tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86538632012-01-18T02:31:43.830-08:00A journal of my attempt to build an environmentally friendly small house in Oregon. <br> Visit <br><a href="http://www.auerhaus.org"><u>www.auerhaus.org</u></a>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.comBlogger1191100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-58273359908072371012010-02-28T06:31:00.000-08:002010-02-28T06:34:57.272-08:00

Just an update to report that after five years I decided to clean out my two 1350-gallon main tanks. I didn't know what I'd find. In fact they were clean as a whistle. No biofilm on the walls; not even any crud on the floor of the tank. Recall that I do use a 5-micron filter on the water that goes in, but still.I pressure washed them with a mild bleach solution and I'm good to go for another

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-12936869053800776372009-04-26T04:09:00.000-07:002009-04-26T04:57:32.323-07:00

I returned home the other day to find that both my hot water heater and my pressure boosting pump had failed. I still had flowing water thanks to my gravity feed system, but it is low flow, low pressure. It also meant I was back showering from a bag with water heated on the stove. 2.5 gallons of bathing pleaure. Just like the good old days in the double-wide during construction.As a reminder

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-54876644228794837922009-03-31T02:22:00.001-07:002009-04-26T04:09:45.180-07:00

The closet in the bedroom has been standing open for more than a year awaiting doors to cover it up. It was supposed to be a winter project, but other projects always seemed to jump to the head of the queue. I had, however, decided on the wood (alder) and purchased the material last year. Still I procrastinated. First the bearings in my table saw needed to be replaced. Then the bearings in

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1219625573026240462009-03-22T11:28:00.000-07:002009-03-31T02:21:36.744-07:00

The planer has been a very valuable tool, but it is noisy, needs a lot of space in use and spits out copious amounts of chips and dust. I prefer to use it outside, but it is heavy. I estimated about 60 pounds. Moving it in and out is a chore. I'd imagined putting it on a dolly, but it would require one with substantial, "off road" type wheels to roll out on the gravel under the deck.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-79706212681352537862009-03-20T10:27:00.000-07:002009-03-31T02:19:06.854-07:00

Currently, if you want to burn biodiesel and you want 4-wheel drive, you only have two choices: a full-size pickup truck or a Jeep. I sold the Ford F-250 in 2007 and bought a 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD (Common Rail Diesel). Diesels are known for their relatively high mileage, high torque, longevity and clatter. The famous diesel engines are Cummins, Cat, Detroit, Mercedes, etc. This CRD model,

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-88210399320603832912009-03-20T08:24:00.000-07:002009-03-20T08:50:07.447-07:00

This was a fun project to knock out in a few days. The lamp head was found on the property and in very poor shape having been on the ground outside for who knows how long. I was really attracted to the shape, the cast parts and the spun aluminum shade. This winter I got an urge to clean it up and so I set about polishing the aluminum shade.Next I painted the cast housing black. I cleaned and

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-19690823820304179462009-03-20T03:17:00.001-07:002009-03-20T08:10:05.805-07:00

Managing fuel for a wood stove is challenging from an organizing point of view. I used to have a big box of wood, a small box of kindling and a box of newspapers scattered about on the floor. It looked unsightly and it took up a lot of space. Thus the firewood organizer idea was born.As with most of my projects, it is made of as much old wood as possible. In this case centered around the box

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-59241116390295139972009-03-20T03:14:00.001-07:002009-03-20T03:15:00.980-07:00

Well I just can't stop. I had this old, gray toolbox of Roxy's. While I mounted a toolbox on the left fender, there just wasn't room for some larger items. Here it is painted green and mounted on the right.I didn't have a good place to put the length of rusty, old chain that every farmer uses to drag stumps, pull things over and move dead animals. The strength of the chain is never known, but

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-36768805461683689482009-01-01T19:29:00.000-08:002009-01-01T21:55:56.300-08:00

Sunday, December 28, 2008 finds me back home in Birkenfeld after being snowed-in in Portland for two weeks. The weather is warming, yet eight inches of dense “corn snow” remain. My first day consists of the usual chores associated with restoring a dormant cabin to habitability. The power failure meter has maxed out at 99 hours, 59 minutes, meaning the backup battery system had been out for 100-

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-38120485951383081562008-03-22T22:27:00.000-07:002008-03-22T22:36:21.502-07:00

