We are planning to build a shed / barn for our two goats in the spring and are looking at kits that are available. Has anyone ever used the Fast Framer Universal Framing kit? Here is a link. http://www.northerntool.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=572&prmenbr=6970 It shows a nice little shed, simply made of straight cut 2x4 lumber frame. The kit is a bunch of steel brackets that you slip the 2x4 s into and they set the angles for you. Looks pretty easy and comes with plans. It will build an 8 x 14 ' or you can use two kits to build bigger. If anyone can recommend this type of thing, I'd appreciate information. Has anyone used a different kit to build a small barn or shed? Thank you.

-- Bobbi in NH (the_bee_lady@hotmail.com), December 31, 2001

Answers

Bobbi,

I used the Northern 8x14 kit to built an attached greenhouse. It worked out pretty well.

-- bruce (rural@inebraska.com), December 31, 2001.

I hadn't seen those in particular, but have seen an we have used starplates on a customers per-bought small barn for 2 sheep. They were fast and very inexpensive for the customer because of decreased labor costs. It was very strong and pretty when done. I think it is a wonderful idea, it is what I would use if I didn't have a family of carpenters to help me! It's like the wedge-lock fencing that makes the braces with t-post, ingenious! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), December 31, 2001.

The booklet that comes with new framing or speed squares makes these "kits" look pretty stupid, the sellers are preying on people without basic knowledge of construction, once you see how it is done, you will realize that "kits are useless".

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), January 01, 2002.

Thank you for the responses. I'd like to hear more about your project Bruce. I looked at the starplates too. Those look pretty neat, but would take more time and bigger cuts on the plywood to make the triangles to side it with. This kit makes a regular peaked roof rectangular shed that can be built on a skid so it's movable. I'll let everyone know how it turns out, we'll build it when it warms up a bit.

-- Bobbi (the_bee_lady@hotmail.com), January 01, 2002.

Bobbi,, from your email addy,,it appears you have bees. Can you tell us more about yourself and the bees?

-- Stan (sopal@net-port.com), January 01, 2002.

i am alos interesting in this project. can you tell me what will be the total price of 8x14 will be and how much time does it take?

-- cohen jacob (cohenj51@hotmail.com), March 09, 2002.