Mechanic Builds an Office and Storage Loft - Part 1 Framing

[@indydriver80]

They call me "Lightning" with the hammer because I never strike the same place twice.

[@WatchWesWork]

Unless it's your finger.

[@glennburrow4364]

​@WatchWesWork Don't think that we couldn't see the tell-tale blue of that 'shop band-aid"!

[@crackedcactus]

@@WatchWesWorkyou never hit the same spot twice. Just nearly the same spot.

[@eltsennestle998]

hahaha....I heard my brother the carpenter tell me that 50 years ago, and I still laugh, thinking of him. RIP Bill.

[@johnkraus5204]

😂😂😂😂

[@f15sim]

You passed up an absolutely perfect excuse for buying a nail gun. :)

[@TheBrookian]

EXACTLY what I thought!!

[@littlejason99]

Could have checked local pawn shops for a cheap used one, or even the harbor freight model would have worked fine in this situation. Would have saved a ton of time!

[@joell439]

And you can sell it once you’ve decided you never want to be a carpenter again.

[@silentepsilon888]

Harbor Freight sells cheap ones for 99 to 129 bucks on sale, I just got one to build an outdoor shed, best buy for sure.

[@jeffreyshier9021]

Thanks for taking us along on this adventure.😄

[@JDR1971]

I'm a carpenter and you drove more nails by hand in this video than I have in the last decade. Makes my arms ache just watching. 😄

[@alanflor703]

I built my two-car garage and shop addition by hand. I have since re-roofed it once, along with re-roofing my house. I have hammered a shit-load of nails!

[@userer4579]

I haven't met a framer in the last 20 years that could even swing a hammer and drive a nail.

[@gen157]

A put a roof on mostly by myself a few years ago for a buddy, if it wasn't for the nail gun, I would have been put in the hospital. The small amount of nails I had to hammer in made my arms ache. And I'm a mechanic, so strength wasn't an issue.

[@andrewmantle7627]

Especially with a fiberglass hammer.

[@ronaldcooper7609]

I was thinking that he drives nails pretty good to not be a carpenter.

[@NahNoThankYou]

This channel is unique because not only do you see great work, you hear his thoughts and they are coherent and thorough . I love your thought process and you logic and reason. "Hear Wes think" is a great channel.

[@beauwebb1143]

Finally!!! The proper use of a crescent wrench 😂

[@MichaelSteeves]

A pipe wrench works a little better ;)

[@billh230]

Use some properly engineered German ones, like Knipex.

[@billp1954]

If it's stupid and works then it ain't stupid.

[@Oddman1980]

Exactly, I don't know why some crazy people try to turn nuts with them.

[@paulsilva3346]

More originally known as an adjustable open-end wrench. 😊. Once a mechanic always a carpenter 11:19

[@billdavis1730]

My first big project out of college was Architectural Engineer on a new municipal facilities building. The team had a lead Architect and a Civil Engineer. They always seemed to clash. One day, the Engineer says to the architect: " Do you know the difference in a building designed by an Architect as opposed to one designed by an Engineer? If the Architect designs it, it will fall down. If an Engineer designs it they will tear it down". I have always tried to balance aesthetics with robust structure ever since. Your new floor ain't goin' nowhere!!

[@ranga2050]

This is the best example of "engineer builds stuff" I've seen in a while. A professional builder wouldn't be half as concerned with most of the issues as you are... I'm also an engineer... I'll say no more.

[@letstrend]

You have every single tool in America except a NAIL GUN!!!! :-)

[@daviddogruel7851]

Looks good! A machinist/engineering mindset applied to carpentry is always a challenge.

[@WatchWesWork]

+/- 1/2" is tough.

[@brettphillips8650]

@@WatchWesWork Yep. Complete mental block for me.

[@TheOtherBill]

@@WatchWesWork That piece where the landing goes looks like it came in at .003!

[@rennkafer13]

@@WatchWesWork not having an OCD fit about being 1/8" off is my bane. And I started in construction (parents owned a residential construction co) before I was a machinist.

