Author Topic: Hide Site/Bug out Site construction thread, Part 3 (Read 157917 times)

Bob Smith · « **Reply #100 on:** September 21, 2016, 12:16:49 AM »

Well Ken that should do it.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #101 on:** September 22, 2016, 09:07:49 PM »

Well, the new 24" transition chimney section fit just about right

Flyin6 · « **Reply #102 on:** September 22, 2016, 09:08:31 PM »

And with the base spaced outward 6 inches the clearances were good

Flyin6 · « **Reply #103 on:** September 22, 2016, 09:09:21 PM »

I put a screw and a roofing nail in each hole of the base

Flyin6 · « **Reply #104 on:** September 22, 2016, 09:10:13 PM »

The clean-out is easy to access

Flyin6 · « **Reply #105 on:** September 22, 2016, 09:11:09 PM »

Then the first section was added along with two stainless clamps that firmly attached the chimney to the building

Flyin6 · « **Reply #106 on:** September 22, 2016, 09:12:25 PM »

I added two more 36" sections and a rain diffuser, smoke cap what-cha-ma-kall-it

Flyin6 · « **Reply #107 on:** September 22, 2016, 09:14:06 PM »

I had to work out of the bucket of the tractor to hoist the last sections into place and clamp them down, but I managed to get it done without injury!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #108 on:** September 22, 2016, 09:15:37 PM »

Then after cutting back the interior stove pipe to proper length, I fitted it all together, and attached it all with the necessary three screws at each joint

Flyin6 · « **Reply #109 on:** September 22, 2016, 09:16:58 PM »

Then came test time.

A simple cardboard fire at first to check for leaks of smoke

I didn't find any yet!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #110 on:** September 22, 2016, 09:18:04 PM »

With that in the bag, it was onto more wiring

Flyin6 · « **Reply #111 on:** September 22, 2016, 09:19:05 PM »

And the installation of some spendy GFCI outlets for safety

Flyin6 · « **Reply #112 on:** September 22, 2016, 09:20:53 PM »

Routing the wires in from the top and one from the side (So far) I started filling the breaker panel up

Flyin6 · « **Reply #113 on:** September 22, 2016, 09:21:53 PM »

Here is the dedicated 20 Amp compressor circuit with a switched outlet

Flyin6 · « **Reply #114 on:** September 22, 2016, 09:23:38 PM »

I had been drilling all the holes to route the wiring with the standard flat blade wood bit. Here I am trying out the more traditional wood boring bit.

I forgot how much I used to like these things. They pull themselves through the wood which is a bunch easier

Flyin6 · « **Reply #115 on:** September 22, 2016, 09:25:42 PM »

Throughout the day I finished wiring all the outlets on the first floor and most of the switches

It's just work, but one still has to pay attention to get the wires in the right order

Flyin6 · « **Reply #116 on:** September 22, 2016, 09:29:40 PM »

Fast forward to a new day, and first up was sharpening the chain saw teeth for a day of felling trees

I purchased this tool on recommendation from the readership, but I'd have to give it mixed reviews.

There is definitely a lot of technique with this tool, and part of the carbide burr broke off rather early in the evolution. I did get better at it, but I did not get a good clean sharpening. The saw pulled to the left while cutting, but it did pull big chunks of wood until it tried to pull some barbed wire which ended that chain's life!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #117 on:** September 22, 2016, 09:30:35 PM »

This stand of nuisance trees were first up to bat

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #118 on:** September 22, 2016, 09:30:44 PM »

I hate GFCIs. They all get weak and start tripping in about 3 years.

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #119 on:** September 22, 2016, 09:31:16 PM »

And the saw took care of business!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #120 on:** September 22, 2016, 09:32:58 PM »

And that gave rise to more and more death and destruction of perfectly healthy trees as I cut and pushed for the next few hours

Flyin6 · « **Reply #121 on:** September 22, 2016, 09:34:48 PM »

So I fired up Sarge and went into wholesale mode

Flyin6 · « **Reply #122 on:** September 22, 2016, 09:35:45 PM »

I pushed it all back maybe another 100 feet and the Sarge hardly noticed the exercise!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #123 on:** September 22, 2016, 09:36:21 PM »

Filled up my wood crib as well

Flyin6 · « **Reply #124 on:** September 22, 2016, 09:37:21 PM »

Dogs were in overwatch so I wouldn't be flanked by some wayward turkey or rabbit or who knows what

Flyin6 · « **Reply #125 on:** September 22, 2016, 09:39:17 PM »

I started running into these monster Cedar trees. Sarge pushed them over roots and all, and due to the fact that they were growing in some older growth forest, the branches were all at the top.

Just look at the size of this log:

Flyin6 · « **Reply #126 on:** September 22, 2016, 09:41:35 PM »

Next up, I called up the Sarge once more to cut a shelf out of the hillside just below the shed

This is the spot I will develop for the Camper, the water tank, a deck, the tower and a few other things

Flyin6 · « **Reply #127 on:** September 22, 2016, 09:44:46 PM »

That area is maybe seventy five feet across and I had to dig in about three feet.

