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KMW
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# Posted: 21 Apr 2008 05:19pm
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We're going to be putting up our first shed/cabin. I'm embarassed to admit it, but its going to be a Tuffshed tall barn, 12x16 with 144sf loft. Its sounds like a lazy way to do it, and I guess it is, but it was the most economical way of getting a structure up at our property quickly. Plus, the Tuffshed guys bring their own generator, clean up their mess and are gone in 2 days!!
So, this weekend is the great debate between my DH and myself about where on our 17 acres we are going to put it, and how to get a level area, etc.
I'm interested in hearing others' thoughts about it, what your experience has been, challenges we can expect, etc. We're building on the Washington coast so it is WET here. On the plus side, collecting rain water should be no problem.
KMW
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CabinBuilder
Admin
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# Posted: 22 Apr 2008 10:58am - Edited by: CabinBuilder
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Welcome aboard, KMW.
17 acres cabin property - not bad!
In terms of structure location: don't know your setting, but my first consideration would be privacy, highway and neighboring noises - make sure your cabin/shed is as far as possible from those.
Then make sure you/Tuffshed guys can get to that place, i.e. area for the cabin and the driveway to it may need to be cleared.
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KMW
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# Posted: 5 Oct 2008 06:15pm
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Our cabin is built!! We love it. We just got done painting the exterior. Now, as we approach winter, we're working on heating. We have a little woodstove up there and have temporarilty rigged it up to vent out a window. We are trying to figure out where we can purchase components to build a more permanent solution. I know that they sell chimney systems, but we don't need or want a $500+ system. We just need something simple, plain old black stovepipe. I think the main challenge will be finding the thimble type of thing that carries the pipe thru the wall...the rest of the system we should be able to build for relatively low cost. Don't worry, we know what code is and will be very careful to make sure the exterior pipe is far enough from the structure, and that the chimney is tall enough, etc.
Anyone have any ideas or suggestions?
Also, I'm working on a rainwater collection system. I've got my rain barrels up there, just open to the air for the time being. Not quite sure how I will keep skeeters out of it. Seems that I've provided them a lovely skeeter nursery.
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KMW
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# Posted: 5 Oct 2008 06:21pm
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also just wanted to comment on the whole Tuffshed experience....
while they really nickle and dime you with all of the various "options" like windows, vents, etc we were able to keep costs down by carefully choosing what options we wanted and what we wanted to do ourselves. For example, we had them frame in the windows, but purchases vinyl, insulated glass windows and installed them ourselves. We also installed the loft ourselves, as Tuffshed wanted $4/foot to do it. We painted it ourselves as well.
But all in all, we are really pleased with our shed, and it comes with a 7 year warranty. And the shed was completed within 2 days. Its not perfect, but its well built, sturdy, secure, and just right for us. I would recommend them, but keep in mind that you can save a lot of money by doing some of it yourself. Also, I was able to get $500 or so off the purchase price just by asking for a courtesy discount.
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Vince P
Member
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# Posted: 5 Oct 2008 09:00pm
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Note sure if this is what your looking for, but you might look into the system they use for canvas wall tents:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal-pod.jsp?id=0005876&navCoun t=2&parentId=cat280029&masterpathid=&navAction=push&cmCat=MainCatcat20075-cat280029-c at280029_TGP&parentType=index&indexId=cat280029&rid=
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Mark5
Member
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# Posted: 6 Oct 2008 10:00am
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Quoting: KMW Our cabin is built!! We love it. We just got done painting the exterior.
Hi KMW.
Do you have any pictures of your cabin you could post here?
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Anonymous
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# Posted: 10 Jan 2009 08:08am
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Im in Western Washington, and have looked at Depots tuff shed, the same model as you, I plan to put mine on a floating platforn(like a floating dock), and tie it up to my dock in the summer mo nths, then haul it out for winter, I too, would like to see your cabin ....
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brian
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# Posted: 2 Feb 2009 05:58am
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KMW
HI KMW
Just what ive been wanting to do since i saw my first tall barn tuffshed i cant tell you how often i daydream about a cozy little off grid barn with a loft bedroom and all the possibilitys and all the little sketches ive done haha hooray for you and congrats for getting it up and posting your story here i dont feel so abby normal knowing someone actually did it i would love to see some pics of what you have done thanks brian
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drmargy
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# Posted: 26 Apr 2009 12:53am
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I am reading your post long after it was written, but if you still are looking for hints about a rain capture system, we have something pretty simple that really works in a wet climate like yours. We have a large tarp suspended between trees than angles towards a large funnel that feeds into the spout hole in the top of a 55 gallon barrel. A spigot has been inserted in the bottom with a hose attached. Because or barrel sits up hill from my garden, it gives us a good gravity flow. You can see more here.
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Vince P
Member
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# Posted: 27 Apr 2009 10:20am
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Quoting: drmargy We have a large tarp suspended between trees than angles towards a large funnel that feeds into the spout hole in the top of a 55 gallon barrel.
Up until now I had a 55 gal barrel feeding my cabin, but with the ever evolving cabin that it is, I acquired the fiberglass tank in the photo below (for free!). The flexible tube that comes off the white pipe, feeds a 12v on demand water pump which goes to various locations in the cabin.
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cabinbasics
Member
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# Posted: 27 Apr 2009 05:55pm
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Pretty cool set up Vince! Your place looks more like a primary residence every time you put up photo!
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Vince P
Member
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# Posted: 28 Apr 2009 09:29am
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Quoting: cabinbasics Your place looks more like a primary residence every time you put up photo!
Well, to be truthful, even though it's quite small for a family of 5, I've always had it in my head that it would eventually become a sort of "homestead". I have not been able to get my wife to buy into the idea, but with coming of the swine flu and other super-flu's, she might see things differently.
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cabinbasics
Member
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# Posted: 28 Apr 2009 12:25pm
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Sounds like you have cabin fever!
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Vince P
Member
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# Posted: 28 Apr 2009 01:55pm
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Quoting: cabinbasics cabin fever!
D'oh! I shoulda saw that coming!
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wildwood
Member
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# Posted: 1 Aug 2010 04:03pm
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KMW,
Do you have photos. I'm in discussion with Tuff Shed now.
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Gary O
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# Posted: 5 Aug 2010 07:41pm
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I gotta say, Tuff Shed plans are great, but for your buck, building a simple structure is much easier on the budget if you build with your own materials....and....you created it.
However, I too would've bought a Tuff Shed if I didn't have the tools available already. They are well designed in comparison to some others.........
I too would like to see your pix
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BigDuke6
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# Posted: 11 Dec 2012 01:07pm
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I would love to see some pic's of your project as well.
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