Clay McGowen

I really like the idea of finishing the root cellar.
One of the main issues we were having at the PTJ (besides too few willing workers) was the time it was taking to make the saddles.

I found this Turboplane 4" Tungsten Carbide Woodcarving Disk which attaches to an angle grinder



At multiple points during the video you can see it being used to carve a concave section fairly quickly.
I think this would really help speed up the processing.
It is not cheap ($179/disk at time of writing)

The other major problem we encountered was Rex, the excavator.
By the last day he was exceptionally tired... Multiple leaks in the hydraulic lines and issues with the cab being unstable/unable to lock rotation/forcing the operator to manually maintain the orientation (though, I can't remember if JR said that was/not related to the hydraulic issues...)

I believe there's a chance we could finish without Rex, but I think it's a longshot.
We have most of the logs on top, could possibly get the remaining few up there with a gin pole, but in order to button it up, we'd be doing a lot of manual dirt moving.
Can't drive the tractor on top... or at least, I won't be driving the tractor on top.

Regardless, though I'm not quite a ringer, I'd be down to come for a week and make progress here!
A workboree to make up for lack of jamboree?
Less structure/fluff more targeted working?
Honestly, I'd be down to stay at the lab the whole week and work.
Skip breakfast and lunch, eat dinner after dark. Get the most out of those ultra long Montana days.
The stone ain't gunna grind itself ;)

Got mine!
Who's next?

Hey Jimmy, welcome to Permies!

Jimmy Jamers wrote: Some additional logistics info (travel, lodging, food, etc.) for those unfamiliar would be helpful. Thanks!

This thread has a lot of great info Click Here

I think this section is likely most relevant to your particular questions:

What to Know When Visiting Wheaton Labs

Here's some general information about visiting Wheaton Labs. In general, we prefer that you ask questions in these threads or other relevant threads, because odds are others might have the same questions. If, after reading everything, you still have questions, and/or are not comfortable asking a question there, you can e-mail permiespa AT gmail DOT com. (If you're new to the forums, there's a great intro at How Permies.com Works.)

lodging - There are bunks, tenting, and cabin rentals listed in the SEPPers thread. During events and for all Boots, camping is a free option, for pictures and more info see tenting at Wheaton Labs. Bring your own camping gear, though we do have limited extras for rent or trade.

RVs, campers, trailers, tiny homes - for information about camping with your RV or other mobile accommodations. No noisy/stinky generators or hook-ups to the grid.

food - in most cases you are on your own for food. There are community cooking options in Allerton Abbey, others possibly by special arrangement, and, in the winter, Taco Tuesdays with Paul in the Fisher Price House.

toilets - At Base Camp, community toilets are the off-grid, unplumbed willow feeders (the Willow Bank andwillowwonka. There is also a bathroom in Fisher Price House. At Base Camp, there is a restroom in Cooper Cabin, and the Chateau de Poo is another willow-feeder. The great outdoors is always an option here for peeing!

showers - in the summer (roughly May/June to September), we have the shower shack at base camp. It must be taken offline once freezing weather begins. When the shower shack is not available, weekly showers are available at Taco Tuesdays at the Fisher Price House. More than weekly access to the plumbed bathroom and shower at the FPH is available by special arrangement

what to bring when visiting Wheaton Labs

FAQ for women visiting Wheaton Labs - got a question? Ask it here!

Choreography - information on chores, day-to-day life, where to find things, etc

What is a Willow Feeder -- what it is, how to use it, and what to do if it's "that time of the month"

Dogs at Wheaton Labs - information on bringing your dogs to Wheaton Labs

Kids at Wheaton Labs- information on bringing your kids to Wheaton Labs

Non-paying spouses/kids at events - information on bringing your non-paying family to events (let's not)

tobacco, pot, drugs, booze - nope, nope, and nope.... and a small amount of hooch in recyclable containers if drunk responsibly and cleaned up afterward

Hope to see ya there!

Alexandra Malecki wrote:[I've built one of each of these rockets and can guide you through your build.

I’ve been very impressed with all your work and will gladly take you up on this!!

Fingers crossed we can get enough tickets sold.
I’m reaching out to some folks today!

Hi Paul!
Thanks everyone for working on this :)
I will buy a ticket and show up!

My preference of projects in my preferred order:  

paul wheaton wrote:
  - an indoor rocket oven in the outdoor kitchen
  - rmh in the yoga yurt
  - finish bun warmer
  - something for kai's cob cottage
  - upgrade cob hat in dog star
           o hey how's the fence? could it hold a dog?
  - more with the hot tub
  - add a portable cob hat in fph
  - cob hat at cooper
  - upgrade rmh in fph

paul wheaton wrote:(and some people will stick around the following week)

This is probably a "following week" idea but...
I would joyfully part with an additional $500 if I could have some experts guide me through building my own Rocket Engine (suitable for BB attainment)
and/or another season extender and/or jtube rmh

Regardless, looking forward to this!

JP knows style when he sees it! 🤠

Hey Ethan, welcome to Permies!

That looks like a great place.
I hope you find just the right person to take over.

I really like a lot of the photos in the ad, I wanted to bring them all over...
Instead, I'll simply share my favorite - hoping to inspire others to go check it out.

I came up with one I hadn’t seen before - literally potting up.

This works with indeterminate tomatoes (and probably other vining plants of that nature).

Build a narrow wooden planter box with the “ends” really tall and the “sides” a lot shorter.
Plant seeds and wait.
As the plants grow, about once every few weeks, add “side” boards and gently backfill with soil up to the top few leaves of the plant.
Repeat until you reach the height of the end boards.

Last year I successfully planted out and grew tomatoes which I accidentally sprouted in November.

Hey Tucker, thanks for sharing!
Sounds like an awesome plan, I'm excited to see your progress here.

A random heads up
7*26 = 182 7*28 = 196

You might be able to extend your bed an extra two feet, if you have the wood.

What type of climate are you growing in? How much rainfall do you typically get?

Looking really good, Paul!

One minor piece of feedback:
On the https://wheaton-labs.com/bootcamp/ page the “About Us” sections list Dez and Magdalene as Bootcamp Commanders. Should they be replaced with Stephen?