quasi_accurate
Well-known member
Love the library ladder. What a great idea! I'm constantly taking my tall step ladder off of the wall to reach stuff that are stored higher up.
Strut'n My Stuff
- Thread starter akdiesel
- Start date
sunsation288
Well-known member
Wow akdiesel , beautiful work !!!, keep the picture coming please 
80WTI_55_CHEV
Well-known member
love the pics akdiesel, that goodyear sign is a ripper and bowser as well. If you only had to travel 7 miles to take them pics then you must live in paradise mate. Awesome.
sunsation288
Thank you. I have been busy getting outdoor stuff now that we have the warm season, but I have also been doing some indoor things as well so pics will show up soon.
80WTI_55_CHEV
Thank you. There are some nice locations here locally but the same can be said for your place as well as many others. I am not a pro at photography but love to take shots. I do want to visit your location and get a good understanding of the other part of the world. Lots to see down there.
Thank you. I have been busy getting outdoor stuff now that we have the warm season, but I have also been doing some indoor things as well so pics will show up soon.
80WTI_55_CHEV
Thank you. There are some nice locations here locally but the same can be said for your place as well as many others. I am not a pro at photography but love to take shots. I do want to visit your location and get a good understanding of the other part of the world. Lots to see down there.
Retaining Wall Pergola
I was told that our daughter will be getting married next year so I had to move on this project I was planning on doing in small stages... well that changed slightly.
Last 6 weeks I have been working on this project with some help from the wife and my kids.
Dug out some dirt form hillside to make the footer forms.
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The footer took 65 80# bags of concrete.
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Then stacking block in a curved form.
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10 rows of block. I know not the best curve and ends don't exactly line up but half is covered with 8 yards of D1 that was compacted every 12" and the back side will have steps down. The remaining exposed block will be covered in real river rock.
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10 yards of D1.
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Level ground for a better work platform to fill the block and form the top cap.
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I was told that our daughter will be getting married next year so I had to move on this project I was planning on doing in small stages... well that changed slightly.
Last 6 weeks I have been working on this project with some help from the wife and my kids.
Dug out some dirt form hillside to make the footer forms.
The footer took 65 80# bags of concrete.
Then stacking block in a curved form.
10 rows of block. I know not the best curve and ends don't exactly line up but half is covered with 8 yards of D1 that was compacted every 12" and the back side will have steps down. The remaining exposed block will be covered in real river rock.
10 yards of D1.
Level ground for a better work platform to fill the block and form the top cap.
Retaining Wall Pergola II
Forming of the top cap with post brackets and rebar.
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Another 55 80# bags of concrete to fill the blocks and for the top cap.
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Polished the top cap to bring out the aggregate.
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Color stained the top cap black to match the other sitting bench next to it. The acid stain did not take like it was suppose to. I am guessing due to the polish. So I used the other concrete stain. A true black stain (no acid).
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Forming of the top cap with post brackets and rebar.
Another 55 80# bags of concrete to fill the blocks and for the top cap.
Polished the top cap to bring out the aggregate.
Color stained the top cap black to match the other sitting bench next to it. The acid stain did not take like it was suppose to. I am guessing due to the polish. So I used the other concrete stain. A true black stain (no acid).
Last edited:
Retaining Wall Pergola III
Time for wood and rock.
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The rocks are from locations all over Alaska. Every trip we go on we gather rock. Kind of a story board in a since. All from the top of Alaska down to Homer and West of King Salmon to East of Tok. Still have lots of rock still to place. I am using the Sika brand adhesive. I have great results on the sitting wall to hold the rock in place.
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The hammock was brought out as a test. It was not planned in the first stages but it works out great. The bridge will be replaced with a stamped concrete bridge.
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The 5 legs of the pergola will give support for the 20' 2x8. I need to rip the 2x8 to make two 3/4" strips to bend in the same form as the bench top. It will be secured on both sides of the 4x4 posts and stick out 18" on each side to mimic the legs. 4 more legs will also be installed after the 2x8 strips are installed.
