November 4, 2014

Back to Working on the Barn

We may have had to slow down our work on the front porch while we save funds for the next step, but that doesn't mean everything else slows down. We simply shifted gears from our big house project, to our big barn project. Earlier this summer we took down most of the rickety old "coal barn" (so called because it was once used to store heating coal).  We left only the attached car port to use for storing hay and straw.


The next project was to take that down. I cleaned it out, then Dan removed its remaining support:

  1. Cut bottom of posts with Skil saw
  2. Knocked out braces with sledge hammer
  3. Removed the cedar support post


It was pretty wobbly at that point. All that was needed was tying on a strap and pulling.





What's next? Click here to find out.

14 comments:

Chris said...

Well done demolition team! The new goat barn will be worth all that effort in the end. Now you'll have a clean slate to start building after winter. Hasn't this year gone so fast but!

Still working on my chicken coop renovation, even though we probably won't be here to enjoy it much longer. The new owners will though - or at least their chickens will. ;)

Mama Pea said...

Ka-BOOM! There's always something else we can find to do when a project stalls for one reason or another, isn't there? But it's all progress . . . our most important product. (Do you remember what that little advertising phrase was for years ago? I don't!)

Sandy Livesay said...

Leigh,

The barn cleaned up pretty good, can't wait to see what your plans are on the new barn.

Renee Nefe said...

This is what needs to be done to my mom's Pole barn/carport. Glad that yours is going well and can't wait to see what's next.

Leigh said...

Chris, what news "new owners" is! Do you think you'll finish the coop? We have plans for everything we tore down from the coal barn. More on that soon.

Mama Pea, so true! Clearing out the old to make way for the new. The bonus is all the leftover materials we can re-use. :)

Sandy, I so need a new barn, but we have an intermediate idea for the materials from the old one. That way we can finish the porch and still help the goats (and me) be more comfortable.

Renee, eventually they get to that point! Actually, I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did.

Dawn said...

the one thing we are short of here is outbuildings and shelters we are busy rectifing that.

Frugal in Derbyshire said...

A demolition project is a low-cost project, which yields materials to reduce the cost of a higher cost project. LOVE self-sufficient recycling.

Chris said...

Definitely going to finish the coop renovation, Leigh. I'd like to think anyone keeping chickens here, will have a safe place to house them. :)

Looking forward to see how your barn progresses.

Leigh said...

Dawn, outbuildings and shelters are a must! We were fortunate to have some old ones to work with. Also that they've lasted as long as they have, LOL

Gill, wait till you see what we do with all of these materials!

Chris, I know whoever moves in will appreciate all the hard work you all have done!

Quinn said...

I know just what you mean about shifting gears, not slowing down. It seems like first thing every morning, before I am even fully awake, I take a moment to reassess priorities, and shuffle projects and tasks for the weather, the wallet, and the state of the body on that particular day. And I've just begun a BIG project, with a "before Winter" deadline...going into overdrive now!

Unknown said...

That looks like fun. Looking forward to seeing what comes next. You will always keep your followers because you lead them to the next one. We have to see what happens.

Rob said...

What are you going to do with the wood??? Save for burning or use elsewhere on the farm??

Anonymous said...

It's so exciting for me to see all that you and Dan are accomplishing!

http://caffeinatedhomestead.weebly.com/blog

Leigh said...

Quinn, winter seems to bring on those deadlines! I'll be curious as to what that project is.

Lynda, that's the nature of blogging, isn't it? :)

Rob, that post just went up!

Stephanie, that's why I love blogging. We can share and learn a lot. :)