Big Sturdy Loft

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by prank
 

introBig Sturdy Loft

For my weekend project, I built a big 8'x8'x7' loft from scratch in my apartment. I'll walk you through the process, garnishing the instruction meal with appetizing quips.
(and remember: Art is Wrong! http://www.artiswrong.com
Big Sturdy Loft
 
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step 1What yer gonna do...

So, this instructable is the epic saga of the construction of my new mighty loft at Fort Art=Wrong. It's longish, because I tried to take incredibly detailed pictures at every step of the construction, and after reading it, hopefully you can be a hero! Or at least build a loft...
(but you'll always be a hero in my heart)

(what am I talking about????)

(you can click the _next_ button now)
What yer gonna do...
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96 comments
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May 4, 2010. 7:48 PMsansuifidelity says:
Milwaukee FTW!!!
Mar 7, 2010. 8:18 PMhammerthumbs says:
It looks like you put the bolt on one end through horizontally and on the other end vertically. I think the brace would be stronger if you could put both in horizontally. But to do this you would need to have the surfaces where the brace attaches be in the same vertical plane, which is where the suggestion about recessing the stalks into the trunks someone made on a previous page would come in handy.
Feb 19, 2010. 7:13 PMlunarman52 says:
how sturdy is it

Feb 9, 2010. 11:27 PMglitteringsky says:
This is awesome. You are hysterical also, I love you! Thank you for posting this.
Jan 29, 2010. 9:05 AMblaineak says:
correct  2x4s and 4x4s  and 1x6s and 2x12s  are never actually those dimensions,  they used to be but they are not any more,  it has something to do with the finishing process,  it is so they wont rot or bow as quickly if i am not mistaken
Nov 17, 2009. 4:37 AMmishnish says:
What about a guy with no arms and legs under a bundle of leaves?

