After making it to Alpine without trouble I discovered I'd left the material list back here. I tried to remember everything that was on it and came close, but missed a few small items. I wound up with a much bigger window than I had intended to buy, but I think it will make it a lot lighter in there during the day. To my dismay when I got to the land and started trying to use the power tools through the inverter it either wasn't big enough to run them or is just bad. The only saw I had that did work was the one in the picture titled "Tools that worked". The other picture of the Tools that didn't work is missing my compressor and table saw. I couldn't use them and finally resorted to using the old hand saw which was not designed for carpentry work and there was no precision at all when using it, but it was all I had so I made do. At least I did have a working battery drill or otherwise I'd have been totally out of luck. Actually I still am because without the inverter being able to run my table saw or skill saw I couldn't cut the siding. What you see is as far as I could go. I haven't a clue how I'll manage to cut the siding? This truly turned out to be a project of Blood Sweat and Tears. The lumber has plenty of my blood on it from smashing my hand, cutting myself and crying out obscenities!
Oh BTW it will take removing a total of 12 - 3 inch screws to remove the front when I turn in the container. There were no modifications to the container at all! Best part is that the container doors can be closed and locked for security when I'm gone for long.
Hot Dam! Looks like you got er going! Bet you glad to at least see a beginning. Maybe you can pre cut some of your stuff before you bring it out to set it up.
ReplyDeleteTigger.
Sure would be nice if someone out there would lone you what you needed about now. I'm sorry I couldn't make it out there yet, I feel bad that I can't help David. But on the bright side of things you show real homesteader spirit by imprvising and getting done what you have. You know the difference between those who succeed and those who dont is only Attitude and Fortitude, and you got both. You'll figure it out. good job!
ReplyDeleteTigger, I don't think it would go over too good if I started using power tools around here. I'll try to recoup from today's damage through the COLD and then probably figure something out.
ReplyDeleteOGT, Thanks for the vote of confidence. I decided that I was going to at least get something done and kept chipping away at it until I got as far along as I did. I ain't beat yet. Just need to regroup.
How do you plan on heating that tin can. can you put in a wood burner and vent it out the front?
ReplyDeleteI bet someone out there has a small generator they will loan you for the building stage.
It's always tough getting started on a new project.
Keep up the faith.
RH, propane will be the heat. I couldn't vent anything out the front or I wouldn't be able to close the container doors. I will have to put a weather proof plug in the front of the part I'm building where when I want to shut the doors and leave I can unplug the external power. (Battery Power) I don't want the batteries inside with me.
ReplyDeleteOn the inverter I've about decided that my brother in law used too small of wire to make the jumpers from it to the battery and that's what the problem probably is. When I go back out there I'm going to use my jumper cables and see if that does the trick.
length might have something to do with it too. shorter thicker wire is better .
ReplyDeletecan take your insulation off the smaller wires and twist them to make a larger gauge wire too. then reinsulate and tape.
I intended to get wire and other stuff to connect the batteries and add an external plug to the front when I went to Alpine, but wound up spending more $ than I intended so didn't get that and some other stuff I intended. Hopefully I can make another run around the first part of next month and get everything I need that time. For now I'm just trying to get out of this place where I can have another $450 a month to spend on building and such instead of giving it to BBMI.
ReplyDeleteIf the inverter is capable of running my saws then the jumper cables should give it the humph it needs to do it. If I could have used the power tools yesterday I'd have had it far enough along that I could be out there today working inside. Maybe tomorrow?
Looks good so far; also be sure to properly vent the propane heater. The heater will need fresh air as well as ventilation for the exhaust. If I lived nearby I have an extra propane heater(vented) I would give ya. As for the inverter, maybe you could double the wire if you have extra to increase to power exchange.
ReplyDeleteI plan to get a monoxide sensor and put it in there. After spending about 30 years as an HVAC mechanic I can usually smell it if I'm awake even though they say it doesn't have an odor.
ReplyDeleteOn another note the falcon had a blowout sitting here at the trailer this afternoon. Sure glad it waited until now. Having one on one of those mountain roads with the loaded trailer would not have been fun at all! I kept feeling a bumping on the way back, but checked all four tires several times and couldn't see anything.
I had one of those ventless propane heaters, they work great in dry climates and poor in damp enviroments. they got one on sale in quartzite for 100 bucks with two pannels on it . glow red. you only need to vent a small copper pipe to the burner so it can use some fresh air, for combustion fuel.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to live with a turkey deep fry burner for a while. Maybe I should say "I'm going to have to die with" instead. ;) I'll probably use it to heat up a bunch of rocks in the evening and try to get by with the heat from them at night.
ReplyDeleteI am very impressed with the way you have outfitted your container with a window and door. Very ingenious. While I can not offer advice on tools, inverters and heaters I can tell you that a zero rated sleeping bag and a warm cap can keep you warm at night.
ReplyDeleteI am with OGT on this, attitude and fortitude will help you succeed because you have them both.
MsBelinda, I don't have a choice so that's where the attitude and fortitude comes from. Ya got'a do what ya got'a do. ;)
ReplyDeleteI was going to ask, don't these tin boxes get quite hot? But it appears you have insulation, or was that regarding the battery storage?
ReplyDeleteOr, do you actually want them to heat up so they can stay warm at night? Well, as warm as you can get them.