I was all set to go outside for the last dump run of our old deck. Something was gnawing at me, something was off. As I grabbed my coffee to walk outside I said to myself, OK Mark let's get some stuff done.......SAMs video!! I had my phone on DND and missed the notification. Funny how random strangers on line can have such intertwined lives and routines!!! Cheers from you know where ;) lol
Another big improvement Sam.When I lived in Arizona I did block, brick & stone work, laid (sand set) brick patios,raised slump block planter beds etc. So I guess I have some experience in what you want to do. Just have a string line, at least a 4' level ,good trowel etc. You're a smart man with common sense so ya shouldn't have a problem with a straight block wall. Any questions give a holler!👍👍🍺🍺
I have a few tips/suggestions on different topics. I am a retired mason. Was born into the business, so I have done a few things. I guess first is, the purpose of the wall if you're only trying to go a few courses high to get it level with the pad consider just digging down a bit and put something compactable in there and use the larger landscape blocks. If you are going to lay block you should dig down and pour a concrete footer with rebar in it vertically and horizontally with rebar coming up through the block. You could dry lay the block and fill the cavities and essentially have a concrete wall, probably what I would do. Another suggestion about "cleaning up." I have two big dogs and I buy 50+ lb. bags of dog food. The bags are tough as heck and they have a nylon string meshed in them. They are fantastic for sharp objects, like the glass or even metal. I never throw away metal though. Even the smallest piece can sometimes make the perfect gusset or bracket. If you don't have dogs ask any friends that may have large dogs if you can have theirs, they are amazingly strong! The last thing I caught. When you were saying "Don't you want to try getting the nuts off the bolts?" I know the exact feeling you had. I AM NOT SCREWING WITH IT! I have a neighbor up the way about 20 years older than I am, retired from TWA, A&P guy and he will ask me a thousand times, why don't you try this or that and even after I answer him 50 time he will not let up. Finally I will ask him, "did you not hear me the first 75 times" then he gets his feelings hurt and shuts up. If I ask, like you are asking for suggestions here, no problem. Just don't come in half way through MY project that I have studied and try take over! lololol Hope the suggestions were helpful, if not, I know you can handle it! Looking great!
Thank you so much for the suggestions. The rebar is a must. I've been thinking i would drill into the concrete slab where the wall will be and put vertical pieces through the block and fill with concrete to prevent the wall from bowing out. My Dad is famous for wanting to save everything and sometimes you just have to cut stuff off and start from scratch. I give the metal I don't use to my brother to sell for scrap. He can use the extra cash 🤠👍
Sam great work! As regards block work for mortar mix i use 5 sand to 1 cement. For laying the blocks measure out and level up then set your first block and last block ie mortar in place. Then use your string line to run across the top front edge of these 2 blocks and lay the rest of the course to the string. If i have picked you up correctly you are just building a single row of blocks about 3 or 4 block high so you just rinse a repeat this process for each course of blocks but dont forget to off set your joints by half a block for strength. As you said go to youtube lots of really good tutorials out there.
Thank you very much for the tips! Using a string line makes perfect sense. I'll watch some videos too. The mortar technique is just going to take practice, I'm sure. Thanks again! 🤠👍
Hi Sam good show, the place looks much better. I was thinking a wooden fence as that way it can be removed later down the track if needed, palings could be red like the shed and white posts. But no matter what you made a great improvement! Waiting for the next exciting episode.
Sam, nice work!! I guess I would just pose the question to you of why you want the block wall. Once it is in place it seems it may be more in your way and limiting than anything. But that’s just a stranger on the internet giving an opinion. For your wall/ roof I’d suggest checking out Menards or similar outdoor lumberyard. The perimeter lumber racks seem to be what you are describing. Obviously, far heavier built than you would need but it may give you some design inspiration to look at their wall and cantilever roof combination.
@@samsdoinstuff definitely.!! Im going to start recommending you for sponsoring wood yard products. Hope that’s ok. !!! Have you made any effort to reach out to anyone ??
My neighbor came over with a HUGE excavator and in under 7 hours, had removed some stumps over 36 inches in diameter. I mean these things were massive. It's amazing how fast a large excavator can rip out stumps. We'd been waiting for a miracle, and finally got one. I just uploaded the video, and let me tell you, compressing 7 hours of videos down to under an hour takes more than the 7 hours it took to record them! I'm learning as I go, but I gotta tell you, making and editing videos is some hard work...
You aren't wrong brother! I've been in the video business my entire life. I worked 22 years in TV news with daily tight deadlines. It's not easy, but keep at it. Congrats on the excavator work. I'll check out your video ASAP. 🤠👍
Great job. Before you start on the wall, beg , steel or borrow a mixer and have a go mixing mortar it's a better product machine mixed but you'll need practice it's a bit like baking a cake if the consistency is wrong it goes all squishy. Also the practice mixes will come in for repairs around the place .
Beautiful job, Sam. But as to the cinder block wall,,,,, just DON'T. You would find that it will crack, the mortar will fall out in places, it will start leaning after the winter. So from someone who did it,, and regretted it,, just don't. Instead, use dry stack blocks. You are only going up a bit over a foot, so the smaller ones you can find at Lowes or Home Depot or pretty much any lumber yard will work fine. The plus side is that if they move,, you can move them back. No mortar to mix ( or patch) and should you decide in a year or two that you want to go a different way,, they will still be as good as the day you put them in and will work for another project ( and I don't doubt there will be many). I had a six foot wall and so replaced my concrete block with a heavier dry stack block. The original started failing in a couple years,, and after patching it for another ten, decided to go dry stack. This year will be twenty,, and I haven't touched them at all except for an occasional pressure washing. Whatever you do, I'll be watching,, and likely talking to you as I do,,,, even tho you won't hear it..
Thank you! That is an interesting idea. I will research that further, but you've definitely peaked my intrigue. I wonder how that would do with a structure built on top of it. I will also be pouring concrete against the back side to repair what's there. Lots to think about before I start. Thanks again! 🤠👍
Doing stuff manually is good, you find stuff you don’t break stuff and you benefit from the exercise with little or no exhaust fumes in the air you breathe 🏴👍🏻
I sincerely do enjoy working with my hands. Machines are great and accomplish a lot of work fast, but there's a totally different feeling of accomplishment when you get your hands dirty 🤠👍
(2) 20’ containers on either side and one of the fabric hoop roof’s between them for clear span area and storage. I’d recon you could do that for close to what it would cost in block and wood and sheet metal for a lean-to. If you want some block advice “simple living Alaska” just laid a block stem wall for their seed room if you want to watch that video.
