Carl's Small Farm workshop

[Carl_WI]

Over the last few years I have been building my workshop on my small farm. In the past over winter, I only fixed what really needed fixing out in the cold. That really effected my summers to be really busy and not enjoying the nice weather. I also have a diesel tractor ( Ford 4000 ) that I plow out the driveway with and if I did not plug it in the night before I could not get it started in the morning. Once started, the hydraulics took 20 minutes to start working. I needed a heated workshop!
Once I obtained the estimates, permits from the town, the bank financing, and the Wife’s blessing we started the build. This is a do it yourself project and I only hired an Electrician, Excavator, and the Cement crew.
I will start the pictures once I get the photobucket and picture size under control.

Carl_WI

My ride: 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee

 

[BuickFarmer]

I will start the pictures once I get the photobucket and picture size under control.[/COLOR][/FONT]

Carl_WI

My ride: 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Sounds like an interesting project. And I can empathize with you on cold hydraulics, luckily it had warmed up by the time I bored the holes for my barn or else the auger would have been jumping in and out of the hole like a jumping jack. (I have a Ford 2000) And good luck with figuring Photo Bucket out, just when I think I have it they jump back to BIG. Be sure to "refresh" before looking at them once you re-post any.
Look forward to your build.

 

[Carl_WI]

The Excavator started the project with tearing up the yard. We installed a water line at 7 ft., electrical and low voltage lines at 2’, across the driveway. We also replaced a drain line from the Barn to the catch bason as it was crushed.

You can see the trench across the driveway.

The S side of the foundation. We had to remove 3ft. of material to get to solid ground. Filled it in with pit run. This was a cow yard for the last 100 years so the soil was very rich in organic stuff.

Had to install drainage lines as the old cow yard drains towards the new building. Ran a tile with sock and backfilled with stone to catch the water.

The finished forms. We did not finish the E side as the cement truck needs to drive into the pour area.

Carl_WI

My ride: 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee

 

[madoc1]

wow. 7ft deep. sure must get cold up there.

 

[Carl_WI]

"wow. 7ft deep. sure must get cold up there."

I have had reports that the frost this last winter went down to 7 ft. in places. My water line goes across my driveway so it had to be deep as there is no snow to insulate it. I did not have any problems with my water this winter but my drain tile froze up and the basement would not drain. I had to install a sump pump. First time in 22 years that the tile froze. I did plow the snow over the tile line to push the snow on a pile. I guess next winter I will not do that in that location.

Carl

 

[Carl_WI]

I got a great price on cement at $85.00 /yard. The cement guy I hired got the price. Normally it would have been $106.00/yard. $2300.00 later we have a cement slab poured. The Workshop is 32' X 30'.

The dog's name is Bailey and is a mix between Border Collie and a Dalmatian. The neighbor's farm has the Dalmatian. She is a very smart and fast dog. She always brings varmints up to the house for us to see.

The slab has a ridge beam 12 inches thick with 2, 1/2 in rebars. We added fiberglass to the cement instead of steel. I also went 5 inches thick on the slab as I park the tractor in there in winter.

The finished slab.

 

[captain14]

I am going to Follow this build. What are you using for heat since you will be keeping the tractor inside? Two Overhead doors and at least one man door?

 

[captain14]

I am going to Follow this build. What are you using for heat since you will be keeping the tractor inside? Two Overhead doors and at least one man door?

 

[Carl_WI]

At the time of the build I was heating with #2 Corn. That’s why I have the bulk bin next to the new foundation. The corn burner (actually multi fuel burner) was removed and moved into the workshop. That lasted another two seasons as the corn price skyrocketed with ethanol production. Now I have a wood boiler in the shop. I heat the house from the shop and the shop is usually around 70 deg. all winter. I insulated the walls at R19 and the ceiling is blown in fiberglass at 16 inches deep. Probably better than my house.
The shop will have a 10' X10' insulated overhead door and a service door.

These are the PEX pipes that will cary the hot water to the house and grainery. I converted the grainery to a two car garage a few years back.

Carl-WI

 

[Carl_WI]

I wanted a 100A electrical subpanel in the workshop and the Electrician recommended that I upgrade the main service. The old service was installed in 1979 and it was a mess. Found out my 200A breaker that feeds the house was froze up. Took a small hammer to flip the breaker switch. We found that the gasket around the meter was leaking water into the service. All of my electrical wires are buried.

