Category Archives: tools

Vinyl Backed Insulation, Post Brackets, and Rebar Hairpins

Posted by polebarnguru on 22/12/28 @ 8:00
Vinyl Backed Insulation, Post Brackets, and Rebar Hairpins

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about the availability of a tool for installation of vinyl backed insulation, pouring concrete prior to use of brackets and the limitations of “dry set” brackets, as well as setting vapor barrier once rebar hairpins have been installed. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Is there a tool […]

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An Innovation to Attach Tops of Interior Walls

Posted by polebarnguru on 22/07/28 @ 8:00
An Innovation to Attach Tops of Interior Walls

An Innovation to Attach Tops of Interior Walls Roof and/or floor trusses should not be fixed attached to tops of non-load bearing interior walls. In a previous article, I discussed a possible solution to this challenge (please read: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2016/01/attaching-interior-walls-to-trusses/). Those brilliant engineering type folks at Simpson may just have invented a better mouse trap for […]

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Radiant Floor Heat, UC-4B Post Treatment, and Button Staples

Posted by polebarnguru on 22/07/27 @ 8:00
Radiant Floor Heat, UC-4B Post Treatment, and Button Staples

This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about the use of radiant floor heat for a post frame building, post treatment that will not rot, and whether or not button staples can be used for housewrap on a post frame house. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I am researching my build. I wanted to […]

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Where We Ship, Raising Walls, and Bottom Chord Dead Loads

Posted by polebarnguru on 22/03/30 @ 8:00
Where We Ship, Raising Walls, and Bottom Chord Dead Loads

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about where we ship, whether or not trying to raise pre-assembled walls is a good idea, and the use of double or single trusses when applying drywall. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Where do you guys ship? Nationwide? SUZANNE in BROOKSVILLE DEAR SUZANNE: Hansen Pole Buildings is […]

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Site Prep, Brackets on Slab, and Treated Lumber

Posted by polebarnguru on 22/01/19 @ 8:00
Site Prep, Brackets on Slab, and Treated Lumber

This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about site preparation and underground obstructions, a recommendation for building with wet set brackets on slab, and whether or not Hansen Buildings uses lumber treated for in-ground use– UC-4B. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: We recently started the ground work for our future 48×72 pole building. Half […]

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Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Posted by polebarnguru on 21/10/15 @ 8:00
Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Necessity is the Mother of Invention In 1972’s iconic rock tune by Deep Purple, “Smoke On The Water” we are treated to this lyrical excerpt: “Frank Zappa and the Mothers were at the best place around”. Leading back to 1964, when Frank Zappa took over leadership of American rock band The Soul Giants and changed […]

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Cedar Boards, Repainting a Roof, and “Dummies”

Posted by polebarnguru on 21/09/20 @ 8:00
Cedar Boards, Repainting a Roof, and “Dummies”

This Monday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about installing cedar boards on to a steel tubed hanger door, the best practice for painting a 30 year old steel roof, and “Pole Barns for Dummies?” DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Any tips on installing cedar board 1″ x 12″w with 1×3 batten on a 20’tall […]

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Driver Bits, a Big Room, and Overhead Door Space

Posted by polebarnguru on 21/09/06 @ 8:00
Driver Bits, a Big Room, and Overhead Door Space

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about driver bits, the ability to build one big room, and the ability to place a 14′ tall overhead garage door in a building with 14′ sidewalls. DEAR POLE BARN GURU:   Just read a post you had in 2013 that Hansen supplier uses high quality screws. Getting […]

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Winch Boxes – Episode V

Posted by polebarnguru on 19/11/01 @ 8:00
Winch Boxes – Episode V

Winch Boxes – Episode V Hey if George Lucas can have his second Star Wars movie be Episode V, why not me? Back on task, with winch boxes. Most of you have Googled them overnight. I can hear you nodding your heads. Thought you could Google anything and get an answer, didn’t you? Me too, […]

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Smartphone App to Test Lumber Strength

