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Making it thrugh another year, '24-'25

Started by Old Greenhorn, May 19, 2024, 08:47:00 PM

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doc henderson

can you throw some smalls out at your wife's venues with some cards in the future?
Timber king 2000, 277c track loader, PJ 32 foot gooseneck, 1976 F700 state dump truck, JD 850 tractor.  2007 Chevy 3500HD dually, home built log splitter 18 horse 28 gpm with 5 inch cylinder and 32 inch split range with conveyor powered by a 12 volt tarp motor

Old Greenhorn

Doc, there might be. I will see what she has left after this final show and see if anything fits. Some shows limit vendors to one 'type' of product, so I have to use caution. It's a thought though. Some stuff will look good and maybe sell, if I have room.

Beenthere: A pit? Really?! That's pretty strong and frankly a bit nasty if I do say so. I have worked my Ash off trying to figure this thing out and I am a year and a half into it making adjustments and learning with every show. My wife has been at it for well over 2 decades and she also worked dang hard at it. She had a LOT of bad shows as she figured it out and found what worked. Still in all that time I don't think it is profitable for all the time and work she puts in, but it has brought in a decent amount of cash over those many years none the less. We are both just hard working slobs trying to pay our bills and get through life. A pit? So what are you suggesting? I should just give up and try to sell my wife's leftovers? Or maybe just give up and quit trying to get it right? Anybody who has ever started a new venture should know you have to figure it out, make adjustments and create a success for themselves. That takes a bit of time and a lot of sweat. OK, you are the expert, tell me what I should do. Geez man.
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So today I took the afternoon and drove out to this distillery and checked it out, met the owner and the gal who is co-organizer. Both very nice folks. Looks like they can carve me out a spot where I can fit in. We will work it out as we go and we will have a fair amount of time to set up and work it out. So I will do this one and see how it goes. Nothing ventured...   Also, I learned today it is a brewsitllery, meaning they have a brewer and a distillery in that same building, so maybe I can have a beer while 'my pit' is not selling anything. ffcheesy
Tom Lindtveit, Woodsman Forest Products
Oscar 328 Band Mill, Husky 350, 450, 562, & 372 (Clone), Mule 3010, and too many hand tools. :) Retired and trying to make a living to stay that way. NYLT Certified.
OK, maybe I'm the woodcutter now.
I work with wood, There is a rumor I might be a woodworker.

gspren

Maybe back to taking some 6 pack carriers?
Stihl 041, 044 & 261, Kubota 400 RTV, Kubota BX 2670, Ferris Zero turn

WV Sawmiller

https://jayscustomcreations.com/2013/05/mini-picnic-table-condiment-holders/

    A couple of the vendors at our local flea market have started making and marketing these mini-picnic table condiment holders. I don't think they sell a lot at a time but sometimes a person comes by and buys all they have. I suspect the real market for these might be restaurant supply places to sell to new food places opening up where they would need 40-50 at a time. I don't know how long it would take to set up to make them in mass production or if there would be enough mark-up to make them worth the effort.

   Good luck and keep your chin up (It makes it easier to hit ffcheesy).
Howard Green
WM LT35HDG25(2015) , 2011 4WD F150 Ford Lariat PU, Kawasaki 650 ATV, Stihl 440 Chainsaw, homemade logging arch (w/custom built rear log dolly), JD 750 w/4' wide Bushhog brand FEL

Dad always said "You can shear a sheep a bunch of times but you can only skin him once

Old Greenhorn

I've carried them all along and will have some there no doubt. they move depending on the crowd.
Tom Lindtveit, Woodsman Forest Products
Oscar 328 Band Mill, Husky 350, 450, 562, & 372 (Clone), Mule 3010, and too many hand tools. :) Retired and trying to make a living to stay that way. NYLT Certified.
OK, maybe I'm the woodcutter now.
I work with wood, There is a rumor I might be a woodworker.

