Thread: Yet Another Cubby House / Playground WIP

Welcome to the forums.

Looks like you're entering with a big one. Are you sure it is for the children ?

Will look forward to seeing it develop.

Regards
Paul

Okey doke. I just completed the base frame for the playground. The areas in yellow are for the flooring and decking to attach to. I will be adding latticework around the perimeter but I won't need to spend time drafting that up, it's too easy.

If you decide to use the plans your base framework will be different due to the location/grade/materials, etc but it's a fairly simple thing to nut out anyway.

Also another thing that I have left out of the plans are the gable barge boards, window and door dressings, flowerbox, letterbox, flashing and a heap of other things. I will take pictures of the steps as I go to give you a better indication on what I did and how I went about it.

Framework - Base.jpg

Ambitious beginning there!!

Kids should be more than happy!!

This weekend I had a lot of things to do but I managed to make a start on the project for the kids.

Saturday we took a trip to Bunnings to get the timber for the base framework, and for the cubby framework. I purchased 37 lengths of 70mmx35mmx3.6M MGP10 structural pine (252M) and 14 lengths of 200mmx50mmx3.0M H4 treated sleepers (42M). The reason I bought 3.6M lengths is due to the fact that even at that length, the timber protuded a metre beyond the length of the trailer. In essence, cop bait. Luckily the Bunnings store is literally 2km from home, and I took the less travelled streets to lessen the risk of fines. I know, I'm a naughty boy but I did not want a lot of wastage by purchasing the next size down at 2.4M, and 6.0M lengths would have been a really bad joke and way too risky for other road users. Cost of the sleepers was $244.72, and the structural was $267.88.

I made a start on digging up the lawn and taking two trips to the tip to dispose of 70% of the area, and that's a bit more required in order to commence work on the cubby side. I am anticipating another 4 trips to the tip with another load for the remainder of the lawn, and another three for the excavation for the sandpit area. But at present, I have enough area cleared for the cubby side of the base framework.

Step 1 - Groundbreaking

Step 1 - Groundbreaking 01.jpgStep 1 - Groundbreaking 02.jpg

That was the end of the Saturday.

Step 2 - Base Framework

Sunday I had a work Christmas wind-up for 13:00. I made a start when I returned at 16:00.

Step 2 - Base Framework 01.jpgStep 2 - Base Framework 02.jpgStep 2 - Base Framework 03.jpg

At this point I dug a trench along the edge of the concrete to lay the sleepers at 200mm deep. In the corners and midway along the length I dug an area an extra 90mm deep to accommodate a fastwall brick as a base for the sleepers. I did not opt to use concrete footings as I have other structures on my property that have not sagged with just the ground as a footing. We are lucky to have a very hard and rocky clay ground, and the bricks were not needed in my opinion, but I used them anyway. To clear the ground requires a maddock and then a spade and shovel to remove what's needed. You should have seen the dramas the pool guys had when they dug the hole for that.

I pulled out the Paslode framing nailer which I haven't used in about 6 months and what do you know, the battery was not only flat, but dead. Ah well. It's about 6 years old and I've used the same battery for that entire time so I'm happy that it lasted that long, but miffed that I didn't check it before starting. Time for a new one. That was 18:30 after packing everything up and time to go inside for a well earned Coke.

Cost to date: $512.60.

This is going to be an interesting one to follow.

Progress 02

As of this weekend I have 2 weeks off over the break, so I should be able to make some real progress on this project.

Step 2 - Base Framework (Take 2)

I was able to maddock and dig out all of the necessary soil to lay in the remainder of the framework. Being clay it's hard work but I got there in the end. I laid all of the sleepers first, nailed them into place and then cut the smaller floor/deck helpers and nailed them into place.

Once I was happy with this I filled in the base with some of the soil that needs to be excavated from the sandpit side. I did this to minimise the amount of trailer trips to the tip and also to assist with a little stabilisation for the base.

Pics 017.jpgPics 018.jpg

After I wet the soil I placed some builders plastic over the top of it all to prevent vegetation from growing upwards and I then stapled the plastic into place

Pics 021.jpg

It's now 13:40 and I've had enough for the day. The clay has some advantages but digging into it is not one of them and I'm knackered. Time to go inside and chill out in the aircon for the rest of the day.

Tomorrow I'll make a start on the cubby framework.

Progress 03

Today my 11 year old son Mitchell elected to assist me and learn a thing or two. As it was just the wall and roof framework, there was not a lot of lifting to do and that was something that he was appreciative of. We were able to assemble the four walls and the CAD drawings made life a lot easier for cutting. I have a lot of concreted area on our property so there was ample room to lay everything out and nail it into place. My patios are my next priority but for now I am using a collapsible gazebo to keep the sun off us while we work.

I opted for the 65mm galvanised DekFast nails for the framework as they have ribbed ends to prevent easing out.

Step 3 - Wall Framework

We cut all of the material for each wall segment, then nailed them together. Once we had all four walls made, I had Mitch hold the front wall while I screwed the two side walls into place at the upper and lower points. It was then easy to affix the rear wall. Once that was completed I dropped another screw in the middle of the wall end to help keep it together and remove any bowing in the wall.

I placed the corner in it's starting point on the base and we then measured cross-sections to achieve true square I then I 3-4-5'd it (Pythagorean Theorum) to make sure it was all spot on. Once I was happy that it was all good, I screwed each end of the base down, then used a screed to make sure the base of the wall was aligned, then screwed the center. After I did this with all four wall sections I dropped another four screws per wall in the base, making it 7 screws per panel.

I used 100mm long screws for the walls and 75mm coated screws for the base. I did have these in my workshop already so there was no cost factor here.

