HOTFR8
Banned
You have cleared that up for me. Sounds like it need plenty of TLC. In time practise make perfect.
Above 1200 Sq/FT Bailey's Barn Build
- Thread starter mwbailey
- Start date
Wokspaces above 1200 squarefeet.
xtremek
Well-known member
How about a little brazing instead of JB Weld. And getting the blade to pull evenly will take some getting used to.
Had planned to seal the barn after about a year of "exposure" -- hoping that would give it some "age" and keep it from looking brand spanking new. Well, it's been about 18 months, but last Friday we got it done. Used Sikkens (AKA expensive) natural finish. Although the shadow may play into the difference, here is one wall (on right) finished and the other unfinished. Pete the Painter Granddad with back to us, Pete the Painter Grandson squatted down to get ready for work, and Pete the Painter, hisself, somewhere else!!
Same wall, finished, with power tool and box scrape inside garage.
And, in case anyone is worrying, the pumphouse as well as the Adirondack chairs, the picnic table, some of my classic car parts, and the mailbox got "sealed".
Oh, and The Wife's porch/deck got sealed with water-based sealer as did the dock (didn't want to be putting an oil slick on the lake).
Same wall, finished, with power tool and box scrape inside garage.
And, in case anyone is worrying, the pumphouse as well as the Adirondack chairs, the picnic table, some of my classic car parts, and the mailbox got "sealed".
Oh, and The Wife's porch/deck got sealed with water-based sealer as did the dock (didn't want to be putting an oil slick on the lake).
Yep, xtremek, brazing might have been the more professional approach, but I've never tried it before. I just gunked on the JB Weld and let it go. Hasn't leaked, yet. . . .
Before and after!
Haven't had a chance to try the box scrape again. Maybe this coming week!
Before and after!
Haven't had a chance to try the box scrape again. Maybe this coming week!
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xtremek
Well-known member
Well, I DID "run it" some yesterday. Figured I had better not start practicing on the drive so I picked an area behind the workshop where the water didn't drain off like it should. I managed to make significant progress -- turned it into a first class "hawg waller"!?!! Found at least two things that were hard to remember -- (1) hydraulics only work when clutch is out and (2) pulling on the "touch control lever" doesn't make the box blade come up faster or slower, it's supposed to provide the final height of the blade.
The Wife came out to supervise, agreed that I had made a mess, and then suggested that the tractor needed to be cleaned off when I got through. I KNEW we should have gotten the beat up tractor, uh, power tool, to begin with; but noooo, she wanted the pretty paint. I reminded her that it was, after all, just a tractor. A little dirt and mud wouldn't hurt. So. . . .
The Wife came out to supervise, agreed that I had made a mess, and then suggested that the tractor needed to be cleaned off when I got through. I KNEW we should have gotten the beat up tractor, uh, power tool, to begin with; but noooo, she wanted the pretty paint. I reminded her that it was, after all, just a tractor. A little dirt and mud wouldn't hurt. So. . . .
xtremek
Well-known member
Well, I DID "run it" some yesterday. Figured I had better not start practicing on the drive so I picked an area behind the workshop where the water didn't drain off like it should. I managed to make significant progress -- turned it into a first class "hawg waller"!?!! Found at least two things that were hard to remember -- (1) hydraulics only work when clutch is out and (2) pulling on the "touch control lever" doesn't make the box blade come up faster or slower, it's supposed to provide the final height of the blade.
The Wife came out to supervise, agreed that I had made a mess, and then suggested that the tractor needed to be cleaned off when I got through. I KNEW we should have gotten the beat up tractor, uh, power tool, to begin with; but noooo, she wanted the pretty paint. I reminded her that it was, after all, just a tractor. A little dirt and mud wouldn't hurt. So. . . .
The hydraulics take some getting used to. And we see who won that discussion.
Hey, hey! Some "work" done in the garage!! Still don't have room to swing a 10 foot piece of angle iron, but getting rid of some boxes has helped. Since the boxes went to my daughter, it was only fair that the project will be for her family, too.
Little overkill for a square box, but I wanted her "approval" before putting too much into it. She's pleased to know that even if the ancient oak in their back yard falls over due to snow and ice, destroying their house, the firepit will survive!?
