Javier Unzueta shares his love of woodcraft. Primarily using the CNC Router to create custom creations, Javi will share his projects to fellow wood enthusiasts or for those who just enjoy a good video.
I’m sorry. I never made plans for it. Just slapped together a bunch of 2x4’s as a frame. I took into account the inner dimensions to include space for 2 2x4’s to be used as a rail. Then I simply attached the auger to more 2x4,s to slide on the two opposing rails. The auger and wood attached to the handle slips in from the bottom onto the rails. (Actually, I turn it sideways to slide it in.) after it’s in the frame, I attach the winch to the eyelet on the contraption. The winch is simply mounted on a couple 2x4’s. It’s not a pretty design. Just practical.
Luckily, the only roots I had were grass and vine roots the first 6 inches. Occasionally, I would hit a root deeper than that, but they were smaller ones. In the event that a large root was in my way, (as in the case of the bamboo roots, I had near the lake) there would be a lot of bouncing from the machine, but the auger would eventually tear through most of them. If it ever got stuck, I would turn off the post hole digger manually reverse the auger as I pull it up with the lift. For me it was never an issue, but then again, Central Florida is the home of sandy soil and clay so there’s that.
Easily half a million dollars without exaggeration. Of my original contractor estimates, the least expensive was $675,000 for the build. I’ve spent in the $150,000 range thus far and expect to spend another 10-20k but it’s completion.
I got to say Javi. Every time I check in to see the progress I’m impressed. To build this entire house by yourself is a huge undertaking. How much money do you think you’ve saved?
Ha! Thank you for the advice. Already got numerous estimates. The least expensive was $12,000 for the drywall alone (about $30 a sheet fully installed. ) just about every ceiling panel has 3-4 penetrations for lights/registers/etc. I have numerous low voltage and various other cables making the labor quite costly. In addition, you can’t find competent labor here in central Florida unless you overpay and take them from all the construction going on in the Villages. I’ve been a GC for 30 years and am familiar with the labor costs. Frankly, I’m really enjoying the work so not only do I not have the $12k for the labor, but the whole point of this exercise to build the house myself. I’ve designed the house, pulled the permit, excavated, did the formwork, rebar, laid the blocks, raised lintels, trusses, sheathing, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, underpayment, window/door install, stucco, paint, interior walls and now that I’m getting to what I consider the fun part (drywall and finish work). To date, my one man build has saved me in excess of $422,000 in labor and still counting. The going rate I’d between $150-$165 psd to build a house. I’m currently at $32 psd. At 6,800 sf, that’s a lot of mortgage I never have to pay! Free and clear. Check off my bucket list. And the small bit of pride that I did it all myself. It feels great!
Locator is Calculated Industries 8105 Blind Mark Drywall Electrical Box Locator Tool - Powerful Rare-Earth Magnetic Targets (3) and Locator Kit a.co/d/fbln4D2 And the other tool is called Grabo. Grabo Pro Electric Vacuum Suction Cup Lifter 375# Max Load Tile Heavy Lifting Tool with Automatic Turn On/Off Pump Function Digital Display Li-ion Battery Portable / FREE GLOVES a.co/d/gOqhIWi I got both on Amazon.
Yes!!! I’m so glad that’s all done. I’m tired of the excess ladder climbing. This part should proceed considerably faster even though there is 3x as much in area.
Not at all on both counts. My businesses are operating fine without me as I’m semi retired and This is full time job until the house is done. I’m saving over half a million dollars in subcontractors, contractor and labor costs by doing this on my own. All will be explained in detail after the place is done and I edit all the months of raw footage to a nice chronological show. As far as making money in this. No way. Been there. Was a contractor for years. What I’m doing now is pure cheap yet experienced labor. I have made money doing this in the past and am way past continuing. I’ve saved my nest egg and paid my dues. And while it seems that I enjoy the process, I only do because it’s for my family. If it was for a career, I could think of a couple dozen other jobs and businesses that make more with far less effort. Nope. Not for me. It would take all the fun out of it!
lol. If I was (by the sheet) I’d starve. Of course, they wanted to charge me $30 per sheet to install. I’m averaging $240 a day. Lousy speed for a laborer, but on par for an overweight 58 year old working on high ceilings in his own house.
Hey Javi. The house is really coming along. I noticed that you had a little difficulty with the drywall lift. I think your problem is because the crank wheel is not extended out like it's supposed to be. It looks like you have it straight up and down, where it's supposed to be angled. The crank wheel is supposed to be about a foot or so away from the center pole.
Thanks. But the wheel is welded in its position. The issue I had was that when I was assembling it off camera, the pole extended and the cable jumped off one of the pulleys inside. When I re-extended it, it all straightened out. It’s working fine now.
What I mean by assembling it, is putting together the base center and top. I inadvertently lifted the center upside down, and the polls just extended, and the cable became loose and tangled. All good now.
Ok. Totally my fault. This morning when I started work, I thought about what you said and took a good look at the lift. I honestly don’t know how I missed that one. I guess I was just exhausted by the time I started yesterday. The wheel has been extended, and it’s even easier now to lift being that I don’t have to be under the machine. That wasn’t the initial problem, but, regardless, I honestly don’t know how I missed that one. Mechanics 101. Thanks again.
thank you for making and posting this video. I've been trying to work out how I'm going to deal with drilling some challenging holes on the side of a hill and a modified version of this will surely save me a ton of time. I really appreciate this
Actually, I’ve gained 20 pounds in muscle and another 25 in fat. It’s quite simple: enjoy a quart of Breyers with a core power vanilla protein shake in a bowl with a third of a box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. 4 nights a week. That’s the secret.