A Shed Downunder.

[Kenfab]

WOW! so many things happening in here since i last visited. Congrats on the property acquisition! ****** snakes haha. At least your not dealing with those dastardly drop bears, those things are scary

 

[Strouty]

I find that if you are not messing with the snake, most species just want to be left alone. If you accidentally step on one, well that is a different story. Luckily we do not have any poisonous snakes in our area, of course some books say that we have rattlesnakes, but I have yet to hear of an actual encounter.

 

[dlcwent]

Maybe we all need to find out what powers Drives has as "the spider whisperer" and use it to rid ourselves of the menacing pests. I would not want to encounter that brown wrapped up in that post, and snakes do don't bother me at all. But I've never had to deal with venomous ones.

 

[1/2 Cup]

A you may have noticed I need to catch up on a few posts, I have been at work related conference (you shall attend) the emails and phone calls just don't stop, so I have been trying to get on top of them as well.

1/2: thanks for the link on the star fish that are eating up the Great Barrier Reef's coral at an alarming rate. I hope a fix for that is found. sorry if i'm bringing up all the maybe PET PEEVES of you Aussies, but for some of us here in the US it's very interesting to say the least.

except for maybe the gross picture HOTFR8 posted. GEESH

so here's another question since you seem to know or somebody watching your thread does. you have all these very poisoness brown snakes that can kill you if you don't have a shot of anti venom handy and isn't it ILLIGAL to kill them?

i'm not quite sure where on the map you are from the TOADS, but guessing it's south and west and hoping you never see one in your neighborhood.

I hope all this animal and plant talk isn't distracting you too much from your TO DO list and excitement about purchasing the house and shop next to you. BTW is there any goodies being left behind in the shop or house? Big anvil or vise or old antiques that I know you and MRS. 1/2 like?

CARVES: good thing I wasn't eating anything after reading you post.

Thank you drives as hewey has kindly articulated below you are not allowed to kill a snake, usually we let them go about their business and in a few cases we get in a snake catcher to relocate them away from the site.

I don't think there has been anything left in the house next door of any value from what I could see and the to do list is growing daily. ( see below )

I am told the odd one finds its way to the Melbourne Markets in a box of Bananas. They are slowly making there way across to places like Kakadu as well. The best way to kill them is to pop them in the freezer for a few days as they hate the cold weather.

OK.. After my first day coming across that I would have serious doubts about working with you 1/2.

I have heard that HOTFR8

Snakes are just part of our daily Hazard Risk Assessments, it really comes down to situational awareness expect the un expected when you are working in an environment like we do.

Yup, as a native species they're protected. My wife works at a historical property, during the week their main work is taking school kids through on tours exploring our first settlement history. They see snakes all the time. They've got snake bandage stations spread throughout the property. The worst was a brown that took up residence in the chook pen, which has lots of hidey holes and things for snakes to hide under, and they used to take kids in there to collect the eggs And each time they spotted the snake they'd get the snake catcher out, and could never find it. No one ever got bitten, but it did rear up at one of her workmates once. It disappeared after time and they take the kids in there again.

I work in the environmental field, and I was leading a nature photography walk at a local constructed wetland in a suburban area. We had a group of young kids from the local school along, and they were clambering all along this slope covered in large rocks. Sure enough in the middle was a red bellied black snake sunning itself, literally within metres of the kids. Needless to say we moved the kids back pronto Red bellies are pretty good and stay out of your way, browns can be a lot more aggressive, but still it gave me a scare. The walk is always held in October to tie in with an annual event week, and the theme is always water focused, so snakes are always a big risk. Always breathe a sigh of relief when that one is over.

Thanks for that hewey

We do see Red Belly Blacks, Browns and quite a few Tiger snakes around here. A few weeks back a tiger was pictured near our offices which is on the rural fringe of town and it is still lurking some where as the catcher couldn't find it.

In each country there are animals which doesn't Bode well. We for example are very common snake is called black Viper. They are very dangerous in the spring. I often meet them when I'm fishing.

Thank you Vieux, our snakes are the same in spring time as well after hibernation they are very aggressive.

The worst we have to deal with around my parts are little garter/garden snakes. You can keep your snakes.

xtremek believe me I have a healthy respect for snakes.

1/2: if I saw a brown snake like that when I showed up to work i'm not sure which direction I would run, but run I probably would.

HEWEY: In your society the strong survive is the rule I guess when the kids have to walk by deadly snakes and not be able to kill them.

