Sawmill Shed Pole Building

[Magicman]

To me, it looks like you had better be sawing that whack of logs. 

[TimW]

I knew someone would comment on that whack.  Should have realized it would be you, Lynn.

I think those were past their prime last summer when the sawmill was at the Yanmar shop.  I think all the side wood is gone, but might get some out of the center.   

Right now, I have nothing to stack it on once cut.  Guess I could cut some to make more pallets.

I gotta move them soon, as the White Oak they are stacked against died in all the heat and drought, summer before last.

Looking forward to the warmup this next week.

[Magicman]

You may be able so salvage some of it, especially if it is for your own use.  Thankfully they are off of the ground, well some anyway.  

You probably have termites in the bottom logs, but they gotta make a living too. 

[TimW]

I was surprised today with the concrete contractors showing up.  They will pour Saturday.
They seem to be doing an awesome job.  They taped the vapor barrier and are adding huge spikes and bending them, to hold concrete to the treated 2x6 forms/ bottom girts.

[TimW]

Was up at 6:30 this morning. Concrete crew showed up at 7.  Trucks started coming at 7:30
I am wore out from all the excitement.

[Resonator]

Concrete pour looks good. Rebar is suspended up off the bottom, and finish is nice (flat and smooth).
Are they cutting control joints?

[TimW]

No control joints.  Didn't have them in my shop/barn with no cracks.

[TimW]

The owner took extra care and was lowest bidder.  They taped the overlap on the vapor barrier.  They drove in huge nails in the pressure treated form/girt and bent them over to form a hook into the concrete.  They picked up all the roots they removed from the dirt pile they used for fill and placed them on my burn pile.  Really went above and behind.  He got a $150 tip and I told him I have maybe the concrete under the sawmill and the house.  Oh yeah, he was the only concrete contractor I found on Angi, formerly Angi's list.

I am still undecided on concrete under the mill for stability .vs my feet pounding concrete all day.

[Magicman]

Looking good with the slab Tim.  

For the sawmill, make a pour because you always have a layer of sawdust for a cushion, plus the cleanup will be worth it.  Heck, you can always get an Operator's Seat and ride.

[jpassardi]

Looking good. 
With a rebar grid like that and good compaction I could see you not getting cracks in Texas. If it were subject to freeze/thaw cycles like here in NE, likely not so.

[TimW]

Yeah, thaw is a foreign word down here.  Oh yeah, it was suppose to be 5 inches thick, but it was closer to 6 inches.  After the 3rd truck, they were short and measured a 12x12 area for the 4th truck.

[barbender]

I'm always amazed by how sloppy concrete guys are with their base grading, and subsequent redi-mix estimates. At least in your case, you ended up with a thicker slab because of it. 

Redi-mix is so expensive now, I get my base spot on and order a bit long. 5-10% extra. 

[TimW]

This guy seemed really concerned about his "product" standing up to my telehandler.  Guess he did it on purpose, as he told he what he did while the pour was happening.  He seems to be getting enough work as he shoehorned my slab in between a house slab pour.  He's got good reviews on Angi and a good tip from me.

[TimW]

I made a Pole Notch Jig.

[TimW]

I made a test pole to notch in the shop.

[TimW]

Finally put the pole tower in position after measuring for the lowest pole.  This pole is 12'4" from the concrete.

[TimW]

But this (all poles) pole will probably cut down 12'2".
I bought a Makita cordless 6.5" saw to make the side cuts and use the Stihl cordless chain saw to make the vertical cuts. 

[TimW]

All these photos were clocked right.  Some magic is going on between my computer and where the photos end up to pop up on our screens.

[doc henderson]

when I click on the photo, it is rotated correct and is bigger.

[jpassardi]

Looking good Tim - You might even pass an OSHA inspection with that tower. 

[doc henderson]

Safety first.

[TimW]

Looking good Tim - You might even pass an OSHA inspection with that tower. 

Thanks! 
I'm a believer is safety, especially when I am working alone.  But osha can keep their paw prints and tire tracks off my property.

[TimW]

when I click on the photo, it is rotated correct and is bigger.

Thanks Doc!  That works here too.
Safety first for sure.  Ya can't have fun playing with your toys when you are hurt, or in a hurry.

[TimW]

Notching the poles is almost finished.  I have just 4 poles, off the end not concreted, that I have to notch.  The door header poles are ready for the header beam.

[TimW]

I notched the last 4 poles today.  Since they were not "in" the concrete, I broke out the laser and made a mount for it, pole top.
It worked sweet, as my backup plan of a 10 foot 2x4 and a level didn't work as the work platform's railing was in the way.