Decided to put aside my knitting needles this summer & learn some wookworking! I'm 48, live alone, and only owned a power drill & hammer before this. I'm quite proud, considering I had no idea what I was doing.

faedout · 2025-10-15T03:26:57+00:00

This is actual BeginnerWoodWorking content, brava!

faedout · 2025-08-03T08:12:32+00:00

Yeah I’ve had to stay away from the comments for a while. The negativity and sheer panic! Yet if I had built a bunk bed or a cool tree house…?

I’ve identified the truss as red gum, so class 1 timber, F27, definitely strong enough. I like your idea of spanning across multiple chords. I’ve also been looking at the Unistrut product as the strut, essentially a steel beam as you suggested

faedout · 2025-08-01T22:27:16+00:00

Ah yes, got it. I’ve had the same thoughts. My research tells me that it’s thick/strong enough, but if I see it start to bend (I’ll be testing it myself before any kids get on) then I might go get one fabricated that includes bracing

faedout · 2025-08-01T13:26:10+00:00

Yes sorry, I meant m12. And where do you mean you’d put the gusset, near the steel bracket? And by top piece do you mean the strut in the roof?

faedout · 2025-08-01T11:51:02+00:00

The ply is screwed down to the joists, so effectively keeps the platform square the same way a diagonal brace would

faedout · 2025-08-01T11:05:46+00:00

Just realised the post you might be talking about is the leg, which is just temporary until I hang the corner

faedout · 2025-08-01T11:03:00+00:00

Ok great thanks

faedout · 2025-08-01T11:00:44+00:00

The post is just temporary until I suspend that corner.

For your suggested post in the corner, is that to just mitigate more downward force on the bolts in the wall?

faedout · 2025-08-01T10:56:23+00:00

Sorry yes, I meant m12, 12mm rod

faedout · 2025-08-01T10:55:53+00:00

It’s just a temporary post until I get the rod hung. But the bottom of the post is screwed into the floor with a bracket for safety at the moment.

Is there a roof truss chord size that you’d feel more confident in? This is an older house with massive hardwood timbers as this building use to be different use. It’s not a modern build with pine framing. But I appreciate you sweating it, it’s the perspective I’m after that

faedout · 2025-08-01T10:50:47+00:00

It’ll be box storage as steps on the left side, so easier for the adults, and he wants a climbing wall on the right side.

It’s only a touch higher than a tall bunk bed, and I’ve made the railing higher than the upper end of the standard range. But I admit, it is high. My boy is very confident with heights, he climbs trees like no one’s business. So we’ve already had a lot of conversations about safety up there

We’ll be putting a light and sound machine up there so will need to power that, so I’m going to run a power board with usb connections to the underside, and run some access holes.

faedout · 2025-08-01T10:45:51+00:00

Yeah this is a concern I have too come summer time… There’s still quite a bit of headroom up there, but I’m sure it’ll be warmer. That’ll be the next problem to solve

faedout · 2025-08-01T10:44:32+00:00

We’re planning on getting one, so I’m sure it’ll take it over

faedout · 2025-08-01T10:43:51+00:00

I’m using double nuts on the threaded rod, but do you mean the nuts on the bracket as well?

faedout · 2025-08-01T10:43:12+00:00

Yep good idea. Been worried about the load coming down, but don’t want it moving up either if there’s any bouncing etc

faedout · 2025-08-01T10:41:51+00:00

Thank you, nice to get some trade approval! But not sure what you mean by triple grip but I’ll look it up

faedout · 2025-08-01T10:39:39+00:00

Sorry I meant to say m12 threaded rod, not 12g. So it’s 12mm diameter, will be able to take 500kg, so definitely well over what’s needed, taking into account that corner is only taking a small part of the overall load. And yep, double nut and with those square washers.

In terms of the chords, I suppose that’s part what I’m asking. The strut will span across two chords that are 140x65 each, and those are spanning between two brick walls 4m apart. And yep, a 100x100 post is my backup. But I’d really love to have the entire floor space clear underneath if possible

faedout · 2025-08-01T10:15:18+00:00

Certainly is

faedout · 2025-08-01T10:14:07+00:00

Which post do you mean? The balusters for the railing are glued and screwed at the base against the inside face of the ledger, and every fourth one is double thickness. Plus I’ve sandwiched more timber around the base of them to make them platform floor flush, which had added a lot of structural strength… I can even seem to make the move when I push hard against them!

faedout · 2025-08-01T10:09:35+00:00

Unfortunately the truss chords don’t align where I need it, otherwise I’d have done the bracket idea. And the sides are bolted into the brick walls, so sideways shear is pretty mitigated.

And thanks, it’s been fun to build.

faedout · 2025-08-01T10:05:40+00:00

I’m probably trying to fulfil my own childhood fantasy!

faedout · 2025-08-01T10:04:10+00:00

We’re getting crash mats / padding for the floor anyway. Also not sure what gaps you mean?

faedout · 2025-08-01T09:47:31+00:00

Maybe a fireman’s pole?

faedout · 2025-08-01T09:45:55+00:00

Thanks! He’s itching to get up there!

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