Between 485 & 705 SQ/FT Bob Heine's Auto Emporium

[oldironfarmer]

Just enjoying the show. We hit 89 here today.

 

[Bob Heine]

Well, the best laid plans of mice and men gang aft agley. I made no progress on new sawhorses either Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday but I did re-arrange the T1-11 stack. There is no way I can lift 17 sheets onto a new saw horse so I figured I would stand them up on their sides. A couple of 4x4 workbench legs, some 4x4 scraps and some one-by scraps yielded a fairly robust pair of braces.

My packrat stash had an aluminum beam from the screen enclosure that was damaged in 2005. It is just under 8-feet long and hollow but very strong. Once I had the two legs plumbed and the beam installed, I used a couple of those shipping spacers to brace the rack.

I managed to get the plastic sawhorses out from under the stack and they are completely destroyed. Amazon sent me a UPS return label so they will be shipped back before the weekend.

I had a nice new Harbor Freight 8'x10' blue tarp stashed for a day like this so I zip-tied it to the carport frame and ran a piece of nylon rope through the aluminum beam. When I stood up the first sheet of T1-11, it wanted to fall down so I figured I could loop a rope around the upright stack (the board on the bottom should keep the braces from lifting.

The rope worked well to hold the stack in place and I was making good progress. When I tried to stack sheet 10, it hung up on the stack still on the ground (the pile fell at a diagonal).

The stack of 17 was impossible to move on the ground but my hand truck had no trouble lifting and sliding the stack of 7 out of the way.

I ended my day early with all 17 sheets of T1-11 stacked up on the "new" rack (not one piece of new wood was used). I didn't take a picture of everything back in place but you've already seen that mess.

Hopefully it will still be standing when I return tomorrow.

 

[Bob Heine]

Just enjoying the show. We hit 89 here today.

Andy, glad you are enjoying fun and games with the other feeble brother. It was a nippy 85 for a high today. Only saturated one T-shirt and my pants were dry below the knees.

 

[driftpin]

Philip, I don't trust plastic for support either but those really old StoreHorse plastic sawhorses have held up well. I don't recall their rating but I'm sure they didn't claim anything in excess of a half ton capacity for the pair.

In my youth I only had enough money to buy bottom-line tools to go with the bottom-line parts I bought. Nobody made plastic drive-on ramps but they did make split-pipe jackstands. Those are the ones I bought first. Working under the car I would hear creaking and was pretty sure it was the jackstands. I let those four flimsy jackstands go to a stranger for free with a warning -- a stack of wood next to the stands was my advice.


Over the years I have purchased eight I-beam jackstands similar to yours. My collection is mostly 3-ton units and my heaviest vehicle is just over two tons. I prefer to coat steel with epoxy primer rather than POR-15. Most paint won't stick to POR-15 and because it adhehres best to rust, it is likely to peel off clean steel. A pinhole can let moisture get behind the POR-15 and rust forming under it doesn't show until the steel crumbles (the POR-15 still looks great).

I've read quite a few articles on the horror of the PT Cruiser and they are all true. It's a horrible car only an idiot should own. They get terrible gas mileage, the turning radius of a 4x4 truck and have no redeeming qualities that I know of.

That said, I love ours. Most PT Cruisers are under-powered but the GT model, with its turbocharged engine is a lot better. The 2006 GT model goes zero to sixty in 6.7 seconds. If that sounds poor, my 1968 Pontiac GTO rated zero to sixty time was 6.4 seconds. Because my Cruiser is only a turbo-engined Touring model, it wasn't as fast as a GT when I got it. I made several modifications, including a cold air intake, free-flowing exhaust, composite intake manifold and a Stage I computer upgrade. When I re-programmed the computer for 93-octane with a Diablo tuner it ripped the stock engine mounts apart and sheared off the upper motor mount bolt. With ARP bolts and upgraded mounts the car spins the front tires when I floor it at 30 mph.

I was attracted to the PT Cruiser because it reminded me (a little) of the 1947 Ford Tudor we owned back in the early '60s.

I have a similar pair of jackstands I bought probably 45+ years ago. I can't recall the store, but I suspect it was Zayre's, Gold Triangle, or maybe Rose Auto Parts, here in south Florida. I used a piece of plywood under them, when I put weight on them and watched as the edges of the legs sank-into the asphalt. If I was using them to change a tire, I'd slip the wheel under the rocker panel, so that the failure of the jackstand wouldn't allow the vehicle to drop onto the ground. At some point, I scavenged some PT 4x4's to use for cribbing under the vehicle. I also would leave the jack under the vehicle, but with a very-light load on it. Redundancy for safety, I suppose. They sit unused, if I ever-see them getting rust, other-than surface deterioration, into recycling they go.

I went to look at the PT Cruiser when they were released. There was a vintage car show in Coconut Grove (Miami FL waterfront for you out-of-towners) and the Chrysler dealer had one for display. I like the look of them, and yes, it looks like a 1930's/'40's Ford to me, too. When I sat in the car, I thought it was comfortable.

Our oldest grandson who was not born upon the PT release, was attracted to the PT Cruiser, as a small child, and mommy and daddy rented one when they came for a visit, and the kid was very happy! I rented one on a trip somewhere, and I thought it was a perfectly-adequate ride. Not as-interesting as my '67 GTO convertible (long-gone), but a functional transport for four adults.

Have you looked at the green tarps, as they are a bit less conspicuous than the Smurf-blue ones?

Bob Heine said:
My packrat stash had an aluminum beam from the screen enclosure that was damaged in 2005.

Wiilll-maaaa!

Here in Broward County (Ft. Lauderdale FL area) entire trailer parks were destroyed by Hurricane Wilma. The degree of destruction here (Broward Co.) was greater-than Hurricane Andrew, which was supposed to make landfall directly at Broward County, but it took a sharp-turn south, and entered the state south of Miami instead. After Wilma, you would drive-by a former trailer park, and see just the steel frames sitting-there, and huge piles of debris everywhere. The local Boy Scout camp lost almost 90% of its tree canopy, along with the surrounding area. Trees which had weathered 100 years of storms were tipped-over with root balls maybe 20 ft. in diameter, and what had been perhaps 40 ft. canopies, just lying on their sides. Roads were impassable for days from the damage. I was lucky, the power was restored in a week.

