12.22.2024

It was a bitter cold start to the first day of winter - below zero and didn't warm up too much, even with some bright sunshine.  A good day to stay inside!

Jim worked in the wood shop on door frame pieces - using the planer...

Trying out the jam extensions...

He sanded the pieces and put a coat of primer on...

Starting to put door molding on the pantry door...

Love how finished the pantry door looks now!

High 12.2/Low -3.8

12.21.2024

Today's the official first day of winter, but it's looked like winter here for quite a while!  We got another 6" of snow from last night through this morning.  Jim put the snow blower on the Bobcat for the first time this season and took care of the driveway...

In the shop, he started doing the millworker on the jam extensions for the shop doors...

Millwork in process...

High 23.8/Low 4.8 - 6" of snow

12.20.2024

I headed out this morning before the forecasted snow to run a few errands, including picking up more driver bits in case we get any more outside building time.

In the afternoon, Jim did some wood prep.  Since he's kind of in a transition mode, and needs to make a trip for more maple when the weather allows, he started making pieces for the shop bathroom and pantry door finishes...

Doing some measuring...

High 36.3/Low 23.8

12.19.2024

Jim had an appointment this morning, but in the afternoon he decided to brave the cold and head back up to the shed.  Putting up more rafters...

Continuing to put up rafters...

Definitely not great working weather, but Jim soldiered on with cold hands to continue putting up more rafters...

End-of-the-day picture - another 6 rafters put up today!  It's looking fabulous!

High 36.3/Low 29.4

 

12.18.2024

This afternoon, we headed out to the shed for the first time since the day before Thanksgiving!  Everything looked good.  The weather wasn't frigid, so we figured anything we could get done would be good. 

Jim brought up the ridge board and we marked the location of all the rafters on both sides...

Putting the ridge board up so that he can reach it from on top...

Dragging it up...

Starting to set it in place...

Once it was set on the back side, Jim loosened the brace on the front rafter and then made sure everything was in the right spot before fastening...

Now that the ridge board is up, we can put up rafters...

Fastening in place...

Another rafter in place...

Using his pipe clamp to make sure the rafters and ridge board are straight...

Continuing to place rafters...

Darkness was starting to set in, but we made huge progress and got the ridge board and 9 rafters placed!  

The side view...

Jim wanted to bring the generator in, so he loaded it up in the bucket on his way back down...

High 41.3/Low 34.5

12.17.2024

Jim went over the Bobcat again, double and triple checking for leaks, and he thinks everything is good to go!  He went and got the forks and put them on, because yesterday he got a voicemail from the delivery people that they wanted to deliver our garage door this afternoon.   However, he called them back probably 5 times and only got their voicemail each time.

With that job done, there was a lot of cleanup of tools and the auto bay.  When Jim does a big/unusual job like this, he sometimes learns that he needs a different, or more speciality, tool.  Enter our new stubby wrenches for tight spaces!

We've continued to be extra vigilant about the septic system since the one time when the filter was clogged.  Since it was warmish out today, it was a good day to check it.  Thankfully, all looked well.  Cleaning the filter...

Putting the cap back on.  If you look real close at this picture, you'll see a ton of turkey tracks.  After not seeing the turkeys for quite a while, there were probably 30 out today.  They set off the doorbell camera about 8:00 this morning and hung around all morning.  They gravitated to the septic system area, probably because the snow was gone and the ground probably wasn't frozen here.

With no advance warning, a van pulled up later in the afternoon with our garage door.  Probably good timing - we won't have to worry about it, plus they are calling for 3-6" of snow tomorrow afternoon.  

Jim stashed it in the lean-to for the winter...

Jim's cleaning up the old cylinders...

High 45.5/Low 36.0

12.16.2024

We woke up to about 3" of new snow today.  But with the warmer temperatures today and tomorrow, Jim didn't think he needed to worry yet about the driveway, since the Bobcat is still down.

Jim contacted the local Bobcat dealership this morning about the filter part issue.  Apparently, they changed the cap from the old one.  So the new filter has to have a new cap.  Jim left before lunch to go pick up the part.

After lunch, he got busy once again.   Second hydraulic filter installed...

Bobcat is off the lift and th wings are coming back together!

Putting the new cap on the filter...

It's back running!  Jim tried out the cylinders and everything seems to be working great.  He'll have to check for leaks but great news!

Doing all the greasing...

High 33.5/Low 26.6 - 3" of snow overnight

12.15.2024

 Back working on the Bobcat again.  He's got the battery back in now...

New filler cap for the hydraulic fluid getting ready to be installed...

First big issue.  Jim ordered a new hydraulic filter and - the part isn't the same!  He ordered it right from Bobcat, so he will have to investigate and maybe make a trip to the local Bobcat store to see if he can get the right part.  Definitely holds up the project.

Another hydraulic fluid filter - the system is still draining and then Jim will install the new filter...

High 27.1/Low 8.9