Liberty Web Docks-Launch Jalbum input  (39 Slides) [Page 1 of 1]  
6x6stainlesspostanchor001cropsmall * I had a fab shop laser cut and form the stainless steel post bases according to a drawing I developed. They are grade 316 stainless steel, 1/4
Libertylaunch&piersday2 008small * We installed small rebar cages within each concrete pier for added structural stability. This will be critical support when considering the load of the deck that bears on only 4 of the concrete piers. There are another 8 more of these holes at the beach area for a smaller 20' x 12'
Libertylaunch&piersday2 011small * We have formed up the first pour of the launch. The rebar is laid within the forms, but not yettied and put up on the bar chairs. We have drilled ten 12
Libertylaunch&dockday3 007small * The rebar mat is now tied and supported with plastic bar chairs. We had areas near the edges that went pretty deep. I decided it was easier to fill the hole with concrete over terra-firma as opposed to filling and compacting. In these deeper areas, we boosted the bar chairs with larger rocks. 3/4
Libertylaunch&dockday3 012small * When we go to strip the forms, remove the screw-on blocks and pop off the 2
Libertylaunch&dockday3 019small * Then the pour. Boy, am I glad that I bought (and brought) those waders! This section of the launch slab took about 9 yards of concrete. * 640 x 480 * (224KB)
Libertylaunch&dockday3 030small * Each concrete pier received a 1/2
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Libertylaunch&dockday3 032small * The beauty of finishing a boat launch is that the goal is a non-skid, non-slip surface. That, and most of it is below the water, puts the finishing portion well within our DIY grasp. After we strike it off, that's it! It ain't real pretty, buts looks OK for novices. Then I put the finishing touch to it. I took a garden rake and worked from each edge, dropping it in the center and drawing it back out, scraping up the top aggregate and creating the ultimate non-skid surface. (I got your fancy broom finish right here!) * 640 x 480 * (241KB)
Libertylaunch&dockday3 033small * I learned this one from previous DIY concrete pier jobs. Cut an extra forming tube, or a leftover cut-off, in half length-wise. It should be a min of about 24
Libertylaunch&dockday4 002small * The second slab pour is formed out and ready for rebar placement. Each slab pour is 31' long. All the concrete piers are done and ready for framing installation. * 640 x 480 * (175KB)
Libertylaunch&dockday4 005small * The forms popped off pretty darn easy. The smooth dowels worked out great. * 640 x 480 * (224KB)
Libertylaunch&dockday4 007small * We had some areas that deepened well below the 2
Libertylaunch&dockday5 011small * Continuous, multiple slab pours are typically separated at the smooth dowel seams with expansionjoint. I conferred with a trusted friend and concrete contractor and he dismissed expansion joint as unnecessary for such a low-tech, underwater application. He did, though, insist on doweling the slabs together. Our striker board sits atop the first slab, awaiting the call to action. * 640 x 480 * (230KB)
Libertylaunch&dockday5 018small * The forms from the first concrete pour get re-used and installed for launch pour number 2. The same form with the holes is used again with another set of smooth dowels. This second set of dowels will tie into the third and last pour, a much smaller apron that slopes back down to grade at the end of the approach road. * 640 x 480 * (176KB)
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Libertylaunch&dockday6 011small * We put the second launch pour on hold, trying to coordinate with Mother Nature and a series of rain-free days. No rest for the wicked. Let's start laying out the framing. The docks have been engineered to consider the lateral force of shifting ice as our strongest foe at the foundation. The killer stainless steel post bases, combined with treated 6 x 6 framing members, should provide the stout transition from the reinforced concrete piers to the dock it supports. A hole is drilled in the bottom on the vertical supports to receive the projecting anchor bolt. The end is boogered with additional preservative, flipped over, and lagged into place. 1/2
Libertylaunch&dockday6 028small * 2
Libertylaunch&dockday7 003small * We've moved over to the beach area to work. The framing method remains the same. The portable shelter has already paid for itself many times over. * 640 x 480 * (178KB)
Libertylaunch-dockday7-009small * The finished framework; the sand beach directly adjacent to the left. * 640 x 480 * (191KB)
