Welcome to the Chop Shop

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

I have decided to resurrect this thread.

I began to chronicle the build of my dream, and then thought, WHO CARES?

But as I have been around and looked at other builds, I realized, someone might, and even if no one does, well, its pretty cool to have it documented just for me and the family.

History:

When I was just a Young kid (6), my parents set out to build a house on property they had bought a few years prior. 4 slightly less than choice acres had been stolen in the recession for a total of less than $8k. Dad is a hardworking man (and its taking its toll as he approaches 70 now) and drove almost every nail, pulled all the wire, and re-layed the basement walls when mom called for a backfill during a monsoon. It was a modest 1000 sq. ft. ranch. The property had a barn already. Dad used his 1970 C10 as a scaffold and daily driver. I learned to drive a stick over that 23 month build, 3 on the tree! He put blocks on the pedals so I could cruise the field out back.

Next door, a build was going on too, but quite different. The owner drove a Corvette. The house was 3000 Sq. Ft. He drove a lot less nails himself. Dad told me I needed to find out what that man did for a living.

Fast- forward about 12 years. I knew the neighbor pretty well now. He was an HVAC service man, now Service manager. Not just anywhere, but for one of the manufacturers (can't say which one, internet policy, lol). I am headed off to College for.......guess what?

HVAC. Upon my graduation as #2 in the class, I land an entry level Job with my neighbor as my boss. WOW! Living the dream. All because of a house.

Now, fast forward a few more years- the neighbor starts talking of selling this 3000 sq. ft. monster, but alas, I have started a family, struggling to make it with baby #1 on the way. No way I can do it. Not even close.

As the years slide by the neighbor and some-times-boss ( I changed jobs a few times, but always came back) mentioned the house would be for sale "soon". This went on for over 15 years. Every time it was a pipe dream. That house was just going to be too expensive. It was a goal, but totally unreachable it seemed.

Then the old neighbor, still my dads neighbor, announced he would retire, and again, the sale of the home that led me to HVAC and my dream home, was eminent.

I received a visit over a year later from another co-worker, I was now sitting in the office at the same HVAC company as my old neighbor.

"Hey, there is a For Sale sign in the yard of the house next to your dad".

No way! it was finally for sale. But I still knew, from past conversations, that the price was out of reach. Still I called my former neighbor and boss. Well, he wanted to move the house fast. The price was about $40k from what we had discussed most recently. But I had just bought a house about a year before.

Well, really long story shorter (a bit shorter), I know live in this dream house, with my wife (who has shared the dream for 15 years) and our 5 kids. Right next to the home I grew up in where my dad still lives.

Along with the house, and large garage, I also have a KY steel building at 30*50*12 out back. If you'd like to see what progresses, follow along. It might be fun.

And here is to fairy tale endings, sometimes they really do happen!


Please feel free to check out my other threads for more background.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=322834
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=325275
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=320423
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=318130

 

[George58]

Wow what a beautiful home congrats to you and your family.

 

[Jinks]

Wonderful how honest work & a serious attitude will take a person to their goals. Congratulations!

 

[DBendr]

Good ranch for a man with a gaggle of younuns ! Room for some grandkids too. Soon enough.

 

[dcmus]

Great, story. Congratulations!

 

[Slackerzinc]

Congratulations! Property is beautiful!

 

[38Chevy454]

Great house and shop. Your hard work has paid off. It seems the prev owner respected your drive and skills, and worked out so you could buy the place. It's nice to have your Dad still next door. Money may seem tight now, but things will get better.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

What a wonderful story. Who says the American Dream is dead! You were given a roadmap and everything has worked out.

Good luck in the future!

 

[Lacota]

Nice !

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

So, a few updates in the history to get us to present day, just a heads up, there will be some "homestead" posts as well (house, property).

So the first order of business was to organize a ton of stuff! Shelves, bolt bins, etc. My primary goal was to do it once, and do it right.

Also, as a great dad of kids who love sports, the far end is reserved for a future ball goal, and a hitting net. This may help explain why the far end has NOTHING on the wall.

I also added heat (see my biomass thread) and a tool room (see tool room thread) at this time.

