Complete Quonset Hut Build - From Site Prep to the Final Arch

A complete guide for how to build a quonset hut.
At Rockhill farm we think outside the box and put out daily equipment videos. Running our 2038R compact tractor, 325G skid loader and a variety of other toys.
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[@RockhillfarmYT]

If you enjoy this type of content please subscribe to the channel, and if you are interested in a rock Hill Farms T-shirt check out our merch store rockhill-farm.creator-spring.com/listing/rockhill-farm-logo

[@jasonday8334]

I learned today, that each one of the nuts and bolts have a torque specification, to maintain a waterproof seal, is that true?

[@RockhillfarmYT]

It’s definitely true, but with over 6000 bolts and you have to touch each one of them twice with two different people hanging off of ladders… I’m going with good enough is good enough. That’s just my personality and not some thing I would recommend

[@jasonday8334]

Hey thank you for the response. Me and the wife are going to be building a 30’x30’ Q-hut. We think the bin block idea is brilliant. If you were to redo the bin blocks, instead of creating a cement form on top of the blocks would you have spaced the walls differently so you could have avoided that? And did you use any sealant between the blocks?

[@joshcarmo]

I have a question... i have been looking into the same shop your building and i was wondering if you put 2 rib together on the ground it should save you from having to put the bolts in overhead and im thinking it would be stronger did you try that and if not what do you think of the idea ?

[@alk5749]

I put one of those up 3 years ago along with my son-in-law and two daughters. I was 67 at the time. Didn’t have any tractors or lifts of any kind, just 15’ of scaffolding and ladders. We raised the first one as one unit and put the rest together a panel at a time. Took us two weekends to complete, including installing a 12’x14’ panel garage door and front & rear end closures. Fun!

[@blorph1]

Not even looking to build one of these. It was just wonderful to watch. Well done.

[@blorph1]

Just watched this on TV KZbin. Was so good, found it on computer so I could commend you. Thank you for taking the time to make this wonderful video.

[@stackfire9601]

All you needed is a Tele handler . Telescopeing fork lift. Make a home made spreader out of wood and pick up your arches with the spreader. You would have set them all in a day with sharp help or 2 days with good help. 😎👍

[@paulmonk7820]

Looked like that bolt didn't want to go all the way into the drilled hole at first.😮 Try blowing the holes out before driving the bolts in.😊 ❤

[@Alan_Hans__]

I found your channel after seeing the Quonset hut on a Oakie Woodsman video. I was impressed with the appearance of the Quonset hut on that video but after seeing how flexible it is during the constructions process now I'm not so impressed. I have built many dozens of sheds over the years but not a single Quonset hut so you'd have to take my advice with a grain of salt. In order to get the most built in a given amount of time I'd suggest that all the arches were prebuilt on the ground in 2 pieces so there is no "aerial" time involved early on. The next part really takes into account my extensive Quonset building experience. After the first 1 or 2 arches were up I would be assembling the half arches 1 at a time as they looked very easy to install and may have been possible with only 1 person. The scaffold should be placed 1 arch width clear of the bolted up section and should be high enough that it is possible to reach over the arch to do the bolts up. With prebuilt sections all on the ground ready I would guesstimate that with 4 people you should be able to knock over the assembly in a weekend. I don't have any Quonset hut building experience but I did assemble most of my own 60x30 steel framed shed entirely by myself. Other than the neighbours crane to lift the 2 prebuilt on the ground 30' x 10' walls the rest was done by hand. The shed is actually in the background in a few of my videos and is a bit of an odd design so that I could build it myself and I could have the 30' span with no trusses.

[@sjr7822]

Good man, saving the bees, I have apple trees, and I wish I had those bees, we seldom see a bee anymore, or butterflies, or many birds in our rural area. I've only seen two hummingbirds, I use to have flocks 3 years ago. Dad was a great one to cut down trees, he would plant fruit trees and then decide they were in his way and cut them down, and I use to bawl every time he did. I just discovered quonset huts for mini houses on YT, and ran into your channel

[@cindymccafferty8346]

I remember the military used to stockpile supplies and ammo in these in small towns all around America in WW2. After that, they turned them into housing. My cousin lived in Quonset hut in the late 50s, early 60s.

