Making & Installing Rafters for an Off Grid Cabin Roof…Just Me!
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- I messed up! It's not life-altering, but relatively annoying. Ugh...
Before I hang rafters for the steep 12/12 pitch roof on the off grid tiny cabin, what we call the Spur Cabin, I have to make sure the building is square and solid, which means I have to hang a few sheets of exterior sheathing. Before the gable end walls finally get framed, the freshly cut rafters are installed the old-fashioned way...with sore muscles!
It was THEN that I finally noticed what I did wrong- or should I say “didn't do?” I wonder how many of you will notice before I spill the beans later in the video…and it’s not the shorty! Here's a hint: Fly away…
Looking back I might have done a couple things differently, but in the end, progress. It took a lot of work and long hours, and the cabin is taking shape. Check it out and let me know what you think of that steep roofline.
Thanks for watching @LifeontheMoose ! Be sure to stop in, subscribe, and peruse the library of cool build videos.
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Tags:
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Your videos are a blessing, man. They’re really helping me through this time right now. My daughter was born on July 6th, and will be in the NICU probably until late October. So I’m shuffling back and forth between there and home (1.5 hour drive), finishing projects to get ready for her and her mom to come home. Your videos help motivate me to keep working and not get bogged down into the self-pity, depression spiral. So thank you man. I appreciate you.
God be with you and your family. Prayers sent your way. God bless.
I pray God‘s blessing and favor over you and your family and a movement of God‘s healing over her daughter be safe. And in times such as this you have to be like a poor learning to encourage yourself in the things of the world remember it is impossible to please god without faith so may your faith stir up the joy of the Lord to give you strength.
Many thoughts and prayers for you and yours..May God show you more than you could ask or think for . lov from south alabama.
The real blessing is you being there for your family. I’m just having fun doing what I do, and I really appreciate you watching. Prayers for your daughter. 🙏
@@LifeontheMoose thank you sir, I’m having fun watching you have fun. 🤣
I learned many decades ago that the mark of a good carpenter is how well you cover up your mistakes.
So true! Thanks for tuning in.
I love how you make light of things and have a sunny disposition. The way to keep the viewers involved in helping you is funny. Balloon framing is the opposite of what you are doing.
Thanks! In total, it’s certainly not balloon framing. I was using that term loosely when referring to just that portion of wall. Perhaps too loosely!
@@LifeontheMoose what you are doing and what is the building practice generally used since the 1940s is platform construction. Your wall studs do not extend from the floor to the rafters.
@@MrWaldorfian you are correct!
i watch so many builders cut the birds mouth with a circular saw and they cut well past the pencil line. you finish them with a hand saw which is the way i always did them. cutting past the line probably doesnt take away from the structural strength very much and they are doing big builds and are in too much of a hurry. im old school and believe like you in doing things the right way.
I appreciate that! Thank you for tuning in.
My elbows hurt just watching u.been working to long😊
The views from this cabin will be exceptional in all seasons.
I think so, too! Thank you for watching.
LOVE this build! Framing of the gable ends was the first time I disagreed with you. I would've 45's the studs, but each to his own. Oh, I also would've used a miter saw on this whole build. Very impressed that you've done everything with a cordless circular saw.
I agree on the miter saw! I don’t own a cordless one, and didn’t want the generator blasting that much. Had I had that saw, those ends would have been mitered. Thank you for watching! 🙏
As someone who performed “Rhapsody in Blue” for my senior piano recital in high school, I. found your Gershwin reference outstanding…just like your entire video.
Wow that’s so kind! Thank you. 🙏
Love many things about your videos. Never hear your air compressor or generator kick on. Love how you seem to be talking directly to me. How the cabin is shaping up and the views. Would love to be there to lend a hand, but by the time I got there you would have the cabin done. Pretty work man, don't stop. 💛
What kind words! Thanks for the offer…I’ll just keep on keeping on! 🙏
That short rafter is our secret! Helps you tell which cabin is yours! 😂❤
Praising God in church every saturday, working hard every other day💪🏼
I’m going to share something l do. I build cabins and I videotape every step like you do. When I’m starting the build, I cut two of every single piece and set one of them away. Then I sell the complete kit with videos of every part of the build. Basically a step by step cabin build for people who don’t have much experience. OMG they sell like hot cakes. And I basically pay for my build !! Wish I would have thought about this when I was much younger. I think I’d be quite wealthy. Love your videos !!
