Solar kiln framing questions

On Saturday, July 16, 2016 at 7:37:28 PM UTC-5, [email protected] wrote:
> On Sat, 16 Jul 2016 14:45:40 -0700 (PDT), Michael
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>=20
> >I'm making this solar kiln.=20
> >
> >https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/420/420-030/420-030_pdf.pdf
> >
> >My kiln is smaller, 8' X 4'. I haven't done much framing in my life, so =
I'm a little at sea, although it looks pretty straightforward. But I do hav=
e two questions.
> >
> >On page 9 of these plans -- North wall frame and doors -- the plans call=
for a 2x8 across the frame. I have two questions. 1) Since I am making a s=
maller version, will a 2 X 6 do for this piece? (I have one handy. That's w=
hy I'm asking. And 2), are there two 2X8s in this plan fastened together. T=
he reason I'm wondering is that if there is just 1, I'm not sure how the do=
ors close flush.
>=20
> I would think a 2x6 would be plenty since yours is half the span.
> There should be two, here. With 2x4 walls, I put a piece of 1/2" ply
> between them That gives 2 X 1.5" + 1/2" =3D the width of a 2x4. Then a
> crapload of nails pounded both directions through the assembly.
>=20
>=20
> >Sorry for the rookie questions, but I'm trying to avoid getting bogged d=
own with mistakes.
>=20
> This really isn't a woodworking question but since it's a kiln. ;-)
>=20
> >Any other advice appreciated as well.
> >
> >Thanks,
> >
> >Mike

Thanks for the information! Much appreciated.

Mike

On Sat, 16 Jul 2016 14:45:40 -0700 (PDT), Michael
<[email protected]> wrote:

>I'm making this solar kiln.
>
>https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/420/420-030/420-030_pdf.pdf
>
>My kiln is smaller, 8' X 4'. I haven't done much framing in my life, so I'm a little at sea, although it looks pretty straightforward. But I do have two questions.
>
>On page 9 of these plans -- North wall frame and doors -- the plans call for a 2x8 across the frame. I have two questions. 1) Since I am making a smaller version, will a 2 X 6 do for this piece? (I have one handy. That's why I'm asking. And 2), are there two 2X8s in this plan fastened together. The reason I'm wondering is that if there is just 1, I'm not sure how the doors close flush.

I would think a 2x6 would be plenty since yours is half the span.
There should be two, here. With 2x4 walls, I put a piece of 1/2" ply
between them That gives 2 X 1.5" + 1/2" = the width of a 2x4. Then a
crapload of nails pounded both directions through the assembly.


>Sorry for the rookie questions, but I'm trying to avoid getting bogged down with mistakes.

This really isn't a woodworking question but since it's a kiln. ;-)

>Any other advice appreciated as well.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Mike

On 7/16/2016 5:45 PM, Michael wrote:
> I'm making this solar kiln.
>
> https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/420/420-030/420-030_pdf.pdf
>
> My kiln is smaller, 8' X 4'. I haven't done much framing in my life, so I'm a little at sea, although it looks pretty straightforward. But I do have two questions.
>
> On page 9 of these plans -- North wall frame and doors -- the plans call for a 2x8 across the frame. I have two questions. 1) Since I am making a smaller version, will a 2 X 6 do for this piece? (I have one handy. That's why I'm asking. And 2), are there two 2X8s in this plan fastened together. The reason I'm wondering is that if there is just 1, I'm not sure how the doors close flush.
>
> Sorry for the rookie questions, but I'm trying to avoid getting bogged down with mistakes.
>
> Any other advice appreciated as well.
>
> Thanks,

What to size the floor joists depends on the span, the type of wood, the
weight it is expected to hold. You can calculate it yourself here:

http://www.awc.org/codes-standards/calculators-software/spancalc

Myself, I often find these calculators are over cautious, particularly
when if it fails, all that happens is a pile of lumber falls a few
inches to the ground. Myself, I'd use the 2x6's, in fact, looking at the
picture, the joists are sitting on the ground, so you could use 2x4's if
you wanted. (Make the floor joists out of PT lumber, rated for ground
contact, if sitting on the ground.)

For the doors, they don't have to be the same thickness as the framing?
I'd make them out of 2x4's half lapped joints, t-111 skins, or
whatever your siding material is, and let the skins overlap the fame a
bit for stops.

--
Jack
Add Life to your Days not Days to your Life.
http://jbstein.com

On Sun, 17 Jul 2016 04:22:04 -0700 (PDT), Michael
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On Saturday, July 16, 2016 at 7:37:28 PM UTC-5, [email protected] wrote:
>> On Sat, 16 Jul 2016 14:45:40 -0700 (PDT), Michael
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> >I'm making this solar kiln.
>> >
>> >https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/420/420-030/420-030_pdf.pdf
>> >
>> >My kiln is smaller, 8' X 4'. I haven't done much framing in my life, so I'm a little at sea, although it looks pretty straightforward. But I do have two questions.
>> >
>> >On page 9 of these plans -- North wall frame and doors -- the plans call for a 2x8 across the frame. I have two questions. 1) Since I am making a smaller version, will a 2 X 6 do for this piece? (I have one handy. That's why I'm asking. And 2), are there two 2X8s in this plan fastened together. The reason I'm wondering is that if there is just 1, I'm not sure how the doors close flush.
>>
>> I would think a 2x6 would be plenty since yours is half the span.
>> There should be two, here. With 2x4 walls, I put a piece of 1/2" ply
>> between them That gives 2 X 1.5" + 1/2" = the width of a 2x4. Then a
>> crapload of nails pounded both directions through the assembly.

Forgot: Glue the plywood between the 2x6s, too. It'll be *plenty*
strong.
>>
>> >Sorry for the rookie questions, but I'm trying to avoid getting bogged down with mistakes.
>>
>> This really isn't a woodworking question but since it's a kiln. ;-)
>>
>> >Any other advice appreciated as well.
>> >
>> >Thanks,
>> >
>> >Mike
>
>Thanks for the information! Much appreciated.

You're welcome.