[@billyhouse1943]

Yes failure is learning. Great video…

[@billveek9518]

One piece at a time, Johnny Cash

[@garbo8962]

We had a used one back in the early 1970' s for our 15 man maintenance shop. Had no insulation & 2 little steam unit heaters. Was cold & drafty in the winter time but with the high ceiling & exhaust fan & 2 pedestal fans wasn't bad in the summer.Was built on a 3' high poured concrete wall

[@JohnnyBubbz]

Awesome job! Love the electrical tape Band-Aids lol! All the best Brock

[@markbrown6236]

Nice honest build video, am doing research on these type of buildings.

[@dougr1629]

I’m new to this channel and I must tell you I really enjoyed that video.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Thanks

[@zbigniewteterycz1571]

SUPER IDEA . POZDRAWIAM .

[@derekhunt6943]

Good work, Necessity is the mother of invention

[@denniscrabtree2170]

Potato farmers love these buildings where i live in northern Maine!

[@maureenlove9010]

This is very helpful. We’re doing this too.

[@houndsmanone4563]

Nice teamwork on the build. 👍🏽🤠 5/21/23

[@ThriftyGarage]

Thanks for sharing the costs. That is always helpful! That bee hive looked adventurous!

[@RockhillfarmYT]

It was an interesting day Thanks for watching

[@williamhanna5224]

Excellent !

[@alk5749]

Sorry, memory failure, but my wife corrected me on how many weekends it took to get it all done, seems it was 4 full weekends 5am to 6pm every day and she said two of those weekends we had up to 10 people helping. Dang, I don’t remember that😂🤣

[@robinhardie8054]

Super great. We’re about to erect our quanset on a 2’ stem wall.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

2 years later and I’m really happy with it I work in their a lot

[@GoodwillCriminalsOfDallas]

A sawzall without a blade makes a good concrete shaker.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Good tip

[@HamiltonvilleFarm]

Good video Brock

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Thanks

[@tnsoos]

Congratulations

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Thanks

[@hombredeacero3131]

Awesome

[@ChristopherAdams-tl3me]

One blessing you had was that

[@Jake-Jake]

I feel your pain that is what i had to do standup halves and i had real scaffolding and a skyjack, that i bought used, but I also had a full concrete pad to work from, not an easy job, with part time help...real pain in the ass job, but I am still a fan of the structure

[@jameswatters9592]

Admire your perseverance

[@watchman1982]

If you assembled two (or more) arches on the ground would that have increased the rigidity and allowed you to raise them easier?

[@curtisschroeder2577]

Currently putting one up from a different manufacturer. 35 wide x 32 long. Plans for another 20 ft later. Running into similar help issues. Can't wait to see your end wall build. I didn't order my end walls

[@MicroUrb]

yeah so where are you getting your steel frames from? I once reached out to SteelMasters, but I don't like the idea of paying 5 grand for the pieces and then the blueprints for paying yet someone else to pour the concrete a certain way. I am looking to build a 10 by 10 quonset hut and have no idea where to begin.

[@erwinbrubacker7488]

​@@MicroUrb10x10 is an outhouse 😅

[@joewinters1533]

From a guy that does this for a living, stop letting it flex while raising. You have a fair amount of flex in each arch but you need a min of 3 ppl and 1in the middle of each third section while raising to keep structure strength when you pull the arch up. Also 18ft trench footing plus a 12 Inch topper for arches to mount to makes a huge difference. A 12x16x32 block/form will make solid side walls that elevate side walls to a more solid structure

[@daviddunn1923]

Huh?

[@deborahslaughter2536]

Do you still do this for a living. I m going to need an installation job.

[@joewinters1533]

@@deborahslaughter2536 depends on the state you are located in.. I no longer do this for a living but can recommend you to some people that still do., I am a pipe welder now that travels out of state

[@katjames914]

the trench or channel in the footings would help

[@drmarkintexas-400]

🏆🏆🏆👍🇺🇲🙏 Thank you for sharing

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Thanks for watching

[@GoodwillCriminalsOfDallas]

The deadman sticks the folks in the middle are using will work better if you create a finger in the end. Just nail a 2-foot section of 2x4 on the end and you are more stable. I'm not sure what the reach of your tractor is but a simple cradle that supports in a curve shape will hook the arches up nicely as long as you grab in the center of the arch. Those arches are like limp noodles with human hands. you need a way to take the bulk of the lifting off in a stable way, hence the tractor cradle. The tractor cradle can be made from scrap plywood and 2x4 materials.

