Between 485 & 705 SQ/FT Welcome......To Odd Acres
- Thread starter Finallygotit
- Start date
Workspaces between 485 and 705 squarefeet.
OutlawDrifter
Well-known member
Things are getting pretty serious!
OP
Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I laughed out loud at that one!
Thanks Marc. Other things have been occupying my time; as you will soon see.
OP
Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
So to say that I dislike irrigation work would be a monumental understatement.
Back when we purchased this house, we found issues with the septic system. (shown in previous posts). When the septic guys dug up the lines going to and from the tank, they managed to snag and sever the power lines to the irrigation valve box. At the time I didn't think much of it because in my opinion, if mother nature can't sustain it, it will probably die. Well that was OK UNTIL my lovely wife bought some new mesquite trees. Guess what? They need to be watered........sigh.......
So I had to get to work on rewiring the valves and seeing what those zones watered. While I was there, I decided to exercise the shut-off valve. It was really hard getting it to shut off. So when I tried to turn the water back on, the stem broke off in my hand. In my mind I'm thinking, this shouldn't be a problem to replace, they plumbed it with a union for servicing. At this point I should have just thrown a grenade at it which would have made me feel better.
So as I tried to undo the union, it would not budge, even with 250 pounds of me standing on the pipe wrench. DAMMIT! So I go get the hack saw and cut the pipe to release the union. So now I try to remove the busted valve. In doing so, the whole thing twisted ever so slightly and I hear a crack. The PVC fitting broke where it meets the galvanized pipe underground. The irrigation gods are having fun at my expense.
Here you can see the piece of **** I removed from the system on the right and the new setup I decided to make up on the left.
Here's the area and paraphernalia for the system. You can see where I capped the pipe. The only way to put that cap on was to shut off the water at the street.
Now for me, working with irrigation is bad enough but now I start digging and find that I have to remedy the half-assedness from someone else. Time to start popping more blood pressure meds.
The valve box that Cletus installed was just enough to cover the valves and the Y filters. Not nearly enough room to work on things. Adding insult to injury, the old valve box was set on top of the pipes. Guess what I found? If you guessed another cracked pipe, you win! UGH!!!!!
So I went and purchased a new valve box about twice the size of the old one which should provide enough room to work on things. That damned new box is expensive!
The old valve box was laid east/west. I'm placing the new one north/south and adding mouse holes for the pipes.
Some more pics
At this point, hand digging this compacted soil with gravel mixed in, my knees had had enough. I felt like an archeologist digging and brushing hoping not to wreck something else. Will tackle this probably next weekend.
Back when we purchased this house, we found issues with the septic system. (shown in previous posts). When the septic guys dug up the lines going to and from the tank, they managed to snag and sever the power lines to the irrigation valve box. At the time I didn't think much of it because in my opinion, if mother nature can't sustain it, it will probably die. Well that was OK UNTIL my lovely wife bought some new mesquite trees. Guess what? They need to be watered........sigh.......
So I had to get to work on rewiring the valves and seeing what those zones watered. While I was there, I decided to exercise the shut-off valve. It was really hard getting it to shut off. So when I tried to turn the water back on, the stem broke off in my hand. In my mind I'm thinking, this shouldn't be a problem to replace, they plumbed it with a union for servicing. At this point I should have just thrown a grenade at it which would have made me feel better.
So as I tried to undo the union, it would not budge, even with 250 pounds of me standing on the pipe wrench. DAMMIT! So I go get the hack saw and cut the pipe to release the union. So now I try to remove the busted valve. In doing so, the whole thing twisted ever so slightly and I hear a crack. The PVC fitting broke where it meets the galvanized pipe underground. The irrigation gods are having fun at my expense.
Here you can see the piece of **** I removed from the system on the right and the new setup I decided to make up on the left.
Here's the area and paraphernalia for the system. You can see where I capped the pipe. The only way to put that cap on was to shut off the water at the street.
Now for me, working with irrigation is bad enough but now I start digging and find that I have to remedy the half-assedness from someone else. Time to start popping more blood pressure meds.
The valve box that Cletus installed was just enough to cover the valves and the Y filters. Not nearly enough room to work on things. Adding insult to injury, the old valve box was set on top of the pipes. Guess what I found? If you guessed another cracked pipe, you win! UGH!!!!!
So I went and purchased a new valve box about twice the size of the old one which should provide enough room to work on things. That damned new box is expensive!
The old valve box was laid east/west. I'm placing the new one north/south and adding mouse holes for the pipes.
