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77K views 105 replies 53 participants last post by  blockhead 
#1 ·
Getting started

This will be my first attempt at a blog. I will try to document the building of my dream shop and the property improvements that go along with it. Not quite sure how this works, but I will jump in and see how it goes.

From the beginning
About a year ago, my wife and I found a 54+ wooded acre parcel with a creek in the back that seemed to be the place we could develop as we wished, with plenty of room and privacy.



There was field on the ridge that we decided to plant an orchard of pecan, hazelnut, walnut, almond, and apple. This meant that we needed to install irrigation.



We got some roads cleared and found the spot for tractor shed and shop.



Built the tractor shed first, then the shop




Once the shop was up and dried in (I did not build the shop - contracted it out), I started working on the interior. Bathroom was first room to build.



A few other pictures on My Workshop page.

Things left to do:
SHOP - Wiring, floor coverings, noise room, finishing room, work tables, Cyclone setup and install, tool setup.
PROPERTY - road maintenance, sawmill setup, brush pile chipping, wood storage shed repairs, land clearing for pine tree plantings, fence install, finish two pump houses.

More later…
 
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#9 ·
Wow!! This is awesome. My dream is something similar but on a much smaller scale. I dont want that much land to have to maintain. I was curious as to availability of power? Have you considered solar as a supplement? When I get around to moving into our dream home and shop we plan on trying to get off the grid as much as possible.
 
#10 ·
Tom - I get to sleep in my spare time ;-)

Ken - We are building about 2000 feet into the woods off the main road. The power company had to run poles down the property line, and then underground to "the compound". I only had to pay for the under ground run.
With all the trees, solar may not be much of an option, but I plan to build a solar kiln for drying the lumber from the saw mill. Will be looking at other solar options as we go.
 
#13 ·
Paint and Paintings...

Got some floors painted, and moved some pictures from storage and hung them up out of the way in the shop.







Hoping to get another coat of paint down this weekend, and get started back with finishing the wiring. Once the wiring is done, I can start work on setting up the sawmill.
 
#14 ·
looking good sofare
but must atmit it´s the first time I have seen a workshop
with artgalleri and a librarycorner but I sure it will bee a blast to work in
just turn the head to find new inspiration for new ideas
like it, like it, like it,like it ….........when can I move in…...LOL

Dennis
 
#23 ·
Wildlife

Got the second coat of floor paint down and installed some cedar fence. Thought I would include a few pics of the local wildlife while waiting for paint to dry. My buddy hunts the property and has a game camera installed.



Deer enjoying the corn


Night shot of racoon


Big squirrel power lifting


Coyote on the prowl (I don't think he is after the corn)


Another predator - always watch where I put my hands !


Finished installing all the cedar fence, now I gotta get the power finished so I can start other projects!
 
#28 ·
Progress and questions

Still working on the wiring and started painting the bathroom. Got a couple of questions:

Question 1 - Electrical
In my service panel, the #000 cables come in from the back, go up the side, and curve into the top connections. This pushes the cable toward the front of the panel, and if I attache the front cover/door plate, the center screw will push into the cable.


I think I need to put some type of spacer to keep the cable off the front edge of the panel. Any suggestions?

Question 2 - Painting
When priming the OSB on the bathroom, the "stripes" (green) are bleeding thru the KILZ primer. I am hoping that the primer will set the green, and I can cover the stripes with another coat of primer before the final topcoat.

Anyone been thru this before?
I think the stripes are just a color dye, and not actual paint. Not sure why Lowes has stripes on the OSB.

Hoping to finish up the wiring this weekend and get inspected next week. Then on to the sawmill !
 
#29 ·
Not sure about the green stripes but I think the wire should be "stiff" enough that simply forcing it towards the "back" of the service box- it should stay away from mounting screw. If it flexes back into the forward position, maybe the romex connector isn't clamped tight.
 
#45 ·
Some things are not meant to happen

Well, I was really looking forward to milling a log or two this weekend, but due to technical difficulties, it did not happen.

Started off with a cabinet making class Sat morning, and after lunch I went to my day job site to see what was left from the scrap give-away that started earlier in the morning.
Lucky for me, there was still some good stuff for me to pick up. I got a couple of work tables, some roll around carts, and some trays. Was able to get it all to the shop and unloaded without incident.




Rather than start the sawmill project with just a couple hours left, I did some odd jobs and anxiously awaited starting the sawmill on Sunday.