beenthere

Didn't mean to be nasty Tom. Just going by what you have been describing regards the past several events. Sorry, didn't mean any offense. 
south central Wisconsin
It may be that my sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others

Old Greenhorn

Moving along... To be more clear (I had missed Howard's post somehow) I bring an 8 pack, 4 pack, and 6 pack carrier to each show plus a 6 pack bottle along with any spares I might have. Every once in a while one moves but not fast enough for me to keep making more just yet.
 As for those picnic table things, I had never seen that before. It might sell well in the spring/early summer or for a restaurant I guess. I'll think on it but not sure what I could charge for something like that. Howard, what have you seen for pricing?
 I'm headed back out to the shop, then around 5 I will go help the wife close up her last show...ever.
Tom Lindtveit, Woodsman Forest Products
Oscar 328 Band Mill, Husky 350, 450, 562, & 372 (Clone), Mule 3010, and too many hand tools. :) Retired and trying to make a living to stay that way. NYLT Certified.
OK, maybe I'm the woodcutter now.
I work with wood, There is a rumor I might be a woodworker.

WV Sawmiller

Tom,

   I asked my friend today and he says he sells his for $25 each. The ones he had today were made of red cedar and I asked him where he got the cedar and he said it was from an old picket fence he had taken down then planed it thin.

    They are eye catchers and a family could typically use 1-2 but I'd bet the money would be in setting up a restaurant or such.
Howard Green
WM LT35HDG25(2015) , 2011 4WD F150 Ford Lariat PU, Kawasaki 650 ATV, Stihl 440 Chainsaw, homemade logging arch (w/custom built rear log dolly), JD 750 w/4' wide Bushhog brand FEL

Dad always said "You can shear a sheep a bunch of times but you can only skin him once

Old Greenhorn

Price seems reasonable. I looked at the link and it appears the item is just glued together. I think I would like to place some staples in there. I'll have to look around and see if I can come up with some stock to try a couple out. As you say they catch the eye and I have yet to see any around here. Having stuff that nobody else has is important.
 I'll let you know if anything transpires but right now I am pretty much out of thin stock or I might have made one by now. :wink_2: I also have to look for some of those condiment bottles for sizing.
Tom Lindtveit, Woodsman Forest Products
Oscar 328 Band Mill, Husky 350, 450, 562, & 372 (Clone), Mule 3010, and too many hand tools. :) Retired and trying to make a living to stay that way. NYLT Certified.
OK, maybe I'm the woodcutter now.
I work with wood, There is a rumor I might be a woodworker.

WV Sawmiller

Tom,

  I just grabbed the link as a sample. The guy today did have his pieces stapled. I could see brads used also but I agree and would use more than just the glue but that is just me.

  I just show the item as an idea. You may figure out another design using scrap wood or make a condiment tree with a rough log on a lazy Susan base with holes bored in at an angle with different size holes for different bottle/shaker sizes. (Hey, maybe I just hit on a new product. Try some and if it makes any money feel free to send me some of it. ffcheesy)

  This may be a use for mushroom logs that don't pan out.

   Maybe a utensil tree with spatulas, large spoons, ladles, forks, etc.
Howard Green
WM LT35HDG25(2015) , 2011 4WD F150 Ford Lariat PU, Kawasaki 650 ATV, Stihl 440 Chainsaw, homemade logging arch (w/custom built rear log dolly), JD 750 w/4' wide Bushhog brand FEL

Dad always said "You can shear a sheep a bunch of times but you can only skin him once

