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Interesting and geographically useful info. ,thank you!! There are varieties that are resistant to rust, I will look into that. Maybe I will get the most disease resistant varieties that I can find. You are the second person to mention disease as a limiting factor. Enterprise, Liberty and...

I have picked varieties that will grow well in my climate. Lots of good info on the web about apples and climate zones.

I am planning on planting 3 or 4 apple trees at the house. There is a lot to consider when planting apples I am learning. I am in Zone 7, SE Tennessee. There is a guy about an hour away that has 3 year old 5-7 foot semi-dwarf trees in 5 gallon containers for $27. Not bad! My choices are...

Yeah, this has been on my list for a couple of years, one of these days I will get to it!! I have the lights, just haven;t gotten around to it yet. I could see it being a great addition though! Are you going to put front facing lights as well? Seems like that would be nice as well.

Grapples mostly. I understand people with lower FEL lift capacities benefited from the lighter weight of the EA grapples. But for my tractor the cost to weight ratio never made sense. I went with an MTL grapple that was $1000+ less and not that much heavier. I have bought all of my...

I have not had to the time to really dig into this thread. But I have watched a few videos on these baby diggers recently and I am VERY impressed!! I don't really have a need for one right now and my financials need to recover from a few purchases before I could even think about buying one...

Well for once they got it right. They said the El Nino years tend to be warmer and less snowy in the northern tier of the country, seems like that has come true.

The biggest one I have rented was an E52 and was very impressed with it capabilities. And I even think they dial the power back on them a little bit as rentals.

They make amazing machines. I get all my rentals from Bobcat and I am always impressed with their machines. Congrats!!

#5 - too pricey for this cheapa$$!

Verizon good to go all day here in SE TN

I do not have a tooth bar on my bucket, but I often wish I did. Need to buy a Pirannah tooth bar soon.

I didn't watch the video. I saw one like that that just rolled the logs. Regardless, not building one at this moment.

I know that using the tractor is an option. But I feel like the log deck will be more efficient once I get my system dialed in. I am not saying what you do it wrong, just saying I want to try something different.

I saw that, that is to roll the logs. Not what I need. But thanks for posting, I could see that getting useful as I age. Hopefully, by then I have a hydraulic mill.

It is not the rolling part, that is easy the deck is lightly higher than the mill. The main part is positioning it on the mill in the ideal position. Not easy to move these logs forward or backwards once they are set down. Also accommodating all lengths of logs from 6-16 feet.

More snow in Colorado is good for many people downstream. Enjoy!

Starting to get things dialed in. I wanted to build a log deck wide enough that would allow me access to the mill with the tractor, but I am not sure its going to work well. The way it is it doesn't allow me to put shorter logs on it. I might have to go with a log deck that does not allow...

I considered something similar when I was shopping for a UTV, but I came to the same decision. While they look like they would be fun to take for a spin, not ultra useful.

MTL makes nice and reasonably priced stuff.

One of my sons staples is peanut butter, he eats A LOT!! So we stay with the good stuff, I HATE stirring it as it is next to impossible to do it without getting it on something. I will look for a dough hook like the OP mentions, looks like a good method.

WOW! The base is low low huh? Where are the snowbanks?

Daffodils are already blooming here in SE Tennessee.

Wow! Impressive! Some day I wiuld love to have the fabrication skills of some of yuou fellas on here. I would love a front mounted brush cutter.

I have had a similar problem with my DPF, but mine was not at the point that it would choke itself out but there was a loss of power. I got a remanufactured can from my dealer under warranty, they were not super excited about giving it to me though. That was about 100 hours ago (at about 200...

I have no idea but I am following this! We are redoing our kitchen this summer and both the wife and I are excited to make a move towards gas.

Shady business for sure!! I am glad I never gave that shyster any of my money.

WOW!! Beautiful bike!! I had an Enfield when I lived in India. The 83 I had was essentially the same bike built in the 50's. 350 Thumper, fun as heck to ride.

No hijack at all, that is why I got the mill to make trim, flooring, faux beams, tounge and groove ceiling, shelving, etc. for our addition. I hear you on the log deck, I plan on keeping the deck wide enough so the tractor can fit between either side of the deck. I hope that works. Time will...