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

Once the ground dried out (which was a very small window this year) I ran electric. Now, I am not sure why anyone with means would put up a all steel building, insulated, concrete floor, and NOT put in electric. But, alas, that was what the deal was.

100 amp service was buried over a weekend. The inside had the panel already set and the branch circuits ran for a month or so. (It was a really wet year).

I also had my BIL haul me some stone for a drive (again, seriously, why do a building like this with no access, especially when you have money??)

There was a heated debate over lighting, (see my lighting thread) and I went with the T5 highbays (I am 17' to the peak) and LOVE them still! I may add a few more over the years, but with a bench light and a tool box light, this is now really great!

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

So, up until this time, we had (well, I had) been mowing with a Famall Cub with 60" belly mower. For anyone that knows these machines, the early ones were rated at 8 hp. It cut beautifully, but painfully slow. Like 6 hours for 4 acres slow. So the investment was made in a zero turn, and the old Cub is now just a plow tractor (snow and dirt).

This however presented a problem. Where to park these now 2 machines? My old rule was always no mowers in the shop (when we lived in town, or had a small shed). Well, the attached garage houses our dailys, and it nice to have them garaged. So the barn was the answer. So I moved the tool room, rearranged benches, and Viola! Parking for a tractor and mower right inside the door!





Now, remember what I said about "do it once, not change it, do it right?" yeah, so much for that, already moving junk 6 months later!

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

So, as you can see, the shop sprouted and off-spring, an El Camino. Sadly, after diving in on a 78k mile survivor car, it was determined the frame was trash. I could have found another donor, but I already have a truck, as well as a company truck. What I needed was a Homestead cruiser! Quads are tough with the kids, and are not ideal for work. Side by sides are nice, but $$$$$. So I traded the Elco shell for this!



Electric EZGO. Kids love it, shes a workhorse, and its not too fast for them either. Great trade for me, and the other guy.

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

Now, I am sure you can do the math here, obviously, now I need parking for 3 small vehicles (and a charging station), and while I'm at it, why not centralize yard tools? Oh, and just for kicks, I read the entire "party barn" thread, and I decide I want to sheet at least some of the inside of the Chop SHOP!

So, I have 1500 sq.ft. for a ball court, shop, garden shed, storage, oh, and I have a BUNCH of wood working tools at my dads too! WOW! Oh, and the tool room, yeah, its not working where it is either, infringes on the future ball court! This place seemed so BIG at first!!!

So a serious look is taken at the Chop Shop. How to accomplish all this, and still use it as a shop, host family get-togethers, etc??? We pull together as a family and kick its ****!

I really wish I had more progress pics, but here is my littlest buddy. Hes 5, and showed up for a "safety audit" (his actual words, we had just had one at work he had heard me discussing). He wasn't too pleased at what he found, but I avoided a fine by extending his bedtime! LOL!



So every bit of the interior sheeting was salvaged from shipping crates. I am not a "green" guy, but this is real recycling. I am cheap! lol!

I will add some pics of this soon, but I hope the transformation is as mind-blowing here as it is in real life.

So, after almost a year, there is some house remodeling I need to finally address. Closing in a den for my boys (9, 6 and 5) to share, as currently they sleep in there and its open to the living room. Nothing major. Look forward to sharing even more of this adventure!

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

As promised, here are a couple of recent pics (from last night actually).

As you can see, I sheeted the walls to 8' on the long walls. I may eventually go the full 12, but this is all salvage lumber, so it was what I had to work with. I went the full 12' on the end wall where the ball goal and hitting net will reside for additional protection. You will notice the tool room is no more. As much as I liked it, it just didn't work at this time.

In the future I would love to add an "upper deck" to part of the Shop. For now, the next phase is likely paint for the inside.











Oh, and you can see my shop dog (the only one not on a shock collar, so shes the only one that can come out that far) Meeka. My only complaint with her is there is if there is any water around, she will find it, and make a mess!

 

[MacTexas]

Nice looking shop and interesting story.

 

[sean Buick 76]

Thanks for sharing your story, it is inspirational! I really enjoy your photos, many of us are using "photobucket" to post our pics so they show up full sized.

