WHY WE DID NOT USE METAL PLUS BRACKETS: SEE THE INSTRUCTIONS! prntscr.com/ld9w5k If you're building a standing seam roof, do your research and read the details VERY carefully. The company has communicated with us that they feel fairly confident their product will hold on our SPECIFIC roofing because of the parallel female rib even though it has a nailing fin underneath. The male rib on our panels is not parallel and our concern is that this bracket may not be trustworthy for our SPECIFIC roofing. We weren't interested in $4000 and a couple weeks with our roof unfinished to find out. As you'll see in their instructions many different standing seam rib designs exist and not all are compatible with their brackets.

The easiest way to install the ridge cap would be to hire a crane and attach yourself in your harness to it, and with your phone communicate to the crane operator so you can be like spiderman and install whatever without putting any of your weight on the roof.

Scale up your roof sled idea. It's the right track. Extend the legs down the roof 3-4' and the length of the sled by 7'+. DON'T build it to SIT on, but rather to stand along side the roof cap by putting your feet on the lower rail. Don't work from OVER the cap but rather from the side. This will give you lateral flexibility to do like 9' of cap at a time. You can build it modular so that you have a longer run by screwing shorter sections of the 'sled' together at the cap.

We had to work on top of our old barn roof, so used a very long rope and tied off to the truck. Worked on one side, then moved the truck to the other side of the barn to retie the safety rope so we could work on the other side of the roof.

I can’t believe the thinking process that has to happen for each process of anything you guys have to do....no wonder you’re exhausted!!!

Anchor your safety rope under the eave on one side. Go up and over the ridge and anchor the rope under the opposite eave. This way, your locking slide will stop you if you fall either way.

You already have the tools available to do this. Use the fork-lift/man-basket to anchor the ladder and move along the roof. I would also attach a line to the backhoe on the other side for my PPE. You probably already thought of this before you read my suggestion.

Solution, build a ladder with a ladder-hook. You'll need 2 so you can move down the roof. It will put you face to face with the ridge cap for easy access. Use 2x4 sliders under the ladder as a standoff so it will go over the ridge cap. You don't seem to mind building contraptions to meet your needs so this weill be right up your alley.

Drill a hole in the venting plastic that matches up with the screw heads. Install the venting high enough so the 1 inch ear covers the venting strip. Not that big of a deal.

You can also tie down the safety rope at ground level over the top and down !

The frustration of "First" time efforts. You will do it! Thanks for sharing all the warts in this journey. Alyssa must like her new home editing station.

Hi guys, Why don‘t you rent a cherry picker type of lifting device with a man basket? You may need it for just 1 day or so. With an arm long enough to reach the top of the roof. This enables you to work safely on your ridge and finish this challenge. Everything else - at least to me - would be bungee jumping without the rope.... Good luck and best wishes from Germany!

Keep plugging away! As you said, Jesse, you'll get there! Being safe is non-negotiable- it looks like you'll be doing that right, too! Cheering you both on!

I get great enjoyment from watching your real life videos. Better then any Reality TV show! This may sound crazy, but sometimes you have to THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX to solve your problems! This is just an example: Install a ZIP line about 3 feet over the roof ridge from the large pine trees on each end of the house. Install a hammock sling to lay in on the ZIP line. Your weight will cause the ZIP line to bow toward the roof ridge and give you just enough room to reach the roof ridge to perform the work. Then just slide along the ZIP line and install the ridge cap. Have someone with a rope pull you along the ZIP line and also hold you in place as you work. The hammock sling wraps around you and keeps you secure. Just like they do with hang gliders. Actually safer, easier and more fun then climbing all over the roof ridge. You can use the man lift to safely get in and out of the hammock sling at the end of the house. After hashing around many outside the box ideas, you use the one that is the safest, and most practical to solve the need. But I agree with Thomas Lang, take back the orange man lift and just rent a cherry picker that can reach the roof ridge!! Job Done!

Attach the top of the wood ladder to the ridge seat contraption. That way you'll be able to hook the ladder over the roof without it interfering with the ridge. You'd be able to stand on the ladder to install the ridge cap - much safer. Sitting on that seat thing is a safety non-starter. You'll need to lean over the ridge to install the screws on the for side - or flip the ladder onto the other side of the roof.

get a 65 foot Genie lift you can control from the platform go right down to the roof top and move all across , no life line or hands on roof. Only safe way. Take it from an old builder who has slid of a few

Why do they only use that boom lift at the base of the roof. Raise it up all the way and use it as a platform

Bugaboo is so amazing. Just a wonderful soul you get to share your journey with. Been following your progress almost since the beginning. You two are incredible.

