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tperez
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Anybody use Socket Systems to build a barn?
02/02/05 09:30 PM
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Hello Everyone,
I am looking at a system of pre-measured metal sockets that are used to build a Post Barn Frame called "Socket Systems".
They can be found at www.socketsystems.com. They have been around since 1982 but I can't find any info, good or bad, for this system. I was wondering if anybody here has used them or know someone who has used them.
The system is basically a set of mitered knuckles to put together the Frame of any style barn. Just cut the posts and beams to length and slip them into the knuckle,bolt them down, and raise up using the hinged base plate. The system seems sound enough and I can see definite savings on the labor and equipment but I just can't find any info on a company that has been around for 20+ years. That makes me worry a little. Should I be concerned? 
Thanks in advance for any responses.
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Pat
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Re: Anybody use Socket Systems to build a barn?
[re: tperez]
02/02/05 09:45 PM
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At one time I used the "OLD PHONE BOOK" method of checking suppliers. If I could look them up in a 3 year old phone book and they had the same address, I gave them bonus points for stability.
A variant of this wouuld be to check them out in Thomas Register, on-line or even better is an old paper version, say 10 years old. If they are there maybe they are for real but if not maybe some smoke and mirors are at play.
 Pat
"I'm not from your planet, monkey boy!"
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egon
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Re: Anybody use Socket Systems to build a barn?
[re: Pat]
02/02/05 10:11 PM
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Some years ago Home Depot had some similar metal clips for building small backyard greenhouses.
Think I'd do a bunch of asking first. Some of the designs on their web site are a little questionable maybe??
Egon
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Chillimau
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Re: Anybody use Socket Systems to build a barn?
[re: tperez]
02/03/05 09:51 AM
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Like Egon,
I would wonder if these have been approved by a Proffessional Engineer and for what wind and snow loads?
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tperez
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Re: Anybody use Socket Systems to build a barn?
[re: Chillimau]
02/03/05 10:44 AM
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I found them in the Thomas Register but that just showed that they registered. They are not local to me so I can't really use the phone book idea, although that is a pretty slick idea.
Their product has been engineered and you can download the engineer specs off of their site.
Being in Central Texas we have no snow load limit (as you might imagine) but the wind could be a problem. It does get fairly windy here with gusts up to 50+ mph. It's not an everyday occurance though.
What I particularly like is that the roof truss system is pretty straight forward. With other plans you have to either build them or have them built for you. I have never built a roof truss and to build several the same way seems fairly daunting to me. The work doesn't scare me but the accuracy does a little. Don't want a wavy roof you know.
Thank You for the replies so far.
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mfaley
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Re: Anybody use Socket Systems to build a barn?
[re: tperez]
02/03/05 05:17 PM
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"I have never built a roof truss and to build several the same way seems fairly daunting to me."
I agree. It seems like this would be a good solution but I would want to compare this to the cost of other structures.
In this case you have the cost of the hardware plus the cost of 2" x 6"s and two courses of 1/2" thick plywood.
If I am building a shed for my tractor and implements I wonder if a tub steel shed might be less money.
Mark
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Pat
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Re: Anybody use Socket Systems to build a barn?
[re: tperez]
02/04/05 07:05 AM
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I found them in the Thomas Register but that just showed that they registered.
The idea was to find them in an "OLD" thomas register so you would know they had been around at least since that Thomas edition came out. Longevity doesn't prove competency (except for you and I) but if they have been around 5, 10, or more years, they can't be all bad or have lost suits to too many damaged customers.
I'm sure you could build our own trusses but you have to wonder if it is actually worth the effort. My GC strongly recommended factory trusses. Most local builders use them.
Pat
"I'm not from your planet, monkey boy!"
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tperez
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Re: Anybody use Socket Systems to build a barn?
[re: mfaley]
02/04/05 12:22 PM
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mfaley,
When I talked with the manufacturer the laminated beams were just a suggestion but they truly recommend that you use 6x6 posts for the construction. I am not really sure why they would do this especially when they admitted to me that it would be more time and money to do it the laminated way. Seems kinda weird to me.
