1066 bc

[gwellwood]

Poured the concrete in the forms on the left. And boy are my arms tired.

I had bought a cheapie concrete mixer at Canadian Tire last winter for $150. Currently going for $250 elsewhere. It'll do a bag at a time, and is certainly easier on my body than mixing it in a wheelbarrow. But - I estimated 42 bags, and it took 45. I had 45.8 bags on hand.

While it is more work, it is still cheaper than hiring out, as only a pump truck can get back there.

 

[Styx]

Pictures Greg...

Like I'm one to ask for pictures...lol... still haven't figured out my picture issue. Think I need a new phone...


Cheers Randy

 

[gwellwood]

Um, ok.

It was going to rain around midnight, so I covered it with the last of my poly roll.

Letting the forms sit, I bought one of them rolling machine trolley things, had kid#1 assemble it, then argued it under my band saw. Much nicer being able to move the saw out and back as needed. I really only work with wood under duress.

Having said that....

Also spent time shaping a neck for Cigar Box Guitar #2.

 

[gwellwood]

Rained again last night. I will likely take the poly off tomorrow, and pop the forms off.

If I can get the forms moved over to the other side and ready, I'll pour this coming weekend.

 

[gwellwood]

Poured far side:

 

[jbmatth]

You've got to love getting new concrete!
JB

 

[gwellwood]

I sort of love it. Both curbs flanking the driveway were over 50' long, and took about 40 bags of concrete each.

Yes, I mixed and poured it all myself. Still cheaper than hiring the pump truck at $400 minimum call out.

This week will be excavating the middle down to the right height for crush, and/or/either/also convert my '77 C10 to EFI. Or neither.

 

[Styx]

So which one did you get done...
Are you going asphalt or concrete for the drive way???
I like the guitar work. very nice, you play???

 

[gwellwood]

I spent the weekend failing at EFI'ing my truck.

Fun times: http://www.gwellwood.com/project-cars/the-crusty-chevy/megasquirt/

Driveway, flanked by curbing, will be pavers. Estimated 4265 pavers. I got a good physio guy, too.

I wouldn't say I "play" guitar. I'm cheap, I just wanted to build a cigar box guitar, and play that until I lose interest. Thing is, I'm still playing around with it. I can't get my hands to chord, but I can play slide ok. Blues is easy enough.

 

[gwellwood]

Cigar Box Guitar is essentially done. It plays. Just needs finish and wiring.

So far, I really think I like it.

 

[gwellwood]

And in other news, the driveway is ready for compacting. I decided to run some concrete at the end of the driveway to separate the pavers from the asphalt, so I ran forms and poured that today. I'll compact some time during the week, then figure how much crush I need.

 

[gwellwood]

Two and a half yards of crush so far (8 needed), in anticipation of stone work.

 

[Terrick down Under]

Mate, that is going to look sooo good!

 

[gwellwood]

Hmmmm.

Currently on Evacuation Alert due to flooding. This could be interesting.

Kids' school is on Evac. Alert.

My work (a school) is on Evac. Alert.

I may have a lot of free sand bags when this all over though....

 

[dhubbard422]

Hope y'all stay high-n-dry!

Living on a river has given me a new appreciation for flooding risks...

 

[Terrick down Under]

Stay safe, ...pic up all your cardboard boxes just incase. We have had some good floods around here over the last 2 years and they are not fun for anyone. I hope your driveway stays in place after all that hard work.

 

[gwellwood]

Evacuation Alert lifted, but still a flood watch. It is suggested to keep our sand bags.....

Film at 11.

 

[gwellwood]

15 pickup loads. Estimated 15,000 to 20,000lbs moved by my wee chicken arms.

 

[gwellwood]

Compacting is done. Pavers ordered. First load of bedding sand tomorrow.

 

[gwellwood]

I picked up three pickup loads of sand, and had ten pallets of pavers delivered. The money I save doing this myself will pay for my never-ending Physio.

 

[jbmatth]

Looking really good, do you have a closeup of the stones you chose?
JB

 

[gwellwood]

After 19 hours of laying brick, I got this far:

While I theoretically ~could~ finish tonight, I ~will~ be finished myself, so I might just quit for the day.

 

[Terrick down Under]

What a difference that makes. I like the pattern, slightly different just to thro your eye.

 

[jbmatth]

That looks great and after a week to recover you'll be very happy with it. How does this compare cost wise to having concrete poured?
JB

 

[gwellwood]

I did not price concrete. Or asphalt. I may or may not be encroaching on my septic field, and my thinking is pavers will still allow some "breathing" to take place. I might also have my head up my bum.

This was around $5000CDN, free labour (my labour). Driveway is 1030sqft, and has a 3' elevation change.

I'll pick up some sand tomorrow, and hopefully get all the pavers compacted.

 

[gwellwood]

Final sand and compacting today. So as of now, all the hard work is done.

Still to do:

- Paint fascias & gutters to match house.

- Pull network, phone, and coax wires.

- Build compressor shed out back.

- Improve the existing asphalt out back.

 

[OHSCrifle]

I can only imagine how sore you must be doing that work yourself. Looks great!

 

[1/2 Cup]

gwellwood just checking in on your progress.

Fantastic work on the pavers..

Regards

 

[gwellwood]

I warned the Chiropractor what I'd been up to, told him to go easy on me.

He said that if I hadn't have told him what had done, he wouldn't have known. Muscles were tight, but didn't give him any indication of how I had punished myself.

I might be getting more careful in my old age.

Brought in the first of likely 10 loads of dirt to level the yard up to the driveway height. Don't mind the garden hose putting a soaker on the cedars.

 

[Styx]

Looks like you have a little slice of heaven there Greg. Hope the waters are finally receding in your area.

Cheers Randy

 

[Terrick down Under]

Hey, this might sound funny but...could you do the pic above over again with the pickup about 3 feet to the right and about 2 feet closer to the camera and without the hose??
Only if you have time!

 

[gwellwood]

Physio today. I told him what I had been doing since the last session five weeks ago. He was impressed - he didn't see the damage that he would have expected. I must be getting better at taking care of my body....

 

[ajohno]

Driveway looks great.

 

[jbmatth]

Great shot of the truck and new drive, impressed that was all done in house.
JB

 

[gwellwood]

Two weeks ago I hosted the annual Shop Teachers year-end BBQ, since the shop was pretty much done and everyone apparently wanted to see it. Lots of positive comments and compliments. I was pretty anxious though, as I have nowhere near the construction/woodwork experience of many of these guys - my thing is cars.

Last night I hosted a neighbourhood BBQ to celebrate the completion of the shop. Also invited the original owner of the house, who's son now lives next door.

Cool guy - he stored his Model A in the garden shed I stored my Super 7 in, he restored an MGA in the house garage where I was building my V8 Pontiac Firefly. He has a lowered '73 C10 and I have a lowered '77 C10.

I also seem to have purchased an oxy-acetylene set from him....

 

[gwellwood]

Two pallets of sod (cheaper than seeding you own, I kid you not), and four hours later, I have this:

And that's that! Two years and three weeks from breaking ground to completion!

 

[gdmclnh]

Like the pickup. Your shop is awesome.

 

[gwellwood]

 

[Bighead38]

Love the old chevy. Any more pics of it?

Cool car too, details?

 

[Terrick down Under]

This is my mates that we have been working on, show us some pics of yours, please!