[@colin8532]

Now you see why some of us amateur builders use screws as much as possible. When we mess up, which seems to happen more often than not, it's easier to literally unscrew our mistakes. Also, from experience I can tell you that building with reclaimed materials takes WAY longer, so don't be too hard on yourself, you're doing a great job Wes. As someone who has officially sworn to NEVER touch drywall again, I have to say that your plan to hire someone to do the mudding is an excellent idea. Spend your time fixing cars to pay for the work. I think you'll find that you come out further ahead financially in the end. Those pro's are amazing and can knock it out in a few days. The biggest wait will be for the mud to dry between coats. Chin up, you're doing a great job.

[@thesteelrodent1796]

nails is the cheap way of doing things, but nails have a way of working their way out of the wood over time. Screws cost more to use, and as long as you use the right type, they'll stay put forever, and because they dig into the wood rather than going through it, the whole structure will be stronger and last longer

[@major__kong]

I use #10 construction screws for all of my projects. I don't have to swing a hammer, they hold better than a nail, and they don't split the wood like a nail would.

[@ChrisDevismes]

Totally agree on the plastering (mudding!) I can do it rustic style but watch a real pro get a glass finish is a pleasure to see.

[@Blueshirt38]

Also what I found in my chicken coop construction that was about the same size as 1 floor of this office was that screws are not only MUCH easier overall, but are only marginally more expensive. If you already have a good impact driver, you also don't have to factor in buying a nail gun and having a sufficient compressor on site. You can buy a bucket of 1,000 3" deck screws from Lowe's for maybe $75, whereas 3" smooth shank nails (not collated) are about $20 for 250 of them, so the price isn't any different.

[@wyllie4961]

Nails don’t snap they bend, that’s why only nails are used for framing to meet code, unless you are rich and use structural screws, and I’ve never seen spiral nails back out before or ring shanked nails that are used for sheeting. There is a reason nails are used to meet code, but either will “work”.

[@curlybrownliz]

One of the reasons I like your channel is the quality of the editing. Fast-paced enough to avoid skipping forward but enough detail without being overly long!

[@benwilson1979]

“I’m not much of a carpenter “ Proceeds to drive nails like a boss.

[@dalewendorff7767]

I will say: A ram set is way more fun to use than tapcons when anchoring into concrete.

[@johnmclean1046]

Hey Wes don’t put yourself down, that’s our job, another great video

[@DanEBoyd]

Wow, it looks like this ain't Mrs. Wes's first demolition rodeo! And I love how you're doing more of a disassembly than an all-destructive demo.

[@scroungasworkshop4663]

Hey Wes, I can tell you that there are a lot more mechanics that make reasonable carpenters than there are carpenters that make reasonable mechanics. Good job. Cheers, Stuart 🇦🇺

[@bwall7116]

This is AMAZING, that notched out rim joist fit like an engineer with a CNC machining background cut it

[@paulcalhoun6339]

My Pops was a two taps and bang nail driver. Always amazed me how of a good man and father he was. Left the farm to join the Navy during WW2, was married to mom for only 63 year, and never borrowed a penny for anything.

[@alanprather8399]

I worked as a carpenter during the summers at college. I improved my Spanish and learned a few things. I can tell you this is better built than the mcmansions we put together.

[@bsg2580]

Wes make sure that 2nd deck is attached to the wall since there is no plywood on that one 1st floor wall it has no bracing. Need you to stay alive and keep making videos!

[@roberts6236]

when i saw that bandaged up finger it brought me back many years to my first nail gun purchase, worth every penny in pain management and duct tape finger repairs.

[@doughubble3578]

I have framed houses for 50 yrs. What you have done so far looks good to me. Nice work.

[@daviduglem3213]

Wes, you do just fine buddy. I worked in construction in almost every phase over the last 40 years including estimating etc. At 73 years old my body is just wore out. When I started we didn't have nail guns. Enjoy your life with your family, the little guy's getting big. Dave

[@mark98070]

For someone who is not a carpenter you're doing a great job.