For the near future when you do the rake: I noticed you used just one pair of compound snips for your hemming. You may have noticed you could get a nice close cut on one side but were held away a little on the other. Compound snips have three different color-coded handles. Green is for Rights (which cut left handed circles), red is for Lefts (which cut right handed circles) and yellow is for straight cuts. If you alternate red and green handles, you can get a nice, straight, close cut on both sides.

Extend the legs of the roof sled on one side and make a 6 foot ladder. The ridge cap will slide under while you work on it. make two of them so you can move one while on the other one

Use the ridge sled as an end table on the hot tub deck. You can never have enough tables to put drinks on when you have company.

Put some slots in the ridge sled so it's supported by the roof instead of the seams.

I am guessing this problem was solved weeks ago; but, as I watch the video it seems that you could extend the ladder you are using past the peak, putting a spacer under it to keep it off the ridge-cap, and having an ell on the upper end of the ladder with a spacer bar under it that reaches a foot or more down the far side of the roof. Something like your X-device, but rigidly attached to the upper end of the ladder so that you could stand on the ladder as you rivet.

Hi Jesse & Alyssa, wish You all the best with Your projects. Easy solutions for all the problems with ridge cap: 1. Anchor - anchor it on outside house wall, run the rope upwards the roof up to the edge, move only on the opposite side of roof. Done. 2. Roof sleds - You got it all wrong. You do not need and you should not be in symmetrical position above roof edge. Instead, You build 2 short chicken ladders around 5 feet long, have them anchored by right angle and extra space above edge, the same principle as sleds you built. Standing on 1 ladder will allow you to manipulate and move the 2nd one. You can also build steps to have them interconnected by wooden ledge on which you can walk, for example around 5 feet would allow you to have safe and secure work place, standing on the side while working. 3. Roof cap - well, I know You wanted to have perfect product, but in the end... that is just bent piece of metal sheet. Nothing fancy. Myself I would have bent the 2 extra panels You had and made roof cap out of them. There should be manual sheet bender somewhere in the neighborhood to rent or borrow for a day... Or You could buy one, always worth the money. Especially after seeing You having fun with this piece of useless You used for prepping panels edges. It worked somehow... but was way too inaccurate and hard to operate. I follow Your every video, it is useful for me to learn how things are getting done in US. In Europe we do them quite different way many times. All the best again.

Havent read all the comments but two small sleds would allow you to sit on one an move the other youd just have to mke the runners longer verticaly or maybe feet with a gap that can straddle the seam

they make a ridge screen that is shaped like the hold down strip at the bottom, it screws to the plywood above the metal and you can screw or rivet the ridge cap to it. Also make the leg pads for the roof sled out of plywood so they run down the roof further that will help with the stability

This house build is a great documentation of don't bite off more than you can chew

You are over thinking this. Anchor your safety line to opposite sides facia, run line over top of ridge work from that side reaching over ridge to fasten other side. Use manlift from back to front as additional safety deck. Place ladder in manlift and move as needed.

Why didn't they attach the ridge cap as they were making the pass putting on the second half of the roof? A couple panels and cap, repeat.

You would normally work on the ridge off a ladder supported at the bottom of the roof, probably off scaffolding, which they don't have. They could have done this off a ladder supported from the man lift basket but it wouldn't have been particularly safe. A ladder could have been propped against a board screwed to the fascia sticking up above the roofline though which would have been safe enough. The ladder would only need to be a 2 x 1 wood construction, very light, easy to move and simply provides something to grip against, doesn't need to be overly strong.

an idea for a lifeline... attach rope to the eave, run it up over the roof to the eave on the opposite side (with some slack). then attach a short rope between your safety harness and the lifeline via a rope clamp... maybe just hang by your harness whilst attaching the ridge. Also, keep the ridge chair, but extend one or both sides with a short ladder to serve as foot holds. Line the undersides (contact areas) with felt to keep from damaging the roofing metal.

I''d say make two sleds - sit on one, put the other ahead, climb over on it, move the first one ahead ... But I guess it'd all been finished for some 3 months now, right? ;-)

most professionals would use a cherry picker with enough reach without the danger you are putting yourself too but I’ve followed your build and tell you both you and your wife have done marvelous, well done, hope your safe with your homemade contraption.