Posted by polebarnguru on 19/03/07 @ 8:00
Smartphone App to Test Lumber Strength

I have been a proponent of machine rated lumber since I bought my first truckload to be made into trusses at Coeur d’Alene Truss (http://www.cdabuilders.com/) back in 1978. Years later I spent five terms on the Board of Directors of the Machine Stress Rated Lumber Producers Council (http://www.msrlumber.org/). I have opined previously on the merits […]

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Ladder Safety

Posted by polebarnguru on 17/03/09 @ 8:00
Ladder Safety

Helping you to NOT be like this guy on a ladder… As my father died from a construction fall, I am always a bit sensitive towards safety on jobsites when it comes to possible falls. While Hansen Pole Buildings does not construct anything, we want all of our clients, or their contractors, to live to […]

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New in the Hammer World

Posted by polebarnguru on 16/12/20 @ 8:00
New in the Hammer World

New in the Hammering World     Estwing AL-Pro When the latest and greatest comes around, I try to be on top of providing information to my valued readers, many of whom have become trusted friends. Here is a new one for your reading enjoyment! Best known for its single-piece steel hammers Estwing is about to […]

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Attacking Pole Barn Rocks in Holes

Posted by polebarnguru on 16/12/14 @ 8:00
Attacking Pole Barn Rocks in Holes

Breaking Through Rock in Holes Post frame (pole) buildings are maybe the easiest to construct and most affordable permanent structures known to human kind. Once the holes are dug and the columns are set, it is pretty well nothing but go-go-go. The intangible is what is happening below the surface of the ground. When I […]

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Titanium Hammers on Galvanized Fasteners

Posted by polebarnguru on 16/06/07 @ 8:00
Titanium Hammers on Galvanized Fasteners

Back to Vincent’s Question A few days ago Vincent Phelps postulated this question: “Titanium hammers claim to put a greater amount of energy into the nail. What impact (no pun intended) does that have on galvanized fasteners? I’ve seen failure of the protective coating and even the heads being broken by worn out by air […]

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Hammer Handles

Posted by polebarnguru on 16/06/03 @ 8:00
Hammer Handles

For some reason, I have always liked framing hammers with wooden handles. Always felt far more comfortable in my hand than composites or steel handles. Hickory handles beat synthetic materials for strength, and also have the benefit of less vibration. Wood transfers less vibration than metal. Some hammers have a fiberglass shaft core or a glass […]

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Titanium Hammers

Posted by polebarnguru on 16/06/02 @ 8:00
Titanium Hammers

I appreciate long time reader Vincent Phelps – Vincent, I know you are reading this and thank you! Vincent appears to be always on the lookout for technology and new and better ways to build bigger mousetraps (buildings). Here was a recent question he sent to me on Facebook (yes, we are Facebook friends): “Titanium […]

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Swenson Shear to Cut Steel

Posted by polebarnguru on 14/10/14 @ 8:00
Swenson Shear to Cut Steel

More Ways to Cut Steel When I owned M & W Building Supply in the 1980’s, for a plethora of reasons we would end up with extra sheets of steel roofing and siding. Sometimes it would just be a quantity error on a takeoff, other times clients would just plain change their minds. As people […]

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Sheet Metal Cutting Tools

Posted by polebarnguru on 14/10/10 @ 8:00
Sheet Metal Cutting Tools

There is absolutely nothing finer than a recommendation from one of our clients on a tool, process or procedure which they have used to make construction of their new Hansen Pole Building kit package easier. A challenge, for many, is having to cut steel panels and trims with various sheet metal cutting tools often being […]

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American Made Tools

Posted by polebarnguru on 14/01/23 @ 8:00
American Made Tools

DeWALT® has announced it will build more than 600 different tools in the United States. Their focus is not on where the materials for the tools come from, but on where the tools are assembled. The new lines sporting the “Built in the USA” sticker include 32 hand tools, 48 power tools and 562 accessories. […]

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