Offgrid Senior lays floor foundation for 16x40 cabin
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- Опубликовано: 9 фев 2025
- With the summer desert heat receding its time to get to work on the basic framework to my cabins floor! With my very first lumber delivery its time to get building!
Jindupe: Lauren Duski RUclips Music studio
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Some have requested to make donations to my off grid living project. Many thanks. Paypal: ibwonet1@gmail.com
For those who asked I create an amazon wish list here it is:
www.amazon.com...
Please note: With large products Amazon will mention they cant deliver to me but that is not correct. They will fill the order anyway and any deliveries go to the main post office nearby!
For those who want to contact me:
affordabledesertliving@gmail.com
Thanks for watching!
As a 71 yr old single woman I enjoy watching your progress. I now live in my tiny home schoolbus that is 7 1/2 feet by 35' .. Well 25' of living space. Your 16 x 40 sounds perfect. Picking your wood & great screws sound wonderful. I hope to build a 8 x 15 bunkhouse soon.. Alone. Thanks for your tips.
Its all about managing your energy levels and doing things bit by bit. Also being willing to use creativity to accomplish tasks while alone. Way to go.
@@affordabledesertliving3487 don't overlook Block and tackle to give you that extra hand or two.
It's nice to watch you without the drama and searching for content that's boring or no good . I always thought if you had to look for things to do to make a video , you weren't doing much to start!!! Nice work. I can't wait to see how it comes out . 😊
Thanks Darrell. No end to video content here on my property thats for sure!
Looks great Don, I appreciate seeing another guy my age with ambition.
Thanks Mark! As I always say. If I dont do it then it simply wont happen here.
What a genuine guy you are. Haven't see scaled quail in a long time, they are beautiful. You are loved by all the animals, and that is a huge blessing! I really am impressed at the heavy duty building, and have never seen anyone build one by themselves. Amazing, and you get as much exercise in a day as I get in a month!! It's always relaxing to see the beautiful outdoors and the big difference in Sierra Vista versus Tucson. PS: We have had ONE monsoon for about 30 minutes this summer, and very hot. Thanks for another wonderful look at your life and nature.
So delighted you came by to see the video lawrence 5039. Such heartwarming comments!
Looking great Don. Looks sturdy. Starting with a solid foundation is the best way to go. I built my house 32 years ago. No house payment for 35 years now.
So smart not to do that dreaded house payment route. Such a burden for so many folks.
Don, What a wonderful experience you have provided yourself and for your viewers to also experience and learn from! Stay active... Stay young!
Thanks so much veteran Charlie.
Heyya Don. Yes you should be excited to get your bigger space built. To me the smell of fresh lumber is great and reminds me of going to the lumber yard as a kid with my Dad.
There is just some thing so satisfying about building any thing with wood from start to finish. All I can advise is make sure your building area is clear so as not to trip over any thing. I really enjoy your bird footage as well.
Yep good point about tripping. I dont get more agile with age LOL. Yes I LOVE working with wood.
I appreciate that you shared the specific Simpson screw to use. Having built so many places myself, and learning by making different mistakes each and every time, I appreciate that Simpson has come up with a ceramic coated screw to LESSEN the likelihood of splitting. Since so many folks are first timers, they may not have noticed the fact that it is important to stagger the screws and never screw them in a straight line. Engineer Ed staggered properly but the shots weren't close up and most of us think we are supposed to be as " perfect" as we can and might inadvertently think all screws go in line with each other. Even using " no split" screws, a splitting maul action will happen if we put all screws in line with each other. These screws glide in because of their special finish and a rough finish that grabs and splits does not exist with these beautiful screws.
The method you used to create your own beams not only is user friendly for maneuvering but is a fraction of the cost that the corresponding beam would cost. Thank you for putting your project together in portions that make it possible for one person to carry, as thanks be to Engineer Ed for happening to be there as an extra set of hands to screw in because I have pinched my inner thighs while straddling and attaching alone!
Elephants will be able to dance up on your floors and it will take elephants to uproot your anchoring system. Yes it is " overkill", but we are living in extraordinary weather event times and no better time to address this than by prevention by establishing the most secure foundation and most accurately aligned foundation from the start. I cannot tell you how many foundations I have had to redo because of hasty predecessors!
Great Job!
I look forward to seeing a video clip of you dancing and singing upon your subfloor once it is installed! 😊
Very observant Sheridan. Yes indeed engineer Ed staggered them. I did a lot of the time as well but sometimes forgot. Hopefully it still will be strong and durable.