Local metal supplier wanted to sell only 4X8' sheets, so I'll have a little left over -- 11 gauge. Wonder what else I can do with it? Only sold 20' pieces of angle iron. Got him to cut the 1X1" angle into two, 10-foot sections, and used one as fence to cut sheet. Got a "Diablo" metal cutting blade from Home Depot. I think it's about used up after 12 feet or so of cuts. Seemed a little quick to me.
No welding table, yet, so just used the left over 11 gauge on saw horses.
Not the prettiest welds in the world; still very much a novice at this. Yeah, I know, those little magnets are not doing much good, but since I had them I figured I'd use 'em. . .
But, I think it will work.
Little overkill for a square box, but I wanted her "approval" before putting too much into it. She's pleased to know that even if the ancient oak in their back yard falls over due to snow and ice, destroying their house, the firepit will survive!?Local metal supplier wanted to sell only 4X8' sheets, so I'll have a little left over -- 11 gauge. Wonder what else I can do with it? Only sold 20' pieces of angle iron. Got him to cut the 1X1" angle into two, 10-foot sections, and used one as fence to cut sheet. Got a "Diablo" metal cutting blade from Home Depot. I think it's about used up after 12 feet or so of cuts. Seemed a little quick to me.
No welding table, yet, so just used the left over 11 gauge on saw horses.
Not the prettiest welds in the world; still very much a novice at this. Yeah, I know, those little magnets are not doing much good, but since I had them I figured I'd use 'em. . . But, I think it will work.
rieferman
Well-known member
Good stuff! One thing to consider... fire pits of that style may burn better if air can get in down below. I had one like it and it would smoke quite a bit. Adding air inlets helped it burn hotter with less smoking.
Well, dadgumit, rieferman, I'm just doing this to get rid of the extra rumblestone blocks I had!! Now I have to think about air inlets. . . . Maybe I can leave out a block and cut a hole in the steel liner. That probably calls for purchasing a plasma cutter -- GOOD idea.
rixtrix1
Well-known member
That probably calls for purchasing a plasma cutter -- GOOD idea. (mwbailey)
Amazing how we can justify all the tools we really need, isn't it?!
Amazing how we can justify all the tools we really need, isn't it?!
xtremek
Well-known member
Tell your wife that a plasma cutter is essential for the health of your daughter. She wouldn't want your daughter to be overcome by smoke, or suffer lung problems.
VOODOO ROD & CUSTOM
New member
Hey VR&C, maybe a little "over the top" as I mentioned in Post 395 with this link http://www.texastimberframes.com/galleries/commercial-car-cathedral
But, nice-looking, in any case! However, can you call a building with a no smoking and no spitting sign a garage? I'm just saying. . . .
But, nice-looking, in any case! However, can you call a building with a no smoking and no spitting sign a garage? I'm just saying. . . .
Have spent parts of several days moving furniture from the workshop to the basement of the house -- two beds but only one set of mattresses (thank goodness), cedar chest, two tall chests, bureau, small bedside chest, etc. Should be about ready to put the Miata in the workshop with the new-found floor space. We'll see. . . .
If I can just figure where to put the plethora of boxed books, papers, memorabilia, and such, maybe there will be room to WORK on something!!
Have also worked to clear out undergrowth between workshop and street -- with help from Jesus and a little from The Wife.
Today The Wife and I did a little more clearing and both of us found garbage that obviously had been there for MANY years. Whoever was living in the house we demolished went to a good bit of effort to empty his garbage maybe 15 yards off the driveway into the woods on a lot he did not even own!! Here's evidence of Venetian blinds that had just about rusted to dust -- plus a few coffee cups without handles, a couple of jelly jar glasses, broken plate, several small bottles, and such.
I just don't understand this and I'm really worried about grandkids exploring in the woods. We keep finding these small piles of trash. . . .
If I can just figure where to put the plethora of boxed books, papers, memorabilia, and such, maybe there will be room to WORK on something!!
Have also worked to clear out undergrowth between workshop and street -- with help from Jesus and a little from The Wife.
Today The Wife and I did a little more clearing and both of us found garbage that obviously had been there for MANY years. Whoever was living in the house we demolished went to a good bit of effort to empty his garbage maybe 15 yards off the driveway into the woods on a lot he did not even own!! Here's evidence of Venetian blinds that had just about rusted to dust -- plus a few coffee cups without handles, a couple of jelly jar glasses, broken plate, several small bottles, and such. I just don't understand this and I'm really worried about grandkids exploring in the woods. We keep finding these small piles of trash. . . .