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I run 16 gauge speaker wire stapled to the bottom of the form to give me a groove for the led strip lighting I use. I then silicone the lighting in the groove.
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You can slightly make out the groove in the low light.
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The Tie Back is comprised of 5 1/2" x 10' rebar and a rectangle box formed for additional strength.
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Still need to form the edges and run rebar for the concrete to be pored for the patio. Then I will stamp and stain it a charcoal color.
Time for wood and rock.
The rocks are from locations all over Alaska. Every trip we go on we gather rock. Kind of a story board in a since. All from the top of Alaska down to Homer and West of King Salmon to East of Tok. Still have lots of rock still to place. I am using the Sika brand adhesive. I have great results on the sitting wall to hold the rock in place.
The hammock was brought out as a test. It was not planned in the first stages but it works out great. The bridge will be replaced with a stamped concrete bridge.
The 5 legs of the pergola will give support for the 20' 2x8. I need to rip the 2x8 to make two 3/4" strips to bend in the same form as the bench top. It will be secured on both sides of the 4x4 posts and stick out 18" on each side to mimic the legs. 4 more legs will also be installed after the 2x8 strips are installed.
I run 16 gauge speaker wire stapled to the bottom of the form to give me a groove for the led strip lighting I use. I then silicone the lighting in the groove.
You can slightly make out the groove in the low light.
The Tie Back is comprised of 5 1/2" x 10' rebar and a rectangle box formed for additional strength.
Still need to form the edges and run rebar for the concrete to be pored for the patio. Then I will stamp and stain it a charcoal color.
ARCTIC_RAGTOP
Well-known member
Wow that is amazing. Great job. Love the Unistrut workbenches / cabinets.
sean Buick 76
Well-known member
First off, WOW!!! Garages like yours are what most of us come on here to look at!! Great lift!!
black00lightning
Well-known member
Do you have any pics showing details of how the structure of the workbench frame was assembled? Great work!
Gilbert
Gilbert
ARCTIC_RAGTOP
Thank you. The strut is nice easy stuff to work with.
sean Buick 76
Thanks. I have long way to go to some of those on here but as you said they give us ideas to work from.
black00lightning
Thank you. I don't really have any shots of the bench frame that I can remember, but there is two strips of the 7/8" strut behind the bench cabinets to mount hold the cabinets and bring out them out so that the bench top is slightly over hung. The bench top is 30" deep and the cabinets are 28" deep.
All the framing was bolted together and or screwed to the wall. The only part that was welded on the bench was the top. I had to weld some gussets of the 1 5/8" strut to stiffen the metal top and to be able to anchor it to the frame.
The Lista cabinets support the load just fine. Not a problem putting 500+ lbs on the bench.
Thank you. The strut is nice easy stuff to work with.
sean Buick 76
Thanks. I have long way to go to some of those on here but as you said they give us ideas to work from.
black00lightning
Thank you. I don't really have any shots of the bench frame that I can remember, but there is two strips of the 7/8" strut behind the bench cabinets to mount hold the cabinets and bring out them out so that the bench top is slightly over hung. The bench top is 30" deep and the cabinets are 28" deep.
All the framing was bolted together and or screwed to the wall. The only part that was welded on the bench was the top. I had to weld some gussets of the 1 5/8" strut to stiffen the metal top and to be able to anchor it to the frame.
The Lista cabinets support the load just fine. Not a problem putting 500+ lbs on the bench.
The first thing that came to my mind was the old Lucille Ball movie "The Long Long Trailer" , especially knowing that you have that big RV now. You didn't have any trouble making it up any hills on those trips, did you?
(Lucy was secretly gathering rocks here and there and eventually overloaded the trailer)Cool looking pergola. Able to survive a nuclear blast, no doubt. I'm guessing it will be the backdrop for the wedding ceremony? Too bad about the acid stain not working out on the top cap - it doesn't seem polishing would hinder the reaction unless some chemicals where used during the process. Looking forward to seeing how that LED strip light turns out.
shopnut
I have never seen that episode. I will have to get that one since that is exactly what we have done.
