As if we need an excuse...
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Karen was busy too...
While I was making the planter box, Karen was painting the almost finished front side of the greenhouse. It was essential that we both worked today as somehow we had to justify having wine on a Tuesday night.
As if we need an excuse...
As if we need an excuse...
Something from nothing
Another short work day, a couple of hours today as we get closer to the finish line.
I picked up a bunch of free pallet frame/spacer arrangements from Gibsons Building Supplies scrap zone and took them apart. Enough good wood for a reasonable sized raised bed planter box. The next step will be to line the box with heavy duty landscape fabric, then fill with good soil.
End of the day, the stained planter box, and a couple of the original frames remain for another project.
I picked up a bunch of free pallet frame/spacer arrangements from Gibsons Building Supplies scrap zone and took them apart. Enough good wood for a reasonable sized raised bed planter box. The next step will be to line the box with heavy duty landscape fabric, then fill with good soil.
End of the day, the stained planter box, and a couple of the original frames remain for another project.
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Measure Once, cut fourteen times.
I put it down to the heat (we were up in the 30's yesterday) because my ability to cut wood to size has deteriorated quite distinctly over the last two days. I need to focus.
The chap gave us four new tins of paint, one Autumn Sand, two white base and one trim and yesterday the nice man at Canadian Tire tinted one of the white to almost Autum Sand again for free. A lot of people have a "go" at Crappy Tire for being uncooperative, but I find it's the way you treat people that makes the difference.
It's not exactly the same tint, but we have a lot of it, so the greenhouse will end up the same colour.
More progress at the creek side of the structure :
The chap gave us four new tins of paint, one Autumn Sand, two white base and one trim and yesterday the nice man at Canadian Tire tinted one of the white to almost Autum Sand again for free. A lot of people have a "go" at Crappy Tire for being uncooperative, but I find it's the way you treat people that makes the difference.
It's not exactly the same tint, but we have a lot of it, so the greenhouse will end up the same colour.
More progress at the creek side of the structure :
Friday, June 26, 2015
Asymmetry
The heatwave continues and the mad dogs and Englishmen (and women) are out in the midday sun.
The asymmetry of the windows is quite evident now and it is a reflection of my dropping the engineering paradigm of most things having to be straight and symmetrical.
An acknowledgement today that I have bought too many windows and pieces of glass, so although the greenhouse will come in under our $250 target there was a bit of overspending in that number and things will have to be returned to the salvage yard to be recycled once more.
In every plan there is inefficiency.
No worries though, we're on track, perhaps another week and we'll be finished.
The asymmetry of the windows is quite evident now and it is a reflection of my dropping the engineering paradigm of most things having to be straight and symmetrical.
An acknowledgement today that I have bought too many windows and pieces of glass, so although the greenhouse will come in under our $250 target there was a bit of overspending in that number and things will have to be returned to the salvage yard to be recycled once more.
In every plan there is inefficiency.
No worries though, we're on track, perhaps another week and we'll be finished.
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Hump Day
It was a tiring day, and we only worked a shade over two and a half hours, but we're both tired, so we will be having a rest day on Thursday.
Of course, it was "Growler Hour" at Persephone, so we had to be up at the brewery at four o'clock anyways, a well deserved "set" of beers and some growlers and pizza to bring home for a good old telly night.
More progress on the greenhouse, more windows, about a third of the vertical surface area finished, there's hope that the end is in sight!
Of course, it was "Growler Hour" at Persephone, so we had to be up at the brewery at four o'clock anyways, a well deserved "set" of beers and some growlers and pizza to bring home for a good old telly night.
More progress on the greenhouse, more windows, about a third of the vertical surface area finished, there's hope that the end is in sight!
Monday, June 22, 2015
Filling in the holes...Phase Two
At Gibsons Recycling depot this morning, two perfect sized windows were found and they are now installed in the outbuilding.
This may be the point where symmetry is lost, mainly as we have many useful windows to install including a couple that open and they're all different sizes.
So, let the asymmetry begin!
This may be the point where symmetry is lost, mainly as we have many useful windows to install including a couple that open and they're all different sizes.
So, let the asymmetry begin!
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Bring on the Glass!
Roof is finished besides some painting and a couple of trim pieces, now it's time to start thinking about putting those windows in and considering how the door will be constructed.
Beer helps us think.
8 Hour Day
It's been a while since we did an eight hour day, mind you, today had a few beer breaks, so it wasn't like the old times.
What it was like though was hard work, and we're both feeling the cumulative effects of the project.
The metal apex trim was installed this morning, then four roof panels were created for the backside of the greenhouse. As I was making them, Karen was painting them, then installation. All went well, but once again, tolerances made some things difficult, but here we are, the roof is almost finished.
