Creating an Entrance
- Thread starter EddieWalker
- Start date
- Views: 57024
RobS
Super Member
Looking very nice Eddie. Wanna come up north and lend a hand with my masonry work?
/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
fishman
Veteran Member
Nice job!
jinman
Rest in Peace
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2001
- Messages
- 21,059
- Location
- Texas - Wise County - Sunset
- Tractor
- NHTC45D, NH LB75B, Ford Jubilee
Eddie, the columns look terrific! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
I had to look long and hard to even come up with a suggestion, but I'm not sure about your footing around the base of the column. Did you leave a ledge to support the rock veneer? If not, you could probably still pour a base footing around the column up to the level of the rock. That will ensure there is always support and also reduce the likelyhood of things constantly bumping into the stone at the base.
I had to look long and hard to even come up with a suggestion, but I'm not sure about your footing around the base of the column. Did you leave a ledge to support the rock veneer? If not, you could probably still pour a base footing around the column up to the level of the rock. That will ensure there is always support and also reduce the likelyhood of things constantly bumping into the stone at the base.
OP
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
Jim,
The footings are about two feet deep and dug with my 12 inch post hole digger. Then I built a 2X4 frame around the whole for the concrete. I used sack concrete from Home Depot with rebar. They are 24 inches square and the rock is 21 inches at its widest when done. My first course rests on the footing.
Thanks for the thought,
Eddie
The footings are about two feet deep and dug with my 12 inch post hole digger. Then I built a 2X4 frame around the whole for the concrete. I used sack concrete from Home Depot with rebar. They are 24 inches square and the rock is 21 inches at its widest when done. My first course rests on the footing.
Thanks for the thought,
Eddie
dummy
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2001
- Messages
- 730
- Location
- Southern Maryland
- Tractor
- Ford 1220, John Deere 770, Case 580E and Allmand TLB-35
The day and night shots look great. How come we only get to see one light though /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
meledward23
Gold Member
So what fake stone did you use. That was some good looking stuff.
How much was the stone ?
How much was the stone ?
OP
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
Since my dozer is out of commision for a little while, I decided to get back to this project.
I need a sign at my entrance to let the world know where I'm at, and to impress the **** out of everyone driving by. hahaha
First step was to build up the pad for the footing. I did this months ago. Then I drilled some holes in the ground three feet down to anchor the footing.
Then I didn't do anything for several months and now it's time to dig out the holes and level it out for the forms.
Eddie
I need a sign at my entrance to let the world know where I'm at, and to impress the **** out of everyone driving by. hahaha
First step was to build up the pad for the footing. I did this months ago. Then I drilled some holes in the ground three feet down to anchor the footing.
Then I didn't do anything for several months and now it's time to dig out the holes and level it out for the forms.
Eddie
Attachments
OP
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
OP
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
OP
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
Time to get started laying blocks. There's four and a half pallets of white split face block for the main part of the sign.
Since the split face block only comes that way on one side, I have to double it up to get the same look on both sides.
Those blocks are $3 each. Over twice the cost of the standard blocks at $1.12 each at Home Depot. I'm still saving money though, because my original plan was to build the face of the sign from standard block and cover it in Austin Stone. More labor and allot more money that way. In the end I think the split face block will look better and it will be a theme I can carry through the Park.
Eddie
Since the split face block only comes that way on one side, I have to double it up to get the same look on both sides.
Those blocks are $3 each. Over twice the cost of the standard blocks at $1.12 each at Home Depot. I'm still saving money though, because my original plan was to build the face of the sign from standard block and cover it in Austin Stone. More labor and allot more money that way. In the end I think the split face block will look better and it will be a theme I can carry through the Park.
Eddie
Attachments
Bird
Rest in Peace
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( This time of year . . . there's no predicting the next time it will rain )</font>
Probably this evening and tonight. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif It's been raining steadily here since about 7 a.m. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Probably this evening and tonight. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif It's been raining steadily here since about 7 a.m. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
OP
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
Three rows up and just about all I can do in a day! That's 38 blocks per row.
