What did you do today not on your truck...

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by special-K

I need to get some firewood myself. There was more to my concrete story I didn't tell. In the sidewalk area I had exposed a footer I poured with post in it from my youngest son's swing set close to 30 years ago. I had hoped I could break it up enough to allow pouring over it but that concrete was tight. So it had to come out and it was very heavy. I dug down some around it. The upper part was flared out to give a more secure footer for the swinging action. I was able to put a chain around it below where it mushroomed out. I used my antique Hi-Lift jack to hoist it up up from it's perch. Then horizontal to drag it out. The hooked up a long long chain to my Suburban to carefully drag it to the driveway. It all worked out using what I had to work with

Nice tactics

Great study of the project









.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

That must have been a monster swing set. That is a lot of concrete....

LockDoc

Well, you know how swing sets are usually two a-frames. This was just one post at either end of the beam. So the posts needed to be well anchored for the rocking motion. I had it so the kids could fly off and land in the sandbox which was big and deep. I ran into some of the sand while digging. Brought back memories of when my yard had kids busy at having fun.

That jack was straining. That thing was heavy!

Originally Posted by Getter-Done

Nice tactics

Great study of the project









.

I had to come up with something. I figured either it was a good Idea or I was stupid for thinking so. "Don't get hurt" and "Don't break something" were weighing heavy on my mind. It would have been better if I could have anchored the jack from the side as well, away from the building. I figured I'd better slip those cold chisels though the top of the jack in case the chain decided to slip off. I put that old wheel to good use to steer the chunk away from the step dropping down to the door into the building. I didn't get pictures of it, but I used a come-along to drag it up onto my trailer. I'm glad that thing is gone

[Boog]

Man, I've never liked those high lift jacks. The first time I used one was on my father in law's '67 Chevy truck. He was a farmer and that was the jack to have back then. Well the tire went down so I changed it for him. I jacked his truck up ok and changed the tire but as soon as I clicked the lever to lower it and pushed the handle down that first time it slipped. The handle came up and smacked the main body of the jack and the truck came slamming down all in one loud bang. Luckily my hand came off the top of the jack before that handle smacked it. When the truck slammed down the loose jack bounced away from the truck. And that was my last time to use one of those jacks. I understand they can be handy and all but they can be dangerous too.

[special-K]

They called them "Farm Hands". Yeah, they can be hairy. You have to jack them down, meaning hold pressure down on that handle coming up, same as pushing down to jack it up, to make sure the second pin finds it's hole to engage.

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by special-K

I need to get some firewood myself. There was more to my concrete story I didn't tell. In the sidewalk area I had exposed a footer I poured with post in it from my youngest son's swing set close to 30 years ago. I had hoped I could break it up enough to allow pouring over it but that concrete was tight. So it had to come out and it was very heavy. I dug down some around it. The upper part was flared out to give a more secure footer for the swinging action. I was able to put a chain around it below where it mushroomed out. I used my antique Hi-Lift jack to hoist it up up from it's perch. Then horizontal to drag it out. The hooked up a long long chain to my Suburban to carefully drag it to the driveway. It all worked out using what I had to work with

You also need a backhoe. I dont think I could do half of what I do without the kubota

[Boog]

A tractor is nice. Some of us can’t justify one for occasional use so we resort to the primitive methods cause we are too stubborn to hire someone else to do something we know we can do ourselves. Or so the wife says.

[FleetsidePaul]

I bought a new fuel pump for my truck and didn't put it in. I'll get around to it.

That reminds me of Ron586. Mr. Roundtoit. R.I P.

[1976gmc20]

Originally Posted by Boog

Man, I've never liked those high lift jacks. The first time I used one was on my father in law's '67 Chevy truck. He was a farmer and that was the jack to have back then. Well the tire went down so I changed it for him. I jacked his truck up ok and changed the tire but as soon as I clicked the lever to lower it and pushed the handle down that first time it slipped. The handle came up and smacked the main body of the jack and the truck came slamming down all in one loud bang. Luckily my hand came off the top of the jack before that handle smacked it. When the truck slammed down the loose jack bounced away from the truck. And that was my last time to use one of those jacks. I understand they can be handy and all but they can be dangerous too.

You just have to know how to use them

If you are stuck in a mud hole they are about the only way to self rescue without a winch. I learned by watching some old "experts" in the business.

You have to treat them something like chain binders on a truck load: stay out of the arc of that handle. When chaining down loads of logs I always got my back to the logs and pulled the cheater pipe back down towards me so that if it slipped then it would fly away from me.