I am not as much a cat person as I am a dog lover, but I can say your cat is really lovable and quite vocal. Nice to see your progress.....closed up (mostly) has to be a great feeling as winter is on its way.

Dear Jesse, by the time you read this you will have solved the problem somehow but here is what I suggest: As far as the safety line goes, tie a stout rope to the gable ends, not too tight and not too loose; and attach your safety line to that. You have those timber frame components just underneath the gable ends right? Tie the stout rope to those. You want that rope loose enough so that you can lift it up enough to put in place a section of ridge cap under it. As far as attaching the ridge cap goes, start by shortening that home-made ladder by one foot or so. Short enough so that it won't interfere with the legs of the ridge cap. To keep the ladder from marking the roof, wrap each end and the middle of both side rails with a strip of chamois or old towels or something soft. You can staple the chamois or cloths to the side rails. As far as installing the ridge cap goes, you are just going to have to do it one side at a time, I think. (On the other hand, you may be able to get high enough on the ladder to be able to reach over and do both sides at the same time. You will have to try it and see.) I would start in the middle and work my way out to the gable ends. I think that you are just going to have to do a portion and move the ladder, do a portion and move the ladder... If you have to do it one side at a time, I would start on the windward side. // I have been following your series for a couple of years now and really look forward to seeing the videos. I have also learned really a lot. Thanks so much for all your efforts!!

make your wood ladder longer and fix it to the man cage easy as that

Change the screws in your roof panels if necessary, bolt extensions onto your wooden ladder long enough to reach your man basket if the basket will go that high, fasten the ladder to the top rail of your man basket with a short piece of chain on each extension rapped around the top rail and bolted back to itself. Move your ladder along the roof about six feet at a time and work from the safety of your ladder. To minimize the roof scratching glue some carpet scraps to the bottom of your wooden ladder.

Rope MacQuiver ROPE! Think rappelling. One slack rope from ground on one side to ground on the other side with sneakers and a rope snatch. No matter if you slip while standing on either side you don't fall and by placing a tight snatch, the rope does not interfere with installing the vent.

The only thing you have to remember, is where you were, one year ago. I was check some of your past videos and discover your progress, congratulations. just a little more.

I have to say that I DO REALLY ENJOY watching a great couple achieving something so big together. It is great seeing America in a new light.

I would span the roof 3' -4' down from the ridge with some good stiff rope lengthwise on both sides. Stand on the rope like a rope bridge. Use the rope on the opposite side to attach your lanyard. Wear soft clothing so you don't scratch the roofing (no metal rivets!). Use a tool bag with a bit of rope to hang your tools and materials from the opposite side rope. Get the work done then drink a six pack of your favorite beer and swear all you want for a couple minutes. If you need help swearing, I can author something for ya...

Looking back I remember how hard you and Alyssa worked on that roof, the manipulation and strain on your bodies scooting up and down to get each panel attached was outstanding along with making that jig to get the panels on the roof.

"Price doesn't matter to me"... Never say that again...

guys you drive me mad watching you not wearing any tool pouches on your belts i know you have them they save so much time and effort, i still watch every video great work and many thanks

I know it's probably waay to late, but I was thinking about combining the chicken ladder with the ridge sled, moving it from below

Anchor your life line on the ground opposite side of where your working, just lay the line over the top roof.

try a longer leg on one side of your "A" frame and "T" piece, fasten it over the top then to the forklift and work on the other side and you will tie your harness to it to only an idea guys.

You should use a wooden dragon head to finish the end of the ridge cap.

Love seeing your garden grow.

How about renting the crane again? Hanging above might be better than being humpty dumpy ridge sled boy... Oh and a powered rivet gun is really fun when doing lots of rivets. Just a thought... I'm saying this as your mentioning laying down on the sled, so, now I get to go back to watching your solutions.

Don't be shocked if you have no cell service in that house. Metal roofs act as signal shields for cell phones.

