Recent content by westcliffe01

I will be hauling 3 loads from SE MI to southern Colorado on my 12K gooseneck and then at least 1 load on a rented deck over that has a hydraulic tilt deck (20' shipping container). Im sure it will be a fraction of the price of truck freight. I was quoted up to $2k to haul a 300lb engine from...

Be very careful with unvented heaters. There is a fairly considerable amount of water produced for every gal of propane burned and has to be some risk with CO and CO2 also. Its amazing how unvented heaters have come to dominate the market because they save the cost of a chimney or direct vent...

I wasnt planning on putting radiant heat under the porch concrete. The idea was that the glazed in area would provide a comfortable environment even in cold weather, so long as there was sunshine, where the typical wind would make it too uncomfortable in the outdoors. There would also be...

Im going to be earning my living in my shop, I wont have any sort of fixed income for at least another 7 years. I also have early onset arthritis so its important for me to be comfortable in my work space. I dont need to worry about cooling because of the altitude (about 3F drop per 1000 ft if...

There is also this offer from a local lumbermill. Buying slab wood seems pretty economical. $160 per cord for bundled birch slab wood is not bad.

I got some clarification on a local facebook bulletin board.

There was a major blow down event a few years ago with 130+ mph wind. I know for a fact that motorized vehicles and chainsaws were not allowed as part of the remediation job. I think the blown down trees laid on the ground for the nest 5-6 years till a fire came through.

I can remember renting a house in Germany, sight unseen in a small town near where my new job was going to be in Edenkoben Germany. The house was set into a shaded north facing slope with about 140 steps to get from street level to the house. It was heated with oil. Half of the basement was...

My property is off grid, so the only electric I will have is solar PV and I have a diesel generator which I will be recovering heat off the coolant and exhaust to get the most $ per gal of fuel consumed. So having an insulated storage vessel for the hot water will help with the radiant heat. I...

FYI Home Depot has 2" R-Tech foil faced insulation, rated for under slab use. For my 40'x64' slab it says I will need 88 units for $1851. The Owens Corning Foamular 250 is more expensive at $4704. Their price has gone way up for sure.

photo credit Ed Fensholt Sr. Im planning a 64x40 shop/home in Colorado at 9000ft. No need for AC, just open some windows. Its a high wind area, buildings need to be rated for 130mph wind. Im probably going to use 14ft off the 64' length for living space on the west end, the side facing the...

I could do the same.... When we bought the abandoned 100yo house to renovate my wife raised her part of the payment by selling some handbags, coats and boots....

Here is an example of what I was referring to

The grade and finish have a big impact on the cost. My local steel supplier wants $1004 for a 126lb 5x10 sheet of polished 304 sheet. The exact same weight sheet in 409 is $491. The exact same in 439 is $533. an 81lb sheet of 18ga 304L is only $322 and its not polished.

The OP wanted cooling performance in summer. I get the impression he lives somewhere else in winter. The mini splits will give all he needs in summer and far better zone control than any central air system. Buy the highest seer value you can afford. Install some solar panels and it will cut...