Old Greenhorn

The last couple of days have not been very productive. Thursday I had to sit and wait for the burner service guy to come and do the annual cleanup and tune-up 'between 10am and 2pm'  Of course, he showed up at 1:30, so I wasted a lot of time just piddling in the house.
In the meantime, one of our cats was not looking so good with weakness in her hind end and very sensitive in that region. She was not getting around well at all and I was concerned. She walk 3 steps and lay down. So we called and got an appointment for 10:30 yesterday. She is 10 years old and I was fearing the worst based on past history with all the cats I've had. 
 But as it turned out she is in good shape except for low body weight and muscle mass, which she has always had even though she eats regularly. Turns out she has hyperthyroidism. Her 'number' is at 16 and it should be around 1 or 2. Treatable with meds and she seems to already be responding and doing better. She found a hiding spot when we got home and slept all day, only coming out around 8pm. Quite the bill for a short visit, but we got a family discount which saved a lot. Now we will have meds to buy for her duration and those pill pockets to make her eat them. I am searching around for the least cost source of Felimazole 2.5 mg tablets and feline chicken pill pockets if anyone knows a low cost seller. This is all assuming she passes her blood tests when we take her back in two weeks. 
 I have gotten a little work done. I finished off two more mirrors on Wednesday and got a shipment out. I put out word on my FB page that  was looking for 2" diameter ERC branches to try making legs out of. A friend has several trees and offered me whatever I wanted. SO yesterday I went over in the afternoon and trimmed off several from an 18" tree. Turns out he will want that one down when he finishes he second floor addition and deck to improve his lovely mountain sunset view. An easy drop right on the front lawn, but a ton of cleanup with all those branches. I would get a nice load of lumber out of the logs, even with the rot loss. No rush to take it down, but if I need it, I can come get it.

 Today and maybe tomorrow I have to make up for lost time at the mill. Still have to finish the shed order and now I have another order for something called a 'Hawk House'. About 1,600BF or so.
It's another day and the sun is shining.
Tom Lindtveit, Woodsman Forest Products
Oscar 328 Band Mill, Husky 350, 450, 562, & 372 (Clone), Mule 3010, and too many hand tools. :) Retired and trying to make a living to stay that way. NYLT Certified.
OK, maybe I'm the woodcutter now.
I work with wood, There is a rumor I might be a woodworker.

thecfarm

Model 6020-20hp Manual Thomas bandsaw,TC40A 4wd 40 hp New Holland tractor, 450 Norse Winch, Heatmor 400 OWB,YCC 1978-79

SwampDonkey

I think the last cat we had was about 18 years old. She had lost some of her teeth. Ate mostly cat food from can or sachet, which were soft morsels. We had her put down in the end, needle injection. She was a friendly cat. She's in a pet cemetery. Never really gave her a name, just cat.
"No amount of belief makes something a fact." James Randi

1 Thessalonians 5:21

2020 Polaris Ranger 570 to forward firewood, Husqvarna 555 XT Pro, Stihl FS560 clearing saw and continuously thinning my ground, on the side. Grow them trees. (((o)))

Old Greenhorn

Well my little kitty is doing much better since recovering from the trauma of yesterday and all those strangers hands on her. She slept all day in a hidey hole I cannot find. She seems back to herself today. Hopefully with the meds she will improve in the coming weeks and put a little weight on, she needs it.
------------------
So today I got to the mill before 10 with the intent of blowing through all the logs on the deck. I almost did that, but had my share of little issues. First, the motor pinion on the moveable blade guide was slipping. those two little tiny set screws loosened up. I got them snugged up best I could without removing the motor and it worked mostly. The hemlock logs I had were poor and smallish. But I got a few 6x6's out then realized I did not turn on the blower again. When I went to do that, it wouldn't start, nor would it even hum. SO I hiked up the hill and found the wire had gotten pushed around and the plug had pulled out of the socket, just holding by the ground pin. I stuck is back in, clamored back down the cliff and it fired right up. Of course my thighs were shot. Got it all running and got one 6x6 out of that 3rd log only to find it riddled with shake, so that became a 4x6 to make stacking horses (Bill's new idea). AT the end of that log, the pinion came loose again, but with Bill there we could jog it back and forth while one of us watched it and felt for the flat on the shaft. Maybe it's tight now, if not, the next time it slips I will pull the whole motor off and fix it right. Since Bill was in and out as I worked we got involved in other stuff here and there. 4.5 hours at the mill and I got very little lumber made. There is one 22" but really pithy  EWP on the deck left and we took a cookie off the end to check the condition and found a dark stain. Inga had fun working the metal detector and she actually found 2 16 penny nails we dug out, head and all. We took 2 feet off one end and a foot off the other and Inga pronounced the log 'clean'.
 Tomorrow I'll go down and finish that big one off, probably all 2x4's anyway, rake some of the junk out from under the mill (it's building up again) and find some logs for the upcoming week.