[@HaroldReece]

Twenty years ago we built one of these buildings in Choctaw, Okla. In 2003 the building seemed to be a much higher quality and probably thicker steel, we built it with me and four girls we did not have any of the twisting problems you had. I think we had seventeen arches. We mounted a 4x4 on the scaffolding that allowed the arch to rest on while we put in the bolts after we stood it up. Glad you got yours built, thanks for sharing.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

I do feel like it It was lighter gauge steel than it should’ve been. I’ve seen some older buildings that I think we’re heavier material.

[@greg3629]

Good stuff! Just the right length!! Love it when people are not afraid to throw in what it cost for things! You probably dont want to ..but it would be interesting to see what enclosing that thing would take!! Does it act like a wind tunnel for you when your in it?

[@RockhillfarmYT]

I purchased the end walls with the building. Seems like they were maybe $2000 and already included in the price I gave in the video. The doors were an extra $5000 so I did not buy the doors. I’m going to make some myself most likely. It’s just not high on my priority list right now because the building is functional. It is basically a wind tunnel but I haven’t noticed it to be excessive

[@JuanEspinoza-zl1yy]

Hello from Las Vegas Nevada GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

[@anthonyg6924]

The dimensions of the building vs final cost seems reasonable. You'll enjoy it! You did good. Thanks for sharing.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Thanks for watching

[@cirezane]

You said “let’s go Brandon”... ha ha love the vid thanks for all the insight

[@scrhino40]

If you ever decide to put up another 1 try renting a forklift that reach up higher then center of arch. Put together on ground then take forklift to pickup the whole section. Have great day be safe.

[@henrynevins]

If it takes two people to screw each arch to the next, 150 nuts and bolts, what do you do to tighten bolts at the top? On the scaffold you were able to reach around doing it yourself?

[@craigsymington5401]

interesting

[@catabaticanabatic3800]

Nice work. Good result. Enjoy.

[@shekharmoona544]

They make good houses depending on where you live.

[@patrickcorbett8361]

I enjoyed the 'compilation video ' Brock . But I'm still looking forward to the end wall install..... Although I could call it good and use it as it stands ! pc

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Yeah, I need to get that done. It’s been a little lower on my priority list because it is functional the way it is

[@patrickcorbett8361]

@@RockhillfarmYT I agree...I might just call it good unless I need the security....the new LED lighting is very weather forgiving

[@paulmonk7820]

Haven't watched the whole show yet, but was wondering if the bottom section could be attached loosely to the base on both sides with one bolt to keep the arch from walking as you raise it. 😊 15:50

[@joewinters1533]

If you woulda done a squared up trench footing, you woulda made your life much easier.. it's all about prep my dude. I've got years of experience doing these minimalistic types of builds. Plumbing,welding, eco electric, off grid, .Hollar for help I can walk you through new stuff

[@tn65s]

A box tubing boom on the tractor with a spreader bar would pick and place the arches very easly and safely. probably a counter weight on the 3-point hitch would help.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Lifting them is not the problem. They aren’t that heavy. However, they are flimsy. If you lift them from the center they break Putting the bolts in was a much bigger hassle than raising the arches

[@ryanhavens959]

good video bud. thanks

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Thanks for watching

[@stoneinthefield1]

Could you nest a partial completed arch under a full one to make a double thick lifting base? I will in a few years atempt one too.

[@ntomnia585]

How deep into the concrete blocks do you think the anchor bolts went? The top layer of mortar you used may have been 2 inches?

[@ChristopherAdams-tl3me]

One blessing that you had was they were bee's not wasps as bee's can only sting once but wasps continue to sting

[@andyvaldez26]

Awsome build, what type of L shape plates did you use to screw the base of the building to. Also what size are those L shape plates? Thanks

[@Hardonfishing]

I like the way you worked "Let's go Brandon" in there. LOL

[@DASHwithAllen]

Brandon did a good job with delivering that concrete.... Let's Go Brandon!

[@joaquin698]

Wao…. Heavy Work 💪🏻😅💪🏻.. What Gage are the metal arches?? Tks for sharing 👌🏻.. God Bless, Stay Safe 🙏🏻🙌🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💪🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@erwinbrubacker7488]

Perhaps 22 ga.

