Above 1200 Sq/FT Plugger Workshop

[Ford52PU]

Looking good both the construction and the yard

 

[MacTexas]

Following

 

[Prospecter]

Changed the tines on my new to me 3ph tiller. Pretty sure I got all the goody out of 'em. Mrs. P filled the trailer, so I brought her another. We had our first asparagus. Not a lot, but very good.

 

[Prospecter]

Two trailers full and waiting for a tractor to be available to dump them. New garage addition (aka The Boathouse") is closed in, and waiting for fascia and roofing.

(Not in order.) The new tines on the tiller work quite well. This tiller is an EL 42, only about 30". I ended up with two extra garden rows with this tiller, as opposed to the one I had for Old John. I used the potato hoe to dig the rows for potatoes and gladiolas. My adapted horse drawn hiller wasn't adjusted quite right for the Kubota. I picked up the "Spares" on the return trip.

 

[Prospecter]

I've only been working on that table for maybe 30 years. The table itself is my grandmother's laundry table. It sat next to her washer in the cellar for as far back as I can remember. And it was old then. I suspect it was a garage sale, or used furniture store find for her back during the Great Depression. She furnished their house with used furniture that she refinished. Some is quite nice, though I am sure nothing special when she got it.

A local granite yard has an annual sale of odds and ends. This piece of green granite followed us home. I trimmed some damaged edges off the granite, and adjusted the table top dimensions to match the granite. Here, I put some trim on the edges. (Granite edges can be sharp.) Hopefully not another 30 years before I paint the edges. The table lives on the porch.

We only have the one property. I named the porch "Camp." That way, when we choose, we are "At Camp." No phone service at Camp.

 

[Prospecter]

Pictures are out of order. The crew finished the roof, so their part of the project is done. The rest is up to us. The garage doors are up. I am pleasantly surprised at how well everything fit together. Much better fitment than the doors I did 25 years ago. (And much lighter panels.) Meanwhile, the power lines for the solar farm across the road are in.

 

[jon72vega]

That's good progress!

 

[Prospecter]

Slow but sure.

 

[Prospecter]

With all three garage doors in place, I could cut the pass through doorway into the workshop. Looks like the tractors couldn't wait to move in!

 

[Prospecter]

Lots of pick up in the garage. The wood scraps will go to the wood pile for next winter. I am slowly recovering room in the shop as stored stuff gets moved to the garage. And we tried the boat in the garage. It fits, though not with a lot of room to spare.

 

[Prospecter]

As I move stuff around the boat house and shop, I've also been putting stuff out for clean up day. And with mowing season upon us, I did a full mow, including field paths. (6 hours)

Meanwhile, our grandcat had the zoomies.

 

[Prospecter]

We've been on the road up North. Today's big news is that I started mowing yesterday, got stuck once (so far), and broke a belt. Still not finished.

We finally finished up the sun room (except for the shoe molding). To recap, we closed in a 3 section french door on the front wall, and installed 3 windows plus one door on the back wall. All sheetrocked, trimmed, painted, and concrete floor sealed and polished. Updated wiring. Cut and repaired radiant floor piping. Screened the exhaust fan.

Gratuitous fur friend photos.

Finally diagnosed a shower issue. Somehow the previous owner managed to break the corner piece in the shower, which is why it separated from the wall panels. Not the most sophisticated repair. I used 3M 5200 to glue it all together. 5200 is moisture activated, and a permanent repair. I used screws to pull it all together and clamp it in place.

 

[Prospecter]

We've been on the road up North. Today's big news is that I started mowing yesterday, got stuck once (so far), and broke a belt. Still not finished.

We finally finished up the sun room (except for the shoe molding). To recap, we closed in a 3 section french door on the front wall, and installed 3 windows plus one door on the back wall. All sheetrocked, trimmed, painted, and concrete floor sealed and polished. Updated wiring. Cut and repaired radiant floor piping. Screened the exhaust fan.

Gratuitous fur friend photos.

Finally diagnosed a shower issue. Somehow the previous owner managed to break the corner piece in the shower, which is why it separated from the wall panels. Not the most sophisticated repair. I used 3M 5200 to glue it all together. 5200 is moisture activated, and a permanent repair. I used screws to pull it all together and clamp it in place.

Forgot to attach the pics.

 

[Prospecter]

More from up North. A Viceroy caterpillar hanging itself up. Turkeys and Lupine blooming.

 

[Prospecter]

Since the outside of the old garage is now an inside wall in the new garage, I was able to make some shelves and put some stuff away. By clean up Saturday, all that was left was some pieces of wood gate. Hornets nesting in a birdhouse by the shop. Stuffed some insulation in there for the time being.

