Building a Shepherd's Hut

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Broch

Life Member
Jan 18, 2009
7,981
7,757
Mid Wales
www.mont-hmg.co.uk
A quick update:

I put a long day in on Wednesday because we were forecast heavy rain - got all the external panelling complete except the arches and put the smaller window frame and the door frame in. I covered the openings with plastic sheet but, in the end, we didn't get any rain!

Today I finished off the panelling with the arches front and back.

The next couple of days will see the first coat of treatment and the windows and door put in :)

shepherds hut 6.jpg
 

Broch

Life Member
Jan 18, 2009
7,981
7,757
Mid Wales
www.mont-hmg.co.uk
Have you considered creosote?. A dark colour and decent protection, it's a bit smelly to begin with but when you consider modern tanalising for timber is almost worthless it might be an option..

Good call, especially as I have 4L of the stuff at the back of the garage. I've done another sample using that (eeh gods I'd forgotten how much it smells :) )

Bottom right in the photo.

I think I'm still swaying towards the dark oak TBH

treatment samples.jpg
 
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Redhand Jack

Tenderfoot
Jan 25, 2021
62
57
Devon
@Broch Could I ask that you do tester of 50/50 creosote and linseed oil / danish oil or whatever you can spare please? - I stumbled upon several mentions of 'boat soup' whilst reading up on waxed canvases and creosote might be a useful alternative to pine tar in recipes for outdoor rather than marine timber.

Decking oil might also be an option - there's plenty of coloured versions, although some may contain polyurethanes which might affect how the wood breathes..

I reckon the dark oak looks best too, but whatever you decide to go with I reckon it'll look cracking :thumbsup:
 

TLM

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Nov 16, 2019
3,092
1,624
Vantaa, Finland
People who want a fast aged grey on wooden surface use iron sulfate, it gives a fairly natural aged grey colour in a few moths, sometimes faster.

The most common recipe seems to be 2 kg of FeSO4 to 10 l of water.
 
Last edited:

slowworm

Full Member
May 8, 2008
1,982
934
Devon
Getting there now! :)
Nice shed. ;)

I know they have to be technically movable but I assume the hut is normally fixed in place? Just wondering about the slope...

And sorry if I missed it but what is the roof made from and did it come curved?
 

Broch

Life Member
Jan 18, 2009
7,981
7,757
Mid Wales
www.mont-hmg.co.uk
Nice shed. ;)

I know they have to be technically movable but I assume the hut is normally fixed in place? Just wondering about the slope...

And sorry if I missed it but what is the roof made from and did it come curved?

It has to be capable of moving 15m. However, the wheels are locked by large 'U' bolts that go over a spoke and through the hubs; The rolling chassis was easy to move by hand and I didn't fancy finding the wind had blown it down the hill :)

The outer skin of the roof is coated corrugated steel made specifically for shepherds huts, so, yes, curved.
 

Dogoak

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Jan 24, 2009
2,285
286
Cairngorms
Nice job Brock, looking good.

I have used Osmo anti UV oil on a shepherds hut for a client, with good results. The hut’s South facing on the Northern side of the Cairngorms so its seen some weather. Just over three years old now, it’s had a couple of coats and the wood‘s still retaining it’s natural colour, this was a clear coat, they do some tints as well.
 

Broch

Life Member
Jan 18, 2009
7,981
7,757
Mid Wales
www.mont-hmg.co.uk
I can't believe it's two weeks since I updated on my progress!

Anyway, I'm down to those little jobs that seem to take forever. The inside has been completely panelled and painted, the floor has been laid and has now had two coats of antique oil/wax.

There's still a skirting and some finishing beading to put on. Plus, the window handles and locks haven't arrived yet; for some reason Ludlow Foundries stopped making the ones I originally wanted - the windows are held shut with some temporary bolts. I was thinking of painting the cross-beam and ridge but I've decided to stain them instead. Then, hopefully later this week, the log burner is going in (I'm still waiting for the corrugated roof cowl).

shepherds hut 9.jpg
 

TeeDee

Full Member
Nov 6, 2008
10,451
3,654
50
Exeter
I can't believe it's two weeks since I updated on my progress!

Anyway, I'm down to those little jobs that seem to take forever. The inside has been completely panelled and painted, the floor has been laid and has now had two coats of antique oil/wax.

There's still a skirting and some finishing beading to put on. Plus, the window handles and locks haven't arrived yet; for some reason Ludlow Foundries stopped making the ones I originally wanted - the windows are held shut with some temporary bolts. I was thinking of painting the cross-beam and ridge but I've decided to stain them instead. Then, hopefully later this week, the log burner is going in (I'm still waiting for the corrugated roof cowl).

View attachment 67364


Looks cracking!!!
 

Broch

Life Member
Jan 18, 2009
7,981
7,757
Mid Wales
www.mont-hmg.co.uk
Thanks for the encouragement guys. I'm actually 'quite' pleased with it. However, I made the mistake of visiting a professionally supplied one last week (a friend in the next valley has just had one delivered that she's letting out) and, well, let's just say I won't be taking up building them professionally :)
 

Wayland

Hárbarðr
Old-School-Camp-I.jpg


Looking great Andy.

A friend of mine built a bit of a hybrid Shepherds hut / Gypsy caravan so I'll drop these pictures here for inspiration.

Old-School-Camp-I-Riams-Living-Caravan-I.jpg


Riams-Caravan-I.jpg


Riams-Caravan-III.jpg
 

Broch

Life Member
Jan 18, 2009
7,981
7,757
Mid Wales
www.mont-hmg.co.uk
Old-School-Camp-I.jpg


Looking great Andy.

A friend of mine built a bit of a hybrid Shepherds hut / Gypsy caravan so I'll drop these pictures here for inspiration.

Old-School-Camp-I-Riams-Living-Caravan-I.jpg


Riams-Caravan-I.jpg


Riams-Caravan-III.jpg

I don't think I'll be towing this one to a Steam Camp :)

I was planning a more rustic/rural decor but the missus had other ideas! I definitely wouldn't have got away with the 'showman/traveller' style either :)
 
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Brizzlebush

Explorer
Feb 9, 2019
581
397
Bristol
I must say it's lovely to see it all coming together.
It's looking really good fella. The satisfaction of the first night there with it all done well be quite something.
Great job mate!
 

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