Here's my side-of-the-road one-door hinged cabinet find, I tarted it-up some today. I added reinforcements on the rear wall of the cabinet, extending up to the top of the backsplash, if you would call it that. I added a Harbor Freight 18" magnetic tool strip, and a set of six Harbor Freight screwdrivers: three phillips, three slot-head. They got a companion 25 ft. tape to keep them company.

I also used more t-nuts threaded for machine screws on the sacrificial masonite cabinet top, holding it in-place to the 3/4" plywood beneath the masonite.

The two-foot tall chest of drawers for small hardware looks much-better being painted with oil-base rustoleum type paint.

"But wait, there's more! Buy the two cabinets, and at no additional charge, receive an electrical multi-meter for diagnosing your electrical problems. Simply-pay a slightly-reduced amount from the total of the two cabinets, purchased separately." It's one-way to make all those free Harbor Freight tools pay-off.

 

[bolensboneyard]

Bob looks like you will have to live a longer life with all the projects you now have lined up.

 

[sawduststeve]

Bob,these are my only saw horses, I cannot remember
a time without them in the van. I think my Dad made them,
possibly over 30yrs ago, used these days for sitting on and drinking tea.



Steve

 

[stillp]

used these days for sitting on and drinking tea.

You mean sawhorses have other uses?
Pete

 

[Seagoon]

I've never found one

 

[Hubscrub66]

Speaking of plastic, i was sitting in plastic folding chair in an outdoor wedding yesturday. I'm not a small guy it felt very sketchy. I told my wife with a half giggle i'm sitting light.

 

[RickP]

+1 about those plastic chairs - they always feel sketchy to me. I've had them tip over on me before, but that was due to soft ground under the legs.

Bob - I'm taking a lesson from your sawhorse experience. I use plastic ones for lightweight duty, just because they're so easy to fold and cart around. But I'm going to break out the wooden ones for storing plywood. Thanks for sharing, and I'm glad no T1-11 was hurt during the making of your public service announcement!

 

[driftpin]

In Austin TX for the weekend & saw some old cars, need any projects? My cousin lives close to Circuit of the Americas. The guy next to them, likes Buicks, looks like. My cousin's husband has an old Farmall H tractor (narrow front track) he wants to sell. Wish I had more land & a use for one. He has 2 Ford combo front end loader-backhoes too.

 

[DynoDave]

Love that Buick!

 

[xtremek]

I'd really appreciate if you quit making me look like a lazy incompetent fool. Seriously, nice job.

 

[Grizz1963]

In Austin TX for the weekend & saw some old cars, need any projects? My cousin lives close to Circuit of the Americas. The guy next to them, likes Buicks, looks like. My cousin's husband has an old Farmall H tractor (narrow front track) he wants to sell. Wish I had more land & a use for one. He has 2 Ford combo front end loader-backhoes too.

Love the Two door.

In fact, any of these, but those lines.......

 

[Bob Heine]

Philip, I don't trust plastic for support either but those really old StoreHorse plastic sawhorses have held up well. I don't recall their rating but I'm sure they didn't claim anything in excess of a half ton capacity for the pair.

In my youth I only had enough money to buy bottom-line tools to go with the bottom-line parts I bought. Nobody made plastic drive-on ramps but they did make split-pipe jackstands. Those are the ones I bought first. Working under the car I would hear creaking and was pretty sure it was the jackstands. I let those four flimsy jackstands go to a stranger for free with a warning -- a stack of wood next to the stands was my advice.


Over the years I have purchased eight I-beam jackstands similar to yours. My collection is mostly 3-ton units and my heaviest vehicle is just over two tons. I prefer to coat steel with epoxy primer rather than POR-15. Most paint won't stick to POR-15 and because it adhehres best to rust, it is likely to peel off clean steel. A pinhole can let moisture get behind the POR-15 and rust forming under it doesn't show until the steel crumbles (the POR-15 still looks great).

I've read quite a few articles on the horror of the PT Cruiser and they are all true. It's a horrible car only an idiot should own. They get terrible gas mileage, the turning radius of a 4x4 truck and have no redeeming qualities that I know of.

That said, I love ours. Most PT Cruisers are under-powered but the GT model, with its turbocharged engine is a lot better. The 2006 GT model goes zero to sixty in 6.7 seconds. If that sounds poor, my 1968 Pontiac GTO rated zero to sixty time was 6.4 seconds. Because my Cruiser is only a turbo-engined Touring model, it wasn't as fast as a GT when I got it. I made several modifications, including a cold air intake, free-flowing exhaust, composite intake manifold and a Stage I computer upgrade. When I re-programmed the computer for 93-octane with a Diablo tuner it ripped the stock engine mounts apart and sheared off the upper motor mount bolt. With ARP bolts and upgraded mounts the car spins the front tires when I floor it at 30 mph.

I was attracted to the PT Cruiser because it reminded me (a little) of the 1947 Ford Tudor we owned back in the early '60s.

I have a similar pair of jackstands I bought probably 45+ years ago. I can't recall the store, but I suspect it was Zayre's, Gold Triangle, or maybe Rose Auto Parts, here in south Florida. I used a piece of plywood under them, when I put weight on them and watched as the edges of the legs sank-into the asphalt. If I was using them to change a tire, I'd slip the wheel under the rocker panel, so that the failure of the jackstand wouldn't allow the vehicle to drop onto the ground. At some point, I scavenged some PT 4x4's to use for cribbing under the vehicle. I also would leave the jack under the vehicle, but with a very-light load on it. Redundancy for safety, I suppose. They sit unused, if I ever-see them getting rust, other-than surface deterioration, into recycling they go.

I went to look at the PT Cruiser when they were released. There was a vintage car show in Coconut Grove (Miami FL waterfront for you out-of-towners) and the Chrysler dealer had one for display. I like the look of them, and yes, it looks like a 1930's/'40's Ford to me, too. When I sat in the car, I thought it was comfortable.