[Boog]

I imagine that old jack was well worn. But I was surprised it didn't catch on the next lower hole. It came ALL the way down. It was a learnin 'sperience. I learned to not use them.

[1976gmc20]

Originally Posted by Boog

I imagine that old jack was well worn. But I was surprised it didn't catch on the next lower hole. It came ALL the way down. It was a learnin 'sperience. I learned to not use them.

Usually they will "auto-rotate" all the way down if you let go of the handle, which can be pretty unnerving unless you intended for it to happen, and jump back and watch the entertainment. Don't want to get any body parts between the handle and the vertical beam!

We used to jack up one end of a vehicle as high as possible and then kick over the jack so the tires landed out of the ruts (hopefully!).

I've got two of them. The trouble is that most of these modern vehicles don't have a bumper that you can jack on.

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by Boog

A tractor is nice. Some of us can’t justify one for occasional use so we resort to the primitive methods cause we are too stubborn to hire someone else to do something we know we can do ourselves. Or so the wife says.

I use mine all the time . Only regret is I didnt buy a bigger one . Makes a great jack

[72c20customcamper]

Took a ride on the bikes today . Went to Woodstock for lunch , a couple at the next table asked if we were from the area said yes. And the next thing they asked is where is the field they had Woodstock at .. I chuckled a bit and told the it's in the next county, Sullivan Bethel woods ny is about 40 miles from Woodstock

The blank look, like deer in the headlights was priceless.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper

You also need a backhoe. I dont think I could do half of what I do without the kubota

That would be nice, but apparently I don't need one. At least not for what I've done in the last 34 years around my place. Nothing hand tools and me couldn't do. In the case of this project, there was no other way to do it without tearing up my yard. I had backfilled and seeded ahead of pouring the concrete to assure I had grass established before the dormant season so it wouldn't be a mudhole through winter and look like things had always been that way come spring. The project was also about anti-heave protection for the garage wall, so had to get it buttoned up. I did the concrete to look old and home made, same as I did the garage. The walk has a less than precision 'v' to drain water down the center. It's what I call farmer style... at least that's my excuse for the sloppy work

I had also pulled up walking stones at the back of my house leading up to my back door so I could raise the grade some. In heavy rain it always puddled in one area. It was a nuisance for walking to the door, which I mostly enter through, but I also suspect that was contributing to adding moisture in my cellar. It never seemed like a good time because I knew I'd have to deal with a muddy area right where I enter my house. But since I was doing the other grading/seeding, had time free from work, and it had come to the end of the growing season, I went for it. I created a slight gully to direct the water out and around the corner of the house and down along the side where I already had a slight gully for drainage. I have good grass growing there now too




The water use to gather along that curved wall. Now it drains where the blue line is

[57taskforce]

I work 4 tens these days, so I’m off Friday Saturday and Sunday. Friday is my one day a week to hang out with just me and my two kids. Today we busted the Camaro out of the shop and ran some errands, and got breakfast at lottaburger. cleaned up the house some, and I played kindergarten teacher for my daughter since we are homeschooling her for this year. Because of all the complexity of with the school system and covid it was just easier to do it ourselves, not to mention we can control the things she is taught a lot better. Somewhere in there I bought a new 2 gun tactical bag for my ar15/ak47, And ran 2 miles with momma bear. It was a pretty good day.
This is the only picture I have from the day.

[special-K]

I always thought I'd rather work four 10s than five 8s. Three consecutive days all yours every week is so much better. It sounds like you filled the first one well.

My former neighbor worked four 10s. He had a commute I would hate to have to make, but he was on the road earlier than most and he had to do it one time less each week. 20% less miles put on the vehicle, too. It's nice to have a day off during the business week, too, to take care of... business!

[LockDoc]

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I'm getting pretty well along on the lean-to. I finally have the ends put up. I need to find some overhead doors for it and I have a few other small things to do yet but I am starting to put parts in it. It won't all fit but if I plan it right I will be able to get quite a bit under roof. I have a lot of stuff...

LockDoc

[LockDoc]

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Couple more

[special-K]

You sure have been doing a lot of work not on your truck. I've wondered how were you doing with this project and I see quite well. It's more than just building, moving all your stuff is quite a job... ask me how I know

[GOPAPA]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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Couple more

Leon..I believe If I were to use a guy I know for a show and tell of how to get a job and stick with it and then retire and do all the things one dreams of doing while being retired.. you would be right up there at the top of my list. along with that your lovely wife Pat gets credit to and I know she and you have flipped a house or two ,,doing it together.. I guess you lost the big ol barn ..but the new metal buildings are ok too..