First thing that needed to happen for the sawmill project was cutting a few small trees. Pulled out the chainsaw, but could not get it to start I pulled and pulled the cord, but no dice. Like there was no gas. Checked gas and it was low, but not empty?? Added gas, pulled til I couldn't - took a break, then decided that for 3-4 small trees, I would just go the manual route. Walked back to the shop and started looking for one of the two bow saws…and looked…and looked. Finally found a keyhole type saw that might get the job done. Cut down two trees….took a break…cut down another tree…break…did I mention it was around 100 degrees? Finally got all the trees cut, and went back to the chain saw. (I need to limb the "test" tree for the first sawing.)
Tried to start, pulled and pulled, but still no luck. Dumped the fuel, mixed up a fresh batch, checked spark plug, and pulled some more. Got a little sputtering, but nothing to write home about. Then I started looking at the switch settings and thought that something was funny. I have been running this chainsaw for two years, but today for some reason, I have been trying to start the saw in the "run" position instead of choke. Put the switch in the choke position and the saw starts on 2nd pull - like usual. So, probably wasted 2 hours between trying to start the saw, looking for bow saws, taking breaks to catch my breath - not to mention the aggravation factor. I thought I was too young for senior moments, but

Ok - my bad, and I still have plenty of time to clear the area, level, and set up the sawmill. Went to grab some lunch and pick up a few items. Took twice as long as expected…

Cleared away the brush, and went to change out the grapple with the bucket for leveling the dirt. I have a skid steer attachment, so the grapple comes off and the bucket should slide right on. SHOULD slide right on. Repeated attempts, but the bucket would always fall off one side as I lift it up to lock it in. Now what?? I fiddle with it for a while, then notice that the left and right "skids" are not at the same angle to each other. As I try to hook the lip of the bucket with the left skid, the right skid is pushing the bucket forward too much, and both skids cannot latch into place. I tried attaching high, low, on the dirt pile, on 1/2 the firewood pile. I tried man handling the bucket onto the skids, etc. Took multiple breaks to rest and steam about the whole situation. LOML drives up and asks what is taking so long . Explain (calmly ) the issue and get her to operate the controls while I force the bucket into place. After a few trys, I manage to have some success and we get the bucket attached.

Now it is late afternoon, and time is short. I am highly aggravated and wanting to mill some wood, but if I start on the leveling, I know I will push to get everything done and process at least one log. I am tired, hot, and mentally questionable. I decide that I might end up getting hurt if I try to make it all happen, so I packed everything up and put it away for another weekend. Bummer.

Here is the clearing and the test log. They will be there next weekend…I hear we expect rain ;-)

 
#49 ·
It is official

It's official - I have processed my first log !!

Got the mill set up


Got a log loaded (pine)


Trimmed a cant


Cut some boards


The EZ Boardwalk was easy to set up and run. Sturdy frame and it just glides on the runners. Got a temporary cover over it for now.

Hope to mill some cherry, hickory, oak, and cedar tomorrow!
 
#59 ·
Constant change

Well, we have decided to purchase a used mobile home and move out to the new property instead of waiting until the house is built. It will probably be 4-5 years before the house is complete, so the money spent on rent will cover a decent (temporary) mobile home. So we purchased a '89 single wide and have started getting things ready to move it in.
Have to widen the drive way a bit, and work on expanding a right turn to back it into place.

In a previous life, I climbed poles for the cable company, so I strapped on some hooks and set about limbing a pine that I needed to drop.

Boy, it has been a long time since I climbed a pole. Could only manage about an hour before I had to come down. The 100 degree heat and muscle fatigue were too much. Got the tree down, but took out another small tree in the process. Oh well…I guess it still qualifies as "woodworking".

Also got some timbers laid down and ready for sawing up a bunch of pine for framing lumber. Ran out of time, so the milling will have to wait til next weekend - unless the trailer move takes priority. Hope to get the trailer moved this week or next.
 
#63 ·
Mobile home nightmare

I expected to have some repairs to do when I purchased the used trailer, but this has exceeded my expectations.

Been trying to get a sour smell out of the trailer since I got it. So far have removed flooring in laundry room, partial wall in laundry room, door to laundry room, partial wall in kitchen, kitchen cabinet, and today - pulled up the two layers of vinyl flooring in the kitchen.



On the up side, I have removed all carpet and vinyl, buried the water line from the well, replaced the water heater, installed the underground power pole and wires, coated the roof, removed the old furnace/AC, moved in a heat pump, and repaired some water damaged framing.

I have to connect the sewer, install underpinning, install 2 doors, install front steps, and put down some flooring - so we can move in before September. Also have some more water damage to frame to fix.



Hope to get back to the shop soon. Gotta build a set of cabinets for the kitchen now !
 