I ran a 2" conduit from the workshop to the electrical panel.

I hired a Hydro Excavator to dig out the electrical service and sink 2 holes 4' down for the new service. This was probably my best decision on the entire project.

I installed 2, 8' treated 4X6 and painted additional green stuff on the below ground half.

The panel on the left is a Cutler Hammer 200A industrial outdoor panel. We fed the 200A feed to the house, 100A feed to the Barn, and a 100A feed to the workshop. I also ran the backup generator feed to the workshop. We installed 2 new ground rods at this panel and the workshop sub panel.

Carl-WI

 

[Carl_WI]

We had a tree problem as it was in the way of the building. So we move it.

This machine is really awsome.

This tree is a special tree for me as I got it from a friend Keith, when he built his new garage. I dug it out when it was only 3 ft tall.

Carl_WI

 

[Carl_WI]

We now could start the framing.

The framing is finally done. Rich and I celebrated the event by proudly installing the American flag.

 

[Carl_WI]

The next step was the siding. The goal was to enclose the building before the snow started. We finished the roof and it snowed the next day.

I installed a metal halide dusk to dawn light so I could work evenings. This turned out to be difficult as your always working in your shadow.

When we were installing the last panels of steel on the roof we had 5 sheets leaning up on the roof. The bottom of the sheets were in the front end loader as it’s an easy way to get the sheets up to the roof. All of a sudden the wind picked up and the last 2 sheets went air born. That was like a flying food processor. I was grateful that nobody was hurt.

 

[BuickFarmer]

Great that you could save the tree.

Indeed, wind and tin don't go together. I was loading some 8 ft pieces from an old chicken house I was tearing down and the wind caught one , snatched it out of my hands and sailed it across the yard about 30 ft. It hit the wife of a friend who was helping me in the head. Luckily it didn't cut her but she saw stars.

What did you use to cut the tin along the truss?

Like the flag, I might have to add one to mine.

 

[BuickFarmer]

Looks like a nice old farmhouse in the background of one shot. Any chance of seeing pics of that?

 

[Carl_WI]

I will have to dig for some pics of the house. It was built in 1887. I am the 7th family to own the property. Before the neighbor lady passed she gave us a picture of her great Grandfather and family sitting on the porch. He was a Civil war vet. She also wrote down all of the families that lived on the property. This was a really neat discussion as she was in her upper 90ies. I think I have a digital of that picture from the late 1800’s. The pine trees were brought over from Germany and they are small in that picture. They now are over 60 ft and still going strong. We have so much history around us and it is really neat when you get to hear it.

 

[Carl_WI]

What did you use to cut the tin along the truss?

I used my skill saw with a metal cutting blade. Now that was an experience in itself cutting on the angle of the truss without getting bound up. It also is very noisy so hearing protection is a must. I marked the steel with a sharpie marker which I still could see working in the sun. I eventually burned up the skill saw cutting the metal but it sure worked the best. I dug out my Fathers old skill saw after that. It was a very old Black & Decker saw. Before they cheapened them up. I am still using that saw.

 

[BuickFarmer]

I will have to dig for some pics of the house. It was built in 1887. I am the 7th family to own the property. Before the neighbor lady passed she gave us a picture of her great Grandfather and family sitting on the porch. He was a Civil war vet. She also wrote down all of the families that lived on the property. This was a really neat discussion as she was in her upper 90ies. I think I have a digital of that picture from the late 1800’s. The pine trees were brought over from Germany and they are small in that picture. They now are over 60 ft and still going strong. We have so much history around us and it is really neat when you get to hear it.

Look forward to seeing the pics when you have time to dig them out. The pine trees from Germany, are they like a white pine, fir or ?

I used my skill saw with a metal cutting blade. Now that was an experience in itself cutting on the angle of the truss without getting bound up. It also is very noisy so hearing protection is a must. I marked the steel with a sharpie marker which I still could see working in the sun. I eventually burned up the skill saw cutting the metal but it sure worked the best. I dug out my Fathers old skill saw after that. It was a very old Black & Decker saw. Before they cheapened them up. I am still using that saw.

That's what I usually use too, an old B&D but with a regular old wood saw blade running backwards. And you're dang sure right about the noise.

