jktruck150
Well-known member
Great place! I love old farms!
The farm in town
- Thread starter ff4500
- Start date
Finally getting around to cleaning out the shop side.
Decided that I needed to build a wall between the two sections.
Here's a quick shot of that before the drywall went on:
Finishing my cleanup this weekend, and should be able to get back to new posts. Lots of stuff to do, not enough time to get it all done.
I need a working woodshop again for all of the summer projects (that my wife wants me to do) coming up.
Decided that I needed to build a wall between the two sections.
Here's a quick shot of that before the drywall went on:
Finishing my cleanup this weekend, and should be able to get back to new posts. Lots of stuff to do, not enough time to get it all done.
I need a working woodshop again for all of the summer projects (that my wife wants me to do) coming up.
dreamingmuscle
Well-known member
Wheres the house?
sublime68charger
Well-known member
Nice place
Being that close have you been recruited to the fire department if that is a volly house?
Being that close have you been recruited to the fire department if that is a volly house?
Moved a bunch of my junk around with help from my son and then finished tearing out the last of the concrete board in the room that was in the corner. The concrete on the floor is formed in a weird way so there's a lip on one side, and the other is raised up from the slope of the floor out to the large door. I'm just going to build a workbench that spans between the two so that I can get to it from both sides, most likely.
At some point, I should probably jackhammer out the weird area of concrete in the corner, if I don't cover it up with shelves first. It's not really in the way, so I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it. It does have a drain to the outside, but I don't know how much good it will do with the slab raised up like it appears. Plus, it just runs off into an area with some plants and mulch on the side of the garage.
At some point, I should probably jackhammer out the weird area of concrete in the corner, if I don't cover it up with shelves first. It's not really in the way, so I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it. It does have a drain to the outside, but I don't know how much good it will do with the slab raised up like it appears. Plus, it just runs off into an area with some plants and mulch on the side of the garage.
It's not a volunteer house, but the one in the small town next to ours was bugging me about it last time we went to their pancake breakfast. I'm getting too old for that, plus I'm already busy enough as it is to even think about it.
My kids both love the trucks though, so it's pretty cool to live across the street from a station. A busy one, at that too. My two year old is really into the engines. If he didn't have to cross the street, he'd be checking them out up close as much as possible. Right now, we have some tractors in the corn crib for him to climb on, so he's all about those. Grandpa has four Hagies and a bunch of other sprayers, so he gets to check out all kinds of big machines.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Like most suburban towns near large cities, they started out as farming communities before WW-II. As urban sprawl came in the 50s and 60s, the farms were cut up and ultimately because subdivision.
For whatever reason, my suburban town has long had a zoning call "urban farm". I thing the minimum is 1 acre, but I know there are places in the 5+ acre range. One is actually a working turkey farm ! I always wanted a large lot in town.
For whatever reason, my suburban town has long had a zoning call "urban farm". I thing the minimum is 1 acre, but I know there are places in the 5+ acre range. One is actually a working turkey farm ! I always wanted a large lot in town.
For those that are curious:
We're on the corner lot and own all of the land behind the neighborhood to the south of us. There's a ~2.5 acre field between us and our nearest neighbor to the east (where the dot is). My wife's cousin owns the big house to the south of the property.
From this view, the garage almost looks as big as the barn and the house...
We're on the corner lot and own all of the land behind the neighborhood to the south of us. There's a ~2.5 acre field between us and our nearest neighbor to the east (where the dot is). My wife's cousin owns the big house to the south of the property.
From this view, the garage almost looks as big as the barn and the house...
xtremek
Well-known member
In town farm, very cool. Looking forward to seeing everything you do to the place.
Rolodetective
Member
What a beautiful place. Truly the best of both worlds....in town conveinence, WITH the charm of the old well-built home, large property and outbuildings.
Big admirer of your space. I've been reading this forum a long time, but joined to comment on your journal and to mention I'm a "neighbor" (Valpo).
Keep the pics and posts coming, and if you ever need a hand, reach out.
-Rolo
Big admirer of your space. I've been reading this forum a long time, but joined to comment on your journal and to mention I'm a "neighbor" (Valpo).
Keep the pics and posts coming, and if you ever need a hand, reach out.
-Rolo
Jacko
Well-known member
Only just see this thread. So much awesomeness. What a great place!!
JustinS
Well-known member
Any more updates?
Been swamped with other things, so I haven't had time to document much lately.
I did, however, build a bunk bed for the kiddos.