I know you are using the word Senior as a keyword, but what you're doing is more than most guys in their 40s would tackle. I wouldn't classify you in the senior category no matter what the numbers might say. Amazing.
Lol I so agree‼️. You have more ambition, determination & sense of quality than most‼️‼️. Foundation is looking good and it’s So Great when a friend stops by to help 🤩👵🏻👩🌾❣️
@UC%E2%9D%A4BHOKrde3rYib40jN1657sw Having a sense of purpose is great. Having friends is a wonderful thing. Outstanding to have both!
Wow I need to remember this lovely comment in the future!
Thanks so very much Dee! Doing my best here. Yep great to have Ed drop by to lend a hand.
@@affordabledesertliving3487
🥰🥰
Hi Don, there’s nothing like the determination to cure the spirit. Keep on going. Bless you.
Thanks so very much and yes indeed one has to have a vision and be determined to develop raw land.
Don love watching you,been in construction all my life I'm 67 do yourself big favor have lumber supports set up for forklift to drop lumber on supports,you don't have to move it and it can stayed strapped up untill you need it will never warp while strapped,also pressure treated will never warp wet or dry ,one thing I will say per lumber getting wet is the new plywood products are total junk when it comes to getting wet so be very careful with flooring ,and hardy board great product for siding,Good choice fireproof don't have to paint if you don't wanna,do where a resperator concrete is nasty dust,good luck you are an insperation
Hi Bill many thanks for your pointers. Need to figure out if I can design my "loading deck" so that the fork lift can do just that. Drop things right in place. Interesting you mentioned Hardy board. That has long been my choice of siding and that is my decision at this point.
@@affordabledesertliving3487 nice reply just wanted to let you know I come from your neck of the woods ,been boat and home builder in Sausalito forever been living aboard since 18 years old ,anchored out on and off now fulltime now retired loving life,ever though they keep trying to close anchorage,who knows dessert next ,never know,can be dangerous out here last winter sucked scared me a Little
Some crazy weather for sure last year! Stay safe!@@billrinkenberger6022
Today is the 1st day of Moose Hunting in New Brunswick Canada 🇨🇦. I got drawn in the license lottery. Wish me good luck ❤🎉😊
Hope you fill your freezer Elspeth! Cheers.
My Daughter shot us a 3 year old dry cow at 7:25 am Tuesday. Just minutes after the season opened. Sure will be some perfect tender meat. We were 3rd to register at the Rangers, because we took a zillion pictures and long drive out. First to the butcher shop. I was safely home & Olivia back to work in the potato fields by noon
Great stuff Don. Avidly watching from Wales:)
Delighted you are watching from afar! Cheers!
Hello! Finally it has started. I reckon the start of a building is from the first wooden beams. Foundation is important, but there is something about wood. I look forward to the continuation of the building.
Yes! I have been super anxious to put wood down.
It was really interesting to see how your garden adapted to the extremely dry year. Good job on your foundation!
Thanks Carol. To survive here a plant has to be pretty tough.
It's going to be an interesting build. will be watching from Canada
Thanks so much. I am pretty thankful I dont have to worry about 4' deep frost levels etc. like back in N.B. where I grew up.
Aye Don ,Fancy screws for what is going to be a very sturdy fancy big house .I`m probably as excited about the build as you are .I cant wait for the next episode. It`s really nice to be able to view the whole process from it`s conception to it`s completion. Thank you . ATB
Wow Graeme. Can a youtube old guy like me have any nicer subscribers than you mate. Many thanks.
Hey Don, every time I check in to see what you are doing, I'm always thrilled to see what you've accomplished. Holy Crap! You're an inspiration to me and to so many thousands of others! Stay well. I still love the chief blanket you gifted to me--also the beautiful cow carving. I keep the blanket for special times to keep me warm. The carved cow is on my alter. So beautiful, are they both. And by the people who follow your channel, you can see how loved you are! If you ever want to come north to Camp Creek, AZ, for a little rest, you'll have a place in my cabin in Camp Creek.
Tamara sorry for the late reply. Just so encouraging to hear from you. One of the best supervisors I have ever had at any job period! It warmed me to no end (pardon the pun) to hear that you still have the African blanket. Also the carving. Thanks for the invite to Cave Creek! Probably some great birds there too.
Your a tough somebody, great attitude and encouragement for some of us older folks!
What a stellar comment. One of my favorites for a long time William. Many thanks!
Great progress, Don! As always, your determination and diligence are a pleasure to behold. I can't thank you enough for the inspiration to keep at it with my own projects.