Time for an extended beer break.
What it was like though was hard work, and we're both feeling the cumulative effects of the project.
The metal apex trim was installed this morning, then four roof panels were created for the backside of the greenhouse. As I was making them, Karen was painting them, then installation. All went well, but once again, tolerances made some things difficult, but here we are, the roof is almost finished.
Time for an extended beer break.
Friday, June 19, 2015
Production Line
It was a production line here today, creating the roof panels, partially painting them, installing and finishing the exterior paint and at the end of the work day, half of the roof was complete.
Every day that we work on the greenhouse, we end up tired, but happy, and ready for a beer or two.
The weather has been very good, too good in fact. We had a little rain yesterday, but not nearly enough and we are on stage two water restrictions in Gibsons. We do our best to conserve water, but there are other people in the town who waste our drinking water, washing their cars, driveways, houses and sprinkling their useless lawns.
It reminds us that if there is no water, there can be no beer...
Every day that we work on the greenhouse, we end up tired, but happy, and ready for a beer or two.
The weather has been very good, too good in fact. We had a little rain yesterday, but not nearly enough and we are on stage two water restrictions in Gibsons. We do our best to conserve water, but there are other people in the town who waste our drinking water, washing their cars, driveways, houses and sprinkling their useless lawns.
It reminds us that if there is no water, there can be no beer...
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
The Price of Bananas
A good day on the construction front.
Although the greenhouse may look somewhat the same as yesterday, there have been some production line additions on each truss member, and because of the way things will progress next, we've started the painting, if we didn't, things would become difficult.
The first roof panel, the prototype, was removed and I raised it by about a quarter of an inch, mainly because we visited Gibsons Building Supplies and bought a whole bunch of one by two's that were slightly higher than the pieces I used to mount the first panel.
In another cost saving moment, I asked the guy in the yard why he was sorting out the lumber, and he said that there was a goodly portion of cull, or "banana" lumber, so we asked if we could buy it, and of course, as with our luck lately, something we need to progress the job was half price.
Always good to know the price of bananas.
Although the greenhouse may look somewhat the same as yesterday, there have been some production line additions on each truss member, and because of the way things will progress next, we've started the painting, if we didn't, things would become difficult.
The first roof panel, the prototype, was removed and I raised it by about a quarter of an inch, mainly because we visited Gibsons Building Supplies and bought a whole bunch of one by two's that were slightly higher than the pieces I used to mount the first panel.
In another cost saving moment, I asked the guy in the yard why he was sorting out the lumber, and he said that there was a goodly portion of cull, or "banana" lumber, so we asked if we could buy it, and of course, as with our luck lately, something we need to progress the job was half price.
Always good to know the price of bananas.
Monday, June 15, 2015
Filling in the holes...Phase one
It was so hot today and because the first roof panel had to be planned and created, a slow one for progress of the sauna, sorry, I mean the greenhouse.
The Coraplast was cut to size, 28" x 54" and a upper and lower frame created. This was assembled as though I was pretending to be Jerry Lewis, but that's the way it always goes with the first one and the baking sun did not make the job easier.
Seven to go and some painting inbetween.
The weather forecast says hot.
The Coraplast was cut to size, 28" x 54" and a upper and lower frame created. This was assembled as though I was pretending to be Jerry Lewis, but that's the way it always goes with the first one and the baking sun did not make the job easier.
Seven to go and some painting inbetween.
The weather forecast says hot.
Nanaimo
We're back from Nanaimo, a four day coastal break from the coast. Odd that we enjoy coastal breaks when we actually live on the coast, but a change of location is always welcome.
Although I did think about the greenhouse a lot...
Although I did think about the greenhouse a lot...
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Beer, Pizza, People and more Beer.
Persephone Brewing are generous when it comes to compensating their workers, beer, more beer, pizza and then a gift card for more beer. No wonder, despite our aching shoulders, arms and legs, that we are thinking of attending again tomorrow.
First photo, Karen, Dion (Brewer) and Brian Smith (CEO of Persephone). Second photo, Davey boy, well overdressed for the heat, tired, but loving the beer and the pizza.
Very happy day.
First photo, Karen, Dion (Brewer) and Brian Smith (CEO of Persephone). Second photo, Davey boy, well overdressed for the heat, tired, but loving the beer and the pizza.
Very happy day.
Rhizomes
Tuesday, day one at the Beer Farm, Persephone Brewing.
Our task was a simple one, plant a portion of 3500 centennial hop rhizomes (they cost a buck a piece) and in return, Persephone would supply, beer, pizza and more beer.
