How's your day been?

The black cabinet is what is going to be replaced with the new box. I had the neighbors lawn guy help me get it out of the truck and set it on the ground.
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And the new box is in place, it matches the other box. The brown Kennedy hang on box in the middle is just for hardware, it's, bolts, washers etc.
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The craftsman top box I purchased new about 1979. I was a 19 year old punk kid working in a moped shop as a mechanic. Back then there wasn't to many guys doing that kind of work.
 
I enjoyed the video but was a bit surprised by footage. Very few ash trees shown with the birds, none with the wasp. They had White oak, beech (assume American), black birch, a hickory, a pine, a larch, an aspen, paper birch and lots of soft maple. Would have been great if they had more ash trees with the smaller birds and wasp. Still, all in all, great video and information.
YouTuber short cuts using stock B roll footage….
 
Pretty much have the forms done. I still have some dirt to shovel out in some high spots.
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The cross boards are just set in loose so i can move them as needed while I pour the concrete. Ill be mixing my own. The days of me hustling to wheelbarrow concrete in and get it finished are behind me. Mixing my own I can work at my own pace. I'll rent a mixer. I estimate this at 36 bags. Probably a 2 day job for me.
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You do what you feel you need to, but, I would recommend renting a regular concrete mixer and make sure you have a contractor wheelbarrow.
My stepson rented one of those machines you mentioned and was very disappointed with it.
 
My wife and I got some good news Sunday, the condo we have been leasing sold and we have to be out by the 29th of this month, hallelujah.
Now for the really good news we won't be homeless, we actually own a home in Georgia so we will pack up what little bit we have have here and put it with all of our other stuff in Georgia. Now the even better news is I'll just be a few steps from my shop instead of 320 miles.
The even better thing is now I can bug ole Tim from across the street.
 
You do what you feel you need to, but, I would recommend renting a regular concrete mixer and make sure you have a contractor wheelbarrow.
My stepson rented one of those machines you mentioned and was very disappointed with it.
Thanks for the advice, much appreciated. I ended up just purchasing a cement mixer so I could do the work slowly. It's getting really hot here and I dont do well in the heat. Plus my back is aging faster than me. So slow and steady is my way of working now. I'm just trying to save some money and not over think this. It's just small concrete slabs that will form a walkway. They will probably outcast me, it's just cement. I have slowed way down as I age, I have accepted it. I can still do the work but much slower and with more breaks now. It's OK with me, I still feel blessed. Retirement is good.
 
My wife and I got some good news Sunday, the condo we have been leasing sold and we have to be out by the 29th of this month, hallelujah.
Now for the really good news we won't be homeless, we actually own a home in Georgia so we will pack up what little bit we have have here and put it with all of our other stuff in Georgia. Now the even better news is I'll just be a few steps from my shop instead of 320 miles.
The even better thing is now I can bug ole Tim from across the street.
Congrats! Sounds like your plan is coming together! So nice to be close to your shop! Chuck
 
Got an Allen wrench in my brand new tires. Of course any tire shop will tell you it's 2 close to the sidewall and they can't repair it. I purchased these at Sam's club and there is a warranty on them so a new tire is on order.
So I plugged it so I can drive it until the new tire comes in. I did feel that it's still in the steel cords so it would probably hold forever. I'll keep this tire for a spare.
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Got an Allen wrench in my brand new tires. Of course any tire shop will tell you it's 2 close to the sidewall and they can't repair it. I purchased these at Sam's club and there is a warranty on them so a new tire is on order.
So I plugged it so I can drive it until the new tire comes in. I did feel that it's still in the steel cords so it would probably hold forever. I'll keep this tire for a spare.
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I’ve repaired many a tire in days of old. Well before the 2” limitations they have now. Can’t believe an allen wrench could do any damage! Chuck
 
You do what you feel you need to, but, I would recommend renting a regular concrete mixer and make sure you have a contractor wheelbarrow.
My stepson rented one of those machines you mentioned and was very disappointed with it.
If you use the mud mixer machine, remember to use the brand of premix that Lowe's sells. The competing brand doesn't pass through the machine properly.
 
