Above 1200 Sq/FT Out on Quaker Road

[jblnut]

So much for surfing the bucket. Spoilsport

I’ve done that before and it is quite a bit more exciting than you’d think !!!

Mike, looks like a lot of neat projects getting done as usual. It all looks great. For the under-stairs storage, I just got a look at my siblings new drawer they have under their basement steps. They used slides rather than casters but same concept: invisible storage. Worked rather slick.

Well let’s be honest. Lots of neat projects getting started …. I have at least four I can think of that need to be finished before I “should” start another. I gotta get the wood cutting table/trailer done, stairs rail wood planed and sized up, loft sealed up with foam and insulation and I can’t think of the fourth thing but I know it’s there …..

Under stairs storage will likely get updated sometime but not this winter. I think it’ll work well !! The slides are an interesting idea that I’ll have to give some thought to ……

 

[cvairwerks]

Need to modify one of these to mount on the tractor to take care of those pesky treelines....

 

[82355]

Any trees near your new pivot?

Martin

 

[jblnut]

Any trees near your new pivot?

Martin

Yes lots. We mowed a few down already but plan to go after a bunch more at some point. None of them are really hindering how far it can go but we will gain some ground with them gone. Plus they won’t be sucking valuable moisture out if they’re on the firewood pile.

 

[cvairwerks]

On slabbing the trunks....you might be able to turn some bucks offering them to area woodworking guys and gals......

 

[jblnut]

Firewood cutting trailer progress !! We got all the floor joists in place and secured. Some good ol’ heavy Douglas Fir 2x8’s. They were brisket boards in the old dairy barn so they’re good and “seasoned”


Once we got it flipped over the little dude and I got a bunch of the floor on before Mama Bear called us in for lunch.


After lunch Miss Lily and I finished it. Complete with saw holders at each end so I don’t have to set them on the ground or on the table.


She wanted to show off her chainsaw skills and was making chainsaw noises at the top of her lungs. I couldn’t resist taking a picture of that !!

 

[jblnut]

On slabbing the trunks....you might be able to turn some bucks offering them to area woodworking guys and gals......

I’ve spoken with a few guys that do some things for the church and offered them some lumber to make/repair things in church in the coming years. It’d be neat to use wood from the same property.

My Dad does some amazing things with wood and I volunteered him to build a few things to give away at some of the fundraiser events that are put on for church and school.

I don’t think I’d sell any of it considering where it’s from but if I do I’d likely donate the money back.

Thinking more about the stump chunks ……. I think one or multiple will make amazing end table pieces around the fancy dancy fire pit deal Mama Bear is dreaming up. Either that or they can heat the house in a few years

 

[jblnut]

Last tree of the 9 fell like a brick today !! T’was rotten and hollow and a good thing we fell it. I did a conventional face cut and a bore cut after as it was rotten and leaning heavily. It worked out great !!


This hill doesn’t look that steep but the skiddy struggled to keep its footing

 

[jblnut]

Time to start building the top rail assembly for the newly tinned shop stairs. Pops and I gathered a dozen nice home sawn oak boards off his pile and set up the planer.


With a couple passes they really start to show us what they’ll look like !!


Ooooooh yeah this is going to be a nice looking railing when done !!


That right there is the LeRoy stick. It does something important.


Next step is to get a straight edge on each board. A track saw makes short work of this !!


Three cans of shavings today. Twas a good day



May as well capture the heat out of all the oak I can !! This stuff obviously burns pretty quick but those three cans heated the property for a few hours so I’ll call it a win !!

 

[Finallygotit]

Better in the boiler than anywhere else.

 

[drivesitfar]

Love to watch milled lumber show its colors after being planed!! Since yo have so much wood I found another use for shavings. I put down some weed felt over our planting areas and throw shavings on top for great weed control. Then we add compost (you’ve got more than your fair share of the good stuff) to the garden and plant away. We like big heirloom and sun gold cherry tomatoes, lemon cucumbers, basil, peppers, beans, red beets, carrots and whatever else we deem useful.

Happy new year and keep up the great work.

 

[BORING HOP YARD]

FWIW I always have a garbage can of shavings in my shop to use as floor sweep. I prefer it to cat litter.

 

[jblnut]

Better in the boiler than anywhere else.

We’ve put them in the chicken barn before as a place to get rid of them but this was closer at the time so in they went !! May as well make some hot water out of them.