Yep, this mill is setup the exact same way. For now I am loading the logs with the tractor. The first thing I am going to mill are beams for a log deck. Seems like that will be better for work flow not having to get in and out of the tractor every time I need a log. I do like your idea of...

I am not mobile, sorry. I am sure there are plenty of guys between you and me that are though.

YES!! That is my next big goal, refine my processes so I am not getting in my own way. I have some ideas; log deck, slab rack, a bunch of precut stickers, all the tools i need onsite in a jobbox, etc. I don't have a ton of extra time to mill so I want to make it as easy on myself as possible...

Thank you fellow Tennessean! I can't wait to get started and learn everything the wood has to teach me.

Yessir!!! Going to be 65 deg today. We are not out of the woods yet but generally this time of the year can be very pleasant around these parts. Perfect weather for milling.

The eagle has landed!! I will be making sawdust this weekend!!

I have not bought the log peeler yet. I am trying to figure out what saw I want to put it on. That winch is cool. Love those things, so handy looking.

Good to know, thanks!

YES!! That is amazing! That is a great way to look at it! I have been around sawmills a bit and have ALWAYS loved watching a stack of beautiful lumber taking shape. Maybe that is a big part if it, the instinctual builder in me seeing that the circle is now closing.

Does that mean you bought it!?! If so congrats! Yeah, I could see myself growing into a hydraulic mill at some point later in life!

Are you talking about Coppertox, the stuff they use for Thrush and horse hoof issues? That is the only Coppertox I can find online.

Getting closer!!! I will be milling this week for sure!!

Yeah, to be honest I used my regular worm drive to cut the 6x6s because the kerf would have screwed me with this beam saw (needed 4 30" blocks and I had a 10'er).

So I used the Beam cutter. Works pretty well. A little rough where the chain comes up out of the wood but nothing that a razor blade and a bit of sanding couldn't take care of if it really mattered.

It's starting to pile up isn't it!!?? $2.75 for gas? That is not bad for the middle of nowhere!

PHEW!!! An ad just popped up on FB marketplace for a 2024 Toolcat, $96,000!!!! Those things are cool for sure, but $96,000 ouch!!I am sure you have earned it though, congrats on a cool new tool. I have never seen one in person but they look like just about the handiest machine out there.

Not sure if it sucks because I haven't used it yet, but I have high hopes. Going to use it to cut the 6x6s and 4x6s for my sawmill base tomorrow. Will edit the post if it does suck. Not bad for $135($75 for beam cutter and $60 for used worm drive)

I talked to my chainsaw guy today, he said he doesn't work on them. They are too unpredictable as to whether or not he can get it running well is what he said. I was kind of excited, I thought it would make a good lightweight debarker for the mill.

Well I already have a good layer of 3" crushed concrete down and I put geotextile fabric under it so hopefully that solves my mud issue. That is why I wanted to get it down while it was frozen. I am going to go over tomorrow to pack it down. I won't mind if it sinks down into the dirt a...

That is what I was wondering. Thanks for your honest opinion.

Yeah I noticed it didn't seem very easy to work on. I have a guy that does most of my chainsaw work. I sent him a message to see if he works on these, no response yet. Maybe his lack of response IS his response!

I was given this saw. I am interested in bringing it back to life and turning it into a debarker for my sawmill. What do you all know about these saws? Are parts still available?

I am impatient. I looked for used mills in my area but there were none avalible. Since I purchased my mill a few have popped up and they are asking full retail price for them without a warranty. Granted they usually do have a few extras and are already assembled (which is a couple day job)...

I am hoping the Detroit Lions get there.

Right!! Remember when we had to go to the library and check out some books to learn how to do something?

That guy is right in your backyard too.

I agree! I have been quite successful vetting things I buy on FB marketplace by looking at the post, pictures, and the sellers other things for sale and profile. I feel like it is rather obvious when it is a scam and even ,more obvious once you start talking to them and they start pulling the...