Our oldest grandson who was not born upon the PT release, was attracted to the PT Cruiser, as a small child, and mommy and daddy rented one when they came for a visit, and the kid was very happy! I rented one on a trip somewhere, and I thought it was a perfectly-adequate ride. Not as-interesting as my '67 GTO convertible (long-gone), but a functional transport for four adults.

Have you looked at the green tarps, as they are a bit less conspicuous than the Smurf-blue ones?

Bob Heine said:
My packrat stash had an aluminum beam from the screen enclosure that was damaged in 2005.

Wiilll-maaaa!

Here in Broward County (Ft. Lauderdale FL area) entire trailer parks were destroyed by Hurricane Wilma. The degree of destruction here (Broward Co.) was greater-than Hurricane Andrew, which was supposed to make landfall directly at Broward County, but it took a sharp-turn south, and entered the state south of Miami instead. After Wilma, you would drive-by a former trailer park, and see just the steel frames sitting-there, and huge piles of debris everywhere. The local Boy Scout camp lost almost 90% of its tree canopy, along with the surrounding area. Trees which had weathered 100 years of storms were tipped-over with root balls maybe 20 ft. in diameter, and what had been perhaps 40 ft. canopies, just lying on their sides. Roads were impassable for days from the damage. I was lucky, the power was restored in a week.

Here's my side-of-the-road one-door hinged cabinet find, I tarted it-up some today. I added reinforcements on the rear wall of the cabinet, extending up to the top of the backsplash, if you would call it that. I added a Harbor Freight 18" magnetic tool strip, and a set of six Harbor Freight screwdrivers: three phillips, three slot-head. They got a companion 25 ft. tape to keep them company.

I also used more t-nuts threaded for machine screws on the sacrificial masonite cabinet top, holding it in-place to the 3/4" plywood beneath the masonite.

The two-foot tall chest of drawers for small hardware looks much-better being painted with oil-base rustoleum type paint.

"But wait, there's more! Buy the two cabinets, and at no additional charge, receive an electrical multi-meter for diagnosing your electrical problems. Simply-pay a slightly-reduced amount from the total of the two cabinets, purchased separately." It's one-way to make all those free Harbor Freight tools pay-off.

Philip, none of my grandchildren were impressed with the PT Cruiser. A friend of mine bought one when they first came out and paid a premium price. He joined a club and had several modifications done to the car, including paint matched bumpers, ghost flames and custom wheels. He was a little upset when I bought mine for several thousand less.

I bought several blue tarps about ten years ago, when Harbor Freight had them on sale. I normally use them for yard cleanup. I can throw a bunch of cuttings on the tarp and drag it out to the curb for vegetation pickup. I'll keep the color choice in mind next time.

We had friends stay with us during Andrew (they lived on a canal in Ft. Lauderdale) and we lost a few leaves. We weren't as lucky in 2005, with storm after storm hitting us, including Katrina and Wilma. Wilma was the last straw in 2005. We had a really cool slash pine in the back yard that was tipped over many years before we bought the house.

When Katrina blew through on its way to Louisiana, it knocked the pine completely over and split the trunk. After cutting up the pine tree, I left the top of the stump level at Liane's request (she likes to move plants from place to place). After Wilma, the back yard was pretty barren but we waited another five years to plant more trees.

Wilma gave my aluminum extrusion collection a real boost. That beam was the last big piece from that mess.

Bob looks like you will have to live a longer life with all the projects you now have lined up.

Bobby, you're not the only one pointing that out. In addition to the number of projects, each one takes me longer than in the good old days when I knocked one out in a weekend. You'd think I would get more done now that I have much longer weekends. I appreciate you taking time from your heirloom porch creations.

Bob,these are my only saw horses, I cannot remember
a time without them in the van. I think my Dad made them,
possibly over 30yrs ago, used these days for sitting on and drinking tea.



Steve

Steve, those look almost new!

You mean sawhorses have other uses?
Pete

Pete, my first set of sawhorses were also our picnic table legs and the picnic table was often my workbench.

I've never found one

Seagoon, I'm guessing you haven't used chairs and end tables as sawhorses either.

Speaking of plastic, i was sitting in plastic folding chair in an outdoor wedding yesturday. I'm not a small guy it felt very sketchy. I told my wife with a half giggle i'm sitting light.

Hubscrub66, you are not alone. I just threw out four plastic chairs when one of them fell apart when I moved it.

+1 about those plastic chairs - they always feel sketchy to me. I've had them tip over on me before, but that was due to soft ground under the legs.

Bob - I'm taking a lesson from your sawhorse experience. I use plastic ones for lightweight duty, just because they're so easy to fold and cart around. But I'm going to break out the wooden ones for storing plywood. Thanks for sharing, and I'm glad no T1-11 was hurt during the making of your public service announcement!

Rick, because the sun is so strong in Florida, plastic loses strength quite quickly. Good to hear my mistake might prevent similar disasters.

In Austin TX for the weekend & saw some old cars, need any projects? My cousin lives close to Circuit of the Americas. The guy next to them, likes Buicks, looks like. My cousin's husband has an old Farmall H tractor (narrow front track) he wants to sell. Wish I had more land & a use for one. He has 2 Ford combo front end loader-backhoes too.

Philip, I missed my chance to own a Buick Sedanette fastback in the mid-60s. My wife's aunt owned a black one that she drove from Queens, New York to Acapulco, Mexico every winter. Once in Mexico she she would have the car polished and waxed with Blue Coral. The only gas she would put in that car was Amoco premium (aka white gas). A cousin in Virginia was a better beggar. He wrecked the car on the drive home.

Love that Buick!

+1

I'd really appreciate if you quit making me look like a lazy incompetent fool. Seriously, nice job.

Kirk, if I did a time-lapse project record, you would feel a whole lot better. I spent almost 8 hours installing one section of fence framing.

Love the Two door.

In fact, any of these, but those lines.......

Rian, those curves are, well, you know.....