I got home around 3, had a sammich and went out in the shop and peeled the rest of those ERC branch legs with a draw knife. I find draw knife work weirdly satisfying, especially on green wood, the shavings just peel off so nice and clean with a sharp knife.
 I am pooped out tonight, probably hit the rack early.
Tomorrow is another day.
Tom Lindtveit, Woodsman Forest Products
Oscar 328 Band Mill, Husky 350, 450, 562, & 372 (Clone), Mule 3010, and too many hand tools. :) Retired and trying to make a living to stay that way. NYLT Certified.
OK, maybe I'm the woodcutter now.
I work with wood, There is a rumor I might be a woodworker.

GRANITEstateMP

Tom,

What is a "hawk house" inquiring minds...
Hakki Pilke 1x37
Kubota M6040
Load Trail 12ft Dump Trailer
2015 GMC 3500HD SRW
2016 Polaris 450HO
2016 Polaris 570
SureTrac 12ft Dump Trailer

Old Greenhorn

I am not precisely clear on it either, but the end client intends to keep his birds of prey in there. Yeah, I'm curious too.
Tom Lindtveit, Woodsman Forest Products
Oscar 328 Band Mill, Husky 350, 450, 562, & 372 (Clone), Mule 3010, and too many hand tools. :) Retired and trying to make a living to stay that way. NYLT Certified.
OK, maybe I'm the woodcutter now.
I work with wood, There is a rumor I might be a woodworker.

Old Greenhorn

Well yesterday I put more board footage on the bunks in one hour than I did on Saturday in 4.5 hours. All I did was mill up the one remaining log, about 22" EWP, but pretty straight and only 9' long. Nothing went wrong. I was home by noon, texted the boss with a log list for what is upcoming (about a dozen logs) and he texted me back in the evening with info on the logs he did put on the deck. I have several days work now. I guess this bird house has taken priority over the woodshed because I have the lumber made for the deck and there is a bunch of prep work to do before they can build that deck on site.
 I am not looking forward to milling this 6x8x14' header and getting it off the mill. I'll have to go find a machine, find forks for it, bring it down, get the thing off and find a place for it.
 
 The last 3 afternoons I have been messing in the shop peeling branches with a draw knife to try and make some legs directly from branches this fall/winter. At first I thought it might be quicker than all the steps required to make the octagonal legs. Now I can see that peeling probably takes a lot longer. I find the work relaxing and satisfying on green wood and sweat generating on partially dried wood. So I have a bunch peeled and they are up in the attic drying now.
 While peeling, I had another idea for leg construction that will add one more step to the octagonal process but would make and interesting leg and maybe remove to other steps. I am going to look around this afternoon after the mill work and see if I have some stock to test out. This would be something I haven't seen anyone else do, so maybe there is a reason? Of course it's also the kind of thing where folks could easily say "But why would you want to do that?" and I can only answer the question by saying 'I thought it would look cool'. Only one way to find out. Have I made you curious? Stay tuned as I think this through.

 Oh well, it's another day.
Tom Lindtveit, Woodsman Forest Products
Oscar 328 Band Mill, Husky 350, 450, 562, & 372 (Clone), Mule 3010, and too many hand tools. :) Retired and trying to make a living to stay that way. NYLT Certified.
OK, maybe I'm the woodcutter now.
I work with wood, There is a rumor I might be a woodworker.

