Hide Site/Bug out location Part 8

[Flyin6]

MS311 Stihl saw is still running great despite its looks.

[Flyin6]

More cutting today. We got about half of the white oak processed. I have accumulated a nice pile of firewood which will be tossed into the boiler pretty soon. The stack of milled timber is almost complete, as far as hardwoods is concerned. Hopefully, this will soon be stickered and drying outside of the barn in another enclosure.

[Flyin6]

All this material has been cut by just four blades and the one on the saw was new as of this morning and has another day on it yet.

That white oak board 16" wide and eight feet long is really nice. You just can't find material like this anywhere.

[Flyin6]

I removed an old deck from the building I will be turning into a cabin. I am just about complete with the removal of stuff and the general cleanup of the site.

[Flyin6]

The truck is struggling in the winter mud. It almost can't move at all sometimes. These LBGT tires are NOT cutting it!

[Flyin6]

The pond continues to turn over some, even after the weather has turned colder. Perhaps it is time to get that solar aerator in there???

Notice where a deer is rubbing his antlers on this sapling willow tree?

[Flyin6]

The Turkey are back. Look at the size of those tracks!

While I was cutting today several white tails transited my southern fields.

[Flyin6]

The new rock bed I laid down on the south half of the farm road is holding and settling in nicely

[JR]

Ever going to get the doors on the barn?

Yep, those look like road tires. Good for better MPG but no real teeth to bite.

Aerator is built right?

House looks like a natural for split level.

[Flyin6]

Ever going to get the doors on the barn?

Yep, those look like road tires. Good for better MPG but no real teeth to bite.

Aerator is built right?

House looks like a natural for split level.

Both of my boys will be home by Sunday...That's my muscle for hanging doors!

The pond aerator is built and now is sitting at the farm in the barn, just awaiting the final installation

I have considered adding another "Box" to it that you would have to walk down some stairs.

I wanted to wait a couple of years for tires, but these are really not working out well. I may have to skip ahead and get some aggressive ATs. I was thinking about installing 37's

[JR]

Few steps down, no biggie. Then build a deck on the roof.

Where is the "safe" room going?

[Flyin6]

Few steps down, no biggie. Then build a deck on the roof.

Where is the "safe" room going?

Well...somewhere for sure ;-)

[Flyin6]

Today I spent time moving things permanently from the shed to the barn

Two things are happening here. First, the shed is being emptied of stuff so I get that "clean slate."

Secondly, the barn is becoming functional and better organized. You will see some of that with today's post.

First up I pulled the cabinet. It was secured to the wall and was wired for 110VAC.

[Flyin6]

Same-same with the work bench. That was detached, unwired, and relocated as well.

[Flyin6]

They now reside against the knee wall beside the sawmill

[Flyin6]

That little 10" chop saw will be OK for now. I'll locate a 12" compound chop saw in the shed to use while I build there.

I had a stack of milled Cedar sitting on the floor where that workbench was going, so I started hanging that on the wall. Those boards are 126" long. Eventually, I will cover all of the walls on that end of the barn with planks I cut off my property.

[Flyin6]

End of the day configuration:

[stlaser]

 

[Atkinsmatt]

Looking good.

[TexasRedNeck]

Work begets work…

Looking good


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[JR]

Dogs seem to approve.

Did you lock the thread or oops?

[Flyin6]

Dogs seem to approve.

Did you lock the thread or oops?

Nope, didn't lock it...strange

But it's unlocked again...

[oklawall]

Looks like you are making good progress

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[Flyin6]

Looks like you are making good progress

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Yes, I believe I am.

Picking up the pace

The short-term objective is to finish all the "unfinished" projects like hanging the barn doors, setting the solar pond aerator in place, building the other barn doors, and generally organizing the barn to support the construction of the cabin. I am blending in some of the cabin prep work as well to show the MRS some progress in that area.
I hope it will be a busy winter followed by a busy spring. Come summer, I have a couple of big trips in the Jeep planned which will eat up a month or two. So better to get at it while it's cold.

And I know that to stay warm in the cold weather, I need to keep the work pace higher than when it is warm outside.

And I suppose it is just medicinal working hard all day long.

[JR]

I think a solar setup for the farm is something to look into.

Yes I know you have power, but just think how nice it would to not have to worry about it if something is down or going on.

Get some lithium batteries, a 10-12 panel array and a simple 50kw converter. I have the similar at the ridge and it will be my main power for sometime. 48v systems (seem to be most eff) and about to double the battery storage (400AH) With panels and batteries good for 20+ years you are set forever.