Some more pics
At this point, hand digging this compacted soil with gravel mixed in, my knees had had enough. I felt like an archeologist digging and brushing hoping not to wreck something else. Will tackle this probably next weekend.
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OP
Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
You can bet your *** I will! I'm going to exersize the whole system before I put the valve box in place. If I have to replace one valve, they all get replaced. In fact, I'm toying with the idea to just replace the whole shebang.
But thank you very much for mentioning that!
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OutlawDrifter
Well-known member
Definitely frustrating!
OP
Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
As I look at this image....
I was wondering, in the middle of the night no less, why the installer went from galvanized pipe to PVC then back to galvanized. As far as I'm concerned, that PVC portion is definitely coming out.
I was wondering, in the middle of the night no less, why the installer went from galvanized pipe to PVC then back to galvanized. As far as I'm concerned, that PVC portion is definitely coming out.
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zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Dan, I also hate irrigation work and it seems like I am altering or tweaking mine each year to some extent and it's getting awfully old.
Best of luck with yours and I am anxiously awaiting your machines being moved in and seeing chips flying.
Best of luck with yours and I am anxiously awaiting your machines being moved in and seeing chips flying.
OP
Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Mike, the irony in all of this irrigation work is that I work for an irrigation company.Dan, I also hate irrigation work and it seems like I am altering or tweaking mine each year to some extent and it's getting awfully old.
Best of luck with yours and I am anxiously awaiting your machines being moved in and seeing chips flying.
I can't wait to get the Bridgeport back up and running. I have projects!
RickP
Well-known member
Now that right there is funny!Mike, the irony in all of this irrigation work is that I work for an irrigation company.
I've followed your build, but haven't posted before -- the shop is looking great. Can't wait to see the chips flying on the Bridgeport.
I feel your pain digging out sprinkler valve boxes in dirt full of rocks. After the second or third time digging up the same valve box, I finally smartened up (a little) and now I backfill them with sand. The guys that installed our system put two bricks under each valve box to keep it slightly above the top of the pipes, and they duct-taped over the openings at each end of the box to keep some of the dirt out. I figure they must know what they're doing, so I've been copying them each time I install a new box.
OP
Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Hi Rick and thank you for stopping by. I like your suggestions about the sand, bricks and duct tape. I will be using those when I put this all back together. I was thinking of back filling with smaller river rock but I like your solution better.
OP
Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
My babies are finally home!! 
It's starting to turn into a chaotic mess in there now but that will straighten out in the near future.
And now I can actually park cars in the garage. Whodathunk!
It's starting to turn into a chaotic mess in there now but that will straighten out in the near future.
And now I can actually park cars in the garage. Whodathunk!
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OutlawDrifter
Well-known member
Full on shop! Looks great Dan!
Walls have a tendency to creep in once you bring in all the toys
Walls have a tendency to creep in once you bring in all the toys
OP
Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Marc, you are so right. But man it sure feels good to get to this point. Gotta get my **** in gear and finish running the electrical.
OP
Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
A few weeks ago I scored this vintage Dazor 1000 lamp that is in incredibly good shape for the amazing price of $0.00.
OP
Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
For anyone that pops in here, I would like to buy a virtual round of adult beverages! 
(I know, kinda lame) But, today is the first day of my retirement! Time to rest, decompress and find my new normal.
I need to post some updates here shortly. Stuff has been happening
CHEERS!!
(I know, kinda lame) But, today is the first day of my retirement! Time to rest, decompress and find my new normal.I need to post some updates here shortly. Stuff has been happening
CHEERS!!
StormcrowAz
Well-known member
Congratulations! Super jealous!!
sawduststeve
Well-known member
Congratulations Dan.
You don’t look old enough.
More time to wash the motors and mow the lawn.
You don’t look old enough.
More time to wash the motors and mow the lawn.
Bob Heine
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Dan, congratulations and I hope you have many more. On Monday (2/28,/2022) I celebrated my 10,000th day of retirement.today is the first day of my retirement!
That is impressive Bob! I can’t imagine counting to 20,000 in multiples of 15 instead of 20…..or wait, 16 and 21? Ah hell, never mind, I’m all dicked up now!
OutlawDrifter
Well-known member
Congrats Dan! Super happy for ya!
jon72vega
Well-known member
Congrats on your retirement!
OP
Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
What is this "lawn" you speak of??Congratulations Dan.
You don’t look old enough.
More time to wash the motors and mow the lawn.
rmack898
Well-known member
Congratulations Dan,
I’m sitting on my front porch having a beverage in you honor.