Nebraska

Shipment arrived Tom gals were excited. They looked good.  ffsmiley

Old Greenhorn

Glad it arrived ok Pat. 

Well I am in a groove I guess, or maybe it's a rut. Been to the mill every day for at least a couple hours of work, then either run errands or back to the shop. Today was just 'back to the shop, Still doing 6x6's and side lumber for this hawk house build. I got another chunk done today but ran out of steam after a few hours. First time this season I wore a light jacket to the mill and kept it on....for the first 20 minutes of work, then down to a shirt for an hour, then down to a t-shirt.  I left with a soaking t-shirt.
 I might finish up the logs on the deck tomorrow if all goes well. Then I came back to the shop and after lunch I went back to working on those new legs. These are glue-ups, using 1-1/2 x 3/4 ERC cutoffs from other jobs. 2 pieces face glued make a 1-1/2 square (all oversized a little). So I ripped the glue-ups to final size, then I out the chamfers on them, they look pretty good. I ran the tenon tool over the ends then sanded them to fit and blended then blended the shoulders in. They still look good. :wink_2: What I really want to try is a 4 piece glue-up with contrasting woods, but that's coming. I was getting ready to square up a stool bottom (top?) when Bill pulled in. I have a stack of his Ash cookies here and one still needed to be run through the drum sander, but it was too big for me to handle alone, so I had the machine setup and he did the heavy lifting. The cookie was about 30 x 45" and took a little while and a lot of dust but we got it done. He left I cleaned up the mess and rolled the machine back off to the side and went back to the stool, but no sooner did I start thinking the Bill's carpenter showed up to find out what I had milled up for the hawk house specifically. He is going to start building tomorrow. SO we compared his cut list and my mill list.  I need to get him one more 6x6, but that was the next on my list for the first log up tomorrow. So we are in pretty good shape, but I guess I have to plug on a little harder.
 Granite, I did learn a little more about this build. Apparently it is for keeping birds of prey and the client needs to have it inspected by 'someone' to get his permit/license to house any birds in it. He's got some very particular requirements, such as no inside exposed joint or protrusions where the bird(s) might catch a wing, no concrete or wood floor, only round gravel or stones and some other things like that. So the framing is going on the outside and the wall boards will be on the inside presenting a smooth finish. The ceiling will be 1x10's covering the underside of the roof and purlins. The sills (all PT) will be set about 6 inches below grade to prevent escape. Anyway, this s
should be interesting.

 So Billy (the carpenter) left around 6 and that was the end of today for me. I am pretty tired but have to get back at the mill in the morning and keep him going, at least with his input I know what he needs next and this build is an 'on site' job that is between my place and the mill, so we are keeping it local for sure. ffcheesy I am pretty much done with all the tougher wood, the 6x8x14's and 6x6' etc. Now it should go faster with a lot of 1x and 2x material. Hoping to finish him off before we leave for VT on Saturday morning for our annual trip. I am surely working full days now with little slack time.

 And tomorrow I can do it again.
Tom Lindtveit, Woodsman Forest Products
Oscar 328 Band Mill, Husky 350, 450, 562, & 372 (Clone), Mule 3010, and too many hand tools. :) Retired and trying to make a living to stay that way. NYLT Certified.
OK, maybe I'm the woodcutter now.
I work with wood, There is a rumor I might be a woodworker.

aigheadish

If it's possible to get a picture of the constructed bird house, when it's done, I'd love to see it!
New Holland LB75b, Husqvarna 455 Rancher, Husqvarna GTH52XLS, Hammerhead 250, Honda VTX1300 for now and probably for sale (let me know if you are interested!)