Thanks for complement. My wife has keeps telling me over engineer things but I hate to redo thing twice in these cases.
The two of them will be married under the center of the pergola. A key stone (sotaspeak) is in the works. Need to find an 8" x 8" x 20" piece of wood to carve it.
The acid stain was test. I had some of the older stain left over. The only parties used to Polish were the wet polisher and water. I start out the diamond cut and then go to the 100 grit. I stopped at 400 grit this time.
This photo shows the sitting wall built a couple of years ago. It has the led srip light on both sides of the bench. I will be installing a dimmer for them all.
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I have never seen that episode. I will have to get that one since that is exactly what we have done.
Thanks for complement. My wife has keeps telling me over engineer things but I hate to redo thing twice in these cases.
The two of them will be married under the center of the pergola. A key stone (sotaspeak) is in the works. Need to find an 8" x 8" x 20" piece of wood to carve it.
The acid stain was test. I had some of the older stain left over. The only parties used to Polish were the wet polisher and water. I start out the diamond cut and then go to the 100 grit. I stopped at 400 grit this time.
This photo shows the sitting wall built a couple of years ago. It has the led srip light on both sides of the bench. I will be installing a dimmer for them all.
Nothing wrong with over-engineering things (if you have time) - its those under-engineered jobs that scare me. 
That's going to be the perfect setting for a wedding. I'm sure your daughter realizes what a super dad she has!
That's going to be the perfect setting for a wedding. I'm sure your daughter realizes what a super dad she has!
don long
Well-known member
Thought that tonite I would give you a visit.
So I read thru the thread again to catch up
Seeing those construction pic.s took me a bit to figure out what you were building but it sure looks sturdy It is looking fine and with river rocks and led lights it will be as cool as your burning snow
You have a beautiful place up there. and I'll bet your weather is spectacular
right now. My wife and I love alaska in the summer months
Keep pluggin along
Don
So I read thru the thread again to catch up
Seeing those construction pic.s took me a bit to figure out what you were building but it sure looks sturdy It is looking fine and with river rocks and led lights it will be as cool as your burning snow
You have a beautiful place up there. and I'll bet your weather is spectacular
right now. My wife and I love alaska in the summer months
Keep pluggin along
Don
don
Thank you. The first of the summer was nice and dry but since June it has been 50/50 sun rain. Oh well things turn green with the wet stuff too.
I've never done a retaining wall before and being on a hill I wanted to make sure so I spent a bit of time researching and came up with this design.
Thank you. The first of the summer was nice and dry but since June it has been 50/50 sun rain. Oh well things turn green with the wet stuff too.
I've never done a retaining wall before and being on a hill I wanted to make sure so I spent a bit of time researching and came up with this design.
Retaining Wall / Pergola IV
Got the pond patio formed, full of rebar, and conduit run for additional lighting and electrical.
The thickness is approx 6" thick. I had the house patio poured at 8" thick since that was what came out and no cracks after a few years. I feel it is better to pay a little now than more later, so I go thicker with additional rebar and good compaction.
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The bends are not perfect since I did them by hand and a cheater pipe. Figured it was not necessary to purchase a rebar bender for this.
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I had to make my own 4' diameter ring. The cost of a 4' pipe would be quite a bit more. I used the roller to get the correct bend of a 3" x 1/8" x 12'6.5" flat stock and welded two pieces of 3/8 rebar to keep in shape and then welded four conctrete form stakes to hold it at the correct level.
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The star shaped rebar is to help as a tie back system for the wall in addition to the rectangle hole that is approx 3' deep by 12" wide by 2' long.
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There may be some things I should have done differently or not at all but from the research I did, this seems to cover it as best I could think of.
Got the pond patio formed, full of rebar, and conduit run for additional lighting and electrical.
The thickness is approx 6" thick. I had the house patio poured at 8" thick since that was what came out and no cracks after a few years. I feel it is better to pay a little now than more later, so I go thicker with additional rebar and good compaction.
