When you're staring at a blank wall, and a big pile of 2x4's, it's sometimes hard to visualize how it should be built. That was the case with the second wall section. The first section to be built was going to be the most complex in the entire basement. 
It required framing around a window, and a small duct - leaving very few places to secure the framing to the ceiling joists.
For this wall, I tried something a little different. I used 12 foot 2x4's for the header and footer. This way I would only need to build three sections - two 12' sections, and one 6' section.
My first attempt at the complex window/duct section resulted in the frame pictured to the right. I thought that I would just cut the 2x4 header in various places to wind around the two obstacles. By doing this, I couldn't easily keep the studs at 16" apart. However, I compensated for this by making sure that at least every four feet there would be a stud. This would help when drywalling, although insulating would be more of a pain (insulation comes in 14 1/2 inch wide rolls - perfect for fitting between studs that are 16 inches on center).
At this point I should mention that I was so spoiled by using the framing nail gun on The First Long Span, that I decided to buy one. I originally wasn't going to since they're so expensive. However, I came across a cheap one at Harbor Freight and couldn't resist picking it up. I knew that Harbor Freight usually sells cheap, knock-off tools, but I figured that if it made through my basement framing, it would be cheaping that renting one. So far it's been working great!
When I finished nailing it all together, it didn't take long to realize that there wasn't nearly enough stability side-to-side. Not only that, but I never really liked breaking up the studs so that some of them weren't 16" on center. It's just so much easier to insulate when the wall is done properly. So I took the hammer to it, and knocked it apart. I can vouche that the nail gun was working good, as this wasn't as easy as it sounds.
My second attempt worked much better. The frame is much more stable, and all of the studs are 16" on center. I was also able to finish the next 12 foot section that also had to go around some duct work. This section was much easier than the first, now that I had a better idea of how to do it. I'll get to be pretty good at this just in time to finish the basement and probably never have to do any framing again. Oh well.
In order to continue from here, I need to get some work done with my circuit breaker box. I also need to clean up and re-route my phone and cable junction. Right now it's all a mess, and it's in the way for the next wall section. Stay tuned...