[stlaser]

JR, I’m in a toss up myself.

We have a small portable propane genset 3500 watt maybe? And have looked at the air cooled 26k propane whole house gensets.

I’m on a shared well which is backed up by neighbors genset already. With price of the 26k unit I’ve been wondering if a battery system backup wouldn’t be a better idea / more cost effective?

We don’t pull a ton of juice with well on neighbors system. The grid could keep batteries charged and easily power the place for some time if the grid was down.

Then with the small backup I could charge batteries and even add solar (although winter charge would definitely suffer due to lack of sun).

[JR]

New tech is just getting better. The lifo 200ah batteries are now $200 less than I paid. You can run em to almost 0% and they have a 3000 cycle on that. Unless you have real dedicated system even a few panels will keep them up for days.

I will still run a gen for now when demand/220 is needed. I like diesel as it keeps for years, however propane is good if you can get it and it doesn't like the cold

[stlaser]

What batteries are you referencing? Link?

Propane isn’t an issue in the cold. I’ve considered a diesel genset too, with two trucks and a skid loader a gravity fed red fuel tank is already on the list to acquire.

[JR]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P6HH4WK/?coliid=I3HK9PQM0ADSIV&colid=1Z3GNP120A3PC&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

I paid $750 when I got them. Some are less now.

[Flyin6]

Good discussion and with merit.

I noticed that the frig in my jeep is a shoot-and-forget setup. I hooked it up and the fridge just ran and kept things cold. No fuss, it just works.

JR is right, a stand-alone system would be the ticket and disconnecting from the grid. My power company down there charges me $26 monthly just to "Rent" their meter and pole. You know, the one that they use to measure the power I use. Sort of like us having to lease gas pumps to fill up our cars with. Then they charge me another $15 a month to power a security light at night that doesn't actually come on.

For me, right now, I have to focus on things like concrete, windows, on demand water heaters and insulation. All of that comes out of my pocket...bit...by...bit.

[JR]

PGE charges $10 to be on the "grid" with solar. My trueup this year was over 3K. I am adding more panels to offset that more and the new invertor supplies 1500watts if the grid is down (SMA).

I have about 4k tied up in the off grid system at the Ridge. 48v/200ah system which I plane to add another 4 batteries too. My panels are older, but the price was right. Also setting it up to allow easy adjustments and may even go with a tracker on it. Right now I have 2x100watt panels charging the the lifo's in parallel and a single 12v agm. With a 2k invertor it runs the micro easy and the fridge is doing fine (500ah running thet!)

[Flyin6]

Barn doors are FINALLY installed. Both Pre-Rangers are home on leave so those two carried those rather heavy doors and the three of us worked them into position. I feel so much better!

[Flyin6]

These two soldiers did it for me.

I have always called them pre-Rangers on this forum. Well in January, one of them begins his Ranger training. He is not going straight to Ranger school, but all the way to the 75th Ranger Regiment. He will attend RAS (Ranger Assessment and Selection) which will last a few months. If he completes that, he will be immediately assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment and sent to one of the three battalions. He wants to go to 2-75th because he knows he is not ready for 1-75th and they have a very specific mission, Therefore, 2-75th is really first up for what's next, and they are currently gearing up for something. My boy will soon join them and make the prophetic words I spoke over him at birth come true.

The other one will soon drop his packet for Special Forces. He wants to join the 10th group which has its focus on Europe. He will likely attend Ranger school after completing Special Forces training which will likely last two years.

[Flyin6]

I have acres of additional space now, and I have already started organizing the barn to support upcoming projects. Today I added some shelving for battery charging and set up two 110VAC outlets near the new workbench. I am also moving tools from the shed, emptying it even more. I estimate it will take me a week of workdays down there to move everything and get it hung up in the Barn.

But, like always first I will need to build some storage space for all that Oak lumber I sawed up. I have decided to build a modest lean-to onto the East side of the barn and partially wall that in. I will have to level that spot and bring in some gravel. Upon completion, I will transfer all those Oak panels and boards into that new structure. That will free up that spot on the barn floor too. Only after that will I get back on moving things and gutting the shed in preparation for the new interior and modifications.

[JR]

Nice work, wouldn't the tractors have helped some? Do you look up to both boys? I look even to my 16 year old.

Has been raining here and the treck up is iffy sometimes.

[Flyin6]

Nice work, wouldn't the tractors have helped some? Do you look up to both boys? I look even to my 16 year old.