ALL: in Seattle we get a few 4 legged wild critters (Opossums, raccoons, coyotes, rats, mice and such) and very few snakes and only seen a few gardner snakes around here.

mosquitoes get pretty bad at times so I quit killing every spider I ran into outside and just started moving their webs from going across the paths. funny thing the spiders rarely build webs across the sidewalks now and they fill the trees and bushes. I think they were listening to me when I moved them and told them to stay.

drives we do get mossies around here at times but it depends on the season and if there is a lot of standing water after rain during the warmer months, we haven't seen many this year due to the dry conditions.

We see all kinds of critters getting into equipment. Snakes, squirrels, rats... A snake got into a 4000 amp board once. Shut down an entire building when he slithered between the bus bars...

Coop Wow that would make a mess in a board of that capacity. All our switchboards are IP56 for that exact reason, sealed cable entries as well.

WOW! so many things happening in here since i last visited. Congrats on the property acquisition! ****** snakes haha. At least your not dealing with those dastardly drop bears, those things are scary

Thanks Kenfab

Dropbears are another problem for us as well and scare the heck out of you when you are camping, in particular under trees.

I find that if you are not messing with the snake, most species just want to be left alone. If you accidentally step on one, well that is a different story. Luckily we do not have any poisonous snakes in our area, of course some books say that we have rattlesnakes, but I have yet to hear of an actual encounter.

Strouty, we leave snakes well alone and usually they are just as scared as we are and they are happy to get out of your way. Corner or step on a snake and you are asking for trouble.

Maybe we all need to find out what powers Drives has as "the spider whisperer" and use it to rid ourselves of the menacing pests. I would not want to encounter that brown wrapped up in that post, and snakes do don't bother me at all. But I've never had to deal with venomous ones.

Dan agree that we should engage drives down here to get rid of some of our spiders

Finding a snake in a position like that and in particular a brown does give you a scare. I tend to treat all snakes the same even the non venomous ones, not that we have many of them here as they are mostly poisonous types that we would normally encounter any way.

Thanks for dropping by and have a great week end.

The next instalment today will be the TO DO LIST for next door.

 

[drivesitfar]

1/2 & ALL AUSSIES: I haven't been keeping up with my PGA golf tournaments the last month or so, but just saw today that Jason Day is leading Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill tournament halfway through. he had a second child in December so just getting back to playing after his red hot finish last year. AND did you year Adam Scott won the last 2 PGA tournaments?

I know how you Aussies like SPORT and whether we're playing golf or kick the can I know you love it when an AUSSIE WINS. CONGRATS to your guys.

cheers and hope you are all having a great weekend

 

[1/2 Cup]

1/2 & ALL AUSSIES: I haven't been keeping up with my PGA golf tournaments the last month or so, but just saw today that Jason Day is leading Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill tournament halfway through. he had a second child in December so just getting back to playing after his red hot finish last year. AND did you year Adam Scott won the last 2 PGA tournaments?

I know how you Aussies like SPORT and whether we're playing golf or kick the can I know you love it when an AUSSIE WINS. CONGRATS to your guys.

cheers and hope you are all having a great weekend

Thank you drives, I must admit to not keeping up to speed as well although I did catch a glimpse on the news the other day.

The lads are doing real well.

The week end is going too fast. So far it has been:

Lawns as they have grown a foot since we have had an inch of rain yesterday that being the first decent fall we have had in a long time. Done and dusted.

The neighbour had scored a near new Ride on mower that he had removed some of the wiring to get it going thinking that there was an electrical issue with it. I thought Google was my friend but not this time, no diagrams and a vague reference to the key switch.
So back to basics and it turned out there is a safety interlock on the catcher and guess what.............the catcher wasn't fitted when he tried to get it going anyway lesson learned and the mower is running fine now.

Now for some Quality Shed Time.

 

[1/2 Cup]

The TO DO LIST. on the house next door.

View media item 58653
Not necessarily in this order:

1. Upgrade the Mains, main switchboard and metering. IN PROGRESS.

2. Garden, neglected for 4 months so there is a bit of work there.

3. new carpet in a couple of rooms at the insistence of Mrs 1/2 Cup.

4. Replace a couple of exhaust fans.

5. Clean out the garage and start the process of moving my gear in there.

6. replace all door locks.

7. clean and clean again.

8. gas heater service.

9. all utilities reconnected.

10. relocate mini split out door unit as there has been a deck built around it.

11. get the fibre broad band install completed.

12. update outlets and light switches.

13. new carport installation.

14. dividing fence and access to our yard.

15. misc touchup of some paint work.

