There are 600+ skeletal muscles in your body.....I can feel all of them.
Jim does not like ice packs kicked on to his side of the bed. It puts a whole new meaning to frigid wife!
Saskatchewan wind can suck the moisture out of concrete in less than five minutes.
Saskatchewan wind can shroud you in polyethelene, wet blankets or burlap....and no it does NOT care that you are running out of summer.
A cooler of beer does not enhance the "Tom Sawyer" effect. There are very few people dumb enough to fall for that...only drunks will work for beer and they are too drunk to work!
In order to build a 4 ton structure you have to move 12 ton of material...once to the cement mixer, once to the wall and once onto the wall.
I do not appreciate people who remind me the afore mentioned math is faulty because my structure will be closer to 6 ton. If those people have so much time on their hands they should pick up a trowel!
I also do not appreciate being told that the water I am feeding the Saskatchewan wind increases the total weight of "handled materials"!
Perspective on what seems like a really good price for a "sign" often seems to diminish rapidly!
50 is a lot older than it was last week!
Seriously thought I'm having fun...well at least that is what I keep telling myself!
[ September 04, 2007, 10:43 PM: Message edited by: Kelly Thorson ]
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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posted
LOL Kelly... I take it you didn't cut a bunch of vinyl lately to go through all that.
When I'm working with Dan, I feel it too. It isn't a complaint, but an observation. Physical labour is very VERY different from sitting in front of a desk or applying vinyl to a vehicle.
When I get home I'm generally too tired to think straight. It's a definate heads up that I need to work out more. Much more.
In my future bathroom reno, I really want a deep soaker tub...
Got a picture of what gave you all the above grief??
posted
You make it sound so FUN! But I have this strange attraction to moving heavy things. Please post some pics when it's done, I remember hearing a bit about this project in Moose Jaw (monument for the town?). Pat is playing with concrete now too, I'm jealous
posted
Lee, don't be jealous come help... Get Pat to pick you up - he can practice...I have LOTS of room! Cara Nelson worked with me the last couple of days. One fun thing about living and working in a small town is that people stop by and bring you things. Today it was fresh pie from the local cafe...coconut cream and lemon....mmmmmmnnn! We had a good day and my body is starting to get accustomed to the physical work. I feel much better about things today. Pics to come soon.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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posted
You're one ambitious gal Kel. By the sound of it you're going to be a lot more physically fit than the average letterhead too. Now we need some "concrete" evidence of what your doing. So stop "meshing" around and "cement" this project in our minds with photos.... oh boy see what happens when a dog hangs out with a Cat.
posted
They did Randy, but I'm not ready to talk "more" yet! I've been struggling with this one, I thought it was just the wind and heat....the concrete was cracking badly. I ended up trying adding latex paint, which supposedly makes for a stronger concrete, but still cracked although not as bad. I also tried climbing inside the structure and sealing the inside with a 50/50 Wellbond glue/water mixture, but still had major cracking. Today I tried with different sand and it seems to have worked. It is also a lot cooler and more humid, so I am not sure which has more to do with it. The initial sand passed the "silt test" so I'm not sure if there was perhaps sulfate in it that was causing a problem or what. The "look" of the work is great, I'm very hapy with it, but I have to get the cracking under control, and I will need to either remove what has cracked or somehow seal it. This is why I do things where I live first, it gives me the opportunity to navigate the lerning curve first. In any case it has definitely caused a buzz in the area and I was approached by the second town for more info and ideas. By the time this one is in place I'll have a better idea if I want to furthur persue the leads. I do know that if I do I would hire a lot more of the labour, but you have to know what you are doing before you can tell others...... Carving brick is fun!
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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posted
Hey Sue, If you change the "ol" of the word idol to a "iot" ....well that might be a better description for some of the antics I come up with. I refuse to be anyone's idol, but sure am glad and proud to have you as my friend.
Things are going much better now.
Now, once my body gets accustomed to the work and quits aching..
[ September 07, 2007, 03:20 PM: Message edited by: Kelly Thorson ]
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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posted
Hi Kelly, wish I lived near you, cause you make this job sound fun! Any one out there picture this as being in the "Funnies"...this would make for great cartoons.More power to you girl..can't wait for the pictures !!
posted
Kelly doesn't need to post in the September Health Club report. The Great Saskatchewan GroutFest of '07 is keeping her in shape. She hasn't posted any photos yet, but we did obtain this candid shot of her surveying her work.
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5089 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Yowsers! Now that HURTS David! Just looking at those muscles gives me the willies!
