Above 1200 Sq/FT Abandoned Heliport | Studio + Garage

Honest Bob · Nov 11, 2018

This is awesome. I hope I can do something like this in the future.

drivesitfar · Nov 11, 2018

Speed: great find on all the materials. I've stopped many a time at a commercial remodel where dumpsters are outside to ask the guy in charge (not always easily found) if he wanted to let me have the stuff. if I really liked, wanted or needed it I might even offer some greenbacks.

sorry to hear about the water in your temp living area and hope you find a friend or rent a bobcat to fix the grade outside your place to have water run away instead of into it.

keep up the great work you are doing great!! :thumbup:

WTF · Nov 11, 2018

Wow can't believe I'm just now finding this thread.

I bought a place with a hangar & sorted past at the beginning of this year. Have you had to do anything with the hangar door maintenance wise?

Your Craigslist finds and repurposing are right up my alley; I can't resist a good free/cheap deal!

Also as a former PTC resident I'm curious what general side of town this is located on.

Keep up the good work!

speedminded · Nov 11, 2018

WTF said:
Wow can't believe I'm just now finding this thread.

I bought a place with a hangar & sorted past at the beginning of this year. Have you had to do anything with the hangar door maintenance wise?

Your Craigslist finds and repurposing are right up my alley; I can't resist a good free/cheap deal!

Also as a former PTC resident I'm curious what general side of town this is located on.

Keep up the good work!

The door was closed with one of the four cables broken when I got the place but I was able to open it using the electric motor with the help of a chain hoist.

Getting it back down was a blast because it was bound up and I ended up burning up the switch. I had to cut the remaining cables to close it for winter.

Now I have to find a roll of replacement cable, replace the switch, and actually get the tension right so it works correctly. It’s cold now so it will be a spring project!

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Roundhouse · Nov 14, 2018

When if you do the firing strips
Don’t do them in a way that leaves any room for rodents to go from one stud cavity to the next

I did that and really regretted it
We wanted to use vertical 1x4 lumber on the walls and we just ran strips horizontally across the studs

This left a gap for the mice and squirrels to travel the entire length of the building inside the wall

Sorry to hear about the water

You’re gonna have to have gutters and downspouts taking it at least ten feet away from the Bldg

polexican23 · Nov 14, 2018

should be a few rigging or wire rope companies around Hotlanta. Throw a wrench on it to see the gauge. like 3/8 or 9/16 etc with be enough for them to get you what you need. We do a lot of crane cable replacement and just as an example we pay about $90 for a 90foot section.

speedminded · Nov 15, 2018

Roundhouse said:
When if you do the firing strips
Don’t do them in a way that leaves any room for rodents to go from one stud cavity to the next

I did that and really regretted it
We wanted to use vertical 1x4 lumber on the walls and we just ran strips horizontally across the studs

This left a gap for the mice and squirrels to travel the entire length of the building inside the wall

Sorry to hear about the water

You’re gonna have to have gutters and downspouts taking it at least ten feet away from the Bldg

I do have a mouse and it loves to runs down the full length of the seal at the bottom of the 48’ hangar door [emoji23].

polexican23 said:
should be a few rigging or wire rope companies around Hotlanta. Throw a wrench on it to see the gauge. like 3/8 or 9/16 etc with be enough for them to get you what you need. We do a lot of crane cable replacement and just as an example we pay about $90 for a 90foot section.

Measures 0.15” so it’s probably 5/32” / 8 gauge. The cable/wire rope I’ve found so far in that size I don’t feel is high enough strength.

I did try contacting a hangar door manufacturer but they wanted a serial number off their door before they would sell the cable.

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polexican23 · Nov 19, 2018

In atlanta, try calling Cobb Wire.

They should be able to help you better than the hangar company.

https://goo.gl/maps/NpRNFLmkZc52

Kburk09 · Nov 19, 2018

Awesome Space and creative updates. Will definitely stay tuned!

speedminded · Dec 25, 2018

polexican23 said:
In atlanta, try calling Cobb Wire.

They should be able to help you better than the hangar company.

https://goo.gl/maps/NpRNFLmkZc52

Thank you! I’ll give them a ring. I would love to get the door operating by the spring!

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elvee · Dec 25, 2018

The wire looks like 3/16” 7x19 GAC. The wire is easy. The hard part is the end fittings if they aren’t done with wire rope clips. If the fittings are swaged then you need the proper fitting and the correct swaging tool to compress them correctly.

speedminded · Dec 25, 2018

Not much interior progress to post but finally had a couple days without rain allowing me to clear debris and underbrush in the SE corner. I knew if I didn’t clear it soon it will be spring and completely overgrown again lol!