The bends are not perfect since I did them by hand and a cheater pipe. Figured it was not necessary to purchase a rebar bender for this.
I had to make my own 4' diameter ring. The cost of a 4' pipe would be quite a bit more. I used the roller to get the correct bend of a 3" x 1/8" x 12'6.5" flat stock and welded two pieces of 3/8 rebar to keep in shape and then welded four conctrete form stakes to hold it at the correct level.
The star shaped rebar is to help as a tie back system for the wall in addition to the rectangle hole that is approx 3' deep by 12" wide by 2' long.
There may be some things I should have done differently or not at all but from the research I did, this seems to cover it as best I could think of.
Retaining Wall / Pergola V
The concrete has been poured, colored and stamped finally. After approx 4 years in the waiting my daughter announced she wanted to get married in the back yard at the pond so this got my **** in gear.
5.05 yards of concrete was what I figured we needed for this project, so I ordered 5.5 yards just in case since it was only an additional $60 for the half yard. I had 4 2x4x8 boards ready to make a form if there were extra to clean out the hose for the pump.
I was really contemplating on using the concrete pump or just backing up the truck to the patio which would go over the septic system. I could have purchased some 1" plywood for cheep but simply went with the pump instead.
I started putting in the relief cuts after floating the pad. The forms on both the retaining wall and the seating bench had to be 3.5" higher than the rest of the main forms since these would have to be removed as well after the pour so the screetting (spelling) board was notched to get the correct level.
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There are some touch ups I need to finish to get rid of some of the lines and stamping imperfections but this was my first one. You can also see the level of water in the fire pit section. I had to knock out the run out of concrete in to the pit area to allow for the drainage of water. We have also had quite a bit of rain this month.
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The right side of the retaining wall stair area and lamp electrical.
This section is approx 8" thick with three 1/2" rebar going down the hill for future stairs that will follow the curve down to the other side of the wall's stairs.
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One of my relief cut lines was a bit off. This stamping is not as easy as it looks. I put too much release agent down and started to stamp to soon as well as too hard, so there are some higher spots. I figured I can tap them down and do a little repair work on the cement. You can also see the other location for the second lamp.
The fire pit will be filled with rock and sand for drainage and pavers. I am going to cut them to make a circular pattern and then stack more on the outer edge on top to make the pit approx 4 pavers high.
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And the final result with still some touch up work to be done.
This is the old bridge which will be replaced with one that will one that using the same pavers as the ones in the fire pit circle.
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The release agent is some tough stuff to work with after it is down. What a mess. It is hydrophobic so it makes a nasty cloud when hosing it off with a pressure washer. When pressure is applied it stains anything. Interesting stuff though.
The concrete has been poured, colored and stamped finally. After approx 4 years in the waiting my daughter announced she wanted to get married in the back yard at the pond so this got my **** in gear.
5.05 yards of concrete was what I figured we needed for this project, so I ordered 5.5 yards just in case since it was only an additional $60 for the half yard. I had 4 2x4x8 boards ready to make a form if there were extra to clean out the hose for the pump.
I was really contemplating on using the concrete pump or just backing up the truck to the patio which would go over the septic system. I could have purchased some 1" plywood for cheep but simply went with the pump instead.
I started putting in the relief cuts after floating the pad. The forms on both the retaining wall and the seating bench had to be 3.5" higher than the rest of the main forms since these would have to be removed as well after the pour so the screetting (spelling) board was notched to get the correct level.
There are some touch ups I need to finish to get rid of some of the lines and stamping imperfections but this was my first one. You can also see the level of water in the fire pit section. I had to knock out the run out of concrete in to the pit area to allow for the drainage of water. We have also had quite a bit of rain this month.
The right side of the retaining wall stair area and lamp electrical.
This section is approx 8" thick with three 1/2" rebar going down the hill for future stairs that will follow the curve down to the other side of the wall's stairs.
