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  • From: Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>
  • To: "homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org" <homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [Homestead] Self-reliance quiz
  • Date: Sun, 10 Apr 2005 09:32:37 -0700

We talk a lot about self-reliance. Such a condition ultimately means doing many things by oneself. I am building a ramada in front of the house. The four posts are nine-to-ten-inch rounds of Ponderosa Pine sitting on concrete piers that extend six inches above the ground with half-inch rebar extending six inches above the piers. I drilled holes in the bottom of the posts and set the posts atop, then braced each post securely with two-by-fours.

The challenge is to place the sixteen-foot beams atop the posts. The beams are eleven-inch rounds of the same material, flattened on the bottom to sit flush atop the posts. Yesterday Chris and I raised the first beam to the top of two six-foot stepladders--me lifting one end at a time and she moving the stepladders to hold the bean on a next-higher step--at which time two stout male neighbors appeared and insisted on helping the semi-old geezer and his semi-young wife. No problems. Ten-inch long, half-inch galvanized lag bolts counter-sunk five inches into the top of the beam completed the first beam work.

Today Chris flies off to Dallas on business. So, unless I enlist the neighbors--if they are available--I must lift the second beam myself. I estimate the beam weight to be between four and five hundred pounds. I can lift either end but not the whole thing at once.

In addition to the two six-foot stepladders I have an eight-foot stepladder. I also have a few eight-foot two-by-fours and assorted scrap one-by and two-by material. There is nothing long enough available to erect an A-frame from which to lift. There are no nearby trees.

Here's the quiz: How would you accomplish the placement of the second beam onto the posts if you had to be self-reliant?






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