[@bairfamilyfarm1336]

You're a better framer than the ones we have around here! If youtube comments supported pictures, I'd have some really messed up new construction houses to show you! Everything from rotten 2x4s being used in brand new webbed trusses and beams, to 2x4 exteriors walls and finger jointed boards with 6 inches between joints!

[@markhelseth253]

Excellent job. Norm and Tommy Silva would be proud. This Old Shop is taking shape. The sloped floors add character...

[@catherinesinclair2489]

Ah, Wes frames with a hammer, how quaint. I have even less carpentry skill than Wes, but over a decade ago, I bought my first framing gun on Craigslist. It was &40, it had a bad trigger switch, which I fixed easily and cheaply. Once you've fired your first nail, you CAN'T go back. Now I know how the first guy who discovered fire felt(without the burns)! You can even rent them! I loved the Camarata shout out!

[@Kowyn]

I've seen framers that can't hit the nail that well.

[@WatchWesWork]

They probably are out of practice since everyone is using nail guns now. I'm a dinosaur.

[@Kowyn]

@@WatchWesWork I guess that makes me a dinosaur too then haha.

[@michaelweilmuenster5754]

I purchased my first framing nailer (bostitch) used at a pawn shop 20 years ago for $75.00, I still have it and a senco I picked up new 10 years ago that came with a palm nailer. 2 of the best tools I ever bought. I've built a lot of buildings and remodeling since, hammering nails by hand is a huge time killer. GRK construction screws are another great way to go.

[@Viltrakisdesignbuild]

You may not be a carpenter, but you swing a hammer like one! I really enjoy your channel Wes, thanks for documenting what you do it’s a lot of fun to watch. We just started this channel if you ever want to check out what we build!

[@Military-Museum-LP]

Wes for someone who declares his self non carpenter you did a professional job!

[@billroberts3864]

Wes, you will have a nice office and storage space that you can be proud of when you are finished with the construction. Nice to see Mrs. Wes and son involved in the demo. Blessings to you all.

[@davidbackman4442]

I saw a guy who was restoring an old station wagon that originally came with tinted rear windows. But finding a replacement piece was impossible. So he bought a clear, and had his painter match it to the other windows by sprayng it with a custom tinted clearcoat. Maybe not the most durable solution, but visually very successful.

[@ToddBishop-m2n]

For $100 I bought one of the many unwanted radial arm saws off marketplace to cut some I-joists - worked great. I now have a radial arm saw for sale $95

[@M.TTT.]

Lol! Yea those ancient things before we had fancy miter saws

[@jheetman]

I started watching Wes work because I enjoyed the technical aspect of his work, his knowledge, and watching things go from problem city to right as rain. Now, he could put out videos of himself boiling eggs and I'd still watch.

[@georgebrumell2814]

As a framer and mechanic there’s a lot of crossover of mechanical principles .. wood tolerances are super high though “what’s a quarter inch between friends right? “ good job Wes

[@roadtoad1965]

Before I hire a "Carpenter" one of the questions I ask is "Do you work on your own cars?. You have to be Mechanically inclined to be a good framing carpenter. I built my home and 5 others by myself starting in 1971 It took me almost a year to complete each one. You are doing quite well, I would suggest that you insulate after you complete your framing and electrical,

[@htownblue11]

Wes I admire and try to mimic your willingness to take on big challenges and use humor to bring levity to the tougher scenarios. Including the fam in this one was awesome. Calling your wife “She-Ra” was sneaky hilarious.

[@garysoykin2783]

You're smart reusing material it's very expensive and go easy on yourself I think you're doing a very good job it'll come out fantastic you watch and so what it's taking a little longer you're doing great buddy

[@richardphelan8414]

And Pop to the rescue ,you know Wes after watching you work for years I have a feeling you could excel at anything you set your mind to ,and the Mrs .just pitched right in great to see

[@Studio23Media]

I've seen a lot of barn storage lofts in my day, and that's the first one I've ever seen with engineered beams. It should be plenty strong! 😂

[@M.TTT.]