Is that true? I have been wondering that because I do it all the time and I always wonder if the computer takes note of that. It would make sense that they do.

They have 442,000 subscribers so I guess it is working!!

Yessir! I have noticed this trend. I was looking as sawmill videos yesterday and there are at least 2 women that make milling videos wearing yoga pants and sports bras. Pretty lacking on content. I guess scantily clad women making videos for male dominated topics is a big seller on YouTube...

No, I did not buy it with resale in mind either. And you make an excellent point about the emissions, thanks for that!

Yep, no ballast here either. I have only ever been stuck once and it was my fault not the tractors. I am seriously considering adding ballast to my tires soon. I will be handling heavy logs now that I have a sawmill and the added stability and piece of mind might be nice.

Some of those guys on YouTube REALLY stretch out their videos I have noticed. Seems like they stretch it out to the 8-15 minute mark when they could get their point across in much less time.

I have a Branson (312 hours) and love it! I have worked it pretty hard and it has never let me down. No real issues other than a broken weld on the SSQA on the front end loader, taken care of under warranty. It was an obviously poor penetration weld. I was really working it though, luckily I...

We wanted to add some more cover to our duck blind. The Ranger helped.

I would have to disagree. How many old timers out there don't have Facebook? Plenty! What is the best way to sell things in this day and age? Facebook Marketplace. Well YEAH!! Those things ROCK, but the price tag is hefty. I can't afford either, but that is OK because my Branson has never...

Looks like a nice machine for someone with a need and $35K burning a hole in their pocket.

Winter has come to our little corner of SE TN. A bit of snow (1-6" depending on location), some ice and COLD temps (for us). This is the first time we have had snow in the valleys in 2 years. It has been nice to burn the stove all day for a week, a rarity here in the south. Cherry and maple...

In plastic welding they drill a hole at either end of the crack to keep it from going further. Not sure if this applies in metal. I am sure someone more knowledgable will chime in soon.

Yeah I was thinking one of those small generators on the 3point with an extension cord.

I think I might like to keep mine electric, it would be more versatile for me that way I think. But it would be sweet to have it on a frame that could at least be bolted to the forks or a stand alone frame. I have been thinking about it for a while. I need to pour some sizable footers this...

I have been wanting to do this!! Brilliant!

No No nothing like that. It has about 18" of nice compacted fill at the back end. Pretty flat. 846042

Help me think through this please. Don't deal with frozen ground a lot and haven't spread tons of gravel definitely not this large. I need to get gravel down on my mill site. If has been a little wet so I have been stalled out, now the ground is frozen pretty good and it probably won't thaw...

I am late to this post and I haven't read all of them. We just got some sobering news today at work. A co-worker of mine has been loosing some weight and have stomach issues. She went to the doctor to get checked out, turns out she has a 45mm tumor on her pancreas, stage 4, terminal. They...

Yep, that sounds like a good plan to me! I have learned exactly what NOT to do from a friend of mine that has a sawmill. I cannot tell you how much time and wood he has wasted because of his inefficiencies. That is why I am trying to start out on the right foot. Have processes to increase...

Yeah, makes sense. I will definitely not be doing it any more, that is for certain.

I was just planning on dumping it over the edge and let it turn into soil on its own schedule. This 1 acre is the top of a knoll with pretty steep drop offs in 3 directions. But I will explore the option of composting it.

Yeah that lift cart is CLUTCH!! I had been keep my eye out on Marketplace for one. Picked this gem up for $100. Paid for itself 10 fold already.

Yeah, I am sure wood chips behave a bit better in your drier climate. And I bet they are way less abundant by you. We have LOTS of trees here, a free load of chips from the tree service is very easy to come by.

Yeah, I just need to figure out a system so it doesn't get oppressive dealing with it. I have seen some guys keep a battery powered saw right by the mill and cut the good usable sections into firewood lengths right away and toss them into a crate. Not sure exactly how I want to skin that cat...

I did not get a sharpener. Time is short and projects are many. I will just have to bite the bullet and pay someone to sharpen mine. There are local guys that do it for $10 and a guy a bit further away that does it for $6.