2 days without one crack....I'm much happier!
Looks like I'll have to work under the lights tonight...the cement is taking a little longer to set up than I expected. Just for an hour or so though...
To quote Pierre....Life is so good.....
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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I fully understand the things you are going through as we've worked with these materials on a daily basis for more than two decades. The end result makes it all worth it as the materials allow you to achieve things that are simply not possible with any other medium.
In those two decades however the experience has taught us many things.
Working out in the sun and wind is tough as you found out. Wet damp weather is even worse.
Now, no matter how large our piece I prefer to work in the confines of a climate controlled shop. An overhead hoist and tractor make the moving of the materials much easier too. I design our pieces to come apart into manageable sections which reassemble easily once transported to the worksite.
I've learned that big cranes and built in attachment points are a good idea and make the task much easier and much faster.
Don't give up on the concrete sculpture methods, but instead learn from every aspect of your projects! Keep having fun too!
I look forward to seeing the pictures of your completed project. I'm sure it will be fabulous!
I will try to remember to not challenge you to an arm wrestle the next time I see you...
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I can sure relate to the weather thing Dan, it has turned to windy, wet and cold and miserable. It's alright though as I have a piched off nerve in my neck that is causing a lot of pins and needles and pain in my hands and I think I needed the healing time (the Popeye muscles must be taking up too much room ) I'm hoping Saturday and Sunday (my son Bryan is coming home to help)will be big days and we will make some major progress. I can definitely see how it would have been so much easier working in a controlled environment. So I'm curious, how do you go about "joining" the parts on a project like this? Do you make them individual pieces that sit side by side, or do you "cement" them together on site? I suppose it would depend onthe individual project. I'll try and get some pictures posted tonight.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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posted
Here is a link to pictures for any who want to see. Pictures
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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For metal lathing, I like wearing those gloves that fit tightly and appear to be dipped in some colourful goo. I snip off the thumb tip so I can still use my fingernail to curve the small attaching wires. These gloves really saved my hands! The metal didn't want to stick to the rubber.
posted
What a woman! You have my deepest respect. I hurt all over just looking at the pictures.
About a year ago we had a job that required pouring some concrete bases - not too large, just to enough to support a directional sign. There were about six, so I thought it would be easy to accomplish by myself. After all, I had worked with my Dad back in high school and had poured sidewalks, pads for equipment, and even the floor for a small building. In college I had done the same. No sweat, just build the forms, borrow a mixer from a friend and get after it.
Well, Mike and I did the job and almost had to take off a day to heal up. Somehow, the forty years between the jobs made a difference. Computers and vinyl are much easier.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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A project this size could easily be moved after it was built in the shop. Best part is instalation only takes minutes if there's a poured foundation ready onsite.
We build much larger pieces than that now in our shop... drag them out and then have them loaded onto a flatbed for transport and installation. For the Hell's Gate sign (25' x 25' x 8' thick )we built it in three large pieces and then some lighweight hardcoated styrofoam pieces on top of that. All had to fit through the 10'6" door of our shop and on a flatbed truck without being overheight. The joints were designed to fit together almost seamelssly. The structual steel bolts together for the quickest time, although if things don't qite line up (which happens on occasion) then some wonsite weldiong is the cure. Our painting touchups and fiddles and some small patching onsite only took us a couple of days.
-grampa dan
[ September 15, 2007, 05:04 PM: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I read this post sept.4th just after you posted it.
I read it twice trying to figure out where you were going with it.
I just now finished the rest and saw the pictures.
That is something and of course your 1st post makes alot more sense.
Hang in there Kelly, the rewards of a finished project are near.
Please post the results.
-------------------- Sam Staffan Mackinaw Art & Sign 721 S. Nokomis St. Mackinaw City, MI dstaffan@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1697 | From: Mackinaw City, MI | Registered: Mar 2004
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If I may ask. What is it for? it looks like there's nothing but dirt and prarie all around it. I'm wondering who would need a sign like that in a place like that.
posted
That's hilarious Dawud! There is an access road into town, probably about a 1/4 mile or so. The sign sits at the junction of it and the highway. Due to depatment of highway regulations and line of sight it had to be set back a ways from the highway. I originally designed it to be set on the town end of the access road where it could have been closer to the road and slower traffic. The people in charge of ordering it decided they wanted it by the highway, which is why it is so big. If you look at the "site" picture you can see the stop sign for the highway in the background, in one of the others you can see the town in the background on the right. It is an odd place.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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