then we, dummy up the frame, and level it.

measure the posts, and cut them level with the treated board( this is 1" below the cedar, so that when the decking goes down, it's flush.

then attach the posts to the mounting brackets we installed on those pillars. This is Bruce's friend, JC. he was the lucky guy that got to go into the crawl space.

so, here's after we cut that one problem pillar off....

overall progress... I have the box up, and standing on it's own.... the girder and the rest of the posts are next.

Wait. You cut the concrete pillar off? How?

sweeeeet!

Or should I say


sweat?

i don't even know. it was gone when i got there Tuesday night. I had to smash the area flat with a big sledge hammer because it was all lumpy.

It's looking good!

Nice.

Very nice, Jim. I never knew how much went into building one of those.

Looking real good Jim.

You're a good friend, Jim. Nice job.

Getting the Joists prepped for hanging.... First I have to cut them all down 3 inches to 189". It's been raining. A LOT. This wood is wet. This wood is heavy. This wood is wet and heavy.
2nd pic:

Joist hangers are hung. I squat down 24 times and eyeball it so that the bottom of that 2X10 should support the joist and have the bottom edges of the joist and the header board flush, or real close to flush. I only nail the left side for now. Once the joist is in place, I'll fasten the right side, and toe nail the joist itself. Today's joist hangers have angled holes in the sides that make toe nailing idiot proof. This is a convenience. I approve. In the foreground, you can see the centers post, and the beginning of the girder. That will be a double 2x10 on both sides of the posts. I needed a helper for that, and was working alone today, so I stopped trying. There is other stuff that I can do solo, so I did.

Crowning the joists after I cut them. Most boards are not perfect. There are a few truly straight boards, but they are the exception. Most will have a crown. this means that they curve slightly. If you look along the edge of a board, you can see it. If your eye is right in line, and you can see the close bit, and the far bit, but not the bit in the middle then the crown is on the opposite side. You want that side up in your construction, as the boards are less likely to sag under weight.

1. close bit, far bit
2. middle bit
3. mark the board so when I go to hang it, I don't have to do that again.
4. This is me with my protective eyewear and flared nostrils. Those boards are wet and heavy.