Nice pleasant day up at the property.

Despite all the ice, the truck made it up the hill with no issues, so I spent a good chunk of the day wandering about.  Turns out the ice is thick enough for me to walk on; I only broke through when I was trying to for traction, and in a couple of other spots that had apparently melted more, so I didn't need snow shoes.

Apparently we got snow at some point last week up there, the land looked undisturbed.



I followed some of the tracks, and found the nests.  They seem a bit small for rabbit holes, but I am pretty sure that is what they are.



Looks like my moose is still hanging around.  This is in the same area that I saw the tracks during the summer.



He was headed through the Archway leading to the creek.


The creek is still running, a couple of the wider spots had started to freeze over, but it is definitely still running.






My cliff face has largely cleared, though I still have the icicles stuck to the rock.






I also found what would appear to be a major game highway.  It wasn't that far from the back yard either.  I am not entirely sure I could have seen something like this from the porch, but I could still see a sliver of red from my truck from here.  This is unfortunately not where I was hunting the couple of times I went out this year.  Looks like I picked the wrong spot.


There were some sizable deer prints in it too.


Including one deer who appeared to have a crash landing or at least lose his brakes.


A little further back on the creek, I found it gurgling.  It did it every time an air bubble passed through.


It kind of looked like my rock was leaking.


I also took a video since it is hard to see in the pictures.  Unfortunately Blogger doesn't upload in HD, so this might not be any better.

Mushrooms.  I never studied mushrooms enough to know what kind they are.




This is where I was overlooking during hunting season. The picture is too zoomed out, but I can tell you that there are a lot of rabbit tracks, some squirrel tracks, but only a single set of deer tracks.  Definitely not the best place to sit.


And the rock I was sitting on.


These are back there too.  Pretty sure they are raccoon.


If Aunt Lisa wants any, I have some rocks.


The end of the stone wall.  Looks like they just stopped caring...  Not sure if this is the end of my property, I haven't measured it out, but I was a ways back in the woods, I think this is past my property, so maybe the marker for the lot behind mine?


One problem with going up the property line:  that put me at the highest elevation on the property.  And I didn't grab my creepers...  So I got a nice fun slide down the hill when I reached the front of the lot.  At least the slide was intentional, not surprise.




On a more work related note, the software for the mixer valve controller is completed, I just need to test and debug it.  I also have some of the designs done (mostly still in my head at this point, I need to write them down), so I am making progress on the winter projects as well.  Hopefully I will get some of them finalized and get more posts soon.

• Valve controller for the washer.
• Parts acquired.  Software complete.
• Build the desk/entertainment center.
• Desired layout/design complete.
• Design/build the platform/loft
• Design nearly complete, linear actuators spec'd.
• Complete the detailed trailer design and BOM

Evidence

This isn't construction related (we just got another several inches of snow) but since no one believed me, the hair is gone, and here is the evidence and the new/old look, it is the same as it was before I grew it out:


Here is the rest of the old hair.


No more of it getting caught in anything, getting gouped up with pine pitch, etc.

Mid winter defrost complete

I went up to the property to pick up some tools, and encountered fog.  A lot of fog.  It wasn't too bad up at the property, but on the roads in the valley leading up to the property were borderline terrifying.  I went the back way in since it has been warm and raining, so the road shouldn't have been terrible, but holy fog batman.  It was so thick I was literally driving with my head out the window, on the wrong side of the road so that I could see the edge of the pavement and snowbank junction, since I literally could not see pavement in front of my car.  To boot, I took a longer but main road route back, and as soon as I got to the main road, it was blocked off, closed, for what appeared to be a wreck.  So I had to go down the scary road again.  Just to give you reference, the road is more windy than county rte 49, at most as wide, and the hill is steeper than the route 29 Schuylerville hill, and the road has no lines on it.  So what is normally a half hour drive both ways took me over an hour.  

I didn't get any pictures of the fog on the road as my attention was not on my camera, but I got a video of it at the property.

I decided to use this excursion as a test for my new headlight.  It was brighter than I expected.  These pictures were taken without flash at 10PM, and I didn't have to crank the ISO on the camera either.  These were taken at ISO400 which is what I normally use for indoor pictures.




The headlamp is better for taking night fog pictures too.  This is what it looks like with the flash on.




