Project Root Cellar ......out of a 8' tall x 14' metal culvert

[tnmike]

The garden shed also hides the fact there is a below grade structure. It would be neat if you could build a hidden trap door in the floor to hide it even more.

Have you thought about an elevator instead of stairs? A one HP motor with proper gearing can do a lot of lifting. Since you have a building over it you could install lift beams into the frame of it. I've also seen ATV winches running on a battery used .

Just thinking out loud ....My brother lived in Iowa and had one similar to the one in the video in an old barn on his property.

How to Build a Freight Elevator for Your Pole Bar…: http://youtu.be/QKZPJ8HxT24

 

[forgeblast]

Tnmike something similar to those shingle lifts some roofers use? You could always use hidden hinges and put the opening under a bookcase/shelf etc.

 

[dave1949]

Why mess around with half-measures, just dig a tunnel from the basement to the root cellar. :laughing:

 

[tnmike]

The elevator on my brothers barn was old..I'm talking fifty years minimum. It ran off a 110 volt electric motor. It had a jack shaft and some gearing but its been so long since I looked at it I cannot remember the whole setup. I saw an episode of Cabin Kings where they made a pretty neat cabin out of a shipping container. Half of a 40 foot container was vertical and it had an elevator powered by an ATV winch, a battery and a solar panel. Worked really slick. The panel and battery could serve double duty for lighting and ventilation. LED 12 volts lights are available now that use very, very little energy.

I'm just throwing out ideas. Sometimes simpler is better. I still think a hidden entrance would be cool. A tunnel would be cool too but Im not sure its feasible at this point in his construction. Rick will figure it out. He is pretty handy.

 

[bindian]

If lifts might tickle your fancy, here is a thread that your like. I was going to help install it, but the guys (all retired) and Glenda installed it on week days. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ans-lift-project.html?highlight=jinman's+lift
hugs, Brandi

 

[MotorSeven]

Brandi I could sure use you and your BH today....labor day was just that...l a b o r. I backfilled as much as I could with the Kioti....but when I get on the edge of fill dirt that is poised 300' above a creek on a 70 degree slope I tend to have second thoughts. On top of that , what law of physics says that if you dig a hole and put something in it that there can never be enough dirt to fill said hole??? Anyway, I did as much as I could and will need dirt and a BH to backfill enough to pour my 'crete.

Mike, an elevator is not a bad idea.......might have to look into this morev I have some ideas for the stair entry...stand by...........

 

[MotorSeven]

Brandi, I just read that thread...what a great thread...hat's off!

 

[bindian]

Rick,
I wasn't available today. I was too busy playing Grandma.:laughing:
hugs, Brandi

Brandi I could sure use you and your BH today....labor day was just that...l a b o r. I backfilled as much as I could with the Kioti....but when I get on the edge of fill dirt that is poised 300' above a creek on a 70 degree slope I tend to have second thoughts. On top of that , what law of physics says that if you dig a hole and put something in it that there can never be enough dirt to fill said hole??? Anyway, I did as much as I could and will need dirt and a BH to backfill enough to pour my 'crete.

 

[MotorSeven]

Rick,
I wasn't available today. I was too busy playing Grandma.:laughing:
hugs, Brandi

Dang it.....................!

 

[tnmike]

More dirt? With that hole I figured you'd be hauling it away. If you did put in an elevator the vertical support posts could be used for shelving supports if you made them big enough.

It's looking good.