New farm, let's build some stuff

Oh my god, no. I have my limits, and it looks a lot like that tool.

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Hard pass on that tool.

Kinda neat to see how it was done in the past though. Thanks for sharing!

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I do agree drills can be hard on the body–for me, my hands (thumb joint.). But I am hammering challenged-my specialty is one strike-off centered and the nail is bent–or for very hard or seasoned wood, if I have not hit off center, the nail heats up and bends because of my compulsive striking. I admire those who can hammer accurately without bending nails as it is a skill I have never been able to acquire.

So for the hammering challenged like me, the impact driver is a game changer. My testimonials are numerous bent mails I cannot pull out.

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I put pilot holes where the joist hangers landed over knots.

The one time I got arrogant and didnt, I got the nail halfway in, couldn’t get it further in or out, so I sawed it off and beat the shit out of the remaining to mushroom it.

I feel your feels!!

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Spent a few days tidying up - clutter and working in it raises my blood pressure. Put the first things in the loft, I’m sure I’ll reorganize multiple times before I get it right.

I have a diamond blade for my angle grinder, which is supposed to be good for pavers. I’ve never tried it. I have some extra pavers to test on before I use my good ones. I’ll get started tonight.

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And - yes, I know there are some roof leaks in this barn (see the black purlin). It’s ring shank nail construction, and many nails have popped. I have screws to replace them and the special puller sitting waiting for me to grow some cojones and get up there. I admit it, metal roofs make me nervous.

I had it quoted for a contractor to replace every nail replaced with a screw and it was too much for right now, so I’ll have to go up there and at least get the popped ones replaced, and sister in new lumber where the rot has destroyed the wood. I’ll replace the eave and vent foam while I’m up there.

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You might find that your shelving unit will get grumpy with its back two legs not sitting on anything, just a heads up.

I am having the same problem with my barn roof right now. Trying to figure out how to get it fixed since neither of us want to go up there. Mr. Trub does heights and will go on the house roof to do things, but he is not interested in getting on the metal barn roof one bit.
Make sure you use safety equipment so you do not get hurt if you slip.

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The bottom is a shelf, and the whole thing is a flimsy wimp (I would never have bought this type, it was my husband’s). I’m going to screw it into the wall to help hold it up. It won’t be for super heavy stuff so it should be ok!

And yeah, I’m dreading the whole ordeal. I’ll park the tractor on the other side and tie off (and be in possession of the key!) but what a colossal pain in the ass. I bet there’s 50 that must come out and be replaced, and I’m just praying that not every single one is going to involve wood replacement, too. I have no problem with the house roof, or metal roofs that don’t have this pitch. But this one gives me the jeebies.

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I re-painted the 1947 quonset building with aluminum paint by hooking a rope to a fence post, throwing the rope over to the other side and hanging by the rope with one hand while painting with brush in the other.
I had tractor with ladder on the bucket to reach up the higher sides, could stand on the top to paint it.

I am glad that about then we started framing with metal, wood in our country doesn’t last.
No metal to replace, but yes, is not as easy to work with as grabbing a saw and nails.

You are doing an amazing job, when finished you will be so proud! :heart_eyes:

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I just noticed that Tractor Supply has $10 off stall mats. I don’t plan to use these for the stall area, but do need a handful of them for the grooming area.

What I was hoping for are those gently “pebbled” looking mats, but these have the big round nubbies. I don’t want smooth because they’re slippery when even remotely wet.

Has anyone used these with the big round nubbies facing up, and are they hard to clean?

I would go to your Tractor Supply and look at what they actually have before assuming the photo in the ad matches what you are going to get.

I say this because I have bought mats at the store and there have been more than one pattern in the pile.

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I’d check your local store. I just bought some yesterday, and mine are textured on both sides. And they look nothing like the ad pics lol

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Ok! I’ll plan to head there asap then. I’ll double check when the sale ends. I’d love the ones you got, @lenapesadie! Those I know are easy to sweep.

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I’m probably going to buy more while they have this pattern in stock. I appreciate having texture on both sides of the mat.

ETA sale ends the 19th afaik

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I have the style that @lenapesadie has and some others very similar (bought at different times, so different product). They should work OK for what you want.

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Awesome. I’m going to do a little math to find out how many I’ll need, then buy a couple extra because… well, you can always use mats.

I want my stalls to drain, so they’re getting done in these things, even though they’re more $$ per square foot. https://www.rammfence.com/barn/horse-barn-flooring/stall-grid

IKR. Extra mats are always good for something.

Those stall grids are interesting

I’ve talked to multiple people who have them, and they claim it doesn’t catch their manure forks. I hope they’re right, because that’s my biggest concern with them.

Farm and Fleet has the pebbled ones you are looking for

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They do, but they’re not on sale. :frowning: Maybe I can wait them out, I don’t know.

ETA: OOoooo they have a price match. I’ll call and check if they’ll honor TSC’s price. ETA again: NOPE. haha

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