Probably a bit premature, but seeing some "open floor" in the workshop has gotten me thinking about how to arrange items. I received some valuable input several months ago -- probably better not to have a sand blast cabinet too close to the HO model railroad. So, I moved the blast cabinet and have thought about a curtain (probably a little too expensive).
The top view drawing can be used to help identify the items in the isometric, in case they are not obvious! The posts in the post and beam construction are only short sections since the full height posts would be confusing in the drawing. The shop is 48' long by 38' wide, approximately.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. I was a little disappointed that a two-post lift looks like it would make moving cars around difficult -- if I've used accurate measurements for the lift. The white and blue cars are roughly the dimensions of 1967 442's; the green is about the size of a Miata; and the purple is supposed to represent a non-existent hot rod (probably should try to draw up a Ford tractor instead!).
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
The top view drawing can be used to help identify the items in the isometric, in case they are not obvious! The posts in the post and beam construction are only short sections since the full height posts would be confusing in the drawing. The shop is 48' long by 38' wide, approximately.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. I was a little disappointed that a two-post lift looks like it would make moving cars around difficult -- if I've used accurate measurements for the lift. The white and blue cars are roughly the dimensions of 1967 442's; the green is about the size of a Miata; and the purple is supposed to represent a non-existent hot rod (probably should try to draw up a Ford tractor instead!).
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Got tired of tripping over boxes of "auto fluids" as several were labeled. So, I cut a 1X10" to about 11'2" and screwed it to a girt for a shelf in the workshop. I still have a box or two that needs to be emptied, but I got rid of at least three that were in the way. Funny, I found FIVE part cans of semi-flat black spray paint. I'm confident that they came from five different times when I wanted something under the hood painted semi-flat black but couldn't find the last can I bought in the small and un-organized prior workshop. I hope the new shelf will keep me from running to the store the next time I need semi-flat black spray paint!
HOTFR8
Banned
Looks good. I usually keep a box of the popular spray tins on hand.
xtremek
Well-known member
What is it about semi-gloss black? I think I have about 4 cans of the stuff myself.
HOTFR8
Banned
You must be thinking of the restorers motto "Paint it black and put it back."
I keep on hand a box of black and a box of primer.
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I wasn't going to mention the number of duplicate primer cans I have. Back to the semi-black -- I think maybe they are able to clone themselves while in storage. I just wish that when a duplicate came along, it would stay next to the other can(s) of the same paint. Thankfully, I heard on the radio that people that are "clinically" hoarders do NOT keep things organized. That may have been another reason I decided recently to put up a shelf and get myself moving toward being organized!?!? The Wife worries that I may be a little out of kilter with all the valuable material and classic car parts that I hang onto, yet she only took one day to FILL the "butler's pantry" in our new house with her knick-knacks. But, they ARE organized.
xtremek
Well-known member
I have a couple of friends who are hoarders, and their stuff is everywhere and they won't let go of anything. My Old Man, on the other hand, saves "stuff". And if you need some of his "stuff", you better be ready to take it with you right then. And it was always organized. Another thing, classic/vintage car parts are NEVER junk, and as such, should never be thrown out. At the very least, they become "art" to hang on your wall or sit in your yard.
xtremek, I couldn't help but laugh at your comments:
"Another thing, classic/vintage car parts are NEVER junk, and as such, should never be thrown out. At the very least, they become "art" to hang on your wall or sit in your yard." I agree with you wholeheartedly, but not everyone has the same opinion.
Somehow I was reminded of Jeff Foxworthy's "You might be a redneck if. . . ." I knew there were a couple about mowing your yard and finding a car, or about having a car in your yard up on blocks. So, I Googled "you might be a redneck". Was I ever surprised to find MY vintage/classic car in one of the "finds":
On closer inspection, I found that it was "only" a '67 Cutlass, not my 442. Interesting that both classic cars seem to be being used for storage -- a bumper in his case, chrome parts and seats in mine!
I realize that rednecks exist in every state, but we seem to have plenty of them. I guess I'm just trying to blend in. However, you'll notice the cover I had to pull back for the photo; The Wife gave it to me for Christmas so I could improve on the eyesore. She just doesn't seem to understand. . . .
