Construction Misfortune

How fitting today is the start of daylight savings time.  As I write, I wish I could turn back the clock.

Pictured here is a heap of lumber now referred to as the "loft prototype".  And, the chicken, she is, well, probably very sick.

The lumber is called a prototype because so many things went wrong today during its assembly that we finally gave up, took it to the fire ring, and gave these boards a proper disposal.  Many lessons were had for a mere forty bucks.

These were intended to be the two ends of the loft of our tiny house.  The bigger one would have spanned the cabin from side to side, and the smaller one was to be mounted on the far wall.  The job was supposed to take about 30 minutes.

First, we learned that brass screws are not only more expensive, but are also significantly softer than most screws.  When its head becomes stripped half way in, use a pair of vice grips to remove the screw.

Vice grips also work well to remove a screw that, half way in, became bent.  And, don't bother to remove stripped and bent screws because, after all, it is just a prototype.

We learned that eight-foot lumber does not span a ten foot space.  Next time, buy ten-foot boards.  This allows you to avoid arbitrary 45 degree cuts and joinery that reduces the strength of the piece.

Charge your drill battery before starting construction.  This tip saves high-speed trips to the neighbor's house for another drill before your glue dries.

Garden carts are not substitutes for sawhorses.

Use clamps that actually fit the width of your work.

To countersink screws, select drill-bit that is smaller than your screws.

Don't let the guy at Home Depot talk you into three-inch lag bolts when you really need four-inch ones.

We learned a lot about drilling knots too.  Drilling a knot is a good way to break a drill bit.  Screwing into a knot is a good way to split the board. 

I'm probably forgetting something, but the most important lesson learned was: Do not leave the garage door open during construction.  The open garage door allows the chickens to enter the garage.  When chickens enter the garage they may consume rat poison.  Sadly, we do not expect this chicken to survive.

We will try to remember what we learned today.  And we will try to memorialize the chicken in the tiny house.  Somehow.  Rest in peace, little girl.

Edit: The hen lived.  Either she did not eat the poison or she survived it.  She happens to be among several who survived a fox raid and a hawk attack last year.  We have named her Lucky.