Even in an 800 sq.ft. house, I ended up with a bonus room. It was a challenge to squeeze in two beds, a writing table, and a pseudo-closet.Looking in.It's kind of a Canadiana themed room. The gray blanket is from Ontario, the other a classic Hudson's Bay. My mom made the cushions... in Canada. The lamps were from extra shop lights I, er, just had hanging around.The frame is strong and in

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-15121135232075810282008-01-01T22:31:00.000-08:002009-04-26T05:09:52.837-07:00

Another winter project was to build the kitchen island that stores under the main kitchen counter. The stow-away idea courtesy of my girlfriend, Alice. Save the top, and wheels, it is made entirely of reclaimed lumber and scraps.All joints are doweled and glued.Shown rolled in place.The fir should darken to match over time.The final product. The shelf is made of old, clear cedar.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-21019668113375038282007-12-23T19:49:00.001-08:002008-01-01T21:07:09.754-08:00

I hated the upholstery of my sofa since the day it was delivered to me around 1992. I contemplated recovering it immediately, but I had chosen the pattern myself and so I felt I must live with it. 15-years on I decided it was an eyesore in my new home and the time to reupholster it had come.These photos by Alamo Upholstery.Other than the fabric I liked the sofa for its design, size and

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-61743379162297513942007-12-23T19:36:00.000-08:002007-12-23T19:48:42.230-08:00

This fall I finally finished the water shed building that houses two, 1350-gallon tanks. Still needs work on the inside.An early shot from some years ago.The finished product.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-13615128784816037342007-12-05T21:40:00.000-08:002007-12-05T22:16:48.120-08:00

In truth this was a great flood; by that I mean we had a great time. Many of us, not here for the '96 flood, now have bragging rights even though we had electricity and warm weather the whole time. And while we did load our cars when rumors of a crest of 2-feet above '96 circulated; and while we were locked in by two flooded bridges; and while we could only call locally, in the end the water

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-85320204573203426422007-11-25T18:23:00.000-08:002007-12-23T19:50:56.210-08:00

Almost done. Just some light sanding and staining.The drawer is a perfect fit.Because the tolerances are so tight, I made the drawer slides adjustable.The corner braces also came from Classic Designs by Matthew Burak.The only glue used was to secure the drawer face.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-14513153648589031122007-11-24T21:53:00.000-08:002007-11-24T23:13:04.045-08:00

I have an old bread board that I thought would make a nice writing table. I wanted a drawer in it, but I also wanted the drawer face to be the piece cut out for the hole. I'm sure many have figured this out before me, but it was a revelation for me.Yes, this is all the same piece of wood.Not wanting to make the legs I found some ready-made at Classic Designs by Matthew Burak.The aprons are from

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-42874170110151336182007-11-24T21:06:00.000-08:002007-11-24T21:51:53.284-08:00

Northwest Property Rights Coalition

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-9366410009864002972007-09-26T00:30:00.000-07:002007-09-26T22:49:07.358-07:00

On September 25th, I learned that a Palomar proposed route for a 36-inch natural gas pipeline would transect my 60-acre farm. It is hard to convey how upsetting this is in a way that will make others feel equally disturbed. I know this because, I will confess, when I thought the pipeline would travel two-miles to the west, I was not as upset. “Not in my back yard? No problem then.”

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-47729858903557774192006-12-05T18:04:00.000-08:002006-12-05T18:20:42.119-08:00

December 5, 2006, a day that shall live in famy. One year to the day after having the house go final, it is complete. Oh sure, there are a few little things here and there, but the house as originally conceived is done. Now to start the improvements, and a few repairs ;->

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-49892660807806579462006-12-02T08:53:00.000-08:002006-12-05T08:58:14.567-08:00

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-55677824579418154152006-11-27T21:58:00.000-08:002006-11-27T21:59:43.494-08:00

one-hundredth post

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-22664341737465163172006-11-12T21:47:00.000-08:002006-11-12T21:52:26.069-08:00

The window trim was built as a frame and mounted with screws. The holeswere then covered with oak plugs, mimicking the oak pegs in the timber frame.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1162879461771096932006-11-06T21:52:00.000-08:002006-11-12T21:46:46.478-08:00

I don't like heights. Well, not heights so much as edges. So when the time arrived for me to put the ceiling in I was a bit hesitant. I'm also not one who has any interest in overcoming my fears. I didn't think of this as a character building exercise. Thus, in the photo you will see essentially a second (and third) floor scaffold created to reduce the sense of exposure. The first level

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1162786492993934112006-11-05T20:00:00.000-08:002006-11-12T21:32:07.975-08:00

