The BIG DIG!
- CoalJockey
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Thanks Jack, that’s perfect! We were just discussing about how to parge that ceiling as we were quitting this evening.
Last edited by CoalJockey on Sat. Mar. 24, 2018 8:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- CoalJockey
- Verified Business Rep.
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- Joined: Sun. Mar. 09, 2008 11:18 am
- Location: Loysburg, PA
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Several EFM 520 refurbs...one 900, one 1300 mega-stoker
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: (2) Warm Morning Stoves
More progress was made today, Scott and Drew came by and we began our usual madness of picks, shovels, and 5 gallon buckets. We did not hit it as hard as we have in days past because Drew needed to leave early and I was already played out with about 600 miles of trucking between all day Friday and this morning. Nonetheless, we managed to clear everything almost floor level except for a big gob in the back right-hand corner, Scott and I finally just ran out of steam. I think we hauled out another 10 loader buckets of dirt and I ran them over the scale at the shop before I dumped them. They usually average 1,000 lbs a piece, so that is still 5 tons for the day. I have not kept track but we should be somewhere over 35 loader buckets so far.
So here is where it stands as of tonight: One more day will bail out that back corner and then we need to dig another rough 6-8 inches off the floor from front to back. I want to dig well below the floor level against the outer porch walls in order to have a nice footer for the poured wall to reinforce the foundation. We were thinking 3 inches of clean 2-B stone (57’s) and then 3 inches of concrete for the floor. The back corner under the oil tank will contain a sump to take care of any water infiltration that may arise. The header and props are already installed midway and supporting the center of the slab from below. Pretty sure we will parge the ceiling, and I need to get some lights wired in there.
It is all very slow progress, but that’s just how it is when you are going West in a covered wagon. Someone has to show all you young pups that it is just no bed of roses out here!
My laborers agreed to a new contract today too. Unlimited Yeungling, sit-down breaks between loader bucket dumping, and there must be Bluegrass music playing at all times or they will file grievance. Holy hell, next they will want me to start paying them!
So here is where it stands as of tonight: One more day will bail out that back corner and then we need to dig another rough 6-8 inches off the floor from front to back. I want to dig well below the floor level against the outer porch walls in order to have a nice footer for the poured wall to reinforce the foundation. We were thinking 3 inches of clean 2-B stone (57’s) and then 3 inches of concrete for the floor. The back corner under the oil tank will contain a sump to take care of any water infiltration that may arise. The header and props are already installed midway and supporting the center of the slab from below. Pretty sure we will parge the ceiling, and I need to get some lights wired in there.
It is all very slow progress, but that’s just how it is when you are going West in a covered wagon. Someone has to show all you young pups that it is just no bed of roses out here!
My laborers agreed to a new contract today too. Unlimited Yeungling, sit-down breaks between loader bucket dumping, and there must be Bluegrass music playing at all times or they will file grievance. Holy hell, next they will want me to start paying them!
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Looking great CJ! Ya gotta watch out for the workers from the Bluegrass Union, they have some strict job site demands!
For the last 6 - 8" of clean out .... would a rototiller break it up enough for easier removal? That was my method for a shallow drainage swale/trench i put in a few years ago...rototilled to about 6" deep and a flat shovel to scoop away the dirt.
For the last 6 - 8" of clean out .... would a rototiller break it up enough for easier removal? That was my method for a shallow drainage swale/trench i put in a few years ago...rototilled to about 6" deep and a flat shovel to scoop away the dirt.
- windyhill4.2
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Gas fumes would be a huge worry in this location.titleist1 wrote: ↑Sun. Mar. 25, 2018 7:32 amLooking great CJ! Ya gotta watch out for the workers from the Bluegrass Union, they have some strict job site demands!
For the last 6 - 8" of clean out .... would a rototiller break it up enough for easier removal? That was my method for a shallow drainage swale/trench i put in a few years ago...rototilled to about 6" deep and a flat shovel to scoop away the dirt.
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Tyler, did the same thing on a smaller scale 40 years ago, just married with arm in a cast ( a run in with a dune buggy roll cage) 5 gallon buckets up the steps into a wheelbarrow. Would not think about it today!
Simple fix to a huge worry.....box fan exhausting through the outside door pulling air from the basement and pushing exhaust fumes outside.
- coalkirk
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Very nice reclamation of space for this bin. I see the Yuengling cans on the ledge. Digging always goes better with the proper lubrication.
Tyler that ceiling is really coarse .Idea with a hammer knock down any loose spots .For first coat make mortar rich like a told you .However first I would get a 4 inch wide paperhanger brush and make the mortar soupy an brush on one or two coatson the ceiling .This will give you a base for troweling a smooth ceiling .The Secret is make the mortar Rich Sticky .jack
- buffalo bob
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i agree with jack ..tap ur trowel once turn over if the mud sticks its rich..if not add more mortar cement i wud use type "s or m"
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I did this with my whole basement all 1000 SF . I musta been nuts but im here for 30 years and i have a nice Bar in there now so i guess it was worth it. One Hell of a lot of work though.
- windyhill4.2
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I would spray several inches of foam up onto that ceiling & then paint over it with your choice of coal bin ceiling color.
Quicker,easier & insulation factor.
Quicker,easier & insulation factor.
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Does coal like being warm in winter?windyhill4.2 wrote: ↑Sat. Mar. 31, 2018 2:02 pmI would spray several inches of foam up onto that ceiling & then paint over it with your choice of coal bin ceiling color.
Quicker,easier & insulation factor.