Anyone had any experience or tips about reworking an old aluminum garden shed?
I am trying to decide whether to just do a little interior propping or take it apart.

I thought if I did I could quick_crete a concrete paver floor,build a 4x4post and 2x4 canopy frame with roof beams and add the aluminum back on.

I have a power drill but not sure how easy getting some of the screws out might be?

I have the lumber but I don't know if some kind of metal slip together braces are even available without buying a whole kit?

Tips, advice, is this too much for one person project? .

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YES...Take it from an ex farmer old boy

MY TIP to you is,..Don't panic, ..All is good.

GET or LET A MAN TO DO IT..
( Friend, Neighbour or even an EX )

Okay, that was pun intended

I've spent my life trying to make do with such situations. It's all in the details, and I'm not completely sure what you have going on.

Getting old rusted screws out can be a problem, and many times I've bought extra hardened drill bits, specifically to drill the old screw heads off, rather than trying to overcome the rust. You can ask at your local hardware/tool store for bit recommendations.

As far as "slip together braces," I'm not sure what you mean. My instant imaginary version of what you are trying to do, is to build the frame out of wood,and then just use the aluminum as a skin, rather than a structural element. There are lots of brackets and braces that are made specifically to hold wood together, some are even made to provide the entire joint, so that the wood is just used like ribs between the metal joints. But that gets expensive.

One simple thing I've used before, is to use two-by-fours for framing, and hold them together at the joints with slabs of particle board. The main thing I'd suggest you do with whatever choice you make, since the thing will be outside, is to get some water sealant to paint all your wood bits in after they are cut to size, and add a second layer to your wood frame before adding on the aluminum.

Thanks Igor.
I will remember the sealant idea. And look for the bits you are talking about.

Hopefully because the individual walls are not that huge I was going to try taking apart things at the corner and the roofline will do it. Trying to lift off the roof might be a little tricky but hoping I can recruite my neighbors to lift it off and lay it in the neighbors yard without bending it up. (Maybe actually coat it while it is done on the ground. I am not big on ladders.)
She said I could because I do her yard work.

The wood supports I thought of using some of the leftover marine grade plywood I used to redo my deck.

My Dad used to use WD30 to get screws out but I think the fumes might do me in.

I am thinking if I can spiff up my place I might sell out since the older I get it is getting a bit much to keep up.

Hey Funzy you voluteering? Lol








Didn't think so.

Tearing down even a moderate size metal shed is probably not something you want to do alone. Old metal has sharp edges and even aluminum sheet can turn out to be heavier than expected. A gust of wind can cause real problems. If you're not careful you can end up under a pile of sheet metal, with a bad gash, a big headache, both, or worse.

But if you're set on doing it. Plan ahead. Look things over carefully before you start randomly unscrewing things. And work from the top down.

Building a wood frame shouldn't be much of a problem. Measure twice cut once. Building supply stores usually have all kinds of brackets and such. Again plan ahead.

But you're probably going to find out it's cheaper to just buy a new one and have them put it up for ya.

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LOL..." PacificStar48 "
Volunteer ??..Yay and Nay ..What's in it 4 me ?
Okay, Have got a room to accommodate an funny old fart cowboy ?
Aussie cowboy not Yankee cowboy ( Big difference )
Average size ( No big guts, Cheeky bottom and Doesn't drink Jack Daniel ), can sleep under the stars and loves Feta cheese, anchovies & olives on his pizza, takes his socks off before going to bed and much more..

Secondly,....Air fare will overdo the benefits ...LOL
Cheaper to buy a new one I THINK ?? ( Shed that is )

I need some extra tools, an axe and a 10 pound hammer

That's just in case I have to tear it down ( The old shed )
That's if I am not pleased with my work..I tear down and start again
from scratch.. ...Just like new relationships

Nah, I am not putting my fingers up ...Nay
But, I will leave you with a tradesman's best secret
to use it in the future..Please remember it next time you
need to use a hammer and a nail ....lol

Only in Australian Outback we have the best kept secrets
of the best & practical tradies ever on the planet...

Yankee & Canadian blokes can learn new tricks
from Aussie Bushman's blokes also

Funzy;
I had to look close to see if they put any hairs on that Aussie head of yours to see if she was even using your comb. I didn't see any sheeps wool or roo hair. Lol

Leave it to an Aussie to put a steel shed together with hammer and nails. Doesn't surprise me in the outback I suppose charging a battery pack socket wrench might be a challenge. (Giggles)

I looked at the project and I may favor the idea of the ten pound hammer solution. Price of recycled aluminum now days I could probably get a resin one and not have to paint it.