 

[Prospecter]

Needed to move some pots from the basement. I had a helper.

 

[Prospecter]

I mowed today. . . I don't mind doing it, but it shot the day.

The first picture is of some investigative demolition of the porch up north. The wavy roofline is the result of rotting posts. As the posts rot, they are getting shorter. I imagine we will tackle this in the near future.

The second picture is a tool I bought on a whim, figuring it might be useful sometime. It clamps a nut in the end, so the nut can be started in tight spots too small for fingers. There are all sorts of tricks, which you probably know, for accomplishing such a task, but this tool is pretty slick. (Available from HJE.)

 

[Prospecter]

Seems I am falling behind in my updates. . .
I am definitely finding some unused muscle. I'll start to catch up on some pics.

The chipmunks are pesty at the moment. Wreaking havoc in the flower beds. One slipped in the garage door and onto the porch. We've relocated 4.

New tool. In the ongoing annoyance of wearing out tools, I could not locate my roofing nailer. It was an off brand, and I think I broke it last time I used it. Just wore it out. Figured I would replace it if I ever needed one. So now I needed one. Bought Metabo (Hitachi) since that seems to be the one the roofers around here favor. Works slick.

In today's episode of Grumpy Old Guy, I also broke / wore out 3 measuring tapes. Two wouldn't do the tape return any more. One kinked the tape and wouldn't lock any more. They've "Improved" the styles I favor in the sizes I like, so time to try some new ones. 16' PowerLocks no longer lock very well, and have been slimmed from 1 inch to 3/4 inch, so they won't stand out as far. I never really liked FATMAX, because they are so bulky. They now also have an autolock feature that is better in theory than practice. Now I bought some LeverLocks to try. I never really liked these, but if they work, I'll just need to adapt.

New soffit meets old soffit. I am making progress. Front and back are done. I will wait to do the peak until I set up scaffold.

We have a doe and fawn. They are running our walking paths, and sampling my corn. That's ok. I plant enough to share.

 

[Prospecter]

Duplicate post.

 

[Prospecter]

Gratuitous cat and flower pics.

Turned out the grade in front of the new garage is a little high, so I am working on lowering it. At the moment, it is roughly where it needs too be, except for some low spots and some larger rocks.

The turkeys are also enjoying the walking paths. The hens seem to pair up and combine their broods. One takes lead, and one is the caboose, with all the little ones more or less lined up between when traveling. Kind of like a kindergarten field trip.

 

[Prospecter]

Took some time off from the garage project to spiff up the kitchen floor. T-shirt says, "Righty Righty - Lefty Loosey." The flower gardens are Mrs. Prospector's work. I just provide support services, like dumping the weed trailers and hauling mulch.

 

[Prospecter]

Two sides of the pass thru door. I cut the pass thru so I could get back and forth once the addition was secure. Installed the door so I would not lose the parts. (I may have delayed installing purchases until the return period expired a time or two.) No need for a regular pre-hung door. The storm door is easy, and has the advantage of self-storing glass and screens. Just needed something so I don't need to condition the whole space.
The Buttercups are in full bloom.
The swallows are quite aggressive this year while protecting their nests.
One of our bluebirds.
Mia is pleased the porch is open.

 

[jon72vega]

Nice pictures, your cat looks contented.

 

[Prospecter]

Thanks Jon. Cats do seem to enjoy this weather.

 

[Prospecter]

One of the many loads of brush and trimmings I disposed of in my garden support role today. And good bye to the old table saw.

 

[Prospecter]

Some misc. mixed up photos from the past couple of days.
New to me coil stock trim brake. I'm not super good yet, but I am learning.
Some sunsets and a downpour. About ten minutes of rain at the rate of almost a foot an hour.
And our doe and fawn. All of which brings me up to date.

 

[Prospecter]

Sorted, tossed, sold the spare push mower, swept, cut up scrap wood. Put some stuff out by the side of the road. (It seldom lasts long out there.)

 

[Prospecter]

Coffee Cake for breakfast, and puttering all day, made for a nice Fathers' Day. I cleaned, sorted, tossed, put away in the shop. Filled two trailers with scrap wood. Mrs. P. puttered along in the gardens. I'll pick up a trailer load of weeds and trimmings today. Also hoping to mow today before it gets hot later in the week. The push mower, old grinders, and shaper left yesterday. Hopefully the old snow plow will leave today. A little pocket change, more shop and shed space, and fewer projects. No down side to this. Mia carefully monitored the chipmunks.

 

[jon72vega]

The landscaping looks great!

 

[Jayman17]

I wish I could throw out wood scraps, looks like some useful pieces in there.

 

[Prospecter]

The landscaping looks great!

Thanks.

