Erecting big oak frames

Today Gary returned with his crane to move the remaining oak frames into position.  First the huge 7 panel frame for the living room weighing well over a tonne was moved out of the barn . . .

 . . . and skilfully swung into position

Moving it was easy - fitting it into an aperture about 5mm larger vertically and 10mm larger horizontally proved much more difficult.  Eventually some judicious planing in the centre top section where it had swollen slightly from the rainstorm on Monday and a very large sledge hammer got it into place.

View from inside looking out . . .

Next came the shorter but just as heavy nearside section of the conservatory which needed the top sections fixing into place before lifting.

Scaffolding had been erected over the conservatory floor to support the three huge purlins whose tenons need to fit into the pre-cut mortices on the main frame.

With this section in place, final construction of the conservatory will take place tomorrow.  Fitting such huge frames in such precise positions is a major tribute to all involved from the initial preparation of the ground work, through casting of the passive slab to the completed brickwork.  Getting the frames finally into place relied heavily on Paul's scaffolding and Steve's direction - ably assisted by Debbie and Murray,  not to mention the incredible accuracy of Gary in the crane.  All in all a great team effort.

If anyone in the Evesham, Stratford area needs a crane on their build I cannot reccomend Vic Haines Crane Hire with Gary in the driving seat - too highly.