Hello lovely people, I cannot help with your construction but have been a semi professional gardener for over 60 years. I know of your time constraints but, to water after the plant has begun to wilt is not conducive to production. I am impressed with your 'first' results and do not mean to criticise but, a quick spray over the top with water may prevent wilting until you have time to soak. Whether by design or accident, planting the flowers amongst the vegetables is superb, it attracts hover flies and other predators which will reduce aphid infestation. Good Luck, love your 'Vids'

DO NOT WORK WITHOUT THE SAFETY LINE!!!! The plastic filter material you showed, use screen wire instead. The ridge vents on my conventional roof house had the plastic filters. The filter material resists the flow of air. Use copper window screen wire instead. The copper screen can be purchased in rolls that are approximately 14 inches wide and 50 plus feet long. Regular screen can be purchased and cut length wise. The screen is then placed over the top of the ridge and attached. This will keep bugs/termites out. Place the ridge vent over the screen wire and pop-rivet it to the roof. Blowing rain will hit the roof and send water under the ridge vent/cap so allow the ridge cap to drop further down the roof. I would rather send an email with drawings/pictures attached. Remember too, you may need to access and make changes in the future, spend time planning for that. Tom W

Oh lovely honey bees, come buzz aound me please, for the season is waining, and I ain't complainin', I love you so honey bees, I'm thankful for the flowers and peas!

when I installed my standing seam roof they had a detail showing the panels having a bend underneath the ridge cap the height of the seam to stop water from being blown under the cap and into the ridge vent area. I know it's a little late but something to check into:)

And I bet the comments are full of suggestions.... but you've already solved it two months ago, right? Still enjoying the ride, thanks!

Following from day 1 looks great keep it up. Thanks For the inspiration.

Been ENJOYING the steady stream of videos.

How about a ladder that would hook over the ridge and hold on the opposite side of the roof?

Take the sled and attach it to the top of the wood ladder. Allows you to work from the ladder, attach harness to the ladder, move your platform (ladder+sled) from man lift.

Could you possibly Rent a basket lift for one day that is controlled from the bucket and work the ridge cap using the 1 day rental bucket ? It would be safe and put you out of harms way and put you right over the work area.

We do enjoy watching, Alyssa,

Garden tip never use new wood chips as mulch it zaps the moister from your garden beds. Which means you have to water a ton more. Use straw down to control weeds and keep moister in the soil. Also Epsom salts for peppers and tomato's is one of the best things you can do for the plants.

I so look forward to your videos!!! Thank you for sharing your positivity and your journey!🙂

Not only a sleigh but also a great garden sit or for a bowl holder while picking your food and many other ideas

Make sure you save your unused ridge-cap material for any future outbuildings.

If you use the inside of an old couch cushion and wet it a little and sit on it you won’t slide. Old Roofers trick

next time you try this, try a tight line safety wire from end to end across the peak. Your sled looks dangerous Then hook onto this line.

1. Jackets and long sleeves 2. Cuddly cats 3. Time for two new short ladders to inch across the top. 4. Use the bulldozer and an extra long rope to act a some sort of anchor on the opposite side of the roof for fall protection? 5. Three new roof cap sizes make for great KZfaq drama. 6. Where is the new toilet. 7. Autumn is here! 8. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Jesse & Alyssa. I have followed both of you inspiring renaissance buildsmiths since the beginning. Everything for a Reason. I believe the delay is for Jesse's safety. What you have both accomplished thus far is truly amazing. However,as any experienced tradesperson will tell you, injuries often manifest when we are tired, frustrated, burned out, and impatient. That roof is too high to negotiate the installation of a roof vent WITHOUT a lifeline, imo. I realize it's imperative as owner builders to put the last cherry on your magnificent roof, and I say that with zero sarcasm, but Jesse's safety is paramount. Perhaps the lift can negotiate to the east side and moved at will as a portable lifeline anchor point. Even a couple of those huge Dog Chain tie down screws, anything as a jury rigged anchor. Kindly reconsider. Thank you both for sharing your lives with such superlative content creation. How you do it all is beyond me.With admiration, your KZfaq friend,phil You both Rock!🇺🇸💝🙏

Beautiful garden.

For moving on the ridge you could always use a rope tied on either end to pull yourself back and forth. Or maybe ratch-it straps.

Looks like you made a good call on that. I was always told that the first half of a project took 90 percent of the time and the last part took the other 90 percent. But wisdom is knowing when to pause and pet the cat and when to give it another day.

Just attach the current wooden ladder to the sled or build a mount to hold the ladder off the ridge like the sled's does. It will be easy to work from the ladder, you can even make another one with a short ladder for when you're moving the first one and to move along the ridge when fastening.