Libertylaunch&dockday7 015small * looking up from the nice drop-off; a good place to motor up with a...say...maybe a nice little pontoon boat? * 640 x 480 * (264KB)
Libertylaunch&dockday7 020small * Same pier framing, same beach, but now on the right side as we look toward the dam. Yep, got some water, but barely a puddle compared to the 13 or 14 million gallons we're gonna need for a full pool. * 640 x 480 * (177KB)
Libertylaunch&dockday7 022small * The
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Libertylaunch&dockday7 033small * We start installing the 2
Libertylaunch&dockday8 003small * Let the work begin on the big Magilla; the 14' x 16' covered deck at the end of the launch pier. The main supports are four 6
Libertylaunch&dockday8 005small * The main deck supports are 2
Libertylaunch&dockday8 019small * The floor joists will be 2
Launch-dockday9-042small * All the dock stringers and deck floor joists are installed. The main roof support framing is also complete. The second launch pour is complete, creating a 12' x 62' launch. The entire dock and deck is 42' long. Donna is either dreaming of the day when we can sit out here and watch the sunset...or...how much more work I want to get done yet today. This is a Gatorade moment. * 640 x 480 * (204KB)
Libertylaunch&dockday9 030small * The blocking is installed between the floor joists. The deck framing turned out great. We are both very pleased....and exhausted. * 640 x 480 * (201KB)
Libertylaunch&dockday9 004small * Finally, we get a few rain-free days in a row and complete the second launch slab pour. Like the craftsman that I am, I carefully apply the delicate finished surface that we seek. * 640 x 480 * (197KB)
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Libertylaunchdock011012stitchsmall * ...looking across to the building site beyond * 640 x 293 * (106KB)
Libertylaunch&dockday9 022small * I spent $15 on a cheap pneumatic impact driver and brought the compressor to the jobsite. I don't always make good decisions, but this one goes over the top. No more spinning a wratchet for this guy. * 640 x 480 * (164KB)
11-21-06 018small * The final, framed product, ready for decking and a roof. Oh yeah, and some approach steps. Spring of 2007 will be busy. Bring on da juice! * 640 x 480 * (206KB)
11-21-06 019small * We had issues with the stability of our original design. A roof is going to create a pretty big kite when the wind really starts honkin', so the decision is made to reinforce the entire framework with structural diagonal bracing. 6
5-31-07012,013stitchmedium * Please excuse the stupid blue tarp, but the sun protection it provides far outweighs the discomfort of the heat as we toiled with the decking installation. It's the end of May '07 and the last deck board has just been installed. It was alot of work, but no regrets. Even now the view is wonderful. We are anxious for thelast 2-1/2 feet of water depth to accummulate and fill in. * 700 x 309 * (35KB)
5-31-07 017small * Ah, yes...the end of the work day and the
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7-1-07 009small * This was our first foray into the use of roof trusses. Good decision! They are reasonably priced, lightweight, and saved a bunch of labor time. We added a 24
7-7-07 043small * The completed dock/deck. We selected a transparent cedar-tone deck stain and sealer. The roof is snap-lock metal panels, so nearly all the fastening screws are covered and invisible; a nice clean look. The eaves and rake perimeter are all pressure treated 2 x 6. They will be allowed to weather naturally. We opted to protect the wood trusses at each gable end by covering it with 1/2
7-5-07028,029stitchsmall * We have found that we get fairly dramatic lighting at the very end of the day, when the sun has just set below the treetops. This pic is no exception. Strangely, it provokes both calm and some anxiety. We wipe our brow knowing that the dock/deck is completed and ready for R & R, but the bare building site just beyond beckons our attention. We have pulled a building permit for a substantial shed as part of that development, but it's sure startin' to look like an '08 project. * 640 x 281 * (28KB)
3-15-08 008small * During the winter of 2008, we received significant precipitation bringing the pond up to full. We also invested in a nice replacement digital camera with 12x optical zoom. We brought the two together in March '08 to take this shot from the dam, some 700 feet away. A little photo touch-up was applied and we thought it was worthy of this photo album. * 640 x 480 * (67KB)
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