Almost finished our frame

[svonasek]

We had a long weekend last weekend, but atleast we got the frame moveable. I've got a little more bracing to do and add a couple of other things.

Next is the floor and walls, but I can't decide between wood and steel studs. Anyone have any suggestions or pros/cons?

[Big Buck Buster]

Looking great. Keep the pics coming.

[bgmny]

Can I ask what wall thickness the tubing is?

[svonasek]

The frame is a combination of 2x4 and 3x4 all 1/8 inch wall.

The piece with the spindles attached to it is 1/4 inch wall

red is 2x4 1/8th wall

green is 3x4 1/8th wall

yellow is 2x4 1/4 wall

[bgmny]

Nice diagram! Thank you! Nice shop you have to work on it too!

[svonasek]

If it helps you what I have is drawn in autocad if you want to anything else let me know.

[svonasek]

I got a little bit more done over the weekend. I can now finally raise and lower the frame!

[herefish101]

i really like the linear motors, great idea, hydraulics are heavy and can fail at extremely cold temps, and who really wants to crank anyway.

[Big Buck Buster]

Separate switches for each jack?

[svonasek]

i really like the linear motors, great idea, hydraulics are heavy and can fail at extremely cold temps, and who really wants to crank anyway.

[Big Buck Buster]

I like your system, and you can hand crank them is a big plus.

[McGurk]

Wow. Way to think outside of the box! I've never seen nor thought to use a system like this. My vote for Fresh Idea of the Year!

[svonasek]

Thanks everyone for the compliments.

We have been talking about building this frame since last winter. We had looked at hydraulic and even air systems for lifting it. Everything else seemed more expensive and had more pieces that could fail.

The biggest reason I went with the screw jack though is so I can lift the house straight up. I figure this way I can drill my holes then set it back down and will still be centered on the holes.

[Eelpout08]

[svonasek]

I can't remember if I can post links here or not. I'll play it safe. Goto the big auction site. Use keywords "electric tongue jack"

You'll find a company out of california that sells a ton of them

[Eelpout08]

thanks, that is a very good price for 3

[svonasek]

thanks, that is a very good price for 3

You'll have to price it out. They sell them in multiple quantities also (1,2,4,10).

When I bought mine it was actually cheaper to buy (2) sets of 2 then to buy 3 individuals.

If you're really interested I'd shoot them an email and see if they'd price a quantity of 3.

I'm hoping to temporarily wire them this weekend. I can't wait to see them go up/down with a push of a button.

[svonasek]

Alright. The frame is done. Hopefully we'll get it painted this next weekend so we can start the real fun.

It's a little slower then I wanted it to be, but it'll still be better then hand cranking.

Here's a video of it being lowered. Nothing exciting, but just in case anybody wants to see it

[sneakydevil]

Nice build...but i hope the linears hold up longer than a buddy of mine used last year. 8x16 house and both jacks failed by splitting the cases right in half on the fourth lift...didn't even have on the ice yet. Needless to say he scrapped the whole idea/frame and went with standard trailer jacks.

Good Luck svonasek!!!

[svonasek]

Nice build...but i hope the linears hold up longer than a buddy of mine used last year. 8x16 house and both jacks failed by splitting the cases right in half on the fourth lift...didn't even have on the ice yet. Needless to say he scrapped the whole idea/frame and went with standard trailer jacks.

Good Luck svonasek!!!

Really? What kind of jacks was he using? I've got 3 of them and they're rating at 3000 lbs each.

[sneakydevil]

I wanna say he got his from Rigid Hitch and they were #3000lb a piece. By your pic they look very different so hopefully they will be better quality.

[svonasek]

We finally made a little more progress. We got the bottom boards painted and got the walls up. This was way more work then I expected.

[svonasek]

Finished the walls, got the plywood up on the roof and got the bay window framed in...

[folke2000]

Looking good so far....Keep the pic's coming.

Folke

[herefish101]

how are them jacks working now that you've got some weight on it? looking great though. I love the bay.