Love to watch milled lumber show its colors after being planed!! Since yo have so much wood I found another use for shavings. I put down some weed felt over our planting areas and throw shavings on top for great weed control. Then we add compost (you’ve got more than your fair share of the good stuff) to the garden and plant away. We like big heirloom and sun gold cherry tomatoes, lemon cucumbers, basil, peppers, beans, red beets, carrots and whatever else we deem useful.

Happy new year and keep up the great work.

Putting them in the garden as weed control is a neat idea for sure. We’re going to try to do a better job with the garden this year. Last year we had a few tomatoes plants and a few green peppers. I’d love to have a few more items but it all takes so much time !!

Thanks for stopping by Drives. I look forward to your posts and you’ve been here since The beginning. On Jan 17th this thread will have its 10th birthday. That’s bonkers.

FWIW I always have a garbage can of shavings in my shop to use as floor sweep. I prefer it to cat litter.

Do you put the shavings down to absorb spills or put them down when sweeping to keep the dust down ? I like the idea for either actually. We’ll have more shavings soon so I may try them for both.

I wonder how absorbent red oak shavings are ? We usually use kiln dried pine shavings in the chicken barn when the chickens are in the barn in trouble spots. They work very well.

 

[RickP]

Do you put the shavings down to absorb spills or put them down when sweeping to keep the dust down ? I like the idea for either actually. We’ll have more shavings soon so I may try them for both.

I use sawdust for hydraulic oil spills all the time -- applied once right away, and then again to soak up a puddle of degreaser. Works like a champ!

 

[BORING HOP YARD]

I do the same as RickP, I also use it for floor sweep to help with getting Bondo dust off the floor.
I have used different species of wood and wet and dry.
If it's wet, I just leave the lid open off to the side to let the moisture out, my shop is heated so it doesn't seem to take long to dry out.
Cat litter gets ground into a dust that gets spread every ware when walking on it, the wood doesn't turn to dust.
As always, thank you for sharing!

 

[drivesitfar]

Keep up the great work. Also I forgot to add that each spring I pull the cedar shavings off the weed felt and put into a couple extra plastic bins (or garbage cans) and use again the following year. If they are super wet I might spread them out on a tarp or sidewalk to dry out a bit but I don’t think I’ll ever just turn them into our garden soil.

Here’s to another great year on the good side of dirt!!

 

[jblnut]

I use sawdust for hydraulic oil spills all the time -- applied once right away, and then again to soak up a puddle of degreaser. Works like a champ!

Well I’m going to have to try some shavings out for oil spots !! I can’t believe I’ve never thought of that before !

I do the same as RickP, I also use it for floor sweep to help with getting Bondo dust off the floor.
I have used different species of wood and wet and dry.
If it's wet, I just leave the lid open off to the side to let the moisture out, my shop is heated so it doesn't seem to take long to dry out.
Cat litter gets ground into a dust that gets spread every ware when walking on it, the wood doesn't turn to dust.
As always, thank you for sharing!

Using wood as a sweeping compound is a great idea. I’ll definitely be giving it a try next time I sweep the shop out. Not making dusty powder like floor dry or cat litter wood be amazing !! I bet slightly wetted shavings would work amazing for a sweeping compound. Makes a guy think

Keep up the great work. Also I forgot to add that each spring I pull the cedar shavings off the weed felt and put into a couple extra plastic bins (or garbage cans) and use again the following year. If they are super wet I might spread them out on a tarp or sidewalk to dry out a bit but I don’t think I’ll ever just turn them into our garden soil.

Here’s to another great year on the good side of dirt!!

I think cedar is rather rot resistant so no need to toss it unless it looks bad I guess !!

Looking at the grass from the green side is always a good thing !!

 

[jblnut]

Miss Lily and I started fabbing mounts to hang the giant sign we snuck home from a seed corn trip to Cancun last winter. The plan was to use magnets with spacers screwed to their backs so as not to poke holes in the tin.


Holy **** that looks cool. It took four of us sticking pieces into our luggage to get it all home

 

[jblnut]

More progress on the top railing !! Pops worked on it over the weekend while I did little people things like playing Simpsons Monopoly and then watching a few episodes because they didn’t know what the Simpsons were. I felt like a failure as a parent


Oh heck yes !! I think I like it !!


Now picture it this color.

 

[drivesitfar]

just curious how Pops put together the hand rail? it looks like a 1x5 (ish) with 2 1x2's on each side, but i can't see any nails or screws. Oh yea it looks amazing as does your sign. had to laugh on how you got it shipped back to Minnie Soda. I wanted to buy some tools from Europe a few years ago and it was almost cheaper to fly over with an empty suitcase to haul it back.

just me, but I love a lighter stain on my hardwoods, but your stuff is your color is a rule to live by.