EDIT and update

16. Smoke alarms.

17. CO2 detectors.

18. Nature strip top dressed and seeded. COMPLETE

I have no doubt we will be adding to the list in time.

Have a great day and thanks for dropping by.

 

[Kenfab]

The TO DO LIST.

View media item 58653
Not necessarily in this order:

1. Upgrade the Mains, main switchboard and metering.

2. Garden, neglected for 4 months so there is a bit of work there.

3. new carpet in a couple of rooms at the insistence of Mrs 1/2 Cup.

4. Replace a couple of exhaust fans.

5. Clean out the garage and start the process of moving my gear in there.

6. replace all door locks.

7. clean and clean again.

8. gas heater service.

9. all utilities reconnected.

10. relocate mini split out door unit as there has been a deck built around it.

11. get the fibre broad band install completed.

12. update outlets and light switches.

13. new carport installation.

14. dividing fence and access to our yard.

15. misc touchup of some paint work.

I have no doubt we will be adding to the list in time.

Have a great day and thanks for dropping by.

List looks great mate, no doubt youll get through it all quickly. If your worried about the gas heater, id suggest a carbon monoxide detector, bit like a smoke alarm. Can get em off ebay for $15 and bunnings for a little bit more. I install them any time I service a gas appliance under my own business, people love it

Happy to walk ya through doing the service too if you wanted to tackle it.

 

[drivesitfar]

1/2: i'm sure that list will get taken care of quickly and new items will surely pop their heads and get taken care of too. do you have enough bricks to make a fence in between the new rental and it's garage? or maybe brick pillers with your fencing in between to make it more like it was always yours? or i'm sure what you have planned will be great.

not sure what you use to get rid of bugs and rodents down in your area, but that might be my first thing on the list especially since it was a rental for years in the past. we are having a real challenge getting rid of moisture or sugar ants this past year.

The SPIDERS seem to have the perimeter covered for the flying ones though.

As always best of luck and ask questions if you need any help.

 

[1/2 Cup]

List looks great mate, no doubt youll get through it all quickly. If your worried about the gas heater, id suggest a carbon monoxide detector, bit like a smoke alarm. Can get em off ebay for $15 and bunnings for a little bit more. I install them any time I service a gas appliance under my own business, people love it

Happy to walk ya through doing the service too if you wanted to tackle it.

Thank you Kenfab, I will certainly be installing CO2 and Smoke alarms as a matter of course.


I will take you up on you offer for sure. I am not sure just what I am dealing with at the moment, all I know that it is a ducted gas unit in the roof space. I will post a picture of it when we get access on April 15.

Thanks again.

1/2: i'm sure that list will get taken care of quickly and new items will surely pop their heads and get taken care of too. do you have enough bricks to make a fence in between the new rental and it's garage? or maybe brick pillers with your fencing in between to make it more like it was always yours? or i'm sure what you have planned will be great.

not sure what you use to get rid of bugs and rodents down in your area, but that might be my first thing on the list especially since it was a rental for years in the past. we are having a real challenge getting rid of moisture or sugar ants this past year.

The SPIDERS seem to have the perimeter covered for the flying ones though.

As always best of luck and ask questions if you need any help.

Many thanks drives

I do have heaps of bricks that I could use for the dividing fence but I also have enough RHS steel for posts and rails so I am looking at doing a six foot fence in steel at the moment.

With mice we just put bait under the home, not that we have much of an issue anyway. We are looking to have the whole property sprayed for spiders first up, again they are not too much of a problem.

Never fear I will be leaning on you guys for your experience down the track, you have been great help on our journey thus far.

Have a great day and again thank you all for dropping by.

 

[akdiesel]

1/2 Cup

Did I miss something. 13. new carport installation. Is there a new place or is this on the other side?
I always look forward to your brick work.

 

[1/2 Cup]

1/2 Cup

Did I miss something. 13. new carport installation. Is there a new place or is this on the other side?
I always look forward to your brick work.

akdiesel, Carport it is.

There is plenty of room down the western side of the home next door and since I intend to take over the garage Mrs 1/2 Cup is keen to see on built for the tenants.

Thanks for dropping by.

 

[HOTFR8]

Looks like you have been busy. I was up your way yesterday but did not get near to Shepparton.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Looks like you have been busy. I was up your way yesterday but did not get near to Shepparton.

HOTFR8, yep busy at work and in the shed, I have to admit to having a slack attack today with the Australian Grand Prix on the TV.