Keep up the great work!

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

Thanks for the tip. If you click on them, don't they enlarge?

It has been a long road for sure.

 

[ajohno]

Great story and photos.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

Worked on the house mainly this weekend, should have a few pictures to follow shortly. Basically walled off the Den as a room for our 3 boys to share. We got to Menard's to get the drywall and a door (had the framing) and then saw a very cool item, a sliding barn door. I would have liked to build it myself and just bought the hardware, but the wood shop is still in the planning stages. So I spent the cash, and the boys LOVE it! Also imported by old bunk beds from my pops from my childhood for the older two to use, and they are in love with them as well.

Mom and I love the fact we can send then to bed and not have them watching us thru the opening from the den to the living room now! and the TV doesn't keep them up. Still need to finish the drywall, but very happy with the progress.

Yesterday afternoon I did take a bit of time to do something else for all the kids. My pops still lives next door, but an old farm fence divided the properties. We made 2 pass-thrus and stomped down a couple trails out back (he only mows about 1 of his 5 acres, and its now wooded- the kids just love "exploring") for the golf cart.

I continue to be impressed with this acquisition. Completely stock, and it never gets stuck, can run all day on a charge, and hauls tools/ kids/ my big **** like its no big deal. The wife is looking at side by sides, but I love this little cart. Not saying I'd turn down a Mule, but for the cost difference, the ease of jump on and go (its electric) and the fact that its not too fast for the kids, the old golf cart is hard to beat if you have a few acres. I can do my weed spraying patrols, do my property checks, visit the neighbors, and it actually is a lot of fun to drive. All the kids love it too. I need to get it painted, but I can't seem to give it up long enough to get that done! Perhaps once it is cold out!

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

A couple pictures from the weekend work in the house. Basic opening frame up and my first sliding door install, got the door and hardware from Menards. My biggest complaint is it slides too easy for my boys. Ill figure something out to slow it up a bit. Enjoy!

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

Spent the majority of last week in TN, had a great mini vacation with the Mrs. and kiddos. Got home the other evening to this, and so I had to take a picture, the moon rise over the "compound" as we call it (my dad lives just to the south, sharing a property line).



Need to get to finishing drywall, may work on it a bit tonight, and also started a mini-loboy trailer for my golf cart, farmall cub or mower. I have needed one several times and I have not having one. Working to modify one my pops built years ago. Widening it out a bit and beefing it up as well. Pictures to follow.

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

Worked on finishing the new wall additions over the last couple nights. Last night I ran out of mud, so I took to the shop for a quick little project for my boys (5,6, and 9).

Eventually I will add outlines, some lettering, and whatnot, but I wanted to see what they thought of it first. For no actual wood shop, it turned out OK. Just ***** getting saw dust all over everything, but I have a plan for that in the works!

Just a very basic Nerf Gun arsenal, lol. The wife thought it was pretty cool too. They Boys think its cool that you can not see it when you walk in the room, so its "secret" and they can "surprise the bad guys"! I love it.

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

Finally was able to finish off the boys room. Well, OK, I basically got tired of mudding and sanding, so I tossed some paint on it. LOL. The wife commented that it "matched well" to the rest of the house. Lets just say the drywall work isn't super in the rest of the house. I have seen much worse (my brother in law's 3 year old, $300k+ home for instance) however, and for a 30 year old house, its not bad.

Results:



Taking off Friday to do the rest of the trim (other side and on the short wall at the door) and hopefully work in the Chop Shop some.

Time has been shorter than usual as I preached a revival last week, sick kids, and travelling for work a LOT. Of course the bosses chose the hillbilly that lives 4 hours from South Bend to project manage the build out of our new office there and coordinate (read: do a lot of) the moving. We are in the new space 11/14.

Pretty funny though, no formal construction schooling (all in HVAC) and we have several Project Managers who have the schooling, yet, they asked me. Why? They said I am the pickiest feller around, and know my stuff. I am proud of that!

Plus, its a feather in my cap they say. With all I do, and all the feathers, I look like an Indian Chief over here!