Here it is before I sanded, stained and poly-ed it up:
I'll take some more pics and update soon. Starting to move things around to set up the workshop so I can get actual work done in there without having to move a car out of the main garage area for awhile.
I did, however, build a bunk bed for the kiddos.
Here it is before I sanded, stained and poly-ed it up:
I'll take some more pics and update soon. Starting to move things around to set up the workshop so I can get actual work done in there without having to move a car out of the main garage area for awhile.
Not much garage progress worth showing, but I did start on the front porch, which was in bad shape.
Stripped off the crappy thin paneling that was on the walls and insulated:
Put up some new plywood and sanded the hell out of it:
Painted the walls, cleaned the floors and put down hardie board:
And started tiling, until I ran out of mortar yesterday:
I'm about 2/3 done with the floors now, replaced the light that was out there with a new one and will wire in some new outlets here shortly. Since this is off of the main living room, I'm gonna try to make this a usable room for most of the year, even if the windows really need to be replaced. They'll do for now.
Snow is on the ground now, so inside garage progress will be slow. I still need to finish rewiring the inside of the garage and get a new line dropped from the main box in the house. Thinking 220, since I want to eventually do some welding in the shop. Gotta insulate and frame out some walls on the masonry and finish the ceiling in the shop before I can drop a heater in there, so it likely won't be until spring. I'll post more house updates as I get them done however.
Stripped off the crappy thin paneling that was on the walls and insulated:
Put up some new plywood and sanded the hell out of it:
Painted the walls, cleaned the floors and put down hardie board:
And started tiling, until I ran out of mortar yesterday:
I'm about 2/3 done with the floors now, replaced the light that was out there with a new one and will wire in some new outlets here shortly. Since this is off of the main living room, I'm gonna try to make this a usable room for most of the year, even if the windows really need to be replaced. They'll do for now.
Snow is on the ground now, so inside garage progress will be slow. I still need to finish rewiring the inside of the garage and get a new line dropped from the main box in the house. Thinking 220, since I want to eventually do some welding in the shop. Gotta insulate and frame out some walls on the masonry and finish the ceiling in the shop before I can drop a heater in there, so it likely won't be until spring. I'll post more house updates as I get them done however.
xtremek
Well-known member
How much snow did you get? The work looks nice.
west_perf
Well-known member
Very nice place, I would love to have something like that with plenty of room and not be too far away from town. What kind of cars do you have and if you want share some pics of the house and what you're doing with it. Enjoy the snow!
TIMI
Well-known member
For those that are curious:
Hello, tell me what made this shot. With satellite or country.
TIMI
Well-known member
Thank you. But alas, my location. So close and beautiful does not show. Maybe because the suburbs.
So, spring is almost here, and I've got projects filling up the todo lists. Garage is on the back burner until I can finish some other pressing issues. One is this out building that's rotted and falling down:
I'm considering the best way to fix this, considering that the only thing likely salvageable is the roof panels. The concrete pad is cracked and will likely need to be chunked up and removed, or used as fill. Should I approach it as a complete teardown and dig posts and raise the floor over the existing? I don't want to pour a new pad at all, as I have limited funds for the resto on this building. Thinking of building it like I would a large shed, and keeping the same basic size. Slanted roof, although likely a little flatter than it currently is... Looking for ideas.
I'm considering the best way to fix this, considering that the only thing likely salvageable is the roof panels. The concrete pad is cracked and will likely need to be chunked up and removed, or used as fill. Should I approach it as a complete teardown and dig posts and raise the floor over the existing? I don't want to pour a new pad at all, as I have limited funds for the resto on this building. Thinking of building it like I would a large shed, and keeping the same basic size. Slanted roof, although likely a little flatter than it currently is... Looking for ideas.
jwhcars
Well-known member
If you haven't been using the out building and don't need the storage I would just tear it down. I'm sure that you can find another place to speed the money that the shed would have gobbled up.
I haven't been using any of the out buildings except for the corn crib. The shop is at max capacity and this is in a good location for me to move the mowers and yard stuff to. That was the main motivation.
Ideally, rebuild the building similarly and put in a roll up door to bring stuff in/out. The boys can keep their power wheels in there too, and those things take up a surprising amount of room in the garage as-is. I'd really like to get my project car back in the shop at some point this spring.
xtremek
Well-known member
You'd be amazed at what can be saved and how much money it can save you. See the threads by Fergus and SublimeCharger.
fergus
Well-known member
Is the foundation sound enough as-is to support the building?
