tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86538632009-04-26T05:13:38.552-07:00A journal of my attempt to build an environmentally friendly small house in Oregon. <br> Visit <br><a href="http://www.auerhaus.org"><u>www.auerhaus.org</u></a>Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.comBlogger118125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-12936869053800776372009-04-26T04:09:00.000-07:002009-04-26T04:57:32.323-07:00

I returned home the other day to find that both my hot water heater and my pressure boosting pump had failed. I still had flowing water thanks to my gravity feed system, but it is low flow, low pressure. It also meant I was back showering from a bag with water heated on the stove. 2.5 gallons of bathing pleaure. Just like the good old days in the double-wide during construction.As a reminder

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-54876644228794837922009-03-31T02:22:00.001-07:002009-04-26T04:09:45.180-07:00

The closet in the bedroom has been standing open for more than a year awaiting doors to cover it up. It was supposed to be a winter project, but other projects always seemed to jump to the head of the queue. I had, however, decided on the wood (alder) and purchased the material last year. Still I procrastinated. First the bearings in my table saw needed to be replaced. Then the bearings in

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1219625573026240462009-03-22T11:28:00.000-07:002009-03-31T02:21:36.744-07:00

The planer has been a very valuable tool, but it is noisy, needs a lot of space in use and spits out copious amounts of chips and dust. I prefer to use it outside, but it is heavy. I estimated about 60 pounds. Moving it in and out is a chore. I'd imagined putting it on a dolly, but it would require one with substantial, "off road" type wheels to roll out on the gravel under the deck.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-79706212681352537862009-03-20T10:27:00.000-07:002009-03-31T02:19:06.854-07:00

Currently, if you want to burn biodiesel and you want 4-wheel drive, you only have two choices: a full-size pickup truck or a Jeep. I sold the Ford F-250 in 2007 and bought a 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD (Common Rail Diesel). Diesels are known for their relatively high mileage, high torque, longevity and clatter. The famous diesel engines are Cummins, Cat, Detroit, Mercedes, etc. This CRD model,

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-88210399320603832912009-03-20T08:24:00.000-07:002009-03-20T08:50:07.447-07:00

This was a fun project to knock out in a few days. The lamp head was found on the property and in very poor shape having been on the ground outside for who knows how long. I was really attracted to the shape, the cast parts and the spun aluminum shade. This winter I got an urge to clean it up and so I set about polishing the aluminum shade.Next I painted the cast housing black. I cleaned and

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-19690823820304179462009-03-20T03:17:00.001-07:002009-03-20T08:10:05.805-07:00

Managing fuel for a wood stove is challenging from an organizing point of view. I used to have a big box of wood, a small box of kindling and a box of newspapers scattered about on the floor. It looked unsightly and it took up a lot of space. Thus the firewood organizer idea was born.As with most of my projects, it is made of as much old wood as possible. In this case centered around the box

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-59241116390295139972009-03-20T03:14:00.001-07:002009-03-20T03:15:00.980-07:00

Well I just can't stop. I had this old, gray toolbox of Roxy's. While I mounted a toolbox on the left fender, there just wasn't room for some larger items. Here it is painted green and mounted on the right.I didn't have a good place to put the length of rusty, old chain that every farmer uses to drag stumps, pull things over and move dead animals. The strength of the chain is never known, but

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-36768805461683689482009-01-01T19:29:00.000-08:002009-01-01T21:55:56.300-08:00

Sunday, December 28, 2008 finds me back home in Birkenfeld after being snowed-in in Portland for two weeks. The weather is warming, yet eight inches of dense “corn snow” remain. My first day consists of the usual chores associated with restoring a dormant cabin to habitability. The power failure meter has maxed out at 99 hours, 59 minutes, meaning the backup battery system had been out for 100-

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-38120485951383081562008-03-22T22:27:00.000-07:002008-03-22T22:36:21.502-07:00

Even in an 800 sq.ft. house, I ended up with a bonus room. It was a challenge to squeeze in two beds, a writing table, and a pseudo-closet.Looking in.It's kind of a Canadiana themed room. The gray blanket is from Ontario, the other a classic Hudson's Bay. My mom made the cushions... in Canada. The lamps were from extra shop lights I, er, just had hanging around.The frame is strong and in

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-15121135232075810282008-01-01T22:31:00.000-08:002009-04-26T05:09:52.837-07:00

Another winter project was to build the kitchen island that stores under the main kitchen counter. The stow-away idea courtesy of my girlfriend, Alice. Save the top, and wheels, it is made entirely of reclaimed lumber and scraps.All joints are doweled and glued.Shown rolled in place.The fir should darken to match over time.The final product. The shelf is made of old, clear cedar.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-21019668113375038282007-12-23T19:49:00.001-08:002008-01-01T21:07:09.754-08:00