"Another thing, classic/vintage car parts are NEVER junk, and as such, should never be thrown out. At the very least, they become "art" to hang on your wall or sit in your yard." I agree with you wholeheartedly, but not everyone has the same opinion.
Somehow I was reminded of Jeff Foxworthy's "You might be a redneck if. . . ." I knew there were a couple about mowing your yard and finding a car, or about having a car in your yard up on blocks. So, I Googled "you might be a redneck". Was I ever surprised to find MY vintage/classic car in one of the "finds":
On closer inspection, I found that it was "only" a '67 Cutlass, not my 442. Interesting that both classic cars seem to be being used for storage -- a bumper in his case, chrome parts and seats in mine!
I realize that rednecks exist in every state, but we seem to have plenty of them. I guess I'm just trying to blend in. However, you'll notice the cover I had to pull back for the photo; The Wife gave it to me for Christmas so I could improve on the eyesore. She just doesn't seem to understand. . . .
Somehow I wound up with a few 4-foot, two bulb and a couple of 2-foot, two bulb fluorescent lights. No reason not to make use of them, sooner or later. The "new" shelf seemed like a good spot for one since it is right over a drop-down workbench. I just wish all those boxes were out of the way. . . some day.
The 4-foot fixtures have short wires to three-prong plugs, so I fabricated an extension cord to fit exactly from a relatively nearby outlet to the light. The cord is mostly hidden from sight. I'm hoping to find a way to put a switch on it somewhere, but in the meantime I'll just plug it in when needed.
The 4-foot fixtures have short wires to three-prong plugs, so I fabricated an extension cord to fit exactly from a relatively nearby outlet to the light. The cord is mostly hidden from sight. I'm hoping to find a way to put a switch on it somewhere, but in the meantime I'll just plug it in when needed.
Installed the firepit for my daughter Sunday, a week ago. She immediately decided we needed S'mores after her husband grilled steaks and salmon on the gas grill. The firepit seemed to work fine, but their small, in-town yard may not provide enough wood. So, now I need to get the chainsaw running so we can cut up the brush around the home place!
Oh, and I found that I had almost as many BBQ-black spray cans as semi-gloss black AND I had just purchased two for the firepit. Fortunately, I kept the receipt from Home Depot and was able to get a refund. That, plus a gift card and a couple of returns for The Wife allowed me to purchase a couple of motion sensors to add to our floodlights. We hope that will scare the deer that have been eating the camellias.
Oh, and I found that I had almost as many BBQ-black spray cans as semi-gloss black AND I had just purchased two for the firepit. Fortunately, I kept the receipt from Home Depot and was able to get a refund. That, plus a gift card and a couple of returns for The Wife allowed me to purchase a couple of motion sensors to add to our floodlights. We hope that will scare the deer that have been eating the camellias.
HOTFR8
Banned
You have Deer and I have Kangaroos. Roos have only damaged a few things here and luckily only eat the grass.
Maybe I'll trade you some deer for roos, HOTFR8! We also have a flock or two of Canada geese that like to eat the grass that we're trying to get to grow on the new lawn. Seems the closer you get to the water in front of the house, the thinner the grass gets!! And, the rabbits must really like the Asiatic jasmine -- there are several plants right under the screened porch where most of the leaves are gone and there's a pile of rabbit pellets a few inches away from each plant.
HOTFR8
Banned
Some Venison sounds nice and I'll also let you have the Mob of Cockatoos that are eating the fruit on my trees one must be an escaped pet as it is saying hello (Cheeky ******). Mind you the black marbles (Roo Droppings) are a pain to get out of the green grass stain carpet if you walk in them.
rixtrix1
Well-known member
Animal problems! A real pain wherever you live. Living in town my major problem is unrestrained housecats. They use my yard as their litterbox because I am the only home without a dog among 22 homes. I've stung the butts of 13 different cats with my worn out 50 year old Daisy model 25 BB gun, the sight of which makes every one jump the fence, but they keep coming back. Almost nothing as disgusting as the smell of a pile of cat poop getting broken open by the lawnmower or your shoe. The Tomcats also have a habit of marking our front screen door. That's a real eyeopener at 6AM when you step out to get the newspaper. At least none have gotten into my garage!