Great idea!
That's a great idea . Thought I had one of them years ago but turned out to only be a brain fart 🤯
I like your practical, real world approach. This ain't rocket science, but it is a very cool launching site.
Thank you! I appreciate you watching.
After my back injury I’m afraid the cabin in the Canadian wilderness is no longer on my to-do list but I still enjoy watching and learning others build their cabins. Yours is not complicated but I still learned a lot. But most of all I enjoyed watching.
Well thank you! Sorry about the back, and I appreciate you watching.🙏
You know what? First time for me commenting on a video on UA-cam. I have a lot of fun watching your videos and I dig your humour. I saw you got a new blade for your skillsaw Hehehe! I’m from Canada I’ve also been working on my own on different projects. It’s pretty cool to see you doing this all alone as I’m doing the same. I’ve borrowed a few of your ideas. I hope you don’t mind! I know you put up with the work and editing the videos and all. Thank you for doing all that, it’s a lot of work and must be slowing you down on your projects. It is very kind of you.
Observant! …New saw blade indeed.
Yeah videoing takes a bit of time, but all worth it. And borrow away! I appreciate the comments.
Balloon framing is continuous contrary to platform framing, which ends at every elevation up under either a floor or roof. So if you had balloon framed your cabin, the framing of the gable walls would have been ready to receive the ridge board as soon as you had raised them, as they'd continue all the way up to the top plane of the rafters, saving you one at each end.
Great idea for the bird blocking ! Very clever carpenter. You make it look easy but I know how hard it is to do by yourself
Thanks so much!
That was genius to tilt the bird blocking to bridge the gap to the rafter! Pure off-the-cuff on the fly genius!!!
@@tomhorrigan5769 Now those words are a bit too kind! 🙏
Thank you for providing this video. It will give my wife a sense of how I'm building ours! Much appreciated.
Great! Let me know how it goes.
Thank you for watching!
Your day job must be as a teacher: you get the whole summer off, you’re organized, and you are so logical in your step-by-step duties, and you’re so happy!
Thanks! Real estate….I drive a lot back and forth.
Earlier you mentioned that you weren't going to put a vent in the eaves. With that two foot window you really don't need a vent. The window will vent out any heated air that will be uncomfortable in the summer. Place looks great my friend. Take care. Vaughn
I like that response! And I appreciate you watching.
Coming along nicely!! We enjoy watching the progress and process!
I appreciate you watching!
Looks great. Glad you added sheathing b4 the rest of the rafters to act as a sway brace. See so many forget sway bracing, once on the roof bad things can happen without it. Much applause 👏.
You are so right! I appreciate you watching.🙏
Love your videos and common sense approach.
Thank you so much! 🙏
So glad to see you again, always looking forward to spending some time with you!
It’s well worth the wait! I like your humor
Great video… again 👍👌👍
Glad to have you watching! 🙏
Good video, I like how you show your project and the good sense of humor you have, congratulations.
I appreciate that!🙏
I respect you building this by yourself/solo. I am an old framer and a few things pain me to see. You should always sway brace your walls before you add sheathing. Sheathing should be upright. If your sheathing is not long enough, add a row of horizontal blocks for your sheet edges to land on. Finish all of your wall sheathing before you add rafters. When you hold a level vertical that is plumb not level. Props to you for using a hand saw! Keep up the good work!
Thanks and yes indeed on the plumb! I had not even realized the faux pas.
@@LifeontheMoose you’re are killing it! I admire you for taking this on by yourself. If you have a camera man, that’s a good idea. Framing is dangerous. If you fall or cut yourself, it’s no good. Be safe!
Good thing you found the other part of the bolt for your saw or you would have been looking for it for the next 6 months.
I’m amazed I found it in all that powdery dirt!
Whew 12/12 pitch your knees will thank you when you’re roofing!
Patrick! I’ve really enjoyed watching you build the cabin, and I know it is greatly rewarding and fun! Keep digging partner.
Thanks for the kind words and for watching!
love your style Patrick, a real approach to DIY building. I enjoy your work! 🙂
Aw thank you so much! 🙏
Dude you might be the funniest guy on the internet. I am 52 and hope to build a cabin someday
Ha thanks so much!
You still need venting. Just leave them down 1" from the top of rafters .Not like you did by tipping them. You will regret not having ventilation from the bottom. You will get condensation especially in the winter.
