Carl's Small Farm workshop

[Carl_WI]

Started the repair of the hot water pipe that feeds the house and grainery. It took me a few hours to uncover them. There used to be an outside multi-fuel burner and the pipes were extended when I built the shop. This last winter I had a pump fail and the boiler turned into a steam engine and burst the outgoing PEX just under the cement. I put in a splice and wrapped it with an old blanket and a bale of straw for the rest of the winter.

The black pipe has two one inch PEX pipes inside wrapped in insulation. The one that goes to the house is 170 ft long. The temperature drops 1 deg by the time it gets to my water heater heat exchanger.

 

[Carl_WI]

While I was digging in gravel I decided to fix the downspout drain. When I built the shop I goofed up and was 12 inches off. I dug down about 2 1/2 ft and cut off the 4" PVC pipe.

I glued up two 45's.

A few shovels full of gravel and it's done.

Next year I will have seamless gutters installed.

 

[Carl_WI]

This is when I laid out the drain pipe before the pit run was put in. I pitched the pipe at 1/4 inch / 10ft

The string was my reference line for the workshop.

 

[captain14]

I know you want to get the outside and ground digging finished soon for the year. One of the other thread here said they were calling for flurries tonight in his part of Wisconsin.

Did you get all the firewood into the shop yet. That's where the boiler is right?

 

[Carl_WI]

I know you want to get the outside and ground digging finished soon for the year. One of the other thread here said they were calling for flurries tonight in his part of Wisconsin.

Did you get all the firewood into the shop yet. That's where the boiler is right?

It only got down into the 40's so no snow yet. We still did not get our first frost. I live 1.5 miles West from lake Michigan so I am in a buffer zone. We are always about 2 weeks later. I will be picking up the parts on Monday for the underground repairs. That is a priority project as the cold is on its way.

I have been logging every weekend so I am not quite finished hauling wood. I will not start burning wood until end of November. I am half done with the wood in the workshop and yes my wood boiler is in the shop.

This load was from this last Saturday morning. Started to rain around 11am.

I used this picture on Facebook and said "A sandwich and an RC, Life is good!"

Summer sausage and a slice of raw onion on wheat bread.

 

[Carl_WI]

Added a new heating zone on the boiler. I am reconfiguring the High temp zone in the workshop. This zone is set to automatically turn on at 190 deg. It will take the temp down to 180 deg. I also have a thermostat hooked in if I need extra heat in the shop.

This weekend I will be splicing in new PEX tubing outside the shop.

 

[captain14]

How many zones can your boiler accommodate? I am not really familiar with your system since there are not that many in my area. I do know of one family that uses it.

 

[scrapdaddy]

I've been following along and just want to say, what a great place you have. I can appreciate all work you guys do, also. We raise meat goats and have a few Llamas, just for the aggravation! ( you know I'm right ).

I've always heated with wood and for years had a wood furnace in the walkout basement. Bring in 3 wheelbarrows of split wood every couple days. Come to find out, I was bringing in a lot of Brown Recluse spiders, hiding in the wood. Very hard to get rid of, once they are in the house. We now have an outside furnace and leave all the critters outside too.

I don't know if you have those up in your state, but something to think about.

Keep up the good work and sell the Llamas, we've had ours for @ 18 years, they just won't die!

 

[Carl_WI]

The pipe that was spliced last winter that burst from overheating.

I replaced both splices and pipe to the workshop.

The coupler up close. I used high temp silicone to help seal the joint.

Inside the shop. I just need to connect the PEX pipe.

This pipe is $5.00 /ft. I replaced 28ft of pipe. That was an expensive pump failure last year. I will be adding a backup to the High Temp zone. I will wire in an aqua stat in the house to turn the fan on at 195 deg. The normal operating temp is set to 180 deg. The High Temp zone kicks in at 190 deg in the shop.

 

[Carl_WI]

How many zones can your boiler accommodate?

The boiler is a 200K BTU boiler. I have 3 zones on it now and eventually will add the garage /woodshop. That's the 2 copper stubs. It really depends on how much square footage you want to heat. I am heating 24K square feet and I have room to spare on the boiler.
My garage /woodshop is a long many year project. I made the old grainery into a 2 car garage. I had to raise the floor by 3 feet. Above the garage is a 21 x 30 space with a new floor. Now I use it for storage.