Once I cut the saplings, remove the rotten 36” tree that fell years ago, and plant some grass it will be a nice side yard to spend countless hours maintaining!

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Wanna Ride · Dec 28, 2018

Always good to see someone have their own piece of land and shop. Love seeing your progress. It's come a long way since you started, keep up the good work!

GDPossehl · Jan 2, 2019

speedminded said:
...and plant some grass it will be a nice side yard to spend countless hours maintaining!

Sounds like you're trying to talk yourself out of this already? :lol:

If I were faced with the same area, I'd probably plant some Eastern Hemlocks randomly to provide some wooded interest but also be low maintenance.

anth · Mar 4, 2019

Amazing thread + journey, can't wait to see where this goes.

driftpin · Mar 4, 2019

I've read the thread twice, entirely. The land seems bigger than 1 acre. The land clearing is going well. Having a hanger to store stuff would be appealing to me. I know your goal is studio use for shoots. Guessing your status is single? My wife wants a more-traditional place to-live, but I would be OK with the place!

The scavenging and re-purposing has been successful for you. I like light, so I would spend an evening stripping-down those fixtures, a second/third to re-wire them, and then you would be motivated to get them back-up, working.

Your sliding 6 ft doors: we had three six-foot sliding glass doors we replaced with a nanawall https://www.nanawall.com/home-owners and I put the sliders onto CL for disposal/sale. The guy who bought them came with a cube truck and a helper. I had him closely-examine the doors to see they were intact, no cracks, and usable, the tracks went with the doors. I could have scrapped it out, but I assumed that would help to sell the doors.

I requested payment before he did anything-else about moving the doors, "as-is, where-is," which turned-out to be a good idea.

The first one went into the cube truck OK. The second one, the buyer stumbled as he approached the truck, and he dropped his end of the panel. It broke into pieces, and he was mad! So-what, his problem, not mine. Thankfully no one was cut by the glass, which was original to the house, a 1950's ranch-style home. I swept-up all the glass using a wide aluminum dustpan, and waved bye-bye as the two remaining panels departed, the greenbacks warm in my jeans pocket.

Hanging pics of the place from years-past will be an interesting decor addition.

Are you going to use SIP's for the roof over the trailers? That should make it a lot cooler underneath. Would you build the roof high-enough that you could use the roofs of the trailers for storage?

speedminded: I have the same dial/vernier caliper from US General. I really-like it for the casual use it gets, I am not a machinist. I keep mine in the plastic-molded case it came-in, which is a bit worse for the wear after probably 20 years.

XJSuperman · Mar 4, 2019

Im in, what a place. Can't wait to see the evolution continue.

speedminded · May 4, 2019

driftpin said:
I've read the thread twice, entirely. The land seems bigger than 1 acre. The land clearing is going well. Having a hanger to store stuff would be appealing to me. I know your goal is studio use for shoots. Guessing your status is single? My wife wants a more-traditional place to-live, but I would be OK with the place!

The scavenging and re-purposing has been successful for you. I like light, so I would spend an evening stripping-down those fixtures, a second/third to re-wire them, and then you would be motivated to get them back-up, working.

Your sliding 6 ft doors: we had three six-foot sliding glass doors we replaced with a nanawall https://www.nanawall.com/home-owners and I put the sliders onto CL for disposal/sale. The guy who bought them came with a cube truck and a helper. I had him closely-examine the doors to see they were intact, no cracks, and usable, the tracks went with the doors. I could have scrapped it out, but I assumed that would help to sell the doors.

I requested payment before he did anything-else about moving the doors, "as-is, where-is," which turned-out to be a good idea.

The first one went into the cube truck OK. The second one, the buyer stumbled as he approached the truck, and he dropped his end of the panel. It broke into pieces, and he was mad! So-what, his problem, not mine. Thankfully no one was cut by the glass, which was original to the house, a 1950's ranch-style home. I swept-up all the glass using a wide aluminum dustpan, and waved bye-bye as the two remaining panels departed, the greenbacks warm in my jeans pocket.

Hanging pics of the place from years-past will be an interesting decor addition.

Are you going to use SIP's for the roof over the trailers? That should make it a lot cooler underneath. Would you build the roof high-enough that you could use the roofs of the trailers for storage?

speedminded: I have the same dial/vernier caliper from US General. I really-like it for the casual use it gets, I am not a machinist. I keep mine in the plastic-molded case it came-in, which is a bit worse for the wear after probably 20 years.

The buildings total 4,900 sq. ft. but with only 10-20’ setbacks required they were placed near the back property lines giving as much room out front as possible—thus making it appear larger. My girlfriend grew up at race tracks, works on her own cars, is a photographer, and has lived in warehouses spaces before so she’s looking forward to using the property just as much as I am lol!

