| Blog series by Holbs | updated 06-26-2022 03:59 AM | 7 parts | 5114 reads | 12 comments total |
Part 1: Sunday results: I need to quit smoking and hit the gym
(This is actually blog entry #2, not #1. Not sure why LJ website math is squirrely)Saturday, I was able to excavate, remove rotted based 4×6’s, and 2×12’s no problem for a good 30’. Must of been softer soil due to shade. Not so today. My 50 year old body wasn’t happy to do this so soon since I have not visited the gym in…...oh…..since I was 16 and a non-smoker :)Took it easy today as I know my limits. Still gots to work the day job through th...
Part 2: removing timber...ug
About 35% of my backyard fence blew down during a 65mph+ wind storm. Fence was built with the house back in 2006. Tis a standard looking fence that you see everywhere built horribly incorrect but did it’s purpose for almost 15 years. Original 12’ x 4” x 6” posts every 6 feet with 3 boards of 2” x 12” for the actual retaining wall (pressure treated too) and 6’ dog ear cedar fencing.Also to note: 95% of my neighbor fence was blown over as well since...
Part 3: 65' long x 3' high x 12" deep excavated. About to remove first cement post footing
We have had 95+ degree days lately so did not want to push my 50 year old body too much. Dug 6” down here and there. Finally, all 65’ excavated:————I still have all cement footings to tackle next (4 broke off at the base due to rot, the other 6 I left 3’ of 4×6 post to work with). I cheated by using my power washer to see what I am up against. This is not your ordinary fence post cement footing. Looks like 20” square, diamond shaped, ...
Part 4: Concrete footing from fence post #1: completed removal after 5 hours
OK. I didn’t expect this. Was hoping 2 hours per post. But that’s ok. I have no deadline. And this was my first one and I think I figured out a faster way than the first couple hours.I purchased a digging bar knowing I’ll be digging below ground level. It’s hard to swing the mattock with the 3’ wall only 12” away. I also purchased a new fiberglass post hole digger as my older wooden one was on it’s last leg. Once again, I tried to do the simpl...
Part 5: 98% done digging....
If those alien ships on Tom Cruise’s War Of The Worlds tried to break free from underneath my backyard… well, it would be a very very short movie. Between no worky out in 95+ degree days (basically, all summer long), 2nd floor of house hardwood laminate flooring project, this and that… I’m finally about 3 feet from being finished with digging. Some spots are not near the 24” front line depth yet but almost. Next, removal of old fence post footings. May n...
Part 6: December 2021 update: can see light at end of the tunnel!
2020 and 2021 was not kind to me in regards to having time to work on my DIY hobbies. Which was really sad because in 2020, I bought a Laguna 220bx bandsaw and a 52” Sawstop. Then COVID came around and my mindset was more concerned with employment and family issues. Anyways…The last time I left a blog entry, I was having serious issues with the fence post footing. I did dig 12” down x 65’ long as I needed a 24” frost depth for the gravel base under the reta...
Part 7: 98% blocks installed. leaving a gap for DIY conveyor
I am reminded of my 50+ years of age every time I look at the nearly completed wall :)But I wanted to show folks… if I could do it, anybody can do it! Is why I added the block wall portion of this wall & fence project.I’ve got to say…spent a full weekend in preparation for this wall (digging 24” deep to frost line and putting in drainage gravel, 3” french drain, leveling the first row of blocks). Everything came out looking…like a pro :) All blocks l...
