Finally time to pull the trigger . . . starting on the New (much anticipated) SHOP - Build

[conv67bdere]

Enough with the rain . . . almost a solid week of rain and wet grounds . . .

Can't believe how much rain we've been getting . . . just makes it tough to get work done.
But I've been trying to get a much as possible done between the rainfalls . . . oh boy !

Making some progress as a result but not a much as I'd hope for . . . As stated . . . I've got a plan . . .

So my first step is to find and get the height of this corner of the shop . . . got my line laid out . . .
And digging some footers . . . putting them in the ground prevents the wood forms from failing on me . . .

In between the rains . . . I was able to get some footers dug and get this corner ready for concrete . . .

And got it poured . . . Of course, the inspector is checking on my work . . .

In the midst of all of this, the garage door finally arrived ( both good and bad news . . . ) get to that later . . .

Back to the footers . . . continued the footers along the front side of the building . . . trying to get this level . . .
The step is 8" to allow me to place blocks for the deeper areas . . .

Got the corner bloc set so that it can be an anchor point for this whole side and hopefully get it level ( as possible ) . . .

Get the blockwork done on the deepest part of the foundation . . . and the block in the corner is pad height . . .

Another view . . . with the inspector in the way . . . of course . . .

Didn't think my ground sloped off this much . . . but this is now the building will set . . .

So my garage door . . . basically I asked for an estimate on a door - to figure out what it was going to cost.
And then, even after measuring the opening - I ordered the estimate door ( which was the wrong size ) . . .
So now I'm working with the company to figure out how to get a couple panels to use and make the height correct . . .

UGH . . . hate it when I screw up BUT that's what happens when you're human . . . live and learn . . .

We have had almost a solid week of rain almost every day . . .

More Later . . .

 

[conv67bdere]

Dig a big long hole . . . fill the long hole back up . . .

Even though I complained about the rain - the rain simplified my ability to DIG !

Took the day off on Wednesday so that I could work on the front wall before the weekend rain . . .

25' of footing that needs to be done . . . Starting the digging . . .

This would not be that hard - but there was a large oak tree right abut where the green cart is sitting . . .

As a result . . . about every 6" of dig . . . a BIG root was encountered and had to be removed . . .

Got the whole trench dug and then had to check how my depth was "calculated" . . .

Apparently my "eye-crometer" was not calibrated very well and the trench was a couple inches too shallow . . . UGH !

After lunch . . . the first mix and the first pour at getting this footer in place . . .

Filled the entire trench 1/2 way . . . and laid down the rebar to have it centered in the footers . . .

And just as nightfall had arrived . . . the entire footer was completed . . . 5000 pounds of concrete mixed and poured . . .

And this does not look very comfortable . . . but he slept this way . . . he must be okay with it . . . .

Now that the 40' of the front wall has footers . . . the blockwork of the front wall can begin.
The purpose of the blockwork is to make the outside forms of the concrete slab.

Now guess what . . . the weekend is forecast for rain . . .

More Later . . .

 

[HawkRod]

Apparently my "eye-crometer" was not calibrated very well...

It's really pretty amazing how accurate it can be, yet at other times be fooled by stuff that throws off the 'calibration'!

 

[conv67bdere]

Well surprise, surprise, surprise . . .

Had a pleasant surprise when I got up this morning and it was NOT raining as forecast . . .

So a run to the local "supply store" to get cinder blocks and masonry cement . . .
No time like the present ! ! !

So the end result of the days work . . .

So the front wall is done . . . two more to do and this will be ready for a concrete slab ! !

More Later . . .

 

[conv67bdere]

Been a bit busy . . . time to catch up on the progress on the shop ( and other stuff ) . . . .

Still pumped up and making a lot of progress . . . so here's what's been happening . . .

Time to try and get this last corner set so the end wall can be completed . . . remember the wood storage . . .
These are the (4) supports for that structure - and the reason that it needed to be moved . . . ( sigh )

The first one was not in the way . . . and the last (3) came out pretty easily . . .

