Considering portable garage/fabric shelter - what did you do?

[Michael Horowitz]

A possibility exists I might want to move the fuselage of the Tcraft
to my back yard in order to work on it (wings off, stored elsewhere).
I'd need to build a shelter of some kind. 12x26. Has anyone else
consider this and if so, what did they do? I see portable garages for
sale on the 'net, but wondering if I could DIY; Don't want it shabby
looking - MIke

[Capt. Geoffry Thorpe]

"Michael Horowitz" > wrote in message
...
>
> A possibility exists I might want to move the fuselage of the Tcraft
> to my back yard in order to work on it (wings off, stored elsewhere).
> I'd need to build a shelter of some kind. 12x26. Has anyone else
> consider this and if so, what did they do? I see portable garages for
> sale on the 'net, but wondering if I could DIY; Don't want it shabby
> looking - MIke

Don't understimate the power of the wind and the strength of cheap tarps. I
build a stucture somewhat larger than that with a tarp roof and
pollyethylene on the walls. I figgured that the plastic would blow off if
the wind got too strong.

Wrong...

A gust from a thunderstorm picked it up, it cleared the boat that was under
it, and smashed it on the ground.

Anchor it well, whatever you do.

Note:
It was made with 2x4 "studs" about 6 feet on center, 1x4 "rafters" with 1x3
diagonal bracing, cross ties, etc. Assembled with dry-wall screws.
To attach the polly to the walls, I put a strip of packing tape over the
plastic along each "stud" and stapled through the packing tape and plastic.
It didn't come off.

--
Geoff
the sea hawk at wow way d0t com
remove spaces and make the obvious substitutions to reply by mail
Spell checking is left as an excercise for the reader.

[Morgans]

"Capt. Geoffry Thorpe" <The Sea Hawk at wow way d0t com> wrote

> Don't understimate the power of the wind and the strength of cheap tarps.
I
> build a stucture somewhat larger than that with a tarp roof and
> pollyethylene on the walls. I figgured that the plastic would blow off if
> the wind got too strong.
>
> Wrong...

Agreed. Use substantial footings (read deep) with bolts for the posts, or
use mobile home screw in anchors, and loop straps all of the way over the
top.
--
Jim in NC

[Morgans]

"Michael Horowitz" > wrote in message
...
>
> A possibility exists I might want to move the fuselage of the Tcraft
> to my back yard in order to work on it (wings off, stored elsewhere).
> I'd need to build a shelter of some kind. 12x26. Has anyone else
> consider this and if so, what did they do? I see portable garages for
> sale on the 'net, but wondering if I could DIY; Don't want it shabby
> looking - MIke

Even though I'm a carpenter, you probably could not build for what you could
buy a portable for.

Think about one of those metal carport jobies, and add a bit of metal roof
material for the sides, and a piece of canvas for the door. The door will
be on the short side, but you could make a rolling dolly to set the gear on
while you pull it in and out, or put it in with the wing off.

Another point in favor of a temp job is that you will not have to meet
building code, which could add considerable money to the whole concept.
--
Jim in NC

[Michael Horowitz]

Thanks - MIke

"Morgans" > wrote:

>
>"Michael Horowitz" > wrote in message
...
>>
>> A possibility exists I might want to move the fuselage of the Tcraft
>> to my back yard in order to work on it (wings off, stored elsewhere).
>> I'd need to build a shelter of some kind. 12x26. Has anyone else
>> consider this and if so, what did they do? I see portable garages for
>> sale on the 'net, but wondering if I could DIY; Don't want it shabby
>> looking - MIke
>
>Even though I'm a carpenter, you probably could not build for what you could
>buy a portable for.
>
>Think about one of those metal carport jobies, and add a bit of metal roof
>material for the sides, and a piece of canvas for the door. The door will
>be on the short side, but you could make a rolling dolly to set the gear on
>while you pull it in and out, or put it in with the wing off.
>
>Another point in favor of a temp job is that you will not have to meet
>building code, which could add considerable money to the whole concept.

[dodger]

check out
www.pan.cc for home built sheds/hangers/etc. even snow rated.

Roger

[Michael Horowitz]

Thanks - Mike

"dodger" > wrote:

>check out
>www.pan.cc for home built sheds/hangers/etc. even snow rated.
>
>Roger

[Lou]

I agree, I was thinking of doing the same thing but with a twist. I am
considering using bigger size supports that will fit into the smaller
size supports so I can lower the top closer to the ground when not in
use to keep the kids out.
Lou

[daniel peterman]

Pep Boys has a 12x20 with sides and steel frame for 400 bucks.
Shelterworkz brand. Google for shelterworkz for entire product line.