Pat,
I'm sorry, I have never used the Thomas Registry and wasn't really sure what it was. I will go back and try to find again. I don't know why it just hit me now, but I never checked the BBB. 
I brought up the issue of trusses because I was looking at Barnplans.com also. They said there trusses can be built on site by me of course. I suppose you can always get them built by a local company though. With the Socket System however, you don't need to get trusses made. I thought that was a good plan and a potential savings. I like the wide spans that these two companies designs offer. I haven't seen many prefab trusses with this much open area.
Still in the early stages of this thing so I will be doing a fair amount of digging for info.
Don't really want to use metal if it's possible because we want it to match the future house and we will live in the top floor until the real home is built.
Edited by tperez (02/04/05 12:29 PM)
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kconner
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Re: Anybody use Socket Systems to build a barn?
[re: tperez]
03/28/05 04:22 AM
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WHat did you decide to do ?
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tperez
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Re: Anybody use Socket Systems to build a barn?
[re: kconner]
03/28/05 03:08 PM
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kconner,
I have been hit with some unpleseantries as of late so I havn't acted on this yet. The wife likes the idea of a log barn to match the log house I am supposed to build when we get to the ranch. I was going to build the barn first but not so sure anymore. I think when the time comes however, I will be building it with logs. ouch!
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gates
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Re: Anybody use Socket Systems to build a barn?
[re: tperez]
03/28/05 04:31 PM
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Tperez,
If you build your own trusses they may have to be certified by a structural engineer which adds cost. With the socket system you might want to ask them if they will provide the approved engineering for your area. Each state, and region thereof, has its own set of design parameters that need to be adhered to. My point is, just because the socket system is accepted in one state/jurisdiction does not mean it will be accepted in your area. IMHO when you obtain a permit, if that is the case, and the plans review people are not familiar with the socket system they will require engineering which could add significant cost if they will not accept the engineering from the manufacturer. You may want to run this past your permit department, if applicable. 
Ron
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tperez
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Re: Anybody use Socket Systems to build a barn?
[re: gates]
03/28/05 07:24 PM
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Gates,
That is a very good point that local jurisdictions will differ. The upside is that where my property is there are only two permits required. One for septic and one to build. There are no inspections after the septic which we'll put in first so we can hook the TT to it. I checked with the Socket Systems web site and found their engineering reports. I don't know if they would pass in these parts but that is a non-issue for me.
At least they were engineered to PA standards. We have no snow loads here so I guess those reports are good enough for here?.
I also checked with the BBB and there were no reports but they are not members either and I was able to confirm that they have indeed been around since the 80's.
The log system that my Wife wants is definitly approved for this area so I feel pretty good about that, so this is a real consideration.
Barn plans.com is where it gets iffy on the trusses. I may pay to have those built. I would have to see the plans first and of course you cant see them until you buy them.
The bottom line is, I am the man of the house, therefore I have no opinion and will probably be building the barn out of logs.  
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roypat2126
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Re: Anybody use Socket Systems to build a barn?
[re: tperez]
06/09/05 01:01 PM
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tperez,
I bought a set of barnplans.com plans....wound up not using their site-built truss although that was reason I bought the plans. Great plans but their 36ft site built truss couldn't be modified to span 39ft without moving up to 2x10s/12s (too much weight to handle when erecting them). I settled on factory built trusses which where actually cheaper and they are engineered to critical specs. So I recommend you find a local truss manufacturer and price them out in your area, Good ol' TX hill country should have a Home Depot or Lowes nearby or a lumber supplier like the one I used. Ipriced them at THD and although they used the same truss builder, they were higher $. I am finishing a 39x51 barn (pics coming soon) with a scissor truss span of 26ft in loft. These trusses made from 2x4s weigh approx. 125-130 lbs each which is managable for just a couple 2 or 3 guys to set. And my price was 70.00 each (delivery included) which was a real deal I think. Not to discourage you in building your own truss but I believe you will save money if you have them mfgrd. Shoot...the cost of plywood nowdays and the amount needed to make gussets on site built trusses? Anyhow, I wish you all the best in your project. Hope this helps.
roy
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slowzuki
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Re: Anybody use Socket Systems to build a barn?