We've been out of town or it's been raining since I got the motion sensors for the floodlights, so they are not installed, yet. But before that I had ordered a "sprinkler scarecrow". I set the thing up as soon as we stopped having hard freezes and I hope it works. At least one reviewer has had success -- check this out, it's really "pleasurable" to see it work:
http://www.amazon.com/review/R3KNN2M4523G4N/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#R3KNN2M4523G4N
One comment was that the noise of the sprinkler keeps him/her await at night. Either I sleep too well, or we're not having the problem with deer that we once had (OR, of course, it's just not working). Another comment was to be careful when setting it up or you'll get a face full of water. Guess who wasn't careful? So, I'm pretty sure it works, at least at close range!
http://www.amazon.com/review/R3KNN2M4523G4N/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#R3KNN2M4523G4N
One comment was that the noise of the sprinkler keeps him/her await at night. Either I sleep too well, or we're not having the problem with deer that we once had (OR, of course, it's just not working). Another comment was to be careful when setting it up or you'll get a face full of water. Guess who wasn't careful? So, I'm pretty sure it works, at least at close range!
Beautiful days recently, so the motion sensors were installed on the house yesterday in hopes of scaring away the deer and other critters. Evidence that deer are still around as of night before last:
Before and after of floodlight without and with motion sensor.
OK, so it's a little tough to pick out the sensor, but it's just above the lights, themselves, screwed into the original electrical box. Very easy installation!!
However, turns out the lights would light up with motion, but not go out after the selected 5 minutes interval (could have gone with 1 or 20 minutes, additionally). So, called Home Depot hot line and got technician who said that the lights I had were fluorescent -- actually, I had noticed in the trouble-shooting guide that fluorescent would not allow the lights to turn back off, so I hinted at the spiral-shaped element. She immediately picked up on the compact fluorescent issue. So, back to Home Depot to get halogen bulbs for replacement.
Now everything seems to be working properly with the exception of possibly some refining of sensor range/aim. Don't know what the impact on the deer herd will be, but with the halogens, I was able to choose a "flash" mode that makes the lights flash twice before coming on. We'll see if that scares them away, or if they just appreciate a well-lit dining table!?!?
Before and after of floodlight without and with motion sensor.
OK, so it's a little tough to pick out the sensor, but it's just above the lights, themselves, screwed into the original electrical box. Very easy installation!!
However, turns out the lights would light up with motion, but not go out after the selected 5 minutes interval (could have gone with 1 or 20 minutes, additionally). So, called Home Depot hot line and got technician who said that the lights I had were fluorescent -- actually, I had noticed in the trouble-shooting guide that fluorescent would not allow the lights to turn back off, so I hinted at the spiral-shaped element. She immediately picked up on the compact fluorescent issue. So, back to Home Depot to get halogen bulbs for replacement.
Now everything seems to be working properly with the exception of possibly some refining of sensor range/aim. Don't know what the impact on the deer herd will be, but with the halogens, I was able to choose a "flash" mode that makes the lights flash twice before coming on. We'll see if that scares them away, or if they just appreciate a well-lit dining table!?!?
HOTFR8
Banned
Well lit Dining ? I think I would have the same issues with Kangaroos.
I ended up turning them off as all it did was keep me awake pondering why the light went on.
I ended up turning them off as all it did was keep me awake pondering why the light went on.
truckin23
Banned
Just finish reading from the beginning subscribing awesome
Sunbimmer
Well-known member
Love firepits I'm thinking of installing one in our back yard.
Thanks, trucking23. My current project in the planning stage is where to locate compressed air piping and what to use. A friend has several drops that he has offered from galvanized pipe. It's hard to beat "free"!?!
One problem, Sunbimmer, is that my daughter doesn't have much in the way of easily available firewood for the firepit. On the other hand, The Wife still wants underbrush cleaned from our "beautifully" wooded lot! So, Daughter got a little of the leftovers from this:
Since the fire will be outside, I figured pine and cedar would be fine. I also took her a second "grill"; this one to be used for charcoal in case they want to cook steaks or hamburgers. It's removable and has "infinitely" adjustable spacing -- just depends on the size of rocks or bricks underneath!