The ends of the sign are larger than the middle and of standard block becasue they will be wrapped in the same artificial stone I used on the entrance columns.
The rebar coming up through the blocks goes almost three feet down into the holes I drilled with my post hole digger and are tied into the footing. The cavities they are in are being filled with concrete to add extra strength.
Eddie Walker
The ends of the sign are larger than the middle and of standard block becasue they will be wrapped in the same artificial stone I used on the entrance columns.
The rebar coming up through the blocks goes almost three feet down into the holes I drilled with my post hole digger and are tied into the footing. The cavities they are in are being filled with concrete to add extra strength.
Eddie Walker
Attachments
OP
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
The next day I only got two rows done, but didn't get as early a start. The ends will be taller than the face of the sign and will have the pyrimid caps similar to the ones I made for the columns, minus the lights.
I'm not putting any mortor in the front of the blocks because I'm using standard Type N morter, which is grey. I will finish it up when the blocks are all done with the expensive white mortor.
Eddie Walker
I'm not putting any mortor in the front of the blocks because I'm using standard Type N morter, which is grey. I will finish it up when the blocks are all done with the expensive white mortor.
Eddie Walker
Attachments
OP
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
Bird
Rest in Peace
With a sign that size, folks shouldn't have any trouble finding you. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
jinman
Rest in Peace
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2001
- Messages
- 21,059
- Location
- Texas - Wise County - Sunset
- Tractor
- NHTC45D, NH LB75B, Ford Jubilee
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Since the sign will be built from cement blocks, it will be very heavy and quite tall, I wanted some overkill. )</font>
Eddie, how tall is "quite tall"? Things are looking better all the time. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Eddie, how tall is "quite tall"? Things are looking better all the time. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
OP
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
The main part of the sign is 11 blocks tall. Final measurement is right at 7 feet 4 inches.
Then end columns are currently 12 blocks tall, but I just bought some more today to raise it one row taller. I want the end colums to really stand out and add some power and demension to my sign.
You only have one chance to get that first impression. My sign is crucial to do just that.
The mixer was $250 from Home Depot. I shopped around and the cheaper ones were just too cheap for what I wanted.
The scaffolding was also $250, but i bought another section when I built my barn for another $100. Best money you can spend. I use my scaffolding for just about everything now.
Eddie Walker
Then end columns are currently 12 blocks tall, but I just bought some more today to raise it one row taller. I want the end colums to really stand out and add some power and demension to my sign.
You only have one chance to get that first impression. My sign is crucial to do just that.
The mixer was $250 from Home Depot. I shopped around and the cheaper ones were just too cheap for what I wanted.
The scaffolding was also $250, but i bought another section when I built my barn for another $100. Best money you can spend. I use my scaffolding for just about everything now.
Eddie Walker
Attachments
OP
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
I'm almost done for the day in this photo. Rain is my biggest issue in finishing anything. But even if the rain didn't start, I still wasn't gonna finish this day.
I'm short 10 grey blocks for the end columns and 8 white blocks for the sign. I picked up the white blocks today for $3.27 each at a specialty brick supplier. The only good thing is I had a $60 credit on my account with them.
If you look under the scaffolding, you can see the rock that will cover the grey block on either end of the sign.
This is the same rock I used on the entrance columns.
Eddie Walker
I'm short 10 grey blocks for the end columns and 8 white blocks for the sign. I picked up the white blocks today for $3.27 each at a specialty brick supplier. The only good thing is I had a $60 credit on my account with them.
If you look under the scaffolding, you can see the rock that will cover the grey block on either end of the sign.
This is the same rock I used on the entrance columns.
Eddie Walker
txdon
Super Star Member
Eddie, Looking good! I can't wait. What is the name going to be?
