Here We Go Again
Hot dog, more work. There is no shortage of work right now. Plans for the next two weeks are detailed down to the last minute of each day. Hoping the weather does not change, the Planner has rounded up family and friends to expedite work. It all started with this simple delivery on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Have you figured out what was delivered?
Yup, you’ve guessed it. Sono tubing. Do you know what that means? More conex boxes. I know what you are thinking. Hot dog, HOME boxes. So exciting! I wish I could say you were right. But alas, these boxes are not home boxes. These are Work Boxes.
Since I no longer have a job (not thanking you Harvey) I was graciously offered to buy the family business. In order to work from home, we need workspace. Workspace means Work boxes. So yup, here we go again. More conex boxes. Wasting no time, on Wednesday before Turkey day, the Planner started on his detailed day to day agenda.
By now I would think you know the drill. Plots were plotted, lines were drawn, and the foundation was outlined. Unlike the last time, these lines were giving the Planner grief. Friday after Turkey day, the Sailor thinking the elevation machine was not working correctly brought over his trusty elevation reader from his work crew days back in the 70’s. It was retro fantastic. So simple . Unfortunately, even with both of the readers, the lines were not lining up.
Starting over fresh Saturday morning bright and early, all the stars were in the correct posting and the string lines aligned. What changed? What did we do differently? Nothing. It was the stars, I’m sure of it. No,wait. Line aliens.
Moving on. Sunday rebar was measured, cut, and bundled. Half for rebar cages, half for rebar feet.
Sunday afternoon is when the agenda hit the fan. It was just one simple word with enough power to knock a man for three days. Migraine. With the Planner out the Kid and I started on rebar chairs. Working so well the first time, the recycled plastic decking was used again. I cut and then measured for center and the Kid stacked them. Never without a dull moment with that one. Everything he sees is a building opportunity. Kinda went overboard on the amount. One less thing to make for the next set of footings.
Late Tuesday afternoon the Planner built a rebar former to help aide in making rebar cages. Made tying cages so much easier. Not necessarily faster, but so much easier. Not once was there the temptation to hurl the rebar cage across the storage box like last time. Okay, maybe once. Do you see the Planner’s face? His migraine was just off from full force. Lights were still too bright, sounds were still to loud, and movements were still too sluggish. Poor Planner. By Tuesday dinner, the migraine came back with a vengeance. Night, night Planner. See you in another three or four days.
Sometimes physical weight outweighs physical strength. To bend the rebar feet, the Planner needed a cheater tube. You know, leverage. For me to bend the rebar feet, I just needed me. Who knew my compacted weight would come in handy. Not believing I could get the bars straight without assistance, the Planner checked against the tractor forks. Passing inspection, I quickly made work of the rebar feet Monday.
With the Planner finally back on his feet today, he closed out two weeks worth of work with base plates. In case you don’t remember these plates are stuck into the concrete allowing a base to weld the metal forms. For whatever reason, the humidity, the lack of wind, the time of day, the welding of the bast plates created the most fantastic blue light and arc sparks.
With the majority of the prep work completed, now comes the real work. Holes. Lots and lots of holes.