[re: roypat2126]
10/28/05 08:25 AM
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I've been dealing with Socket Systems a bit and they have been helpful. Doing the engineered plan dance with the building inspector now.
Ken
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cr295
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Re: Anybody use Socket Systems to build a barn?
[re: slowzuki]
11/04/05 08:04 PM
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I have a 28x40' socket system barn going up now. It wasn't without headaches (is any building project?) and mistakes/miscalculations on my part. Overall the system is sound, sturdy and user friendly. I drew up the plans my self and submitted to building dept. They were approved without question. The structure is beefy and very very solid. I went with 8x8's as I am in Hurricane alley. I also ran 8x8's along the ridge between each section. I had to modify the system slightly (put 8x8's directly in the ground @ 8' embedment in sand) to meet code. Obviously this is not how the system is designed to work. I modified it for my purposes and it worked fine. It made for some long pilings...several (4) were 28'. Putting them on a poured slab/foundation wasnt an option for me. I'm in an area prone to occasional flooding, moving tide and consequently the foundation possibly being undermined.
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cr295
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Re: Anybody use Socket Systems to build a barn?
[re: tperez]
11/04/05 11:29 PM Attachment
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Front View
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cr295
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Re: Anybody use Socket Systems to build a barn?
[re: cr295]
11/04/05 11:30 PM Attachment
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side view
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cr295
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Re: Anybody use Socket Systems to build a barn?
[re: cr295]
11/04/05 11:48 PM Attachment
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My job would have been impossible without the Cat Fork lift. We assembled the roof timbers (A-Frame) as a unit. This consisted of (2) 16' 8x8's with 3 sockets (1) on each eave side and (1) at the peak. Just under 1000 lbs total weight each section. Since my perimeter pilings were already in place, we jacked each section of the roof assembly up and slid it down on the perimeter pilings. Getting it square was another matter. Once all were in place we squared the whole mass, then placed the roof purlins. Over the roof purlins we ran 2x4's perpendicular to the purlins and on their flat edge.
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N3ROV
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Re: Anybody use Socket Systems to build a barn?
[re: cr295]
03/02/06 07:22 PM
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I'm interested in building a garage with Socket Systems. I know that they are 6x6, but how deep are they?
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slowzuki
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Re: Anybody use Socket Systems to build a barn?
[re: N3ROV]
03/30/06 11:48 AM
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I'm not sure I understand your question? The lumber is 6" by 6". There is a huge variety of building sizes you can make using their connectors.
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tperez
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Re: Anybody use Socket Systems to build a barn?
[re: cr295]
05/04/06 08:41 PM
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CR295,
I was wondering how your barn was doing. The barn looks great so far.
Do you have anymore pictures? How has the Socket system been holding up for you?
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cr295
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Re: Anybody use Socket Systems to build a barn?
[re: tperez]
05/08/06 02:52 PM
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TP,
It was going real slow. Poured the slab in December and then was pulled away from the project for a few months. Anyway I'm back at it full bore now.
I framed in most of the exterior walls this past weekend. The "system" itself is beefy and durable...no problems thus far with any of the fittings or components. There are many choices on how to build the rest of the structure after the socket components are in. That I think is the key to its final soundness. Its held up to several 60+ mph coastal storms with just the roof (giant wing) in place...no side walls. I'm working now to get the exterior walls sheathed and sided before hurricane season begins on June 1.
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cr295
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Re: Anybody use Socket Systems to build a barn?
[re: cr295]
05/08/06 03:05 PM Attachment
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cr295
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Re: Anybody use Socket Systems to build a barn?
[re: cr295]
05/08/06 03:07 PM Attachment
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cr295
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Re: Anybody use Socket Systems to build a barn?
[re: cr295]
05/08/06 03:09 PM Attachment
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