Tornado Shelter: Constructing The Beams

The beams that will make up the walls and ceiling are made by nailing and gluing three 2x8s together. You will make 71 beams of various lengths.

You Will Need

Materials Needed In This Section

• Cut boards from previous section
• 36 untouched 2x8s 
• 16d nails and construction adhesive

Tools Needed For This Section

• Sawhorses
• Caulking gun
• Woodworking clamps
• Pneumatic framing nail gun
• Hand saw

Final Beam List

• Four (4) top, 91-1/2" long
• Three (3) bottom, 91-1/2" long
• One (1) bottom, 28-1/2" long
• One (1) bottom, 24" long
• Thirty (30) middle, 91-1/2" long
• Ten (10) middle, 28-1/2 long
• Ten (10) middle, 24" long
• Twelve (12) roof, 8 ft. long

Watch the Video

The first minute of the video is for Step 1 - Cutting the Lumber and Step 2 - Constructing the Beams. After 00:01.05 the video covers Step 3 - Assembling the Walls.

Instructions

Click on each image below, in order, for specific instructions.