!! In the quiet hours of the bootcamp grind, I found myself: Esteban's Bootcamp Experience

B.E.L. Post # 39

After the morning meeting, we kicked off the day by getting the shop fire lit and warming up. Once that was going steady, we headed over to the Abbey for our usual rounds—everything looked good and quiet.

Coming back to basecamp, John and Stephen peeled off to run a garbage load to the transfer station. Meanwhile, I hauled a crate of cardboard over to the main house and got to work processing woody bits.

Once everyone regrouped, we all ganged up on the chair project. Made solid progress and managed to get it nearly finished by the end of the day.

Esteban Ademovski wrote:B.E.L. Post # 39

After the morning meeting, we kicked off the day by getting the shop fire lit and warming up. Once that was going steady, we headed over to the Abbey for our usual rounds—everything looked good and quiet.

Coming back to basecamp, John and Stephen peeled off to run a garbage load to the transfer station. Meanwhile, I hauled a crate of cardboard over to the main house and got to work processing woody bits.

Once everyone regrouped, we all ganged up on the chair project. Made solid progress and managed to get it nearly finished by the end of the day.

Were the chair tenons secured by draw boring?

B.E.L. Post # 40

Today was one of those days that reminds you why community living feels so good—especially on Thanksgiving.

First off, the Duke absolutely spoiled us. He fired up his magic and made us his famous signature pizza's… and wow. We demolished those pies like there was no tomorrow. Zero regrets. Only crumbs and smiles left behind.

Between food comas, I kept myself buzzing around like a proper worker bee.

* Cut some logs that will be used for the motion-light project we’ve got on deck.
* Processed a few squash: chopped them up, cooked them, and got them into the dehydrator to dry nicely.
* And I managed to assemble one cage to protect one of our bushes from the deer—those little plant bandits won’t be getting this one!

All in all, a great Thanksgiving at Wheaton Labs—full belly, good work, good people. Feeling grateful.

Coydon Wallham wrote:

Esteban Ademovski wrote:B.E.L. Post # 39

After the morning meeting, we kicked off the day by getting the shop fire lit and warming up. Once that was going steady, we headed over to the Abbey for our usual rounds—everything looked good and quiet.

Coming back to basecamp, John and Stephen peeled off to run a garbage load to the transfer station. Meanwhile, I hauled a crate of cardboard over to the main house and got to work processing woody bits.

Once everyone regrouped, we all ganged up on the chair project. Made solid progress and managed to get it nearly finished by the end of the day.

Were the chair tenons secured by draw boring?

Excellent question!  No, the tenons on this chair weren’t secured by drawboring. For this particular project we went with a more straightforward fit — the joints were cut clean and seated well without needing to pull them tight with a drawbore. It still came together solidly, but drawboring is definitely something we might try on a future build.

B.E.L. Post # 41

Friday 11-28

Started my morning by lighting the fire at the Classroom and getting the dehydrator going. Once everything was warmed up and humming, I headed out to wish John a safe farewell on his journey back home to Washington state. Always bittersweet sending someone off, but good energy all around.

After that, Stephen and I did a trail cam run and then made our way to the Abbey for the usual routine — feeding the cats and doing the fence perimeter check. Everything looked good and the feline crew was happy as always.

Back at basecamp, Stephen dove into troubleshooting an electrical short, while I set to work notching logs to receive solar motion lights for the pathway lighting project. Felt good to see that coming together.

Later in the afternoon, Stephen transitioned to repairing the tractor seat, and I shifted over to splitting firewood — a solid rhythm to end the work day with.

All in all, another productive day at the Labs with a good mix of projects, teamwork, and progress.