[@MicroUrb]

hey man yours is the only video that walks people step by step. I am looking to build a 10 x 10 quonset hut, much smaller than yours. Can you tell me where you bought the steel frame for yours? And any help on how to pour concrete for a 10 by 10...thanks for this video.

[@rp-wb6xn]

Not sure if you are still interested but you might want to google arched cabin kits for that size, they appear to be more aesthetic and easier to put up diy

[@dpsears240z]

When are you going to install the doors? Looking forward to that.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Yeah, I need to get that done but it hasn’t been high on the priority list just because it’s functional the way it is

[@richkramer2777]

did you try putting two together at a time?

[@NTATchannelNickTaylor]

Your 🐝🐝 seem rather tame (heard the few stings), these savages with wings and stingers we have here in S. Texas ain't nothing but Air Mobile Terrorist!!! Whew!!

[@smalltownlivin1828]

Any recommendations on a reputable quonset manufacturer?

[@paulmonk7820]

OSHA is on the way! 😂 17:57

[@christopherpalmer4243]

Where'd you purchase the concrete blocks?

[@tanyajenkins919]

Would like to watch the ends go into the quanset building

[@RockhillfarmYT]

I haven’t decided if I’m going to put ends on it or not. For the way, I’m using it I kind of like it open even though I’ve already paid for the ends. I did put lights up. 195,000 Lumens with No Electric Bill - Installing Hykolity Lights kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHrHZWR_jdOkiJo

[@Jerry-ko9pi]

Most video I have seen, they bolt 2 arches together and then raise them up.

[@joewinters1533]

Traverse lift in the middle.

[@DosedUpBeatz]

We’re looking to setup a 50’x80’x20 , I was wondering How many panels or pallets you roughly had becauseeee , because we’re looking at a kit and all that is there is 2 pallets , which we are thinking there should be a lot more panels than what we are looking at to buy

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Seems like 2 pallets. here is the video of unloading it off the trailer

[@efrainmaldonado5677]

That’s all I had for a 40ft.x60ft.all the other stuff you have ditch out of your pocket. Example concrete inside out. Couldn’t find the anchors. There you have it.

[@jamesnightingale8209]

you did good good yoy paid 20.000 25.000 for build you going to like it very ggod job jim pa.

[@46rambo49]

the right tools and the right crew goes a long way towards a smooth process.,,,,,,,, prior proper planning, eh? you rented a ruckus rake but not a telehandler?

[@dustye753]

Considering a similar project, I have a question, since you anchored the structure to the concrete blocks, why do you still fill the voids with cement?

[@Stubones999]

If you made all the arch structures and rented a telehandler for a day, you'd be done.

[@poo2764]

O' Brien old IRISH name☘🍀

[@adubbelde1]

At 27:20 the arch had the lap backwards. Did you correct it?

[@RockhillfarmYT]

There are 2 joints lapped wings on the whole building. I didn’t realize it until we were done and I just put a flex seal type coating on those seems

[@timus1767]

No window, no sky lights bit dark when the end walls will be added.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

195,000 Lumens with No Electric Bill - Installing Hykolity Lights kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHrHZWR_jdOkiJo

[@tomlorenzen4062]

Not a fricking house

[@deborahslaughter2536]

Is there a company that will actually install the whole building?

[@RockhillfarmYT]

I don’t know about installation by the manufacture, but there are businesses that build these for you

[@erwinbrubacker7488]

30x60😂 was contiplating to do 30x30, maybe add on when (if) meeded.

[@davemi00]

Let’s Go Brandon !! 😂

[@vivienneneroli]

What company did you order the Quonset hut from?

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Legacy steel buildings

[@vivienneneroli]

Thank you!🙏

[@daviddunn1923]

In my mind I am trying to figure out why it’s necessary to build a complete arch on the ground and struggle raising it in place. Instead, why not build one piece at a time, starting with the base and work your way up to the peak? Repeat from the other side. Then join them together in the middle with the peak section? A lift that can extend to the top would be required, of course.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

We did it both ways and this was my preference. That’s a lot of bolts up in the air and the arches are not all the same bow. They kind of have opposite angles pushing against each other on the arch Also, this method allowed people to be working on the ground in the air at the same time

[@jakejacobs4463]

I’m just curious about one thing…. Once you have say 3 or 4 arches built… why do you need to built a full arch to raise… why not just start bolting the panels onto the building that is already built…

[@RockhillfarmYT]

We tried it that way. I found it to be more difficult.

