!! SEPP to Boot: Stephen's Experience (BEL)

Coydon Wallham wrote:A little late to mention it, but left handed drill bits can help to start the process you tried...

Yep! I was looking for a set of extractors with the drill bits included, but that's not what they had on hand at the shop.

I think I'll take a set of needle-nose pliers to that busted bit in there today, and then try to make some lemonade out of those lemons. I really don't want to resort to replacing the entire hydrant, and growing season is approaching fast.

BEL #743

Today I made some significant progress on the Berm Shed repairs.

At the end of the day yesterday, I'd done my best to come up with a knee brace for the opposite side of the post from where the "sister log" is to be installed. The bottom looks all right, but the end facing the vertical post, while flush with the vertical post, is still insufficient, in my opinion.



Because of my low opinion of the knee brace, I decided to add at least one more log to possibly buy me some time to scramble out of there in the event I caused a catastrophic failure. Looking back on it now I think I was being over-dramatic, but there's no denying that with this project my antennae were on high alert. Plus, I was working by myself. Better safe than sorry, and the unexpected blow lands hardest, etc.



I snipped-out a rogue piece of rebar that was poking out of the base log on the sister log side, then slid the sister log in place. To make sure it stayed in place, after satisfied with its location I tied it down with a ratchet strap. Also: not pictured, but I fit several pieces of wood into the gaps above the sister log upon Paul's advice, so that when the house jack is removed there's less settling of the Berm Shed roof.



Then the drilling began. I added an extension to the drill bit so it could make it through all three pieces of wood, if necessary. Black Spark kept watch over the back yard, making sure no other kitties were wandering around where they shouldn't be.



After going far enough into the center post, I removed the knee brace since it wasn't attached to anything, then continued. I eventually made it through the sister log.



The drill bit was 3/4" diameter, and I think the all-thread for this project was 5/8", so it was an easy fit. I still think there's a fair amount of friction based on the effort needed to push the all-thread through all three pieces of wood, so I think it's all right.



I tightened each end down with a pair of big-ass washers and square nuts. On the knee-brace-side, I'd like to find some way to secure the square nut against maybe a wedge of metal. I seem to remember these sorts of things existing, usually purpose-built for a shelf unit or piece of furniture or something. Maybe there's something I can rig up, stronger than a piece of wood. I'll look around for something to use tomorrow.



I'm relieved I had a "win" today. To me, it felt like it was one of those "man shit" things I did today, especially while working on my own. I ought to be able to finish this project tomorrow and I think it'll be a lot less stressful, personally speaking, now that the sister log is in place.

That's all for now. Thanks for reading, and enjoy your day...!

Stephen B. Thomas wrote:
I tightened each end down with a pair of big-ass washers and square nuts. On the knee-brace-side, I'd like to find some way to secure the square nut against maybe a wedge of metal. I seem to remember these sorts of things existing, usually purpose-built for a shelf unit or piece of furniture or something. Maybe there's something I can rig up, stronger than a piece of wood. I'll look around for something to use tomorrow.

Does the knee brace have a mortise/tennon connection at either end?

Is there enough material in it to simply cut a 45* notch so that the rebar/washer rest against a flat surface?

The closer the leverage is to the bolt the less apt it is to break.    That is why the good extractors are square.

BEL #744

Here's Update #3 for the Wheaton Labs entry in the GAMCOD 2025 Project. Enjoy...!



Thanks for watching, and enjoy your day...!