I luv your builds, I personally would add a covered closed in pourch for couple things. Wood storage, boot shoe change etc. Keeping cabin floor in good shape
Great idea! But here that would add to the square footage, and thus require a permit.
I learn so much because you show every small step.
I try!
Love watching your videos, im hoping you do what most people on here do not do, and thats run your sheeting across the band so it ties the wall and the band/rim joist together makes everything a whole lot stronger.
Absolutely! That’s in the plan. Thanks for watching!
Man you lucked out having the birdsmouth hold those top sheets. On the lowers put a foot or so long 2x4 across where the bottom goes to hold it. Killer working by oneself. Good job, good vid. Like square and true. Makes life a lot easier.
So true!
I chuckled when you gave yourself a splinter while bubble framing the end, then there was an edit in the video and your gloves were back on. lol. Be safe out there.
A+ for being observant! Thanks for watching.
You have made an art to working with your entire crew! (You)
Ha! And I’m not easy to work with! 🙏
Yes! I'm watching from south of Sydney Australia. LOL
Ah you heard me! 🙏
Loosing small metal pieces in the dirt, grass, and leaves 🍃 is time killing. Put me on my needs praying, but I now have a small metal detector from sportsman's warehouse for about $70. I'm thankful to have it every time I lose something.
That’s cheap! I have a big magnet, just not handy at the time. I appreciate you watching! 🙏
Use a simple two-pully system on the opposite side of the roof that you want to put the roofing on, that way you can pull the roofing material up onto the steeply sloped roof without having to be up there handling a big metal sail on the same side you are working on. I would use OSB underlayment under the metal roofing to help withstand any snow load you see, instead of letting the metal handle all of that load.
Great idea and the ropes are sorta the plan. And as you’ll hopefully see, OSB on the roof!
@LifeontheMoose outstanding! I love watching your videos. Your videos (the way you narrate) remind me of "This Old House" (which I grew up watching with my dad, who is a carpenter), except you have a refreshing sense of humor that is uniquely your own.
@@ComteSt.Germain Well thanks!!
Glad to see the smoke is clearing.
Me, too!
👏 I’m here bro. Giving you a hand. Good Job. 👏👏👏👏
I'm earning something new every episode. Thank you for taking the time to film and post these. One thing I really appreciate about your style is you don't mark every measurement with a pencil 45 times like you're trying to saw through the wood with graphite haha. That annoys me in a weird way haha.
Ha I get that! I try to do it ‘write’ the first time. Sorry…couldn’t resist. I appreciate you tuning in!
The views are spectacular!
Yeah I’m quite fond of them. Thanks for tuning in!
I spent a couple hours watching your project come together. Before I go back to my project I will say that I would have built a temp scaffold / plank across the open ceiling section in order to make the rafter install easier. It hurt watching you reach around and work off the ladder. I'm very comfortable on ladders but I also know how hard they are to work off of because you don't always have proper positioning.. I enjoyed your videos. I did a lot of FF scrolling but it's because I have the attention span of a 2 year old :)
Great work. The only thing I would do differently would be to frame out two end gables and then install your top roof beam.
You know, I was originally planning on doing just that. I believe because of materials I didn’t have on hand at the time, I changed plans at the last minute. It would have been more stable, for sure.
I appreciate you watching!
I’m looking forward to the next episode, I believe I’m up to speed after watching all the videos this morning. Keep up the good work.
Living my dream. Keep it up.
I will! 🙏
Yes sir, that was quite a days' work. Loookin' good. 😁God bless.
Thank you for watching! 🙏
Just a thought. If you use 2X4 purlins (installed flat-wise on the rafters) to attach the metal roof, you won't have to notch the rafters to install the barge rafters. Just use 2x4's for barge rafters, and hang them from the purlins. You Would have to install additional 2x2 blocks between the rafters at the birdsmouths, but you will have to do that anyway unless you plan to solid sheath the roof under the metal. Cabin is looking good and solid!
Excellent idea that I kicked around, but I am going the sheathing route. Appreciate the comment and you watching!
I'm waiting to see how you finish your corner posts. Some parts of the country use drywall clips and others, versions of a three stud.
Indeed. In the loft floor video I posted a few weeks ago, I add that nailer to the corners. I should have done that in the initial framing stage…Thanks for watching!