Russel!
Sep 11, 2009. 5:24 AMtoprope says:
You could eliminate a lot of possible "racking", boards twisting around the bolts, by making several cuts in the 4x4 w/circular saw, 1 1/2 inches deep and the width of 2x4. Then with a chisel and hammer, remove the cut pieces. It sounds very involved but is very simple and makes for a much stronger connection. Basically you are recessing the 2x4 into the 4x4. For a cleaner look without much trouble you could drill some holes that would let you recess the bolts into the 4x4 and 2x4.
Oct 7, 2009. 11:02 AMchavhaha says:
This thing is seriously built, if it's in a position where it CAN rack it's already breaking.
Oct 7, 2009. 10:15 AMchavhaha says:
Your cuts would be square if you used a miter/table saw, but if it was a hand-held circ. they probably weren't.
Oct 1, 2009. 10:43 AMjoel.r.bradley says:
When I built my loft, instead of 4x4's which are expensive, I nailed 2- 2x4's together, back to back. As far as being smaller then 2"x 4", I heard that is how big the lumber is when it is cut at the mill, but shrinks when dried prior to shipment. Or so I heard.
Sep 29, 2009. 5:10 AMnick.the.skwgl says:
Does it actually work, cause if so i may try it...
Sep 24, 2009. 11:54 PMdrbill says:
thanks for all your ideas. i need to do this to my place in Hawai'i.
Sep 12, 2009. 6:37 PMMarcusAvery says:
This rocks! But I have to ask. . .Do you rent or own? If I did this in my apartment I would get evicted!
Sep 21, 2009. 7:17 PMstatic says:
Evicted over a lightweight piece of furniture? Or did I miss some alterations to the building in the instructable?
Sep 18, 2009. 9:52 AMscouttster says:
Nice pic.. I cant tell if its a real seal or a bronze statue... Great pic!
Sep 16, 2009. 6:56 AMRoyalPayne says:
No monkey, I prefer the seal.
Sep 13, 2009. 12:18 AMman ray says:
hahahahaha a drag
Sep 11, 2009. 3:49 PMWhoTookMudshark says:
Your sense of humor is nowhere near as good as you think it is, man. The loft owns and you did a great job documenting it but PLEASE don't try to be funny in your future instructables! It is painful to look at.
Sep 12, 2009. 1:02 PMdudeguy1234 says:
I thought it made it better, so screw you.
Sep 12, 2009. 9:26 AMTheDevilsRubberDucky says:
lol niiice
Sep 12, 2009. 12:39 AMchaitanyak says:
awesome instructable! love the idea of lofts..
Sep 11, 2009. 11:00 AMalivia says:
nice instructable. I have made numerous lofts, and all of them go something like what you have done. I usually make them to fit the space I have. Often times you can get plywood cut into smaller pieces for transport and that takes good planning so you know what size you'll need. I always use more 2x4 supports than what you did-- especially if the loft will be used by kids. I even use only 2x4's and no plywood when the 2x4's are on good sale. I have also made lofts of 2x6 lumber and I prefer those. They cost more, but are much sturdier. Yes, it is common for lumber to be actually less than the size advertised.
Sep 5, 2009. 12:59 PM=SMART= says:
Hey, I really like your loft. I really want a loft When i go to uni i will make a loft in my dorm Also really funny instructable ! Your jokes are fantastic, especially the bob one hahaha Also your bike is really weird and definitely not suited to hauling timber ! Im going to read your other instructables. 5 Stars !
Sep 8, 2009. 1:35 PMnolte919 says:
The Bob joke is just one of a series. What do you call a man with no arms and no legs hanging on a wall? Art. What do you call a man with no arms and no legs lying on the floor? You guessed it, Matt. There might have been more, it's been a long time since I was eleven and last heard those jokes.
Sep 10, 2009. 2:14 PM=SMART= says:
hahaha very nice :)
Sep 10, 2009. 12:05 AMRob K says:
We can no longer have hand made lofts in our dorm. I have to rent steel framed one for $175 a semester.
100_2491.jpg
Sep 8, 2009. 2:52 PMk_man93 says:
my response to your joke is... DEAD? naw, i joke, i joke
Sep 8, 2009. 2:48 PMk_man93 says:
i see yours overlaps a window too... how does that work for you?
Sep 5, 2009. 2:52 AMslice_rulz says:
i like your loft. i had one once. good luck getting busy with low headroom. thats why i tore mine down.
Aug 30, 2009. 1:19 PMk_man93 says:
is it you, anon?
Jul 7, 2009. 8:19 PMtevers94 says:
I'm thinking about building one of these and then i thought, if i wanted to watch movies in the dark or play games, you could put up those darkening curtains or blankets to make a small dark room.
Apr 21, 2009. 12:05 AMKGD says:
I'm sorry, but it is NOT the "reality" that you are being 'cheapskated,' but are in fact having a SERVICE performed for you. Originally, two by four lumber was pretty much just that (though standards were looser back then). But, the lumber had a very, very rough exterior, straight from some very large, gnarly-toothed mill saws. If you think carpenters now probably exceed the general population in splinters, it was really bad with the lumber of yore. So mills started 'planing' lumber, running it over long, horizontally mounted blades set axially in a rapidly spinning drum. This removed the roughness -- and about a quarter inch -- off of each face. Hence, a "two by four" is usually a "one-and-a-half by three-and-a-half" (Prank got his a little thicker apparently). Truth be told, all these sort of DIY projects would really be impractical were it not for this added service. Just take a look at some old construction that's being torn down or repaired. The stuff was totally unsuitable for interior use, unless it was behind plaster and lathe (itself now replaced by sheet rock). The moral? Be careful what you don't wish for. LOL
Oct 6, 2008. 3:44 PMTomTomLo says:
You got bummed when you woke up? Harsh.
Oct 1, 2008. 6:02 PMdragonis says:
about how much did it cost?
Jul 22, 2008. 3:56 PMGriffDFHS10 says:
haha nice joke heres another one. Q.) What do you call a dog with no back legs and metal balls? a.) SPARKY!!!!
May 25, 2008. 11:03 PMdarkmuskrat says:
Hmm, those screws on the braces look good, i would also pick up some of those metal 45* angle flat sheets(sorry, its 11pm, their name escapes me)...i have a crappy pic though.
http://images.orgill.com/200x200/6791727.jpg
and this was made in 2006 so if it hasn't fallen over, i doubt it will. but for any future projects, these things are great.
Apr 4, 2008. 7:24 AMHammyHavoc says:
That looks absolutely great! Nice one. [:
Jul 26, 2006. 9:29 AMJethroWho15 says:
you guys get more off topic than anyone i ever known
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