 

[Carl_WI]

Keep up the good work and sell the Llamas, we've had ours for @ 18 years, they just won't die!

I never had goat meat. Sounds interesting. This fall I will be digging a hole so I can fit a Llama in it and a hole for a sheep. I will cover them with old boards just in case we need to bury one or hopefully two. We started with the Llamas 18 years ago for the kids to show in 4H. What a great experience for my kids and we hung out with many new friends. Now that both kids are moved out and married I am stuck with the Llamas. I guess they are ok, I can walk up to them in the pasture and mess with them and yes you are correct.

 

[Carl_WI]

The best part of the project! Miller time for the pain.

 

[Carl_WI]

[QUOTEI don't know if you have those up in your state, but something to think about.][/QUOTE]

We do not have Brown Recluse spiders here but I here they are in Illinois. Hopefully too cold for them up here in Wisconsin. I do not haul any wood into the house but in the shop I store 6+ cord of wood. My biggest issue are Black Ants. The big ones that like to nest in wood. I have a can of spray handy if I see them. This last weekend I cut into a old Oak tree and found a nest of Black Ants. I let that chunk there in the woods.

 

[Carl_WI]

After completing the connections and flushing the system I am holding at 15 psi for a day and a half. I let the pumps run including the high temp zone. Before I start a fire I will decrease the pressure to 10 psi.

The temp of 75 deg is from my water heater heat exchanger. It is working backwards as I have no fire in the boiler. When I am not burning wood the water heater runs on propane.

 

[AHotRod]

Very well done Carl !
Glenn

 

[sublime68charger]

Nice build and place you have.

Love the old ford I have a 54 jubliee my grandpa bought new

Also first tractor I drove was a wd 45

 

[Carl_WI]

Fish in the workshop

I had these fish in the greenhouse aquaponics system but there was ice in the tank and the fish were a little slow. I saved a tomato plant and will make up a system in the shop over winter.

I noticed that fish eyes glow in the dark like deer. This is a good thing as I will be able to see them while driving...

 

[sublime68charger]

just noticed your a volley FF,

just wondering how many miles away from the station due you live?

respond direct to the scene or have to go to the station?

I'm on Dodgeville Fire Department live 7 miles away and make last truck out the door from home.

what's your engine 32# specs?



for ten years though I lived 5 blocks away and was a regular first engine out the door then.

 

[captain14]

Re: Fish in the workshop

I had these fish in the greenhouse aquaponics system but there was ice in the tank and the fish were a little slow. I saved a tomato plant and will make up a system in the shop over winter.

I noticed that fish eyes glow in the dark like deer. This is a good thing as I will be able to see them while driving...

So do you have to drive under water to see them? Or do they stay near the surface?

 

[Carl_WI]

just noticed your a volley FF,

just wondering how many miles away from the station due you live?
About 1 mile.

respond direct to the scene or have to go to the station?
I respond direct to the station. If I get there fast enough I get to drive the first truck out. If I am at work I go direct to the scene.

I'm on Dodgeville Fire Department live 7 miles away and make last truck out the door from home.

what's your engine 32# specs?
Engine is a Pierce and holds 2000 gal water. It's about 24 years old and we purchased it from New York a few years ago. That truck was at the 911 event.

I have been very active on the Haven Fire Dept. for 16 years. If I were to start over, I would do it again. It's great to help your community out when things go bad.
My most memorable moment was at a rollover accident. We laid out the entire family on the road to care for them. I was blocking the sun for a young boy and we talked. He asked how his parents were doing and looking over at his parents I told him that they are being taken care of by the best Firemen around and not to worry. I really connected with that boy that day. This usually does not happen as the rescue goes very fast and there is no time to connect with people.

 

[sublime68charger]

thanks for the replay nice looking engine. boy if that was at 9/11 it has some history right there. 2 years ago I got to visit Rescue 5 that is touring the country for 9/11 awareness

thanks for sharing.

from one volley to another Stay Safe and stay Warm!!

 

[Carl_WI]

Here are some pictures of my Forge.
I built it back in 2001 after I took some Blacksmithing classes. I call it my Fryer Forge. In the Forge is a leaver off of my hay bailer. I bent it when the hay pickup got caught on cement and I was pulling it out of the barn.