Wow Tim. It warms me to no end to hear that in some way my videos could inspire someone.
That's a pretty green part of the desert you are living in. Very attractive. Thankyou for giving this example of DIY. It's reminding me of a UK man rebuilding a burnout Chateau in rural France. Good friends are friends like Ed. : helping hands with qualifying knowledge. That gives me courage.
Yep can be very pretty here for sure!
I'm expressed by all of your projects. I think that the plants and trees that can take our weather and continue to survive - need time to get strong and get bigger. We have to spoil the plants and trees that we want to survive. But in time I believe that the plants and trees that have to suffer a little - survive in the long term.
Yes I agree Ruth. I am giving them a bit of tough love with less watering these days.
Just happy across you sight yesterday and what a glorious surprise 👍
I too am Canada, now in NS .I wintered in AZ in the late 90’s early 20’s and felt it was definitely part of my heart 💜
I’ve travelled world wide but Az is where my heart sings 🥰
Delighted you came by to visit. Thank you.
@@affordabledesertliving3487 😊👍👍🌅
I’m so glad things are moving along, Don! (And it’s nice to finally see the legendary Engineer Ed! 😉)
Thanks Helene! I am betting your new home is coming along great as well! Yep you now have met "Engineer Ed".
Don, great to see you starting on the floor joist, beams, whatever lol. Picking your lumber is the only way to go. See you next week. Until then, have a super blessed week.
Thanks a lot for watching Rodney!
You are a hard worker Don, and you DESERVE every bit of success coming your way!
Build on deferent homes , but from what I can see , doing great I would lay down black plastic on the dirt before floor going up , that way nothing will grow under side ok , if you want , don't have to , just a tip 😁 , make sure it's all level level , square Best you can , deer do the same thing, we have tons of bull elk and cow elk protected up here eat grass plants , I seen an elk eat bird feed out of bird feeder one time up here lol hopefully you get floor soon so can build the walls up
Thanks for the excellent comments beachlife! Cheers.
Thank you for this video. I learned a lot!!!! The information about those wood screws is very helpful. 👏🏼
Your project is wonderful and inspiring.
Your plants look good. Nice to see how you care for them.
So appreciate your lovely comments. Cheers!
Whoa! Don..when you said, "you were finally going get to put some wood down"....I spit my coffee out. I'm good now.
Thanks so much for watching William!
@@affordabledesertliving3487
Absolutely. I've lost 20lbs watching you build your shangri-la. Best of luck!
Great job. We live off grid and can appreciate what you are building. Thanks for sharing.
Your so welcome Larry.
Don, try putting a bar of "Irish Spring Soap" in that sock. It keeps the deer and other critters away! It really works, give er a try eh.
So another off grid guy do that and the deer went to sleep right beside it. LOL. But maybe it would work in my case?
@@affordabledesertliving3487 it qorks here in deepest, darkest, shame-FULL communist Canada.
@@affordabledesertliving3487 U find tge Iriah Spring soap is so strong smelling it hurts our sinus to smell it, burns! Yes! I wilk have to send you some!
Thanks for the great ideas and Inspiration! I've been living full time on my 40 acres in the mountains next to the Prescott national Forest for 18 months now. I'm planning my permanent cabin now, and your foundation system would be a great option here, I get sheet flooding in monsoon season so being above ground is key. Thanks for the videos and keep up the great work!
👍💯🐟👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋 hello everybody little fish 🐟 hallelujah praise Jesus the king 👑💯.
Hey Don! I learned in CT with all the deer to surround my eastern white pines with black netting. I laid it around each tree separately and connected the edges with electrical ties. The deer hate that black plastic bird netting and they stopped chomping my trees. Try it. You may find a degree of success with it. Your new build will be great. I am looking forward to it. It is great to see engineer Ed helping out. He will be a valuable resource for you. In some ways your series is becoming a senior's version of Mr. Roger's neighborhood, because you ate including talented people with the build. This is a lesson for us all! Thanks for the video, Don and be healthy and well!
This was invaluable and I did just as you suggested. All the pines are covered just as you suggested. Many thanks!
@affordabledesertliving3487 Great, Don! I don't mean to make you spend money, but sometimes there is a good solution. I am glad this is paying off for you!
I didnt spend a cent. This was old netting I had from 2020. Thanks again.@@canuckyank82
Looks great! 😊🏜️
Thanks Red and April. Hope your homesteading adventure is continuing to be a great adventure!
Slow and steady wins the race, looking good there Don. All the best and stay safe.
Thanks so much for the encouragement and for watching!