 

[48fordnut]

Long live the Dairy State.Nice build, and love the story.

 

[Carl_WI]

Look forward to seeing the pics when you have time to dig them out. The pine trees from Germany, are they like a white pine, fir or ?

I have been looking in the photo archive and I guess I will have to get the camera out and take some. I have to identify the pine trees and will get them in a photo.

Locally we have the last of a long term farmer being squeezed....

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014..._hangs_on.html

Very interesting article. I have seen so many small farms being taken over by urban sprawl. We have a few farmers in this area that border the city and they continue to farm.

 

[Carl_WI]

I have the grain bin auger going into the shop and I installed the stainless steel 8" chimney. This is for the multi-fuel Boiler.

The Multi-fuel boiler and the new Wood boiler not yet hooked up. I will need another year to get going in cutting wood and wood boiler hookup. Getting the insulation in. Used R19 in the walls.

The Hay wagon has many uses.

I ran 2 data ( Cat 5e ), phone, and TV into the shop. I have a 1.5" Low voltage conduit to the house at about 180 ft. The uper electrical boxes are for the TV.

 

[Carl_WI]

Looks like a nice old farmhouse in the background of one shot. Any chance of seeing pics of that?

Here is the house. Built in 1887. Last weekend we started the deck remodel/upgrade/repair. The deck is about 18 years old and is starting to show it. I have a few deck boards to replace and installing the roof over the deck. Hopefully later this summer I can get a coat of paint on the house. The bench is from my Grand Father. I remember it from when I was very young. When I picked it up I had to replace all of the wood and paint the metal. It is nice sitting there in the evening, with a beer!

Notice the snow shovel is still on the deck. Maybe it is time to put it away for a few months. You just never know when we will get a few inches in Wisconsin. I will be installing lattice on top of the 2 x 6 beams for shade. I also am going to install lights.

These are the evergreen trees that came from Germany. They are Fir trees. I will post the old 1900 ish picture and the show the trees when they were young. This is my front yard. In the heat of summer it’s about 10 deg cooler under there. Good place to hang out.

 

[Sunbimmer]

Nice place you got there

 

[Ajustable]

There is nothing quite as nice as an old farm stead, I just sold mine, very similar to yours. we farmed the land for 30 years. but had to move, darn. The barn photo in my avatar is the barn on the old property. I took the shot at night after we finished milking the cows. Your place makes me want an old 1880's farm house again.

This is a great build thread, I will be following it, keep up the posts and pics.
Chris

 

[Carl_WI]

In all of my projects the drywall is the worst part. It’s heavy, dirty, and allot of work. I priced out steel and the ceiling would have been $540.00. Drywall cost $124.00 plus mudding and paint. If I was to do it over I still do not think I would spend the money for steel. Notice the 2 x 6 across the wall. This will be for a loft above the firewood storage.

The garage door is a 10 x 10 foot insulated overhead door. I also included an attic access hole.

My new hobby/exercise program. Firewood. I went around the bottom wall with 3/4 inch OSB. I painted it with a light gray porch paint, I did not think the drywall would hold up. I went around the entire building with OSB.

I am able to store 6 cord of wood for burning. This is really nice when we have a blizzard outside and I have to stoke the fire. I also have 2 hay wagons full of cut wood for restocking in March.

 

[captain14]

Carl

In post #22 you show a wood bench at the right of the deck. Can you
Post some closeups of that. I am thinking of putting a small bench at my front door that would replace the railing at the top of the landing. Can you post the seat depth and seat height from the floor? If you built it today, what would you do different (i.e.. bigger?)

Thanks. I have enjoyed your build and photos.

 

[Kevin54]

Carl......very nice place for sure, and nice history to it. On your pergola, if you put lattice on top, you may also want to think about some shade cloth. ANd if you get any sun coming in from one side, think about dropping some shade cloth down there also. It really helps. That's why a lot of nurseries use it so it doesn't burn the plants.

 

[Carl_WI]

Here is the house around 1900. Not really sure of the exact date. When I "bought the farm" you could hardly see the house as it was very overgrown. I hired my Nephew, he cleaned up the yard and it took him all summer. My parents thought I was crazy for purchasing this place. On the right side of the picture are the Fur trees. We still have the front door with that door in the picture. We considered restoring the porch but the new enclosed porch is really nice. That was installed in 1949.

