New home for the herd

[Mickwhitt 4,584]

Hi Norm,

 

I have left quite gap all the way round so I hope it wont bind when it gets warm.

 

My steel gates cause problems when it gets really hot, not closing properly till they cool down. 

 

I've put the door skin on with coach bolts for now and will weld it from the inside when we have a better day.

 

Next job is to fit the universalbeam to support the floor and take out the sleeper wall.

Then the structural stuff is done and I can relax a bit to complete it.

Mick 

[Mickwhitt 4,584]

I had to knock up a quick locking device for the door so I plumped for a simple box section bar which slides into carriers welded to the door and is held behind the outer leaf brickwork. A jack screw on the opening side allows me to pull the door in tight to seal it. 

 

[Mickwhitt 4,584]

This is the door closed and bar in place. Works pretty well for something I thought up in minutes.

I will make another one tomorrow to go on the lower horizontal member, should be enough to see off the average burglar.

Mick

[Jennifer 1,877]

Looks good 

[Stormin 9,981]

39 minutes ago, Mickwhitt said:

This is the door closed and bar in place. Works pretty well for something I thought up in minutes.

I will make another one tomorrow to go on the lower horizontal member, should be enough to see off the average burglar.

Mick

 

I would think that would be enough, Mick.

[ebinmaine 67,266]

16 minutes ago, Stormin said:

 

I would think that would be enough, Mick.

I'd say so too ..

 

You get a thief with enough ambition to go breaking through an iron door and you should just give him half of your possessions as a prize for great extended effort.

 

[rjg854 11,349]

Agreed, I find it hard to believe anyone is getting through that door. 

[Mickwhitt 4,584]

Hey guys, 30 years as a cop and I've seen some pretty formidable defences breached. If these idiots worked a real job they would do well for themselves. Watched a bunch of thieves stealing wood from a building site on our road last night. In the teeth of a gale, pouring with rain, pitch black and still they did it. Police did not arrive despite 999 call to a crime in progress.

Day off home work today, put up a sign in the local park where I volunteer. 

[Mickwhitt 4,584]

Best bit of my day?  Chasing down and dragging a nuisance motor bike rider off his machine in the park. I gave him such a mouthful too. We try to make things better and these idiots destroy it. This guy was in his 30s on a field bike and this 55 year old fart still beat him hands down! Made him wheel it out the park and never return lol.

Minor victory but feels good. 

Mick 

[Mickwhitt 4,584]

Hi all,

 

Demolition day, took out the sleeper wall and put the I beam in ready to be packed in place. 

Mrs whitts  with her de mo lition hammer. She is good at knocking things down.

Tired now, need to rest up a bit before I start the next phase.

 

Mick 

[ebinmaine 67,266]

Anytime you find yourself a girl that is willing to use heavy-duty tools you hang right on

[Mickwhitt 4,584]

I wont be letting her go anytime soon.

She has asked me to point out she was not working in her slippers. I know you guys like health and safety 

She had just popped in to make a brew and I called her to take a photo.

She helped me lift the 3.5 m girder in too this afternoon. 

Beautiful and not scared to get stuck in. I'm blessed with her 

[ebinmaine 67,266]

Mick, don't sweat the slippers. You check out some of the photos that Trina is in and you'll see multiple pairs of socks.

[Stormin 9,981]

 

22 minutes ago, Mickwhitt said:

She has asked me to point out she was not working in her slippers. I know you guys like health and safety 

She had just popped in to make a brew and I called her to take a photo.

 

That's my forth coming witty comment shot down in flames.

[Mickwhitt 4,584]

Honest she was wearing trainer boots when we were working! 

It's amazing what she can do in a pair of slippers, these ones are a bit old fashioned with the pom poms lol

[Mickwhitt 4,584]

Ok, so a tough day today. 

Skip arrived and only just managed to get through the drive gates.

 

Decided to hire a conveyor to load the skip rather than handball the concrete oversite into the skip.

 

Used the demolition hammer to break up the concrete and then loaded up the skip.

 

Sandra helped out again, distributing the rubble in the skip and generally being there to support me.

 

 

It's now down to digging out the clay soil to a depth where I am comfortable to lay 3 inches of concrete to make a floor.

I will lose the soil on our community project refilling our raised beds. 

[Mickwhitt 4,584]

Blimey, bit of another tough day.

 

Managed to cut out all the clay capping layer which was real donkey work.

 

Filled the skip and a different driver arrived to collect it, but couldn't get thru the gate. Same size truck, same size gate. I guess there are drivers and drivers.

so between us we filled a 4 ton skip in one working day, plus digging the stuff out.

Cant wait to get back to normal work lol.

Things are getting quiet though with people cancelling their holidays and so not having us look after their pets. Tighten the old belt and carry on.

Mick 

 

[ebinmaine 67,266]

2 minutes ago, Mickwhitt said:

there are drivers and drivers.

That's quite true.

Depending on the day I've been both/either/neither....

 

 

[Mickwhitt 4,584]

Does anyone have any knowledge of waterproof concrete?

Is it worth using it or am I better off using a membrane under normal concrete. 

Just seems a waste of money if it cracks as that would end any waterproof properties.

Going to be laying the slab myself and I'm no concrete expert.

Mick 

[Stormin 9,981]

  Lay a membrane, Mick. The plastic kind. I assume you laying straight onto clay, as you've chucked what you could have used for hard core in the skip. One it will help support the concrete. Also to prevent rising damp.

2 - 3 inch thick. You could lay rebar if you think anything heavy will be in there.

 

Edited March 14, 2020 by Stormin

[Mickwhitt 4,584]

Thanks norm. Yes I will lay straight onto the soil as putting hardcore in means taking more out.

Not going to be anything heavy in there so I'm happy with 3 inch thick. 

I had more or less decided on a membrane anyway as even with a waterproof concrete it would help in the long run.

Mick 

[Stormin 9,981]

Ordinary concrete will do, Mick. Needn't waste  money on gimmicky concrete.

Just a tip. Paint it with floor paint before putting anything in. Keep the dust down.

 

[Pullstart 62,783]

My back hurts just looking at that picture!  Good job Mick!

[Mickwhitt 4,584]

It's not been too bad really . Bit sore on the shoulders shoveling the heavy clay, but not as decrepit as I thought lol.

you can see from the damp mark's on the brickwork where we have taken out the clay. 

Not too far off with the levels now, I'm going to do two separate slabs to make it a stepped floor with a ramp. 

Even thinking about mixing my own concrete rather than ready mix to give me a bit more time  but I will see what the price comparison is.

Mick 

[Jennifer 1,877]

Looks like you are going to really have some space!