Exactly lol, but it's the strongest one I've ever seen

[@Ltech-ludditetechnologies]

Did good Wes. We use a lot of screws with impact drivers here in Oz, easy on the arms, strong and can take them out.

[@WatchWesWork]

We have these screws now called Spax. I swear they are stronger than bolts.

[@Jhbigleyfurniture]

​@WatchWesWork When German 🇩🇪 technology is applied to wood screws 😂

[@paulwomack5866]

@@WatchWesWork Spax are remarkable. Recommended.

[@theodorehile7921]

​@@WatchWesWorkI put up a pole-building structure about 4 years ago...the guys who did the fraaming used some very high-tech lag-screw technology setting the posts and beams...some of those screws were 8 inches long, and self-drilled into the posts (and trusses) with no pilot holes.

[@Highlandwoodandmetal]

Spax? I got converted when I used their RA's direct into concrete... Game changer😂

[@Sherlock067]

Nothing like getting the whole family involved, even your Dad! You’ll always remember that! 👍

[@schwartzenheimer1]

People who can DO things always get my vote. This is great...

[@KStewart-th4sk]

Nail gun reminds me of a story a carpenter told me. He was at a trade show where people were allowed to test the tools. Somehow a guy attending the show managed to nail his shoe to the floor with the nail gun! LOL I guess there was a lot of laughter but somehow managed not doing any damage to his foot; just his pride.

[@jasonallen122000]

I cannot get enough of your videos Wes. I love your honesty. Just a note be sure to use nails on the stairs screws can break the shear factor is critical.

[@sarge4000]

The ol' Vaughan getting a workout. You'll have to build a display case for it and hang it in the office.

[@onebadsavage26]

I don't know about anyone else but, I'm impressed. For being an admitted amateur DIY'er It looks really good so far, and the rest will look awesome too. I was especially impressed by the piece of ply that went in between the floor joists for the stairs. If I did that, there'd be 4 sheets of plywood on the floor in different stages of screw up. Measure twice cut once, yea right I measure 6 times and still get it wrong (being somewhat dyslexic doesn't help). Wait till painting stage, your little guy will have more paint on him than the wall. Ah the joys of fatherhood bonding. Great job. Looking forward to the rest of the build.

[@vertigo72480_official]

Mechanic Builds and Office and Storage Loft, episode 42 or something. Nicely done Wes, go get a framing nailer at the local pawn shop. It'll save you so much time and effort.

[@silasmarner7586]

23 minutes is fine, the progress is fine. Your workmanship is fine. Thanks for showing us your work.

[@jasonreimer6890]

Love the video. You say your not a carpenter, but you drive nails like a champ!

[@2nickles647]

I was helping build my youngest daughter a house. I immediately bought a nail gun. A compressor with some finish nail guns in a package at Home Depot. Bought a bunch of nails. Took a few days off. With a crew of amateur or rookie nail hitters. We raised the walls. Installed the roof trusses and got the balcony up. I went back to work. The crew got the roof shingles up. A neighborhood guy helped with the electrical bits. I came back 2 weeks later and installed the plumbing with PEX. Water heater installed... electric kind. Toilet installed. In about 3 days. About 3 weeks later the Electrical company got the pole up and electrical hooked up. In the same time frame. The family got the septic system installed and the water company got the water on. No leaks said the water company. Unfortunately we loss our Son in law. He passed on. My daughter couldn't handle the loss and she moved home. It took many years of coping with the loss. As of today. She is slowly getting her life back. Next month she will receive her Master's degree. Its a long haul. And its all about how a family pulls together to help a loved one. God bless

[@mikeludwig4315]

Nice change of pace for your channel. It shows that you're willing to work outside of your comfort zone and be willing to show on You Tube. Can't wait to see parts 2-6.

[@carpdude73]

She is a keeper! Your wife helping with the beginning of this project warmed my heart!

[@nickferrante3103]

That crescent wrench will straighten out those Home Depot 2X4's!