Got the 50' of trench dug ( through the roots ) and getting it ready for concrete . . . This was on Friday . . .
Ended up having to do more work and fight with more roots on Saturday too . . .

On Sunday - mixed up 42 - 80 lbs bags of concrete and poured them into the footer trench
Then added the 1/2 rebar to the footers for additional strength . . .

While working on the footers, was also working on cleaning up the branches and twigs . . .
This burn barrel ( made like a chimney ) works awesome for burning the brush and small branches . . .

Tuesday (2/21) took off a little early from work - at 3:30 poured the first 2 bags of 42 bags into the footers . . .

At 6:30 - the 42 bags were mixed and poured into the trench - over 1100 pounds/hour . . . not too bad . . .

With the exception of the far corner . . . it's dropped off and needs a bit more concrete down there . . .
this wall is now ready for a course of 12" blocks . . . and then a course of 8" blocks to get to floor level . . .

Only the back wall ( oh, and a center wall ) left to get done . . . and a lot of crush-and-run stone too . . .

In addition to all of these updates, the 98 Silverado has had the 25+ year old stock radio upgraded . . .
And I've finally found a rear bumper for the Jeep - and have it installed . . . now the spare won't fit
(just what I need - another project) - to modify the spare tire holder to allow the spare to fit properly.

More Later . . .

 

[conv67bdere]

As always . . . been a bit busy down here . . . Grass cutting season is here . . .

And the mower has a leaking hyrdo-steering pump . . . NOT GOOD !
Just what I need is yet "another" project . . . Whooohooo . . . .

But before we get to that - need to cover my update from last weekend that I've not yet posted . . .
Got the 12" blocks set on the footers and this wall is proceeding well . . .

Here's the mower hyro-steering pump - and as you can see it's covered in oil . . .

So first step . . . is tear it all apart and clean it up . . .

The pump has been rebuilt, re-installed in the mower . . . and we're now back up and functioning.
Got a second rebuild kit ordered for the left wheel - if the right PUMP failed, the left could be not too far behind . . .

Be prepared . . .

What I did learn from this experience . . . is . . . DON'T think the entire unit needs to be disassembled as shown in
ALL the you-tube videos . . . the (2) seals that failed are readily accessible on the pump and could "probably" be
replaced without this disassembly . . . "might consider that on the other pump if needed . . .

Got a course of 8" blocks that need to be set on the 12" blocks to get it to pad level . . .

More Later . . .

 

[conv67bdere]

Cleanup is going so well . . . Need more storage space for the kindling . . .

Wow . . . Mom is enjoying helping with the cleanup - and I now need more space for storage.

Made this storage area for kindling . . . but the area is running short on space . . .
Guess there was a LOT more branches then I initially imagined . . .

So - this area looked like a good spot to add some additional storage for additional kindling . . . let the building begin . . .

Had this piece of lattice that could be re-purposed . . . whoever thought it was a good idea to paint it - ARGH ! ! !

But it looked so bad from the weather . . . it NEEDED to be painted ( even though it's called stain ) . . .

This area only need some concrete set up under the end two post . . . and it will be completed . . .
This new area should allow us to complete the branch cleanup . . . it's 10 feet long and 8 feet tall . . .
If this gets filled up . . . might just have to start burning some of the smaller stuff instead of keeping it . . .

My initial plans for today was to do some much needed service on the lawnmower . . . but got sidetracked . . .

Glad to have this mostly done . . . and behind me now . . .

On top of all that . . . the back yard is now so much clearer - and I'm glad to have that getting cleaned up ! ! !

More Later . . .

 

[skicker]

Good job with everything Larry...

Keep at it as you'll get to where you want to be...

 

[skicker]

It's been over a month and no updates from Larry...

 

[Cranky]

Car 54 where are.....I mean Larry!!

 

[PRND21]

I’ve been wondering if something has happened to Larry. Hope everything is alright.

 

[HawkRod]

I texted Larry last night - all is well with him - just super busy.

He will post an update later today

 

[conv67bdere]

Talk about LIFE getting in the way . . . Been really busy with the build and MORE . . .