My eldest had the MG F at Phillip Island today.

http://www.msca.net.au/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=1&Itemid=102

His results on Natsoft. 2M 27 7 2:02.9715 0:12.0323 not bad for the island.

You should have made the detour to Shepparton on your way back home we are only 30 minutes from where you were.

 

[HOTFR8]

I did think about it but the trip home took me much longer than the trip up. If I had stopped a night I may have caught up with you. Too many things on in your part of the country this weekend for me to find a place to stay.

 

[Strouty]

How is number 5 not number 1? Or at least number two.

 

[1/2 Cup]

I did think about it but the trip home took me much longer than the trip up. If I had stopped a night I may have caught up with you. Too many things on in your part of the country this weekend for me to find a place to stay.

Your right HOTFR8 there is a lot happening around here, even more so leading up to Easter.

I forgot to mention a Rod Run at Echuca we were there for a conference on Friday and the cars were arriving and proved a welcome distraction.

http://richriverrodclub.org.au/rich-river-rod-run/

Regards

 

[1/2 Cup]

How is number 5 not number 1? Or at least number two.

Strouty, even Mrs 1/2 Cup would agree with that one.

Have a great day and thanks for dropping by.

Regards

 

[HOTFR8]

Your right HOTFR8 there is a lot happening around here, even more so leading up to Easter.

I forgot to mention a Rod Run at Echuca we were there for a conference on Friday and the cars were arriving and proved a welcome distraction.

http://richriverrodclub.org.au/rich-river-rod-run/

Regards

I wanted to go to that as well as I have never been but the Mack Muster came up 1st. I counted 4 Hot Rods on my travels on Saturday whilst traveling and in Kyabram.

 

[1/2 Cup]

I wanted to go to that as well as I have never been but the Mack Muster came up 1st. I counted 4 Hot Rods on my travels on Saturday whilst traveling and in Kyabram.

There were quite a few rods around Echuca / Moama on Friday we were in the main street across from the car wash in Moama and it was pretty popular.

It is a busy spot at the best of times.

http://www.echucamoama.com/

A must do is the Beechworth Bakery for a ham and cheese toasty as you are passing through in the morning.

http://www.beechworthbakery.com.au/

Regards

PS the Kyabram Bakery do a great Creamy Chicken Pie F.Y.I. and if you are still hungry try the Beef, Mushroom and Cheese for sweets.

 

[HOTFR8]

There were quite a few rods around Echuca / Moama on Friday we were in the main street across from the car wash in Moama and it was pretty popular.

It would be due to so many roads works going on.

A must do is the Beechworth Bakery for a ham and cheese toasty as you are passing through in the morning.

http://www.beechworthbakery.com.au/

They have a shop in Bendigo .
I had lunch there last week.

 

[1/2 Cup]

It would be due to so many roads works going on.

They have a shop in Bendigo .
I had lunch there last week.

Small world HOTFR8 , I will be having a cheese and ham toasty at the bakery in Bendigo Wednesday morning and on the way to Castlemaine ( PCE ) to do a factory acceptance test of a switchboard and control system. I could throw a stone to your place from where we are.

A cast of thousands attending an I am not sure whether we will get a chance to call in.

Regards

 

[HOTFR8]

Another time then. Enjoy the Toasty, they make them extra thick in Bendigo.
As for the stones, I advise you not to throw any.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Another time then. Enjoy the Toasty, they make them extra thick in Bendigo.
As for the stones, I advise you not to throw any.

No problems HOTFR8 the toastie was great.

The Switchboard Factory Acceptance Test turned out to be a non event, we were supposed to commission the PLC software as well, but due to the programmer working on an old revision of the Input and Output drawings and not the revised version which had substantially changed the I/O allocation. This meant a rewrite of the program was necessary and the test would not go ahead as planned. I signed off on the overall build quality and an hour later we were on our way back to the office.

Regards.

 

[1/2 Cup]

It has happened and I am excited.

​

I arrive home from work last night and check the mail out and the latest Hare and Forbes Machinery Warehouse 3 day sale catalogue has arrived.

http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Home

Readers of this thread may remember that I am in the market for a new compressor and that the purchase was endorsed by Mrs 1/2 Cup some months back, however I was prepared to wait until it came up on special.

Hare and Forbes have regular promotions through out the year and I am sure that they go through everyone's wish list and target prospective purchasers like me that always add to an ever increasing list of must haves for the workshop on their web site.

The promotion is between April 7 to the 9th and I will be adding to cart and checking out my new compressor.

http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/C505

The promo also includes a regulator and air hose.