[@63flight]

To be honest, Home depot 2x's should come with a complimentary crescent wrench.

[@tjh44961]

You may not be a carpenter, but your dad obviously taught you how to use a hammer and drive nails. I'm always surprised how many American adult males are unable to do that. As for heating/cooling the area, I can definitely recommend a mini-split combination heat pump/AC unit. Since you have direct access to outside walls, you can get a pre-charged unit and install it yourself, without having to call in an HVAC company. I put an 11K BTU unit in my 20x24 insulated detached shop in Houston, it will keep it below 80º during our 100-plus-degree summers, and any temperature I want during the winter.

[@micksterboone4517]

That Malibu sure looks good.

[@border411]

As a licensed general contractor, I can safely say you did an amazing job..... And better than a lot of actual contractors out there.

[@terryrogers1025]

Your doing a good job for not being a carpenter, enjoy the journey, when you get to finish line you will have something to proud of and functional, look forward to seeing the other videos in this series. Stay the course, thanks for the video, enjoyed watching.

[@1milesnpr]

Stop putting yourself down, Wes. You did a fantastic job. BZ to you, Old Mate. Love ya work!

[@DocNo27]

Those engineered I beams are fantastic - until the HVAC guy cuts out 80% of the interior webbing to run a duct. Luckily I was planning to put a wall under it anyway but I couldn't freaking believe it. Looks good!

[@jdmccorful]

Ductless!!

[@SteelheadTed]

Depending on where in the span he caught the hole it may actually be ok. Manufacturer has a table for acceptable hole sizes and locations along joist.

[@kimberly1567]

I just watched you help your fellow man and family with the transmission in their motorhome. Somehow, I feel that good deed will come full circle for you. Thank you for being who you are.

[@melvingibson4525]

Construction and being a mechanic surprisingly has a lot of crossover skills. Being able to visualize how things work and being able to measure and manipulate objects/tools applies to both trades

[@clutchSA]

You may not think of yourself as a carpenter because i its not your daily activity but you have more than enough talent and proficiency than a lot of carpenters i have employed that do framing every day. Do not demean yourself. You are an excellent craftsman that performs above average at anything you do. Kudos to you and your lovely family.

[@SueSmith-ew7iv]

I laughed so hard about the glass being different. I struggle if the car is not parked outside the house straight x

[@robertbrewer2190]

How about use an applied window tint sheet?

[@DishonourableAntony]

I look forward to watching the build. I like to use a phrase my childhood friend called his joiner father (he made really expensive oak window frames and staircases) in jest to describe myself. I'm a wood butcher. I can work with wood, but not to a standard that would be acceptable outside of DIY jobs or up to code. My grandfather was a joiner, I swear in the late 90s/early 00's I shortened his life by a decade when he attempted to show me the ropes (more commonly known as looking after the grandchild and keeping him busy). I only wish I was born a few years earlier, because by the time I was old enough to properly learn from his wisdom he was too old and ill.

[@kenamosjr.bo_51]

Did a great job. Just buy the tinting film and apply to the glass like they do on commercial buildings, it comes in all different darknesses and you won’t need to get glass.

[@tny-]

yeah that was my first thought too, i've only ever done small 12x12 squares with frosting tint and the result is acceptable, but i imagine it wouldn't be budget breaking to get a pro out there to tint them to match either. looks like nice glass.

[@powerbuilder0510]

@10:55 for not a carpenter, your sure nailed it/know how to nail it

[@clintprice2123]

I think you’re doing just fine, if anything you’ll overbuild it and not do anything unsafe. I do it for a living and many times redesign or execute a plan as I go along. Nice job Wes, I loved you having your wife and son helping you, I remember those days and my kids now have kids but they remember going to work with me and hanging doors and trim.

[@garybrugone433]

You are just amazing at calculations. Great job so far. Looking forward to the rest of the build. Stay Blessed ❤

[@snapvine4754]

Lol. At 4:16 the old door was leaning against the loft outer wall. I thought it was a real door at first and wondered where it went 😂

[@SteelheadTed]

Me too, ha.