Yeah, I really don't have much use for chips. I made the mistake of spreading free chips on an area and it just holds water and stays muddy AND a $3000 wood chipper is not in the budget AND that seems like A LOT of extra work bending over and feeding a chipper to get rid of it. I will probably...

That spot is already much improved from what it was a month ago, there was just a bunch of crap sitting there. Now it is a usable area, if I move the mill it will still be much improved. I plan on catching the sawdust in a 5 gallon bucket hanging off the side of the mill. I will dump this...

Yes sir, check!! Also thinking about getting a bark removal tool as well. Some people use those debarkers for the end of a chainsaw, some used aggressive grinding wheels on a angle grinder. I am leaning towards chainsaw debarker as I do not have electricity at this site.

It is pretty flat. I will make it flatter with gravel and might have a bit of variation in the legs of my wood base to level it perfectly. I plan on building something like this over the head for now. I had one of those 10x20 tarp structures from HF. Well after a couple years it ripped but...

A little update: I had to flatten a spot for the saw at the mill. It has been pretty wet here, more rain tomorrow. Then a nice dry spell which will allow some gravel on this spot. My buddy gave me a great piece of advice. Use good sized gravel so you don't get little rocks stuck in the bark...

Nice to see you northerners getting some of that white stuff. I was starting to get worried for you. All of the models I have seen for early winter were saying warmer and drier, they might have gotten it right for once. We will see how the rest of the winter shakes out. Here in the south we...

I have trusses. These foam inserts are called rafter vents, that is the only time I mentioned rafters.

Gotcha Eddie, thanks for that. But I am talking about what they call rafter vents. They are 22x48" long and they get stapled under the decking to allow that air to move all the way from the soffit to the ridge vent. They look like this It is $20 for a pack of 10, so it is not gonna break the...

I need to insulate my shop this winter so I can get a mini-split in there by next summer. I am going to use batt insulation between the rafters. How important are those styrofoam channels people use between the roof decking and the insulation? I understand they allow better airflow from the...

I have 2 exciting things for this years gardening season. My mother moved in a couple doors down from me and is the expert gardener of the family. She will be assisting in this summers veggie gardening. Going to go a bit bigger due to the extra help. Also, I am helping my friend start a...

I have never been sent a 25% off any one item coupon. I must be doing something wrong.

If you look at the fine print on those 25% coupons over half the stuff in the store is exempt from that discount.

The eagle has landed!!

Yeah those dont look too bad. I feel pretty good about the 2.5" concrete not cracking, I will put some wire in it. @Carl_NH I will probably buy PT. I want it to last and I am not sure about buyilding this thing out of green lumber.

For my sawmill install I am going to use 6x6 posts for the wooden base I want to build. To me the best option to attach these posts to to the concrete base is using the $24 simpson strong tie bases at $24 (b4 tax) for this purpose. I am a bit of a cheapskate and I am having a hard time...

Now that is a log!! My mill will only mill a 26" log 24" boards. I am pretty ok with that! I could see times wanting stuff bigger at points, but wrestling monsters like that on the regular might get old.

Shipment confirmed and January 2nd delivery appointment! Now that is FAST, especially during the middle of the holidays. I plan on putting it together 80% of the way in my shop while i get the mill site ready and then trailer it over in 3 pieces and set it up at the property. I have had lots...

It is quite possible. I towed it with the tractor a little over a mile down the road, all uphill. The tractor was working for sure. Possibly not the best idea, it was one of those times where I was very happy to get off the tractor once I got to the property.

I bought some pallets of precast modular retaining wall from a guy down the road. The manufacturer says the pallets are 1850 lbs. Talk about pucker factor trying to load these pallets on my trailer to get them home. The sketchiest tractor work I have ever done. I had a 1200 lb. ballast on...

Thank you sir! Yes, plenty to do before it gets set up. But the plan is to do it right from the get go. So time I must take to do it right. @ponytug thanks for that info. I will find something to set between the PT and steel feet.

Being a soon to be miller already has me looking at trees differently. Took a trip over the river and through the woods to grandmothers house. Saw a bunch of cypress trees, thought to myself, I would like to have some cypress to mill. Saw a really nice red cedar rocking chair in the back of a...