 

[Boostingaz]

just curious how Pops put together the hand rail? it looks like a 1x5 (ish) with 2 1x2's on each side, but i can't see any nails or screws. Oh yea it looks amazing as does your sign. had to laugh on how you got it shipped back to Minnie Soda. I wanted to buy some tools from Europe a few years ago and it was almost cheaper to fly over with an empty suitcase to haul it back.

just me, but I love a lighter stain on my hardwoods, but your stuff is your color is a rule to live by.

Looks like he's got a pocket screw bit in that one drill. The 1x2 are on the outside so probably pocket screwed them to the side through the face board. My guess.

 

[jblnut]

just curious how Pops put together the hand rail? it looks like a 1x5 (ish) with 2 1x2's on each side, but i can't see any nails or screws. Oh yea it looks amazing as does your sign. had to laugh on how you got it shipped back to Minnie Soda. I wanted to buy some tools from Europe a few years ago and it was almost cheaper to fly over with an empty suitcase to haul it back.

just me, but I love a lighter stain on my hardwoods, but your stuff is your color is a rule to live by.

It’ll be lighter than the pic I posted. Don’t remember the name of the stain but it’s a golden walnut something something or another. I’m going to pick some up from the guy that built our kitchen cabinets this morning. Mama Bear has a few things she wants constructed for the house and we’ll stain it all the same.

Looks like he's got a pocket screw bit in that one drill. The 1x2 are on the outside so probably pocket screwed them to the side through the face board. My guess.

Yup. Kreg Jig. Best woodworking invention since the handsaw.


Pocket holes for the win!!

 

[Boostingaz]

Pocket jigs/holes and CA glue truly are the best two inventions!

If you wanted to get crazy, just send it from the outside in a countersunk hole and make some wood plugs in a contrasting color. So if you go dark stain go back and bang in some maple or the like plugs. A little contrast is always nice in my book

But I do love hidden fasteners, much much cleaner. Almost, almost, makes it look like we actually know what we're doing and not so DIY

He may have already done so, can't tell from the photo, but my only other suggestion would be to hit the top two edges with a round over of some sort. That sharp edge is more likely to dent, chip, splinter, snag you etc.

Very nice lumber, jealous.

 

[jblnut]

Pocket jigs/holes and CA glue truly are the best two inventions!

If you wanted to get crazy, just send it from the outside in a countersunk hole and make some wood plugs in a contrasting color. So if you go dark stain go back and bang in some maple or the like plugs. A little contrast is always nice in my book

But I do love hidden fasteners, much much cleaner. Almost, almost, makes it look like we actually know what we're doing and not so DIY

He may have already done so, can't tell from the photo, but my only other suggestion would be to hit the top two edges with a round over of some sort. That sharp edge is more likely to dent, chip, splinter, snag you etc.

Very nice lumber, jealous.

The contrasting plugs thing is a neat idea. Mama Bear wants a shelf for the house built so maybe we'll have to give that a shot !!

We talked about a 1/8" radius but I decided to hit it aggressively with a 60 grit block and then with a 120 grit block to knock it down without actually rounding it too much. I like that boxy look but didn't want the little to cut themselves. It was dang sharp !!

The Kreg Jig system is a great one. Nothing is inexpensive but it saves soooooooo much time and makes things look so clean. I'm not excited to put finishing nails through this stuff to adhear it to the railing but I know I want more than glue and am not sure what to do yet. I jokingly suggested a few hundred 3M command strips and actually entertained something like that for a bit but at the end of the day IT'S JUST A SHOP

I grew up working with homesawn lumber so this stuff seems normal to me but looking from the outside in yeah, it's dang nice stuff !! I looked at Menards what decent oak boards cost and almost crapped my pants. Rough figuring was close to $500 in just the red oak boards. Yikes !!

 

[jblnut]

I wasn't sure what color the stain was so I called my guy Greg and said "Hey !! I need some of that same stain you put on our kitchen cabinets !!" He says "It'll be on my workbench in the shop when you get here, grab it and go" Not sure what this stuff is worth but I left a crispy $20 bill on his bench. Always good to keep your stain guy happy.


Brushed some on a test piece, wiped it off with a rag and got real excited.


This is the perfect color !!