Every farmer needs a cool ride with some personal touchesI painted the fire extinguisher JD green and mounted on the left.This found item is apparently a motorcycle repairkit housing. Painted green and mounted right.There is NO storage space on a stock compact tractor, but havingspare parts when down in the field can save a long walk. Thiswas the smallest box I could find...in yellow.The stock

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1160161646601607192006-10-06T11:57:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:07.852-08:00

One problem I had to solve was where would any emergency, pressure release or leak overflow from the hot water tank in the ceiling go? I had a custom tray made for it with an outlet fitting. But the tank is located right on the cieling and there was no way to slope it to the outside. So, using a brass through-hole fitting, I discharge any water through the ceiling and let it drip into the

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1160160762858297022006-10-06T11:37:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:07.723-08:00

I hate putting up trim. That is, I thought I hated it. I'd hated it before and I had procrastinated doing it all summer. But with the extended good weather I had run out of reasons not to tackle it. A big difference this time was that I would have to "make" the trim from salvaged, rough boards. As it turns out these turned out to be mostly old cedar. It was a pleasure to run the boards

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1160158949926189672006-10-06T11:17:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:07.569-08:00

My sister and her family gave me this bell as a housewarming gift despite my stated desire to receive only items that are readible, edible or charitable ever again. Nonetheless, I admit it is quite attractive even if extravagent. I didn't hang it until now because I didn't like the metal hook it came with. I had planned to have one made, but I saw a similar bell at the Japanese garden in

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1160120479762947902006-10-06T00:36:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:07.280-08:00

Well phase one anyway. The gap under the sink will likely get a curtain. The gap between the drawer units is sized for a dishwasher which I will not install. Instead I plan a pull-0ut island. The stove, some year, may be surrounded by a bar or at least something to make it more attractive. But it's in and functions very well. One thing I noticed, having all open shelving, is how much of the

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1160119235711188202006-10-06T00:18:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:06.939-08:00

To keep hunters and others off my new road, I installed a new gate. Salvaged electrical poles are stout, but the 16-foot gate could be cut with a good steak knife. It looks imposing, and that's enough...I hope.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1160118112857768992006-10-05T23:54:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:06.800-08:00

Until now I had to bring hay out of my field through my neighbor's field. Even to get my tractor down to mow or do other maintenance or restoration meant a big detour next door. I'd planned to have the road meander down from the old trailer site. In fact across the back corner. Now, with the trailer gone, the next step could be taken.Joe makes fast progress on his new D5.Joe, a local heavy

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1160114484372242312006-10-05T22:56:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:06.492-08:00

Every legitimate cabin needs a screen door leading out to a porch. Here's mine created from a nice piece of old cedar reclaimed from the property. Like the other doors it was made by Mountain View Door & Window in Scappoose. The screen is bronze. Although it doesn't have a spring, it closes with that summer camp sound.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1159248443526499772006-08-02T20:02:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:06.258-08:00

Zupa peers out from the pile of wood.DAY 1I first saw him under some planks I was moving to make room for some firewood racks. I had retrieved 3 piles of scrap lumber from the barn deconstruction and heaped them at the foot of the driveway with some other scraps. Now as I committed to the task of cutting, splitting and stacking the material, I lifted the oldest, sun-bleached board from the

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1160120892068334732006-08-01T00:41:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:07.424-08:00

I thought I might use ceramic, electric fence insulators salvaged from the property as drawer pulls. They were a bit too long. I tried cutting one on my tile saw, but it was such a nerve-wracking experience I gave it up after just one. I settled for these off-the-shelf ones from Home Depot. Solid metal though.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1160120071536937232006-07-08T00:25:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:07.117-08:00

Another idea I had for the kitchen was streamlining the dish wash-dry-store cycle by combining the last two steps for day-to-day dishes. I built it out of scrap cedar in an open way, mimicking a wood Ikea dishrack I've had for years.The slat allow water to drip onto the large drainboard of the kitchen sink, found on the property.The rack works well, but I have in mind a few modifications for a

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1160114081733725652006-07-04T19:52:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:06.391-08:00

Good ridance.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1149322224883244642006-06-03T00:53:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:05.933-08:00

It's not a bomb, but don't try to take it on an aeroplane. It's more like an "Improvised Pumping Device." This mess is the inside of the control system for the uphill pump. Until now I've had to manually plug in the water pump that pumps water from the 300 gallon holding tank to the 3000 gallon storage tanks. With this system the pump will wait until the holding tank is full, automatically