Glad to see you are doing well. I was beginning to wonder if you were all right. Glad to see you are making progress. I really enjoy your work. Keep safe and healthy.
Delighted that you are enjoying the videos. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for this update video! What you are creating is monumental! Love the floor beams. Stay healthy my friend. Can’t wait for your next video! Love from NW Colorado. Thanxz
So appreciate all of that encouragement! Thanks for watching.
Wonderful Wonderful progess! Your vision is developing right before your eyes~! I am super excited for you, Don!
So always appreciate your enthusiasm and support!
I can’t wait for the next instalment Don. I love all the videos you make.
Your encouragement means a lot. Thanks Micky.
It's gonna be a beautiful place, Don!
Thanks so much for all of that encouragement Andrew!
I've never been to a dry environment. Furthest west would be Dallas for me. Thank you for sharing the beauty around you as well as that impressive build
Thanks so very much for all of the encouragement.
It looks like a big house for one man good luck with it ❤ qld Australia
G'day Keith. Its large for a specific reason mate. Hoping to turn it into a 2 bedroom airbnb for birders.
Nice there Don glad you have some one to help you to
Yeah no question was great to have Ed helping. All the best Kriss!
LOVE YOUR VIDEOS, WISH THERE WAS MORE, I KNOW IT TAKES TIME OUT OF YOUR DAY TO EDIT THEM
Trying to put out more Helen. Many thanks for watching.
Always love your progress videos, and the updates on what you've planted. I've been wondering how my land looks this year compared to when I was there last year, as I was watching the pitiful monsoon season this year. Helps to see how your trees and shrubs are doing. I know I'll be planting cottonwoods and pines for sure, still deciding on what else. Your videos keep me going through the wait to get my house sold and get moved!
I am sure it will be worth the wait Cheryl. Its a major gift to have ones own property and to be able to enjoy planting trees and shrubs.
Great video Don!
So appreciate that Mush. Hope your having a nice mild fall in N.S.
I love watching your progress
Love having you here Elaine!
I love your videos and I'm so glad to be witness to your journey.
So kind of you to watch them.
👍 Keep at it - one day at a time, you got this.
Yep all about focus and keep working I find.
Looking good Don 😁👍
Thanks Paul!
@@affordabledesertliving3487 Love your enthusiasm 😁👍
So appreciate that Paul@@paulhunter546
Howdy Don - new subscriber here. I'm planning on building my cabin up in Mohave county very soon and ran across your channel while searching for content, so I went down the proverbial rabbit hole and started watching your videos. It's very encouraging to see everything you've accomplished. Well done! Looking forward to future videos.
Glad to see the progress. Happy for you. Thank You.
Many thanks for stopping by as always Jack.
Great adventure for sure! Love the quail. ❤ We have manu quail around our place. They come in for lunchies every day. 😊
Thanks so much. Do the quail you have there have another name ... like Gambels Quail? Just curious.
@@affordabledesertliving3487 They look like Gambels 😊
That totally makes sense@@bondpaz
It's Cool to see the floor going in Don!
Glad you had some help from Ed.
Nice Video,Thanks for the Tree Update,Quail and all!
Thanks a ton for watching Olive!
I love overbuilt structures. This video is really great! I can't wait to build my own!
Yep I am all about sturdy and practical. Thanks for watching.
Don So Happy for You!!! Great progress. Cant wait for the rest of the build!!!
Thanks so very much for watching!
I love seeing your progress and also all about your different trees!! Love the birds too…what a sweet life you have!!
Thanks a ton for watching Sherry.
Coming right along nicely! You might try Bloodmeal spray to discourage da deers...
Also, you could get some 5' high wire fencing and make cages around what plants you want to protect. A 10' long piece will make a 3' diameter cage, for reference. Remember heavy mulch will help with water conservation and reduce evaporation significantly
I am seriously thinking about high fencing Bob. Hoping to save these lovely trees.
Thank you Don for the tree update. I'm so glad they have survived and hope you have a better year for rain next year. I'm excited about your new house build and will be watching for new videos!
Thanks Teena. Hoping next year is a nice wet one.
I think you're awesome 😎
Thanks so much Leslie!
Before i drill or screw, i drill a helper hole about 1/2 the diameter of the nail. Its not only easier to drive, its stronger.
It would be good idea to wrap cargo straps around your flooring to keep it from warping.
How does one do that?
Before it is installed sitting on your rack
@@chonkyb3134while they are stacked together. I always strap (with cargo straps) any lumber I get if I’m not going to use it right away
Excellent idea Ralph. I thought the tarp over it and the weight of all the stuff stacked together would work.
