Making the slab

[SDB777]

Bet you thought it would be some more sweet photo's of ERC or maybe some Pignut Hickory? Title sure made you think that!!

Had an issue the other day, seems you can't leave a gaint log laying on the bunk of the mill and let it rain for three, maybe four days without having issues. I was using simple 8x8x8 blocks(6 of them) plus 2x6's to distribute the weight. Seems it wasn't even close to being enough. The front end of the mill bunk on the right side sunk into the ground about 2-1/2"! No need to make twisted boards and slabs, we all pretty much fight that problem already....why make them worse!!!
So, money in hand and a empty truck bed....woohoo! Blocks and Quikrete!!!

The slab will be a little over-engineered(just like everything else I do). I'm going to need to lift the mill quite a bit to 'float' the slabs, but I'm still a little way from that part. Figure maybe get finished with the footing tomorrow(ran out of day today).... Only got halfway done on the hard part today, the digging(I hate shovelling anything, and wet dirt/mud is the worst)
Good news! The ground has enough water that it's getting the Quikrete hardening all on it's own! I just have to be quick while dumping those bags into the 'rut' and get it somewhere close to where it needs to be to set the 8x8x16 blocks correctly. Got my pile of rebar supports and a bunch of welded wire to use in the 'basic slab'.

Few photo's:

I'll keep posting to this topic as I do a few things! Hopefully by the end of May, you will see a roof?!?!?!?




Scott (milling in Arkansas sunshine sucks) B

 

[Dave Boyt]

Scott,


Thanks for posting the photos. Wouldn't it be easier to move the mill off the site? Nice bunch of logs in the background. You've got to be itchin' to get the blade in them.

 

[SDB777]

Scott,


Thanks for posting the photos. Wouldn't it be easier to move the mill off the site? Nice bunch of logs in the background. You've got to be itchin' to get the blade in them.

It sure would, but seems all my 'friends' had other things to do yesterday, next weekend, this coming month. And for a 'user take-down' mill, it sure is too heavy for me to lift and move by hand. Remember, there is no FEL around here.... So I'll just have to deal with it in the air for awhile, and then set it back into place when the slab is finished.

I will take that ERC chunk off before I get started today. But that will be after it warms up enough to burn the frost off everything.


Those bigger log are the PignutHickory I've had since late 2011(they are getting closer to the cutting), but the stuff on the trailer needs to be done pretty soon(so I can go get some more)!!



Scott (I really need to do that roof) B

 

[Mac88]

+1 on needing a roof.