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Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT 5 acres and a farmhouse

Workspaces sized between 265 and 485 squarefeet.

NBraun

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Joined
Sep 14, 2020
Messages
158
Hi all,



I’ve been looking for a place that I could have a cohesive build thread for my house and all my projects. Hopefully you don’t mind I don’t have an actual garage (yet!)



I’m Nathan, Last July my wife and I bought our first house. A 1919 built craftsmen on 5 acres, in eastern South Dakota. I’m certainly not a stranger to projects, and though this needed some things done to it, its in great shape.

Here are a few before pictures.
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oved in July 1st, and got straight to work. Since were on an acreage I needed a tractor. I found a good deal on a Farmall H with a loader and brought it home.
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I did a quick tune up on it, converted it to a 12V alternator and its been mostly great.

We tore that dilapidated pump house down, and I borrowed a skid steer to grade everything out and we moved a shed on.

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And then my wife had already bought guineas for the place, so I quickly put up a small coop for them.

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At the same time we were repainting the house, as the plan was to have our wedding ceremony on the property.

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Here’s the Basement. Still in the process of figuring out the organization. Trying to fit everything down here and still have room to work.

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I really got into woodworking over the winter. I’ve managed to accumulate a fair amount of wood tools, so here’s some pictures of those projects.
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I’ve decided that I’m going to rebuild or restore all of the original window sashes, so I’ve been learning quite a bit about those as well.

We have a lot of maple trees on the property as well. We decided this year to try and tap them. A bit last minute but it worked out great!

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A buddy and I have a fair amount a projects the require digging, so we brought home a case 530 backhoe. I bit old, but it gets the job done.

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Hydrant replacement

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August of this year, my wife and I decided we wanted a patio, which then turned into a big project of foundation replacement for a small addition on our house. We did it ourselves with a bit of guidance from a friend.
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And in the mean time I’ve been working on my ranger that I’m putting a 302 into, and a buddy and I came home with a 70’s jet boat that needs quite a bit of work.

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This pretty much gets us to the present.

I really hope to be building a shop in the next 2-3 years. I’m trying to find a balance of space and cost. Right now I’m thinking a 28x32 pole shed, which seems not too small, but big enough that I’ll have some room to work on stuff. I guess we’ll see. I seem to change my mind everyday! I would absolutely love to do a Monitor barn style shop, but the cost is just a bit too much for that.
 

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captain14

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Dec 19, 2012
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Near College Park Maryland 20740
I can only see the tractor with the FE loader. Some of the photo hosting sites do not play well here. Someone more IT literate can tell what’s wrong.
I’d like see more more pics of the projects you have going on as you discuss them.
 
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NBraun

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Joined
Sep 14, 2020
Messages
158
Should be fixed now.

I really need to get better at taking pictures, as I never think to get my phone out until it's all done.
 
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NBraun

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Joined
Sep 14, 2020
Messages
158
Nice work on you patio and support wall for that bump out. what is the overall condition of the inside.
We got lucky and the inside is in pretty good shape. Not perfect, but when you're talking a 100 year old house lots of things can go wrong. 10 years ago, the daughter of the original builders moved out and had all the plumbing, electric, kitchen, and bathroom updated. I'm not enough of a perfectionist to be bothered by some of the things that come along with a house like this, so it's all good.

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jollygreengiant

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Joined
Nov 10, 2013
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2,359
Location
Ontario, Canada
Should be fixed now.

I really need to get better at taking pictures, as I never think to get my phone out until it's all done.

I have the same problem. Been slowly getting better at it but still not great.

House looks good! I'm a big fan of fixing up old stuff so I'm glad to see it wasn't a tear down. Also glad to see the old iron being put to use.

Excited to see what you do for a shop in the future! Lots of potential there with such a wide open space.
 

tool man

New member
Joined
Mar 5, 2007
Messages
4
Location
chicago ,edison park
looks like a nice piece of property work on the foundation and the patio looks good the house looks great love the original wood what town are you near my dad was from chamberlin keep up the good work.
 

Bert_

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Joined
Dec 24, 2016
Messages
9,720
Location
NW Iowa
Hi, good to see another guy from the Midwest.

Nice place. I always like old houses. Sometimes I think the ones that are a bit neglected are the best ones to get. They usually haven't been butchered by too much remodeling. Restoring window sashes is not really as hard as people make you think. I've done most of my windows and have it figured out pretty well.

I've been working on my own house. My last project was to open up my previously enclosed front porch. Made a big improvement in how the house looks.
 

wreckdiver1321

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Joined
Aug 12, 2021
Messages
1,039
Location
Billings, MT
Just chiming in here, that's a beautiful home you have! I've always loved the old craftsman style houses, lived in a smaller one for years. You've done some really nice looking work so far!
 