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

Well, it has been a while since an update. We decided it was time to change out the 31 year old carpet. We debated and figured, and decided to do laminate. 1000 sq. ft. for the entry, dining and gathering room. Still need to trim it out.

I am also planning on the room addition in the shop soon. Adding a large tool room, wood working shop and also a loft.

Back to the house, just picked up a stove for the wife, so running LP line is in my future, as well as a new fridge (already in).

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

Not much progress in the shop. Been accumulating supplies for the tool room build and loft. Lots of sheet goods accumulated so far. Dad asked if he could bring over his Toro Groundsmaster for its yearly repair/ refurb. Last year we did a quick rewire. This year will be more wiring, deck repair, new idler pulleys, and perhaps some leak repairs. These were great machines back int he day, but this thing is as old as me (1979) and tired. Gas engine, lived on a golf course until about 7-8 years ago. Dad only cuts about 1.5 of his 5 acres, so it is probably overkill. he never exceeds 2 mph if I had to guess. I can cut his yard in about 35 minutes on my Hustler, he has a TON of **** to mow around. He's one of the worst hoarders I have ever seen, worse than anyone on GJ, worse than a lot on the TV shows (except he has never left food out, or garbage in the house). Anyway, here is a small update. Hoping to get rolling soon with some real work on the shop.

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

Finally got mower maintenance/ repairs done on both Dad and my mowers (warranty repairs on the Hustler, and a recall I was not notified of- the drive motors were leaking fluid and the recall was some sort of brace).

Basketball is over and now baseball starts, with the wife running our local little league, I am the maintenance guy for the mechanicals at the park. Ice maker repaired, few other little projects, but have gotten some time in the ChopShop.

I actually began the tool room/ loft. One change is the other side will now house a (newly acquired) quad, the mower and golf cart, and not a wood shop. Maybe someday I will have it all, lol! Still hope to get my wood working tools over from dads once the build is nearing completion.

A word on this build, almost all the materials are salvage or reclaimed, with the exception of the floor joist (those would be tough to find).

The first order of business was to remove the sheeting on the east wall to build a 2x4 wall for the joists to sit on.



Basic construction of the wall, no pictures of that. Then, the "magic bolt bins" had to be relocated to in front of the new 2x4 wall from the south wall. These are old literature racks I salvaged, and are modular (thankfully) but still took a lot of time to disassemble and reassemble, and I cleaned up a bit of the organization in the process. Since the previous wall space was larger than the new wall space, I also had to eliminate a little bit of the "magic bolt bins" width. This had to be complete before the room could be finished as they will not be removable, and would not fit thru a standard door.

Old location


New location


Sorry for all the clutter, I need to get the new ball goal installed, but it has been soooo wet here.

The goal is to have all the tools, and supplies in one area. This will leave the "main floor" area open for hitting practice, basketball, or project work.

To get back to the construction, I then framed up the wall between the tool room and the "toy room". I began to frame the 3rd (and final) 2x4 wall, but then decided to move the door opening closer to the south wall. The basketball goal is slated to go on the tool room wall, between the tool room and the toy room, so having the door right beneath it would not be a great idea.

Here is a bit of a wide shot or 2:



More progress to come, hope to be installing a basketball goal soon, going to try to excavate and poor this weekend.

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

On a personal note, I just saw my thread has 4 stars: I didn't think anyone read this honestly, but I am beyond grateful, thank you!

 

[madison069]

Just stopped in, shop looks to be coming along!

I also like that Texaco sign, being from Texas I'm kind of bias for that kind of stuff.

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

Thanks Madison, the sign probably isn't worth much, but its special to me. My uncle who really was my mentor in the automotive field gave it to me, he has the other half. I guess its a bit like those best friend charms that teen girls wear, where they each get half, lol!

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

Very, very productive weekend at the Compound

(I should probably explain this a bit)

The family refers to this as "the Compound" which, I actually kind of started, and it stuck. My pops lives next door, has a barn of his own, several other out buildings, and his place. We share about 600' of property line, and in fact, I only have one other neighbor (other than farm fields).

