Mechanical snowman

Today as I was busy welding behind my screen the shop door kept opening and closing with only a brief time between. I knew Phoebe was playing outside and assumed it was her. Over a half hour or so the door opened at least a dozen times. I wondered what she was up to. When I finally put down my welder and went to take a look it became perfectly clear. The bolt bin is located behind the door. It was a rare snow day and Phoebe was building a snowman. She needed buttons for his shirt, eyes, a nose and a mouth and she knew grampa had an unlimited supply real handy. The bolt bin was the ideal source for these items.

phoebe and the snowman.png

As always, like all of Phoebe's marvelous creations, the snowman had to be over the top. I had to leave to go up to the worksite to pick up the tool trailer but as I left the snowman got some legs and Phoebe was busy working on his feet.

phoebe making snowman.png

When I returned it was too dark for a picture but the snowman had sprouted even more details including a very nice hat. Nice job Phoebe!

-grampa dan

A very productive Monday

With the full crew in the shop they were scattered over a number of projects. The balloon basket was finished off making it ready to transport up to the lake tomorrow. That will make more room for new projects.

The sign tree got it's skin of sculpted fiberglass reinforced concrete. Matt and Jenessa applied the mud and then skillfully carved another spectacular tree while Hailey painted the base coats on the Carousel sign. In the background Kendra and Sarah are working on the mine car elevated rail structure.

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One more great looking feature is now ready for paint. Great job guys!

sign tree mudded.png

Marty and Adison were mixing concrete and also working on the rail inspection car. They first turned it upsdie down to make the application of the concrete on the bottom side easier and faster. The underside of the car needed to be smooth so kids playing on it can't get hurt should they reach under. Tomorrow we'll flip it back on it's wheels and finish off the top side.

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While the crew worked at their tasks I was busy welding up the armature for the giant tree that would hold up the tree fort. It is now ready to be wired tomorrow.

treehouse tree armature.png

Tomorrow promises lots of action. Two crew members return to the worksite up at the lake to do some welding. We'll deliver the balloon basket up to the lake. Then we'll fill the empty space with a new project or two. It's going to be another fun day. Stay tuned...

-grampa dan

Riding the rails

On Friday one of our jobs was to take off the upper portion of the water tower using the overhead lift in the shop. We then hooked up the mine car to lift it up on the rails. I cross braced and welded it all to make it extra sturdy. There is no chance it will ever move again. We then welded the armature for the rail road ties and beams to 'hold' it all up visually.  The crew will finish attaching the lath to the framework this week and then we can begin the sculpt with our fiberglass reinforced concrete.

mine car on rails.png

By the end of the week this whole section should be ready for paint.  The water tower portion of the feature won't be far behind.

-grampa dan

Custom Design & Construction