Yeah, I looked. Where were a few more expensive mills in the LT15 range for $10-$13K, but not in the budget. I bet mills like the Woodland Mills are so inexpensive that a guy wanting to sell one could get rid of it to a friend or neighbor before it ever hit FB marketplace. I did see a ragged...

Yeah, that is why I asked. I DO NOT want to set it up twice. I ahve a buddy down the road with a mill that could mill me out some 6x6s but I worry about putting the mill on green lumber, couldn't it twist as it dries? I might just buy some 6x6s

Taking a poll for you sawmill aficionados. 1. What is the best height for the deck of a sawmill? 2. What should I use to hold the mill up? Milled 6x6 store bought PT 6x6?

That will work, great job!! I need to put front and rear LEDS on my tractor. I have them, I just have not gotten around to it yet.

Thank you gentlemen!!!! Nope, you failed to talk me out of it for sure! Looking forward to the next step.

Got the grapple and tractor, mill has been ordered!!! 2 weeks for delivery, the holidays might extend that a bit. But that is OK because I have some work to do to prep the millsite. STAY TUNED!!

AMEN BROTHER!! That's what it is all about!!

That is perfection!!

I am not sure how you read it. But I do not plan on using this for structural framing lumber for my addition. Trim wood, accent wood, faux beams, shutters, maybe some tongue and groove ceiling wood. More than likely I will buy the wood for the majority of the backyard shed build as well.

@civilian Not longwinded at all, perfect information!! And beautiful chairs you build. Also love the deer blind. Yeah, you have addressed my biggest concern, time to mill. Well now is honestly the time to get this mill, so I guess I am just going to have to make the time!! Let me ask you...

Well I will make a post about the process. Ups and downs, maybe that will help steer you in the right direction. You're still young, you got plenty of time. But you know what they say!?! The best time to mill a 4x6x12 timber was 4 years ago, the next best time is today!!

I am 98% sure I am going for this. The wife is on board. It just makes perfect sense to do this now. Another thing that has not been said is, after the last 3 years there are no promises that these things will be easy to get 5 years from now. I plan on ordering it to be delivered right after...

Thank you for that information!! WHAT A GORGEOUS PILE OF WOOD!

I will build it up on rails to a comfortable level. A Timberking 1600 is like a $30,000 machine, you gotta cut a lot of lumber to break even. I don't plan on using it for residential construction. But that is the TBN spirit!! You made me doubt myself, for a second!

:ROFLMAO: I don't doubt anything you say.

If there is one thing I have learned in my time here at TBN, buy bigger than you think you need. The model of mill I am looking at is not their smallest, it is the next size up. Capable of sawing 26" logs into 24" boards. I am tempted to go to the model that can stretch that into 30" logs and...

And there is no guarantee it won't happen again. Chances are the way our economy is going chances are better than average. Thank you for all of the great replies gentlemen. You HAVE NOT done a good job talking me out of it though. :ROFLMAO: I think most people like us see the value and...

Yeah, that makes sense. I am sure I will be milling plenty of 1x and 2x stuff but that is not the main reason I want it. The majority of the stuff I have in mind is wood trim/accent wood for the addition, nice looking stuff to make faux beams for the vaulted ceiling addition, large timbers for...

Yeah, I get that. One advantage I do have is a 12 year old son whom I can employ to help on the mill. My plan is to definitely get all my systems set up well right from the jump so I am not half a$$ing it. Know how I am going to handle waste product and having a good area setup for stacking...

I am researching that now. I do have a professional drying kiln a couple miles from me that will dry it for $0.15 per board foot. More than likely I will make a solar kiln though.

:ROFLMAO: You guys are no help. Half the time I post on here someone always tells me it is an AWFUL idea. Where are those guys at when you need them?

I have a couple of big projects coming up, 2 shed builds and a sizable addition on our house plus a few other projects I would like to do down the line. My wife wants a lot of wood accent in our house addition and I want to add a "timber frame" covered deck off the back once we are done with...