So, Friday night, I stopped off at Menards to burn some rebate money from the flooring project (those take forever to get!) It had come time to mount the Goalrilla goal my FIL bought for the family last fall. I made the call to stop at the Menards by my office rather than go out of my way to stop by the one I usually shop at. I happen to work in a rather "rough" part of Indianapolis called Lawrence, but the Menards is about a year old, and isn't too bad. The customer service ***** though. I loaded 880# of Quickcrete, wheeled thru the store, and loaded into my truck. FWIW, I probably moved another 10 bags to get ones that were not busted!

Friday night, I just pulled the work truck in the barn, and then built my forms for the top of the b-ball goal pad. Went to my favorite resuraunt, El Jefe, In the thriving metropolis of Hope, IN- our home town.

Saturday morning started a bit early with a trip to out local True- Value to pick up the post hole digger I had reserved. This place is still an old school hardware store (the only one in the county, and its just a few minutes from the ChopShop. Transporting it home, and had a "bigman" breakfast of bacon, mini- quiches, biscuits and gray and of course, diet Pepsi.

It was still very cool out as we layed out the site and started digging. I sent the oldest boy over to "Poppy's" house on the golf cart to retrieve the most hated tool on the Compound, the manual post hole digger.

The wife and I bored down the requisite 48" and after a bit of hole widening with the manual digger, and spoil clean out, it was time to mix some concrete. Just a disclaimer here, I have not ever done this before. I had never done a pour myself, and it had been years since I had helped pops, when he poured his shop floor, I was just a teenager then, and we used a ready mix truck, and my grandfather finished it. I figured this would be a breeze since its just a hole filled with concrete to hold the anchors for the goal. It did not disappoint.

As we wrapped up the pour, my wife suggested adding a bit of area to the forms so the kids could carve their initials and tie into the existing patio/ court surface. I concurred, so while the mix was still wet we expanded the pre-made form. It turned out to be a great idea. I finished the pour, we cleaned up the post hole digger and returned it long before the 4 hour rental was up. $40 well spent.

Before we broke for lunch, the concrete was done, wheelbarrow and hoes were cleaned up. Pops stayed for lunch, and we feasted on pizza rolls and chicken chunks. Here is my oldest son scrapping some dirt off the existing pad. He is a hard worker, but shares his dads ADD tendencies, LOL



Pops headed home, and the kids, wife and I carved our initials in the fresh pour.

The boys (9, 6, and 5) all had assisted while the 13 year old daughter kept the mountain of laundry washing and the 11 year old daughter was shopping with "Nanna" (my wife's mom)

After lunch, I went to the barn, and continued work on the tool room of the ChopShop until I ran out of screws with the boys.We then headed into the house to service the water softer (cleaning the screen and orifices). We decided to head to dinner as we were sore and tired from a long day of work, and to burn more Menards rebate money on screws to continue work on the tool room.

Sunday is Church day. What a wonderful morning as a young man came forward with his family to share he had accepted Jesus as his Lord, and asked to be baptized! Amen! We popped by El Jefe for lunch and then on to the Compound! I had to make a trash run, and get some fuel as the wife wanted to mow. As I return, I find her cruising the younger boys around on the quad, covered in mud. She discovered a mudhole on pop's side of the Compound, and got a bit muddy, lol. She traded off onto the mower and started cutting. Our younger daughter and oldest boy decided to grab the golf cart and use some of the b-ball hole spoil to fill where the dogs had made their mark (digging holes) and the eldest daughter asked if she could help do anything. I had her plant grass from last years electrical project, planting grass on the site of the trench to the ChopShop.

The middle boy helped some too, the youngest played and moved some dirt with his big Tonka trucks.

These are pictures that make a Dad proud! Kids working, together, no fighting or arguing, and enjoying the Compound. That is why we are here!





As they worked, I took the bag of left over Quickcrete and poured it around the stepping stones at the ChopShop entry to lock them in a bit. Then on to the interior to finish the framing with the new screws. I also did some sheeting (reclaimed wood), and did a bit of clean up. After a 5 minute sit down, it was time to head in to clean up for evening Church. Here is the tool room as I left it to head in:



An awesome weekend for sure. You may have noted a rather large dirt pile in the first picture to the left of my son. We had a well repair done last weekend, and we are still waiting on this bill. So at this time, since we do not know the cost, buying my floor joists for the loft is on hold. No fear, there is always plenty to do at the Compound, and I have plenty I can still accomplish in the ChopShop.