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1148620473682187432006-05-25T22:08:00.001-07:002006-11-12T21:32:05.802-08:00

Meryl ties down load #4.The trailer never looked so good.Roof by Frank Gehry.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1147910942480187512006-05-17T17:06:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:05.564-08:00

I've been using my solar system for some months now, but I haven't been approved to sell power back to the utility. Today I was approved to grid-tie the system. The first such installation for West Oregon Electric Co-op (WOEC). On this sunny afternoon my meter immediately started running backward, generating 1 kilowatt. I'll never make money at the current rates or number of panels, but it

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1147910771142696322006-05-17T17:03:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:05.454-08:00

As the old manufactured home starts on its path to disposal, I'm reminded of the saying, "beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes to the bone."

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1147820469349217742006-05-16T15:56:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:05.317-08:00

One more experimental feature of the house is to take an ordinary fridge, but put it inside an insulated box that is directly connected to the outside. For this purpose I intentionally located the fridge on the north wall.The two white boxes are Panasonic passive air vents. I eventually discarded the covers to get 1/2"addtional depth.The inlet and outlet covers on the exterior wall.The fridge

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1147820112889304392006-05-16T15:49:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:05.171-08:00

The drawers are in less faces.The space in the middle is 24". The right size for a dishwasher, but I will put in a smallrollout, butcher block island.It's so nice working with trued equipment. These drawers were a dream to make. Made to thespecifications, they fit first time. Made of reclaimed wood, with plywood bottoms.The garbage/recycling bin is about 2' x 2' x 2' and hold four small bins.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1144132393986867302006-04-03T23:18:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:05.013-08:00

The kitchen is starting to come together.The two cabinets are made entirely from scrap and reclaimed wood. It's embarrassingto have a shop space as big as the rest of the house, but damn it's nice to have a shop.Still need to make the drawers, but it's great to have a counter at the right heightafter 3 years. Top is a maple butcher block, backsplash is new maple. 24" gap inthe middle is sized

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1141543610532685902006-03-04T23:08:00.000-08:002006-11-12T21:32:04.873-08:00

While waiting on some items to finish the kitchen cabinets I moved on to work on some workbenches for the basement shop. These benches are to be built almost exclusively from scrap. Since most of the scrap I have is cedar, it will have to do. Not usually a good choice for tough use situations, this cedar makes up for it with its comodious dimensions.Workbench frame gets lagged together in a

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1140515684666067112006-02-21T01:44:00.000-08:002006-11-12T21:32:04.743-08:00

I thought I needed a venting system for the stove, but it turns out not to be a requirement. Some pet peeves about kitchen vent fans:NoisyObtrusiveNoisyThis one is custom made. The grill is from Detroit or someplace, and the frame by my local stainless shop. The fan is a Panasonic 350 CFM. The thing is slim, elegant, and quiet as a snoring mouse, but under some or all conditions it will

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1140515075105478372006-02-21T01:42:00.000-08:002006-11-12T21:32:04.648-08:00

There is a lot of required signage for a solar system. This isn't some of it. I just hadfun putting these up. My neighbors think these will make good targets during huntingseason. A bullseye on the danger sign will likely take out the inverter.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1140514916074035942006-02-21T01:32:00.000-08:002006-11-12T21:32:04.536-08:00

I'll admit I may be taking this part too far. I specifically designed the kitchen to have several features:The stove would be in the middle of the house for even heat distribution.The sink would share a wall with the bathroom plumbing (an old-fashioned idea).And the fridge would be in its own box on the north wall, and coupled to the outside.Mini-room for the fridge makes use of space below.Thus

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1140514303961218412006-01-01T01:26:00.000-08:002006-11-12T21:32:04.427-08:00

Sometime between Christmas and New Year the commuinty development elves came and moved my street number from in front of the old trailer. This wasn't initially obvious as the street number contains some secret, emergency response coordinate system. It is also designed to accommodate some future carving up of this farmland into 1/8-acre plots and the necessary 5-digit house numbers. Fortunately

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1135061696279645142005-12-19T22:40:00.000-08:002006-11-12T21:32:04.299-08:00

The house is performing well. During a recent cold spell, the house would drop from 70 F to 62 F overnight with no heat source despite exterior temperatures in the 18 F range. I'm heating with wood scraps left over from construction. Mostly cedar. I estimate I could heat the house with one cord, and certainly not more than two cords in a season. Other houses of similar size in the area might

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1135060799673072002005-12-19T22:32:00.000-08:002006-11-12T21:32:04.184-08:00