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NBraun

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Sep 14, 2020
Messages
158
WOW, interior is just beautiful. So many time the beautiful wood work in the craftsman homes has been painted. Looks like your hound wasn't sure about being in the picture.
Thanks! We did get very lucky with the trim!
 
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NBraun

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Sep 14, 2020
Messages
158
I have the same problem. Been slowly getting better at it but still not great.

House looks good! I'm a big fan of fixing up old stuff so I'm glad to see it wasn't a tear down. Also glad to see the old iron being put to use.

Excited to see what you do for a shop in the future! Lots of potential there with such a wide open space.
Thanks! Before we looked at it, the PO kept saying its not in great shape, and we may just want to rebuild. It really is in great shape, we're not sure what they were thinking!

It's funny how quick 5 acres becomes "small" and we started saying, "well another 5 sure would be nice"!
 
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NBraun

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Sep 14, 2020
Messages
158
looks like a nice piece of property work on the foundation and the patio looks good the house looks great love the original wood what town are you near my dad was from chamberlin keep up the good work.
Thanks! We're near Brookings, so a bit of jaunt from chamberlin.
 
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NBraun

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Sep 14, 2020
Messages
158
Hi, good to see another guy from the Midwest.

Nice place. I always like old houses. Sometimes I think the ones that are a bit neglected are the best ones to get. They usually haven't been butchered by too much remodeling. Restoring window sashes is not really as hard as people make you think. I've done most of my windows and have it figured out pretty well.

I've been working on my own house. My last project was to open up my previously enclosed front porch. Made a big improvement in how the house looks.
After seeing all the flipped houses going up for in town, I am SO glad that ours hadn't been molested. We love the work of fixing it up, and plan to be here for a very long time. Which means no cheap updates to get a quick ROI.

I know it's just getting that first sash figured out. I started with one that was pretty rotten. I've been practicing making a new one with fir, because I can't find nice pine, and fir does not machine as nice as other woods. So it's been a learning curve.

It's crazy what a change can do!
 
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NBraun

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Sep 14, 2020
Messages
158
Just chiming in here, that's a beautiful home you have! I've always loved the old craftsman style houses, lived in a smaller one for years. You've done some really nice looking work so far!
Thanks! I new nothing about house styles before we moved, and now I am so glad that we lucked out with this house. I find myself not liking any other houses that come up for sale!
 
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NBraun

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Sep 14, 2020
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158
I'm jealous. I wish I could talk my other half into a place like that. And a tractor. Lol She gets irritated when I buy wrenches at the swap meet.
I really lucked out! We're both animal lovers, and so she was 100% on board so she could have her farm birds and goats.
 

Homebody

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Joined
Dec 14, 2007
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1,347
Location
Northern Illinois
Very Nice, Congrats! I have the same thing but was lucky enough to have 3 barns come with it. House and all of them needed a total rehab though which is still ongoing..
Your patio turned out great and lucky you that the inside of house is pretty nice!! Smart thinking on the first purchase being a tractor - you'll definitely need it.
 
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NBraun

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Sep 14, 2020
Messages
158
Very Nice, Congrats! I have the same thing but was lucky enough to have 3 barns come with it. House and all of them needed a total rehab though which is still ongoing..
Your patio turned out great and lucky you that the inside of house is pretty nice!! Smart thinking on the first purchase being a tractor - you'll definitely need it.
Thanks! I'm really bummed that there wasn't a barn as well. I would love to have a real deal barn with a hay loft, but alas they were torn down sometime in the 80's.

I certainly wasn't bummed about having an excuse to buy one!
 

tj675

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Joined
Apr 9, 2019
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905
Location
The Mitten
Great looking place! Another old house owner here. Like Homebody, I was lucky enough that it came with a barn.
 

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv

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Jul 2, 2008
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16,619
Location
Atlanta, GA
Nice homestead. I'd like to get a minimum of five acres, old farmhouse and a barn to retire to. Someday. That's why the title of your thread really caught my eye.

I just recently sold a house with wood siding built in 1900 that I owned for the last twenty years. I miss it some, but don't miss the maintenance.

Judging by how much you like to work on all sorts of stuff, I think you'll outgrow 28 X 32 pretty quick.
 

captain14

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Dec 19, 2012
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Location
Near College Park Maryland 20740
I have to agree with all the comments above on the property, interior wood trim and the shop area.

where do you keep the tractor if you don’t have a barn?

Take a few photos of the window sash rebuild project when you get rolling on that. Any comments or insights you have.
 
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NBraun

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Sep 14, 2020
Messages
158
Nice homestead. I'd like to get a minimum of five acres, old farmhouse and a barn to retire to. Someday. That's why the title of your thread really caught my eye.

I just recently sold a house with wood siding built in 1900 that I owned for the last twenty years. I miss it some, but don't miss the maintenance.

Judging by how much you like to work on all sorts of stuff, I think you'll outgrow 28 X 32 pretty quick.
Thanks!