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

Stripped the forms on the ball goal pour. Looks a touch cockeyed. The patio was done by the PO and the guy decided to stagger them a bit, not sure why. This made squaring it up a bit difficult. I think it will be alright, I hope anyway.

The kids initials in the pour as well as the Mrs, and I. Hopefully something they remember for a long time.



Not sure if any progress will be made tonight. By the time i drive home an hour, get dinner and the kids to bed, doesn't leave a lot of time, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

Fairly productive weekend at the Compound. Took Friday off, but spent the day cleaning as my grandparents were stopping over to see the house for the first time. My Grandma is one of those sweet older ladies who, as my wife says, "lives in a museum". Everything is always just so. I like to make sure the house is always nice when they come over, not to impress, but out of respect. This is pretty tough with 5 young ones running around. I picked up my youngest from pre-school at noon and we had some El Jefe for lunch. Cleaning continued. We had a great visit Friday nite, and I am blessed my grandparents are still able to get out and about as they are closing in on 90.

Saturday am started with a quick trip to the big city (Indianapolis) to collect an unexpected little windfall from a vehicle we had traded in quite some time ago. It had sat in a bank account, unknown to us. We had moved, and they finally caught up with us, that was nice!

We also finally received a bill for the well work a few weeks ago. New pitless adapter, new water line, excavation, etc, $2500. On the plus side, we got a major refund on insurance premiums due to over payment, so now the work on the loft can proceed!

Then it was to work on the bball goal. We did the pre-assembly and mounted the pole. The backboard, we knew, would be the killer! It did not disappoint. The manual called for 5 men to set it in place. I opted to use the duct lift, and we were done by lunch. After about a year of sitting in the ChopShop in boxes, it is finally up and the kiddos love it. The first basket was from 3 point land, 1st shot by the Mrs. She is amazing! Pictured is my middle son, doing his best "King James" impression, lol!


The kids love it, and I am really impressed with how solid it is, it will move a hair if you really clang one off it, but every goal does (even in our High School). Very nice quality, the powder coat did not crack around bolts and there were plastic washers at all the pivot points.

It was then out to the ChopShop to move the items stored in the second "room" area under the new loft area. Lots of building materials piled up there, so they were moved out and the dividing wall was sheeted. The supports for the steel beam (recycled) overhead were also installed on the dividing wall. The second room will be open at first, at least, with perhaps partisan doors added at a later time. We grilled out, rode the quad, and golf cart a bit, got some lumber from pops place, shot some hoops and called it a very busy day.

Sunday AM brought church services as usual, and then my favorite, El Jefe for lunch. I went out to the ChopShop, sharpened mower blades, had my oldest boy hose down the quad and golf cart, and I began working on the second (far North) support for the steel beam of room 2. The beam was then cut down to the correct length, brackets added, drilled, and bolted on for keeping it in place. It was raised in its final spot with the duct lift. I lag bolted it to the north and dividing walls, and "tested" it out by trying (and failing) to do a pull-up. They boys all wanted to give it a go as well, we all laughed as none of us were able, but regardless, a good time.

The Mrs. decided to cut some grass after her Sunday nap, she does a great job, and enjoys doing it. They older boys rode the quad, the girls were inside enjoying a lazy day, and my youngest napped a bit more. I put down a couple gallons of Round-up around the compound.

The In-Laws showed up to see the goal, my FIL had purchased it for the kiddos. He was amazed with the install (he is not at all "handy" or mechanical" and the quality of the goal. He shot a few hoops with the kids, but his COPD and emphysema got the better of him, and he rested on the patio just smiling as the kids shot on the goal Papaw had bought them.

I headed back to the ChopShop as the In-Laws, and Pops headed to their houses. A bit of clean up, and it was time for evening Church. What a great weekend.