Yep, E0 in all grades is readily available here in TN, obviously more expensive but not bad when you are using less than 4 or 5 gallons a year. I usually use mid grade or premium E0 in my chainsaw and weed eater, E0 regular in everything else. I hear people say it is unnecessary, but if it is...

Yep, I am a FIRM believer in non-ethanol gas for all my small engines, including my SxS. Have not had to clean a carb in years. I am too cheap to put it in my cars though.

I will be interested to see if that is true. I am sure it changes location to location.

Pretty slick indeed!! Nice work!!

Well they came back with a pretty good number. A tad lower than I was hoping but honestly not enough to make a stink out of it I don't think. I talked to the adjuster and she said they don't haggle with the client, we would have to hire an independant adjuster and that person would negotiate...

Congrats! Don't think I would ever need my own excavator, but that doesn't keep me from dreaming about owning my own. I could put one to use for sure, but not enough to justify the expense. I just rent when needed.

I used to paraglide a lot. The harness you are hanging is kind of a but like a recliner, you're leaned back. During a flight my cell phone must have slipped out of my pocket into the harness. When I landed and stood up out of the harness it fell onto the ground. After not being able to find...

My guess is never, that is not how the rich get richer by sharing. Answer number 2: After the coming economic collapse and a LONG period of discomfort for everyone.

I just installed a quick access wall safe in the closet for my handgun and will probably get a wall lock like this for my pistol caliber carbine. Because you are right every second counts. I have a 12 year old son, so I am not leaving the handgun in the nightstand drawer. But you are in...

TRUE DAT!!

Yeah and now thugs have Glocks with a "switch" which basically makes them a full auto firearm. Can you imagine shooting a 17 or 30 round mag at full auto through a handgun? Who knows where half of the rounds will go. If you watch a video of them shooting a 30 round mag through one of those it...

Lots of good insight in this post. Right now sitting on 1000 rounds of .223 and 500 rounds of 9mm. I think that is adequate, but more would be better. Half of that is reserved for practice and the other half is reserved for the end of times. Which is why I think more is better. After the...

I hear ya! But are you ahead on the deal? Good idea or bad idea?

So Progressive is coming to get the car today and will have a price for us by middle of next week. I talked to the adjuster and I did not see any point in arguing about them taking the car or leaving it at our house before a payout is given. The adjusters point is that it is still our car and...

Gotcha. I was going to put the staples on the inside of the lid, melt and weld the outside of the lid. This stapler comes with the same flat nosed spatula like attachment that goes into both holes and heats up. Can't never could my friend!

This stapler will do both and I think it comes with screen as well. I think the stapler will be fine for things where crude is ok. For isnstance, the first thing I am going to use it for is to weld a L shaped crack in the top of my trash can that allows water to come in. I do not need it to...

I have been wanting to buy one of these for a while. I think it would take care of your (sorry I mean duba$$es) issue. As a matter of fact, I just ordered it.

Another challenge I could see is needing doubles of tools OR transfer tools from one place to the other every time you need to do something. Certainly has been and can be done and very worth the extra hassle to own land in my opinion.

@etpm Thank you for this recipe! That sounds absolutely delicious! Gotta love a good gravy!

You make a good point. In this case I drove it home, so it is sitting in my driveway.

Excellent point!

Honestly, I have not talked to an adjuster yet. My wife was the one who called the claim in because she was the driver. She got her first call from an adjuster today, the lady sounded pretty nice. I plan on giving her a follow up call tomorrow to ask a few questions. The reason I asked you...

You didn't read my post very well. The wife says they want to come pickup the car BEFORE they cut us a check.

Yeah that was my thought. If the car is gone I feel like we are in a disadvantaged bargaining position.

Wife just got off the phone with the insurance agent. Sounds like they are going to total it. I do not know details because I am at work and we just texted me about it. She said that they are going to come pick up the car BEFORE they tell us what the payout is, does that sound like standard...

Of course it does!! But I wanted to lift the front end of the bind up a little, so I used straps on either corner from a higher point. That way the 4x4 on either end of the blind didn't dig in so bad.

