Reinforcing shed - side to side rocking

[Taita]

Hi PH

Missus has a 7x8ft Tiger shed that needs some reinforcing as it isn't 100% square and is a bit bent. Eg the door used to shut squarely, now an gap at the top has appeared as the frame has bent slightly.

The rear wall is 8ft,with vertical squares set every 74cm or so, this divides the rear wall into 3 rectangles, about 73cm x 176cm.

I've bought some 2x1 and was planning on putting a cross member in each rectangle (and same on front and side walls) however getting the right angle to provide any rigidity is proving a pain as I can't mark up exactly where the 90deg angle on the 2x1 reinforcement should be. Set square arriving tomorrow which should ease the process slightly.

Is there a better or easier way of doing this? I was thinking maybe some L shaped brackets in each of the 4 corners of each rectangle? Longer or shorter legs on these?

A few pics to support my rubbish description!

Plan is from top right to bottom left corner, like a farmers gate in its side.


Also have my reservations about how much support some softwood 2x1 wedged inside the rectangles with some screws will provide....

Have electric saw that can do angles etc.

[ColinM50]

Triangles are your friend, the bigger the better. So 2x1 from top right to bottom left screw through the 2 inch section. But wedge it square before fixing the struts. Amazing how much structural rigidity that'll give you

[TonyRPH]

You need diagonal support from corner to corner rather than horizontal.

Look at a typical wooden farm gate for example.

[Paul Drawmer]

Also put a similar diagonal on the hinge side of the door. This will let you straighten the door up and keep it fitting properly.

One diagonal as you describe in each wall will make the shed much stiffer.

[IJWS15]

Make sure the base is level first, otherwise it will flex again as soon as you put anything into it.

[gfreeman]

Or get some ply or OSB sheets and line the inside. Can use it for hanging tools as well if you get 18mm thick although 9mm fixed at 200mm centres would be enough.

[Taita]

Sorry I did say my description was crap! My plan is to put the diagonals in from top right to bottom left etc.

Measuring the exact length and angle required is just a bit of a pain, but looks like it could be the best option. Any tips for measuring and cutting so it wedges in securely?

[Taita]

ColinM50 said:

Triangles are your friend, the bigger the better. So 2x1 from top right to bottom left screw through the 2 inch section. But wedge it square before fixing the struts. Amazing how much structural rigidity that'll give you

Do I need to worry about cutting a 90deg angle into the 2x1 to slot exactly into the corners? Or will it work OK with 2x1 at roughly the right length to fit in the gap and some screws?

[gfreeman]

Taita said:

Do I need to worry about cutting a 90deg angle into the 2x1 to slot exactly into the corners? Or will it work OK with 2x1 at roughly the right length to fit in the gap and some screws?

Ply sheet comes with a ready made 90 deg angle.

[Taita]

That is true. I don't however have any of it currently but I do have some 2x1.

Ply sheet might be a future work.

[big_northern_monkey]

This is the only use for Pythagoras Theorem I've found.

Measure the existing horizontal and vertical lengths, quick bit of maths, cut the diagonal to the length dictated by the maths paying attention to the orientation of the 45 degree cuts. When it fits you know the corner is exactly square.

[Taita]

Aye I've done the maths and have the lengths, just getting the 45degs either side proving tiresome so was after inspiration for alternatives if poss

[Fatboy]

Put a bit of 2*1 in the middle of the rectangle to make two squares, then cut two wedges, each with two 45 degree angles on, so isosceles triangle, glue them in the opposite corners of the square then you just need square cuts on the cross piece to brace...

[ChocolateFrog]

gfreeman said:

Or get some ply or OSB sheets and line the inside. Can use it for hanging tools as well if you get 18mm thick although 9mm fixed at 200mm centres would be enough.

This is what I'd do too.

Might need to remortgage first though the way ply prices have gone.

[Taita]

Fatboy said:

Put a bit of 2*1 in the middle of the rectangle to make two squares, then cut two wedges, each with two 45 degree angles on, so isosceles triangle, glue them in the opposite corners of the square then you just need square cuts on the cross piece to brace...

I like the cut of your square jib Sir

[Condi]

big_northern_monkey said:

This is the only use for Pythagoras Theorem I've found.

Measure the existing horizontal and vertical lengths, quick bit of maths, cut the diagonal to the length dictated by the maths paying attention to the orientation of the 45 degree cuts. When it fits you know the corner is exactly square.

This is okay, but if the shed has already started to move (ie isn't square now) then it won't work.

But OP you've be amazed how much stronger it is with some 1*2 or 2*4 braces.

[samdale]

I'd measure top left to bottom right of a rectangle, right into the corners.

• Cut a 2x1 this length (square ends)
• Offer it up then reach behind it with a pencil.
• Mark the positions of the horizontal and vertical studs of the shed on the back of your diagonal piece of wood.
• Remove piece of wood and cut along marked lines
• Slot into place and secure with large screws at either end.

[RC1807]

samdale said:

I'd measure top left to bottom right of a rectangle, right into the corners.

• Cut a 2x1 this length (square ends)
• Offer it up then reach behind it with a pencil.
• Mark the positions of the horizontal and vertical studs of the shed on the back of your diagonal piece of wood.
• Remove piece of wood and cut along marked lines
• Slot into place and secure with large screws at either end.

Isn't that just going to hold the shed in it's current wonky shape, instead of squaring it up so the door closes properly, too?
If, between steps 1 and 2, the shed had been pushed into a square shape, then it'd be better to mark/cut the wood based on that, wouldn't it?

[aeropilot]

RC1807 said:

samdale said:

I'd measure top left to bottom right of a rectangle, right into the corners.

• Cut a 2x1 this length (square ends)
• Offer it up then reach behind it with a pencil.
• Mark the positions of the horizontal and vertical studs of the shed on the back of your diagonal piece of wood.
• Remove piece of wood and cut along marked lines
• Slot into place and secure with large screws at either end.

Isn't that just going to hold the shed in it's current wonky shape, instead of squaring it up so the door closes properly, too?
If, between steps 1 and 2, the shed had been pushed into a square shape, then it'd be better to mark/cut the wood based on that, wouldn't it?

Yes, shed needs to be pushed back into shape first.........likely someone doing from outside while someone is inside and screwing a temp brace to keep it square and then can measure accurately the permanent brace to fit, then the temp brace can be removed once fitted. Bracing needs to be done on both side of shed otherwise it won't work.

[RC1807]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I'm not the OP, but I read the OP.