I tracked in the spoils pile and rounded it off. I'll probably cover the top with gravel after getting some piping and wiring in, and let the slope go to grass

After four days of hard work, I can gladly report all my equipment is FMC!

And I have some new found work for the pre rangers

Dawg25385 · « **Reply #128 on:** September 22, 2016, 10:32:03 PM »

Quote from: Flyin6 on September 22, 2016, 09:23:38 PM

I had been drilling all the holes to route the wiring with the standard flat blade wood bit. Here I am trying out the more traditional wood boring bit.

I forgot how much I used to like these things. They pull themselves through the wood which is a bunch easier

Funny I was just looking at auger bits for my pending wiring

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Dawg25385 · « **Reply #129 on:** September 22, 2016, 10:35:03 PM »

Lookin good boss! Lots of progress

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stlaser · « **Reply #130 on:** September 22, 2016, 10:48:51 PM »

Quote from: Flyin6 on September 22, 2016, 09:19:05 PM

And the installation of some spendy GFCI outlets for safety

You know they have gfci breakers.....

cudakidd53 · « **Reply #131 on:** September 22, 2016, 11:03:15 PM »

You've got a DOZER and you're sharpening chainsaw chain teeth? Like the chimney and building improvements, but you're slipping on the order of equipment usage- big to little is the order you should follow there Don.

It really amazing how much the ground has changed in two months!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #132 on:** September 23, 2016, 09:33:22 AM »

Quote from: cudakidd53 on September 22, 2016, 11:03:15 PM

You've got a DOZER and you're sharpening chainsaw chain teeth? Like the chimney and building improvements, but you're slipping on the order of equipment usage- big to little is the order you should follow there Don.

It really amazing how much the ground has changed in two months!

It's more like a paux de deux (Dance for two)

The tractor cleans a bit and makes things more visible for the planet killin' Sarge

And when I clean up a bit first, I am eating fewer branches while the Sarge is swinging madly through the undergrowth

I'm into a rhythm down there

Flyin6 · « **Reply #133 on:** September 23, 2016, 09:33:42 AM »

Quote from: stlaser on September 22, 2016, 10:48:51 PM

Quote from: Flyin6 on September 22, 2016, 09:19:05 PM
And the installation of some spendy GFCI outlets for safety

You know they have gfci breakers.....

Yessir, I know...

Flyin6 · « **Reply #134 on:** September 29, 2016, 08:42:49 PM »

Packed up for another sojourn down to God's Country

Speaking of structures, I've been reading about Buckminister Fuller's designs

How about a frequency 3, 12' radius, 5/8 to start out with...

A standard building is about 100% in compression

His stuff is 90% Tension and 10% Compression

About as earthquake proof as is possible and can stand up to tornadic wind loads. Considering my place was hit once by a twister and a near miss just last month, I started looking for something that would survive...

stlaser · « **Reply #135 on:** September 29, 2016, 09:51:53 PM »

A geodesic dome? What's next one of those Quonset sheds?

BobbyB · « **Reply #136 on:** September 30, 2016, 02:55:01 AM »

Quote from: stlaser on September 29, 2016, 09:51:53 PM

A geodesic dome? What's next one of those Quonset sheds?

Hey I was looking at a couple acres and thought one of those domes and a Quonset hut would be cool.. Then I remembered I'm still in my apartment until next summer or so.

stlaser · « **Reply #137 on:** September 30, 2016, 08:28:31 AM »

Bobby, if I were a single guy. I'd buy an 1-2 acre plot without restrictions. Then I would build a 30'-40' x 40'-60' long shop. It would have 4' concrete rat walls around exterior. The lower garage area would have 14' walls (so 10' + 4' rat walls think carlift) all 2x6 construction so it could be sprayed & batted as where you live it gets cold. It would be drive thru with large overheads at both ends. Then have the upstairs as an apartment either hip roof or regular steep pitch roof to gain a nice sized living area. I'd have a big wood stove in the shop that would help heat the second floor (possibly all of it) & add baseboard electric to supplement or maybe a small furnace so you could have AC in the summer. I would build it as a shell, get final on it with little to nothing complete on interior. Then rough it and live out of it, keep costs low and finish it as you go. If you want depending on future plans / acreage you could build main house down the road & add outside stair case to use as a rental gaining monthly income. Cheap up front cost & would allow you to own.