Tonight we are headed to Pop's place to mow for him, and this will be "Preparation week" as we are hosting Easter this year for the Mrs. family. About 30 people are expected to descend on the Compound, so lots of small projects to wrap up, and cleaning to be done (again). As last week, I will be off (Good) Friday, as will the wife and Kiddos! Probably not much work will be done in the ChopShop, but that is real life, for us anyway, and I would not change it for the world.

Loft/ rooms update pictures:

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

Another wonderful weekend at the Compound! Not a lot done in the ChopShop, but lots done in and around the property, so here we go!

Friday was a "good day" (intended pun) as I took the day off and the plan was to do some clean up at his place while Pops was at work. Our plan changed a bit when we found out he was home, so it would not be a surprise, but it all worked out.

He has some major over-growth, and what could be referred to as a "collecting habit". We decided to begin in the barn lot as it is up by the road. The area was covered in wild roses over 6' tall. It was a huge fight to clear about 1/4 acre, but we made it thru. Not unscathed at all, it was a nasty fight for sure. Wish I had taken pictures.

We fell a few trees in the fence row to improve his line of sight leaving the Compound, then it was onto clearing a path to his barn on the East side, opposite the barn lot. We cleared a few other small locations around the property, but he wanted some overgrowth left left to "hide the junk". Ah well, it is some progress at least!

We fell a few more trees that were "threats" to vehicles and/ or buildings and cleared the debris. The kids helped a ton, as did the Mrs. The only real issue was my chainsaw took a dump a few hours in. I haven't been real impressed with it since I purchased it, it is a Husqvarna 240, and have just never been in love. The fuel line ended up being the failure, the inner liner failed. Sadly, it was not a standard size at all. New line ordered. Much more to do at Pops, but like most "collectors" we can't push too hard or fast or all work gets shut down.

Saturday saw a bit of work in the ChopShop, but mostly a recovery day and a prep day for Easter festivities. I got the back wall framed and in place in the north lower room. Did some clean up as family was expected Sunday, and they like to see the shop (it was still a mess.) Lots of cooking, cleaning, mowing, etc. Took the Mrs. to dinner that evening, some last minute grocery shopping for Easter, and picked up my floor joist for the loft! This is the single largest expenditure on this project, it was painful to part with a bit over $200 (FYI #1 SYP isn't what it used to be, but the premium is still worth it).

We got home and the older boys wanted to help unload the trailer, so, fresh out of bath time, here they came!



It was off to bed early, Son Rise service in the Morning!

Sunday was great! SonRise service, breakfast at church, fellowship time, Sunday School, Service, 2 baptisms, 1 salvation, then off to family time at the Compound! The new ball goal was a hit, several dozen games of "HORSE" were played and dinner was awesome, but a non-traditional pork chop cook out with all the fixings. Soooo good.

Evening service brought a much smaller crowd at church as many folks were still with family, including no song leader. The pastor's wife (who is the pianist) tapped me on the shoulder, "can you lead music?" Now, I can preach, I can teach, and I can make a "joyful noise", and I can lead about anything, but I really can't sing. She didn't ask me to sing tho, just to lead, lol! My kids said I did "ok", it was a lot of fun as it was congregation choice. Basically just shout out a hymn, and we sing it, or try, lol!

Arriving back to the Compound, had some time to reflect on a great weekend. The Mrs. is a bit down in the back, but will likely be ok. it was a long, hard-work filled few days, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

I had one of my usual updated typed out, but lost it due to me being a dummy, lol. Not having the patience to type it again, here is the Cliff-notes version.

***Please read***

I am getting finger cramps tying my "oldest son, middle son, oldest daughter, etc, so to make my life easier and to not use names, here is the breakdown from here out

M- Oldest daughter- 13
A- Younger daughter- 11
J- Oldest son- 9
N- Middle son- 6
R- Youngest son- 5
Wife- my loving dear precious spouse who is beyond awesome.
Pops- my dad- lives on the Compound next door to our place.

So the short version, few projects around the Compound this weekend (light switch change out, and some furniture repair. Chain saw repaired- finally. Went with the wife to order a new sectional sofa- 6 weeks out, custom build, I can not wait!!!

