Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT The "Glendora Garage"

[Dan in Pasadena]

Yep
Close enough is good enough I always say.

Not coming out of your shop! But at my place it frequently is, ha ha.

I studied on whether to demolish the brick pier or to lift it. Lifting won (so far) because busting that thing out would have been a helluva chore and a huge mess. Of course I didn’t realize there was more below ground than above. We’ll see how it goes when I start digging the hole where I intend to place it. Not to mention I'm going to have to trench 30-40 ft to run electrical to it.

Anyway, got the overhead light & fans installed today. Still need to paint conduit. We didn’t know this entire unit rotated - hope this 5 second video works here.

EDIT: The link doesn't work, sorry. One fan turns clockwise, the other counter clockwise. The entire assembly slowly rotates clockwise in Low, Medium or High speed. Light is a bunch of LED's.

PS: The liquitite fitting came loose but I fixed & glued it after the pic. Also scraped the excess glue off.

 

[rharman]

Yeah, that kinda bugged me too. I’ll learn to ignore it. I’d already cut the conduit to 27” and it should have been about 28-1/2” to allow the liquitite to approach the column more perpendicularly. The wood base moulding also prevents it from truly hugging the column, well unless I removed that molding or cut an inch wide kerf in it. No one will see it so I can live with it.

I thought about the kerf as well. Might need to make a nice cover piece for it so the conduit doesn't show - break out the router for some clean edges.

I believe you and I share the same OCD on things like this. But, if you're happy, that's what matters. Location of it certainly comes into play. Plant something nice to hide it.

 

[captain14]

Get yourself a trenching shovel for that 30-40 feet unless you have plans to rent a machine. I’m not sure if you can find them in a rental store.

 

[zmotorsports]

Changed the oil in the Jeep Gladiator yesterday. The self monitor indicated 22% life remaining. I usually change it at 25% just to be conservative with the life of the engine. Factory requires 0W-20 oil.

While I was at it I changed the oil on our "toad" 2012 Fiat 500. I don't have one of the Fujimoto valves on it.

Dan, I'm just getting caught up and noticed that you installed a Fumoto valve on your Gladiator. Just a word of caution that if you take it off-road at all I advise against using these as I've seen them get knocked off and oil dumped all over the ground when the valve contacted a rock. I've seen it on the trails a few times now but if you don't go off-road you should be fine.

Get yourself a trenching shovel for that 30-40 feet unless you have plans to rent a machine. I’m not sure if you can find them in a rental store.

I would concur with the trenching shovel. I had never used one until a few years ago when I was adding and/or moving some sprinkler heads and was pleasantly surprised at how little of the area was disturbed and how easy it was to put things back and make them look like they were never disturbed.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Yes. I already own a trenching shovel. They work great but I do intend to rent a trenching machine - IF it works. Glendora is well known for a LOT of rock in the ground! Frequently BIG rocks!

As to the Fumoto valve, yeah I considered whether to use one or not. I don’t take the Jeep off-road at all and also when I installed it I noted it is protected by suspension parts that hang lower than it. But of course if I did take it off road a big rock could still take it out.

 

[zmotorsports]

As to the Fumoto valve, yeah I considered whether to use one or not. I don’t take the Jeep off-road at all and also when I installed it I noted it is protected by suspension parts that hang lower than it. But of course if I did take it off road a big rock could still take it out.

Sounds good. Just thought it was worth a mention.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Today's work was filling the border next to the BBQ area where the brick pier and lamp post had been. Filled it with a bunch of rocks, dirt, etc. Tamped it as best I could then filled last inch or so with sand supposedly made for paver underlayment.

Got it just about right but needed more sand so I took another trip to Lowe's and of course our dogs decided to dig it up! Ha ha. I kinda expected it. Added two more bags of sand, leveled, tamped & placed three 24"x24"x1" thick tiles or pavers. We store our smoker and a metal storage cabinet used when grilling.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Spent the morning working on the gazebo. The paint finishes got a lot of dirty hand prints during erection and also got some dings/dents I had to fill and sand. I'll wipe the whole thing down at the end of all the finish work.

Also I primered the electrical conduit w/rattle can white primer and didn't mask/disassemble (lazy!). So of course I had to disassemble and remove some paint on metal parts using lacquer thinner. Good thing the parts were powder coated so no harm/no foul.

I only took pics of the ding/dent repairs. Of course best little girl, Fifi supervised and "helped" by licking my ankles!

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Also today got a couple Black-eyed Susan vines which grow fast and are showy bloomers. They will be at two of the four gazebo columns. Had the ceramic pots already. Pic's mañana.

 

[PugetDude]

Also today got a couple Black-eyed Susan vines which grow fast and are showy bloomers. They will be at two of the four gazebo columns. Had the ceramic pots already. Pic's mañana.