This is awesome progress! I’ve been watching you for a long time and this is so cool to see you building this cabin.
Wow! Looking great, my friend! I cannot wait to come see the progress!
Always love to have you visit Ed!
Excellent team work so fun to watch👍
Many thanks Matt! Appreciate you watching.
Great job Don !!!!! Can’t wait to see more videos . Take care my friend.
Thanks Oscar! Lots more coming!
Don I'm excited to see you bust a move on your new home.😊
Thanks Linda!
i wouldnt trust lowes in sierra vista for a delivery ever again. ordered it 3 weeks in advance then after being 5 days late with no phone calls( i had to keep calling to get updates) i ended up renting a trailer at tsc and picking it up myself. now ive custom built a 35' 5th wheel trailer to get the rest of my lumber myself.
Wow so sorry to hear that your experience with them was not good. So far so good here but we shall see of course.
I noticed you are using cinder blocks which are empty inside for the piers. They are unfortunately quite weak and can crumble if not filled with concrete inside.
I used dedicated 16x16x4 solid blocks instead for this reason.
Great point Stan. Cochise County regulations state that they are sufficient for homes my size that are manufactured homes. So I figured mine would be fine. That said I wasnt comfortable leaving them empty inside and so you will see in a future video how I dealt with them. Thanks for watching!
Looking good Don. I'm looking forward to seeing this project through it's completion.
So much to do so definitely not bored here with retirement!
Your build looks very good so far. The floor is very heavy duty and will be very sturdy.
Thanks Mike. I sure appreciate that encouragement.
Looking good
Thanks so much.
I pray you have success in your building
Watching from Colorado! Excited that you started the floor beams. 😃
Thanks! Yep super amazed to see the floor ever so gradually coming together.
Looking forward to a finished cabin
Yay! Your floor has began! It looks great!
Thanks so much Sandra!
Love watching your videos. We live up near Yucca, AZ off-grid.
AZ off grid is the way to go for sure!
Looks great Don. Excellent progress.
Thanks so much flyover!
Outstanding! What a mansion you are going to have, and pretty soon by the look of how hard you're working... great to see you so happy too. More vids soon plz
Thanks ever so much and yep will definitely crank out the vids.
Enjoying the build. Looks like you have thought it out pretty well.
Doing my best to use careful planning and make changes if need be.
you are doing a great job Don
Thanks so much Bernie!
Many viewers commented about size of house being so large. A16'x40' house only 640 square feet. That is not large at all by the time a kitchen, bathroom and closets factored in to living space.
Love hearing about plants and seeing birds. Pond was a life saver for animals with this bad monsoon.
Yes indeed Wanda. Also the master bedroom has a small computer office in it as well. Least thats the plan.
Very nice
Thanks so much.
I am so excited for you! You are going to have such fun making your home! I'll be following along.
Its so fun to read all of these comments Joanne. Many thanks.
Wow Don am so happy for you. Keep on pushing
Thanks Hillary Ron. All the best with your studies.
Exciting moment. Happy for you
Thanks so very much John!
Great video. Love tvd progress your making.
Thanks ever so much for joining me here and watching!
great job Don I really enjoy seeing your videos and following your progress!!
Thanks for watching everything David. Great having you here.
impressive progress, Don! Glad to see all your trees and shrubs have survived the deer.
Thanks Eric! Yes amazing but they all did!
You give me an inspiration.
That really warms me Daniel. Thank you.
Keep on Doing it....💙
Working away here and appreciate your comments!
Hey don looking fantastic keep up the good work
Thank you ever so much for watching.
Things are looking good.
Thanks Martna!
Looks solid, great work!
Hope so Gordon. Many thanks.
Hay Sparky, nice job anD THANKS FOR UPDATE ON YOUR FORESTERY PROJECT
Thanks Dave. Hope I get more rain next year.
Fabulous! Drove through your old stomp grounds in San Rafael the other day and send you some good thoughts. 😘
Yes San Rafael for 32 years. Was a life changing place for me in so many ways. Thanks for watching DesertDog!
Oh man, this looks like it's gonna be awesome Don. Loved all the stuff you shared in this one. Don't really have anything to add but would love to see you share your future plans with the build at the end of the video, would keep us all intrigued even more. ✌️ Wheelchair John in Idaho
Thanks so much for watching John! Really appreciate all of that encouragement. At some point I may show off some plans indeed. Cheers!
Very happy for you
Thanks so much Steve.
Very brave Don
Wow what an encouraging comment!