[@josdaalmans6977]

Nice job. I'm an electrician and later IT Salesman (now 5 years retired) but like to work with wood all my life. I've done lot's of builds/modifications in the house and garage, also at our daughters and other family members houses. I never ever used one single nail. I alway use screws, easy fit with the battery operated screwdrivers (small impact). Much better connections en sturdier than than anything nailed.

[@garster]

Your family is awesome! What great life partners.

[@Gogsnik]

I like watching Americans framing walls with timber like this, it's a very intersting way of doing things. Here in the U.K. if I was asked to tackle a project like this the first material I would think to use is bricks.

[@davidhull6359]

I think even Illinois has more earthquakes than the UK. Straight masonry walls are not so good under those conditions. California has perhaps the most earthquakes in the States, and the cinderblock walls are cored with rebar to help avoid catastrophic failures even if the blocks rupture. Setting brick is a skill unto itself, so kudos to you!

[@bambambundy6]

To save as much space as I could in office and keep it useable I used pocket doors. The shared wall I used 3/4 plywood for strength in hanging what ever. I'm not a carpenter but it looks good to me!!

[@WatchWesWork]

Interesting. I've never seen pocket doors used except in closets. I don't know why. They do save a lot of space.

[@dlewis9760]

@@WatchWesWork Do a image search in Bing "industrial door on tracks". There's some photos of room doors on tracks.

[@LouiseYates]

We used pocket doors everywhere in our house except the bathroom door because of a plumbing wall. For a 3 foot door you are saving about 14 square feet of floor space that wouldn't normally be usable with a swinging door. It adds up in a small room.

[@williammills5111]

Your Tom Sawyer skills are impressive - Mom, Kiddo and Pops all working away as you hold the camera…lol Well engineered and well built - like everything else that you do. Thanks for bringing us along!

[@justinbowman2064]

for future reference it makes it esy to put a block in the webbing so you can just run your saw ounce on each side love the content thanks

[@johnnybgoode6466]

screws hold better than nails and are easily pre-set in timber for the final drive in to the timber. Well done Wes, you have shown a good thoughtful plan of doing the new build - thinking ahead of other services such as electrical and HVAC....

[@DE-IA80]

Nice work. Classic shop towel bandage on the finger if I saw that right. With your eye for detail this job is bound to turn our alright.

[@WatchWesWork]

Yep, whacked it good.

[@dave.shakawe]

@@WatchWesWork Little electrical tape also

[@wesleypulkka7447]

Wes, my dad was a general contractor so I was nailing shingles when I was 10 years old. You are doing a fine job and the way things are today if you had hired out the job it probably wouldn't come out any better or taken much less time in man hours. My one nit pick is that you could have laid out $150 and gotten a Hobo Freight pneumatic nail gun to make the whole job easier on yourself! Be happy!

[@michiganporter]

One thing I know is to get the structural screws because screws break and nails bend so when it comes to structure you should use nails but they have these nice structure screws now days and it's nice sometimes

[@johnblake3863]

It was great to hear you mention Andrew Camerata. You and he are my favorite persons and sites. It was wonderful to see nails being hammered. Thanks Wes.

[@kevinsands6769]

In a perfect world, the sawzall and sledge get put away after that demo. Welcome to my world Wes.

[@harveylong5878]

in renovations, the multi tool tends to become the new sawzall after demo is. mine sees more use once demo is done, framing is complete

[@patrickcolahan7499]

Unfamiliar projects like this always take more time than expected. But must admit that the design, concept and the outcome so far looks very nice. Might want to consider a larger opening or even a platform off the side to place pallets on the mezzanine. Wouldn't take that much more, and would make getting product up or down that much easier. Thanks for sharing.

[@jamesmcclary8175]

Love your family projects,, so may people never do constructive things with their family.. Families need this kind of time together, vacations are great but not at the expense of family projects..

[@davidkraft3690]

Everything ALWAYS takes longer than you estimate ! It's a given . Looking great, great video.

