Although we have a large portable scale that can weigh items up to 20,000 lbs we have no way to move heavier features beyond the capabilities of our forklift, which tops out at about 6,000 lbs. As we planned for next week’s move of the features to Castle Fun Park we needed to know the weight in order to order the correct size of the crane. Our favourite operator, Wishlow Cranes, tops out at 14,000 lbs. capacity. Today, Greg swung by the shop for a test lift of the largest piece in the yard. This section of the mushroom castle is also the single largest piece we’ve built to date. My guess was 12,000 lbs. I waited apprehensively as Matt hooked up the chains and Greg gently powered up the machinery…. Ever so slowly it took up the weight and the piece cleared the ground. The feature tipped the scales at a hair over 13,000 lbs. With that information in hand, I immediately confirmed next Thursday and Friday for the crane and also for the lowboy truck. Soon it will be moving day!
Getting ready for moving day.
The shop was quiet today. The last piece of the Secret Garden mini-golf is now complete. The crew moved to work on the Hazelnut Inn while I started making arrangements to move this and many other completed pieces to Castle Fun Park. It is a big job. We’ll need a heavy-duty crane and lowboy semi truck for the task. Tomorrow, we’ll survey the landing site and plan a route. We’ll also do a quick test lift of the heaviest piece to weigh it before the move - to make sure we have the right crane for the task. It will take at least two days to make the transfer. Stay tuned for the excitement of moving day…
It's a maze in there!
Prior to beginning the painting process in the North Star suite in the Hazelnut Inn we first have to set up a safe and efficient scaffold. Work will begin at the uppermost regions. The first coat of colour will use up random colours of leftover paint. The idea is to simply seal the concrete. Subsequent layers of paint will be closer to the final result. The third coat will be carefully blended and followed with a series of glazes to highlight the plentiful textures. When that upper level is complete we’ll lower the scaffold and begin again at the next stage. Right now the 600 square foot suite is a maze of scaffolding from one end to the other. Stay tuned for progress reports…