I’m sitting on my front porch having a beverage in you honor.
RickP
Well-known member
Congratulations! Reaching that milestone must feel really good.
Are you going to sleep in on Monday morning, just because you can?
Are you going to sleep in on Monday morning, just because you can?
OP
Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Thanks Mac! I am so looking forward to this next chapter.
Or Tuesday or Wednesday, or Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Hahahaha..... Thanks Rick!
I got a gift from a co-worker that pretty much sums it up. Plus he knows how much I like my morning coffee.
racer-john
Well-known member
Congrats on joining the retirement crew.
OP
Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
So we decided to have a contractor add some pavers to the side of the house that got all dug up. It helped level the area and gave me a great place to store the garbage and recycle containers.
Next, we need to order about 15 ton of new rock to fill in between the gates and the shop apron.
I also finished plumbing the irrigation valves and stuff.
To finish this, I need to backfill and put the new valve box in place. Oh, I also need to re-mount the irrigation controller and run the wire to the box.
Next, we need to order about 15 ton of new rock to fill in between the gates and the shop apron.
I also finished plumbing the irrigation valves and stuff.
To finish this, I need to backfill and put the new valve box in place. Oh, I also need to re-mount the irrigation controller and run the wire to the box.
RickP
Well-known member
I was just doing this myself last week. I placed two valve boxes and backfilled them, before realizing they both needed adjustment to match the slope of the ground around them. While digging them back up, I was very glad I finally got smart about using sand for backfill.
I feel for you doing all those fittings with steel pipe! Mine are all PVC and those are hard enough, so I can't even imagine what a pain it is doing them all with a pipe wrench.
racer-john
Well-known member
Bob Heine
ALLIANCE MEMBER
John, your birth year gave you a 4,383 day (12 year) head start on me. On the other hand I did cheat a little by retiring at 50. You are my hero for hanging in as long as you have. I don't plan to live that long but so far I've already exceeded any plan I ever had.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
A HUGE congratulations on your retirement Dan. That is AWESOME! 
Looking forward to seeing some bad *** projects coming out of your new shop now that you have all this "free" time.
Looking forward to seeing some bad *** projects coming out of your new shop now that you have all this "free" time.
Chrisb62
Well-known member
Congratulations on the next chapter of your life, I unknowingly enjoyed a adult beverage at the same time you posted.
May your "time off" stay as just that........a well deserved... do what ever you want.
May your "time off" stay as just that........a well deserved... do what ever you want.
jbmatth
Well-known member
Congrats on retirement I hope you manage to find lots of fun projects to keep you busy and active. I only have 6,933 more days until I retire.
JB
JB
madison069
Well-known member
Congrats on your retirement!
I'm just getting caught up on your thread and when I read your wife bought Mesquite trees I started laughing. In West Texas we would bulldoze all of the mesquite trees out of the pasture due to being an invasive specie and here I see people actually buying them for plants and not just to grill!
But if you do water them regularly and I mean often, they do grow to be huge trees with no thorns. The ones by rivers are huge and thorn free, while the ones in pastures look more like over grown bushes with huge thorns.
I'm just getting caught up on your thread and when I read your wife bought Mesquite trees I started laughing. In West Texas we would bulldoze all of the mesquite trees out of the pasture due to being an invasive specie and here I see people actually buying them for plants and not just to grill!
But if you do water them regularly and I mean often, they do grow to be huge trees with no thorns. The ones by rivers are huge and thorn free, while the ones in pastures look more like over grown bushes with huge thorns.
OP
Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Thanks Mike! I do have some projects in queue.A HUGE congratulations on your retirement Dan. That is AWESOME!
Looking forward to seeing some bad *** projects coming out of your new shop now that you have all this "free" time.
Oh, BTW, I ordered a new lathe!
It is still a weird feeling. It's like I'm ditching work.
Finding my new normal is the project of this month; that and finish wiring the shop.Congratulations on the next chapter of your life, I unknowingly enjoyed a adult beverage at the same time you posted.
May your "time off" stay as just that........a well deserved... do what ever you want.
Thanks JB! I think the projects are finding me.Congrats on retirement I hope you manage to find lots of fun projects to keep you busy and active. I only have 6,933 more days until I retire.
JB
Thanks Madison! That's funny you say that about mesquite trees; I did not know that. From what I have seen, most of the mesquite trees around here are thornless. Now if you want thorns we have a few varieties of palo verde that will shred you.