One problem, Sunbimmer, is that my daughter doesn't have much in the way of easily available firewood for the firepit. On the other hand, The Wife still wants underbrush cleaned from our "beautifully" wooded lot! So, Daughter got a little of the leftovers from this:
Since the fire will be outside, I figured pine and cedar would be fine. I also took her a second "grill"; this one to be used for charcoal in case they want to cook steaks or hamburgers. It's removable and has "infinitely" adjustable spacing -- just depends on the size of rocks or bricks underneath!
Hey, rixtrix1! I'm with you on pesky animals. My dad wouldn't let me have a BB gun as a kid -- too many boys my age thought they were toys and hurt each other. But he DID give me a Mossberg bolt action .22 when I was in 3rd grade; only allowed to use it at the shooting range. SOOOO, to help scare off the Canada geese, I just HAD to get a Red Ryder BB gun. The geese are too far away to really hurt them, but they now begin to waddle back to the lake when I open the door.
Thanks, shopnut. And coming from someone with a similar garage -- well, there are SOME similarities, but mine will never have quite the attention to detail as yours although I've stolen a few ideas from you -- I appreciate the comment. I think I mentioned that I didn't want it to stick out like a new pair of white Keds.
I'm still making steady, but slow, progress in my organization. Got another shelf installed today, but haven't loaded it up, yet; that will be tomorrow. Found that using rough cut, non-kiln dried lumber means there might be some twists and turns. To keep the shelf relatively level I had to install a bracket!!
Here's before, after, and twin:
Decided to put another 4-foot fluorescent light under the shelf to match the first one. Took the same route with "custom" made cord to keep things relatively neat. Good thing for GFI! I had plugged in the cord to help measure length to light and forgot it was live. Started to cut the cord when I heard the GFI click. That should keep me honest for several months. . . .
I'm still making steady, but slow, progress in my organization. Got another shelf installed today, but haven't loaded it up, yet; that will be tomorrow. Found that using rough cut, non-kiln dried lumber means there might be some twists and turns. To keep the shelf relatively level I had to install a bracket!!
Here's before, after, and twin:
Decided to put another 4-foot fluorescent light under the shelf to match the first one. Took the same route with "custom" made cord to keep things relatively neat. Good thing for GFI! I had plugged in the cord to help measure length to light and forgot it was live. Started to cut the cord when I heard the GFI click. That should keep me honest for several months. . . .
Started filling up the second shelf -- still have too much to put away. Funny, found a gallon of brake fluid to add to the two cans I had already put on the first shelf. I've about decided that the best way to go is pull EVERYthing out of the boxes and sort; THEN put things away. I keep having to move things over to make more room. Also, found THREE car care kits that The Wife had passed along to me since she wasn't going to use them for her leased car; and two cans of the same tire cleaner.
I got a little distracted from workshop organizing when The Wife asked if the scoop I wanted for the tractor would help move the pile of mulch/chips we had dropped off last Friday. OF COURSE it would help! What kind of question was that? So, I spent much of today running down a 3 point scoop. A guy just up the road a few miles had one on Craigslist. Problem was, it wasn't set up to be reversed for push or pull. But the price was so good I decided I'd go get it anyway. When I asked if he had a lift deck or carry all, he suggested we look around his yard. Instead, we found a reversible scoop. So, we unloaded the first one, loaded the second one, and I had to cough up a little more cash. Don't tell The Wife, but the load of chips we got is so full of sticks and twigs that the whole pile is essentially tied together and there's no way the scoop can really scoop up any chips. We tried. . . . The "arborist" said he was getting new blades for his chipper this week; he's scheduled to try to bring a load tomorrow if it's not raining.
I got a little distracted from workshop organizing when The Wife asked if the scoop I wanted for the tractor would help move the pile of mulch/chips we had dropped off last Friday. OF COURSE it would help! What kind of question was that? So, I spent much of today running down a 3 point scoop. A guy just up the road a few miles had one on Craigslist. Problem was, it wasn't set up to be reversed for push or pull. But the price was so good I decided I'd go get it anyway. When I asked if he had a lift deck or carry all, he suggested we look around his yard. Instead, we found a reversible scoop. So, we unloaded the first one, loaded the second one, and I had to cough up a little more cash. Don't tell The Wife, but the load of chips we got is so full of sticks and twigs that the whole pile is essentially tied together and there's no way the scoop can really scoop up any chips. We tried. . . . The "arborist" said he was getting new blades for his chipper this week; he's scheduled to try to bring a load tomorrow if it's not raining.