[@IR-nq4qv]

Wes , when you go to install the windows, make sure you sit them on 1/4'' thick rubber setting blocks and leave a 3/8 to 1/4 slack gap around the sides of the glass in the window box before installing your window stops. The 3/4 x 2'' stops should have Tremco commercial glazing tape on them inside and out for cushion between the wood and glass and to keep them air / water tight. The idea of slack around the window is to deal with expansion and contraction when humidity is high and the wood swells. If the window is too tight and binding occurs, you will get a leak between the double pane glass and it will fog up or break usually on one of the corners.. The type of commercial windows you have is normally installed in aluminum frames with snap in stops, wood is just a good if the openings are square.

[@WatchWesWork]

I left 1/2". I plan to build the casement from plywood. I will use some squishy blocks though. Good tip!

[@IR-nq4qv]

@@WatchWesWork The darker tinted glass being the exterior is tempered, the inside glass isn't. Just remember not to set the window on bare wood. 2 setting blocks is sufficient if they are placed 8-10 inches in from the bottom ends. A couple of pieces of mud flap will work just fine. Good job brother

[@mrclaus859]

Thanks Wes. Nice to see Mrs Wes Kiddo and your Dad. Nice job.

[@andybonneau9209]

A power nailer pays for itself in the first job. 😊

[@brianelliot2719]

Thanks Wes, great video. I’m an experienced woodworker and have done a number of renovations and additions. You probably did it right, but for people watching, a caution on screws, they may not have the shear strength of nails in certain applications. For most people, screws for construction mean deck screws. Deck screws have poor shear strength. They stick deck boards to a deck but laterally they are weak. For people who want to test this , strike a screw sticking out of a board with hammer and it breaks. Nails May bend but probably won’t break. Joists must be attached with joist hangers with structural nails or I believe there are structural screws (if allowed by your Building Code) which are much beefier and probably made out of stronger steel than deck screws. This is probably code in most places because code is developed when buildings fail and we’ve heard of decks failing and collapsing from 3 stories up by using the wrong fasteners with people injured. Watch one of “99 Projects” recent episodes where the building inspector caught his use of poor screws in joist hangers. He was forced to replace every one of hundreds with structural screws. I hope this helps someone someday.

[@alexcharles321]

"I had to do some gerrymandering here to get around this gas pipe"... so casual, had me in stitches 😂👌🏼 Great work there Wes, better than most professional chippies I've met in my time 👏🏼

[@ksokie63]

Hey Wes 👋, nice job. It's definitely well built. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@kenchilton]

Yes. 15,000 nails, and every one of them where you want to drill or run a saw blade.

[@TwoAcreDesigns]

Love this content, also a big fan of you reusing materials instead of what so many people do during demo

[@04spike]

This mini series is going to be great Wes!

[@dingusbingus8554]

Thats incredible for 3 weeks worth of work Wes. Its obvious theres so much work poured into just what we see

[@mechanicalmind496]

4 Months later.... I feel ya buddy

[@aserta]

9:41 We've used these, imported from the US and found the same crappy cuts. So we decided to step back a second and think it through and decided that a jig was the smartest solution. So we just made a C frame (akin to a table saw cross slide) and we'd place that over the side of the beam and slice all the way through (into a piece of foam on a table) at the desired distance from the clean end using a stop (in that particular case, the side of the house, with the table locked in place using sand bags on the reinforcements, weighing it down. Perfect clean cuts every time. It was in fact SO accurate that they fit in perfectly flush to the concrete wall form they nested in every instance. It was the resident Polish guy of our team who came up with the idea. He usually comes up with wacky, quick and dirty jigs that do really accurate and fast work.

[@BobSmith-mj7ik]

That office will be super strong 💪 👍

[@OcotilloTom]

For a guy who's not a carpenter...you did pretty good!

[@chrisb8783]

I noticed the blue bandage... I am always nervous when doing carpentry until the first blood is spilled. After that the woodworking gods had their sacrifice and I can relax about losing a finger...