.  In the afternoon we were in the workshop, finished of our handtool exercise.  Then we got started on our saw horses.  We had to measure up our main piece of timber and cut it at 900mm.  We got our other pieces of timber and cut them into four legs at 750mm each.  We had to check out which way the timber was bowed and straighten it in the planer on the front face and also on one edge.  Then we cut it at a width of 95mm, then put it through the thicknesser on the back face and also the other edge so we had them at  20mm thick.  I have started to mark up on my top piece where I will cut out the housing for the saw stool legs.