#64 ·
That sure looks like black mold. You'll need to use a professional mold remover chemical to get rid of it. It's the nasty stuff that makes a home sale stop dead in its tracks until mitigated.

For smells, you might try Nature's Miracle from any pet store. Another trick is to get a black light ($15?) from a hardware store and use it at night to find the 'spots' that need treating. Typically, it would fluoresce yellow for urine (organic) stains. After treatment it fluoresces white. You can't see it without the black light. Instructions are on the bottle. I use saran wrap after applying to keep it wet longer, but I live in Colorado where stuff dries in minutes instead of hours.

Hope that helps?
 
#67 ·
Guess I have branched off the main track...

since this was supposed to be about setting up a new shop, but I will get back on track eventually.

We seem to have gotten rid of the smell with gutting the kitchen and replacing some walls in the pantry. We were able to move in the last week of August (the hottest week of the year, I think). Just put a bed in the guest room and most everything else in the living room till the kitchen is ready. It is like living out of a small motel room. It is nice to be living in my own place, and able to take a stroll in the woods without having to drive anywhere. The pressure is off a bit, since I am no longer critical path. Still trying to get things done for convenience, but I can take a night off now and then without causing a problem.

Now, we are putting down a tile floor in the kitchen. Once the floor is done, I can move in the appliances and build a counter and sink. This is our first attempt at laying tile, and I have learned a lot - mainly that putting down a tile floor is a LOT of work. Everything is heavy, and working on my knees is tough on the back. Making progress though, and hope to finish this weekend.



Once we get the kitchen serviceable, I can start on the MBR floor joist repairs, and then put in the laminate flooring. We are using the trailer renovation as a learning exercise to gain knowledge and skills for building the house. I should get some practice at building cabinets, plumbing, laminate flooring, more tile flooring, and probably a few other things along the way. Hoping to make all/most of my mistakes in the trailer so I can do better in the shop and house. (Also, gives me a reason to buy some additional tools sooner ;-))

Since we moved from a big house, to a small trailer, most of my stuff is stored in the shop. Not much room to walk around right now, so installing some shelves to put things away is on the list. Gotta make some room to get to the tools for renovation. Right now, I could set up a bigger living area in the shop than is in the trailer.

So, the next few posts will probably be related to trailer updates instead of shop stuff. I will get back to the shop and some real woodworking before …hmm…I guess I don't really know at this time. Stay tuned.
 
#68 ·
Trailer progress

I finally finished the tile on the kitchen floor



Really enjoying living here - even with all the work that needs to be done. Here is the view from the couch:



I need to build the kitchen cabinets next, but I am hoping to set up my lathe on the porch of the shop so I can start turning again.

We have some trees coming in for planting, and the 400 hr tractor maintenance is due, so - as usual - I have more work to do than time to get it done…

Tractor update: Driving over some underbrush and snatched off a wire connector which shut down the tractor. I ordered a replacement sensor and hope to get the tractor up this weekend. (along with the maintenance).

May also drive to Atlanta to pick up a kiln and drying rack/shed.
 
#70 ·
Pre-Chrismas Update

Christmas is closing in fast, so I better slip in an update while I can.

Still getting things done on the trailer to make it more livable.
The wife wanted her library available, so I had to bring in all the shelving and books. Now one room is wall-to-wall books, and LOML is happy. (and the shelving is out of the shop)

I finally got the kitchen cabinet/sink/dishwasher installed - except for the face frame. No more washing dishes in the bathroom sink!
Until I get a shaper, we will have to wait on the doors and drawers.



I also got some other items moved out of the shop to make some room for a kiln,


and the lathe. I built a PVC frame and attached some 6 mil plastic to enclose the area for dust and such. Trying to keep the storage furniture fairly clean in the mean time.



Trying to get some Christmas gifts turned before the next batch of trees arrive - and the digging begins. It is nice to feel wood shavings under my feet again.

Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas (or your own holiday) and a Happy New Year.
 
#77 ·
Been a while

OK - Time for an update.

Been spending most of the time clearing land and planting trees. I think we are approaching the end (yay!) of planting for this season. Working on the last rows this weekend.
Plant Agriculture Tree Grass Asphalt


Last weekend was very windy, and the temporary cover for the sawmill was blown off.
Plant Sky Tree Tent Tarpaulin


I made some heavier duty stakes and with ropes replaced, I think it will hold up for the next storm
Land lot Shade Tree Plant Building


A real woodworking project is also in process . We have taken some of the pine trees on the property, milled the logs into boards, dried them, and will be using them to build some seed tables to grow out some pecan trees from seeds.
Wood Hardwood Wood stain Plank Wooden block


Here is the first unit completed. LOML picked the color (and did the painting)
Rectangle Wood Gas Magenta Table


Very cool to process the wood from start to finish. Used Kreg pocket screws for assembly.