Thanks for the pizza idea that is the fastest way to get cheap labor around here if you speak a little Spanish.

Motown
I heeded your warning about the wind and will wait for a calmer day. Today was a little blustery. I do have the heavy gloves and jacket to keep from ripping open my hands and ecetera. AND I AM VERY CAREFUL.


I did get over to the Depot and looked into the metal gizzmos to connect the lumber. They aren't cheap but I figure it will be more solid.

The floor guy showed me a premade concrete form to set down in the ground, level each with a chalk line and then set the 4x4 posts in too discouraged termite rot. Then run the pavers I have around the perimeter and lower the shed back down. He said he used tire jacks and just lifted and blocked the shed he redid rather than try to take it all apart.
Which sounds good to me. It is painted a couple times so every screw was going to be a bugger to get out. This way a a touch up paint job might sqweek me by. THANKFULLY I have the old army folding shovel and hand tools to work up under one corner at a time.

And he said if I brought the posts in they would cut them to length I need for fifty cent a cut. That beats the sore shoulder I was sure to have doing it by hand. But Thanks for reminding me my Dad and tight budgets drilled that "Measure twice Cut once" wisdom in but doesn't hurt to hear it again.

I am fortunate I do have a pretty good set of tools so I am not trying to fix something with bobbypins and a d tape. Lol

I sure appreciate all the tips and good humor. Makes the job easier. I get it done I will let you know. Maybe put a pic ony profile.

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I never tell fibs ( Lies ) " PacificStar48 "
This is my off-grid power I BUILD IT MYSELF.
Easy peasy

I like it bold...Bold is beautiful and sexy ..

We Aussie blokes living in the bush ( Out Back )
fix everything with our hands..Specially if we have
basic tools like 10 pounds Hammers, hacksaws, axe,
and W-40 ..LOL

I also have another 3 KW Power panels on the roof.



Cheers ...Have fun building

I built a few metal sheds in my day...first thing you're going to need is a big box of Bandaids...they come in assorted sizes and colors. Next thing, very important, is an artery clip...

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LOL " Maxsterx "..AGREE...That can be a lifesaver
in certain circumstances

That is a very cool idea! Thanks Funzy, and my fingers thank you as well

Ops, looks like the picture is not accepted.
NO ...It wasn't porn folks, it was a pic of 6 solar panels.

What the heck...I'l try again.

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I never tell fibs ( Lies ) " PacificStar48 "

That's how I charge my batteries packs , no socket required..LOL

This is my off-grid power I BUILD IT MYSELF.
Easy peasy laugh

I like it bold...Bold is beautiful and sexy ..

We Aussie blokes living in the bush ( Out Back )
fix everything with our hands..Specially if we have
basic tools like 10 pounds Hammers, hacksaws, axe,
and W-40 ..LOL

I also have another 3 KW Power panels on the roof
these are connected to the grid and get paid for
what I don't use.

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My pleasure
LOL..Fantastic ideas for the rest of the world
directly from Australian Outback

Funzy

Cool solar, think I should try that here. I don't know how it computes out for discount versus investment but I know I am very glad the "Princess" that left me my place put a house style vanity roof attic fan. Because in this Sizzling Sacramento sun this place would be an oven without it.

I lucked out I got big discount coupon for Harbor Freight to get some bottle jacks cheapo. Yea !!!

So if you won't drink my Great Great Uncle's Jack Black what is a good Aussie whiskey dearheart?

You know my first grandson was nicked named after a baby roo before he made his Grand entrance.

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LOL...You almost got me confused but I recovered

- FREE & LOTS of SUN ...UTILISE IT ( Provided one can afford it )
In the long run, say, 6 to 8 years you get your investment back.
The rest of years ahead, are called PROFIT/S

- NOTHING comes CHEAP..Even alcohol on special..I wonder if my
RETIRED line of work has teached me something about alcohol, drunks
and all the prices they pay during and after consumption

- I consider a glass or two or few of a good red wine or few
nips of Irish whiskey once a month as a NON DRINKER ( Social only ).
YES, I CAN'T STAND SAWER WHISKEY..LOL

-Good Aussies prefer BEER
Surprisingly, again, I prefer German LAGER and the STOUT,
the famous Irish beer...I am European you see ??

- So, your grandson's name must be JOEY ?? ..LOL

Cheers and have fun , pleasure talking with you.