Step 3 - Wall Framework 01.jpg

We then knocked up the roof panels but I was a 1.4M length short for the portico side. I'll go and get this tomorrow as well as a few more things to make a little more progress.

So far I'm happy with the lack of wastage. I'll take a photo of what there is once the final section of the roof is done.

Stay tuned!

Yesterday was spent travelling around in the morning to purchase some materials for the next step, the rest of the day was spent finalising everything for Christmas Day. Below is a list of what I bought:

9ea 70mmx35mmx2.4M MGP10 structural pine (short on roof panel, and base structure bracing) $71.91.
8ea 3Mx1.2mx6mm FC Villaboard sheets (exterior cladding) $239.60.
7ea 1.8M Greca Laserlite sheets (roof sheeting) $189.00.
2ea 2.4Mx1.2Mx10mm treated pine plywood sheets (flooring) $80.00.

I'll be taking today off and then getting back into it tomorrow.

Cost to date: $1093.11.

I'm enjoying your project. Thanks for the costing updates also.

Progress 04 (Or lack thereof...)

Man.... Do you have one of those wives that need everything done right away or else the universe will collapse upon itself?

The laser for the Christmas lights isn't working, The battery on Phoe's bike isn't holding a charge, Phoe's toybox lid is broken, Can you make me up an extension cord to go from here to there, Can you sort out the pool filter?

Laser lightshow box opened, faulty fan removed and replaced. Gel cell wiring on bike re-soldered. Removed hinge, straightened, replaced with larger screws. Extension cord made. Pool sand filter removed and cleaned, cartridge filter removed and pressure washed, faulty flap valve replaced.

Now that the woman is happy, I took another trip to Bunnings for some stud adhesive and a few other bits and pieces. I asked for assistance in the Trade department, and was told it was coming. 15 minutes later I returned to the counter and asked for assistance again. I was then told that the person I needed to speak to went to lunch. Back into the car and off to Masters, literally a stone's throw away. I had a look for what I wanted, couldn't find it, asked for help and got it instantly. The guy even stayed with me the whole time I was there getting my goodies to point me in the right direction. These huge stores are good at getting what you need, but they tend to stock them in weird locations. Thanks Masters for the excellent service, shame on Bunnings for the lack of.

Whinge over, back to work.

Step 4 - Flooring

The extra timber I went and bought yesterday was for the bracing on the flooring. The first thing I did was cut it to size, lay it across the bearers and infills, then nailed them into place. I then cut the treated ply to fit into the studs on the walls and screwed them into place.

Step 4 - Flooring 01.jpgStep 4 - Flooring 02.jpgStep 4 - Flooring 03.jpg

At this point the Muppett decided to come out and have a look at my progress.

While he was out with me I had him help me finish off the last roof framework panel that I was short the 1.4M length.

I went for the FC Villaboard to clad the walls for ease and durability. Many of the cubbies I have seen in the past during site visits that used timber cladding tended to be warped and required a lot of work in order to look good. I wanted this project to be as low maintenance as possible, hence the FC sheeting.

I was able to obtain assitance from the trusty Muppett to hold up the walls while I nailed them into place, and we were able to get two walls completed before I had to go inside to prepare dinner. Yup, I have one of those wives that are capable of burning water.... Seriously. Eat her food and die...

I also used a high grade stud adhesive for better adhesion to the framework.

Step 5 - Walls 01.jpgStep 5 - Walls 02.jpgStep 5 - Walls 03.jpg

Shopping list for today:

4ea knuckle nailplates (playground area sleepers) $8.24
1ea stud adhesive (adhering FC sheets to the framework) $15.00
1ea Profill (filling nail holes and joint strips) $11.45
1ea Fibre tape (backing for joint strips) $6.00

I had an urgent request to repair a club member's vehicle tomorrow so I had to fold and help her out, so that's going to be an unproductive day. Oh, and here's my waste from the entire framework build:

Misc - Framework Waste.jpg

Cost to date: $1133.80.

The last pic...is that ALL the waste u ended up with? Good work if so

Originally Posted by johnredl

The last pic...is that ALL the waste u ended up with? Good work if so

Yup, that's all of it. If you are building this cubby from my plans use the 3.6M lengths for the framework timber. It works out very well indeed.

The club member's car is terminal, so it was a relatively short outing, it's up to her now as to which direction to go after I gave her the options.

It's too hot outside to hit the cubby at the moment so I'll wait until the trees cast shade on my work area and I'll get a couple of good hours in and hopefully finish the walls and get the roof framework on.

Progress 05

Bloody hell it's been hot! I have taken a couple of days out to take a breather because we've been experiencing days in the high 30's to low 40's, suffice to say not much has gone on.

Today I bit the bullet and got my butt into gear and got some work done.

Before I got stuck into the roof, I fixed the last two exterior wall panels.

Step 6 - Roof

I placed the roofing frames up on the wall panels then nailed and screwed them into place.

I then fixed the portico posts using stainless steel dowels on the bottom and galv angle brackets on top.

Next I covered the roof panels with astrofoil to keep the heat down for the kids during the day.

Step 6 - Roof 01.jpg

I then covered the roof with dark grey polycarb sheets. Yup, I know what you're thinking. Why is he covering the roof panels with astrofoil and then using polycarb sheeting? Glad you asked. I will be installing a ceiling and skylights.

My next step was to cut out the last window in the front panel.

Step 6 - Roof 02.jpgStep 6 - Roof 03.jpgStep 6 - Roof 04.jpg

That was enough sun for today. My outside thermometer was showing 43C and my laser gauge showed 61C on the concrete.

My view after I packed up for the day.

Misc - Pool.jpg

The last photo is nice.