I used an old propane fryer and added fire brick. I also had to reinforce the base as it is fairly heavy. The hand crank blower I found on EBay for $60.00.

Pounding it straight on the anvil. I did add some temper into it once I got it straightened out.

All painted up and ready to install.

An acetylene torch only heats up so much so the forge comes in handy when the thick stuff gets bent.

 

[sublime68charger]

Looks good.

What model of Baler you have?

 

[Carl_WI]

What model of Baler you have?

It's a 1969 Ford (red) bailer. I purchased it 10 years ago for $150.00. I do about 1500 bales a year with it depending on crop rotation.

 

[Carl_WI]

I uploaded a video of the bailer in action. Bailing July 2013. It's a little jumpy as I was on the wagon.

I am currently looking for a newer bailer, Small Square. When I was bailing straw this summer the transmission shaft broke and it did not go well. It's not worth fixing and good for parts.


Carl_WI

 

[Tronyadorable]

The pines look like P. Cembra. A white pine for lumber in You_rope.
For photo reduction pre-Photobucket.
https://imageresizer.codeplex.com/

Or online
About as simple as they get. Works well.
http://www.picresize.com/

 

[Carl_WI]

Look what Santa brought! It's a mig-140 by Real Gear. I walked into the welding store and purchased the welder, cart and a auto darkening helmet. I then asked about the Argon gas program. They want you to purchase a new tank and then just exchange them when you need a refill. I had a small oxygen tank that I have not used in many years so I traded that in. Saved me $200.00.

Finally got to do some practice welds. My first welds since High school shop class on a wire welder. I need to practice a whole bunch more. I also messed around with wire speed and amperage and how fast to travel across the steel. Found the sweet sound of the bacon sizzling.

My next project is a welding table. I have been searching GJ and found a number of tables that have been made. Time to start looking for steel. I also want to have an adjustable light on the table so I can see the welding process better. Any idea on how much light is too much as I am sure the auto darkening lenses will be affected.

 

[sublime68charger]

boy you must have been extra good this last year to get a present like that!!!!

enjoy

sublime out

 

[Carl_WI]

I finally got some wrench time in on my Daughter’s GMC Sonoma truck.

Her alternator went bad. As she was driving the voltage went from 14 v to 12 v and her battery went dead. I put my meter on it and gave it a tap with the hammer and back to 14 volt. I had it tested and it came back as a good unit. I replaced it.

I had to watch a U tube video on how to get it out. Ended up using a pry bar to get it out of the mounts. New battery and alternator and she is good to go.

 

[Carl_WI]

Now that the field work is finished, we are starting a new project. I will be adding a lean-too to the west side of the workshop. I already purchased the steel and wood. The lean-too will be 29 ft. wide and will go out 16ft. One thing I did not buy were the 3 posts that hold up the structure. In the township there is road construction which means that they are moving power poles. I know a farmer that lives on that road and he snagged 3 poles for me. This save me about $150.00 on the project. I just have to go over and pick them up.
I am also installing a 4 ft. sliding door. The main reason for the lean-too is fire wood storage. I want to store one year of wood under there and be one year ahead of the burning season. That will give me two years of wood in November. Last winter I burned about 10 cord of wood. That may sound like allot of wood but I get allot of softwood for free so it takes more. Hopefully I can get 25 cord hauled in by November. I already have about 6 cord home and 5 trees down in the woods.

I have to remove the topsoil and replace with gravel. There is a slight slope that I need to fill in. I have a buried dranage tile that I will extend for the rain gutter.

 

[Bassfishing54]

Being a fairly new member, this is the first time I came across your thread. Very impressed by your shop!

I agree on the firewood workout and having 2 years supply. We keep about 10 cords of wood ready, but we only burn between 4-5 cords during the winter. That handles our 2400 sq ft home, using a wood stove. My wife loves a fire and likes it warm, so if it were not mild here this 64 year old would be worn out cutting and splitting wood! Thank goodness for mild winters!

Thanks for sharing!
Glenn

 

[Carl_WI]

Home Depot had a 20% off sale on their oak kitchen cabinets so I picked some up and installed them.

Gave them a paint job and installed. The 3 cabinets and one sheet of 3/4 plywood and a sheet of oil board was about $300.00.

