The Longest Day

I am going to apologize in advance for this long, long post.

But it was quite a long, long day for us working up at the Momplex.

After we got the first truss up at the Momplex, we wanted to have the next 22 trusses set by the end of the day. Certainly you can set a good chunk of trusses, hope the wind doesn't blow, and come back in the morning and finish up.  

But with a boom truck on site, we were hoping to keep cost down and just finish up in one very long day.  Who knows - a little money saved now could mean dream list additions like a solar roof and a playground for the grandkids later on.

So back to the pile of trusses we go.

These trusses, also referred to as the "common trusses" are different than the gable end trusses.  The common trusses are taller - you'll see why in the next post - and don't have studs every 24" to nail plywood to like the gable ends.  

Because the gable end truss was put up on the far side, we move the common trusses over the Momplex and into position.  It's a little trickier because not only does the truss have to clear the boom truck, and the Momplex, but it has to move carefully over the Momplex and not upset the already set trusses.

Up over she goes ...

I really enjoyed watching the trusses pass overhead.  As a building junkie, trusses always amaze me.  Those are 2x4s.  And 2x6s.  And they make up a roof.  How cool is that?

You get me.

The truss slowly gets maneuvered into place

Inch by inch, careful to not upset the existing truss, but right in place with the supports.

Until finally being set exactly in place next to the gable end truss.

To support this truss, blocking, cut earlier, is used to attach the gable truss to the first common truss.

It is crucial to get the trusses spaced exactly right because when you go to put standard 4x8 sheets of plywood on top, you want the plywood to fit perfectly, lining up in the center of studs.  

And we won't even discuss the drywalling nightmare of trusses not spaced right.  Can you imagine having to cut every sheet of drywall down in size because you didn't take the extra time to space trusses properly?  Talk about the framer not being friends with the drywaller ... unless you are all one and the same.  Then you can only be mad at yourself.

The trusses kept coming as fast as we could set them

All being set exactly 24" on center. 

The trusses are blocked to keep the exact distance apart.

And then checked for level all the way up.

Up to this point, we've been using a nailgun with a cord.  

It was cumbersome.

It got tangled.

We got frustrated.

So Grandpa Tim started prenailing the blocks

You can always count on a hammer.

And things started going much faster.

The trusses kept coming

And blocking

And cross bracing

And more blocking.

With an occasional break to think

This is a nice day.  And we've got an office with a view.  Who can complain?

Finally, the pile is down to the last truss.  

In Alaska, we know long days.  Days can be up to 22 hours long.  And "night" can be just a couple of not quite dark dusky hours.  

But this has been an exceptionally long day.

The sun is setting as the last gable end truss is lifted up

And brought around to the end of the Momplex.

With just enough light left, it's dropped into place.  

And nailed down.

As the sun sets, the final truss is set.

We have a roof on the Momplex!!!