 

[Bob Heine]

I wanted to start on the fencing because the old sections are leaning against a tree and I know Liane is getting anxious about her gardens. I expected to spend an hour or two putting in the first post and the three rails to connect to the new post. Measured the approximate location and lined it up with the string. I knew there was an old post section in the ground but found it didn't line up with the string. Right next to the post stub, in the middle of the spot where the post hole had to be dug there was a Brazilian Pepper tree stump. Not huge but it has deep roots so I spent several hours digging, chopping and sawing away at it until it came out. Right next to it was the old fence post stub. Relatively easy to get out of the ground and it reminded me why I don't use concrete in the fence post holes.

It might have gone faster but it's hot out (almost 90*F in the shade). I dragged out an old beach umbrella and set it up to shade the hole. At the end of the day the new section was up and the hole mostly filled in (more tamping and raking is needed).

I'm still waiting for the tree guy to come back and grind the stump but I have a way to go.

 

[driftpin]

Speaking of plastic, i was sitting in plastic folding chair in an outdoor wedding yesturday. I'm not a small guy it felt very sketchy. I told my wife with a half giggle i'm sitting light.

+1 about those plastic chairs - they always feel sketchy to me. I've had them tip over on me before, but that was due to soft ground under the legs.

Bob - I'm taking a lesson from your sawhorse experience. I use plastic ones for lightweight duty, just because they're so easy to fold and cart around. But I'm going to break out the wooden ones for storing plywood. Thanks for sharing, and I'm glad no T1-11 was hurt during the making of your public service announcement!

I once was at our son's party after law school (U of Florida) and was sitting in one of those plastic 'nesting' chairs.

Suddenly, with no warning, the leg collapsed, leaving sharp jagged long pieces. I fell-out of the chair, and as I did-so, the broken pieces filleted my lower leg with a scar I still carry to this day. If it was any deeper, I would have had to go to the ER for staples/sutures. The chair wasn't that-old, (no signs of sun-crazing, 'checkerboarding,' or other visible defects) it still had the manufacturer's label on it. You would think that my accident resulted in an actionable tort, I didn't pursue it. I don't use them (plastic chairs) anymore. I'm >200 lbs but I suspect the chairs should have been capable of supporting my avoirdupois.

Love that Buick!

Love the Two door.

In fact, any of these, but those lines.......

The early 1950's Buick 2 dr has great lines, yes, I agree. I think those were the cars with a starter button on the floor, you had-to step-on it, like an old dimmer switch. Seeing the car from the side, the expansive sweep of the body line from the front fender, taking a 'dip,' and them the second curve over the rear wheelwell, is just a well-done contour. It cries-out for a two-tone paint treatment. Or in this case, any paint treatment.

The 'humpback' I believe is also a Buick, and it has those cool 'suicide doors.' The early 1960's Lincoln Continentals are the last cars I recall having those. I'm sure that sitting in the back, you feel like you're insulated from all the cares in the world, until The Purple Gang begins raking the car with Thompson submachine guns with the 'drum' magazines.

About your fence posts, I was told by a building dept. here in so. FL I had to use concrete around the fence posts, spacing to be 4 ft. o.c., for 6 ft tall stockade fencing and 2 ft deep, encased in 10" of concrete. I agree that leaving them bare in the ground instead of encased in concrete will help them to survive rot. Also, some-sort of a top-cap on the end grain of the post, above-ground, will help repel water which could accelerate post rot below-grade. With the end of the post encased in concrete, there's no-way for the water in the post to exit.

 

[drivesitfar]

Bob: you are very busy that is for certain. I hope your tree chipper shows up again especially if you already paid them.

i'm building a fence too so wondering if you are just putting 4x4's in the ground, in cement or in brackets like i'm hoping to do?

best of luck with all that you do

 

[Sifan]

Mid 50's Pontiac had a kick starter under the accelerator, you pushed the accelerator to the floor and when the engine started you let off the gas. Remember as a kid, going to church, we watched when "old man Shepard" started his car. Mr. Shepard always got there real early and parked right outside the church front door. He was hard of hearing and his Pontiac hit some pretty good RPM's before Mr. Shepard heard it and let off the gas. Scared the daylights out of those visiting outside the front door.

 

[Bob Heine]

I once was at our son's party after law school (U of Florida) and was sitting in one of those plastic 'nesting' chairs.

Suddenly, with no warning, the leg collapsed, leaving sharp jagged long pieces. I fell-out of the chair, and as I did-so, the broken pieces filleted my lower leg with a scar I still carry to this day. If it was any deeper, I would have had to go to the ER for staples/sutures. The chair wasn't that-old, (no signs of sun-crazing, 'checkerboarding,' or other visible defects) it still had the manufacturer's label on it. You would think that my accident resulted in an actionable tort, I didn't pursue it. I don't use them (plastic chairs) anymore. I'm >200 lbs but I suspect the chairs should have been capable of supporting my avoirdupois.

The early 1950's Buick 2 dr has great lines, yes, I agree. I think those were the cars with a starter button on the floor, you had-to step-on it, like an old dimmer switch. Seeing the car from the side, the expansive sweep of the body line from the front fender, taking a 'dip,' and them the second curve over the rear wheelwell, is just a well-done contour. It cries-out for a two-tone paint treatment. Or in this case, any paint treatment.

The 'humpback' I believe is also a Buick, and it has those cool 'suicide doors.' The early 1960's Lincoln Continentals are the last cars I recall having those. I'm sure that sitting in the back, you feel like you're insulated from all the cares in the world, until The Purple Gang begins raking the car with Thompson submachine guns with the 'drum' magazines.

About your fence posts, I was told by a building dept. here in so. FL I had to use concrete around the fence posts, spacing to be 4 ft. o.c., for 6 ft tall stockade fencing and 2 ft deep, encased in 10" of concrete. I agree that leaving them bare in the ground instead of encased in concrete will help them to survive rot. Also, some-sort of a top-cap on the end grain of the post, above-ground, will help repel water which could accelerate post rot below-grade. With the end of the post encased in concrete, there's no-way for the water in the post to exit.

Philip, I haven't been attack by a plastic chair yet but on two occasions the cloth on director chairs have given out and given me a quick gravity lesson.

Suicide doors on modern vehicles are rare but are still around. Rolls Royce has them on their Ghost (rear doors) and Dawn (front door) models. From 2000 through 2006 Toyota Tundra extended cab models came with suicide rear doors. The 2000-2013 GM extended cab pickups also had suicide rear doors but you had to open the front doors to use them.