I did pick up a new tool yesterday (2 of them).
Hood Wheel Wood Automotive tire Motor vehicle


Came in handy for dimensioning the homemade 2×4s for the seed table.

Maybe more wood working in the near future…I can hope.
 

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#78 ·
Been a while

OK - Time for an update.

Been spending most of the time clearing land and planting trees. I think we are approaching the end (yay!) of planting for this season. Working on the last rows this weekend.
Plant Agriculture Tree Grass Asphalt


Last weekend was very windy, and the temporary cover for the sawmill was blown off.
Plant Sky Tree Tent Tarpaulin


I made some heavier duty stakes and with ropes replaced, I think it will hold up for the next storm
Land lot Shade Tree Plant Building


A real woodworking project is also in process . We have taken some of the pine trees on the property, milled the logs into boards, dried them, and will be using them to build some seed tables to grow out some pecan trees from seeds.
Wood Hardwood Wood stain Plank Wooden block


Here is the first unit completed. LOML picked the color (and did the painting)
Rectangle Wood Gas Magenta Table


Very cool to process the wood from start to finish. Used Kreg pocket screws for assembly.

I did pick up a new tool yesterday (2 of them).
Hood Wheel Wood Automotive tire Motor vehicle


Came in handy for dimensioning the homemade 2×4s for the seed table.

Maybe more wood working in the near future…I can hope.
my eye´s …. my eye´s … hurt now ….. that colour burn
but the rest is looking good :)

take care
Dennis
 

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#85 ·
Making lumber with my EZ Boardwalk sawmill

We did finish the planting for this season. The deer convinced us that a fence was needed, so we got that project done. I have been working a little in the shop, but mainly working on changing all the log piles into lumber for future use. Back when I was researching to determine what sawmill to purchase, I did not find any video to help me make a decision, so I wanted to post something in case others need a comparison. I made a video of how my EZ Boardwalk Jr sawmill works, and also show processing a log.

I posted two videos on YouTube.

Part one is
EZ Boardwalk Jr Features and Demo Part 1 of 2

The second video (EZ Boardwalk Jr Features and Demo Part 2 of 2) picks up where the first one ends

The first video mostly walks thru the different operational aspects of the sawmill using annotations, and the second shows cutting a log into lumber. It was a bit windy that day, so you can hear some wind noise when the saw is not running.

I have sent my sawmill blades off for re-sharpening, so I plan to try and get my cyclone dust collector installation finished next. Hopefully, that will be the next blog subject in the near future.
 
#86 ·
Rick,

This is awesome! Like I told you before, I would be really interested to come out and help you out. I am itching for a sawmill as of recently. Holler if you want helping hauling logs or rough cutting them.

Also, be sure to let me know when you get that dust extractor set up.

Mills
 
#87 ·
Shop Update, Tool Gloat, Wood Gloat

Shop items made it to the top of the priority list, so I have been working on setting up my cyclone dust collector. Running pipe and electrical took a while.

Here is the ClearVue Cyclone installed. I mounted it on a free standing frame it isolate the vibration from the walls.
I imagine a metal skin pole building might make quite a racket if mounted directly ;).
Wood Natural material Wood stain Hardwood Beam


I have added a McRabbet kit to detect a full bin - which will sound an alarm and can turn off the cyclone before dumping all the sawdust into my filters.
Automotive tire Cylinder Composite material Gas Engineering


The cyclone is in a "noise room" (yet to be finished) in the NorthEast corner, and ductwork runs down the center of the shop and then splits to the West and East walls.
Wood Lighting Building Beam Shade


East Wall has Lathe, Chop Saw, and Floor Sweep
(I went all-out on the hood for the Chop Saw ;-)
Building Wood Interior design Floor Wall


West Wall has Table Saw and Jointer/Planer combo.
I went ahead and purchased the SawStop overhead dust collector tubing.
It is pricey, but I just did not have time to cobble something together.
Table saws Wood Tool Beam Workbench


Tool Gloat :D Jet JJP-12hh
Motor vehicle Wood Gas Machine Flooring


We were also able to organize the shop a bit. Cleared the floor, and moved work tables to the center.
Still a mess, but at least I can walk around and see where things are - a lot better than before.
Wood Flooring Building Engineering Hardwood


LOML created this solution to organizing (about 1/2) my bowl blank collection. (Wood Gloat) Man, it can take some time and effort to saw up lots of tree stumps.
Wood Shelving Shelf Interior design Floor


Once the bookcase shelves are full, we will use the the wire "metro carts". I was able to pick up another 6 units as scrap from work.
Also picked up eight 5" castors that should be used to build some portable lumber racks.
Gotta have a place to store the finished lumber from the Jointer/Planer

Some real woodworking projects may be in the near future. Outfeed table, jigs, cabinets, spinny stuff…who knows?
 