Wow . . . here's the Readers Digest version . . .
- Spring cleaning ( backyard cleanup )
- Plumbing problems ( washing machine drain to leach field backing up )
- Golf league website moved to new hosting site - changed all my software - broke site
- 2 weeks before the league started ( new host is the epitome of incompetence )
- first outing is tomorrow ( sure we'll find MORE things WRONG to fix . . . )
- Last 3 days - rain, rain, rain . . .

Holy cow . . . did not even realize that I'm this far behind in my pic posting . . . here's a start
( more later . . . )

Working on the second course of blocks . . .

Obie has discovered that there are lizards out here . . . and he hunts them all day . . . LOL . . .

Filled the last of the first course . . .

Filling the second course of blocks . . . and have rebar imbedded in it too . . .

Wanted this for additional strength . . .

All but the last 4-5 blocks completed . . . .

Knocked them out . . . get the rebar in place and add concrete . . .

Making progress . . .

Clean-up is also going on at the same time . . . there used to be a stack of cedar limbs here . . .

Mom's been helping cut up the limbs for kindling . . . and filling the new storage location to boot . . .

So sorry for the long delay - did not even realize that it been this long, and the brotherhood here is amazing !
Got people texting me ( Thanks Hawk ) to make sure that I'm okay - That's AWESOME . . .

Will try and post another set of pictures later today . . .

More Later . . .

 

[HawkRod]

Obie has discovered that there are lizards out here . . . and he hunts them all day . . . LOL . . .

View attachment 1447217

How is he supposed to be inspecting if he is hunting lizards?!? Now your building might suffer the consequences!

 

[conv67bdere]

How is he supposed to be inspecting if he is hunting lizards?!? Now your building might suffer the consequences!

I'll have to have a talk with the inspector . . .

LMAO . . .

 

[Brandy]

Glad to see yer not dead Larry. lol. Looking gooder...

 

[conv67bdere]

Glad to see yer not dead Larry. lol. Looking gooder...

Thanks Ghost . . . Me Too ! ! ! !

 

[conv67bdere]

Round 2 . . .
Picture catch up on shop progress - and Spring Cleaning . . .

Been a lot going on around here lately . . . keeping me out of trouble . . .

This is just a sampling of the clean up that has been going on at the house . . .
Cut up all the really small stuff from the limbs and they go into the burn barrel . . .

As you can see - that pile is now gone . . .

Saw this and realized that I've never provided a picture of the moved shop and woodshed from this view . . .
So . . . here it is . . .

Got so much junk around here that needed to be cleaned up - the time to get at it was now . . .
The size of this stack is not really obvious in this photo . . . but it was all useless wood rotting away . . .

That pile is now gone ( moved to the back of the property to mulch away )

Any here we have yet another pile that need to be cleaned up . . . got this before I had the shed . . .

Had this dead tree on the property that needed to be taken down and moved out of the way . . . here we go . . .

When this new addition for kindling was made, I thought it would be PLENTY . . . boy was I wrong . . .
This gives you a better idea of how much tree limbs were stacked up back here . . .

Found this picture from the past where you can see the stacked up limbs from the tree clearing . . .
That tree to the left - in front of the woodshed . . .

is the same tree on the left here in this picture . . . ALL of those tree limbs have been cleared up . . .
Which also explains why the storage area for the kindling is now FULL too . . .

Had a small problem with the mower - that I rebuilt the hydraulic steering pump . . . it was still leaking on me.
Turns out, when you "attempt" to tighten compression fitting with out a good attack angle . . . they might leak . . .
Pulled the mower out so I could get it in a location where I could actually work on it . . . and they were not tight
( as I thought they were when I tightened them from the top side . . . )

Don't even want to get into crawling around under the house in the crawl space to redo plumbing . . . felt like I
got run over by a Mac truck after that day . . . ARGH ! ! !

More Later . . .

 

[HawkRod]

Yard looks nice - you are making progress!!!

 

[PRND21]

Glad to know that you haven’t been laid up in the hospital with amnesia. Lot of work done, that cedar has a great aroma especially when burned.