It's hot and in the 80s here, heading to 90. I picked up 24 bags of concrete before it got to hot this morning.
2,000 lbs loaded behind the axle squated the truck pretty good. But I only had to go 3 miles and she handled it well. Someday I'll get the air bags I have for it installed. Lol.
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Unloaded and restacked.
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Placed close to the work area.
20260610_121407.webp Now I can take my time and work at my own pace in the mornings before it gets too hot. I'll probably need another 12 to 15 bags.
 
Well today i started the concrete work, mixing and spreading. 20260611_105500.webp
The mixer worked excellent once I figured out how much water to use for 2 bags.
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First slab was the bigest, 6x3.
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I made todays goal of 3 slabs. 20 bags of concrete mixed and poured. It was a hot humid day.
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Once these cure I'll pull the inside forms and use the new slabs as forms for the last 2. I'll need to pick up 8 more bags.
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We are supposed to have thunderstorms after 11 tonight. I hope the concrete is set up enough by then. Last slab was poured and finished at 4, so that would be 7 hours.
 
Well today i started the concrete work, mixing and spreading.View attachment 289653
The mixer worked excellent once I figured out how much water to use for 2 bags.
View attachment 289654
First slab was the bigest, 6x3.
View attachment 289655
I made todays goal of 3 slabs. 20 bags of concrete mixed and poured. It was a hot humid day.
View attachment 289656
Once these cure I'll pull the inside forms and use the new slabs as forms for the last 2. I'll need to pick up 8 more bags.
View attachment 289657
We are supposed to have thunderstorms after 11 tonight. I hope the concrete is set up enough by then. Last slab was poured and finished at 4, so that would be 7 hours.
Why risk it? I'd staple a tarp up being it is wooden siding.
 
Well today i started the concrete work, mixing and spreading.View attachment 289653
The mixer worked excellent once I figured out how much water to use for 2 bags.
View attachment 289654
First slab was the bigest, 6x3.
View attachment 289655
I made todays goal of 3 slabs. 20 bags of concrete mixed and poured. It was a hot humid day.
View attachment 289656
Once these cure I'll pull the inside forms and use the new slabs as forms for the last 2. I'll need to pick up 8 more bags.
View attachment 289657
We are supposed to have thunderstorms after 11 tonight. I hope the concrete is set up enough by then. Last slab was poured and finished at 4, so that would be 7 hours.
We all pretty much know that rain is pretty rare here in Arizona. So, about 8 years ago,I decided I would add on the the very small slab I poured a few years prior to create a full sized 2 car parking spot, plus a concrete ramp for the back deck cuz I knew that someday I might need it. Weather was typical June/July weather, warm, clouds and that could continue for weeks before the clouds generated rain.
I looked at tomorrows weather, no rain predicted, but lots of clouds. So, the concrete truck arrives on time, 7 am, the sky looks pretty bad, but It don't rain in Arizona I said. After the truck dumped about 2/3 of it's load, I felt a few drops. After the truck dump all the concrete and left, about 10 minutes later, the sky opened up and dropped a million gallons of water on my projects I had going. At about 2pm, the rain finally stopped
Today, the pad is flat, but looks like the concrete was leveled off with a screed and not messed with anymore. The ramp is pretty rough, level and you'll never have to worry about slipping on if it ever iced up.
Watch out for that rain, Tic. ................ Nubs
 
We got a little rain about 1:00 in the morning, line of storms passed thru but it was mostly light. Concrete had already set up pretty good so no damage. It will actually slow the cure time which is a good thing.
 
It's looking pretty good. No damage from the rain. I'll probably mist it again this afternoon. 20260612_103013.webp
 
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