How do those do in heat, Dan? We lost all four of our passionvines this summer, need to find something that's more heat tolerant.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Funny you ask because we were SPECIFICALLY looking for very heat tolerant full sun vines that flower. Our will be in a full southern exposure and it gets HOT!!! out there. Crazy hot. These like full sun and prefer drought over wet "feet" once they're established. That won't be this summer. Also, depending where you live these are sometimes annuals, will die off in winter cold. But it doesnt get cold enough here to kill them.

Bougainvillea, Star Jasmine or Mandevilla would all fit the bill but bougainvillea and mandavilla grow way too tall to plant in pots. Also bougainvillea; while beautiful drop a lot of flowers and they'd blow into the pool making a daily mess.

EDIT: DON'T buy plants that say "Sun, partial shade" You need one that says, "Full sun" and preferably ones that say drought tolerant once established.

 

[PugetDude]

Called a local nursery; they recommended Star Jasmine or Snakevine.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I had to look up Snakevine. I'd never heard of it before:

Hibbertia scandens - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Beautiful flowers but I don't like that the description says it smells bad like urine or ***** matter!

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Touched up here & there on the white paint. R&R'ed some black bolts & washers to wipe off white paint - sloppy painter.

Finally placed the new vine plants. This project is not truly done because I never went back and bolted the structure down to the patio. Still annoyed with myself over screwing up the Tapcons. Procrastination justification!

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Mowed & edged front & back today - the usual. But also sprayed some weeds - blue is a dye to keep track.

Also noticed the big *** caterpillars I dealt with a week or so ago died but tiny ones of the same kind are coming back. Below is a small sample. There were a few leaves with dozens of these tiny ones on them. Kay was right, had to mix up a couple gallons of the Bt and sprayed three trees again. One of the trees is so tall it's hit or miss if I'm truly spraying where I should.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Dupe of the post in "What Did You Do In Your Yard Today"

In that post I ***** about my back hurting after trimming the EVER-EFFING-GROWING lantana hedges in the front yard. Thinking of taking them out in favor of maybe a neat small boxwood hedge just to delineate the front walk only.

Before and Afters below:



Did the other bigger one too:

 

[captain14]

I cleaned the gutters, edged, mulched and cut the grass yesterday in anticipation of the up to 4” of rain predicted for this weekend.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Boxwood ain't any better. You want something like a mugo pine hedge. It'll take decades to get as big as the lantana.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Boxwood ain't any better. You want something like a mugo pine hedge. It'll take decades to get as big as the lantana.

Never heard of mugo pine, I'll have to look it up. Maybe(?) its known by another name out here?

In my experience - our backyard - boxwood grows much slower so yeah it'll still need to be trimmed but the amount of debris will be waay less and will be green instead of colorful so not as much hand raking afterward to keep the lawn from looking like it's had a confetti bomb go off!

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

A preview of the upcoming week's project. Moved this huge heavy concrete planter on the patio so I can dig a 2 ft x 2ft x 2 ft hole for the brick pilaster I dug out elsewhere.

Glendora has an ungodly amount of rock in the dirt. A crazy lot. I'll start by hand but I may have to rent one of those jackhammer things you can put a shovel head on. Not sure what will work. When I dug the same size hole for the avocado tree +/- it took almost 2 days.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

PS to the above post:

After re-setting that pilaster I'll need to cast a 2-1/2" thick concrete cap on it to match the other caps in the backyard - then trench maybe 30 feet to the house to run an electrical line to the shed and lamp. I'm going to try to figure out how to make the lamp controllable from inside the house by remote.

 

[kaymccampbell]

They sell remote plugs of differing types. There's one where you get a battery powered switch plate to control the receptacle. There's things like Sonos plugs, where they run off your phone, tablet, or home automation suite. And then there **** like I do, where you write your own home automation ecology, just to be contrary.

 

[LeonardY]

I may have to rent one of those jackhammer things you can put a shovel head on.

The shovel head is really for clay soil. I used a pointed chisel to break rock. I'm guessing your going to rent a 90lb jack hammer. I ended up buying a 40lb demo hammer. I think it cost me $70. I find it easier to deal with. Renting is $100 per day.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

The shovel head is really for clay soil. I used a pointed chisel to break rock. I'm guessing your going to rent a 90lb jack hammer. I ended up buying a 40lb demo hammer. I think it cost me $70. I find it easier to deal with. Renting is $100 per day.

Yikes on the cost.....just to make a big hole in the ground. I'll try it by hand but being on hands & knees bent over it'll be a back breaker. The tree hole was because there were numerous boulders bigger than my head I had to lift out.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

They sell remote plugs of differing types. There's one where you get a battery powered switch plate to control the receptacle. There's things like Sonos plugs, where they run off your phone, tablet, or home automation suite. And then there **** like I do, where you write your own home automation ecology, just to be contrary.