Originally Posted by special-K

You sure have been doing a lot of work not on your truck. I've wondered how were you doing with this project and I see quite well. It's more than just building, moving all your stuff is quite a job... ask me how I know

I Agree with you on the amount of work Leons been doing since the big Blow..he is a hard working busy man .

[GOPAPA]

[QUOTE=special-K;8820409]That would be nice, but apparently I don't need one. At least not for what I've done in the last 34 years around my place. Nothing hand tools and me couldn't do. In the case of this project, there was no other way to do it without tearing up my yard. I had backfilled and seeded ahead of pouring the concrete to assure I had grass established before the dormant season so it wouldn't be a mudhole through winter and look like things had always been that way come spring. The project was also about anti-heave protection for the garage wall, so had to get it buttoned up. I did the concrete to look old and home made, same as I did the garage. The walk has a less than precision 'v' to drain water down the center. It's what I call farmer style... at least that's my excuse for the sloppy work

I had also pulled up walking stones at the back of my house leading up to my back door so I could raise the grade some. In heavy rain it always puddled in one area. It was a nuisance for walking to the door, which I mostly enter through, but I also suspect that was contributing to adding moisture in my cellar. It never seemed like a good time because I knew I'd have to deal with a muddy area right where I enter my house. But since I was doing the other grading/seeding, had time free from work, and it had come to the end of the growing season, I went for it. I created a slight gully to direct the water out and around the corner of the house and down along the side where I already had a slight gully for drainage. I have good grass growing there now too

Tim ,,do you remember way back when we agreed that we sure could of had fun working together as a team doing odd jobs for the people and not for a company ..? all you are doing there at your place is excactly what I was talking about .. it's just so rewarding of designing a project that fits what is already there compared to new building ,,
My most rewarding fun to design job was for a lady that I supervised and worked building a log house , Gabriel Barn with living quarters , and other buildings .. not sure is this it the place to show photos and tell about it ..but it sure was a fun job ..

[special-K]

I remember, and I agree we could be good together doing work that way. Sometimes perfect and fancy doesn't fit. I'll do it whatever way, but to me an old place showing it's age or a rustic place looking rustic is just right. Being in good condition and functioning as it should is what matters. I'm doing historic preservation work now. I hired on with a company just this week after 38 years of self-employment. I hope it works out

[1976gmc20]

Well, this afternoon I put a gate between two big trees in the electric fence on the east side of our original property. Then I chainsawed out a few junipers to make a rough trail into the place we bought next door, so it's possible to drive a pickup/jeep between the properties without going out on the county road.


Edit: yesterday then just for fun I took the 89 pickup through the new trail and down to the county road and then back up our driveway. Surprisingly I managed to make those tight turns through the trees without backing up! Today the wind is blowing about 40 mph so I guess I won't do much out in the woods.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by special-K

You sure have been doing a lot of work not on your truck. I've wondered how were you doing with this project and I see quite well. It's more than just building, moving all your stuff is quite a job... ask me how I know

I'm certainly glad it is coming to an end. I need a break. My youngest daughter came to visit today and helped me move a lot of parts into it. She is a good worker.

Originally Posted by GOPAPA

Leon..I believe If I were to use a guy I know for a show and tell of how to get a job and stick with it and then retire and do all the things one dreams of doing while being retired.. you would be right up there at the top of my list. along with that your lovely wife Pat gets credit to and I know she and you have flipped a house or two ,,doing it together.. I guess you lost the big ol barn ..but the new metal buildings are ok too..

I Agree with you on the amount of work Leons been doing since the big Blow..he is a hard working busy man .

Thanks Larry. I have been a very lucky man....

LockDoc

[67ChevyRedneck]

I don't think a lot of people check out alternate tinkerings.

I keep plugging along on the 28x52 shop. Up to 15 months now. I guess I've set my new goal to anything under 2 years

[special-K]

I'd say you're doing just fine. That's how it goes when you do it yourself while working a full-time job, out of pocket, do it right, and do it nice. Too bad I can't drop my long walkboards off for you to use to run that siding. Those combined with ladder jacks would make quick work off those side walls, pump jacks for the gable ends. I have a 30', 24', 20', 18', and a couple that stretch out, 8'-14+' and 10'-17+'. For that matter, too bad you're too far for me to come by and help you play with that.