You are right about the post-Andrew Florida building code requirements for fences. Boca Raton also follows that code but makes an exception for repairs to existing fencing costing less than $1,000. I hate the idea of burying wooden posts in concrete but because it is only 10" of the 24" hole, the bottom of the post should drain just fine. During Wilma lots of my fence posts snapped off at ground level and I don't see how concrete would have made a difference. I do understand that doubling the number of posts in a fence run would help but Wilma was only a category 3 storm when it hit us (still enough to rip concrete roof tiles loose). I don't install caps but I do cut pyramids on top of all new fence posts. Seems to help, with mold and mildew taking longer to build up.

Bob: you are very busy that is for certain. I hope your tree chipper shows up again especially if you already paid them.

i'm building a fence too so wondering if you are just putting 4x4's in the ground, in cement or in brackets like i'm hoping to do?

best of luck with all that you do

Drives, I could be a lot busier but I spend time here, reading about other people's business. You yourself have reached a milestone consolidating your off-site storage and managed to upgrade your showplace front yard.

As I mentioned, I'm avoiding the concrete because it's hard enough to pull a bare 4x4 post. If I used concrete to set them, future repairs would have to be made by a stronger person than me or involve Andy's other brother Bob.

Mid 50's Pontiac had a kick starter under the accelerator, you pushed the accelerator to the floor and when the engine started you let off the gas. Remember as a kid, going to church, we watched when "old man Shepard" started his car. Mr. Shepard always got there real early and parked right outside the church front door. He was hard of hearing and his Pontiac hit some pretty good RPM's before Mr. Shepard heard it and let off the gas. Scared the daylights out of those visiting outside the front door.

Sifan, I remember those Pontiacs. When I was 18 or 19 I helped a friend at his Shell Station. Between the hidden gas doors and the starter buttons, you had to know a lot of tricks. The old man who did the major repairs was a big help. He showed me the many ways you could screw the customer, especially charging for new/rebuilt prices for generator/starter brushes and a coat of black paint. New lifters from a can of Marvel Mystery Oil and rebuilt carburetor from a spray bomb of Gumout. He did charge for drum turning and wheel cylinders when he just slapped in new brake shoes. At least he didn't trick people into new shocks with a squirt of oil (at least I never saw him do that).

 

[driftpin]

Bob said:
You are right about the post-Andrew Florida building code requirements for fences. Boca Raton also follows that code but makes an exception for repairs to existing fencing costing less than $1,000. I hate the idea of burying wooden posts in concrete but because it is only 10" of the 24" hole, the bottom of the post should drain just fine. During Wilma lots of my fence posts snapped off at ground level and I don't see how concrete would have made a difference. I do understand that doubling the number of posts in a fence run would help but Wilma was only a category 3 storm when it hit us (still enough to rip concrete roof tiles loose). I don't install caps but I do cut pyramids on top of all new fence posts. Seems to help, with mold and mildew taking longer to build up.


I read your comment as-saying, "only ten inches of the depth of the twenty-four inch depth of the 4 x 4" fence post hole will be encased in concrete."

The code says that the hole has to be a minimum of twenty-four inches deep, and an eight foot PT 4 x 4" fence post needs to be buried twenty-four inches into the ground (two feet below grade) with a width of ten inches for the hole to be concrete. The nominal four-inch square PT fence post will be in the ground and surrounded by ~three inches of concrete on all-sides. The inspection schedule calls-for an excavation inspection, to document the twenty-four inches by ten inches diameter excavations, and then another inspection for the completed fence. Here is a document from a Broward County jurisdiction.

FENCE POSTS SHALL BE MINIMUM NOMINAL 4” X 4” SPACED A MAXIMUM OF 4’ ON CENTER FOR 6FT. HIGH FENCES, EMBEDDED 2’ INTO A CONCRETE FOOTING 10” IN DIAMETER AND 2’ DEEP. POST LUMBER MUST BE NO.2 GRADE OR BETTER AND BE DECAY AND TERMITE RESISTANT.

https://www.hollywoodfl.org/DocumentCenter/View/77/11--Requirements-for-Fence-Construction?bidId=

Nearly 40 years ago, I did three foot excavations, poured one foot concrete, and then rested the PT posts on that, for the two feet depth of an eight foot post, to result in a six foot height fence. Yes, the 4 x 4" posts were encased in concrete at the bottom, but the three feet holes anchored the fence well-enough that it survived Hurricane Andrew when the fence was 12 years old, and other hurricanes before and after. It lasted more-than twenty-five years before a storm removed about half of the ~270 l.ft. of six foot stockade fencing.

 

[Bob Heine]

Philip, you read my comment correctly and I was wrong in every way imaginable, including the $1,000 limit (it's a 1,000 square foot limit).

I do have to say the Hollywood, Florida building code in your link appears to be a very angry ALL CAPS document. I assume that level of anger means there are no exemptions. The Boca Raton, Florida building code is less angry and includes the following exemptions to the Florida Building Code:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[FONT=&quot]Sec. [/FONT]19-32. — Local Exemptions for Single-Family Dwellings.[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]

1. [FONT=&quot]The[/FONT] owner of a single family dwelling shall be exempt from the Florida Building Code for the following:
   
   a) [FONT=&quot]Addition, [/FONT]alteration, or repairs performed by the owner, provided any addition or alteration shall not exceed 1,000 square feet or the square footage of the primary structure, whichever is less; or
   
   b) [FONT=&quot]Addition, [/FONT]alteration, or repairs performed by a non-owner not exceeding $5,000 within any 12 month period; and
   
   c) [FONT=&quot]Building[/FONT] inspection fees that would otherwise be required for such improvements described in this section.
2. [FONT=&quot]The[/FONT] exemptions set forth in this section shall not apply to single-family dwellings that are located in mapped special flood hazard areas, as defined in Sec. 21-2, unless the building official has determined that the work, which is otherwise exempt, does not constitute a substantial improvement, including the repair of substantial damage as defined in Sec 21-2, of such single-family dwellings.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://floridabuilding.org/Upload/FBC/CodeID_7022_fcd2_2010%20FBC%20Boca%20Raton%20Adminisitrative%20Amendments.pdf

Because our home is not located in a special flood hazard area, I believe the work I'm doing is exempt from the Florida Building Code. It is located in flood zone X and is about 11 meters above the flood hazard areas.