I ain't smart enough to "write my own home automation ecology" - whatever that means.

I'm thinking something more along the line of this contraption from Amazon. I'll put a water resistant exterior 120v outlet low on the shed exterior wall and I'll put one dual outlet inside along with an ordinary switch-operated overhead light.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082TX3CV1/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[PugetDude]

Get a digging bar, Dan. This isn't a job you want to do on your hands and knees.
Dig a bit, fill the hole with water and then come back to it later when the water has been fully absorbed. A sharp spade and/or the digging bar will break it up enough to take out the top layer.
Rinse and repeat until finished.

 

[kaymccampbell]

I ain't smart enough to "write my own home automation ecology" - whatever that means.

I'm thinking something more along the line of this contraption from Amazon. I'll put a water resistant exterior 120v outlet low on the shed exterior wall and I'll put one dual outlet inside along with an ordinary switch-operated overhead light.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082TX3CV1/?tag=atomicindus08-20

It means you break out the soldering iron, a chip programmer, ESP boards, maybe some other components. Assemble it all. Then you write code, like C++ or Python, to get your newly minted equipment to do your bidding. Then you load it up, and try it out. In my case it means developing a web interface and communication scheme to run my stuff from my tablet or phone, and be able to do over-the-air software upgrades. It's fun stuff, and assures me that I'll never be beholden to any corporate overlord.

That thing you linked to will probably do just fine.
They also sell stuff like this, if you want to do a lightbulb.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09R6Y5N3D/?tag=atomicindus08-20

And this, if you want a more hardwired solution.

Robot or human?

 

[LeonardY]

Yikes on the cost.....just to make a big hole in the ground. I'll try it by hand but being on hands & knees bent over it'll be a back breaker. The tree hole was because there were numerous boulders bigger than my head I had to lift out.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BPX4F4X8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This is similar to what I bought. It's one of the those tools that sits in the shed. But it's a life saver when I need to dig a hole.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks you guys. All good suggestions.

Kay, I’m glad someone understands what you posted but I sure don’t! (I don’t even own a soldering iron, ESP board or components!) just a dumb wrench turner here. Hell, I can barely make a square cut on a wood board, ha ha.

So in keeping with, “…. it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it” - which is the Garage Journal tool mantra - I ordered the chinesey jackhammer from Amazon above.

Since it’s $136 vs the $900-1200 “American made” ones (which are likely Chinese too!) I figure it’s not costing me much versus renting and then it may end up being good enough to use in the future - like to remove the root balls of the lantana hedges I’m thinking of pulling out!! Their end is a lot more likely if I have this tool.

 

[LeonardY]

in keeping with, “…. it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it” - which is the Garage Journal tool mantra - I ordered the chinesey jackhammer from Amazon above.

That's the song of my people.

Here's a tip. Let the weight do the work. I hold mine just enough to steady it. Grease the socket well. (Yeah, I know.) You'll understand when you get it.

Good luck, sir.

 

[rharman]

Never used a jackhammer but the vast majority of my recip saw use has been branch and root removal of various growing things around the house.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

That's the song of my people.

Here's a tip. Let the weight do the work. I hold mine just enough to steady it. Grease the socket well. (Yeah, I know.) You'll understand when you get it.

Good luck, sir.

Yeah, I've used one before though it's been a while. I assume you're talking about the grease because it can be difficult to remove the bits after they heat up?

Never used a jackhammer but the vast majority of my recip saw use has been branch and root removal of various growing things around the house.

The issue here won't be roots. It'll be rocks. I'll post pic's of what I find but likely some very large ones.

 

[LeonardY]

I assume you're talking about the grease because it can be difficult to remove the bits after they heat up?

Yup.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

This arrived today. Chinesey demolition hammer with assorted bits including a spade/shovel end.

Bought it for digging the about 30"x30"x30" hole I will need to re-install the brick pier I dug up back in post #1187 in a new yard location. As I've mentioned, Glendora has a crazy amount of rock in the soil so I will use this and a digging bar to get 'er done. Hopefully in just an hour or two instead of the 2 days it took me to dig the sane size hole 3 years ago to plant a big avocado tree..

I don't expect the tool to last like a Hilti, Milwaukee or Porter Cable but it didn't cost $1000 either. And I don't need it to. I'll use it for this purpose and for digging out the lantana root balls of the front yard hedges. At $136 it will be (hopefully) well worth it plus I get to keep it versus an expensive rental yard tool - at least this is what I am telling myself ha ha.

The case has wheels it's so HEAVY. Came with replacement brushes, lube bottle, dust mask, plastic goggles (clearly NOT OSHA compliant - I tossed them) and some gloves. Whoever this company is, they're trying. So thumbs up for now.