Great idea of tilting the rafter
Wieder eine sehr saubere und korrekte Arbeit geleistet 👍
Thank you very much!
Looking good Patrick, it'll be a great getaway when done.
Thanks, I think so!
A level is OK for plumbing procedures. However, a plumbob is the ultimate tool for absolute accuracy. You can’t unsynchronize mother nature/gravity👍.
Just a thought (some sink in, most escape), fasten blocking to the same side (your choice) of every rafter before installing them. Guarantees spacing and provides support. You can thank me later !😅
That’s one way to do it!
I like vertical sheeting so the seem breaks on a stud. Usually you leave a gap for soffit vent the size of a roof baffle. This keeps you roof decking from rotten. But being a cabin without the usual moisture making appliances it should be okay. I scabbed in 2x4 for my overhangs. Needed 15'7" out of 16 foot 2x12 for rafters.
I'd expand one cliff-facing window to a door and throw a porch at it on the outside. The cliff and the fire pit side of the cabin needs a porch. Gets the cabin an emergency exit, too! 8-D
Your cabin looks great man thanks for sharing
Thank you!
Very nice. I’m learning a lot from you. Thanks❤
You’re welcome! Thank YOU! 🙏
interesting approach in vlog speaking with us Kinda cool I watch a lot of channels your delivery is friendly worm and welcoming. Thanks good content
Thanks for the kind words! I just hope anyone watching has as much fun as I do.
Thanks for your awesome videos !!
Love to help !! I have carpentry experience
Outstanding!🙏
That cabin is looking good
Ah thanks!
It will look great from my house….in Yuma.
Not even posted two hours and the bedwetters started in..😂 must of missed the part that stated this is not a how 2 episode. Looking good Pat.
I appreciate that!
Honestly, with that short rafter I'd be prone to making more work for myself and building a notch into the roof using that as an accent. I tend to turn all my mistakes into features. And it would look really cool since it's dead center on the wall.
Interesting idea!
Great video and entertaining. Thanks.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
If you would have called...I would have come over ! I've built homes by myself before too.
Awesome. Appreciate you watching!
Your channels taken right off getting a lot of Views and lots of subs congrats my friend
Why thank you, John. I put a heckuva lot of hours into it, but it’s all thanks to people like you. 🙏
Little House on the Prairie,,,😁
I will go back to one of your older videos and tell you where it’s at😂😂😂😂😂😂😮😅
A wheelbarrow would be handy to throw your wood trimmings in; add to your kindling pile.
Great idea! I did exactly that. Not sure if the old wheelbarrow can be seen in the video…
You said your in Maine? Curious where. Just did trip up thru Presque Isle to Fort Kent. Coulda stopped and helped with the rafters. Carry on my friend. looking good.
I appreciate your offer! I’m on the other side of the country..
Personally, I would absolutely use a soffit and a ridge vent. Even in limited use, you need to vent that summertime excessive attic space heat. IMHO. But I am just the plumber.
Thanks for tuning in!
As an architectural draftsman, I say you don't need the eave venting but you need to make up for it in your gable venting or your ridge venting.
Great input. And thanks for watching!
This is the 2nd time I'm watching the foundation/subfloor/walls/roofing videos. I learn something new and/or notice something new with each viewing - thanks! By the way - not a criticism, just wondering why you didn't use those metal hanger things when attaching the rafters to the ridge-line?
Hey thanks for watching! With all the nailing I did, I just didn’t see the use. Those rafters are stitched to the ridge board directly, and via sheathing, etc.
25:20 I have a pretty firm rule: if it's not too late to do something that you realize needs to be done, you didn't forget to do it, You remembered to do it.
I like that reasoning!
Polypro is a styrofoam insulation comes in sheets just like the osb boards your using if you leave a space pocket between it and the under side of roof decking it can vent air down to the bottom of eaves a couple of small windows at each end of your a frame would help aswell
Good Job, Good progress, Good Weather, and...Good, great location! Beautiful Mountains, where are you located?? Greetings from South Florida, only 82 F right now ;o)
Hello, South FL! Eastern Wa near Canada.
Thank you!🙏
I'ts too late now but if you put a scrap of wood on the top of the rafter at the ridge it would hold it in place while you prop it up the only issue is you have to take it off for the opposite rafter so i nail them in lightly so i can knock them off ftom the ground with a 2x4..
