Disconnecting a Trailer Marriage Wall

 

Disconnecting a Trailer Marriage Wall
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Disconnecting a Trailer Marriage Wall is not something that is easily found on the internet.

I know I searched for hours trying to find out how to do it.

Finally, I sucked up my fear of heights and got my big self up on a ladder and started tearing into things until I found the bolts that connected the two halves of the double wide together.

I looked at the problem with a view toward how these trailers are delivered.  Starting out, I knew that they come on site in two complete pieces.  I also knew that the top and bottom had to be easy to get to.

Common sense said the top cap of the shingles should have been installed after the two halves were bolted together.  I started there and found that the shingles at the top of the trailer were easy to pull up.

A thin piece of chip board sat under the shingles and this board was not nailed or anything.  Under that board was the bolts.

There were not a lot of bolts, but the were two different sizes and un equally spaced throughout the top of the marriage wall.

Once these bolts were removed, the two trailers were disconnected at the top.

There were still a lot of bolts under the trailer, but we never really got them all – I gave up and dug out the backhoe.

Truck Pulling Down a Trailer Wall

Truck Pulling Down a Trailer Wall
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I used the backhoe to tear down most of the trailer, but due to the hillside behind the trailer, I could not get the tractor into position to tear the building completely down.  Lucky I had some chain and a receiver hitch shackle like the one pictured.

I simply clipped the chain to the shackle and the other end to the walls I wanted to pull down and away we went.  This is not rocket science, and the video of my Dad’s truck pulling down a trailer wall is pretty short.

We just filmed it so I could show my wife that I do work when I go to the land.

She thinks I go to get out of the house and we don’t really do anything out there.  To be fair, when I do convince her to come visit the land she can’t really tell what has changed.

Developing a homestead can be overwhelming, especially when you live far away and have budget AND time issues.

However, there is a big difference in the place now that I have most of the trailer down and gone.

The first couple of times we wrapped the chain around the ball, but that was dangerous and it kept slipping.  Eventually I bought a shackle and it helped immensely in Pulling Down a Trailer Wall

How to Spray Foam in a Conex Box

Spray Foam in a Conex Box
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This is an experiment in using spray foam alone to insulate a conex box.

This particular spray foam in a conex box idea did not work.  The problem was the box developed condensation inside which caused the spray foam to fall off.

If I had supported the spray foam by adding a sheet of foam or other backer the spray foam in a conex box would have stayed up.

Additionally, I think that if I would have done it in a warmer time, or roughed the pain to allow better adhesion it would have worked better.

The next plan is probably better (and cheaper) as I will use my foam cutter to slice foam board into strips to glue into the conex side corrugation and then I will use spray foam to seal the sheets into a single mass.

spray foam in conexIn reality, I bought a foam nozzle that spread the foam into a wide stream and wanted to try it out.  I did not really think this would work, and kinda did not want it to.

This is because a can of foam is around $5.00 and it took a can to do about one and a half strips.

Which would mean it would be cheaper to pay a commercial spray foam installer to come and puts pray foam in a conex box

How to Make a Nightstick: Perfect First Lathe Project

How to Make a Nightstick: Perfect First Lathe Project

 

How to Make a Nightstick: Perfect First Lathe Project
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I bought a cheap craftsman wood lathe from craigslist.  It was cheap because it had problems.  The tube the tailstock and tool stand rode on was torqued out of place placing the tailstock 45% off center.  It was rusty, and did not have a belt.

An afternoon of work brought it back functional and while I still need to build a stand and tweak it a little I am happy with my purchase.

I was looking for an easy first lathe project so I decided to make a nightstick

So far, the only thing I can do is turn nightstick shaped objects.  My goal is to turn wood bowls, but right now all of my disposable income (and some that is not disposable) are building AR-15‘s in the event of another attempt at gun control that only makes guns more expensive.

My lather skills are non-existent, but my boy likes playing with the objects I have made.

Installing a USB Wall Outlet

USB Wall Outlet
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With all the micro USB items that need charging at my house, my wife and I are always fighting over power cords.  To solve this problem I found a neat outlet that contains two 115v outlets with 2 USB outlets.

It installed easily and looks great.  More importantly, the outlet is behind my chair so I have dibs on the cords….

Seriously though, this is a great USB wall outlet and when I get around to building our house and a workshop, I will install many of these for the convenience.

This USB Wall Outlet was easy to install, but I needed to buy a new outlet cover.

Now that it is installed, I want to buy more, as this makes things a lot easier.  I put this one by the sofa so I can charge my phones in the evening and still have them available.

I need one in the bedroom, and another by the computer.  Additionally I think I need a couple in the conex box at the land.

These devices are not expensive, the one shown in the picture costs about $16.00.  They are easy to install by any DIY’er.  Best of all it impressed my wife as she thought it was amazing.