The pantry is to be fitted between studs in the kitchen wall.Framing is made from old cedar and treated with linseed oilgiving it its dark patina.In keeping with the open plan of the house, the pantry is openand accessible.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1134374037790886752005-12-05T11:50:00.000-08:002006-11-12T21:32:04.070-08:00

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1130642028027394052005-10-29T20:01:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:03.952-08:00

Step-by-step, one small piece at a time the system comes together. The special quick connects came in, but one wire ended up too short, and so I have another on order. Nonetheless, the panels all were producing 70 volts per series pair. They are now wired into the DC breaker panel.The panels covered for safety. There is no way to turn them off, sowhen the sun shines they are "hot" and can

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1130640254284147932005-10-19T19:21:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:03.824-08:00

I told the inspectors I wouldn't be back until Wednesday afternoon, but when I arrived I found 3 yellow sheets of paper stuffed in my front door jamb. I failed my final inspection on 3 counts. The inspector couldn't enter the building. There needs to be 3' of flat runnout at the bottom of the stairs, and some of the gravel had sunk down a bit. Lack of adequate hold-down on the porch roof.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1129600286584490172005-10-17T18:38:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:03.701-08:00

Today I finally got to put the panels up...or rather down. The rack system I bought from Uni-rac, "the leaders in the industry," but it had some issues. The panels have legs to raise them to the requisite angle, but it's not really possible to install the panels on the raised rack. Here's why: The panels themselves provide the third arm of the triangle. Without the panels in place there is no

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1129599521600131402005-10-14T18:33:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:03.593-08:00

I've started working on the solar system. It's not really a good time of year to be doing solar, but I've had the panels for over 2 years now, and I'm interested to put it all together. Besides, it does add a battery backup component, which is a good thing to have during winter storms.On the left (gray boxes) is the AC side. On the right is the start of theDC (solar) side.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1129599173455402802005-10-10T18:24:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:03.472-08:00

There was a bit of a delay waiting for new cedar planks to cover the back wall. We ran out of salvaged, cedar barn planks, but it was amazing that we got 3 sides done in old wood.Jordon (top) and Jason put the final plank in place.The back (north) wall gives a sense of what the house would have lookedlike if it had all been done in new wood. Dull, uniform, and lacking incharacter.The final house

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1129598560568952492005-10-01T18:18:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:03.365-08:00

It finally got cool enough to try baking bread. The results were quite good, but the house got quite warm.It takes a small inferno to get the oven to 450 F (Photo: Alice Brawley-Chesworth)

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1126150037375827312005-09-07T20:23:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:03.149-08:00

The south porch is covered.The house looks like it has been there for 40 years.Extreme eastern view.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1126150238732210242005-09-05T20:27:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:03.260-08:00

I finished installing the front and rear porch lights and the rear handrail. This completes my tasks prior to final inspection. As soon as the porch roof and siding are done, I will call for final inspection. Even though I've been living in the house for over 6 weeks now, completing these last couple of items was a big relief.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1125726641244357422005-09-02T22:47:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:03.044-08:00

West side complete.South face nears completion.If you squint you can see the finished house.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1125726452615293232005-09-02T22:42:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:02.922-08:00

I like it in the dark, ask any of my friends. That's why I hadn't really planned for front and rear porch lights. I thought I would put them in after final and after some experience living in the house. No dice. Front and rear lights are required, I think because of the associated stairways.Thus I was forced to tackle the problem early. It involved removing a couple of panels and figuring how to

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1125540091374451212005-08-31T18:59:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:02.683-08:00

Progress continues. It looks as if there is enough salvaged cedar siding to cover the west, south and most of the east sides.Board-by-board the exterior skin spreads. .

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1125539573046737752005-08-29T18:49:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:02.449-08:00

Among the handful of items needed to final the house is the need for "grippable" handrails. The grippable standard is pretty tight, and the 2x4 top rail on the stairs didn't cut it. So here is my solution.Round rail meets code.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1125539966449291262005-08-23T18:52:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:02.574-08:00

Hay season is over and the porch roof starts. It is made from the aluminum roofing salvaged from the nearby barn that we dismantled 2 years ago. Looks like we have plenty of material. Combined with the old siding the house has a weathered look as if it has been on the land for years.Jordan and Jason confer..The first section of porch roof nears completion.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1125540507920348802005-08-17T19:05:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:02.797-08:00