I also extended the water line to the wood boiler so I can install an auto fill device to the system.

I have since removed the auger out of the wall on the far side of the bench. This was used for a multi fuel boiler. I now only burn wood and removed the Multi fuel boiler.

 

[Carl_WI]

Picked up a Craftsman 109 metal lathe. After going through it it needs to be torn down and needs a few mods.

I disassembled the entire lathe and painted it.

Started to reassemble it. I want to get it running first before I make it better. I will be modifying the tool post assembly to make it tighter. I do not think there is much use on this one as it is very tight.

 

[Carl_WI]

Over Memorial weekend I dug 2 holes one on each side of the 10ft door for 3in steel posts. Digging 2 1/2 feet down in pit run was no easy task.

I will fill them with concrete to stiffen them up. Hopefully this will prevent me from smashing into the shop.

 

[pitterpat]

Over Memorial weekend I dug 2 holes one on each side of the 10ft door for 3in steel posts. Digging 2 1/2 feet down in pit run was no easy task.

I will fill them with concrete to stiffen them up. Hopefully this will prevent me from smashing into the shop.

Carl,

Nice work. Just finished read your entire thread.

Funny story that has to do with your posts at the door. Many years ago we got a new sidewalk poured at our house. We lived on a corner with an alley running right next to our house. The garbage truck would come down this alley to get the trash, at the end they would turn right. The first time we had trash pick-up after the new concrete sidewalk the trash truck turned right and ran over the corner of the sidewalk and cracked it. My dad being a man of the depression was really mad. Anyway he got a post put it in like you did, filled it with concrete and the garbage truck never ran over our sidewalk. About a year or so later my brother left to go to work at night, we heard a bang and by the time we got up to look out nothing was there. Next morning we looked out at my brother's Chevelle, there was a dent in it the same color as the pole was painted. LOL , he always denied he hit that pole but we knew he did when he backed into the alley to turn his car around.

 

[Carl_WI]

That is a good story about the post. I really enjoy stories with allot of history behind them.

 

[Bigbandguy]

Enjoyed your thread. I got a chuckle back near the beginning where you mentioned that your dog is a cross between a Border Collie and a Dalmatian. Glad your dog got the BC's smarts instead of those of the Dalmatian. I had a Dalmatian years ago who was a great combination of stubborn and really really dumb. I'm on my third BC and they are like having another person in the house. Yours sounds like a nice combination of smarts and speed.

 

[Carl_WI]

It's been a while since I posted here. I spent the summer fixing the entrance to the barn. That was a project that started with a text from the wife. She texted, "Get the Aquaponics system started up I have 100 Fish on their way" Years ago I converted the milk house into a green house and we are in the 4th year of having an aquaponics system in there. It’s a small system with a 70 gal tank with two grow beds. It did not take long to realize that 100 fish in a 70 gal tank won’t cut it for long. If the fish do not have enough room they won’t grow like they should. So now you know the story behind the project and how it started. I first got the system up and running and got 25 gallons of fish water from another aquaponics system to start the bacteria in the bio beds.
In about a few weeks the system was up and running and plants planted in the beds.

Now I started looking at what I can do to expand the system and consider a more commercial type system. On the other side of the wall is a room that has the water hydrant in there and a drain that goes to a septic system in front of the green house. After accessing the building I needed to make a few repairs and do some demolition.

Here is the room with the brick wall removed so we can get into the greenhouse. This is where I will locate the 250gal tank, filter, and bio tank. Allot of work needs to be done.

 

[Carl_WI]

The issue on the entrance was that over time water got in and started rotting the wall and roof. The concrete started breaking up and started to sink. This allowed the rain water to run into the building. We jacked up the roof and removed the overhead door and the rest of the wall.

The next thing was to install a 4x8 X14ft beam to support the roof.

We removed the old footing and poured a new one across the entrance.

The next step is to frame out a concrete wall on top of the footing.

 

[Carl_WI]

Got the concrete wall framed out and rebar installed. I installed a post in the middle of the wall so I could remove all of the bracing that supported the roof while the beam was installed.

Poured the wall. I mixed 8 cement mixer loads. Added threaded rod for the new wall.

Framed out the new wall and cleaned up the area. I added in gravel to get the water to run away from the building.

Started installing the steel. The door is 4ft wide. I will be installing a double door.