Old Greenhorn

Well I will surely try because I am just as curious about it, as well as the circumstances. As far as I know, these are city folk. Since I have to pass the house going to and from the mill, it should be easier than most. In fact, you have been past that house and I am sure you recall it, it had a waterfall and is a stone house above the road.
 I may stop in there today as it is my understanding that the 'footings' are already dug in, so I may throw that last 6x6 right in the truck and drop it off on my way out. He has a long material list for this one including wire fencing for the porch area, PT wood, hinges, and hardware. This won't be built in a week as he also has feeder ports and such to build into it, roosts, and such like that.
 Something different for sure.
Tom Lindtveit, Woodsman Forest Products
Oscar 328 Band Mill, Husky 350, 450, 562, & 372 (Clone), Mule 3010, and too many hand tools. :) Retired and trying to make a living to stay that way. NYLT Certified.
OK, maybe I'm the woodcutter now.
I work with wood, There is a rumor I might be a woodworker.

Old Greenhorn

Another day in the books. Got to the mill and finished up the timbers for the bird house and tried to make the 2x8 rafters but only had one 10 foot log so I just managed to squeeze 3 out of that skinny thing. Only have 8 foot logs left on the deck. I made the side lumber into 1x4 purlins. I loaded up all the big stuff and delivered it to the site. Ran into Bill and asked him to fetch me down some 10 foot logs so I could finish up the rafters, also need a 14' log for some parts.
It ain't much to look at yet, but you asked for a photo, so here is what's up so far.


 Came home and worked on a stool.


 Bill showed up around 3:30 and he and another buddy picked up all those huge cookies that I have been storing all summer since we sanded them. They left and a half hour later Billy (the carpenter) showed up to tell me that the 10' rafters have been changed to 12' meaning the ones I cut today just became dunnage. smiley_smug01 Also, the 10' logs that Bill put up this afternoon have to be changed to 12'. They were ahead of me and it's already done. Billy will meet me at the mill in the morning and tail for me so I can get all his rafters done, I need to get well ahead of him so I can go to VT this weekend and he can keep working. I also lose a day or more to mushroom logs next week, so there is that. I have an order to deliver by next Friday.
 I think I'll be in bed early again tonight.
Tom Lindtveit, Woodsman Forest Products
Oscar 328 Band Mill, Husky 350, 450, 562, & 372 (Clone), Mule 3010, and too many hand tools. :) Retired and trying to make a living to stay that way. NYLT Certified.
OK, maybe I'm the woodcutter now.
I work with wood, There is a rumor I might be a woodworker.

aigheadish

I do recall that house. That birdhouse is huge! Neat project!
New Holland LB75b, Husqvarna 455 Rancher, Husqvarna GTH52XLS, Hammerhead 250, Honda VTX1300 for now and probably for sale (let me know if you are interested!)

Old Greenhorn

This is really an aviary and will be broken into sections with a screened in porch. It will make more sense as it progresses. Billy will be helping me tail at the mill this morning so I can get more of his wood cut up before the weekend. At some point I think his rapid progress will slow a bit as he works through some of the unusual requirements on this thing. For instance, all framing in on the outside and the inside walls need to be clean and smooth with not structural parts showing. Getting the 14' headers up and rafters on will also be a challenge for a one man job. 2 men have a tricky time carrying a 6x8x14 let alone setting it up at 10'.
 Probably gonna be a longer session today, I have to get rolling.
Tom Lindtveit, Woodsman Forest Products
Oscar 328 Band Mill, Husky 350, 450, 562, & 372 (Clone), Mule 3010, and too many hand tools. :) Retired and trying to make a living to stay that way. NYLT Certified.
OK, maybe I'm the woodcutter now.
I work with wood, There is a rumor I might be a woodworker.

aigheadish

I'd imagine Bill may have some equipment you could borrow to help set the header, rather than you guys throwing it up by hand! (I guess I shouldn't loan out other guys' tools!)
New Holland LB75b, Husqvarna 455 Rancher, Husqvarna GTH52XLS, Hammerhead 250, Honda VTX1300 for now and probably for sale (let me know if you are interested!)

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