An Aussie Barn Build
- Thread starter Aussie Mike
- Start date
IMHO, that's what there for is to use. When your done, clean up your mess. Done! Start new project... 
OP
Aussie Mike
Well-known member
Thanks Tarnished,
I see the decadic dialer in your avitar pic. I used to work on electo mechanical telephone exchanges. Started out on Strowger step by step exchanges and then moved to NEC cross bar exchanges and eventually digital exchange equipment. I'm still in the industry but do most of my work with DSL technologies now.
I have good memories of working in the old electomechanical exchanges. A surprisingly noisy place but busy with constant maintenance required.
Cheers
Michael
I see the decadic dialer in your avitar pic. I used to work on electo mechanical telephone exchanges. Started out on Strowger step by step exchanges and then moved to NEC cross bar exchanges and eventually digital exchange equipment. I'm still in the industry but do most of my work with DSL technologies now.
I have good memories of working in the old electomechanical exchanges. A surprisingly noisy place but busy with constant maintenance required.
Cheers
Michael
OP
Aussie Mike
Well-known member
Finally got the contractors started on the driveway. It'll be nice to not have another winter of muddy driveway. It will also mean I can finish epoxy coating the floor in the shed and do the garage too.
Cheers
Michael
Cheers
Michael
1/2 Cup
Member Emeritus
Keep up the good work!!!!!!!!
tool-guy
Well-known member
HOTFR8
Banned
That driveway is going to be something when finished.
Posted about this in the Aussie Kiwi Social Group so this topic can be left alone and on topic.
Posted about this in the Aussie Kiwi Social Group so this topic can be left alone and on topic.
OP
Aussie Mike
Well-known member
It's going to be exposed agregate. 25MPA, 5" thick throughout with F72 mesh in it on bar chairs. I want it to be OK for truck parking etc.
They expect to pour the first section tomorrow.
Cheers
HOTFR8
Banned
Looks like you will have some good weather for the job.
OP
Aussie Mike
Well-known member
The first sections of concrete have been poured and washed.
This is a pad to the side of the shed where I will be able to park my tandem trailer out of the way.
I've also had them put a 1/2 meter wide apron around side and back of the shed. This will tidy the edge of the slab up and make it easy for me to mow. The soil will be built up level with the edge. It means I won't need to get the brush cutter out every time.
Cheers
Michael
This is a pad to the side of the shed where I will be able to park my tandem trailer out of the way.
I've also had them put a 1/2 meter wide apron around side and back of the shed. This will tidy the edge of the slab up and make it easy for me to mow. The soil will be built up level with the edge. It means I won't need to get the brush cutter out every time.
Cheers
Michael
HOTFR8
Banned
I like the concrete finish. Also the idea of not having to use the trimmer. You know those trimmers remove the colorbond color finish so the material will then rust.
OP
Aussie Mike
Well-known member
Yep, I found that with my old shed. The brush cutter I've got is an evil beast of a thing (62cc). It's a bit heavy but it powers through anything including colorbond.
The other reason for wanting the apron relates to an incident I had a while back. I was running along the side of the shed with the box blade on the tractor to clear and level the ground after all the sewer works. I was looking over my shoulder keeping an eye on the path of the blade and managed to catch the the colorbond with the bucket on the front. Tore into 2 sheets.
I was kicking myself for days afterwards.
I want to keep any kind of tractor works a good distance from the shed now.
The other reason for wanting the apron relates to an incident I had a while back. I was running along the side of the shed with the box blade on the tractor to clear and level the ground after all the sewer works. I was looking over my shoulder keeping an eye on the path of the blade and managed to catch the the colorbond with the bucket on the front. Tore into 2 sheets.
I was kicking myself for days afterwards.I want to keep any kind of tractor works a good distance from the shed now.
1/2 Cup
Member Emeritus
Yep, I found that with my old shed. The brush cutter I've got is an evil beast of a thing (62cc). It's a bit heavy but it powers through anything including colorbond.
The other reason for wanting the apron relates to an incident I had a while back. I was running along the side of the shed with the box blade on the tractor to clear and level the ground after all the sewer works. I was looking over my shoulder keeping an eye on the path of the blade and managed to catch the the colorbond with the bucket on the front. Tore into 2 sheets.
I want to keep any kind of tractor works a good distance from the shed now.
Smart move..........