Yes enjoying these videos tremendously as well as impressed.

Crazy. Everyone of these roof videos gives me anxiety! I'm not a fan of heights and the shots from the headcam, especially when on the peak looking over, were literally giving me nervous feelings throughout my body!

Use the crane used for roof sips install and fly on the hook as hang gliders do in a prone position.

Time to take a break,step back and enjoy a couple days off!😎

A little late but when we had to do work on the metal roof of my farm house we parked a truck on the side of the building and strung a rope tied to the truck over the roof.

What an adorable cat, soo vocal

Vents could be countersunk for the screws, then applied. Remember the German way... If it doesn't fit, force it... if it breaks, you needed a new one any way ;-)

Place a supporting timber at the right height for the cap under it. Unfortunately your cap comes to a point so you'll have to shape timber to suit the point. Then you can sit on it without damaging it :)

That is the BEST way to eat cherry tomatoes, right off the vine standing in the garden. I have planted sugar snap peas for a couple of years. I don't think ANY have made it to the kitchen ! Nice , quick temporary "ridge cap" with the plywood !

Possible solution for attaching ridge cap. I would recommend attach a bracket that can supports a ladder on the forklift on the bottom of the roof so he can climb up and attach ridge cap.

2 extention ladders, 2 ACRO 11084 Heavy Duty Roof Ridge Ladder Hook paired with ladder jacks will help give you a platform to work from

For that ridge cap, would have used a high lift bucket, only need access from one side of the roof.

I know it may be an extra expense, but have you thought about renting a snorkel lift? It can reach the entire length of the roof sitting in one spot and for Gods sake, just the safety of your life makes it well worth it. I pray for the safety of both of you every day you are up there on that roof.

Right on time

Put carpet scraps on the bottom of the feet where it sits on roof that will protect the finish and help it slide on roof!

I just love your Bug A Boo! He is such a pretty cat. We used to have one that would talk to us like him. We sure do miss him to. He passed on at 19 years of age. Was such a good cat! LOVE the colors of Bug A Boo!!!!! Such a pretty cat! When he's talking on my computer my cats ears perk up and get to looking around for the cat. lol

rent a real high lift. so you can position next to cap. it would be easier to do your rake also. solves all the trouble. man lift is the ticket. no sweat to finish in a few hours. you can move yourself around. right tool for the job. they also make clamps that clamp to the ridge on the roofing and work like roof jacks. puts walk planks across. ive also seen regular roof jacks that have slots instead of nail holes. fasten jack under roof cap area and then when done push up on jack and slide out from under cap. enjoy your channel and watch every day. i did this crap for a living untill i got to old. i like to watch you figure it out. good luck!

Maybe two ridge sleds that can move independly, one to advance the other...

Extend the length of your wooden ladder,Line the bottom of your ladder with carpet.That way you can access the materials from the basket lift.having the basket lift support it at the same tiime.If you carpet both sides of the ladder you can just flip it instead of sliding it across.

A Magnificient Garden!

Make TWO sleds and leap-frog them as you go.

I feel for you guys this roof is really been a difficult task and it not done yet, It would scare me half to death to install that ridge cap. Hope you can figure out a system to finish the roof. I will pray for you to not get hurt...

Need to install 18" Double D Ring permanent anchor points. Bend 90 degrees in middle then anchor to sheeting under ridge cap. Let D ring peek out under ridge thru the insect screen material. All you see when ridge is installed is the end of D ring on each side of the roof. Install 3 each (6 anchor points total). www.guardianfall.com/performance-safety-products/anchor-points/product/ridge-it-anchor

Done lots of 12/12 roofing here in Alaska . It might sound weird but what I do is tie off to something on the other side and use your harness so the hoke is to the front. Now here is the weird thing take off your shoes and Sox your bear skin will stick to the roof better then most shoes. With the harness adjusted right you will have both hands free. It is a little hard on the ankles but it does work?

Rent a boom truck with long enough ext to get what you need. Even then the basket has to be able to get in close to roof at that angle. Maybe construct a second sled with notches for the roofing ridges, that will "lock" into place sort of to give stability and a little longer down roof for foothold. Move one, then the other as you go. Maybe even one to place your knees on as you lean on the original.

That garden is doing pretty darn good especially seeing as there were a LOT of people saying how it wouldn't grow a thing when you guys built it.