Hay season ended and work resumed on the house. Jordan places a board up high..Jason cuts a board while Jordan takes a break.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1125539353130139522005-08-10T18:44:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:02.359-08:00

Around mid-July hay season began and work on the exterior of the house ceased. In the meantime I did more work on the watershed, completing the exterior paneling and framing up two of the four barn-style doors.Water shed as it sat for over a year.The water shed (background) missing a door

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1123427815032927892005-08-02T08:14:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:02.250-08:00

View from the deck at sunrise.Morning light in the living room.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1122057580722613112005-07-22T11:37:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:02.136-08:00

I arose this morning to the sound of rain. Padded across the wood floor, over the tile and into the kitchen. I lit a fire in the stove, and threw in a few chunks of wood. While the water heated up, I ground coffee by hand in the coffee mill. About 30 minutes later the coffee was perking, and soon after I had my first cup of coffee accompanied by English muffins toasted directly on the stove

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1122057419366543972005-07-22T11:32:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:02.025-08:00

I carried him by hand in the cat carrier the 200 yards to the new house, and set him down in the living room. He quickly emerged and checked the permiter several times, howling all the while. He returned to his cage as if it were some magical portal, and if he only went through it again, he would return whence he came.Fang quickly finds a sunny spot. After a while I left him. When I returned

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1122057090107677532005-07-20T11:25:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:01.918-08:00

Today I got a verbal okay to move in. There is a short checklist of items to complete before final, but for now I will never sleep in the old manufactured home again.It's a year and one month to the day since groundbreaking, but really over two-years since I embarked on this project. I celebrate by spending the evening on my new porch. For an instant I thought I saw a forest fire or an

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1122056718273480502005-07-19T11:17:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:01.810-08:00

Today I found out that my water tested potable. I'd been drinking it for a week anyway, after having shock treated the lines with chlorine and then activated the UV light. You've got to have faith.Always willing to try new suppliers, I chose Coffey Labs in Portland lab instead of the usual one used around here, Alexin. Maybe Coffey is used to dealing with professionals who don't need a lot

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1122055713214287672005-07-15T11:06:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:01.698-08:00

Finished with a 4:1 mix of linseed oil and turpentine.View from above. View from above. View from above.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1121044012434873712005-07-10T18:02:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:01.588-08:00

These photos don't convey the amount of color variation in the boards. They range from a red like redwood, to as dark and smooth as walnut. They are all quite distressed, especially on the outside wall edge with plenty of worm holes. Not much sign of termites or powder beatles. I wonder if I'll hear chewing at night? View from above. All but one of the planks is 12" in width.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1121043765114491452005-07-07T17:47:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:01.473-08:00

The flooring I've put down thus far came from the shop and the process of recovering them is already detailed in one of my blog entries. Planing a board down that much (1/2") to dimensional size is hard on the equipment, inefficient and time-consuming. Most people are familiar with the handheld box planes used to shave a few curls of wood off of a door edge to get it to fit. Even then,

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1120538210034563792005-07-04T21:34:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:01.369-08:00

These stairs are as steep as legally possible in Clatsop County.The bathroom door is 28" wide made from fir and old-growth cedar.Finished with boiled linseed oil.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1120538041602530912005-07-04T21:32:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:01.269-08:00

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1120537812392846782005-07-04T21:18:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:01.156-08:00

The flooring is started. It is the floor salvaged from the shop on the north east corner of the property that my brother Paul and I took down two years ago. The planks are 8", 10" and a few 12" in width, and up to 16-feet long. I planed them down from 2" thick to 1-1/2". If I had it to do over I would have them milled in half, yielding two 1" planks and exposing the cleaner center. The floor

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1120031876164088522005-06-29T00:51:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:01.062-08:00

The house starts to take on it's final look as the board and batten is applied. The boards are 1-inch thick, old cedar salvaged from barns taken down two years ago on the property. The battens are new, and we likely won't be able to cover the whole house in old cedar. Jason decends the stairs after putting up another board.PIt's all coming together. The house presents many unusual details to the

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1120031468926771232005-06-29T00:40:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:00.951-08:00

Another milestone today, fire. This is my brand new Czech wood buring cookstove. Right now it sits in the open, but I intend, over time, to surround it with a bar on the back, and some sort of counter on the sides. I hooked it up, put a few cedar chips in and presto, heat. It was only a test, but I was truly excited beyond words to know that with near certainty I will spend next winter warm,

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1119325202027559242005-06-20T20:28:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:00.845-08:00