OP
Aussie Mike
Well-known member
Here's the pad at the side of the shed after it's been acid etched and had one coat of sealer on it. It's still needs a 2nd coat which should give it a bit more of a shine. The sealer really brings out the color of the stones otherwise it looks a bit chalky and white.
It's a large area so they are doing it over 5 seperat pours. They did the section in front of the shed doors on Tuesday. This has been pressure washed but not yet etched and sealed.
They did the section in front of the garage doors this morning. It's been treated to stop the top layer curing and covered in plastic to keep the moisture in. Tomorrow morning they will pressure wash it to remove the top layer of cement and expose the agregate.
The last section goes in tomorrow too. Hopefully they will be all finished on Monday. still another week or so before we can drive on it.
Cheers
Michael
It's a large area so they are doing it over 5 seperat pours. They did the section in front of the shed doors on Tuesday. This has been pressure washed but not yet etched and sealed.
They did the section in front of the garage doors this morning. It's been treated to stop the top layer curing and covered in plastic to keep the moisture in. Tomorrow morning they will pressure wash it to remove the top layer of cement and expose the agregate.
The last section goes in tomorrow too. Hopefully they will be all finished on Monday. still another week or so before we can drive on it.
Cheers
Michael
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HOTFR8
Banned
Looking good. I like the finish.
OP
Aussie Mike
Well-known member
I'll be glad when it's all done. It's been the single biggest expense on the house since building the shed. It's been a bit stressfull.
Cheers
Michael
Cheers
Michael
HOTFR8
Banned
But once it is all over it will look good and you will be happy as many of the things you have done will make life easier. Like not hitting the building with the tractor.
Tims Arrow
Active member
It will be a great feeling just for you to walk out side with a cuppa and not have to worry about dust and mud on your boots. As well its a fantastic look.
1/2 Cup
Member Emeritus
Well done ..........you wont regret it ...think of it as an investment!
OP
Aussie Mike
Well-known member
The last of the concrete went in on Friday. They are back to seal it today.
We should be able to drive on it by the end of the week. Hooray!
Cheers
Michael
We should be able to drive on it by the end of the week. Hooray!
Cheers
Michael
Nighttrain
Well-known member
Very nice shed. I can't believe this is the first I saw your build. I will be back, I like a lot of your ideas. Here in Texas we also are on a rain water collection system. I have a 30,000 gallon Pioneer Tank, made in good old Australia. One of the ways I convinced my wife to build the 55'x60' roof line of my shop was the fact that we could catch a lot more water for her baths with the bigger garage.
OP
Aussie Mike
Well-known member
Thanks Nighttrain,
We've been on water restrictions for years down here. With all the tanks it's nice to be able to take a guilt free bath or wash your car in the driveway.
My shed tanks were made by Global Rotomold in Mildura Victoria. I realy like the design of their tanks. They are self supporting with no internal center pole and have proved to be much more rigid than the tank on the house.
Bush fires are also a big concern down here in Victora so I have outlets for fire pumps on the 2 shed tanks. We don't have much fuel around at the moment but gardens and trees will grow in eventually. It'll be good to be able to defend our property if we ever need to.
Cheers
Michael
We've been on water restrictions for years down here. With all the tanks it's nice to be able to take a guilt free bath or wash your car in the driveway.
My shed tanks were made by Global Rotomold in Mildura Victoria. I realy like the design of their tanks. They are self supporting with no internal center pole and have proved to be much more rigid than the tank on the house.
Bush fires are also a big concern down here in Victora so I have outlets for fire pumps on the 2 shed tanks. We don't have much fuel around at the moment but gardens and trees will grow in eventually. It'll be good to be able to defend our property if we ever need to.
Cheers
Michael
HOTFR8
Banned
Do you have enough water to do that ? At present I am concerned about my water levels as nearly all my tanks are well down. Even the tank I keep to wash the cars and as an emergency fire supply is well down now.
Yor concrete drive way looks great now it is finished.
Yor concrete drive way looks great now it is finished.
OP
Aussie Mike
Well-known member
I imagine you have a few more trees around than me.
I've got 45,000L of capacity in the shed tanks and they will only used for the gardens, washing cars and the toilet and shower in the shed. They filled up pretty quickly over the winter with the roof area we have on the shed. The house tank is 20,000L and is used for the house and the gardens around the house. We haven't had much rain for a while and the house tank is well down and we've had to switch over to town water for the first time in 3 years.
