Day 53: First work day of new year, but still on last season

We have tried to salvage and reuse as much lumber as possible in refitting the barn. As noted in an earlier blog, floor boards from the center section would be lifted and used in the east section with the center getting a whole new floor. Well more new lumber will be required to finish the east because existing lumber was in worse shape than first thought.

Need a hole in the floor

We need a hole going between the upstairs and the down just about in between the end of the second and third timber which will in part match the one on the other side of the center section. That hole you can see below a little off center right.

Original chute to the main floor

The two holes in the floor allow material such as loose or baled hay or straw to be easily pitched down to the first floor for use with animals from the storage on the second floor.

Added bracing

In an earlier post the bracket at the center of this photo was mentioned. Near the beginning of  the work the joints of this timbers were soaked with water. The moisture allowed the timbers to be moved around a bit without breaking because of being brittle from drying out over the years. The timbers were adjusted to square up the barn. To help this timber hold into the future this bracket was crafted to fit and hold the timbers and keep them from slipping apart. There are other timbers treated in this manner. To the center right along the timber going into the center of the barn is a vertical timber that was added to help shore up the roof. You'll also notice the turn buckle and steel cable that runs from one side of the barn to the other which also helps hold it all together. The barn is old and somewhat brittle. Therefore, assists like we see here and other types used in the barn, will help the barn stand another 50 - 100 years. At least that is what Roger says. And because it's very probable that neither of us will be here to see it, we all just have to believe it will. I have no reason to doubt Roger based on the work he has done.