I wasn't sure what I was getting into when I decided to "peg" every balluster to the railing, but when I tried to conceive of how the railing should look, it was the only solution that I could see. As it turns out, once the jigs were up and running I went from making 2 sections in two days to 5 in one day to 6 on the last day. Pounding the hundreds of pegs in proved to be almost a sublime

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1118473693364169302005-06-11T23:01:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:00.475-08:00

Last night, for the first time in two years in my own domicile, I took a hot, pressurized shower in a clean well lighted bathroom. It was made the more thrilling being illicit (not supposed to be "living" there until occupancy) and that the bathroom is lacking a door at this moment. Nonetheless, everything worked flawlessly. The water, coming as it does from the sky and not the ground, was soft

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1118624502996498282005-06-11T17:49:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:00.708-08:00

Much to my own surprise, this part is turning out to be one of the most rewarding elements of the project. I hadn't designed a railing system for the porch, but I knew I didn't like what I'd seen in magazines and books. The requirements are also pretty strict. The railing must be at least 36" high with no more than a 4" gap between ballusters (vertical rails). Inspired by the pegged joinery

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1118473434066662742005-06-10T23:03:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:00.357-08:00

The bathroom is complete. It is hard to photograph being about the minimum possible size for a bathroom with a tub at 5' x 7'. Here is the ingredients list: Matte white subway tile from Pratt and Larson, Portland, Oregon. Tub is a vintage, 1930s cast iron built-in. $75 used from the ReBuilding Center, Portland, Oregon Wall lamps circa 1930 from Hippo's, Portland, Oregon. $100 the pair.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1118473765070856482005-06-10T00:08:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:00.590-08:00

Some photos of progress on the interior up to the time of this post. Looking at the north half of the house (minus the den to the right). From left to right:front hall, bathroom, kitchen sink area, kitchen. All tiled. The front hall and door before the ceiling went in. 5" cedar tongue-and-groove (T&G), finishedwith linseed oil, drying on the porch. Looking at the hallway from the front hall

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1118473362834072762005-06-10T00:02:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:00.127-08:00

Here are a series of pictures taken in May till this posting capturing the tremendous progress on the deck. The deck is made from "rough," locally milled cedar (rough means that a 2x4 is actually 2" x 4" not 1-1/2 x 3-1/2).Jordan drives in one of the over 500, 4" stainless steel deck screws.The roof gleams.The porch roofline becomes visible.The rafters are the same 7 in 12 pitch as the roof.The

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1118473414488945692005-06-09T00:03:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:00.237-08:00

The front hall is the first room to be completed. The room is designed to be an airlock between the front door and the rest of the house where wet, muddy clothing can be removed. The tile is one of the few overseas imported elements in the house. They are made in Italy. It is a pattern of 5 colors (of which I used 4), 6x6" with distressed edges and uneven texture like slate. The four colors

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1112586319727404662005-04-03T20:42:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:31:59.891-08:00

Front door.Stacks of locally milled cedar.Fort Vesper.It's all downhill from here.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1111896993669653492005-03-26T20:15:00.000-08:002006-11-12T21:31:59.777-08:00

The milestones are coming fast and furious. Today I hooked up power to the house, and nothing blew up, no breakers tripped and the lights in the basement came on.I already had electricity to the little shed I built to house the solar equipment, and I had burried the 3" conduit the 100+ feet to the house. All I really needed was the wire to connect it. 200 amp service wire is big. Wire sizes

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1111367596482807562005-03-17T17:02:00.000-08:002006-11-12T21:31:59.683-08:00

We tried another strategy for the leaky, high-tech vent and chimney seals. We surmised that water must be backing up under the standing seam of the adjacent panel and so caulked the entire seam up to the ridge. This was done several weaks ago, but with no significant rain in months, there has been no real-world testing.But on the 16th and 17th we had a small amount of rain. Truth to tell I was

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1111364087602205472005-03-07T16:08:00.000-08:002006-11-12T21:31:59.561-08:00

Today was inspection day, and I passed with flying colors. Because it is such a long trek to get to my house from Astoria, the county seat, I try to group the inspections together. On the list today were: drain-waste-vent (DWV) final, plumbing and electrical rough-in, and the footings for the porch posts prior to pouring concrete. In essence I was asking to be able to cover up the interior walls

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1108966469536014522005-02-20T22:09:00.000-08:002006-11-12T21:31:59.458-08:00