That really brings the grain out. I used maybe 1/4" out of that quart jug so I definitely had enough stain



I was accused of having FSD (flat surface disorder) and I think it's a correct diagnosis. On the one hand every surface has something on it, on the other hand this wood cutting trailer made a fantastic work platform !! I may have built something that'll have more use than I thought !!

 

[Boostingaz]

The contrasting plugs thing is a neat idea. Mama Bear wants a shelf for the house built so maybe we'll have to give that a shot !!

We talked about a 1/8" radius but I decided to hit it aggressively with a 60 grit block and then with a 120 grit block to knock it down without actually rounding it too much. I like that boxy look but didn't want the little to cut themselves. It was dang sharp !!

The Kreg Jig system is a great one. Nothing is inexpensive but it saves soooooooo much time and makes things look so clean. I'm not excited to put finishing nails through this stuff to adhear it to the railing but I know I want more than glue and am not sure what to do yet. I jokingly suggested a few hundred 3M command strips and actually entertained something like that for a bit but at the end of the day IT'S JUST A SHOP

To go alone with the top, you can use them for MB projects.

Rocaris 8 Pack Wood Plug Cutter Drill Bit Set, Straight and Tapered Taper Cutting Tool 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 1/2", 1/4 Inch Hex Shank, Black https://a.co/d/coALtig

Take a piece of your oak that has the same grain direction: straight vs swirl if it's a real playful board and cut yourself a handful of plugs. This way you can screw it to the railing so it's more secure for the kiddos and elderly lol and you can pick which plug matches each area best, screw, plug, stain and you can get pretty darn close some times to a grain match. It will be way more secure and I bet you will forgot and never notice them again. Best yet, no nails!

 

[jblnut]

To go alone with the top, you can use them for MB projects.

Rocaris 8 Pack Wood Plug Cutter Drill Bit Set, Straight and Tapered Taper Cutting Tool 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 1/2", 1/4 Inch Hex Shank, Black https://a.co/d/coALtig

Take a piece of your oak that has the same grain direction: straight vs swirl if it's a real playful board and cut yourself a handful of plugs. This way you can screw it to the railing so it's more secure for the kiddos and elderly lol and you can pick which plug matches each area best, screw, plug, stain and you can get pretty darn close some times to a grain match. It will be way more secure and I bet you will forgot and never notice them again. Best yet, no nails!

Screws and plugs are a great idea !! Do you usually stain and varnish the to be installed with piece and then drill the screw holes and put the plugs and finish the plugs ? This would be a great place to try new techniques. It’s “just a shop” after all

 

[Boostingaz]

Screws and plugs are a great idea !! Do you usually stain and varnish the to be installed with piece and then drill the screw holes and put the plugs and finish the plugs ? This would be a great place to try new techniques. It’s “just a shop” after all

You will have to flush cut them so there is no real way to pre-finish the plugs.

Usually if you can wait and get the piece assembled and plugged before you finish and seal it, it might match a little better but either way is fine. On something that large and in that awkward of a position (on a flight of stairs) though, if it were me I would just bench finish it that way you're off the stairs as much as possible. From the bottom people are not really going to see that top flat face they are going to see the edges, so again, they will be much less noticeable than nails but give you the strength and option of screws.

For flush cutting stuff I have and use this exact little saw, it's amazing l. I also use it to remove end caps on base and window and door headers etc, anything that I trim wrap the end rather than leaving it straight cup. I leave all those 45 pieces a little long so that I have something to hold onto while I glue and pin nailed them and then flush cut very last rather than trying to work with such tiny pieces.

SUIZAN Japanese Flush Cut Saw Small Hand Saw 5 Inch Ryoba Pull Saw Double Edge Blade for Hardwood and Softwood Woodworking tools Trim Wood Saw Dowel Saw https://a.co/d/6Z6smnO

 

[madison069]

A little painter tape around the plug can provide some protection of the finished surface while flush cutting.

Speaking of Kreg jig, I got 2 different kind and I've never used it. I need to make a small wood project to just play with the system. Thought I would have used it in the kitchen, but the opportunity never presented itself.

 

[Boostingaz]

When you are ready to get real crazy, you can also buy plugs for router cut pocket holes so this opens up options to not have to always have hidden screws but still be able to hide them fairly well

TSM-12 Benchtop Pocket Cutter Machine

pocket hole jig, pocket joinery, pocket cutting machine, pocket hole, pocket screw machine, pocket hole system, pneumatic pocket hole machine, pocket hole jigs, pocket hole machine, benchtop pocket machine, portable pocket hole machine, portable pocket machine, portable pocket cutting machine

castleusa.com

 

[Finallygotit]

As another option, what about bonding the hand rail cap to what's there now instead of fasteners. Just a thought.