Nanawalls are so nice as long as they’re maintained properly! Our Georgia climate allows houses to be opened 2-3+ months a year (minus the weeks where the pollen leaves a layer of yellow on everything!). Every house/remodel I’ve designed has had some sort of wall system or glass garage door to open up living spaces to the outside. I go crazy being cooped up inside for too long!

The latest plan for the trailer/container structure is to recycle the metal that’s up there and tear out all the framing leaving the center open. Having a an outdoor living area, courtyard, garden, etc. between them seems like the best use of space at this time.

That caliper was my dads and the first one I ever learned to use. He too kept it in the brittle molded tray for 20+ years and now I’ve had it for several more. I wouldn’t use them for daily use in a machine shop but they work fine for home projects! I’ve spent more on mechanical pencils than what that caliper costs today lol!

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speedminded · May 4, 2019

For the first time in a year and a half of ownership, I was finally able to use the 30’x40’ garage to work on a vehicle. The cold and rain is a great motivator for organizing—especially when you have a seized caliper on your work vehicle!

The garage was originally full of junk and trash before clearing it out then I immediately used it for storage with no room to even pull a car inside. That somewhat defeats the purpose of having a garage doesn’t it?!

The garage is still a mess but the current plan is to tear out the corrugated poly wall that splits it in half and replace it with large glass panels. One side will be used for my vinyl graphics business and the other for working on personal cars. The glass is ready to go but I need to build a 30’ beam/truss so I can frame out above the glass. Option B is to put studs/columns between each panel of glass so a beam wouldn’t be required. Decisions decisions.

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jimreed2160 · May 4, 2019

Cool project.

speedminded · May 4, 2019

Once the spring rains subsided I was able to get out and clean up more. After two more burns I have officially mowed to all four corners, an accomplishment I wasn’t sure when I’d ever get to lol!

Unfortunately one of my neighbors cleared his property over the winter so I lost a bit of privacy but I did get 15-20 yards of wood chips out of it. Wood chips will segue into my next post—more SNAKES.

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speedminded · May 4, 2019

Ever hold a bicycle fork and spin the wheel? Now imagine that gyro sensation while using a pitchfork and suddenly wood chips are flying. That’s the result of accidentally stabbing a 5’ black rat snake that was coiled up beneath the surface.

Once I got a pillow case over it’s head so it would stop striking at me, I was able to lube the tines up with antibiotic ointment and slide the snake off them. Three tines went through it four times but luckily it was only just beneath the skin on each of them. It went from striking at me to being able to hand hold it so hopefully it was fine when I let it go.

A couple weeks later I found myself standing in a Copperhead den while picking up some old semi-truck trailer doors that were laying flat on the ground. Your body wants to run, jump, learn to fly or anything other than being near venomous snakes but my brain says freeze and not to startle them any more than I already have. They’re pit vipers so they sense heat and movement well. Like Predator.

I slowly pull out the phone and text my GF, “Bring me stick ASAP”. She comes over with a limb that’s 15” long. Ohh someone has jokes. I send her back to get my 4’ prybar. I’ve never not killed a Copperhead so I decided to do something a little different this time. Relocate them.

I pinned it’s head with a stick then lowered the prybar on its neck while gently stepping on its tail so it couldn’t whip or thrash before grabbing its head. Size 13 shoe for scale.

Voila. At this point the venom was dripping from its fangs and mouth. I grabbed the two and put them both in a pillow case before transferring to a locking bin.

Then something happened.

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drivesitfar · May 4, 2019

OK, I'll bite. WHAT HAPPENED???

your place just keeps looking better so keep up the great work.

KBigg · May 4, 2019

What happened?!?!

speedminded · May 4, 2019

drivesitfar said:
OK, I'll bite. WHAT HAPPENED???

your place just keeps looking better so keep up the great work.

They became super docile.

It’s been two weeks since I caught them and they’re just noodle kittens that get into everything lol! One of them had a minor medical issue that I wanted to treat before releasing [together] so they became accustomed to me handling them, putting them in warm bath water, etc.

I don’t suggest handling wildlife but snakes are one of the most predictable animals on earth...and apparently they’ll try to take your job lol!

Plus Copperheads are so beautiful I can’t stop taking pics of them!

ZRX61 · May 4, 2019

What the hell??

riceaterSLC · May 4, 2019

speedminded said:

oh Hell No...

Your property is legit, though.

jeepinerdeep · May 4, 2019

You've lost your mind. We are assembling an intervention.

