Lately, I’ve been thinking about all the larger, long-term DIY projects I want to do on our property – like repairing the barn, and re-siding the house.
I’ve read all the old threads there are about Hardie installation. Since I’ve never worked with it, however, I’m confused on a couple points. I’ll add that watching our siding subs is no help – at all – for solo techniques.
What would be your preferred scaffolding method? (I’ve asked about pump jacks in the past, but currently don’t own any kind of scaffolding.)
How would actually get the stuff *up* there? I have a hard enough time schlepping the stuff around on the ground without breaking it. For long planks, our siding subs work in pairs off ladders. Whatever.
Replies
Get yourself a helper - don't try and install it alone unless you have an excellent set up.
A lot less frustration with 4 hands instead of just 2
Now ya tell me.
I did mine solo.
Ya but you've got 4 paws right ??!!
LOL.
And a litttle brain.
So how did you do it? Btw, my home is two storeys.
Scaffold, and ladders.
Also, the solosider hanger type thing.
I've done two houses solo with hardi-plank. Most of it was done off pump jacks, but you do have to get creative sometimes. I wouldn't consider doing it solo unless I had the Alumapole pump jack set up with the work bench behind me and the nets underneath me. At least on a two story. I did one that wasn't once... but that's another story. Between the nets and the work bench you can take quite a bit of stock up there with you.
I used a Malco "helper" jig some. And another brand of clips that were similar to the Malco's to help hold up one end. But mostly I just used my 'framer's clamps' . Also known as my paws.
As long as you have a 12' wingspan it should go nice and smooth.
If you are going cheap, a pair of good quality long ladders and ladder jacks and a quality scaffold plank. We have a 20' one like an aircraft wing. That is how my crew did the last two story HP install.
Yes, crew. That's the rub. Those extra paws to pass the planks, to cut the specials down at the cutting bench, etc. Solo means lots of trips. I'd figure some way to present the planks so you could grab from the ladder. Bet the BTers have some ideas here.
If you want to style, I like AlumAPole. You can set up your cutter bench up there and stock it with planks.
Not too much, though. Last time I read the AP directions, the weight limit was 500#. That's two ToolBears plus some tools and planks. Of course, the PR photo showed everyone in the plant with more than ten teeth on the scaffold. (Was not pumped up two stories.)
The ToolBear
"You can't save the Earth unless you are willing to make other people sacrifice." Dogbert
Bill,
Harding siding panels weigh about 73lbs each....and 16-19 feet off the ground, they can pull you off balance very easy without an expense lift or scaffolding....
I got my wife to lift them to the second story.... ;>)
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Using an old well bucket pulley with rope, a pair of clamping Vise-Grip welding pliers, and the riding mower, she pulled as I was on the ladder to move the sheets in place and nailed them...
I'm behind the camera and she's going to shoot me for posting her in work clothes and on a bad hair day......
Bill
When I said, "sometimes you gotta get creative".... well... I had no idea. That's a f'in riot man. Good for you for gettin' 'er done one way or the other.View Image
There yah go. Our bricklayers use a powered winch to haul up their bricks and mortar. Simple, really.Maybe it's the farming background, but I'm partial to contraptions.
Bill!
How DARE you post that picture of me!!!
I wasn't even happy when you took it!
You're gonna pay...
signed,
Bill's Wife
Thanks Grier.... ;>)
But, she's not all that mad...you see, I sent the same picture into "Living the Country Life" and their John Deere sponsor... The use of their tractor brand in the picture got her a John Deere cap and two large and dark blue coffee mugs....
However, I'm taking her out to Red Lobster just to be sure...
Bill
got her a John Deere cap and two large and dark blue coffee mugs....
I'm taking her out to Red Lobster
Boy oh boy. With smooth moves like that, I'm surprised you don't have a whole harum instead of just one woman. How'd she get so lucky to land you. :")http://www.quittintime.com/ View Image
bahaha!View Image
Biff,
Here is a link to how I did mine. You may have to scroll back a bit.
79773.75
Hardie is fast with the right set up. Prime the cut ends.
Chuck S
Edited 4/24/2009 6:43 am ET by stevent1
Prime the cut ends? We have almost zero cut field joints. Put a slip sheet behind the joint, butt it tight and don't caulk. That looks the best to me.http://www.pioneerbuildersonline.com
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From Lot 30 Muirkirk
http://picasaweb.google.com/TimothyUhler
I'm doing ours solo right now, after the budget dried up and the crew went home. We paid a crew for the tough spots (consider that) which left me with areas that are reasonable for solo work (other than one stretch of high work which I'll have to do on a ladder). I'm working on growing Diesel's 12' arms. LOL.
The Pac-Tool gauges (or other such) are great for solo work. Shears, nailer with depth-of-drive, and carbide jigsaw blades too.
Scott.
I'm bumping this.
I was thinking pipe scaffold. Seems like it would something easy to set up (vs. pump jacks), and I'd be able to reach my gables no problem.
It doesn't seem like it'd be that hard to come up with some sort of winch to drag up decent amounts of Hardie at once.
Ok, let me know if I'm thinking like a mad scientist here.
If you decide to use pipe stagings -- think about setting it so you can use side arm brackets for setting at desired heights as you go up .
I wonder if he realizes how long it takes to set up pipe staging compared to pump poles?
I set up a lot of pipe scaffold at work, but never pumps. So. . .Edit: you're implying that it takes longer, then. Because it doesn't take all that long, really.
Edited 5/2/2009 7:59 pm ET by Biff_Loman
Quicker to set up. Easier to work around. Set them once and you are good for whole side!
Normally 4 screws or nails and you are good to go!!
Edited 5/2/2009 8:03 pm ET by frammer52
Well, that could definitely be an option.
Oh, that'd be the only way to make it work.
definetely staging IMO,
And get a helper to at least load up a supply on the staging. On this barn we are using Certainteed fiber cement siding. Every cut has to be painted and we slip a piece of Grace between butt splices.
Rod