The first section of gutter is up. Like the roof it is stainless steel. I first saw this half-round design with cast clips on youth hostel in California. I've wanted to use it ever since. The half clips blend well and maintain the clean lines of the rest of the sturcture. The half-round shape means plenty of fluid capicity with no place for debris to accumulate. The clips are aluminum and are

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1108966151524312192005-02-20T22:01:00.000-08:002006-11-12T21:31:59.351-08:00

The pumps and filters are all installed. This photo doesn't quite capture how spiffy the whole thing looks. From right to left:1. Water comes in from a 300 gallon holding tank that catches water off the roof. It is filtered by a 5 micron filter. 2. The water is then pumped back out and uphill to 3000 gallons of storage by a special, low-power Dankoff Slow Pump.3. Water returns from the tanks

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1108484633211189282005-02-15T07:59:00.000-08:002006-11-12T21:31:59.174-08:00

I am not a mouse.Before dawn, before the birds' song, before my first cup of coffee, I arose, donned my long underwear, thermal socks, and cashmere hat and exited my icy shack. Frost covered the windows, and the ground yielded underfoot like chilled cookie dough. As I traversed the 200-yard walk down to my bogged-down tractor, I noted with satisfaction that the standing water had formed into tiny

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1108350692627761042005-02-13T19:02:00.000-08:002006-11-12T21:31:59.077-08:00

It has been an abnormally dry year. While California and British Columbia got soaked, Oregon remained sunny and warm. But on the east side of my new house a river runs through it.On Friday afternoon, after the work crew had finished prep work on the porch footings, I decided I needed to really get after digging the new footing drain. Now that the porch footings were located I could see exactly

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1107834793152451532005-02-07T19:47:00.000-08:002006-11-12T21:31:58.944-08:00

I arrived back home from a trip to town just after noon to find the first, upper story, tall window had been installed. I didn't really want to inquire how. The windows are 3 feet x 6 feet, hefty and delicate. Nonetheless there they were. The first one was in and the opening for the second one, shrouded since September, was uncovered. The interior space came to life with the kind of light and joy

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1107834409407606482005-02-07T19:37:00.000-08:002006-11-12T21:31:58.852-08:00

The front and back doors are in. I have a key to the house. Adding some foam around them and sealing the windows make it start to really feel like home. The doors were made by Mountain View Window and Door of Scappoose, Oregon. I provided the material of 2"-thick, salvaged fir planks from the old shop. The interior doors are also made from salvaged fir, but have panels of solid cedar from the

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1107833129217388602005-02-07T19:17:00.000-08:002006-11-12T21:31:58.750-08:00

The roof was completed last week under dry weather. Since then Mother Nature has mocked our puny attempts at waterproofing. What is stainless steel and silicone compared to a tortoise shell or the fur of an otter? That's it, a fur roof! Jordan attaches the final piece of ridge cap. Finished Roof The roof leaks like water torture, in maddening, persistent drips, around the vent and

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1107413528488471002005-02-02T22:47:00.000-08:002006-11-12T21:31:58.653-08:00

I don't have time to write much about it now, nor time to post pictures, but today two great things happened: The roof is finally complete. The front and back doors are in. The last piece of the roof was screwed into place this morning. By noon my doors were on. Now I have a key to the new place. The weather continues to be suspiciously dry and clear, making the house seem even

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1106898755683499362005-01-27T23:44:00.000-08:002006-11-12T21:31:58.551-08:00

The four water tanks arrived last week, but I had to send 3 of them back. They were 1100 gallons instead of the 1000 gallon tanks I'd ordered. Not a big deal except that the two designs are radically different, the former being short and squat and the latter talll and skinny. The shed I'd built for the tanks accommodates only the taller skinner ones. Another error, from a different vendor,

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1106898271735589222005-01-27T23:36:00.000-08:002006-11-12T21:31:58.423-08:00

I would say that my mood is bouyant. Good things are happening daily, nay hourly. Most importantly the days are getting longer, warmer, and drier. If one were going to build a house in the winter in coastal Oregon, this was the year to do it. But even so December and January were mentally challenging. But now it's just a delight to go down and work on the house. The roof is on. Today the

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1105144143188037992005-01-07T16:12:00.000-08:002006-11-12T21:31:58.308-08:00

Nothing happened on the house between December 20th and today, January 7. It has been dark, wet and near freezing. The house, not being fully enclosed is not the most pleasant place to work. I will confess to some post-holiday reluctance to getting going again. Having spent the holiday in the warm bossom of my parent's home, with lots of hot water, mounds of food, and nothing really to do, I

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0