"Description: X represents areas outside the 500-year flood plain with less than 0.2% annual probability of flooding."

The work I am doing on the fence is in violation of almost the entire Florida Code section on fencing. The posts are 8-feet on center, not 4-feet, they are not encased in concrete to any depth or diameter and the good side is facing my yard on both sides (the sections facing the street are in compliance with at least that requirement). Through no fault of my own Lowe's delivered #2 grade 4x4x8 posts.

The neighbors' fences behind us are like mine, with the good side facing their property. If I were required to change, I would put the 2x4s horizontal and attach the shadow fence boards on both sides, hiding the posts and making both sides "good."

Our house was built in 1988 and I believe the fencing survived hurricane Andrew in 1992. Not a single section of fence blew down in any of the hurricanes between 1996 (when we bought the house) and 2005 and even then none of it blew down in hurricane Katrina. Wilma took down 48- of the 260-feet of fencing on the sides and front of our fenced yard. None of the storms since Wilma have taken down sections but a few posts have been replaced because of rot and termites (the pressure treatment only lasts so long).

 

[sawduststeve]

Bob,Accoya is the timber you need for fence posts, rot proof but not hurricane proof.

Great work in the garden
Steve

 

[driftpin]

The term for "good fence side towards the owner's property" in the planner's lexicon is, "spite fence." The city mentioned used-to have a prohibition of 'spite fences' in their code of ordinances. I'm too-lazy to search for it. In any event, if the city lets you 'get-away with it,' what difference does it make? Only to someone who knows how-to read and to interpret the code, and who then demands that the authority having jurisdiction enforce the written, 'as-adopted' code, if a neighbor erected a 'spite fence' and the city gave a final inspection approval. Three words ring-true: "comply with code!" All shall obey!

Reminds me of the Roddy Piper movie, "They Live."

 

[rixtrix1]

Too much work!. Never checked into wooden fence regs in my town but got tired of replacing wooden posts on 8' centers 24" deep, 6" holes with concrete, and built walls of 8x8x16 concrete block, 315'. 16"x6" footings with 4 1/2' rebar and filled columns with 5/8"every 4' with a center and top bond beam, also with 5/8" on a 6'-7' wall( yard slopes). Have 50' left to do but may have to farm it out as my back arthritis is getting worse. First part was cheap as my neighbor worked for a concrete erection company and everything was overages and leftovers( at least that was what he told me). lAlso, it amazes me( not really) how a pro can do in 3 hours what takes me 4 weekends to do and his looks perfect, but will probably cost 10 times as much as the first part! Too bad my neighbor moved away, lol.

 

[RickP]

Hi Bob, hope you're making good progress with fence posts and T1-11 siding, and that everything else is going well for you and Liane.

 

[rixtrix1]

Good luck on the current projects, Bob, but take it easy. It's the hot season now!

 

[Bob Heine]

I have been distracted by the loss of a Garage Journal Treasure, Steve Church (aka 1/2 Cup). When Steve's son broke the news that his father was losing the fight, it reminded me how little control we have over the past or future. The best we can do is treat each day we are given as the gift it is. I will carry on but I will miss seeing his avatar pop up.

Bob,Accoya is the timber you need for fence posts, rot proof but not hurricane proof.

Great work in the garden
Steve

Steve, I did a search for Accoya and thought it might be available in Orlando. Turned out the lumber company doesn't stock it, just mentions it on their website.

Thank you sir, I kinda gave up on the tree service and started work on one side of the stump. Figured I could attach a 4x4 post mount on the main stump and dig a post hole on the side with all the roots. When I started cutting roots, I really felt the heat and sun. An umbrella helped keep me going for an hour or two each day.

It took me several days to cut the roots. Seemed like equal time cutting roots and sharpening the chain on the saw (after hitting the "ballast" concrete buried among the roots). I quit when my ability to control the saw declined, coinciding with the need for a second gallon of water.

At this point the lady who owns the tree trimming company called to tell me she would be taking care of the stump after all (her separated husband took the money behind her back). We'll see!

The term for "good fence side towards the owner's property" in the planner's lexicon is, "spite fence." The city mentioned used-to have a prohibition of 'spite fences' in their code of ordinances. I'm too-lazy to search for it. In any event, if the city lets you 'get-away with it,' what difference does it make? Only to someone who knows how-to read and to interpret the code, and who then demands that the authority having jurisdiction enforce the written, 'as-adopted' code, if a neighbor erected a 'spite fence' and the city gave a final inspection approval. Three words ring-true: "comply with code!" All shall obey!

Reminds me of the Roddy Piper movie, "They Live."

Philip, I have a simple solution to the "spite fence." If anyone ever complains, I'll sell the fences to my neighbors for $1. Then I'm on the right side of the problem.

I have tried to read and interpret the code. Unfortunately, the enforcement is not my concern. When I bought this house from the previous owner he had not finished the shed. It had most of the siding installed but needed the eaves filled in and soffits installed. His prostate surgery prevented him from finishing before the building permit expired so I paid for a new permit. The inspectors signed off on the building with at least a dozen code violations. I have spoken to all of my neighbors about projects I undertake and I asked that they kindly call me if they have a problem. I have lived with neighbors who call the police first and then expect me to help when they have a problem. I try to live by the "do unto others" code.

Too much work!. Never checked into wooden fence regs in my town but got tired of replacing wooden posts on 8' centers 24" deep, 6" holes with concrete, and built walls of 8x8x16 concrete block, 315'. 16"x6" footings with 4 1/2' rebar and filled columns with 5/8"every 4' with a center and top bond beam, also with 5/8" on a 6'-7' wall( yard slopes). Have 50' left to do but may have to farm it out as my back arthritis is getting worse. First part was cheap as my neighbor worked for a concrete erection company and everything was overages and leftovers( at least that was what he told me). lAlso, it amazes me( not really) how a pro can do in 3 hours what takes me 4 weekends to do and his looks perfect, but will probably cost 10 times as much as the first part! Too bad my neighbor moved away, lol.