One of my relief cut lines was a bit off. This stamping is not as easy as it looks. I put too much release agent down and started to stamp to soon as well as too hard, so there are some higher spots. I figured I can tap them down and do a little repair work on the cement. You can also see the other location for the second lamp.
The fire pit will be filled with rock and sand for drainage and pavers. I am going to cut them to make a circular pattern and then stack more on the outer edge on top to make the pit approx 4 pavers high.
And the final result with still some touch up work to be done.
This is the old bridge which will be replaced with one that will one that using the same pavers as the ones in the fire pit circle.
The release agent is some tough stuff to work with after it is down. What a mess. It is hydrophobic so it makes a nasty cloud when hosing it off with a pressure washer. When pressure is applied it stains anything. Interesting stuff though.
Thanks for the candid comments on the concrete stamping. I had good luck with acid staining smooth concrete inside. But for outdoor areas, I like the textured look and wondered if I should give stamping a try sometime. After your description of what you when through though, I might just have to pass (or at least study up on it much, much more).
I will say, however, that your finished product looks really great, despite whatever you went through to get it. I doubt anyone is going to notice any of the small imperfections like you do.
Looking forward to more progress reports. That is going to be a backyard masterpiece, no doubt!
I will say, however, that your finished product looks really great, despite whatever you went through to get it. I doubt anyone is going to notice any of the small imperfections like you do.
Looking forward to more progress reports. That is going to be a backyard masterpiece, no doubt!
shopnut
Thanks you for the confidence. We can be our own worst critics, but just make note of what went wrong and do better next time. I do hate failure though.
I would not throw out the chance of stamping if you have the chance. The stamps can be expensive (a set of five cost us $1000 a few years ago), but re-sale are usually pretty good.
Thanks you for the confidence. We can be our own worst critics, but just make note of what went wrong and do better next time. I do hate failure though.
I would not throw out the chance of stamping if you have the chance. The stamps can be expensive (a set of five cost us $1000 a few years ago), but re-sale are usually pretty good.
BellyUpFish
Well-known member
Any idea in terms of $$ what you have in your unistrut lift? I love it.
gipraw
Well-known member
Very nice. I like the stamping. I think it ads a lot of character to the project.
Will the whole wall be veneered with that stone?
Will the whole wall be veneered with that stone?
don long
Well-known member
Just checkin in to make sure you are still hard at it
I like the stamped concrete. My hat is off to you for attempting it on beautiful back yard It looks great (nice job)
Don
I like the stamped concrete. My hat is off to you for attempting it on beautiful back yard It looks great (nice job)
Don
BellyUpFish
The lift project cost less then $1000. The project serves its purpose but mainly just to say I can do this.
gipraw
Thanks for the comment. They will be on both sides of the wall and the seating bench. I have gathered rock from all over the state. There is a pile waiting to put on. I got the lottery to drive into the Denali park so another location for rocks to gather.
don
Thanks for the support and the kind words. This summer has been a roller coaster. This winter I hope to get back in the shop and finish some of those projects.
The lift project cost less then $1000. The project serves its purpose but mainly just to say I can do this.
gipraw
Thanks for the comment. They will be on both sides of the wall and the seating bench. I have gathered rock from all over the state. There is a pile waiting to put on. I got the lottery to drive into the Denali park so another location for rocks to gather.
don
Thanks for the support and the kind words. This summer has been a roller coaster. This winter I hope to get back in the shop and finish some of those projects.
taumac
Well-known member
Just finding your thread. WOW, great place you have.
5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899
Florida GJ Group
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=117
5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899
Florida GJ Group
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=117
hoho98925
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Your backyard project is looking great. I enjoyed the fact that you have been collecting rocks on your trips. Every rock has a story- lovin it. It's the little things like that that really make a project special. The pond looks great too! Cheers
National Gas Pump Globe
Got my fathers day gift installed and working. The pump originally had the end cap where the globe goes, so I removed it and the light socket had the original paper cap in it with some spider webs as well.