930dreamer · May 4, 2019

Beautiful snake yes, pet no.

Skip to 1:14

Farmall450 · May 4, 2019

ZRX61 said:
What the hell??

^ What he said.

Tho I just read the entire thread and subbed :bounce:

ayer · May 4, 2019

Are you freaking crazy. If that was me they would have been dead in an instant. But that is just me and most snakes. Great thread and buildings tho.

DelayedZ · May 4, 2019

I would have been struck multiple times, lol

Tntundra13 · May 4, 2019

Although the snake content is pretty high this is an amazing build, and I can't wait to see more.

Bogdan M. · May 5, 2019

Amazing thread!

I am 32 and my first thought when seeing your property is the GTA San Andreas Desert Airport that had hangers, an office and so on.
It's extremely cool and I guess anyone would dream of a place like that.

Why are the copperheads so friendly? Do you feed them? They look like a coupe of stoner snakes, just raving on your property.

)))

ezover · May 5, 2019

good thing that hanger has a side opening door so you can roll yours balls in there at night.

there are some things in life I have no interest in trying and that is one of them.

highflier · May 5, 2019

Copperheads are not an aggressive snake, not at all unless you step on it.
Neither are coral snakes.
Having handled all manner of snakes my entire life, portraying them as friendly pets on the interwebs is not impressive, it’s reckless.
Not to you, do as you please, but to the uninformed that may see this and think they can impress people handling a poisonous snake.

speedminded · May 5, 2019

Custom Mailbox

A simple box on a post would be too easy right?! I’ve always wanted a large locking mailbox and finally found one on Facebook Marketplace for $50—offered $40 and the seller accepted.

The Architectural Mailboxes Oasis Jr. with a regular price of $148.99 at Home Depot—got it home and cleaned it up.

Could throw some lumber at it to see what sticks but that too would be too easy. The obvious first step was to get the box on CAD then look up the USPS regulations.

Having an idea of how I wanted the exterior to look, I drew it so I could plan the internal supports and create a cut list.

Followed by 3D modeling it on Sketchup [original plan was (4) 2”x4” boards on each side until I found a deal on the 2x6’s].

I knew I wanted to try the Japanese wood preserving technique Shou Sugi Ban / Yakisugi but I couldn’t find a deal on cedar so the search was on for rough cut pine that was not pressure treated.

One of my favorite places in Atlanta is LifeCycle Building Center (https://www.lifecyclebuildingcenter.org), a nonprofit specializing in material reuse near downtown.

There I found 2”x6” rough cut pine boards and an oak board with just enough usable material to make the face, literally with just 2” to spare... assuming my measurements were correct lol!

I don’t have the proper 500,000 BTU torch to burn with so a hand torch will just have to do.
Note: The only way this is any better than watching paint dry is you’re getting to burn things.

Then I wire brushed the charred wood to bring out the grain more, followed by a second burn (I did burn the edges and back but didn’t take pics).

This is the final result of burning, wire brushing, burning again, and rubbing it down with linseed oil.

Then I hand sanded and treated the oak face with linseed oil, heavily soaking it allowing it to seep between the boards so I didn’t have to take it back apart (you always need at least one mistake on a project lol!).

I wanted a back panel on it as an effort to prevent it from becoming a modern townhouse for wasps and hornets so I used a scrap 1”x12” pine shelf board and sealed the end with a couple pieces of scrap aluminum. Also needed it to be easily removable to access the mounting points.

Followed by burning and sealing then spray painting the aluminum black to match.

The aluminum floating number packaging doubles as a mounting template.

Followed by making a temporary number decal for the front until I can find 2” tall aluminum numbers to mount on the oak face.

Total cost from start to finish was just under $130 including the mailbox, lumber, screws, propane, linseed oil, and numbers.

speedminded · May 5, 2019

highflier said:
Copperheads are not an aggressive snake, not at all unless you step on it.
Neither are coral snakes.
Having handled all manner of snakes my entire life, portraying them as friendly pets on the interwebs is not impressive, it’s reckless.
Not to you, do as you please, but to the uninformed that may see this and think they can impress people handling a poisonous snake.

Whew, good thing they aren’t poisonous or I’d really be in trouble.

...but they are venomous.

Disclaimer: Don't play with wildlife or you could get get injured or even killed. The information age of Youtube, LiveLeak, and Reddit has taught most of us this lol!

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Farmall450 · May 5, 2019

Mailbox looks great.

That's the thing. Snakes, bears, whatever -- they're unpredictable. You could live with them for 20 years, and one day they maul you to death :dunno:

sweet victory · May 5, 2019

Love the hangar! Not sure how I feel about the snakes though....

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