Yeah, the 28 x 32 is definitely smaller than I'd like to go. But I'd like to get something put up to work in and store the tractor, and then save up for a larger shop. Hopefully I don't grow out of it too fast.
 
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NBraun

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Sep 14, 2020
Messages
158
I have to agree with all the comments above on the property, interior wood trim and the shop area.

where do you keep the tractor if you don’t have a barn?

Take a few photos of the window sash rebuild project when you get rolling on that. Any comments or insights yiu
Thanks! Unfortunately it gets to spend it's life outside right now. Last fall we had put up a harbor freight shelter for it, and it lasted all of a month before the south dakota winds tore it apart.

Will do! Now that it's too cold to work outside it's been pushed to the top of the priority list. So should start making progress soon.
 

Bert_

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Dec 24, 2016
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NW Iowa
I am surprised you have many sashes to rebuild. You have any pictures of what you're starting with? Usually if they had a storm on then the sash is in pretty good shape.
 
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NBraun

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Sep 14, 2020
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158
Id say 80% probably just need to be tuned up, and fixed, but not totally replaced. Most are dried out, and will rack when you try to open them, or they're gummy and don't want to go up and down.

However the first one I started with was a painted window in the kitchen, and that one was so rotten it just fell apart when I took it out.

So just planning for the worst really. Plus, our front enclosed porch, a lot of the window frames are too far to be saved.
 

derek_m

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Oct 5, 2014
Messages
142
I like the 530ck... I have a 430ck myself, minus the backhoe. Regarding the 28x32, that's the size garage I have right now. Two 9ft wide doors and man door on the front(28' side), I added an 8ft door on the side at the back (32' side). I can fit the tractor, boat (also a 70's jetboat), lawnmower and have a space dedicated for the workbench, tools, etc. Its a good size for working in, but I wish it was larger for having indoor storage of vehicles.
 
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NBraun

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Sep 14, 2020
Messages
158
I like the 530ck... I have a 430ck myself, minus the backhoe. Regarding the 28x32, that's the size garage I have right now. Two 9ft wide doors and man door on the front(28' side), I added an 8ft door on the side at the back (32' side). I can fit the tractor, boat (also a 70's jetboat),Tt lawnmower and have a space dedicated for the workbench, tools, etc. Its a good size for working in, but I wish it was larger for having indoor storage of vehicles.
The 530 gets the job done, but definitely needs some work. I missed out on a 580 in much better shape right before this one. But these older ones don't come up for sale too often so I bought what I could find!
 
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NBraun

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Sep 14, 2020
Messages
158
I've been keeping busy.

A coworker was moving and had a snowmobile laying around. I rebuilt the carb and put new fuel lines in it and ran great. See to have an intermittent spark issue, so I haven't been able to drive it around yet, but hopefully yet this year I'll get to it.

Winter time means cold, which means cold smoking. I love to make my own bacon. I absolutely love it. I have an old hobart slicer which makes slicing a breeze, although clean up can be a pain. All the more reason to do big batches.
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I also picked up a jackhammer off FB marketplace. It needs a new motor bearing, but I paid $100 for the hammer, cart, and 2 bits so I feel pretty good about it. I have some projects next year that i'm going to have a use for it. And when it's $70 to rent one, it makes sense.
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I've been spending more time woodworking too. I picked up a craftsmen cabinet saw a month ago with a really nice fence and it's made woodworking much more enjoyable. For an xmas gift I made my sister a tea box out of walnut and curly maple.
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I also decided that I'm going to start organizing the basement using a french cleat system. The first thing I made was a plane till. It's made out of pear wood and walnut. Not perfect, but I learned some stuff and to store planes i'm happy with it.
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NBraun

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Sep 14, 2020
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158
Bacon looks tasty. What projects do you have for the jackhammer?
Thanks!

We have some concrete steps on on the front of the house which will need to come out when we redo the foundation for the enclosed porch. We also have a cistern in the basement, and I would like to open a pathway so it can become usable storage space.
 
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NBraun

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Sep 14, 2020
Messages
158
Alrighty,

I need some insight on this. My wife really loves her birds. She loves them so much, in fact, that she wants to build them a 20'x20' coop. I've put together a general price list for everything and it looks like the sheathing and roof are the most expensive part of this. I'm trying to do this as budget oriented as possible, so I'm curious to hear some thoughts.

First decision is pole shed vs traditional framing. She wants a floor in it so I figured we would probably frame it like a normal shed. 2x6's for the joists and 3/4 inch plywood for the floor. 2x4 framing. Gable roof with metal roofing.

The other question is siding. If we sheath it with OSB first, we will still have to put siding on it. This option is considerably expensive. My thought was we could do board and batten siding right on the 2x4's. That way it looks good, and there's only one layer to worry about putting up and paying for.

This is a chicken coop, so it needs to breath anyways. Thoughts? Just looking for some ways to make it a bit more budget friendly without sacrificing too much!
 
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