It's the first paid day of work for the pair of us since September 19th, 2007.
Our task was a simple one, plant a portion of 3500 centennial hop rhizomes (they cost a buck a piece) and in return, Persephone would supply, beer, pizza and more beer.
It's the first paid day of work for the pair of us since September 19th, 2007.
Monday, June 8, 2015
Green Toed Sloth
A lot of ladder work today so I was taking my time and being careful, it was very hot as well, so plenty of water breaks.
Karen took charge of the long pole thing with the big saw and snippers at the end and gave the trees a haircut while I went up and down, and down and up the ladder to finish the mid truss pieces.
Overall there are some small issues with tolerances, but not bad at all, I will be able to adjust things to make things "look" right and of course, I'm already in the process of forgetting where they are. After all, it's a greenhouse, not a landing gear.
Now it's time to "fill in all the holes" but there'll be no work on the greenhouse in the next six days as we have other plans.
Total cost of the materials for what you see in the photo, from the mighty spreadsheet, is $64.45
Karen took charge of the long pole thing with the big saw and snippers at the end and gave the trees a haircut while I went up and down, and down and up the ladder to finish the mid truss pieces.
Overall there are some small issues with tolerances, but not bad at all, I will be able to adjust things to make things "look" right and of course, I'm already in the process of forgetting where they are. After all, it's a greenhouse, not a landing gear.
Now it's time to "fill in all the holes" but there'll be no work on the greenhouse in the next six days as we have other plans.
Total cost of the materials for what you see in the photo, from the mighty spreadsheet, is $64.45
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Greener
Start of week two and the second end of the truss area is completed, a little window trim added and a whole litre of Copper II Wood preservative has been applied to the top bit, making the greenhouse a little bit greener.
Time for some reflection and calculation now, a little bit of planning for the roof panels and intermediate truss structure. There's no rush, besides, on Tuesday, and perhaps Wednesday, we will be up working at the brewery, planting hop rhizomes.
They're paying us in beer and pizza.
Lots of beer, the posted rate is a growler per hour (each) and we intend to do four hours or more. A growler is 64 fluid ounces. So that is good pay and in addition, we get to be outdoors with a great bunch of people and they feed us and I believe they provide beer during the shift.
Good rates of pay.
They're paying us in beer and pizza.
Lots of beer, the posted rate is a growler per hour (each) and we intend to do four hours or more. A growler is 64 fluid ounces. So that is good pay and in addition, we get to be outdoors with a great bunch of people and they feed us and I believe they provide beer during the shift.
Good rates of pay.
Friday, June 5, 2015
End of week one.
I'm officially tired as I sit here and quaff an excellent Steamworks Pale Ale. It's now been a full week and the bed and breakfast building, sorry, greenhouse, is progressing nicely.
It was a dual effort by myself and the lovely Karen to mount the massive 4x4 at the apex of the roof today, and no-one ended up with a concusssion, so we did well. In addition to the heavy lifting, it was obvious to me this afternoon that my tiredness is cumulative, as I found it almost impossible to put a screw in properly.
A couple of days break is in order.
The calculated eve angle was an exact 26.565 degrees but I'm finding working with culled and used wood quite fascinating, most are "reasonably" straight but some are quite a challenge to fit into the construction, at the end of the day, It's a greenhouse, and tolerances have to be quite generous and believe me on this one, they truly are.
It was a dual effort by myself and the lovely Karen to mount the massive 4x4 at the apex of the roof today, and no-one ended up with a concusssion, so we did well. In addition to the heavy lifting, it was obvious to me this afternoon that my tiredness is cumulative, as I found it almost impossible to put a screw in properly.
A couple of days break is in order.
The calculated eve angle was an exact 26.565 degrees but I'm finding working with culled and used wood quite fascinating, most are "reasonably" straight but some are quite a challenge to fit into the construction, at the end of the day, It's a greenhouse, and tolerances have to be quite generous and believe me on this one, they truly are.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Right place, right time.
As we live on a ravine, we back onto Gibsons Creek, we have many 100 foot or higher trees behind the house, so in the fall and winter, they drop branches.
So, glass for the roof is out of the question, and my research has led me to the conclusion that the best possible product is 6mm or 8mm twin wall polycarbonate sheet. I asked for a quote from a local supplier and he came back with $312.48 for 8mm including delivery. Probably $250 for 6mm.
Today, at Gibsons Recycling Depot, I was on my morning grubbing session and finding plastic guttering for the rain barrel part of the greenhouse. I noticed one of the guys bring in a bunch of 4' x 6' panels of translucent coroplast 6mm twin wall. I asked how much and they said $2.00 a sheet. So, I bought eight of them, which is more than enough for the roof panels phase.