My car made it all the way up the hill, there is only a little bit of ice left in the driveway, and it is near the bottom in one of the flatter areas.
The area up by the slab is clear.  This was taken with only the headlamp on, no flash.


I attempted to take pictures of the ice area, but it doesn't look like it worked out too well...  It is in the washed out blob in the middle.


The creek is right up to the top.




This is the headlamp.  It was a cheapy from Amazon.  I meant to grab one of dad's while I was down there for Christmas, but forgot.  For the 13 bucks I spent on it, I am happy.  It is only 165 lumen, but the brighter ones were more expensive, and it is plenty bright enough to snowblow with.  Last time I snowblowed at night all I had was one of those free Harbor Freight LED flashlights, and this is a massive upgrade.  It only has a few angle settings, but they seemed to cover all the angles that matter.  My only real complaint is that with long hair, the band kept sliding around.  I didn't have it particularly tight, but this is a common problem I have with hats and whatnot as well.


It also turns out I am heading back to France on the 21st for a week.  Our flights were booked today.

Collecting Goodies

The past couple of weeks I have been busy collecting goodies and parts for my various projects.  I now have the major components that I need for the mixing valve, and have started writing the software.  You can see the mixing valve (two blue screw on connectors), and right below it is an isolated relay module, which I need to drive the relays.  I still need a power supply, but that is minor work that can be done after the system is functional.  To the left is a milk crate that I picked up off the free table at work.  On the right I have a headlamp (400 lumens, not amazing but more than sufficient for snowblowing), a USB battery, and a set of knee pads.  While nothing ever got whacked, there were many times building the shed that I wished that I had knee pads. The free USB charger came courtesy of Anker, who sent me one after I told them their product was junk and not even remotely close to its claimed capabilities (this was the jump starter I purchased that wouldn't start the lawn mower).  While I have a nicer one from Monoprice, it was nice that they sent me something to pacify me, it isn't something you see too often.


I also have some installed pictures from the AC cover.  These were taken before the latest round of storms, but it held up well.  Apparently the fiberglass sheds snow very very well, which is good to hear.  So far there aren't any obvious defects in the fiberglass.  Everything that was desired it has met, though it is a bit overbuilt, and the top was a bit heavy.  But it is strong enough that I can sit on it (which I tested).




I haven't started on the entertainment center yet, but I have started looking at linear actuators for the platform.  I found a nice set online at: https://www.tampamotions.com/collections/linear-actuators-1/products/1-heavy-linear-actuator-5mm-s-350lbs-lift-12v-12?variant=17802715845  but I don't know anything about the company nor have I calculated just how much it will actually have to lift.

Post Christmas update

Since Heather wanted some snowscape pictures, here are a few:

The driveway had largely melted off by the time I got back.  The parts that got snowblowed were clear, outside of a little bit of ice.

I could even get to the electrical panel.  Too bad we are getting 12-16" today.

I found another use for the PVC pipe.

I also ordered a new gas cap for the weed whacker today.  

Also came home to a bit of a surprise.  Yet another leak in the roof.  This time over the kitchen.  

It made a bit of a mess.  They supposedly fixed it before I took off for the LAN.

Lastly, my cobbled together power system for the cooler worked.  Maybe not the safest solution in the world, but the cooler is running off my computer power supply.  Yes those are exposed alligator clips onto 28gauge wire...

First big snowfall

Didn't get much done today, I was out at a Yankee swap last night, got home late and woke up later.  According to Andy, the AC cover has a foot of snow on it and has held up fine.  I went up and checked on the property today, since I hadn't been up there since the major snowfall on Friday night/early Saturday.  I didn't try to take the truck up the hill since the bank at the end was in the grille of the truck (there was more snow there than we got at my apartment), but everything looked fine.  The shed had already completely shed its snow, the roof was clear.  No leaks inside either.  The creek was high, but given the rain that followed the snow, I am not too surprised.  I am still debating on whether or not to bother snowblowing the driveway.  There is about a foot still up there that wasn't melted by the rain, but it isn't supposed to snow this week; it is supposed to be warm and sunny, so most of it will probably melt off.

