Roll out the barrel...

...Doc and the case of easy mixing.

One of the reasons I enjoy(ish) blogging is that I get to get piccies taken to show other people how to do stuff that I take for granted.

This post is one of those things that I do...mixing small amounts of concrete or mortar.

The lovely Scarecrow asked me to put in a few posts for some extra fencing in one of the chook runs.

I must have looked like I needed something to do.

Wadjaneed
A small lidded drum - This is a spare similar to the cob oven wood storage drum.
A scoop or small bucket to carefully measure out your ingredients
Your ingredients - in this case, cement mix, sand and gravel
Watering can - nicked from Scarecrow, but it was for her I was doing all this (what a surprise)

Anyhoo, I got the posts (we buy them in bulk) and dug the holes using a hole digger thingy.

You can use whatever you have - spade, shovel, demo bar etc etc.

I am assuming you have got to this stage without my help.

On with the show.

First, put the dry mix into your bucket.
Maintain the correct ratio and look at filling the drum about 2/3rds full (or 1/3rd empty) to allow room for mixing. This is where you use your scoop. I am using a shovel coz I have done this a few times.

If you are unsure about the amounts, it is usually on the back of the cement mix..



Put the lid on tight.



Roll the drum to your site (as long as it is not that far away).



Feet work, too.



All ready mixed now.



Pour into the hole.



Tamp down with a mallett or hammer and wooden block.



Pour water into hole using the stolen watering can.



Allow this to soak in and repeat the process until the amount of water is equivalent to the amount you would have chucked in if you were mixing this in a mixer or a wheelbarrow.



When I finished we put some mesh around to keep the chooks off - they are attracted to the water, and there is a reason there are no chooks at University.

Last thing I need is a chook laying a concrete egg.



This is a really easy way to mix small amounts of stuff for post holes, mortar repairs to a small area, brick laying (chooks would love to see me lay bricks) or any other small project.

The only restriction would be that if you use a larger drum it may not be able to be stood up when you reach your destination coz it would be too heavy and you could knacker yourself.

Also, the drum needs to be able to squeeze through your gateway/door.

And, look, not a cat in sight

Live long and prosper

Doc

Tap that...

...sorry Megan McCauley

Today, Scarecrow went to turn a tap off but it would not turn off.

Enter Super-Doc the washer-changing legend in his own lunchtime.


Changing a tap washer is easy but for those who may not have done it before, it can be daunting, so here is how I do it.

Firstly, turn off the mains water.

Depending on where you live, this is often found near the front fence line of your property.

If you have never found yours before, now is a good time to look.

Grab some tools; a reseating tool, washers and adjustable wrench. Some old rubber tubing to protect the chrome if it is an inside tap.


Using your wrench, undo the tap.

Remove the assembly and check the washer. Get approval from a professional.


You can see the split in the washer at eight o'clock, can you not, Ninja.

Using the reseating tool, attach and proceed to screw it gently to clean the surface where the washer will meet the brass of the tap.



Grab your new washer and get approval to install it.


Screw the tap assembly into the base.


Go and turn on the mains water.

Admire the end result.


Not exactly rocket science, hey, but still has to be done.

Doc

Back to my rocket science now.

Baby, it's cold outside...

...so get Doc to extend your hothouse

Recently Scarecrow asked if I could extend her hothouse so she could do more hothousey things.

You would have to ask her what she does in there.

T'is all magic to me.

Since I had recently 'acquired' a few old windows, it seemed like a great way to win her heart.

Okay, this is not rocket science, so listen closely.

Step 1
I took down the old tin that was on the side of the hothouse, leaving the side exposed.


The cat found a spot close enough by to watch me, far away enough to not get in the way (much).

Here is an action shot of the cat.


Step 2
I put in new holes (and old posts) after measuring up(ish) any vital distances, you know, 'how tall is the window', 'how wide is the window', 'how much plywood is needed to fill the gap' etc etc.


Step 3
I attached the windows by screwing the wooden frames onto the posts.

Plywood was screwed into the posts, as well, under the windows, to fill the gap.


Step 4
The top of the posts were cut flush with the top of the windows but I had to find a home for this little dude first.


Transparent sheeting was attached to the top and the windows remind me that they probably need a wash.


Finished outside (Scarecrow started loading it up from within).


Finished inside (had to move Scarecrow out of the way to get the piccy. There was no hurry for the extension, she said).


Anyhoo, howzat!

Lurv, peace and mungbeans

Doc

Polly put the kettle on...

On Doc's rocket stove

Whadjaneed

Some cans (baked beans/soup etc not aluminium soft drinks)
A drum (this one is a 20 litre size)
Something to cut holes with (I use a nibbler but snips can be used)
Ash from a fire for insulation
A black cat

First of all:
Idiot Safety tip number one - cut metal is sharp, skin is soft and in a fight skin loses. Always.
Idiot Safety tip two - ensure you know what was in the drum - not mine, yours. Be sure to rinse away any inflammable stuff. Search the net for info on what to use to do this.

For the theory behind the rocket stove search the net (for info on searching, go here).

Basically, you have an L-shaped chimney setup and a container to put the chimney in. A huge range of material is used in the construction, but they are designed to use local stuff and burn fuel very efficiently hence very popular in '3rd world/developing' countries - hate that term

Ash is used as insulation. You can use vermiculite or sawdust or a mix of all of these.

If you really want to know more ask me, otherwise let us just get on with it.

Start off stacking your cans to get an idea of how many will fit in the drum. By coincidence, all of mine where the same brand of beans and actually stacked into each other.

Using a can opener (or your teeth), cut tops and bottoms off of all the cans except for one. Leave the bottom on this can. Cut a hole in the side of the can with the bottom intact.



Cut the lid off of the drum.



Then cut a hole in the side of the drum the diameter of a can.



Join them all together. You can see the shape it takes and whether it will fit in the drum.



Start putting some ash in the base of the drum to support the cans.



Continue until the drum is full.



Get approval from Ninja the cat



Cut a piece of mesh to fit the top of the stove.


The wood has to be small enough to fit in the cans (duhh!) and it completely combusts within the stove.




Put the kettle on and wait. Takes about 5 minutes to boil - much heat is generated thus burning any remaining gases - unburnt gas in traditional stoves is known as smoke.



A larger pot takes longer to boil and a watched pot never boils.



You can also use coals. They burn for a long time.

By the way, this is a piccy of one of the gazanias next to my workshop where I was making the stove. Closest I get to gardening.


Many thanks to my lover, Scarecrow, for taking the piccies for me.

Anyhoo, that is it for now, off you go and build one, now

Regards, Doc