Oddly enough, my research shows that translucent is just as good as clear for a greenhouse roof and it diffuses the sunlight, so all is good. The plastic guttering cost another $4.00 so the spreadsheet is now up to $94.33 for the current materials.
Time to calculate some truss dimensions....
So, glass for the roof is out of the question, and my research has led me to the conclusion that the best possible product is 6mm or 8mm twin wall polycarbonate sheet. I asked for a quote from a local supplier and he came back with $312.48 for 8mm including delivery. Probably $250 for 6mm.
Today, at Gibsons Recycling Depot, I was on my morning grubbing session and finding plastic guttering for the rain barrel part of the greenhouse. I noticed one of the guys bring in a bunch of 4' x 6' panels of translucent coroplast 6mm twin wall. I asked how much and they said $2.00 a sheet. So, I bought eight of them, which is more than enough for the roof panels phase.
Oddly enough, my research shows that translucent is just as good as clear for a greenhouse roof and it diffuses the sunlight, so all is good. The plastic guttering cost another $4.00 so the spreadsheet is now up to $94.33 for the current materials.
Time to calculate some truss dimensions....
Half way point?
I think we're approaching the half way point in the project, but I suspect that the second half will take perhaps a month to complete.
I was selecting some recycled plastic guttering this morning at the GRD and taking far too long, but that was obviously for a reason. Which I will explain in the next post.
Second phase is the roofing and truss arrangement, phase three will be the glass, phase four the split door and then the final phase will be the shelving and potting bench arrangement.
I was selecting some recycled plastic guttering this morning at the GRD and taking far too long, but that was obviously for a reason. Which I will explain in the next post.
Second phase is the roofing and truss arrangement, phase three will be the glass, phase four the split door and then the final phase will be the shelving and potting bench arrangement.
Is it really only five days?
Yes, we started this last Saturday (we took the picnic table apart on Friday).
Some details for Graeme Wright as I know he loves this stuff.
What you see in the photo :
Old picnic table wood, Grey culled window ledge wood, $22.40 from Gibsons Building supplies (GBS), five 2x4's from Gibsons Recycling Depot (GRD) $5.00, two 4x4's from a metals pallet from GBS - free, two and a half pounds of 2.5" screws from GBS - $11.20, two 2x4 frames from GRD - free.
A total of $38.60 so far. I now only have one and a half pieces of the window ledge wood left.
Some details for Graeme Wright as I know he loves this stuff.
What you see in the photo :
Old picnic table wood, Grey culled window ledge wood, $22.40 from Gibsons Building supplies (GBS), five 2x4's from Gibsons Recycling Depot (GRD) $5.00, two 4x4's from a metals pallet from GBS - free, two and a half pounds of 2.5" screws from GBS - $11.20, two 2x4 frames from GRD - free.
A total of $38.60 so far. I now only have one and a half pieces of the window ledge wood left.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
There's a spreadsheet for everything...
It was overcast today, some light showers, but we still managed to get out in the garden. Karen was going all medieval on the dandelions and I was progressing the fort, sorry, the greenhouse.
I've started a spreadsheet and we're up to $74.33 so far for what you see below, actually, that's not true as half of that has been spent on salvaged glass and not all our wood is shown. So a quick review of the spreadsheet indicates that what you see in the following photo has cost somewhat less than $40 so far.
I've started a spreadsheet and we're up to $74.33 so far for what you see below, actually, that's not true as half of that has been spent on salvaged glass and not all our wood is shown. So a quick review of the spreadsheet indicates that what you see in the following photo has cost somewhat less than $40 so far.
Gibsons from the air
This photograph appeared on the Gibsons Chamber of Commerce website, a great photo of our little town from the air. Probably taken from a drone (there are a few local photographers who are undertaking a lot of drone photography) and this was featured on the "jarout" facebook page.
This shows the large Keats and Bowen islands and also the group of smaller islands called the Pophams. Karen and myself have paddled in an outrigger canoe to the group of little islands seen on the right of the photo.
Karen's mum paddled with us through the gap between Keats and Gibsons bluffs and to the left to Preston island. A small island, privately owned, with a single house. The photo's of her paddle are on the blog back in June 2011.
How time flies!
This shows the large Keats and Bowen islands and also the group of smaller islands called the Pophams. Karen and myself have paddled in an outrigger canoe to the group of little islands seen on the right of the photo.
Karen's mum paddled with us through the gap between Keats and Gibsons bluffs and to the left to Preston island. A small island, privately owned, with a single house. The photo's of her paddle are on the blog back in June 2011.
How time flies!
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