Bridge for ATV

[txdon]

Markct, In a small cemetery in front of a little white church in northern Lee County there is a one metal cross among a hundred stone monuments. The lady buried there told her relatives when she died that she did not want a heavy stone tombstone because throughout her life she had carried many burdens. Her relatives erected the waist high metal cross on her grave. The lady was my great great grandmother and the metal cross (with metal is not near as thick as the bridge) is still standing tall after 80 years.

Our bridge, which is turning out to be a monument of our friendship, will outlast us all. (Including Bgoodman!) /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Alan L.]

There are OLD bridges around here that have steel around the base to block the water from washing out the bank. Yes, there is rust, but not enough to do any real structural damage. Down around Galveston, it might be a problem but where TXDon is putting this bridge it shouldn't be a problem. I'd certainly not be afraid to use metal on my bridge, and it will definitely be under water about once or twice a year.

 

[markct]

hmm, i gota move to texas, i like this no rust idea, around here its so damp and the soil has so much organic material in it that holds moisture that it rusts stuff away in no time, the thing mentioned about the metal cross on the ladys grave sure surprised me, i dont think around here that would have made it half as long as you say its been on her grave. i just noticed yesterday where there was some steel fence posts that my father puttin in about 20 years ago or so, im 21 and i remember when i was little they were pretty new so they cant be more than 25 years old at most, and two of them have rusted so much that they broke off just below the ground. its interesting how much different our local conditions are, and harv i will definatly have to look into galvanizing stuff in the future, i always figured something the size of the bridge would have been well over a grand, but if it may only be a few hundred as you say then its definatly worthwile. i am lucky enough to be able to have stuff powdercoated for free since the place i am work as a machinist/maintenance person has a full scall powder coat line, that holds up pretty good under weather but still not like hot dipped galvanized would, and unfourtanatly in about 12 months our plant will be closing so no longer will i be able to get stuff powdercoated easily. thanks for the insight into your local conditions, and im sorry that it sounded like i was stirring up trouble, just was used to local conditions here that all.

 

[8NTX]

My boathouse and pier are built with steel pilings - 4" steel pipe driven 4-6 ft. deep under the lakebottom. They were rusty to start out with. Hope they last for a while. The oldest pier on our lake with steel posts that I have seen was built in 1975. Still standing, so I guess that's good enough for me. Something my grandkids might have to deal with though.

 

[txdon]

OK, update photos! First a quick stop to see if great great grandma's metal cross I was bragging about is still standing. It is. The thinner metal in the center of the cross does have a few holes but the rest looks strong. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[txdon]

The bridge's wings are attached to extend the bridge closer to the banks. The bridge also received a quick coat of paint. There are a total of 180 pegs that will hold the rock in place. Yes, I did count them. Rock will also be placed pretty under the sides of the bridge and a rock stairs will come down in front of the signature Texas (That was Harv's good idea). If I have enough rock I will also incorporate a bench in the rock wall on top. (Jim's good idea).

 

[txdon]

The 4 tons of rock were brought to the bridge site and unloaded. (I am still feeling this.) /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[txdon]

The railings were sanded and painted with Harvey's special mixture. The paint was applied with a brush but it looks sprayed on! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[txdon]

One more look from the trail lookout point. Next weekend the rock work can finally begin! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Bowhunter]

All I can say is Wow. Great looking job.

 

[markct]

so what is harvs "special mixture" i know myself i was a big fan of sherman williams industrial enamel for a long time, then more recently i have started using tractor supplys tractor and implement or truck and trailer paint, with the hardner it dries harder and faster and it brushes on great, and the paint plus hardner is about the same price as sherman williams industrial enamel is without the hardner

 

[txdon]

Markct, the paint is a mixture of two rustolium paints - rustymetal primer and leather color.

"OUR" bridge which started as just a quick way to go through the woods and across the dry creek is turning into the centerpiece of our land. I'm going to have to be careful when I mention a project on TBN, there is no "KISS" (Keep it simple stupid) projects here, only works of art.

The rock work started this weekend and yes I am on Motrin as I am typing this - so my fingers can work. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I did not start out with an exact plan, I thought I work like Harvey does and just go with the flow and see what inspires me and what works. It was fun. The goal was to be able to walk down the side of the bridge and look at the cool signature Texas without slipping and sliding down the steep embankment.

I also drilled a few rock and placed them on the pegs.

There are a few different photos from the meetings and get-togethers below. I hope the Moderators do not mind me using the two threads. The meeting and get-together post is for members only and this one is for everyone.

The first attachment shows how the steps were cut into the side of the creek. The tractor could not access this area.

 

[txdon]

The landing was made from three large flat rocks. Then a rock stairs to the upper bank was laid.

 

[txdon]

A view of the finished stairway from the side.

 

[txdon]

A view from the other bank. The stairs turned out wider than expected because I was trying to end up in between two trees.

 

[txdon]

A view from the top.

 

[txdon]

In this photo the wing is aligned and anchored with a steel rod through the brackets Harvey welded on.

This side is the longest side to the bank and required the most rock. The rest will be easy.

 

[txdon]

Last photo this week from the trail lookout point. It is looking magical like something in a fairy tale.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Wow, what beautiful project.
All of you guys have really outdone yourselves.
TxDon, if you run out of Advil, I've got plenty over here. I can't even imagine how much sweat equity you have in your project.

 

[txdon]

This week railing was installed. First the steep rock stairs required a railing. A dead cedar tree was used for the rustic look.