ChopShop work- all floor joists installed with J and the Duct lift (HUGE back and time saver- highly recommended tool). Decking started.

Hope to have some mid-week work on decking done this week. Weekends only is taking FOREVER, and I am ready to move some junk.

FYI- I plan to begin moving items as soon as decking is complete both upstairs to what will become the walled off storage areas (north and south, right and left in the pictures where headroom is low) and into the tool room and the open room- (need to name this silly area). Trying not to move items until the decking is complete to make it easier to work. I am however, running out of space having construction ongoing now for several months, the shop is a HUGE mess, and it drives me nuts!

So, here are the pics from the weekend. J loves to run the duct lift- he is great help!

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

Oh, one last update. Several weeks ago, my Pops was diagnosed with skin cancer. My Father-in-law went thru treatment just a few weeks prior. Pops had surgery Thursday and is doing well. FIL is also doing well. Crazy though. As a guy who spent many years in the commercial HVAC field, and working outside both at work and home, it makes me take stock and hopefully remember to take care of myself. Here is a reminder for you all too- summer is upon us, wear protection, sunscreen, big floppy hat, something. Take care gents.

Due to this, and a few other factors, I have also decided I get WAY to excited (frustrated, upset) about stuff that doesn't matter. It hit me this weekend when my dinner with my wife was messed up at a nice steak house and I acted a bit of a douche- my new motto for life- "Accept it and move on." Nothing we complain about is changed by complaining. And the energy used to complain, or stew over something is best used elsewhere, or to correct the issue. Its not to say nothing can be changed, but rather accept the circumstances and work to either change it, or simply forge ahead with the reality that is.

I hope and pray this helps me to be a better example to my children and better spouse to my wife.

 

[-Brent-]

I'm wishing the best for your Pops.

Just going through your thread, now, and I'm really liking that hardware storage. Neat shop, too.

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

I'm wishing the best for your Pops.

Just going through your thread, now, and I'm really liking that hardware storage. Neat shop, too.

Thank you. Its really more than the "bolt bin" that I call it. It stores all the shop supplies for the most part. It take a HUGE amount of wall space, but it is floor to ceiling in this room. There is some wasted space, as I am sure others can see too, but overall, it is a great use of space, and its configurable to a large degree.

The shop was existing when I bought the place, but was a clean slate, as it was basically just dry storage. Thanks for stopping by.

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

Got a tiny bit accomplished thru the week, but it was one of the hardest weeks of my adult life, to be perfectly honest. I am not really prepared to share much more than that, but if you happen to be the praying type, your prayers would be coveted.

I was able to make it out to the shop, and honestly, I could have been out there more, but I really felt like with the goings on, it was nothing but vanity to work on it. However, I also realized the time with J, N and R would never be wasted, so out we went.

I was able to get the loft fully decked. I also finally decided on an access mode to get to the loft, it will be a ships stair. I framed up for this before completing the decking.

Now, as I mentioned earlier, much of the material is reclaimed. The decking is 3/4" cabinet grade plywood. My pops just shook his head as I cut and screwed it down. Here is the thing, yes, I know its like $60-80 a sheet, but it was free to me. So I used it. No splinters, and its nice a smooth, lol! 180 square foot laid. Some of you may cringe also.

Anyway, short update. Lots of rain, bad storms over the weekend, but we suffered no damage other than some water under the overhead in the ChopShop.

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

I have not had a chance to make it out to the ChopShop this week. Way too much on my mind to be honest. I did help pops cut grass the other evening, i must say, the Hustler Raptor is a very good mower, if it holds together, which, I have my doubts on.

I have begun to move some items around, mainly into the tool room. I have a full day of baseball watching Saturday if the weather holds out, but its not looking very favorable at all. I am hoping to get out some perhaps tonight or maybe tomorrow and make some room on the main shop floor by moving more items into the tool room, the open room, and what will become the storage rooms upstairs. it is way, way to cramped and disorganized for my liking presently. I had to do a tire repair a few nights ago, and had to move several items in order to get my truck in. With 1500 square feet, that is simply unacceptable to me. Oh well, the only way to fix it, is, well, to fix it!