It's been a while since I've done a project since buying the house. So, Benton has been begging for a new fort...the one we had in the backyard, you may recall, was really wobbly! I ended up tearing it all down (kept the wood to build something with in the future).
Before
And tearing it down
So lucky to have my dad by my side to help. We went to Lowe's and picked up some 4x4's that were 6' long. It was pretty tricky getting the base structure to be level because not only was it on a slope but the storage shed behind it was uneven so it made looks VERY deceiving.
The original plans for this fort were gathered from the handmade hideaway, I made some changes and alterations since I was using scrap wood and things. But, if you haven't checked out their plans I would definitely recommend them because they are easy to read and the houses just turn out darling.
The handmade home
All we really had planned for the day was building the frame, so I was pretty happy when we already started the flooring.
This thing is definitely not going anywhere
It made me so thrilled when Benton came home and stood on top of it, he said, "mom, this is REALLY sturdy"....music to my ears. Lots more to come (walls, roof, slide, swings, trap door, ladder) but it's a start!
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It's about time to jump back on to this project. With this lovely warmer weather we've been having I finished majority of the deck aside from 1 board (because I need a wider one) and the trap door space that I still need to frame out. Then I'm on to walls! I decided from viewing a couple other projects that I'll be using cedar fencing and 2x4's to make the walls. I should probably throw in a couple windows in there and maybe a cute little spring door or something. Here's where we are now...
A couple other things on my radar (it's nice to list them on here so I don't forget all of B's ideas):
- Swing set addition
- Deck railing
- How to attach the slide
- Climbing Rope
- Ladder
- Mailbox
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I thought my weekend plans for building the wall frames was ruined due to bad weather. Fortunately, I'm a super lucky girl and my dad took off half a days work to help me build the frames in his workshop. We first stopped at Lowe's for a bunch of 2x4's. I think we got 14 2x4x10s and 4 2x4x8s.
Dad gave me a good lesson on framing and I feel pretty confident with my new found skill.
We got them all put together pretty quickly and loaded them all up in the back of his truck to take back over to my house.
Loving my cute little window frame
Benton got home and was super excited to see some progress happening.
This weekend on the fort we got the roof started. Surprisingly building the rafters wasn't too bad. We went with an 8/12 peak, and may have cut one too many birds eyes but that's alright.
Dad also scared me standing on top of what should have been the trap door (that I hadn't finished yet at this point) he put two 2x4s over it and was standing on top of a 5 gallon bucket. So to sum up this story short, I made the trap door today.
Starting to put up the siding using treated pine fence pickets.
Attached the swing set using some of the old brackets that used to belong with this playset. I attached them to a 4x4 I had lying around and anchored that on to the base of the fort with 8" long 1/2" carriage bolts, I used two of them and this thing isn't going anywhere. I also anchored the other side of the swing into the ground using quick set concrete.
Swing set is finally attached.
Where I finished out this weekend, worked on the walls some today. Need to fix the shutters, I didn't quite finish those. Also anchored the slide in using carriage bolts. The ladder up front is from an old play house that used to be in the backyard. That will be removed, it's just easier for me to use it instead of the ladder to the trap door. In the next few weekends to come, here is the plan...
- Finish the walls
- Complete the shutters and build a door
- Finish roof
- Make the railing (I decided to use 2x4's and 1/2" conduit for the railing)
- He still wants a rope involved somehow so I'm going to need to think on that one for a bit
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Just a few more things left to go, if only it would stop raining! I finished putting up the siding, got the tin put on top...it's going the wrong direction from a drainage standpoint but for the sake of saving dollars, I'm good with it.
I used a roll of window screening, some wood glue and nails to put the door together. I plan on putting a criss-cross in the bottom window frame. I also picked up hinges for a gate, they are pretty heavy duty and not really necessary but they matched the shutter hinges so...why not? I reinforced the swing set again with L brackets. I've also finally come up with a plan for the climbing rope...I just need to figure out how I'm going to get a 16' 4x4 home safely....
Still need to finish
•the front door
•the railing (this is going to take the longest because I have to make a gate to be able to access the climbing rope)
•the beam with climbing rope (the rope is on it's way, I ordered an 8' rope from Amazon)
If the weather holds up I think 2 more weekends should do it!
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Okay, it may not look like it...but I spent all day on this thing. Granted, I had to take a trip to Lowe's and then another trip to Sutherlands but here's where we're at.
Oh yeah that's right, I also made a stop at Hobby Lobby and got the Man Cave sign and the door handle (which was originally brown but I spray painted it a flat black).
I wasn't real sure what I was going to do about the gate in the railing but I think this will work out okay.
He was pretty pleased with the progress when he got off the bus. Now we are ready for the conduit to finish off the railing. And lastly is putting up the super long 4x4 for the climbing rope and we should be all set. I'm sure he'll want to paint or stain it soon...but mom is ready to start on her kitchen.
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Another day of work down and the conduit railings are up!
I used 1/2" conduit and just made 3 railings. I determined the spacing due to the swingset...it just had to go on that way. I also used the conduit clamps that have a screw in each end. It really didn't take long and was kind of fun to put up.
Video tour
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The final piece to the puzzle has arrived.
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My dad was going to help me get a 16' long 4x4 home...but I have not patience, so why not strap it down to the top of my car?!?! It's safe to say no one was driving particularly close to me.
My little man hard at work building a "truck"
Digging, digging, and more digging...
We got rained out today and that post is entirely way too tall. Looks like I'll have my work cut out for me tomorrow because that thing is already anchored into the ground.
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Well, today I took some steps backwards. I had to take the gate down because it wouldn't shut now that the rope post is up there. I had to take the top off the rope post, cut it and lower it down. Also, re-cut the conduit on the gate down to size. I know that doesn't sound like a whole lot but it took a while and I'm happy to report that I'm finished!
The rope looks so much better now that it's at the right height!
A couple more views..
And then just to remind you of OLD RICKETY that we had in the backyard before versus what he has now. Must always have a before and after.