You could install the subfascia by screwing it on very well and make it 7/16 above the rafter where it will act as a ledge for the OSB to rest on and you can leave it there since it'll be the same height as the OSB. A good way to start the bottom row then you can add temporary ledgers across for foot traction.
I don't fasten metal to 7/16 osb because the screws will loosen over time...made that mistake to my garage and a few years later I go up and loosen every screw and apply a roofing adhesive in the hole and screw the screws back in...not fun. They had backed out a ways.
On the roof turn the rough side of the OSB out to utilize the traction properties but also to have the line indicators for the rafters. You could do that on the walls too to help you be able to see where the studs are.
I use 19/32 if I am screwing metal to it, but it's heavy and i'm feeling a lot of aches and pains from installing some this weekend on another cabin i'm building. Very hard for one person to handle.
You may be on to something…
Thanks for tuning in!
Just subscribed....great videos! Love your positivity and projects! Is it me or is that the Omak area/ Tonasket area of Washington State? I've got a buddy who lives there and the views are stellar. Was the land reasonable?
Thanks! Much appreciate the subscribe! Your hunches are pretty close. Land was cheap around here, but getting higher as more want to move out of the city. 🙏
Question:
Why no metal brackets from roof beam to top plate ? Rationale: strong wind places a ‘lifting force’ on the roof
You mean from rafter to top plate? I’ll put hurricane clips there eventually. Great question and thanks for watching!
It looked like you were building an off grid chapel, with the middle cross beams.
Ha I thought the same thing. Thanks for watching!
Nice work 👍. What size is it ?
Thanks! 12x16
What about heat buildup in the roof structure… any movement?
How deep into the wood did you cut for the bird's mouth?
I love that everything is an easy 45 degrees.
Honestly I don’t remember! I’d have to watch the video…🙏
Know I'm behind but just found you channel. Finding it very entertaining. Have 2 questions so far. On the corners you don't use the 3 board corners, so there is a 1 1/2in nail lip for interior covering? On free rafters your not using rafter hangers?
Thanks! Just addressed the nailer in my last video, and no rafter hangers. Appreciate you watching and asking!
sir, curious about the length of overhang and ice damming? In a previous video i think you said you get a lot of snow? thank you for your videos
Ice damming shouldn’t be an issue. I’m not installing gutters, so no snow or ice will be held up.
My 1987 permitted and inspected cabin in California had a 12-12 roof with "bird blocks" tilted out 45 degrees. That is not unusual at all.
Square the side before filling in the gable end....especially the window....
Great advice!
is it next week yet? i have been waiting since forever ;-)
Almost! 🙏
Put in vents!
It’ll be fine for its intended use. Thanks for watching! 🙏
Most codes require them . Good insurance sort of like all the attention to caulking - which I was glad to see. You can easily add them with a 2” hole saw. Enjoy your videos! Keep up the good work!
What are the cabin dimensions? Thanks for sharing. 😊
12x16. Thanks for watching!
:22&22:00 "Osha" a misspelling of o'shucks. (Did you notice you had that nailer fall at exactly at 22 seconds and 22 minutes?)
👍
Just curious as to why you installed your wall sheathing backwards. The smoothed side should face the inside of the building, and the rough side, (with the nailing lines) the outside. Furthermore, It would be in ones best interest to always plumb, square, and brace walls before even starting any ridge or roof system. Not only from the safety aspect, but it can be extremely hard (if not impossible) to "rack" a wall into square/plumb, with the added weight and rigidness of the roof system in place. Not trying to criticize.... just helping.
Glad you’re asking! I believe I address both in the following video. The rough side absorbs moisture and doesn’t take weather very well. I appreciate you watching!
I would not question your methods since they are obviously very effective but I would certainly have done some things differently. For one thing I would have built and raised the gable ends before lifting the ridge. Do they not do that in your part of the country? As to @richardgeary6432's comment on squaring and bracing the walls (with at least some sheathing) before even starting on the roof I know some folks who learned that the hard way. One of my friends from work was helping a group of volunteers from his church build an addition and the consensus was to put the roof on before sheathing the walls, to keep the structure in the dry. They piled the shingles on one corner meaning to distribute them later but the uneven load with no bracing caused the whole structure to collapse. They were lucky (or blessed) that no one was seriously hurt.
It’s by the saw horse leg.
How was your summers? Is the humidity and put them in
Dry summers here…and winters.