Better late than never? In a sign of mellowing that seems to come inevitably with old age, I’ve become a bit less harsh on my cars (and people?). I was determined not to ever pamper my old truck, and see which one of us would expire first (the outcome was never really in doubt). But since I had to replace a section of my back fence anyway, I decided to have pity on it and get it out of the sun.
In the late fall, I will of course move it outside so it can continue to benefit fully from Oregon’s Healing Rains™. Got to keep the rust at bay.
Step one was of course the fence posts, but none of those wimpy 4×4 PT posts for me. I’ve been using these 6×6 pole barn timbers (not just 6×6 PT posts) that are treated to a much higher level and essentially good for a hundred years. So one can just easily replace the cedar fence sections in between them every 20-30 years, since the second growth cedar won’t last as long as the old growth stuff once did. The additional material costs of these pole barn timbers is very modest in the bigger scheme of things. Oddly, these measured a full 6″ on each side, which means I won’t be able to use 6×6 fence post caps; I’ll have to fab something up.
One more thing: I do not brace fence posts before I pour in the concrete; I just set them in fairly straight, pour in some stiff ready mix, then level them, and pour in some more. I avoid all unnecessary steps whenever possible.
The mock-up.
Here’s the fence . Since I own this lot next to it (it has a little rental cottage on it), I’ve been using this area for parking my truck for decades.
The framing is up. 4×6 beams and 2×6 joists. Oversized 16×16 concrete pier blocks.
1×4 purlins. I’ve been building these kind of shed roofs covered with galvanized steel panels for some time now, and I can bang them out quickly.
The galvanized panels go up in a flash. The gable end trim is missing yet; it arrives Monday.
Now if a vintage Porsche or VW were to enter my automotive household, the truck would have to bear the elements again.
A few days ago while nursing my summer cold I watched a YouTube video about setting fence posts by a fencing contractor in Wyoming. He said that if your fence guy uses temporary braces on the posts, you should have hired a different builder.
Nice work! Do the 16″ x 16″ piers just sit on the ground or is there some kind of footer or something to frost-line – which I assume is quite shallow anyway, not like 60″ in Vermont lol.
The F-100 looks quite happy now!
Frost line? What’s that? 🙂
Excellent work, Paul. Great attention to detail where it’s really necessary, IMO. Not overly fussy, but very functional and clean-looking.
In my neck of the woods, the permitting process for putting that up would have taken many times longer than the actual construction….whether or not you own the lot next door.
Permits? What are those? 🙂
It’s good to see the old Ford in the shade. She has earned it. Also makes me continue thinking about doing similarly for a certain old Dodge.
Where I live the permit process may be even more onerous. The general attitude though is if it’s in your back yard, and you know the neighbors won’t complain, and it can’t be seen by a Building Dept person driving by (and that includes over the 7’ max, with a permit, fence) you don’t need to bother with a permit. But you would still need to disclose it upon sale. There is an exception for detached structures under 120 sq ft with no electric or plumbing.
Where I live, the local governments subscribe to annually-updated high-definition aerial photo services to catch people erecting stuff without permits that building code officials can’t see from the road. Lots of people find this out the hard way.
Nicely done! You always combine technically sound work, and knowledge, with an eye towards great aesthetics. Like, your work at Curbside Classic!
Nicely done, built to last just like the truck inside it.
I wish I knew how to do these sorts of projects (and had the will to finish it through). One of these would be great for my daily driver (and only car I own), but the houses here are too tightly spaced for something like this to work. It would have to be a delicate-looking thing with thin poles holding up a thin roof for it to fit in well here and not be obtrusive.
As the pot bellied man said,”When you’ve got something that you’re proud of, you put a roof over it.” Nice work.
Looks to be long-lived and an excellent example of practical vehicle storage.
I should have something like that for my old car but I havent, apparently its be snowing lately where I store it out doors, my daily is galvanised so rust doesnt affect it. The rains where I’m currently at keeps it cleanish.
Nice work.
Vintage Porsche, hmmm…
…Or Corvair? People tend to go back to their roots.
Nice. Speaking of fence posts, I’ve got a few to replace myself. When I purchased that house over 30 years ago it had relatively new fences down both sides while the back fence was one that neighbor had put in many years before that was in sad shape. Since they had put it on their side of the property line That was one of the earlier projects I did. Well now I’ve got two more posts to replace. I had to replace one many years ago and then 3 years ago I replaced a bunch of them. I think this will be the last of them. Meanwhile the older ones are still mostly going strong with one on the list to replace this summer.
I should have gone with the 6×6’s when I put in a side gate designed to drive through with room to spare. I’ve had to replace one of those.
But first I’ve got to free up the locking hub on my F-250 for pulling the concrete out of those holes so I’m not digging new ones next to them or making the hole so big that it needs that much more concrete.
That’s very on topic since our late 90s fences are wearing out, or more accurately the posts are rotting at ground level. We live in Central Oregon so sun is a bigger problem than rain. I have one short section facing the street that’s completely sun burnt. The other side ws done in 2022 and sprayed with clear stain and is looking good. I’ll have to remember pole barn posts for the next place.
My truck is still in the street but will be in the driveway soon. Then again it’s only 23 years old and I’ve only had it 4 years.
Looking good Paul ;
I like your explaining how and why, I’m useless at carpentry else I’d make a nice cover like this .
I find it interesting how you don’t need to brace the vertical posts .
I’d expect you to need Thompson’s or other wood sealer, no ? .
How is that used transmission working out ? .
-Nate
Very nice! I like seeing simple but well-engineered structures going up. Hopefully your truck will thank you (and not start acting like a prima donna). 🙂
I’m thinking ‘67 Bug on the intriguing “vintage Porsche or VW” line.
I think CCers should be allowed to vote on this!
Sturdy and aesthetically pleasing! Your truck looks great also after its deep cleaning and new tires.