picframer
12-05-2010, 07:30 AM
Not sure about you fellows but home projects seem to fall to the bottom of the list. After doing a craft show yesterday I really wanted to do something outside, although dark I decided I would work on our firepit area as it see's a lot of use by the kids when they are home.
Background:
I have just over 6 acres, 10 min from the city centre on a great lake, bought this in 1986, cleared and started our dream home. We had a hurricane a few years ago that basically flattened the majority of my trees and what didn't fall, comes down in storms as they are no longer protected.
Four years ago my son wanted to have a safe grad from high school here and I agreed, 168 kids showed, the tents on the front lawn was pretty funny, anyhow he and two friends made a firepit using my tractor and backhoe, the pit was done properly however they didn't spend a lot of time on the area around it.
I had my 27D excavator home so I went at it, rock here is everywhere so I want to incorporate as much as possible, the rock next to the pit would go an easy 6,000 pounds, 3/4 of it is burried and I had quite a time as it is too big for the excavator I had however after an hour I placed it where I wanted it, a natural seating area.
Next I placed rock around the edge, we have some pretty intense fires so there is also natural seating around the edge.
I started a path to the back of the property years ago, I can't tell you the hundreds of hours I and staff have spent cutting and chipping trees that have falled, I have pretty much heated my house and shop with this wood for 7 years, it is no where near done but at least it's started.
Last summer we took out a gray brick/cobblestone walkway, client paid to have all the brick hauled away, had it hauled to my house, I have thousands of brick as their walkway was 36" wide and 600' long, I will incorporate this brick around the firepit and into the ramp leading up to it.
Last fall I neglected to wrap my ever greens and as you can see my shrubs didn't make it, our winters here are harsh.
Finally there was a post a few days ago about ATV's and Steve suggested a CUT, here is one of our 7 CUTS that we use, if you have the work, this setup will pay for itself in three to five months, the backhoe may look small but don't let that fool you, she will lift close to 3,000 pounds easy.
Anyhow not sure when I will get back to it but at least it is started, if the snow holds off, it will be done before Christmas:) or that is the plan.
Background:
I have just over 6 acres, 10 min from the city centre on a great lake, bought this in 1986, cleared and started our dream home. We had a hurricane a few years ago that basically flattened the majority of my trees and what didn't fall, comes down in storms as they are no longer protected.
Four years ago my son wanted to have a safe grad from high school here and I agreed, 168 kids showed, the tents on the front lawn was pretty funny, anyhow he and two friends made a firepit using my tractor and backhoe, the pit was done properly however they didn't spend a lot of time on the area around it.
I had my 27D excavator home so I went at it, rock here is everywhere so I want to incorporate as much as possible, the rock next to the pit would go an easy 6,000 pounds, 3/4 of it is burried and I had quite a time as it is too big for the excavator I had however after an hour I placed it where I wanted it, a natural seating area.
Next I placed rock around the edge, we have some pretty intense fires so there is also natural seating around the edge.
I started a path to the back of the property years ago, I can't tell you the hundreds of hours I and staff have spent cutting and chipping trees that have falled, I have pretty much heated my house and shop with this wood for 7 years, it is no where near done but at least it's started.
Last summer we took out a gray brick/cobblestone walkway, client paid to have all the brick hauled away, had it hauled to my house, I have thousands of brick as their walkway was 36" wide and 600' long, I will incorporate this brick around the firepit and into the ramp leading up to it.
Last fall I neglected to wrap my ever greens and as you can see my shrubs didn't make it, our winters here are harsh.
Finally there was a post a few days ago about ATV's and Steve suggested a CUT, here is one of our 7 CUTS that we use, if you have the work, this setup will pay for itself in three to five months, the backhoe may look small but don't let that fool you, she will lift close to 3,000 pounds easy.
Anyhow not sure when I will get back to it but at least it is started, if the snow holds off, it will be done before Christmas:) or that is the plan.