 

[Prospecter]

I wish I could throw out wood scraps, looks like some useful pieces in there.

I have used a bunch of stuff, and kept some good size pieces, but at some point it's more valuable as heat than it is as something needing storage!

 

[Prospecter]

Mowed all morning. Skipped the bird house path due to fledging swallows in the paths. Skipped the north yard to avoid doe and fawn. Went to till with the hand me down tiller. Starved for gas, so off to the garage. Did a half hearted drain the tank and spray the carb. The bowl definitely had gum and varnish. The clean seemed to help, but I need to get some fuel so I can run it to be sure. I always run ethanol free stabilized gas, but I'm pretty sure that will be a new experience for this tiller.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Mowed all morning. Skipped the bird house path due to fledging swallows in the paths. Skipped the north yard to avoid doe and fawn. Went to till with the hand me down tiller. Starved for gas, so off to the garage. Did a half hearted drain the tank and spray the carb. The bowl definitely had gum and varnish. The clean seemed to help, but I need to get some fuel so I can run it to be sure. I always run ethanol free stabilized gas, but I'm pretty sure that will be a new experience for this tiller.

Fill the bowl with Seafoam. Pull it over a couple times to get the fuel in the passages. Let it sit overnight.

 

[Prospecter]

Fill the bowl with Seafoam. Pull it over a couple times to get the fuel in the passages. Let it sit overnight.

Thanks, Kay. I'll give that a try.

 

[Prospecter]

Today I am only working on projects I can do inside with air conditioning. Appreciate the reduced humidity inside as much as the coolness. Monday and Tuesday I worked on outside stuff while it was cooler.

It was cold mowing. The grass circles are where I mow around the buttercups and hawks weed in the yard. They are pretty in bloom. Then I'll mow them down. (They are closed up in the picture, but open up latter in the day.)

Poked along at the weeding. Did a half row of carrots.

Took the tiller carb. mostly apart. Lots of gum and varnish. I need to get some gas to try it out.

Oil change and discharge chute replacement on daughter's mower. I'm kind of surprised the cat litter pail repair of the old chute held together until I could get a replacement. You'd think Toro could design a mower that would not leak oil all over when changed. The drain doesn't reach over the pan without an extension. The filter leaks when changing unless I put a paper towel diaper under it. (Grumpy Old Man complaint.)

Sent the old plow on it's way.

Once per month recycling is at the curb. (LOTS due to the garage door cartons and other packaging this month.)

 

[Prospecter]

Epstein's Day order is ready to go.

 

[Prospecter]

Got behind again. Very hot weather had us inside with the AC periodically, and eventually moving very slowly outside. Now that it's cooled off some, we are able to get a bit more done. In the interim, a lot of plans were made, and orders placed. I don't watch much video, but made an exception for Jori and Dad.

Insulation begun on the boathouse addition. I need to get this done and the walls covered so I can install conduit and wire for heat. I expect to do most activities in the old workshop, so we will mostly burn propane to warm up the tractors and maybe do a few things in the boat house during the winter. I am also not going all out on the insulation for the addition. (A heat pump is going into the workshop.)

I am amused that I now spend a little more to purchase tools not because I need them, but to make the work easier. I also choose materials as much by ease of installation, rather than lower cost. For the insulation, I have a new, battery powered stapler. I chose mineral wool batts, and a thicker poly just to make life a little easier. I am a lazy Plugger.

The swallows fledged and gathered in the crab apple by the house. All the swallow families seem to wait until all have fledged, and then one day all depart together. The bluebirds, on the other hand, will hatch a second brood.

Cutting up oil filters, draining the elements, and recycling the metal was a good hot day activity.

Deer watching is another good hot weather activity. Best through the window from inside with AC. The fawn is much larger, and much more cautious. Imitates Mama, and learning fast. We also have four adults who frequently pass through in the early morning.

 

[Prospecter]

Thought some of you might like this "Crankshaft."
The bluebird was hanging out on the tractor. Saw its reflection in the window, and was determined to scare off that competition.
Picked up a pallet of plywood panels. These are 2'x4'x5/8" tongue and groove plywood rejects. I picked them up at the factory where they make high school bleachers for a nice price. Perfect for me because they are pre-finished, and easy for this old guy to handle. I staggered the joints so I would not need to be as fussy about trying to line up seams.

 

[y'sguy]

I just now have run into your thread. It's a nice place you have made there!. We need to get to Maine sometime, It is beautiful. I do have to checkle when I see you write about heat and air-conditioning. I know it's hotter than usual from all the drama on the weather reports. But It's been over 100 here all week. It's no wonder some of my friends come your way in the summers.
Keep up the good work. I enjoy your photos.