Attachments

#88 ·
Shop Update, Tool Gloat, Wood Gloat

Shop items made it to the top of the priority list, so I have been working on setting up my cyclone dust collector. Running pipe and electrical took a while.

Here is the ClearVue Cyclone installed. I mounted it on a free standing frame it isolate the vibration from the walls.
I imagine a metal skin pole building might make quite a racket if mounted directly ;).
Wood Natural material Wood stain Hardwood Beam


I have added a McRabbet kit to detect a full bin - which will sound an alarm and can turn off the cyclone before dumping all the sawdust into my filters.
Automotive tire Cylinder Composite material Gas Engineering


The cyclone is in a "noise room" (yet to be finished) in the NorthEast corner, and ductwork runs down the center of the shop and then splits to the West and East walls.
Wood Lighting Building Beam Shade


East Wall has Lathe, Chop Saw, and Floor Sweep
(I went all-out on the hood for the Chop Saw ;-)
Building Wood Interior design Floor Wall


West Wall has Table Saw and Jointer/Planer combo.
I went ahead and purchased the SawStop overhead dust collector tubing.
It is pricey, but I just did not have time to cobble something together.
Table saws Wood Tool Beam Workbench


Tool Gloat :D Jet JJP-12hh
Motor vehicle Wood Gas Machine Flooring


We were also able to organize the shop a bit. Cleared the floor, and moved work tables to the center.
Still a mess, but at least I can walk around and see where things are - a lot better than before.
Wood Flooring Building Engineering Hardwood


LOML created this solution to organizing (about 1/2) my bowl blank collection. (Wood Gloat) Man, it can take some time and effort to saw up lots of tree stumps.
Wood Shelving Shelf Interior design Floor


Once the bookcase shelves are full, we will use the the wire "metro carts". I was able to pick up another 6 units as scrap from work.
Also picked up eight 5" castors that should be used to build some portable lumber racks.
Gotta have a place to store the finished lumber from the Jointer/Planer

Some real woodworking projects may be in the near future. Outfeed table, jigs, cabinets, spinny stuff…who knows?
Thanks for the shop update. Looks like it coming along very nicely. Let us know how you like your ClearVue. It is currently on my short list. Trying to decide whether to get that next or replace my contractors TS with a cabinet saw.
 

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#93 ·
Hot enough for ya ?

A quick update.

It has been hot - really hot for a while. Unable to do much in the shop. Gonna have to look into some cooling/heating option for the shop. One of the down sides to a big area is the cost of air conditioning.

We decided to re-do some of the tree planting, so we ended up getting some dozer work done, and now have 4-5 acres of cleared fields to prep for longleaf pine planting. Found a big canebrake rattle snake on the new field last weekend. Also have 2 yellow jacket nests to handle.

Sky Hat Shorts Sun hat Tree


Got a lot of logs to mill into lumber, but they will have to wait until planting is done.

Shop projects will also be delayed.

So, may be a while before woodworking gets going, but I have lots to keep me busy for the next week, month, year, lifetime…?

That's a good thing
 

Attachments

#94 ·
Hot enough for ya ?

A quick update.

It has been hot - really hot for a while. Unable to do much in the shop. Gonna have to look into some cooling/heating option for the shop. One of the down sides to a big area is the cost of air conditioning.

We decided to re-do some of the tree planting, so we ended up getting some dozer work done, and now have 4-5 acres of cleared fields to prep for longleaf pine planting. Found a big canebrake rattle snake on the new field last weekend. Also have 2 yellow jacket nests to handle.

Sky Hat Shorts Sun hat Tree


Got a lot of logs to mill into lumber, but they will have to wait until planting is done.

Shop projects will also be delayed.

So, may be a while before woodworking gets going, but I have lots to keep me busy for the next week, month, year, lifetime…?

That's a good thing
Nice snake. Gonna make a belt out of him? I used to do that in SC and FL. The largest snake I ever used was a 7 1/2' eastern diamondback I got when stationed at Paris Island. He turned into several belts and leather buckles. Hope the weather cools and you get some shop time.
 

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