 

[drivesitfar]

FSD is hard to beat especially if you are like me and save stuff that could be used for another project someday. you just keep building building and buying racks and maybe one day your FSD will be better organized. I have FSD and OCD, but I also have an ignore an area side.

the lighter color really looks better to me and thanks for the letting me know I need to buy the KREG system so I can start making my woodworking projects look better.

stay warm!!

BTW you mentioned free heat and I only repeated your comment which I knew wasn't exactly true, but you are getting free exercise so keep up the great work!!

 

[jblnut]

After much debate we decided to use construction adhesive to attach the railing. I really like how it turned out !!


I want to a buddies place yesterday to do some IT work and decided I need to make the shop treads and risers look like this one day.


We also are the proud owners of 30 little steak bites.


Being it was Friday we did a movie night in the shop again. This time it was Finding Nemo that won the vote. It’s been a while since we’ve seen Finding Nemo and it didn’t disappoint.

 

[Firstram]

We also are the proud owners of 30 little steak bites.


Being it was Friday we did a movie night in the shop again. This time it was Finding Nemo that won the vote. It’s been a while since we’ve seen Finding Nemo and it didn’t disappoint.

Tender!

 

[jblnut]

Tender!

Welcome to the steak house, what’ll you have tonight ?

Let me have the 1.5oz ribeye and the 3oz porterhouse. I’ve heard good things.

 

[Firstram]

Welcome to the steak house, what’ll you have tonight ?

Let me have the 1.5oz ribeye and the 3oz porterhouse. I’ve heard good things.

Back straps and ribs, this way I’ll have a toothpick for afterwards!

 

[jblnut]

I ordered a LimbSaw a while back and finally got it out of the box. Looks to be quite the unit.

We decided it was a good idea to drag the little people all over the property a few days back when it was a tad warmer. They had a blast and I got to play in the snow with the lawnmower so it was a win win !!


After the sled ride I decided to do some relaxing on the patio while the kiddos played.


Taking advantage of the warmer weather I decided to try out the wood cutting trailer. I put a small load on to see if it would even work before filling rolling off the sides full.


It seemed to work very well !! Definitely some learning curve things but overall it was a wild success !!


The second time I loaded it up I decided to really fill it full to see if it worked better half full or rather plump full. It didn't matter so I kept loading it this full for every fill since.


I had two fills of wood cut up in under an hour and stacked into IBC totes. I've done a lot of pondering lately about the most cost effective way to store and move wood around while letting it get plenty air flow and touching it as few times as possible. I think these IBC totes are the way to go. Buck it up and stack it in them and I won't have to touch it until I toss it in the stove. Plus I can move them around with the lawnmower and I can stack them up outside anywhere. I can also load a few up on the back of Walter and drag the skiddy on the trailer behind if we're going to go cut up somewhere else. Load them and don't have to touch it again.


The lawmnower will pick them up and move them but it's got its shorts full

 

[drivesitfar]

You are too funny. “While it’s warmer I decided to lay in my hammock and watch the littles play”.

Nicely done with the totes and I’m guessing you can get more totes as you need them so you can stack a bin or two on a bit warmer days.

Keep up the great work and happy to see that your little ones enjoy farming too.

 

[jblnut]

You are too funny. “While it’s warmer I decided to lay in my hammock and watch the littles play”.

It was 20f or so with no wind that day !! Dang nice for January over here

Nicely done with the totes and I’m guessing you can get more totes as you need them so you can stack a bin or two on a bit warmer days.

Lots of totes available if one knows where to look. I have 30ish I can fill with wood now but to be able to have everything I’d burn in a cold year in totes I’d need around 120 to keep ahead an extra year. I think I’ll go find another 50ish and call that good for now.

Keep up the great work and happy to see that your little ones enjoy farming too.

Thanks Drives !! The littles constantly impress and amuse me with the things they do around here. I purchased some calves a few weeks ago and they have decided they needed to name each one of them. They may even have me convinced to give them each another ear tag with their names on so it’s easier to keeep track of them all next time they’re in the chute. Good grief

 

[bugnut]

Looks like a great firewood table and the warmer weather is pleasant.

As a follow up in post #5851 I mentioned ordering a QT 3 point conversion, like yours. Well dang it all if the vendor didn't have it and then provided a refund. So back to shopping.....