Keeping character, or restoring a pond

[wroughtn_harv]

I decide where I want the fountain head to be located in the boulder. I then drill a three quarter inch hole from that point through the stone. (I have a Hilti three foot long three quarter inch masonary bit. You too can have one for only two hundred plus with thirty one a percent discount)

I follow the three quarter hole with a one inch from each end, hopefully meeting in the middle. That's followed with a one and a half inch, again, meeting in the middle so I have a one and a half inch hole clean clear through.

I drill ten to twelve seven sixteenths holes about three inches deep in a circle around the one and half inch hole on top of the rock. After I've broken these holes into the one and a half inch hole I follow that with a three inch diamond bit on a small angle grinder. It's a little tricky using a grinding wheel for boring but it works.

I then turn the rock over and using the pattern drill one inch holes for the rebar pins.

Then it's a simple matter of lifting up the stone (eight to twelve hundred pounds). Feed the water line through the big hole and line up the rebar pins with their corresponding holes.

Set the puppy in place and then mortar it in even though the mortar is more about looks than strength. The pins are what will keep it there until the boulders learn how to float.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Today we got all the floating boulders plumbed and wired.

They are ready to rumble with Mother Nature.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Here's a shot from the other side of the pond.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

I have a saying that I use quite often. It's, "I'd rather be lucky than good, anyone can be good. That only takes effort."

I suspect it sounds like I'm pulling for a compliment. When in fact it's an admittance of being more lucky than good.

These rocks are a classic example of being lucky. When I picked them out of the pile they were covered with dust and dirt and had no signs of outstanding color variation.

But look at this puppy and tell me she isn't the prettiest thing you ever saw.

 

[txdon]

There are large mushrooms popping out of that cement pond!
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Good looking rocks!

 

[wroughtn_harv]

We also got the deck poured for the flagstone terrace on the southside.

There will be another level of terrace above this one. First we put down concrete, then we lay the flagstone.

 

[cmuncy]

Harv,

Does your client understand what kind of media attention his project is getting here on TBN?

BTW - where abouts is the site? I've got some fre time in the next few weeks and might like to take a road trip to come see the project up close. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[OldWelder]

/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gifHarv,
I'm just a simple old welder and don't have the words to describe what I'm getting from this thread. Everything from your problem solving ability to your treatment and respect of your crew is commendable to the highest degree.

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifAs far as your use of bandwidth, I'm betting that the powers to be here got a feel for what this thread is bringing in as far as viewers go.

BTW..A thought for you. Perhaps a way of printing out this entire thread, when you finish, to give to your crew members /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif.

Joe

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Thank you Joe.

You can bet the guys will get pictures to share with their friends and family.

We got to the big party at the pond about nine last night. The client introduced me with some hoopla. That was fun. But in my heart of hearts I knew I was just a catalyst. That it was the client's trust and funding and the men's skill and work ethic that made this all happen.

Friday a customer-friend up the street from the pond project brought over his masonary contractor to look at our work. They've decided to take my crew as is and operating under the same rules to do a wall at his place.

It was nice to see these guys getting to stay together and working under similar circumstances. I'm leaving for vacation the sixteenth and won't be back for three weeks. After that I'll be back to working as before doing projects by myself with only my equipment to pick up the slack.

One of the things that I like most about life is nothing's forever. So when things are good we embrace it for what it is because it's not going to last, things change. Of course the same understanding helps us through the bad times. We accept it for what it is and understand it won't last, things change.

 

[Cliff_Johns]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( They've decided to take my crew as is and operating under the same rules to do a wall at his place. )</font>

That's must be very satisfying in so many ways.

Cliff