I cant wait.

Have a great Easter every one.

Regards

 

[HOTFR8]

So much for the non event but it also sounds like an Easter win.

 

[CoopVA]

Nice! That should work good...

 

[xtremek]

You sir are a poopy head. I clicked on your link and saw all this nice equipment for good prices and I can't get any of them because you're halfway around the world. I'm glad you're going to get a nice deal.

 

[sandmanracing]

I'm not opening that link - my wallet currently has a knife, and isn't afraid to use it!

The new place looks like a good get, but I think there was one thing missing from your list - fix the finial on the gate post. That would bug the **** out of me...

 

[1/2 Cup]

So much for the non event but it also sounds like an Easter win.

Thank you HOTFR8, the catalogue sale has certainly made my weekend, now I am drooling over the other tools and equipment on the promo.

Nice! That should work good...

Coop, The new compressor will be a welcome addition to the shop I can assure you. I was more than a little envious when you got yours recently.

You sir are a poopy head. I clicked on your link and saw all this nice equipment for good prices and I can't get any of them because you're halfway around the world. I'm glad you're going to get a nice deal.

Thank you xtremek interesting that you should comment on the prices. I was always under the impression that you guys get tools and equipment far cheaper than us for the same thing.

I would be great to hear more feedback on that.

I'm not opening that link - my wallet currently has a knife, and isn't afraid to use it!

The new place looks like a good get, but I think there was one thing missing from your list - fix the finial on the gate post. That would bug the **** out of me...

Sandmanracing I know how you feel, I had to use a knife to prise Mrs 1/2 Cups purse open.

No the finials are on the hit list for sure, the annoy the heck out of me too.
They have rotted out, the posts are still ok and I intend to just finish them off with a gal cap and Mrs 1/2 Cup has volunteered to repaint the fence, picket by picket.

Many thanks for dropping by and have a great Easter.

Regards

 

[drivesitfar]

1/2: so will you get the new compressor before you own the house next door? now you can put your old compressor in the new shop while the new one goes in the shed??

cheers and congrats (with jealous feelings attached to this)

 

[1/2 Cup]

1/2: so will you get the new compressor before you own the house next door? now you can put your old compressor in the new shop while the new one goes in the shed??

cheers and congrats (with jealous feelings attached to this)

drives, I will ( hopefully ) get the new compressor by then.

I have the old one for sale on our Craig's List called Gumtree so I am hopeful of selling it prior to that and not having it take up space in the new garage.

Thank you for dropping by and have a great Easter.

 

[Grumblebum]

That will be a very nice addition 1/2 cup, I will check mine shortly but I'm pretty sure it's the same make/size as mine but you look to have a newer compressor.

Ran two framing guns all day long when building the extension - very nice unit.

Cheers GB

Edit: yep pretty much the same 1/2, your one will have a bit more CFM than mine. You will be happy with it, Italian compressor pump etc.

http://www.pilotair.com.au/site/Def...ocating_air_compressors/K25SDL-data-sheet.pdf

GB.

 

[1/2 Cup]

That will be a very nice addition 1/2 cup, I will check mine shortly but I'm pretty sure it's the same make/size as mine but you look to have a newer compressor.

Ran two framing guns all day long when building the extension - very nice unit.

Cheers GB

Edit: yep pretty much the same 1/2, your one will have a bit more CFM than mine. You will be happy with it, Italian compressor pump etc.

http://www.pilotair.com.au/site/Def...ocating_air_compressors/K25SDL-data-sheet.pdf

GB.

Thank you GB

My old compressor has the same Italian made ABAC compressor pump only this one is somewhat bigger in capacity.

They are a great unit for sure, we replaced our old banger at work last year with a big 3 phase pilotair and caters well for the workshop.

http://www.pilotair.com.au/site/Def...iprocating_air_compressors/K60-data-sheet.pdf


Regards

 

[Grumblebum]

Very nice.

 

[1/2 Cup]

My eldest posted some in car footage of his last run around the Phillip Island circuit last week in the MGF.

Enjoy

 

[sean Buick 76]

Nice!! Is that the car that you were porting the heads for?

 

[CoopVA]

Car sounds fantastic...

 

[dlcwent]

That looks like a real sweet compressor your getting 1/2. Twin cylinder, should make for a quick recovery.

I enjoyed Andrews video as well, although I'll admit that I didn't watch all 18 minutes of it.

Have a safe and happy Easter.

 

[Bears Fan]

What a great Easter gift, but how will Mrs 1/2 cup get it in your Easter basket