Didn't make much progress on my winter projects (too busy sleeping and wrapping presents) but the parts have started to filter in.  I got an old mixer valve from a washing machine, and hope to start working on it this week, though I don't have a lot of time the next few days with Christmas on the way.

AC Cover ready for delivery.

I put the final touches on the AC cover today.  Those included trimming the fiberglass, putting another layer of resin on the sides, some sanding, and lastly installing the latches.  Because it is a completely tool-less design, the latches are mostly to aid in setting it up to keep things from falling over.  They are not intended to be load-bearing.  All of the work I did on the roof I performed while it was on the base, so it is sturdy enough without them.

The profile shot:


A side view:


The back:


A better look at the roof after running it over with sand paper.  It isn't as smooth as I would have liked, but I did learn a lot about fiberglass building this, so hopefully I can do a better job next time.  

I also went up to the property and put some final touches on the mailbox.  I now have numbers on both sides of the post.  I also put a few more screws and a bracket on the 4x4 junction.  Previously it only had one screw holding it together.  I didn't use the 4x4 bracket I had, but just a corner brace.  It should be fine.

While I was up there, I also put the stuff away that I wanted on the slab, like my bathroom sink.  It is all in the shed now.  I thought about tarping everything, but am not sure what that would accomplish.  The tractor has sat outside all of its life, as has the pushmower.  The only thing that might be worth covering is the grill, and that was never covered by its previous owners either.  I also briefly considered covering the trailer, but the trailer is all freshly primed and painted, it shouldn't be hurt by being out in the elements.  So for all intents and purposes, the clearning the stuff off the slab task is done.  I forgot my compressor (one of the tires on the tractor doesn't hold air) so I didn't try to jump the tractor and drive around on it.

I also noticed that the ground up there was frozen, though I might still call the guy for the gravel and the electric.

And with that, the only thing left on the winter checklist is the gravel and the electric:

1. Buy a new truck.
2. Install the outrigger supports on the shed.
3. Install the inter-rafter supports for the ridge board.
4. Rework the pilings for the shed.
5. Remove the trailer tanks.
6. Sand and paint the trailer.
7. Weld the new pieces onto the trailer.
• This will likely get pushed out to next year.
8. Put gravel down in the driveway.
• Nice to have.
9. Install driveway markers.
10. Stabilize the mowers.
11. Cover the piles and stuff on the slab.
12. Electrical panel work.
• Nice to have
13. Install the mailbox.

I have also started a list of winter projects.  Those will be cropping up on here shortly.  The current slate of winter projects (in no particular order):

• Valve controller for the washer.
• Build the desk/entertainment center.
• Design/build the platform/loft.
• Complete the detailed trailer design and BOM.

Fiberglass laid, another thing checked off the list.

Today was a productive day.  I got the supports installed in the shed, and checked another item off the list.


I also got everything prepped for fiberglass.


I did it in two parts.  One per sheet of fiberglass.  The first sheet didn't go well, though it was my first time ever doing fiberglass work.  I learned a lot of things.


I completed the top.


I need to figure out something for the sides.  I tried just wrapping the cloth and dousing it with resin, but it didn't stick.  I might just put a layer of resin on it and call it good enough.


A list of things I learned:

• First and foremost, DO NOT use a foam brush.  The resin is too thick and heavy, and it tears the foam apart.  It also doesn't have enough rigidity to put a nice finish on it.
• Mat would have been a much better choice than cloth.  The cloth comes apart when tugging on it trying to press the air bubbles out.
• It is easier to pour it on the wood and then spread it out with the brush.  
• It uses a lot more resin than expected.  

A couple more finishing touches and it will be ready for delivery.  

For the winter checklist, it is getting really small.  The only thing left that is required is to cover the stuff.  I would still like to get the electrician and gravel done, but those can wait for spring.

1. Buy a new truck.
2. Install the outrigger supports on the shed.
3. Install the inter-rafter supports for the ridge board.
4. Rework the pilings for the shed.
5. Remove the trailer tanks.
6. Sand and paint the trailer.
7. Weld the new pieces onto the trailer.
• This will likely get pushed out to next year.
8. Put gravel down in the driveway.
• Nice to have.
9. Install driveway markers.
10. Stabilize the mowers.
11. Cover the piles and stuff on the slab.
12. Electrical panel work.
• Nice to have
13. Install the mailbox.