Archimedes was right...
Apr. 5th, 2007 09:34![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mapsedge...we just didn't have a long enough lever.
The Mercers came over to help with the last steps: cutting the studs out of the wall and placing the beam.
The really great part is that we were able to accomplish this task with only minor damage to the drywall on the living room side - dings that will be relatively easy to fix.
The Mercers came over to help with the last steps: cutting the studs out of the wall and placing the beam.
There was already a doubled 2x4 right where the beam was to go: the plan was to use those as the top edge of the header, setting the new beam (3*2x6) under them, making, in effect, a 2x8 header for the opening.
We discovered as we were lifting the beam into place that the doubled 2x4 had a slight downward curve to it, a difference of about 1/2" between the bottom of the curve and the ends.
No problem, says I, we'll set one end of the beam and use the leverage of the beam to lift that curve out.
No deal. We came close, but even using the combined mechanical advantage of the beam and levering the free end -- using an old stud with a ladder as the fulcrum -- we weren't able to safely lift the beam high enough. Ultimately, we shortened the jack studs on one end. As a result, the beam is a few degrees out of level - about 1/4" over 8'; not really noticeable, and that fits with the rest of the house anyway.
We discovered as we were lifting the beam into place that the doubled 2x4 had a slight downward curve to it, a difference of about 1/2" between the bottom of the curve and the ends.
No problem, says I, we'll set one end of the beam and use the leverage of the beam to lift that curve out.
No deal. We came close, but even using the combined mechanical advantage of the beam and levering the free end -- using an old stud with a ladder as the fulcrum -- we weren't able to safely lift the beam high enough. Ultimately, we shortened the jack studs on one end. As a result, the beam is a few degrees out of level - about 1/4" over 8'; not really noticeable, and that fits with the rest of the house anyway.
The really great part is that we were able to accomplish this task with only minor damage to the drywall on the living room side - dings that will be relatively easy to fix.
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no subject
Date: 2007-04-05 18:37 (UTC)