Headfirst into ponds

[sissy]

I am going to build that next CE like this one though with the seat .I guess more like a mini buckboard ,at least thats what they call them in PA and then building the bench next .I saw them at the hillsville flea market and took pics so I could figure it out .He would not sell the pattern for them.

 

[CountryEscape]

Sissy, are you going to build the wagon with or without the seat then? It's very cute, and you are soooo handy! One day maybe I will get into wood working. One thing I've never tried, and am somewhat leery about it, but someday I will try my hand at it, as I need a bridge for my stream and it won't have to be very large either, just sturdy for people to walk across. Of course that guy would not sell you the pattern! LOL You would be his next competition. It amazes me you can build wheels and things with angles. I guess it's a lot of trial and error. Do you have a cut off saw with the angle part that shows you exactly what the angle is, then? What is a good saw to start out with, that will do the correct angles, and is a good brand? I'll ask for one for Christmas. But, then I will have to USE it before next Christmas ... have lots of used lumber around here, though ....

 

[sissy]

If you start out small with tools you will be amazed a scroll saw and a jig saw and a cordless drill and a small air compressor is all you need to get you started .I may build it so I can put the seat in or out ,some kind of slide and lock caster on the seat and wagon bottom .Chop saw also 10 inch dual angle chop saw you can pick up for under a hundred dollars and air compressors around christmas you can pick up as a kit for under 80 dollars with a nail gun or 2 with it .I have 3 chop saws one is a sliding compound 12 inch and the other 2 are dual compound s, 10 inch and 12 inch .But 10 inch always is used more .I never build to sell ,I just give as gifts .!4 volt cordless with keyless chuck would be best to start with .I have dewalt 18 and 24 with lithium ion and also with just the regular batteries .I use those for bigger jobs around the house .Step up would be a router and table saw .Router comes in handy for making beveled edges and such .

 

[Fishylove]

I use a Mitre Saw and/or compound Mitre Saw CE, really easy to use. I'm getting ready to use it to make the pickets for the fence I'm putting up around the immediate back yard, so I can keep my piggy in

 

[CountryEscape]

OK, ladies. I have a good cordless drill, and a corded one, too, so I'm set with drills. Have a regular cut off saw, but will have my son show me the difference between a regular and compound cut off or mitre saw! I have a good air compressor, but not sure I would want to invest in a nail gun. those things kind of scare me. LOL I like a good ole hammer and nails myself, or better yet, screws! My boss never has come to get the old wood swing set that was here when I bought my house, got blown over and broken up some last year in the spring storms. I really think it's past repair, and I have pretty well decided I'm going to keep it for the wood. Lots of wood, all treated. I can use the 4x4's for a new well house, have it built so I can go inside to check on the pipes, instead of pushing the roof to the side, and then having to shove it back into place. VERY heavy! I'll built it with a door! It also sits ON the well, and the neighbor says it should sit on the ground, to help insulate it, and he said with proper insulation, probably would only need a light bulb to keep the pipes from freezing up. Well, at least 2 light bulbs, in case one burns out! I learned that lesson the hard way already!
I have a feeling if I got started with wood tools, I would really enjoy it and start building all sorts of things. I'm like you, Sissy. I don't build wooden things, but I like to do cross stitching and crocheting and so forth, and have always given the items away. never sell them. These are from the heart, and created to be used and worn out! My daughter finally got her cross stitch Christmas Tree skirt last year, after I worked on it for I think 5 winters. LOL I already started on one for my son, and it will probably also take 5 years. Depends on whether I get a man in my life or not. LOL If not, it will get done sooner, take up my free time.

 

[sissy]

All you will need for most jobs is a finish nailer or a pin nailer and they barely make noise .I crochet knit and do cross stitch also CE and have sense my granny taught me when I was 6 ,A mitre saw is just that and can do compound miters .It just has a release that you can set the saw for any angled cut you want and is simple to use .You will be surprised at how addicted you will get .Most saws that are mitre have notches where the most important cuts are at and angle ,like 45 degree cut .Start small a bird house and take off and fly with your imagination .You never fail you just learn more is my motto .If you never try how will you know .So buck up kiddo and strap on that tool belt .Consider it like a horse and saddle ,the first time you may fall off and you will try and try again

 

[sissy]

For your well house use heat tape much safer than an exploding bulb .

 

[CountryEscape]

Well, I would think so, too, Sissy. BUT, I vividly remember looking outside in the cold of winter, up nursing one of my kids, and saw our wishing well on fire! Quite a fire, too. Ex had built it out of logs left over from our house, and mice had chewed through the heat tape and caught leaves on fire and then the wishing well. But, my well house should be pretty tight and not allow any leaves in there, although may be bugs and mice find their way inside unless I do a concrete footing. Will have to see what the neighbor suggests. He said he would build it for me. Pretty sure going to tell boss going to take it apart and use the lumber. Otherwise, that's what they will do, probably, and I need it more than they do. LOL

 

[sissy]

You could put a layer of rock and sand and that will help from freezing and then put patio blocks down and then build the house on top .Sand deep enough and rock will not freeze as easy ,sand even when it freezes will not freeze solid ..Thats why i put sand under my liner on my pond just in case .

 

[CountryEscape]

The outside of the well house will freeze, and that's ok, but if it's sitting on a foundation or the ground with posts in concrete to hold it steady, then it will hold heat better. The one I have now sits on top of the well concrete cover, and the pump is on top of the cover inside it. The air can get under the concrete lid of the well, whereas if the housing went on the outside of the well concrete top, it would hold warmth easier and help keep the pump and pipes at the top from freezing. I had a heat lamp last year, it burned out (was a brand new one, too!!!) and then pipes froze because I didn't know it was burned out. Need some type of window of some sort so I can glance that way and see that it's on each night when I come home from work in the cold months. I put 2 heat lamps in after that, figured if one went out the other would be working. Tried one of those thermostats that you plug in, but it didn't seem to work properly, so just turned the heat lamps on and left them on, which sucks electricity, so will have to do something different this time around more thermostatically controlled environment, turn it on and off.