BobbyB · « **Reply #138 on:** September 30, 2016, 09:40:18 AM »

Quote from: stlaser on September 30, 2016, 08:28:31 AM

Bobby, if I were a single guy. I'd buy an 1-2 acre plot without restrictions. Then I would build a 30'-40' x 40'-60' long shop. It would have 4' concrete rat walls around exterior. The lower garage area would have 14' walls (so 10' + 4' rat walls think carlift) all 2x6 construction so it could be sprayed & batted as where you live it gets cold. It would be drive thru with large overheads at both ends. Then have the upstairs as an apartment either hip roof or regular steep pitch roof to gain a nice sized living area. I'd have a big wood stove in the shop that would help heat the second floor (possibly all of it) & add baseboard electric to supplement or maybe a small furnace so you could have AC in the summer. I would build it as a shell, get final on it with little to nothing complete on interior. Then rough it and live out of it, keep costs low and finish it as you go. If you want depending on future plans / acreage you could build main house down the road & add outside stair case to use as a rental gaining monthly income. Cheap up front cost & would allow you to own.

I did think about a big shop/garage building with a decent apartment over it. I have ideas, eventually I'll settle on one and run with it.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #139 on:** October 01, 2016, 05:51:13 PM »

Two more days down there and a bunch more accomplished

I have a problem coming up right around the corner, and that problem is cold weather.

I've been able to roll in there, work a long day, then clean up, cook a meal, and get a good night's sleep with the camper. Now I've had that camper's use because I haven't had to winterize it every time I turn around. But now if I don't, I'll lose it to broken water pipes.

So I'll have to keep it somewhat heated this winter to make it useful.

So my plan is multi-fold.

First I have to move it to it's permanent spot, the area I excavated with Sarge. Next I'll have to run some power to it and a propane source which needs to be much bigger than just two 20 lb bottles.

To do all this, I'll need to:
1. Electrify the shed
2. Run a line underground to the camper
3. Gravel in the camper location
4. Bury the water and electric feed lines to the camper, and a waste line
5. Establish some permanent water source that won't freeze
and
6. Who knows what else!

I have a plan
Excavate the "Shelf"
Excavate an area to place a water tank below grade
Gravel in the whole area
Drag the trailer over
Building a room, below grade which will house a large water tank, a water pump, some electrical stuff, a generator, and have a set of solar panels on the roof.

Some of that is already done

Before we get to that, here is a nifty busting axe I picked up

Flyin6 · « **Reply #140 on:** October 01, 2016, 05:52:37 PM »

Oops, outta time

Pre Ranger has a Game in a little bit, can't miss that, gotta go

Be back soon!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #141 on:** October 01, 2016, 10:27:24 PM »

I'm back

We won 30-Zip!

A shutout and the pre ranger continued wreaking havoc on the poor little girlscouts up in Cincinnati!

So, where was I?

Flyin6 · « **Reply #142 on:** October 01, 2016, 10:32:02 PM »

Oh, yes, got it, I was on the farm thing

I like to make improvements every time I'm down there so that with each visit it just gets better. I started with neatening this area and securely storing the extension cord and air hose.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #143 on:** October 01, 2016, 10:38:18 PM »

I purchased the grounding bus bar and mounted it in the breaker box, which allowed me to complete the wiring I had hanging loose

Flyin6 · « **Reply #144 on:** October 01, 2016, 10:44:03 PM »

Then I wired in a 30 amp camper style plug to:

1. Power a camper

2. Allow me to plug in a generator and back feed the panel and power the building until I get the thing hooked up to the grid power

Flyin6 · « **Reply #145 on:** October 01, 2016, 10:48:36 PM »

In the spirit of killin' perfectly healthy trees every time I get down there, I fired up the Sarge and knocked some more of free standing Kentucky around

Flyin6 · « **Reply #146 on:** October 01, 2016, 10:53:28 PM »

I am now leaving the hardwoods, except for those locust, and pushing down the cedars and scrubby stuff. I am turning the cedars into long posts and the better scrubby stuff into firewood. It's free for the taking, come on over and grab some!

I visited the well again for some more cleaning and something weird happened. Another layer of floating plastic appeared. I had that thing clean of the floaty stuff, and I found old, gray and time-blackened plastic floating! Like it got boyant or something!

So I fished all that out of there until it was clear once again.

So far, no sign of Jimmy Hoffa!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #147 on:** October 01, 2016, 10:56:45 PM »

The area all around that well is cleaning up nicely!

So are the adjacent fields...

The gold fish pond is definitely needing some attention! But ever since Sarge punched through into that gooey stuff it has held water!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #148 on:** October 01, 2016, 11:02:04 PM »

Next, I fired up the Sarge again and went after the shelf I am excavating. This time I dug out the keyhole area where I will very soon erect a building and put a water tank inside and a roof overhead with some solar panels on it.

Hard to make it out, but that keyhole is 12 feet into the hillside and about 16 feet wide. It is about six feet deep at the high opint, but I'll build an eight foot wall and pack in the dirt nearly that high to get that good earthy insulation!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #149 on:** October 01, 2016, 11:07:14 PM »

That Loader is worth its weight in chocolate chip cookies (Something I value above gold!)

It moves a lot of dirt fairly quickly and hardly utters a complaint. Gotta love the old school technology.

Using it's weight to track in the loose dirt makes it instantly compact. I noticed that even though it had rained several times, I had zero erosion!

From lumpy piles of rock and dirt to this in just minutes!