Could you just spread gravel on the cracked slab to give you a level floor? Or maybe pour a slab over the slab? Or does this even matter if you're just parking stuff in there?
I'd say you could put a come-a-long on it and pull it back to square (square enough anyway), brace it/cross brace it. Then put a good header in where the big window is and use that for your door, maybe even build a sliding door like I did. You could be done for way less than $1k, probably close to $500. Can't buy much of a shed for that kind of money.
Could you just spread gravel on the cracked slab to give you a level floor? Or maybe pour a slab over the slab? Or does this even matter if you're just parking stuff in there?
I'd say you could put a come-a-long on it and pull it back to square (square enough anyway), brace it/cross brace it. Then put a good header in where the big window is and use that for your door, maybe even build a sliding door like I did. You could be done for way less than $1k, probably close to $500. Can't buy much of a shed for that kind of money.
Yeah, I thought about rigging up a come-a-long and rebracing. I'll have to finish the inside cleanup and see what I'm dealing with and determine the state of the supporting timber. The south facing boards are mostly toast, but that's easily replaceable. I need to sheet the outside most likely anyway, especially if I end up reusing anything existing.
Bib Overalls
Well-known member
You seem to be thinking "rehabilitate" but from what you say I am thinking "recreate" as everything but the roof has gone south. My recommendation is take it down and adapt some of the other space that you are not using to accommodate the yard equipment and the power wheels. Please don't be offended if I seem bossy. The reality is that no one takes my advice and there is no reason why you should either.
Hah, yeah. I hear what you're saying. If these buildings weren't in the history of my wife's family, I would consider just tearing it all down.
I got about half of it cleaned out today, and the pad is definitely cracked and in a bunch of different fun angles. I'll hopefully finish the rest in the next week and be able to inspect it all. Since the pad is cracked, weather has raised it in the middle and pushed the frame of the building off of the pad itself on at least the outside of the west side of the building. Got a lot of vegetation growing in under the base timbers, so I'll need to finish clearing all that to see what the plan moving forward will be.
hoho98925
ALLIANCE MEMBER
What a nice place you have!!
Actual outside progress for once!
Got the older Craftsman mower cleaned up, with a new battery and pulled it out of the barn. Took off the deck that likes to shred belts, since I mow with the ZTR all the time now. Put together a new dump cart from Lowes. Kinda flimsy, but it'll do the job. Plopped it on the hitch and we're good to go. Rode around with the boy a bit and he helped me dump some of the weeds that the wife pulled and had piled up for the compost heap.
Blew another front tire on the ZTR though, so I'll need to get a new one. Foot pump will get me through until it comes in though, it just doesn't hold air for more than a day. Same thing happened to the other one and Hustler just replaces the whole tire/wheel together. Interesting, albeit kind of a pain in the ***.
Starting to get prepared to get quotes for the re-roofing job on the big barn. Not ready for how much that's gonna cost, but it needs to be done soon. Groundhogs are still living under it, so they need to be evicted. If only I could just pull out the .22, but alas, I'm in town.
Also, this happened...
And this is where I'm at with the cleanup. Two 24' trailer loads taken away already. I need more hours in the day.
Got the older Craftsman mower cleaned up, with a new battery and pulled it out of the barn. Took off the deck that likes to shred belts, since I mow with the ZTR all the time now. Put together a new dump cart from Lowes. Kinda flimsy, but it'll do the job. Plopped it on the hitch and we're good to go. Rode around with the boy a bit and he helped me dump some of the weeds that the wife pulled and had piled up for the compost heap.
Blew another front tire on the ZTR though, so I'll need to get a new one. Foot pump will get me through until it comes in though, it just doesn't hold air for more than a day. Same thing happened to the other one and Hustler just replaces the whole tire/wheel together. Interesting, albeit kind of a pain in the ***.
Starting to get prepared to get quotes for the re-roofing job on the big barn. Not ready for how much that's gonna cost, but it needs to be done soon. Groundhogs are still living under it, so they need to be evicted. If only I could just pull out the .22, but alas, I'm in town.
Also, this happened...
And this is where I'm at with the cleanup. Two 24' trailer loads taken away already. I need more hours in the day.
xtremek
Well-known member
Glad to see you back. Bummer on the tree. But I have to make sure the wife doesn't see that last pic , the one with the GREENHOUSE in the background. I'd never hear the end of it.
We're just lucky that the tree didn't hit anything. It's just inconvenient, more than anything. Took out a bunch of large branches on a nearby pine and about half of a smaller tree on the way down.