That's no big deal though since I wanted to run it down so I could change some of the plumbing. The water outlet currently is at the bottom of the tank. I want to put a 2nd outlet in about a foot or so off the bottom to feed the house water supply seperate to the gardens. It also needs a good clean and flush. My down pipes all run with a head of water in them and they syphon into the tank. The tent to silt up a bit and I want to put in an easy way to flush them so I can clean them out every year.
Cheers
Michael
I've got 45,000L of capacity in the shed tanks and they will only used for the gardens, washing cars and the toilet and shower in the shed. They filled up pretty quickly over the winter with the roof area we have on the shed. The house tank is 20,000L and is used for the house and the gardens around the house. We haven't had much rain for a while and the house tank is well down and we've had to switch over to town water for the first time in 3 years.
That's no big deal though since I wanted to run it down so I could change some of the plumbing. The water outlet currently is at the bottom of the tank. I want to put a 2nd outlet in about a foot or so off the bottom to feed the house water supply seperate to the gardens. It also needs a good clean and flush. My down pipes all run with a head of water in them and they syphon into the tank. The tent to silt up a bit and I want to put in an easy way to flush them so I can clean them out every year.
Cheers
Michael
HOTFR8
Banned
If you are ever this way ask me to show you how I make sure I get no rubbish in my house tanks and how to keep the dirty water out and that is not just filters in the top of the tanks.
I have a few trees here not much gets onto the roof to create problems. At present I am on rain water for the house. Supply water for the toilets, grounds and my works. Grey water for any trees that need a drink. My power bill is in credit but I fear my water bill this time.
I have a few trees here not much gets onto the roof to create problems. At present I am on rain water for the house. Supply water for the toilets, grounds and my works. Grey water for any trees that need a drink. My power bill is in credit but I fear my water bill this time.
OP
Aussie Mike
Well-known member
I'll have to take you up on that.
The concrete is pretty much finished. The've put 2 coats of sealer on it and the guys came back yesterday and saw cut it. We just need a good rain shower to wash away the residue from the concrete saw.
Time to get the tractor fixed up and move some soil around for the gardens.
Cheers
Michael
revhead
New member
Great work Mike!
Regards.
Regards.
HOTFR8
Banned
More than happy to share with you what I did here and it works well as long as you flush / drain just as it starts to rain. All the down pipes to our house tanks are underground from the gutters to the tanks and the overhead pipes on my shed I have to rely on tank filters. the house system is waht you want to see as it drains the rubbish and stale dirty water away before it goes into the tanks
I plan an open day when the extensions are finished and you would be welcome then or any time you are this way.
Now that will be dust until we get a decent rain or have you had some decent rain in the last few days ?
OP
Aussie Mike
Well-known member
No rain here. Black clouds but they won't give up their goodies.
My shed gutters drop straight into the tank. Only the filter basket on the top to trap the junk. These tanks are mainly for irigation so I'm not too worried.
The house down pipes all go underground and syphon into the tank. The good thing about that is I collect off the whole roof and with all the verandahs that's over 60 squares.
My shed gutters drop straight into the tank. Only the filter basket on the top to trap the junk. These tanks are mainly for irigation so I'm not too worried.
The house down pipes all go underground and syphon into the tank. The good thing about that is I collect off the whole roof and with all the verandahs that's over 60 squares.
HOTFR8
Banned
Same here plenty of bangs and flashes but no rain to fill those tanks.
You need to do the same with your house as I have here as it gets rid of the stale and stagnent dirty water. Again happy to show you.
You need to do the same with your house as I have here as it gets rid of the stale and stagnent dirty water. Again happy to show you.
Plushy
Well-known member
The Build keeps getting better Mike the driveway looks awesome ! would be much nicer to lie on when working on the car than just crushed blue metal like i have 
.
We got 20mm of rain here yesterday and a grass fire at the farm from the lightning
Lucky we had the fire fighting gear ready to go.
A lot of spot fires were started in the area due to the lightning .
