DIY Metal Sheds

[smyrna5]

I am considering putting up a metal shed in my back yard to do my grinding and welding, since I am getting tired of all those iron filings on my drive way. I have looked at the pre-fab metal ones you can buy at HD. They look pretty flimsy, but I guess I just need something to keep things dry and catch the sparks.

Does anyone have an opinion as to whether these things are like the Chinese tools you buy at HF - In other words, is it cheaper the buy the building kit from someone like HD, or can you buy the sheet metal cheaper and design and build you own? I am not looking at a very large one. I just want a place to grind and weld on my little bicycle frames without having to worry about the sparks too much.

Where would you buy the sheet metal, anyway?

[Sandy]

They are definitely a whole lot flimsier (a real word?) than what you could force yourself into building. There's a big $ savings right there. Then considering the hundreds of holes, tiny little stove bolts, nuts and washers you'd have to come up with on your own the kit is, sadly, probably the way to go. The last time I went in to buy holes they were out so I had to drill all my own. Real pain.

Bad thing about the kits is there is a time period there when you need about four people balancing the thing up while you put in the last few critical bolts and nuts or it'll just collapse in on itself. Other than that they do seem to weather pretty well. They don't deal well with high winds at all.

[84ZMike]

The first one you put up is a pain....after about the 2nd or third one you get the idea and they aren't too bad.....I put my 10x14 together by myself and it wasn't bad at all.......if you can hold out until they are on sale or include the flooring kit etc...... make sure you get some expanding foam for the seams and some clear silicone for the roof over laps and your stuff will live a nice and dry life inside it....you may want to keep an eye out for a wood shed someone is trying to get rid of....I know from time to time there are some around here on Craigslist etc. that people are getting rid of cheap.....don't forget to budget for the plywood floor as well....you can put them up and have a dirt floor but then the rain etc will get in.....

[smyrna5]

The wooden sheds seem a lot less flimsy, but I am not sure how well wood holds up to hot sparks from a grinder and the occasional spark from my welder.

[84ZMike]

The grinder will light up wood if concentrated on one spot.....the sparks from you welder would be the ones I'd keep a close eye on, but you can get some fire resistant material for the inside.....

[Chuck U&R]

If you had the steel laying around for a frame it would be pretty easy.

If there's a Yamaha dealer nearby see if you can get the steel 'pallets' that the 3 wheelers come in.


Where would you buy the sheet metal, anyway?

I'd roof it and skin it with 5V roofing and self drilling screws.

[Big_Eddy]

How about pole barn style? 4 Solid 6x6 corner posts, some 1x4 laths, trusses, and screw metal siding to those. Not likely to set the 1x4 or 6x6 on fire without some serious effort, and you end up with a solid structure. If you want an all steel structure - use 2x2 tubing for the corner posts and uprights, 1/8" x 2" flat bar for laths, and use self drilling screws to assemble. I'd still use wood trusses.

In my experience those garden sheds are cursed at during assembly, then cursed at again and again until finally they are torn down and disposed of. They always leak, and the doors never work. Maybe they've improved over the last 20 years, but I think it's more likely they've been cost "improved" instead.

You might want to check your local codes. I know they frown on electrical outlets in garden sheds around here but have no problem in a "permanent" structure.

[TuscolaMatt]

I'd vote for building it yourself if you're just looking for a shed size. A simple wood construction is a snap to build. For design ideas, just take a look at your local HD or Lowes and how they built theirs (often with 24" centers for the cheapys). As far as causing a fire, I think that would be tough to do. On my Catwalk project (http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtalk/showthread.php?t=26839), I welded railing supports on AFTER I laid an OSB floor down. I welded within an inch of the osb. It took a LOT of heat before it began to burn - and then a little "puff" to put it out. I really don't see sparks having any impact at all on osb.

I've seen the metal sheds they sell. No thanks.

[whateg0]

From what I've seen, the sliding doors are the real headache as far as use goes.

If you decide to build one from scratch, the steel siding can be bought at Lowes or HD.

Dave

[dsw]

I've built both wood and steel sheds. If you go with a steel shed be sure you have a good solid floor. Concrete would be best but you can buils a wood platform for it. The floor is what keeps the shed from blowing away. The wire kits they sell will keep it in your yard but don't expect it to be in good shape after a really strong wind.

The porblem with wood decks is the critters think this is a grand place to set up home. I'v shot woodchucks and skunks that have tried to move in on my neighbors wood decked shed. When we replace it this yaer he wants me to pour a concrete pad this time. Told him so the last time around.

A screw gun is an absolute nesesity for a steel shed. I assembled 3 walls complete on my neighbors steel shed with a screw gun while he had only 1/2 the last wall done by hand. Sort of convinced him he needed to buy one.

If you scrath build the shed you will spend more thanon a steel shed but mostlikely less than a prebuilt wood one. The scratch built shed will most likely be stronger and you can add storage where you want it.

Good luck.

[Mr Jimi]

How about the 18' X 20' carports all over for around $700 with 3 sides closed in with stockade fence panels? I did that for storage and it's great !! :D

:)

[BIG_IRON]

Don't know if this is what you are looking for, but this is a project that I did as a hunting cabin. I cuold not find the other pics of it complete, but here is the frame anyway. It can also be taken apart for transport.

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[whateg0]

...It can also be taken apart for transport...

That's a nice knock-down design!

Dave

[BIG_IRON]

That's a nice knock-down design!

Dave

Thanks. It is 12'x16' but can be stored in a 3' wide space. I will look for finished pics and post later

[COMP]

Thanks. It is 12'x16' but can be stored in a 3' wide space. I will look for finished pics and post later

Please do :D

[mudbug]

How about the 18' X 20' carports all over for around $700 with 3 sides closed in with stockade fence panels? I did that for storage and it's great !! :D

:)


For your stated need/use they come put it up for that price. At that point you can buy additional siding to finish it on the sides and ends if needed.

My Uncle bought 3 and mixed and matched and welded the pieces together to build a large barn with a center section(very tall) and wings on both sides. He contacted the dealer and bought used ones that needed to be taken down & moved from wherever they were.I think he paid $400 each that way.


If you ever intend to cement the floor,I'd put down footings for the carport rails to bolt to then all you have to do later is form up the ends and pour the slab. The sidewalls can be ordered as tall as you want BTW. I can't imagine a cheaper shop method.

That's a very cool knock-down shed too. We need to see some plans on the method of constructing that dandy rig.

[BIG_IRON]

Here is one outside and two inside.
The skin on the rafter also acts like a flashing to cover the r-panel.


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