I hated the upholstery of my sofa since the day it was delivered to me around 1992. I contemplated recovering it immediately, but I had chosen the pattern myself and so I felt I must live with it. 15-years on I decided it was an eyesore in my new home and the time to reupholster it had come.These photos by Alamo Upholstery.Other than the fabric I liked the sofa for its design, size and

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-61743379162297513942007-12-23T19:36:00.000-08:002007-12-23T19:48:42.230-08:00

This fall I finally finished the water shed building that houses two, 1350-gallon tanks. Still needs work on the inside.An early shot from some years ago.The finished product.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-13615128784816037342007-12-05T21:40:00.000-08:002007-12-05T22:16:48.120-08:00

In truth this was a great flood; by that I mean we had a great time. Many of us, not here for the '96 flood, now have bragging rights even though we had electricity and warm weather the whole time. And while we did load our cars when rumors of a crest of 2-feet above '96 circulated; and while we were locked in by two flooded bridges; and while we could only call locally, in the end the water

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-85320204573203426422007-11-25T18:23:00.000-08:002007-12-23T19:50:56.210-08:00

Almost done. Just some light sanding and staining.The drawer is a perfect fit.Because the tolerances are so tight, I made the drawer slides adjustable.The corner braces also came from Classic Designs by Matthew Burak.The only glue used was to secure the drawer face.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-14513153648589031122007-11-24T21:53:00.000-08:002007-11-24T23:13:04.045-08:00

I have an old bread board that I thought would make a nice writing table. I wanted a drawer in it, but I also wanted the drawer face to be the piece cut out for the hole. I'm sure many have figured this out before me, but it was a revelation for me.Yes, this is all the same piece of wood.Not wanting to make the legs I found some ready-made at Classic Designs by Matthew Burak.The aprons are from

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-42874170110151336182007-11-24T21:06:00.000-08:002007-11-24T21:51:53.284-08:00

Northwest Property Rights Coalition

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-9366410009864002972007-09-26T00:30:00.000-07:002007-09-26T22:49:07.358-07:00

On September 25th, I learned that a Palomar proposed route for a 36-inch natural gas pipeline would transect my 60-acre farm. It is hard to convey how upsetting this is in a way that will make others feel equally disturbed. I know this because, I will confess, when I thought the pipeline would travel two-miles to the west, I was not as upset. “Not in my back yard? No problem then.”

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-47729858903557774192006-12-05T18:04:00.000-08:002006-12-05T18:20:42.119-08:00

December 5, 2006, a day that shall live in famy. One year to the day after having the house go final, it is complete. Oh sure, there are a few little things here and there, but the house as originally conceived is done. Now to start the improvements, and a few repairs ;->

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-49892660807806579462006-12-02T08:53:00.000-08:002006-12-05T08:58:14.567-08:00

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-55677824579418154152006-11-27T21:58:00.000-08:002006-11-27T21:59:43.494-08:00

one-hundredth post

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-22664341737465163172006-11-12T21:47:00.000-08:002006-11-12T21:52:26.069-08:00

The window trim was built as a frame and mounted with screws. The holeswere then covered with oak plugs, mimicking the oak pegs in the timber frame.

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1162879461771096932006-11-06T21:52:00.000-08:002006-11-12T21:46:46.478-08:00

I don't like heights. Well, not heights so much as edges. So when the time arrived for me to put the ceiling in I was a bit hesitant. I'm also not one who has any interest in overcoming my fears. I didn't think of this as a character building exercise. Thus, in the photo you will see essentially a second (and third) floor scaffold created to reduce the sense of exposure. The first level

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1162786492993934112006-11-05T20:00:00.000-08:002006-11-12T21:32:07.975-08:00

Every farmer needs a cool ride with some personal touchesI painted the fire extinguisher JD green and mounted on the left.This found item is apparently a motorcycle repairkit housing. Painted green and mounted right.There is NO storage space on a stock compact tractor, but havingspare parts when down in the field can save a long walk. Thiswas the smallest box I could find...in yellow.The stock

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1160161646601607192006-10-06T11:57:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:07.852-08:00

One problem I had to solve was where would any emergency, pressure release or leak overflow from the hot water tank in the ceiling go? I had a custom tray made for it with an outlet fitting. But the tank is located right on the cieling and there was no way to slope it to the outside. So, using a brass through-hole fitting, I discharge any water through the ceiling and let it drip into the

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8653863.post-1160160762858297022006-10-06T11:37:00.000-07:002006-11-12T21:32:07.723-08:00

I hate putting up trim. That is, I thought I hated it. I'd hated it before and I had procrastinated doing it all summer. But with the extended good weather I had run out of reasons not to tackle it. A big difference this time was that I would have to "make" the trim from salvaged, rough boards. As it turns out these turned out to be mostly old cedar. It was a pleasure to run the boards

Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12882610838116582579noreply@blogger.com0