Yeah, the greenhouse... It's half filled with toys by my kids, and the other half is actual plants. My wife has done a nice job of getting it cleaned out in the last month or so, to be actually used for it's intended purpose. She just wants time to garden, which we don't have a lot of.
Greenhouse needs new glass in a few places, tempted to just swap it with plexi, since I know that I won't be able to find sheets to match the current ones. Squirrels are getting in and tearing up the flooring (bricks) somehow, so I need to fix that too. Jobs in this place are neverending.
Yeah, the greenhouse... It's half filled with toys by my kids, and the other half is actual plants. My wife has done a nice job of getting it cleaned out in the last month or so, to be actually used for it's intended purpose. She just wants time to garden, which we don't have a lot of.
Greenhouse needs new glass in a few places, tempted to just swap it with plexi, since I know that I won't be able to find sheets to match the current ones. Squirrels are getting in and tearing up the flooring (bricks) somehow, so I need to fix that too. Jobs in this place are neverending.
Big Dad
Well-known member
Nice home, garage looks great
Whelp, three groundhogs down. Trapped and drowned them.
Let that be a warning to the others..... who will not go near the trap now. Blast.
I even hosed it out and cleaned it up everytime. I guess they don't want a delicious apple or strawberries. They just like picking mine out of the garden.
The newest battle is me vs. mice in the garage. Cleaned up the shelf in the back and noticed that they had started pulling the insulation out. Took all of the shelves apart and sure enough, they tore a bunch of it out. Cleaned up, re-insulated and am putting up new drywall tonight, so I can put my shelves back together. They must have found something tasty inside one of the boxes, so I'm going through those as well. SIGH.
Time to start putting snap traps out again. I need to have a stern talking to with the cat, who obviously isn't taking her job seriously.
Let that be a warning to the others..... who will not go near the trap now. Blast.
I even hosed it out and cleaned it up everytime. I guess they don't want a delicious apple or strawberries. They just like picking mine out of the garden.
The newest battle is me vs. mice in the garage. Cleaned up the shelf in the back and noticed that they had started pulling the insulation out. Took all of the shelves apart and sure enough, they tore a bunch of it out. Cleaned up, re-insulated and am putting up new drywall tonight, so I can put my shelves back together. They must have found something tasty inside one of the boxes, so I'm going through those as well. SIGH.
Time to start putting snap traps out again. I need to have a stern talking to with the cat, who obviously isn't taking her job seriously.
HoosierMark
Well-known member
If you need to shoot in town. Try subsonic 22 ammo. It works well for a friend in town with only noise being a little ****. You need some barn cats for the mice.
Yeah, my one cat is indoor/outdoor. She goes in the barn every so often, but usually putters around with me when I'm in the garage. She's not allowed in there full-time.
I'm sure that they're getting in through the sliding door easily, since there's a giant gap between the door and the ground in the shop area. If the concrete didn't taper down, I could just make the door bigger, but that's not an option. I'm still toying with putting a roll up door on that side as well, and just keeping the sliding barn door for looks. There's probably other places too, but that's the obvious one. Not a lot I can do to seal everything up right now.
Yeah, I considered the subsonic 22. Not much different sounding than a pellet gun. But I also have a neighborhood behind me and a firestation on the other side. Probably not the best place to fire a weapon and not have bad things happen. I just need to cross my fingers that the traps keep working. Caught a baby raccoon in one the other day.
I'm sure that they're getting in through the sliding door easily, since there's a giant gap between the door and the ground in the shop area. If the concrete didn't taper down, I could just make the door bigger, but that's not an option. I'm still toying with putting a roll up door on that side as well, and just keeping the sliding barn door for looks. There's probably other places too, but that's the obvious one. Not a lot I can do to seal everything up right now.
Yeah, I considered the subsonic 22. Not much different sounding than a pellet gun. But I also have a neighborhood behind me and a firestation on the other side. Probably not the best place to fire a weapon and not have bad things happen. I just need to cross my fingers that the traps keep working. Caught a baby raccoon in one the other day.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Do they still make .22 BBcaps ? Very quiet.
A good CO2 powered pellet gun will take out a raccoon or ground hog if you hit it in a vital spot.
A good CO2 powered pellet gun will take out a raccoon or ground hog if you hit it in a vital spot.
xtremek
Well-known member
I put 8" of hardware cloth (1/4" steel screen)along the bottom of my barn walls before I put up the interior walls. I hope it deters the mice from getting into my insulation.