Used the Ranger to pull the duck blind to the other side of the pond. Saved time having to go back up top to get the tractor, worked great.

I did the same thing with my landscape rake, using it for the exact same purpose.

Yep! Do it now while you are still young(er).

I appreciate that sentiment and I will definitely not be signing off on any health statements, but I honestly think mama and son are 100% fine. I would know if they weren't, they both love the attention they get when they complain! :ROFLMAO: And they have not whined one bit.

Thank you Peter for that honest opinion!! I will be diligent!

WELL CRAP!!! We have 3 cars under full coverage with them. I hope they don't pull that crap, if so I will be insurance shopping.

We have Progressive Ins., does anyone have any good or bad stories with Progressive? They are definitely one of the big boys. Also, say I do not like the way they handle this claim is there any penalty to cancelling with them after the fact and getting insurance with a different company?

I was SOOOOOO close to putting this car under liability only before the accident, I am glad I didn't. If this gets totaled I will definitely drop it down to liability.

In my VERY preliminary research on value I saw numbers about $8000-$9000. I would be pretty OK with that I think. Especially if I can buy it back and and fix it up cheaply. How does the buy back thing work? DO they offer you that option or do you have to ask? Is that a thing that is...

I kind of hope that is what they do. It drove home just fine, I don't think it is too messed up. I have already been looking at new doors for it. I think the back passenger door is just fine. I did open my mouth while my wife was on the phone with the claims lady and said "oh yeah, it drove...

Please excuse my ignorance but that means they "junk" the car and compensate us at or close to the KBB value?

DANG!! But I don't doubt it.

Nope, no one was hurt. My 12 yo son was complaining a bit about his arm that hit the door, but he will live. Side curtain airbags went off. I was able to drive it home just fine. It is mostly the passenger side door that is messed up.

Wife got hit today (or at least that is what he said). I showed up as the cops were getting there and it seemed the cop was leaning towards putting the majority of the blame on her. That is neither here nor there, I will let the insurance companies duke it out. I have never made a car...

I am not really partial to them, I just think leaving the Crepe myrtle and eliminating the other 2 might be the best way forward. Especially considering I am most interested in keeping the privacy that clump provides. The Crepe Myrtle is the majority of that clump. And like you said, if you...

What sort of piece of equipment would you recommend?

Yeah, I hear ya about the renting. But I can think of 3 or 4 projects I could need one for over the next year or 2. And sometimes renting things is a PITA. So if I can find one on Marketplace for a good price before I need it I might just scoop it up. I don't mind cleaning or replacing a carb...

YOU DA MAN EDDIE!!! Thanks fore that excellent, honest and thorough post. Yeah, I honestly think with some added moisture and a bit of work with the tractor and a plate compactor I think it will work just fine. I might try to talk dad out of a slab. The last shed he had installed 40 years...

Thats the one! I swear there were more trees around it when I was there in the late 90's

Yeah, I will put some landscape fabric under the crusher run over the concrete. I am no soil expert but I would say there are a lot of different types of "clay" soils. Clay is not actually a type of soil it is a grain size. But we associate a certain look or texture of soil "clay". To...

Been there!! Isn't there like a ruler looking thing off to the side that shows you how much snow that actually is?

Well I left the dirt low about 3 inches (probably more after it settles) we will fill the rest of that in with crusher run in preparation for the concrete. I didn't want to fill the entire area with crusher run, that stuff ain't cheap anymore. I am going to start cruising FB Marketplace for a...

Yeah, that is what I was thinking. I will just play it by ear on how much we get with this first rain event.

Not many chunks to chew up really. Everything has compacted down pretty nice. But thanks for the suggestion!

Kind of. But it is at a buddies, its on the bigger side and it might be kind of a pain to get at. Remember this is only a 20'x30 foot spot 14" deep max. What would the disc do for me?

RIGHT? I will do my best!

DISCLAIMER: I understand I am over thinking this. So as most of you know I am filling in a small area in my mothers back yard to build a shed. The area is about 20x30 and it goes from 0" deep to about 14" from 2 sides to the back corner. The back corner is blocked in by a RR tie retaining...