We have seven poly tanks at the farm as well as two large irrigation dams so have lots of water for the lawns and house . Have to clean the gutters alot as we have lots of large gums around the place that drop leaves like mad . Tempted to put in some self flushing collectors in the gutter system like these : http://rainharvesting.com.au/products/pre-filtration/rain-heads/leaf-beater-original-clean-shield
.We got 20mm of rain here yesterday and a grass fire at the farm from the lightning
Lucky we had the fire fighting gear ready to go.A lot of spot fires were started in the area due to the lightning .
We have seven poly tanks at the farm as well as two large irrigation dams so have lots of water for the lawns and house . Have to clean the gutters alot as we have lots of large gums around the place that drop leaves like mad . Tempted to put in some self flushing collectors in the gutter system like these : http://rainharvesting.com.au/products/pre-filtration/rain-heads/leaf-beater-original-clean-shield
OP
Aussie Mike
Well-known member
Not a lot of progress lately. Hot weather slows me down a bit. On the weekend I spent several hours with the pressure washer cleaning down the outside of the shed. A couple of years of cobwebs and dirt got blasted away. It looks much more presentable now.
I'm probably Hijacking the shed thread here but I thought I'd post up a few things I've been working on.
I've been building and then rebuilding an AC Cobra replica for a few years now. It's a bit of a joke how long it's taken me but I think it's probably because I enjoy making stuff more than using stuff.
The current project on the Cobra is converting it to power steering.
I picked up a pump at a swap meet a few years back and figured I'd be able to adapt it up.
I milled up a bracket to mount it to the front of the left hand cylinder head.
Here it is bolted in place
I've machined up a few serpentine pulleys in the past. I picked up a lump of billet to make one for the pump.
Turned it into a big pile of swarf
Starting to look like a pulley.
Trial fit to check the alignement. I picked up a neat laser alignment tool at a swap meet years back.
Finished product.
Unfortunately it's making the water pump pulley I machined up a few years back look a bit scruffy. I picked up a piece of billet to make a new matching one.
While I was at it I machined up a new alternator pulley. I've changed the belt arangement so the alternator runs off a 4PK belt where the AC compressor would usually drive.
I get a lot of enjoyment out of machining stuff.
Cheers
Michael
I'm probably Hijacking the shed thread here but I thought I'd post up a few things I've been working on.
I've been building and then rebuilding an AC Cobra replica for a few years now. It's a bit of a joke how long it's taken me but I think it's probably because I enjoy making stuff more than using stuff.
The current project on the Cobra is converting it to power steering.
I picked up a pump at a swap meet a few years back and figured I'd be able to adapt it up.
I milled up a bracket to mount it to the front of the left hand cylinder head.
Here it is bolted in place
I've machined up a few serpentine pulleys in the past. I picked up a lump of billet to make one for the pump.
Turned it into a big pile of swarf
Starting to look like a pulley.
Trial fit to check the alignement. I picked up a neat laser alignment tool at a swap meet years back.
Finished product.
Unfortunately it's making the water pump pulley I machined up a few years back look a bit scruffy. I picked up a piece of billet to make a new matching one.
While I was at it I machined up a new alternator pulley. I've changed the belt arangement so the alternator runs off a 4PK belt where the AC compressor would usually drive.
I get a lot of enjoyment out of machining stuff.
Cheers
Michael
HOTFR8
Banned
Nice to see something happening inside and to know all outside is going to plan.
69Fastback
Well-known member
Meanwhile inside with Dads help we put up some internal partition walls in the back of the shed. This let me put in a bunch of warehouse shelves to store stuff away. I've been slowly culling the amount of junk I keep over the last few years. I've got rid of a lot of stuff at swap meets and taken trailer loads of stuff to the dump. I've been working hard to cure myself of hoarding old parts and I'm a lot more selective about what I keep now.
I also picked up a 2 post hoist. I wish I'd had one of these years ago! It makes working on cars so much more enjoyable. Gone are my days of lying on a cold shed floor fumbling around to find the right spanner only to realize you left it on the bench.
I've also set up a dedicated machine shop area. I've had lathes and mills for years but in the old shed they were always sharing space with where you were working. They both throw a lot of swarf and coolant around and that's not desirable sometimes.
