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Day 47: Decking

(Trivia question: how much do 32 sheets of 1/2" plywood weigh?)

After reracking the wall tops we moved the end beams in where they belong. I had to wait out three days of high winds (gusts over 50 mph). Then I could handle carrying full sheets of plywood around on wobbly beams 3-1/2 inches wide, two feet apart, and fourteen above ground level. As each sheet was screwed down the second floor became more sturdy. Much care was taken to keep everything straight. While the corners were square the edges needed some adjustment.

To pull out bulges I winched from the top of the wall at that point against the bottom of the opposite wall.

Note the tow straps strung from lower left to upper right. They are connected by a cable hoist in the middle. You can't see the winch because of the temporary wall, which was added to help naked beams weather rains. (What you might see if you look close is that the lower-left strap is attached to the half-beam sitting outside the pass-through doorway.) With plywood locking all beams together on top the building is ready to proceed with the second story.

(Answer: approximately 1,600 pounds)