Yeah, it does look like a mess for sure. There are a couple small maples in there and a bit of privet. But a nicely established crepe myrtle is a shame to kill. It is a southern thing but it is a nice ornemental that you cannot kill that has beautiful flowers for a month in the summer. You...

Well, its done!! It was not easy to hold 57 rock against the ties before I backfilled. Used geotex fabric stapled to the bottom then filled it and then pulled it to the top. Worked ok, and I ran out of stone. But whatever, its done!! I backfilled it with some nice dirt I got for free from a...

I think I am going to bite the bullet and get a scoop of gravel to put against the ties. I have a material yard right next door to my property that lets me come in and grab a scoop at a time. (I know, what was I complaining about right?). I did a quick calc and it is about 20 cuft. Which is...

It is an L 2 RR ties high for 3 of the sections and 1 tie high on each end. Not very high.

I have a clump of trees growing next to a retaining wall and it seems the roots have compromised the wall. It is not good! It is a pretty substantial compromise. I am a bit upset about this because I like the privacy this clump of trees provides from people coming down the street, but I...

Yeah, I think you and the other fella that lives in CA has a much different situation than I do in the quite moist SE. I am torn! I know the gravel is the right thing to do but it is not really in my timeframe. I am trying to get this area backfilled before the rains come Friday and next week...

I was afraid you guys were going to say gravel backfill.

I am filling in a little area in my mom's backyard to build her a shed. To accomplish this I had to create a 2 high railroad tie retaining wall to hold back the dirt on the low end. What have y'all found help the longevity of railroad ties? I am not looking to spend a bunch of time on this...

The addition is going to have vaulted ceilings so unfortunately no trusses on this project. Used them in my shop build. SO NICE! We had the trusses set in 2 hours. That would have taken me days framing it the traditional way.

Yep, Chattanooga is booming as well! From all accounts it is tough to line up subs around here too and if you do find one prices can be exorbitant. Which is another reason I am trying to do some of this on my own. The more subs you deal with the more chance of getting some yahoos that try to...

You are 100% correct about the heat in Chattanooga in the summer. Thank you for those tips! A big fan and a mister might be in order for this job. Also I will have air conditioning in my shop by then, just 10 feet away.

Yeah I appreciate a good pencil drawn plan. But I have been using the free version of Trimble Sketchup and I have to say that is pretty convenient as well.

2007 Toyota Camry - About 23 average on a tank. Not great, the city driving really tanks that average. I consistently get 31 on the highway. 2008 Toyota Tacoma - 19 on the highway. Not sure around town. The only time I check is when I am on a roadtrip.

Again, thanks for the advice! We definitely need to take things to the next level. We have a rough plan I drew on Sketchup, but it needs some major refining. We need to make a list of wants/needs. Need to start making a materials list and put it in a spreadsheet with prices. Also, start...

I am not going to use sawmill lumber for framing. Mostly trim, ceilings, faux beams/posts ect.

This is not even an option. We love our neighborhood too much, I just built a 650 sqft shop, what I could sell my 1000 sqft house for would not buy us very much (even though I have a lot of equity in the house). But thank you for the idea.

@jaxs Yes, I have all the tools.

Some great advice here gentlemen, thank you! @newbury that is what I am going to do start putting prices of things we need down so I have a reference and I can watch the market on those things. Keep it coming!!

A new master bedroom and bath, new kitchen, redo old bathroom and a 1/2 bath, extended screen porch. It's a lot! I am a teacher so the goal it to get things rolling so I can hit the ground running and work all summer on it but that is not going to finish it. I will need help to do it in a...

So we are starting the process of putting an addition on our house. By starting the process i mean preliminary plans, drawings, wish lists, etc. We hope to get the ball rolling and actually break ground late spring. The plan is to basically extending the side profile of the house out 20-25...

I assume you are talking about Charleston, SC. I have a friend with a house on Foley Beach. We drove there to shut the house down for a hurricane. The traffic leaving town we atrocious!

Lost their "magic smoke"! :ROFLMAO:. I have never heard that, that is good!!

It is Hydro. Thanks