Building Studio Deck Part 3, Melon Garden, Speaker Box Build, Summer Squash - Monday
Bright and clear morning yesterday to start what turned into our hottest day of the year so far at 92F by the afternoon. I'm really happy with how the A/C units are fairing at keeping the house comfortable and they don't seem to have to work too hard.
Back working on the deck I first cut all the decking boards to length which meant taking up to an inch off of them to get down to 16 feet exactly. Once they were cut I laid them out and found that 2 of the 2x6s were quit a bit taller than the rest which made the decking bow over the top of them. Each was 5 3/4" instead of the 5 1/2" of the rest. I went to the wood pile and found one of the 10 footers that was the right size and cut it to length.
I was able to slide the too tall ones out and the correct ones in with little trouble.
Then I got to start installing the decking. The first piece was a little funky as I wanted it flush against the building but had to press it in in a few spots to get it fully contact. The subsequent boards were able to feather out the slight unevenness pretty effectively.
It was a little after 11 am and I was racing the oncoming sunshine. It was already hot and the fan did wonders to keep the mosquitoes at bay and the heat from being too oppressive.
I got the last piece on a little after 11:30 am then headed down to the house for a little break.
Feeling like a glutton for punishment I headed back up after eating and got to work on the fascia boards. I put on the one end board which helps keep the decking in place but then I realized that I had to build all of my railing supports before I could install the rest of the fascia.
So I set about figuring out how I was going to make it work. So as not to reduce the available space on the deck I built my supports out. I have 5 posts for the railing and it will run the full length of the entrance side and 2/3 of the front side.
The corner was a bit funky to make work and I used a bunch of deck screws to make it as solid as I could.
I was able to spend a lot of my time at the saw under the shad of the juneberry bush which helped since I couldn't run the saw and fan at the same time. I got the other 2 supports installed on the front then I was able to cut all the pieces for the fascia which ended up being a lot.
I needed short decking pieces for the top of each which I spaced and then screwed down in the middle where the post will hide the screws once installed. I then cut all the little pieces of the fascia and installed them all with a couple of screws, hiding them where I could.
It was a fairly tedious task but I did get a few easier bits where I could make 6 of the dame length cuts instead of each individual lengths.
It was 3pm and I had the decking all finally installed with all my supports and fascia finished. I had gotten a text to check my irrigation at the melon garden so I ran up with R to fix a leak in one line and to set my timer again. I ran the irrigation for a half hour then headed home.
I cleaned off the deck and moved all my tools back to the shed. I left some that will be needed for the railing install. I also still have to build stairs for both sides, but will just put the old ones back up for temporary.
I have been trying to figure out how I want to build a speaker box with some speakers I have had lying around for years. Two 6 inch subs and two 4 inch 2 ways. I found a piece of OSB that will fit them and have been looking at the layout off and on when I am in the shed. With the deck done I took some time for something for myself and at least got the face built and the speakers mounted and tested.
I drew my circles then cut them out with the jigsaw. Mounted the speakers and wired them then tested on my shop stereo. Unfortunately my old stereo is missing a channel so only the left works but the 4 speakers are pretty loud for being free air. I am going to build a box for the back and am probably going to make a sealed box.
Once @stryeyz was home from work and we had gone to see the deck we then went to see the rooster that I had to "quarantine". It was getting picked on and hid under the studio deck for so long it was weak so I have it in a fenced area with food and water for just it and so the other roosters aren't beating it up. On the way back to the house I saw the first summer squash about to open flowers. They should be open today and I should have the first ones to harvest by this time next week.
Soaking felt really good on my rather sore body.
Today I have to get the cooler cleaned up and ready since we are going to be butchering this weekend and need the cold storage. The grass has to get cut since I haven't done it yet, my clothes are hanging on the line to dry already, I need to get stuff together for scouts camping on Thursday, and I have some tree branches to trim back from the structures.
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Gab
I have been unemployed for 8 months and am disabled. It's been hard finding a job and being in the right frame of mind and physical ability to maintain one when I've had one.
How do I grow as a person and learn how to be successful and self-sufficient enough to begin to plot towards owning a family farm and raising my family there, supplying enough food and material comfort as needed and being active in cultivating both our farm family and our values?
I think the most important part is to have the desire then comes the focus. Read everything you can about self sufficiency, homesteading, and farming. Then practice as much of it as you can. I learn from everyone around me, many times just by seeing the outcome of a project or design that I then apply in my own way to my farm. Don't look at what someone else does and try to copy it, make it your own and don't expect perfection. Not knowing your level of disability I can only say that there are a lot of disabled gardeners and farmers in some fashion that are able to do well for themselves and their families. The other big part is having a family that is on the same page and wants the same things.
Hope this helps some.
Deck is looking real good. The squash too
That deck looks wonderful! What a nice job! And cool about speakers for yourself. :))
Nice job on the deck. It looks great.