The Amazon link for anyone interested later:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BPX4F4X8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[captain14]

Dan

You have a lower shelf In The garage were it live after this project?

You don’t need to trip over it every day.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

It may take up residence in the shed. I do have a cabinet for my power tools in the garage but it's made of particle board so it'd probably collapse!

NOTIFICATION FOR THE RECORD:
16 months after starting our home solar project ("2 or 3 days" to install we were told) was finally bought off by the City inspector this morning! Way too much to relate but the original company broke a lot of lightweight concrete tile on the roof, couldn't find same size nor color, broke more several times, same problems after, eventually went out of business. The replacement company was overworked and understaffed, broke more tiles, same problem after. Every time someone would come it was a different person and on and on.

LESSON: Do a LOT better job researching this before committing to it than we did. Now waiting for solar company to notify Southern California Edison (SCE) so they do whatever that results in us getting credit for the power we put into the grid over/above what we use. Oh, and ceiling drywall repair & paint due to those broken tiles. Why is it I am certain we will see more leaks after the next big rain?!

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

It may take up residence in the shed. I do have a cabinet for my power tools in the garage but it's made of particle board so it'd probably collapse!

NOTIFICATION FOR THE RECORD:
16 months after starting our home solar project ("2 or 3 days" to install we were told) was finally bought off by the City inspector this morning! Way too much to relate but the original company broke a lot of lightweight concrete tile on the roof, couldn't find same size nor color, broke more several times, same problems after, eventually went out of business. The replacement company was overworked and understaffed, broke more tiles, same problem after. Every time someone would come it was a different person and on and on.

LESSON: Do a LOT better job researching this before committing to it than we did. Now waiting for solar company to notify Southern California Edison (SCE) so they do whatever that results in us getting credit for the power we put into the grid over/above what we use. Oh, and ceiling drywall repair & paint due to those broken tiles. Why is it I am certain we will see more leaks after the next big rain?!

Bob, I almost had to be restrained about a month ago after one more delay. Told my girlfriend I was going to call them and tell them, "The deal is off. Come out and take ALL YOUR SCHIT off my roof THIS WEEK and fix all the tiles you damage doing it. We'll see you in court and we've documented every date, every broken promise."

The company's rep heard me saying that loudly in the background of a conversation my girlfriend was having with him. Amazingly, we got the entire thing finished in the next week. Today's buy off would have been earlier but the local municipal inspector was already scheduled elsewhere every day. I was ok-ish with that explanation but not one more promise from the company. Now let's see how long before we get SCE to react.

 

[LeonardY]

This arrived today. Chinesey demolition hammer with assorted bits including a spade/shovel end.

Bought it for digging the about 30"x30"x30" hole I will need to re-install the brick pier I dug up back in post #1187 in a new yard location. As I've mentioned, Glendora has a crazy amount of rock in the soil so I will use this and a digging bar to get 'er done. Hopefully in just an hour or two instead of the 2 days it took me to dig the sane size hole 3 years ago to plant a big avocado tree..

I don't expect the tool to last like a Hilti, Milwaukee or Porter Cable but it didn't cost $1000 either. And I don't need it to. I'll use it for this purpose and for digging out the lantana root balls of the front yard hedges. At $136 it will be (hopefully) well worth it plus I get to keep it versus an expensive rental yard tool - at least this is what I am telling myself ha ha.

The case has wheels it's so HEAVY. Came with replacement brushes, lube bottle, dust mask, plastic goggles (clearly NOT OSHA compliant - I tossed them) and some gloves. Whoever this company is, they're trying. So thumbs up for now.


The Amazon link for anyone interested later:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BPX4F4X8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

It looks like the same one I got. Except mine is black.
I've had mine since 2017. I've used a couple times a year and it's still going strong.
The case cracked but that may be because I stored in a hot shed.
FYI-Mine leaks oil. there was a puddle under the case.

 

[LeonardY]

It may take up residence in the shed.

I recommend that. That's where mine lives.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

As I posted back in #1,234 I dug out a 24"x24"x14" hole near our shed to move the brick pier & lamp post that was next to our BBQ before the gazebo.

Man, talk about a job! Frickin' ROCKS! for such a small hole. Picture below isn't all of them. The 3 or 4 huge ones we put out under our hedge. Girlfriend took all the fist-sized ones to outline a border near Bbq plus two wheelbarrows of dirt not shown here.

But with my HF engine hoist and GREAT effort, plus two 3/4" sheets of plywood I got it in, leveled and back filled. No electrical to it yet and with lessons-learned from this hole I'm wondering if I could convert the existing lantern to solar powered EASILY? I suffer from "lame-old-dude-itis" when it comes to tech. Instructions for dumb guys would be appreciated.






The broken brick will be replaced and then I will simulate the solid concrete cap the patio brick piers have by covering the top course of brick with ready mix mortar and a little trowel work.