I lined the walls of the end bay with 19mm structural flooring. It's great for shed walls as it's cheap for the coverage you get. It's strong and you can screw stuff straight to it. It also keeps the noise down a bit so I don't annoy the neighbors at night. I lined the old shed with this stuff and painted it. I was looking at painting it on this shed but figured I'd try something different. In keeping with the barn theme I wanted something a bit rustic looking. I lined the bottom half of the wall with pine lining boards and then stained them with a merbau stain to give them an aged hardwood look. Up top I lined the walls with corrugated zincalume sheeting. I like how it's turned out. It's given the shed a much warmer feel, less industrial. The zincalume sheeting has the added advantage that it reflects a lot of light all different angle so fills the area with light from the skylights during the day or the overhead fluros at night.
Here's one of the partition walls that Dad and I did half paneled.
Working my way around the machine shop past the tool room lathe that was a 40th birthday present from my wife.
The machine shop area is pretty much all done now. I painted the floor with a 2 pack epoxy coating which had been great so far. Just got to learn to keep it clean.
Cheers
Michael
Hi Michael, you have a great set up. I was wondering what was the name of the epoxy you used to paint the floor? Is it water or solvent based?
Cheers,
Peter
OP
Aussie Mike
Well-known member
The paint I used on the floor is a 2 pack epoxy from PPG called Amerlock 2K. However looking at the PPG webpage the product is now called SigmaCover 640 LT. Here's a link to the data sheet http://www.ppgpmc.com.au/docs/B18%207989%2002-2010%20Sigmacover%20640%20LT%20AZ.pdf
It's held up amazingly well so far.
Cheers
Michael
It's held up amazingly well so far.
Cheers
Michael
OP
Aussie Mike
Well-known member
A small update. I've been messing with my tube bender setup lately and got it producing some nice results. I've been making p a few roll bar kits for Cobras to help pay for the tooling. These went to a bloke in Brisbane.
Nearly got the stainless steel rol bar setup finished on my Cobra.
My tractor in the corner has had a good workout lately as I've been moving heaps of dirt around. Unfortunately I've busted the drive shaft to the front diff so he needs some love. That's a job for this winter along with installing the wood heater I picked up at the Ballarat swap meet.
Also finished welding up my Cobra fuel tank. Just got to pressure test it and give the whole thing an even brushed finish to clean it up.
Cheers
Michael
Nearly got the stainless steel rol bar setup finished on my Cobra.
My tractor in the corner has had a good workout lately as I've been moving heaps of dirt around. Unfortunately I've busted the drive shaft to the front diff so he needs some love. That's a job for this winter along with installing the wood heater I picked up at the Ballarat swap meet.
Also finished welding up my Cobra fuel tank. Just got to pressure test it and give the whole thing an even brushed finish to clean it up.
Cheers
Michael
HOTFR8
Banned
Nicely made rollbars.
69Fastback
Well-known member
Thanks Mike, the information is much appreciated. I am trying to figure out what to do with my floors at the moment.
OP
Aussie Mike
Well-known member
Hi All,
Just a small update. I finally got my MIG welder running properly so I got back to a project I started some time back. I've been working on a welding and fabrication bench. It's heavy duty steel construction and measures 8'x4'.
I've now got all the cross members welded in and the sockets finished on one end. I've designed the bench to have some heavy duty sockets at several points so you can plug in fixtures and tools. For example I'll have a vice that I can slot in as required and another for my tube notching jig. The sockets take a 2" square bar or piece of SHS. They use a 3/4" pin to hold them in place (Same as used on my tractor 3PL). There is also a locking bolt underneath to lock the bar in solid.
Just got to finish off the sockets on the other end of the bench and put the top on it. Hopefully I'll get that done over the weekend.
Cheers
Michael
Just a small update. I finally got my MIG welder running properly so I got back to a project I started some time back. I've been working on a welding and fabrication bench. It's heavy duty steel construction and measures 8'x4'.
I've now got all the cross members welded in and the sockets finished on one end. I've designed the bench to have some heavy duty sockets at several points so you can plug in fixtures and tools. For example I'll have a vice that I can slot in as required and another for my tube notching jig. The sockets take a 2" square bar or piece of SHS. They use a 3/4" pin to hold them in place (Same as used on my tractor 3PL). There is also a locking bolt underneath to lock the bar in solid.
Just got to finish off the sockets on the other end of the bench and put the top on it. Hopefully I'll get that done over the weekend.
Cheers
Michael
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80WTI_55_CHEV
Well-known member
What an awesome set up you have Michael, looks like you do quality work down there mate, i will have to keep an eye on your projects. thanks lee