The Pyrene foam extinguisher is another item I picked up. Need to get the wall mount hook to hang it.
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Got my fathers day gift installed and working. The pump originally had the end cap where the globe goes, so I removed it and the light socket had the original paper cap in it with some spider webs as well.
The Pyrene foam extinguisher is another item I picked up. Need to get the wall mount hook to hang it.
Bench Vise Mount
Got a little extra time to do some more work on the vise mount. Still needs some fine tuning to get the edge of the receiver clearance from the bench side. You can see a wear mark on the side of the powder coating of the bench. I will have to grind down some on the HDPE. It is a 1/2" thick piece I had left over from the cabinet doors I made. I rolled it in the pipe roller with some different rollers I got from Swag.
I also rolled the 1/4" x 1.5" flat bar to mimic the HDPE then bent the edges to meat with the unistrut frames.
I will be cutting two holes in the curved section to be able to lock the receiver in a horizontal or vertical position and maybe a 45.
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Got a little extra time to do some more work on the vise mount. Still needs some fine tuning to get the edge of the receiver clearance from the bench side. You can see a wear mark on the side of the powder coating of the bench. I will have to grind down some on the HDPE. It is a 1/2" thick piece I had left over from the cabinet doors I made. I rolled it in the pipe roller with some different rollers I got from Swag.
I also rolled the 1/4" x 1.5" flat bar to mimic the HDPE then bent the edges to meat with the unistrut frames.
I will be cutting two holes in the curved section to be able to lock the receiver in a horizontal or vertical position and maybe a 45.
80WTI_55_CHEV
Well-known member
Just checking in AK, your entertainment area looks ****** nice, you must be very talented to pull all that off. I think i could do with someone like you over here sorting out my place, so if your ever coming over to Aus for a holiday make sure you stop in for a day or 10. Also love the gas pump. Lee
Well, I'm glad to see you are finding some time to tinker with other things besides the pergola area. I don't know how you are managing to squeeze it in though.
The pump looks great, and I bet it is even better with the room lights off. And it will be interesting to see where that vise mount is headed. I'm sure it will be cool.
BTW, I heard you mention Swag before. I'm interested in buying one of their 20 ton press brake kits. Have you been satisfied with their stuff?
sean Buick 76
Well-known member
Amazing work!
shopnut
Thank you. I have my fair share of projects and the Boss has made her statement that no more new projects till these are done 100% instead of 90%. Okay dear.
The rollers that SWAG makes are very nice. They put some good thinking into making a simple Harbor Freight product much better. They also seem to work with people to make a custom product as well.
sean Buick 76
Thank you.
Thank you. I have my fair share of projects and the Boss has made her statement that no more new projects till these are done 100% instead of 90%. Okay dear.
The rollers that SWAG makes are very nice. They put some good thinking into making a simple Harbor Freight product much better. They also seem to work with people to make a custom product as well.
sean Buick 76
Thank you.
1/2 Cup
Member Emeritus
I must admit to being long time lurker of your thread, and I have to say you've done an amazing job all round.
I am also a huge fan of unistrut, its applications, as you have shown are endless. We use quite a bit of it in our electrical installations out here.
In love with the gas pump, simply stunning.
Great job on the retaining wall and pergola.
Many thanks for posting your thread and projects are an inspiration to all.
Regards
I am also a huge fan of unistrut, its applications, as you have shown are endless. We use quite a bit of it in our electrical installations out here.
In love with the gas pump, simply stunning.
Great job on the retaining wall and pergola.
Many thanks for posting your thread and projects are an inspiration to all.
Regards
1/2 Cup
Member Emeritus
We are just into spring at the moment and are having some beautiful days weather wise, still cold at night though so it is very pleasant to work both indoors and outdoors.
Our summers can be a killer, I am glad I have air in the shed. That said you just pace yourself in the heat and work around that, starting early and do a bit in the evenings.
Regards
motorbreath53
Well-known member
Cool Cool stuff going on sir. I dig the patio... oh, and your immaculate shop is pretty slick too...