I've been building a tree stand in a friend's woods for three days. Once
you acquire the tools, you need a way to haul them around. You mentioned
a truck and wheelbarrow. I will add a sled for winter time; cheap
plastic ones work great. And for the other seasons my wife brought home
a folding cart (I said, what good is that thing? It's just taking up
space!) that I used to haul material and tools through the woods with.
My friend called it a bag lady's cart. I took it through some pretty
mucky areas and over a lot of roots and downed limbs. A wheelbarrow
wouldn't have been as easy, and a big wheeled garden cart wouldn't have
fit between some of the trees.
Battery power is the only way to go when in a hurry to build a tree
stand two weeks before season opens. I lagged two 8' cherry 2x6s to the
tree for the platform base. Did you mention how handy a good ratchet is?
I started the job with a cheap one and broke it. It was Gin's; now I
know what to get her for Christmas). Yesterday I replaced those small
lags (only 3") with 5" and brought my good 1/2" ratchet. :)
I need a new bow saw. James, I've been paying attention to your posts
about same.
Tool boxes are a must if you have tools. The first thing you should
learn to build is a tool box. But I couldn't fit any of my tool boxes in
the cart, so used a plastic bucket. Buckets of all shapes and sizes are
cheap or free ways to stay somewhat organized.
Rob, I have been using the "same" tape measure for almost 20 years. It's
a Craftsman. When it gets a nick or breaks Sears replaces it for free.
My everyday carpenter tools are hammer, prybar, speed square, utility
knife, chalkbox, and tape measure. They all "live" in my tool belt which
hangs from a hook at the work bench. Oh, there's also a couple carpenter
pencils in it and I think a couple nail sets. Hand tools used for other
recent construction jobs are kept in an small open bucket under the work
bench if used a lot. Right now that includes electrical tools, plumbing
tools and tin snips.
I could go on and on but it's time for chores.
Re: [Homestead] Full timers, was: My shop
, (continued)