[@rogergoings4929]

how come you could not put blocks on the side ?

[@RockhillfarmYT]

What do you mean by put blocks on the side?

[@rogergoings4929]

@@RockhillfarmYT instead of topping them with concert

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Yeah, we could’ve use some cap blocks on top of the big blocks. The only negative to that is we would’ve had to do some grinding on the top of the construction blocks because they are a little bit irregular shaped and my grading I guess wasn’t perfect so it was hard to get the tops of them completely level

[@erikowren7894]

We’re they killer bees?

[@andrewburtonwood4556]

Why o why did you need to cut down the trees Glad you saved some bees

[@CynicalDad81]

Just make extended 2x4 forks for your tractor…

[@louismuska4326]

helped do one SUCKS i\I used forkliftl man on pallet with center of arch 2 guys on each end

[@Flipping_Assets]

Cost?

[@michaelthorne5441]

50 grand

[@Bernie5172]

hire a small crane dude

[@Skilllie]

That first one, two , three are right bitches, ja? 😂😂

[@michaelthorne5441]

So you spent 100 grand on a cover?

[@RockhillfarmYT]

What are you talking about 100 grand It was 20k and it came with end walls. I just haven’t decided if I want to use them

[@trikemon]

26:56 + 27:05...🙄

[@vlaardingerrr]

26:55 wrong overlap

[@RockhillfarmYT]

We had two panels on the building that got overlapped wrong Everyone helping knew how it was supposed to be done but somehow those two got messed up

[@scottdonbrosky5968]

Your panel overlap is wrong.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

29 arches and five panels per arch and we got two of the overlaps wrong on the building. Everyone knew how to do it but somehow it got done wrong twice.

[@scottdonbrosky5968]

@@RockhillfarmYT couldn’t you of just built the arch one panel at a time once you got a few up?

[@RockhillfarmYT]

@scottdonbrosky5968 we did two arches, one panel at a time to compare which way was easier. We felt it was easier to stand up full arches.

[@scottdonbrosky5968]

@@RockhillfarmYT glad you got it all up. Looks great. Like your channel!

[@RRaucina]

I think you have successfully stopped hundreds from building one of these torture devices. Cold, no windows, no walls to hang stuff on, no soul. And the bolts! Ridiculous. Need an airplane hanger? Maybe. Otherwise give me the wood and steel siding and it will be done in a few days. What happens when the rubber washers die? And don't think they wont.

[@Skyhawks1979]

I was 15 years old and we built one of these on our farm over the Bicentennial holiday in 1976. It still stands, no leaks and looks like the day it was put up. I believe ours is a heavier gauge metal though.

[@josephbohme7917]

No rebar or bolting /joining/ on your blocks / caps ??? Not even keyways? A WOODEN CRADLE (NOT COMPLICATED boats have hulls via the single interior transverse frame repeated) like a curved box beam (YOU ON:LY NEEDED TO MAKE ONE) with a taller center RIDGE BOX BEAM and an anchor cable going down the sides from the RIDGE BOX BEAM would have been best for everything. BUT rather than a scaffold at center; made a ROMAN SEIGE TOWER A FOOT + TALLER THAN THE arch Think a hay lift on a barn it only sticks out maybe 6 feet above the barn opening. Since a seige tower rolls, it places the arch as it lifts it. Even an anchored 16' extension ladder could have been stabilized on the ground to pivot on a 1" plywood sheet (weighted wedged) & tilting up each ARCH UNIFORMLY with a pulley and an underside frame 8 ft wide. Should have had an Erector set for proof of concept beforehand. Everyone gets to profit by your building experience.

[@jeffrosencutter4416]

You need some clecos

[@RandyCessna-dh1us]

Too much work!!

[@michaelthorne5441]

No Way you spent a grand on anything unless they were your friends or own the equipment

[@RockhillfarmYT]

I own all of the equipment except for the mini excavator which we rented for site prep

[@scotthruska]

useless