Big Sturdy Loft

Step 9 Bolt, bolt, bolt

OK, now you can bolt stuff together. I'd recommend building one side with both of the cross-stalks and then line up the cross-stalks from the one side with the holes on the other, and bolt them together.

It should look like the thing below when you're done



Remember, you're using the 1/2" bolts
The bolts will probably be pretty tight in the holes. If you can't push them through by hand, give the bolts encouraging whacks with something like a hammer or a block of wood. Really, any form of thumping technology will do the trick, as well.

Comments

[toprope]

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.

[chavhaha]

This thing is seriously built, if it's in a position where it CAN rack it's already breaking.