DIY Family Treehouse Ep 2: Primary Structural Support

[@ryanentwistle]

One of the better “in-between” level treehouse construction videos where everything isn’t quite commercial/engineering level but retains many of the aspects that are pertinent to the realities of a small private-use backyard instal. Walking a bit of this line myself and I imagine there are many others out there who are better served by building something on this level vs slapped-together with nails and deck screws “good enough” because there is no way they are ever going to drop commercial level $ on their project. This fills a middle-ground that is likely to keep more people safe.

[@ChrisMavik]

Thanks for the thoughtful comments. That’s definitely the middle-ground we were shooting for with this build. Still budget conscious, but also safety and quality conscious.

[@TheTreehouseShop]

So real! Thanks for sharing this:) The only thing that immediately struck me as a professional: you definitely need more and bigger pockets on your belt, you are not using the full potential! You could pack a lot more heavy machines, cans of sauerkraut and beer for sure.

[@ChrisMavik]

Now I know what to ask for next Father’s Day! Being on the sauerkraut!

[@jameswilliamhall6740]

Nice to see a father teaching his daughters.

[@ChrisMavik]

It was a blast! Although I think I probably learned as much as they did 😆

[@sputaru]

Beautiful family video and greaat hardware tips for building a tree house thank you

[@ChrisMavik]

Thank you!

[@alexyerukhimov1177]

Love the guide lines!

[@seoulchild24]

Hello Chris. I love the videos. I know they’re a few years old but do you have an equipment list you could share? I’ve tried to take notes but I’m sure I’m missing a lot of items. Thanks!

[@ChrisMavik]

I briefly talk about it in the 9th episode, but here's a link to a Google Doc with a lot of that info. docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/168K7Dpk8dpkYlot8nXHloEw011JQtq5Apkt-C0QqjvU/edit?usp=sharing

[@sethicus]

Chris, question for you: In hindsight, do you think using 4x6s instead of 4x4s would have been better for the tri-beam lowers? Maybe that would have obviated the need for the 2x10 brace you added?

[@ChrisMavik]

Possibly. The 2x10 brace was really just a use of some spare wood. Probably overkill. 3 years later and it’s still standing strong, so I think the 4x4s were ok. If you built a beefier house, might want to go with 4x6 for extra support.

[@melonbloggers]

How did you come up with spacer length?

[@ChrisMavik]

If you mean the little spacer ring on the bolt, honestly just a guess. In retrospect, I probably should have gotten a wider spacer since the trees have already grown .75" and are starting to touch the beams.

[@melonbloggers]

@@ChrisMavik So the spacer just gets incorporated into the tree as it grows? Thanks for the awesome vids, BTW.

[@ChrisMavik]

@@melonbloggers Essentially, yes. The tree continues to grow and the spacer buys you some time until the tree starts growing into the lumber of the treehouse. Based on mine, I'd say a 0.75' spacer will buy you about 4 years (at least for this species of tree). So if you want more time, then maybe go with a bigger spacer. That said, the tree starting to grow into the treehouse isn't the end of the world, but it's not the best for the tree and it could start to destabilize the treehouse depending on how severe.

[@joopin]

Since you used 4x4s for the braces did you measure out 4" to create the notch?

[@ChrisMavik]

Not exactly. Since the support beam is intersecting the primary beam at a 45 degree angle, the notch has to be longer than 4 inches. The video i reference from Tree House Supplies gives a pretty good tutorial.

[@joopin]

@@ChrisMavik yeah I watched that. How far out did you measure in yours if you remember

[@joopin]

Nevermind, fitured it out on the computer, if you're using 4x4s then it's a 6.375 distance from the 1" cut

[@ChrisMavik]

There you go! That sounds about right from what I remember

[@기훈-p9n]

Hi Chris I know this is an old video but I wanted to try and do this with my son and Husband, I'm pretty sure with all the videos I've watched (yours included) we can do it. My question though and I know it probably sounds like a "mom" question lol, is this: None of these things that will be drilled into the trees can or will kill the tree will it? We have beautiful and OLD cedar trees all through our back property and I would absolutely HATE it if we hurt or killed one of these magnificent beauties.

[@ChrisMavik]

It shouldn’t. As long as you keep the holes to a minimum and don’t constrict the growth and expansion of the tree.

[@akknaup1]

What exactly is that extension bar that Ben brought over called? Putting in the lag screws now but I couldn't find it on line. Great video!

[@ChrisMavik]

In our case it’s just a long piece of iron pipe. Crude but effective solution. Sometimes they are sold under the name “breaker bar”.

[@akknaup1]

Thank you! One more question. My 2×10 beams are level, horizontally. Does the individual beam have to be perfectly level vertically? Because the trunk isn't quite level.

[@ChrisMavik]

As long as they are level the long way, and level with each other, that’s most important. If they’re a little off vertically that’s ok as long as it’s not too extreme.

[@steve2468]

How long wide etc are the beams

[@ChrisMavik]

The primary beams are 4 x 6. And I believe 12 ft. long.

[@rubermanrodriguez6361]

where to buy the screws

[@ChrisMavik]

If you mean the large lag bolts, I got those from treehousesupplies.com. If you mean the structural screws, you can get those at any big box home improvement store.

[@wigleyd]

Chris, looking for the big 15" bolts you are using and not finding at HD or Lowes. Where did you get yours and what are the specs? Do you have a link to the bolt online?

[@ChrisMavik]

Hey Dan. For the heavy hardware, you’ll need to go through a specialty shop of some sort. I got mine through treehouse supplies.com, but there are others.

[@wigleyd]

@@ChrisMavik thanks chris. looking to do the frame this year and see if next year has better lumber prices. need the hardware first tho.

[@wislord]

Great job! Nice to see kids helping you. I'm in the middle of very similar project finishing the platform. Mine also based on 4x6 beams and 4x4 braces, but I now a bit worry about about this. Have you done any calculations showing 4x6 is ok? What is your span between center and one of the corners for the beam in you case?

[@ChrisMavik]

The 4x6 beam is 12’. The outside joists are 1’ in from the edge, so the two outer joists are 10’ apart. Does that answer your question? I had two engineers look at the design and both said it was structurally sound.

[@leoantonio]

I can’t stand the music.

[@ChrisMavik]

Haha. We took a vote on theme music and I lost. After editing 9 videos with that song I was hearing it in my sleep. 😆