Tools and Materials

During the development phase of the design it was determined that the standard American 2-by-4 stud now measures 1 1/2” by 3 1/2”. It was also discovered that 14’ lengths, although less widely used than 12’ lengths in house-building, were consistently good quality and generally available at wood yards for a negotiable cost due to lower demand. These 14’ lengths are slightly longer than 14’ and for this design to work, lengths need to be accurately measured and trimmed to exactly 14’. Similarly the 92 1/2” length when purchased as a stud measures 92 5/8” and needs to be trimmed accurately to 92 1/2”. Two 44 ½” lengths of 2-by-4 are also cut from the 92 5/8” studs.

Materials:
  • Lumber
  • one hundred and ninety-three 92 5/8” 2x4s
  • one hundred and eighty four 14-foot 2x4s
  • sixteen 14-foot 4x4s
  • bag of steel nuts and bolts, half inch wide by 4 1/2 inches long
    • Equipment:
  • compound mitre saw
  • drill presses (6)
  • socket sets
  • clamps (6-12 inches)
  • hand drill
  • bench for trim and drilling control
  • Other essential tools: measures, squares, sockets, lights
  • Power supply
  • Construction of jig bench for pre-drilling using the drill presses

    • last updated: 07/09/2007