Six members of the Kidney Foundation take the Warehouse Warriors challenge to see who can get design and build the finest playhouse in just eight hours. The teams: Members of the Kidney Foundation. The project: A playhouse The timeframe: 8 hours (9.a.m. - 5 p.m.) The members of both teams are active in the National Kidney Foundation and have lots of construction and home project experience. These guys are used to helping others, but now they'll have to help themselves if they hope to finish in time. Let's meet the teams! Red Team Mark Brodd
Bill Evans
Lonnie Cantinella
Blue TeamJonathon Overly
David LaRose
Charlie Barker
Red Team Activity Journal (9 a.m. - 11 a.m.) - The Red Team designs their playhouse to look like an army truck complete with seats and camouflage paint. They begin by cutting six 2 x 6s for the floor joists (figure A). Four are 72-1/2 inches in length and two are 39-1/2 inches. The joists are laid out and nailed together.
- Next, two 4 x 4s are cut to 39-1/2 inches in length and then laid across the floor joists. The boards are attached with Simpson strong ties. Nuts and bolts are added to further secure the framework.
- Finally, the whole thing is flipped over so that the 4 x 4s rest upon the floor.
- A piece of 3/4-inch plywood is cut to 72-1/2" x 39-1/2" and nailed across the top of the floor joist.
- Pressure-treated 2 x 4s are chosen for the two side frames and cut to three different sizes: two 25-inch pieces, two 34-inch pieces and two 60-inch pieces. The frames are assembled (figure B) and attached with a nail gun.
Blue Team Activity Journal (9 a.m. - 11 a.m.) - The Blue Team's plan features a traditional playhouse with a large shelf and play space inside. Added features will include a ladder, a large service door and multi-shaped windows . Floor joists are the first item of business. They choose 2 x 4s and cut four to 65 inches in length and two boards to 61 inches. The joists are then nailed together.
- Next, three 4 x 4 posts are attached to three corners of the floor joist frame with Simpson strong ties.
- As the morning hours burn away, the team begins attaching 12 synthetic decking boards to their floor frame (figure C). They place metal spacers between each board and then nail into the frame.
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