 

[Carl_WI]

In post #22 you show a wood bench at the right of the deck. Can you
Post some closeups of that. I am thinking of putting a small bench at my front door that would replace the railing at the top of the landing. Can you post the seat depth and seat height from the floor? If you built it today, what would you do different (i.e.. bigger?)

The bench is made from pre made frames I purchased from the lumber yard.
From the deck to the front of the bench is 16 inches high.
The backrest height is 20 inches. I cut it down to fit the railing behind it.
The only issue is if you lean back your head hits the railing. Should have not done that but it looks better.This bench is great for putting on your shoes. I always take them off when I am doing the farming thing and need to go in. I stay out of trouble that way. It’s also great to set things on when you unlock the door.

 

[BuickFarmer]

WOW, thanks for sharing Carl, I will share with my wife. She is an arborist and will appreciate this picture. I assume it is framed and hanging in a special place?

Here is the house around 1900. Not really sure of the exact date. When I "bought the farm" you could hardly see the house as it was very overgrown. I hired my Nephew, he cleaned up the yard and it took him all summer. My parents thought I was crazy for purchasing this place. On the right side of the picture are the Fur trees. We still have the front door with that door in the picture. We considered restoring the porch but the new enclosed porch is really nice. That was installed in 1949.

 

[NaturallyAspirated]

Cool build!

 

[Carl_WI]

WOW, thanks for sharing Carl, I will share with my wife. She is an arborist and will appreciate this picture. I assume it is framed and hanging in a special place?

We have a hallway in the house with family pictures and on the other side are Arial farm pictures and this one is in the middle. It always sparks conversion with visitors.

 

[Carl_WI]

We painted the shop a light blue on the ceiling and walls. The OSB will be light gray and along the outlets will be Ford blue.
This is the location where my work bench will go and cabinet’s underneath. I plan on 26 ft of workbench.

This is the corner TV stand. I used 1x6 pine boards for the molding. I am cutting in the outlets in this molding. If I could do it over I would not do it this way. The OSB is 3/4 inch and the drywall is 1/2 inch on the walls. There is a difference by a 1/4 inch between the two. I used the Dato blades in the table saw to cut a rabbit on the backside of the molding to compensate for this. It was allot of extra work, I should have set the outlets 6 inches higher.

This is where my welding table will go. I have a 50A outlet for my Lincoln AC/DC stick welder. The 2 outlets are 20A on there own breaker.

Painting OSB board is quite the process. I started with a primer for OSB then 2 coats of gray. I still have places where it looks thin and needs another coat of paint.

 

[Carl_WI]

The loft is in and I can get 4 cords of wood underneith. The loft is 15 x 8 and 6ft high so I can walk under without hitting my head. I want to build the loft with walls and shelves.

 

[captain14]

Carl,

Thanks for the photos of the front bench and dimensions. I will have to see what will fit out on the front porch area.

 

[southalabama]

Love the historic photos. A sense of history is important.

Keep posting pics.

 

[Modern Jess]

Here is the house around 1900.

That's awesome! I love seeing old photos of places that still exist. Even better would be if you went out and tried to find the spot where they took that picture, and take one of your own from the same spot.

 

[Carl_WI]

The slop sink went in. It was not an easy project. The wife suggested that we put the new sink in the house and I get the old one. So after replacing the mud room slop sink in the house I installed the old one in the shop. Since this picture was taken I removed the hose reel and put in a metal hose hanger. This hose reel is too small of hose for any serious spraying. I installed it in the wife's greenhouse workshop. The pipe and valve above the sink feeds the water line going to the garden. In fall I blow out the water and close the valve.

 

[Carl_WI]

Before I could start to build the work bench I needed to get my compound miter box under control. I built a portable bench for it. The drawers are from a king size water bed. The only thing I purchased were the wheels. This sure beats cutting on the floor. This saw even has a laser. I always wanted a laser as yeare ago I seen Norm had one on "This old house".

 

[Grizzly Guy]

Great looking building for sure.Anything you can put wheels under,in my experience,you won't be sorry.Love the history of Your property.
The garage/shop we built in 2009,resembles yours,except ours has a electric boiler that heats the infloor.I still don't have enough room.