Building a tree house - carpentry questions

[g5jamz]

Beginning the design now. Couple of decent trees to use, but I may just choose to use 4 10' 4X4 posts and put the rectangle around the tree and use it as internal entry. Put 2' of posts into ground and concrete them. Or should I bother with putting a galvanized screw cap in the concrete if I ever need to replace a post.

Sometimes I overanalyze things.

Few other questions. Would you use 2x8s for the outside rectangle around the posts and 2x6s for the flooring across hanging off the 2x8s.

Would the 5/4 deck boards be sufficient or should I use 2x4 flooring for more stability?

What's the distance code says you can go for a 2x8? Imagine the rectangle posts. Can I go 10 or 12 feet with a 2x8 post to post without worrying about supporting it midway? I have an engineered beam left over from construction from an addition and could use it underneath at the mid point and lag it to the tree, but could I get by without it?

[GritsRgreat]

All treated wood right? So your tree house will be 8' off the ground?

Treated 2/8's will be just fine IMO, but you can block them down the

middle for alittle more support. Engineered beam is overkill i would say.

Are you building a two story treehouse with rope swing and draw bridge?

Double the outside 2/8!

another thing, you really don't need to concrete the treated 4/4 posts.

dig a two foot hole, drop in of flat, solid concrete block, put your post

on top and pack the dirt in tight.Trust me it will hold. From pretty much

the day i was born i've put up fence posts on my daddy's farm. You'll

need to hook up a truck to pull them out of the ground.

2/4s or 2/6 deck boards, it doesn't really matter. Got with the cheapest but deck boards will look much better.

[C47]

You would be the tree house expert wouldn't you?? I guess you have to have someway to lure your next date to you :lol:...

[GritsRgreat]

You would be the tree house expert wouldn't you?? I guess you have to have someway to lure your next date to you :lol:...

lol yeah that and the pony i keep in the barn..

No really, 30 years in the construction biz.

[4Corners]

My only question is can I come stay with you when the Zombie apocalypse rapture begins.

I posses a solid foundation of 1 year of cubs scout and I do own a crossbow. The crossbow is, however, broken and cannot be fixed.

I also have a plentiful supply of toilet paper (I have IBS) which will no doubt replace cash as our currency when the rapture begins.

[C47]

lol yeah that and the pony i keep in the barn..

No really, 30 years in the construction biz.

Going younger and younger I see...

[C47]

Also, did we ever establish if zombies can climb??

[g5jamz]

LOL. "Free candy" on the side of his treehouse?

What do you mean "double the outside 2x8"...or should I just go 2x10. Like I said...the eng beam is just extra that's just sitting in my backyard not doing anything.

I have a spare pole from chain link fence I was going to put as a fireman's pole, but I do have a fort piece I'd built from an old play area that I'm considering running a rope bridge to link the two.

[g5jamz]

Also' date=' did we ever establish if zombies can climb??[/quote']

They can't climb, but you'll end up dying of starvations/lack of water. If you start killing them they'll eventually be able to walk up the stack of bodies to get to you. Definately need a zip line escape.

[Epistaxis]

Damn dude.

We just used whatever we could pilfer from the construction sites.

Nasty old plywood, odd 2x4's, and shitload of nails driven this way and that.

The tetanus builds muscle and character.

:)

Good luck with the project.

[GritsRgreat]

Use 2/6 joist hangers.

and, VERY IMPORTANT use galvanized nails.

Remember to double all outside 2/8s, whatever you connect a joist to needs to be doubled.

[4Corners]

definately need a zip line escape.

zipline ftw! fug yeah

[C47]

They can't climb, but you'll end up dying of starvations/lack of water. If you start killing them they'll eventually be able to walk up the stack of bodies to get to you. Definately need a zip line escape.

I'm just gonna build a zombie apocalypse car....

[g5jamz]

zipline ftw! fug yeah

I think I have an old mattress...thoughts now.

Definately using joist hangers for the under 2x6 floor joists. Probably just do decking boards (16'ers).

I'm kinda confused on the posts though. You say just dig a hole and put a concrete block in the bottom. Dig 12" diameter holes and put something like a walking path stone in the bottom of it? Ah screw it...I'll just quikrete each corner. I'll be long dead and not worried about treehouses before it needs replacing.