Has been raining here and the treck up is iffy sometimes.

Nate is eyeball to eyeball. Chris is holding short a few inches...

I suggested using the tractor, then they got on each end and the next thing I knew I had a door hanging!

Love having them at home.

Oh, and they went hunting...Not supposed to, but they did. I'm in the barn pulling some wire for some new outlets and I got a call from Nate. He whispers, "Dad, we have 30 turkeys walking up on us, can we shoot one?"

[JR]

YES!!!

[TexasRedNeck]

Don,  serious proud papa moment.  Good on you and God bless them.  And may he protect them.


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[stlaser]

Doors? Whodathunkit!

What’s next, shoes?

Ken leaving H? Highly doubtful……


 

[Flyin6]

Doors? Whodathunkit!

What’s next, shoes?

Ken leaving H? Highly doubtful……


 

Now wait just a moment...Let's not get too far ahead here...















;-)

[Flyin6]

Oh and Dad told them no!

I feel compassion for the once-nominated candidate to be our national bird.
(Good choice, Congress)

They walked free to gobble yet another day.

They did get a couple of shots off at some Coyotes...

[Flyin6]

Finally got some time down farm side again. The youngest Pre-Ranger departed yesterday to, of all things, attend RAS. (Ranger Assessment and Selection) So looks like he is actually going to become a US Army Ranger. Ranger School is a leadership school and a darned tough one and upon completion, you get to wear the famous Ranger tab forever. What Chris is doing is going through the selection process to join the 75th Ranger Regiment. He will then attend Ranger school sometime during his first year there. You can be a Ranger anywhere but only guys who wear the actual scroll are members of the 75th Ranger Regiment.

Anyway, he and Nate were my focus for the past two weeks and all we did was to hang those barn doors down at the farm. Today, I completed the wiring to the workbench and got that chop saw up and running. I screwed the wall to the floor with Tapcon screws and even covered one side with some barn metal that will help control the dust from the sawmill.

After getting the wiring complete, I removed part of that wall, which opened up the space and made that area make better sense.

[Flyin6]

Instead of just packing up the shed and moving everything to the barn, I am trying to do it in a way that makes sense. I first create a space for whatever is being moved, then I move it. I organized this corner for commonly used hand tools. The axes and chain saw stuff are on the wall near the saw mill.

[Flyin6]

There was a bunch more moving of things, too numerous to mention and of course, tossing things no longer needed into the burn pile. But it is slowly coming together.

[JR]

Good luck to him!!

Funny, I just make a mess then try to find places. Imagin having a place before you clean!!

[Flyin6]

Good luck to him!!

Funny, I just make a mess then try to find places. Imagin having a place before you clean!!

Exactly!

I can do this right the first time

Ya know, before I move the drill press, wire in a receptacle for exactly where I want it to be. It's coming together like that.

It will have areas to work on vehicle-like things (tractors) and an area to build doors and tables and stuff like that. It already has a dedicated area for the sawmill and will soon have a spot to stack the milled material. Along one wall will be a linear storage area sub-divided to store materials...Plumbing, electrical, gen construction, and a dedicated area all laid out for construction tools.

The finer woodworking tools will be arrayed on the backside of the workbench and the mechanical side will get toolboxes, compressor, storage bins, and so forth.

I am thinking of building several hoist stations to lift stuff like the heavy pressure washer up onto the wall to free up floor space.

I am tired of walking around stuff. I want to have freedom of movement and know where everything is.

[stlaser]

Mezzanine, use skid loader to lift it up….

[Flyin6]

Mezzanine, use skid loader to lift it up….

I may, Just may...But not in may!

The objective is to finish up all the big move and all these chores so I can get to the fun stuff of building. She won't get interested until I start cutting and nailing on our future cabin/home. Therefore focus remains strong there.

But on the Mezzanine, not only storage but emergency lodging for a SHTF and I get covered up with refugees (family members...Grasshopper family members)

[Flyin6]

More work was completed today. The weather is not cooperating and the whole place was a wet, soupy-mud situation today.

[Flyin6]

Getting ready to start on the lean-to. I actually went down there today to cut some of the poles. I need 5 ea. 6'x6'x13.5'

I began by sorting through the ancient be3ams I had stacked up on the corner of the barn. At first, I thought some were OK, but the more I went through the pile the more I found which were rotted. These timbers from the original barn are all useless.

This corner is where I will erect the 10x20 lean-to.