A new project for us
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381760)
Rockingham, Australia
July 23, 2019 7:29pm CST
We have a new project on the go. You might remember I’ve written about the difficulty of getting our caravan in and out of our shed. We’ve decided to put in a steel beam across the opening. This will allow us to remove the middle post and give us a bit more manoeuvrability.
The whole exercise struck me as too big for us to do on our own. However, we got quotes from a structural firm and if we do it ourselves, it will cost much less than half what it would cost to have it done by a steel company.
So we’ve bought the steel and laid it out in the shed. You can see the lengths of the beams. We can lift one at a time but they’re quite heavy. The truss will be two beams with short cross-pieces welded to join them together.
We want Vince’s brother, an engineer to check out what we’re doing before we actually start welding. In the meantime we have some electrical cables and lights to shift. At 7 am tomorrow, we’ll be picking up some scaffolding and when we’re ready for the ‘big lift’, two friends will come to help lift the beam into position.
It’s a good feeling to have something to get our teeth into again.
19 people like this
20 responses
@ilocosboy (45155)
• Philippines
24 Jul 19
Well, that will keep busy again.
My chicken coop nest was finished (without the paint) and now the hens are laying their eggs there.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (381760)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Jul 19
That's great that the hens are used the nest already.
@JudyEv (381760)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Jul 19
@ilocosboy It is like a slap in the face when pets say 'No, I don't like what you've made me'. 
@ilocosboy (45155)
• Philippines
24 Jul 19
Yes, and I'm glad the chicken like it there.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128824)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jul 19
Good luck on your project, and I hope that everything works out well for you and Vince. It will be nice to have a much wider opening to get in and out of.
2 people like this
@psanasangma (7910)
• India
24 Jul 19
You are going to be busy! The projects seems big one. I can see lots of equipment
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (135583)
• Marion, Ohio
24 Jul 19
Hope the work goes smoothly. It is always a lot cheaper if you can do it yourself.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (381760)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Jul 19
Thanks very much. I'm sure we'll get it done although it may take a few days.
@FourWalls (86575)
• United States
24 Jul 19
I admire your ability to be able to do something like that on your own! I can barely spell "DIY," let alone participate in a project.
Good luck in everything, and I hope it turns out just like you want!
Good luck in everything, and I hope it turns out just like you want!2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
24 Jul 19
wonderful to've someone who can make certain y'all aint missin' somethin' prior to all that weldin'. i'm purty 'xcited fer y'all! know ya both seem to thrive'n these projects. that spark 'f somethin' new 'n useful. will certainly make gettin' that caravan in/out sooo much easier!
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
25 Jul 19
@JudyEv y'all jest need to come fer a visit 'n light a fire 'nder the fella here, lol. so glad such 'twas a go with no re-plannin'. bummer 'bout those drill bits. hope mr. vince finds suitable ones to tackle such a job.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381760)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Jul 19
@crazyhorseladycx We've achieved what we wanted to for today and we've found someone with a forklift type machine that will be able to lift and hold the heavy beam in place while we bolt it on. That will be an absolute godsend.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381760)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Jul 19
Thanks. We've done lots of things over the years so it's not too intimidating. However, the beam will be bl**dy heavy. And we have to get it to the top of the shed. But I'm sure we'll manage.
@JudyEv (381760)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Jul 19
Yes, we have done a lot of things together and some have been quite big. We know we can do this.
@Deepizzaguy (122070)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
24 Jul 19
Thank you for sharing this great story of your latest do it yourself project.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (381760)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Jul 19
We are looking forward to it being easier to get our caravan in and out of the shed.
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
24 Jul 19
It sounds like an excellent idea, great you have someone to check it out for you.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381760)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Jul 19
There is quite a few dollars tied up in this so we don't want to get to wrong. It's been 'approved' now so it's full steam ahead.
@changjiangzhibin89 (17239)
• China
24 Jul 19
Happily you get a few of people to help you,especially it involves shifting the electrical cables and lights .
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381760)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Jul 19
True. He can make sure we are going about it the right way.
@JudyEv (381760)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Jul 19
We don't want to get it wrong so it would be a very expensive mistake. Mick is coming out in the morning to give us the once-over.