Ric, I like the idea of a concrete fence but I'm about 40 years (or $40,000) past that level of effort. I'm pleased to be able to dig a post hole and plumb a wooden post.

Hi Bob, hope you're making good progress with fence posts and T1-11 siding, and that everything else is going well for you and Liane.

Rick, I'm taking a bit of a break, taking time to buy some roses to smell.

Good luck on the current projects, Bob, but take it easy. It's the hot season now!

Ric, I hear you. It has been raining a bit lately, which would be fine if I was just using pneumatic tools and if the rain wasn't accompanied by lightning. When it isn't raining, the sun is way too close for comfort. Went out the other day and looked up -- not a cloud in sight and my shirt burst into flame so I went back inside to put stuff away in the A/C.

 

[Bob Heine]

I made a little progress on the fence. I like to be able to take a section down so I lag bolt the rails to the posts (with flat washers). The bolt heads interfere with the fence boards so I sink them flush.

I used to use those flat wood bits but upgraded to the Irwin shredding bits last year. I also added a stronger impact gun (250 ft lbs) to drive the lag bolts (1/4" pilot hole for 5/16" lags).

I used to use screws to attach the fence boards but now I just attach the board that covers the joint at the post with screws. With the expected roofing replacement I bought a nail gun from Harbor Freight. I thought it would be good for the siding as well but it turns out it is limited to 1-3/4" coiled nails. I had already purchased a box of 2" hot galvanized nails so the Bostitch gun joined the family. I ended up buying a smaller box of 1-3/4" stainless nails to use on the lower portions of the siding so both nailers will be used (hopefully by my son and his oldest son one of these weekends.

I made a jig to set the spacing and height of the boards but it doesn't help that much on a fence following the slope of my yard (we have one of those rare Florida Hills). The fence project is good practice. I discovered that 100 psi is too much for these nails. That much pressure drives the nails deep into the wood.

When I started on the fence today it was cool (82*F) and overcast. As I drove the fourth nail the sun came out so I had to stop. Got out the 1.25" Irwin bit and drilled a hole in a scrap of 2x2. Set the umbrella in the scrap and clamped it to the fence.

A second clamp holds the bottom in line and I have a shaded work area.

The day ended just short of completing the first section of fencing. There is a stump in the way and it was too late and I was too dried out to start on that. With the secondary air storage tank hooked up to the garage compressor, it's a simple job to roll it back to the cloth carport and put the tools away.

 

[bolensboneyard]

Bob nice job. Reading your post I realized I have 10 more bags to pour today and better get going before the sun comes up. Then I saw the umbrella and a light went on. Then I realized hooked to my cement mixer it would not be such a good idea. Then the light went pop! Time to fix the light. Bobby

 

[njhoudini]

"I try to live by the "do unto others" code. "

I wish all of my neighbors did the same. I am definitely one to agree with this philosophy. Instead, my one neighbor feels it necessary to report town ordnance issues yet feels it necessary to pipe his basement water towards my yard. I'm so spiteful as a result that I want to install a spite cinder wall 18" deep to ensure most of his water goes down instead of towards my already sinking yard. I guess a spite burm might be just as effective. This same neighbor called the cops on my other neighbor at least 3-4 times. I have a feeling karma will return the favor sooner or later.

Have you considered using a free tarp from Harbor Freight strapped to some staked poles for shade? With some rope, I imagine you'd be able to get a sizable shade up with little effort and faster than wrestling a 10' tent.

Sent from my LG-H918 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[y'sguy]

Bob, nice work on the fence! I also very much like the style of it. I came very close to using that style on our new remodel home, and still wish I did. one doesn't see that style around as much anymore and fence guys are not keen on it. . I works for me though! Keep up the great work.

 

[RickP]

Bob, stopping to smell the roses is always a good idea. 1/2 Cup will definitely be missed.

I hear you about working outside in the heat. I finally decided to follow the lead of several GJ members and get out there at 6:30 am. That idea lasted for exactly one morning. I don't know how those guys do it - I guess when a project has to be done, they do what it takes to beat the heat.

 

[cbacres]

Hey Bob, making progress on the fence. I don’t envy you at all dig around the roots. Trying to dig a hole where roots are just put me in a bad mood. I usually end up cussing them like they can hear me and at some point really go to town on them as if I was fighting someone, then I just hear the bastards laughing at me.

The recess for the lag bolt is the same way we mounted all the boards in the horse stalls and paddocks. That was in 2004, still hanging strong today.

Stay cool as you can!

 

[zmotorsports]

Great progress on the fence Bob. It's coming along nicely.

 

[Brian R]

Bob,
Nice job with the fence and lots of hints on how to get it done efficiently and consistently. Well played.

 

[shortykorte]

That’s an interesting way to attach the panels. I’ll be using that idea. Since you have experience, how about visiting Tally and our hotter temperatures. I’ll let you work on this, a gate relocation.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[Guster]

Nice progress Bob. I don't know how you do it though. I'd be a sweat puddle leaning against that fence post before getting the first paling up. I'm not bred for hot places.

I've also dug out enough tree roots to know it is a war of attrition. Where you have to be prepared to camp out and give it a little struggle until it eventually gives up or wait long enough for nature to take its course and soften it up a bit for you. That root mass looks like about a year's worth of entertainment!

I do like your collection of nailers though. The more I see them used to more I have to resist the urge of acquiring one or five. For now I will appreciate the art of the hand driven nail a while longer.

 

[Bob Heine]

Bob nice job. Reading your post I realized I have 10 more bags to pour today and better get going before the sun comes up. Then I saw the umbrella and a light went on. Then I realized hooked to my cement mixer it would not be such a good idea. Then the light went pop! Time to fix the light. Bobby

Bobby, cement work is my nemesis. I did a monolithic slab for an 8'x12' shed in our last house and mixed the concrete in a plastic tub. I thought I bought enough cement but missed by two bags. Rushed to the store looking like a homeless person and when I returned, discovered I only needed one bag. The leftover bag turned into a solid block over the years.

My light is really old and is pretty dim when it does come on. Wish I could replace it with an LED so I didn't waste so much energy.

"I try to live by the "do unto others" code. "

I wish all of my neighbors did the same. I am definitely one to agree with this philosophy. Instead, my one neighbor feels it necessary to report town ordnance issues yet feels it necessary to pipe his basement water towards my yard. I'm so spiteful as a result that I want to install a spite cinder wall 18" deep to ensure most of his water goes down instead of towards my already sinking yard. I guess a spite burm might be just as effective. This same neighbor called the cops on my other neighbor at least 3-4 times. I have a feeling karma will return the favor sooner or later.

Have you considered using a free tarp from Harbor Freight strapped to some staked poles for shade? With some rope, I imagine you'd be able to get a sizable shade up with little effort and faster than wrestling a 10' tent.

Sent from my LG-H918 using The Garage Journal mobile app

Eugene, I had one of those neighbors and it made me want to respond in kind. When Liane shares her cup of gasoline I realize I'm not making things better and I just let it go. At least she goes out of her way to make the police welcome.

I have several of those free tarps and thought about getting some aluminum tent poles. When I checked on price, it looked like $10 for each pole and I'd need five. Just for grins I googled 10x10 canopy and ****'s Sporting Goods had this for $39.98 (I ordered the less flashy beige fabric).

https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/...PEhclkVkQn+9owoxKaPSM24F0ixbwDzxi4OV7hWE0Hw==

I figured it would have outrageous shipping but shipping was free. I placed the order and thought it would take at least a week to get here. Well, it arrived today -- as in overnight. Obviously this thing is going to disintegrate the first time I use it.

Bob, nice work on the fence! I also very much like the style of it. I came very close to using that style on our new remodel home, and still wish I did. one doesn't see that style around as much anymore and fence guys are not keen on it. . I works for me though! Keep up the great work.

Thank you y'sguy. It's pretty common here because it does let some of the wind blow thorough. I can buy pre-fab sections but the fence boards are only about 3/16" thick.

Bob, stopping to smell the roses is always a good idea. 1/2 Cup will definitely be missed.

I hear you about working outside in the heat. I finally decided to follow the lead of several GJ members and get out there at 6:30 am. That idea lasted for exactly one morning. I don't know how those guys do it - I guess when a project has to be done, they do what it takes to beat the heat.

Rick, my retirement has spoiled me. The best sleep I get is that hour or two in the morning after the sun comes up. Getting up in the pre-dawn hours is an unpleasant flashback to having a job. This far south it's still warm at dawn. It was 82*F at 8:00 this morning and hit 90*F at noon. With the dew point at 73*F the "cooler" temperature doesn't feel that cool. Rather than work out in the sun, I trimmed some branches from the tree that overhangs the shed. The sweat stains only made it to mid-thigh.

Hey Bob, making progress on the fence. I don’t envy you at all dig around the roots. Trying to dig a hole where roots are just put me in a bad mood. I usually end up cussing them like they can hear me and at some point really go to town on them as if I was fighting someone, then I just hear the bastards laughing at me.

The recess for the lag bolt is the same way we mounted all the boards in the horse stalls and paddocks. That was in 2004, still hanging strong today.

Stay cool as you can!

Craig, I don't know if it will help but I bought an 18" long 11/16" Greenlee lineman's bit so I may be able to get past the roots. I switched from the chainsaw to a reciprocating saw when I got tired the other day. I was kneeling and tipped over into the roots. Lying on my side I whispered to the tree stump that I was coming to get it. Big mistake -- I was caught in a hole and had to do the turtle on its back routine to get out.

I much prefer the lag bolts because I have to wear my artificial arm to hold the nails (or use the hammer with the nail magnet). The arm is almost useless above my shoulder.

Great progress on the fence Bob. It's coming along nicely.

Mike, I would rather have your fence but I appreciate the encouragement.

Bob,
Nice job with the fence and lots of hints on how to get it done efficiently and consistently. Well played.

Brian, I don't know if I'm doing it right but it's how my method has evolved over the 22 years with this fence.

That’s an interesting way to attach the panels. I’ll be using that idea. Since you have experience, how about visiting Tally and our hotter temperatures. I’ll let you work on this, a gate relocation.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

Stewart, that gate looks like a perfect job for me. Oh, wait, you expect me to make a gate to fit that exact opening? I make the gate and then put in the posts. It's my "cut it again if it's too short" fitting strategy. This was going to be a 6-foot high gate on a 6-foot high fence.

Nice progress Bob. I don't know how you do it though. I'd be a sweat puddle leaning against that fence post before getting the first paling up. I'm not bred for hot places.

I've also dug out enough tree roots to know it is a war of attrition. Where you have to be prepared to camp out and give it a little struggle until it eventually gives up or wait long enough for nature to take its course and soften it up a bit for you. That root mass looks like about a year's worth of entertainment!

I do like your collection of nailers though. The more I see them used to more I have to resist the urge of acquiring one or five. For now I will appreciate the art of the hand driven nail a while longer.

Guster, my genetic makeup is 43% Sweden, 21% England, Wales and Northwestern Europe, 17% Germanic Europe, 13% Norway, 3% Ireland and Scotland and 3% Eastern Europe and Russia. No warm weather genes of any kind. I start to sweat when there is no frost.

SWMBO refuses to pay another dime to anyone to remove the stump so it's camping time or the people I paid feeling guilty. Then again, this is Florida, where a lightning bolt killed two Giraffes at Lion Country Safari this week. Lion Country Safari is 40 miles from my house.

Nailers are a nasty rabbit hole. It started with a pneumatic brad gun and quickly escalated to a 2" stapler/nailer and on to framing and roofing nailers. Then you see pictures of electric nailers and everything gets dark and hazy.

 

[cbacres]

Bobs quote:
I much prefer the lag bolts because I have to wear my artificial arm to hold the nails (or use the hammer with the nail magnet). The arm is almost useless above my shoulder.

Well at least you won’t cuss when you hit your fingers with the hammer while holding the nail.