Thanks, Swingman... I logged in, but will wait for SWMBO to decide the particulars, like Sq. footage, etc. before I complete the estimate (said by one well aware of which side the butter is on!). Tom
I'll take bugs over that nasty white stuff any day! Not to mention that I break out the long johns below 60degrees F.
If I can find something like that it would be nice!
The question of the day... Did they use Vasoline?
Tom
It snows in TN, Tom. Check the monthly stats on
Ah, you betcha.
Hell, no! Why do you suppose I'm still so sore about it? :-/
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To do my residential estimates and budgets I use a suite of tools based on Excel macros called "UDA Construction Office".
It would be a bit steep in price unless you are planning on doing the general contracting yourself, then it would be well worth the few hundred dollars as an estimating tool, a budget tool and a bidding/contracts tool.
It is a relatively painless matter of inputting a few parameters and it spits out a fairly comprehensive estimate for "industry standard" residential construction, from soup to nuts. If you get to the point where you have your parameters down fairly well, it is within the realm of possibility that, on a quite evening, the input could be done via e-mail and the results e-mailed to you.
The company making blocks here is Ruud Building Systems. From what I can tell they manufacture the Logix system blocks. Not so coincidentally the same guy owns a local concrete company.
Mike O.
Well no doubt it snows there, the difference is in how much and for how long... The folks we spoke with said some years there was none, and when it does snow, it seldom accumulates to a significant degree. One policeman said
1" to 3" and it usually was gone in a day or two.The weather link showed precipitation and temperature averages, record lows and highs, etc. but didn't elaborate on whether the precipitation was rain, sleet, snow or ice storm.
The average lows were from 27 to 31 AFAIRemember. Tom
The problem is, for those accustomed to driving in snow, 1-3" doesn't represent any sort of impediment whatsoever. For those who aren't (and I'm guessing a cracker isn't) 1" is enough to close schools and fill the ditches with vehicles.
One of the funniest stories from my daughter when she was in college (grew up in the Chicago area, went to college at Southern Illinois U; Carbondale, way south) was the first time they had a snow when she was there--about 1". She called up saying, "ohmigod, they're crazy here. They closed the schools, people are slipping and sliding all over the place."
Real snow people don't start doing that until 6-8" and if you're from da UP, or the Dakotas, or Chautauqua County, NY, not until more than a foot.
Problems with snow driving is understandable if you've never experienced it and is obviously an acquired skill, although not one I'd judge was worth wasting much bragging pride on ... what's really baffling is why the snow birds (or whatever the opposite of your "crackers" is) visiting down here in Texas can't seem to drive more than 15mph in a gentle rain?
Are their 4 way emergency flashers on in that light rain as they go down the highway?
Jim B.
Those who have it are rightly proud of it. Those who don't claim it's not worth bragging on...
carpetbaggers.
Not necessarily ... what's really worth bragging about is not having the need ... the "why" of what all those snowbirds are doing down here, putting up with the "crackers", during the winter months in the first place.
Decent snow tires or all weather radials will help. Then when it snows, you take your truck into a parking lot (one without the concrete markers and do a bunch of fishtailing and donuts and sliding stops. Aside from it being a lot of fun, it will get you used to how your truck handles in the snow.
I haven't been driving regularly for a number of years now, but when I was, whenever it snowed the first time in a season, I'd do this until my mind became acclimated again to snow driving. Don't forget to drive slower and allow greater distance between vehicles. If it's really slippery out, avoid hills.
And get some weight over the rear axle: sandbags, cinder blocks, mother-in-law, whatever. That's one of the benefits of 4wd: getting some weight over the drive wheels. I will always have one 4wd vehicle. btdt, jo4hn
I have a 3/4 ton 4 WD pickup that is loaded with tons of equipment. In snow, for most problems, unless you're willing to jump a snow bank and drive across someone's front lawn it's only as good as the two wheelers stuck in front of and behind you.
Thomas,
If you would like to capitalize on your own labor, I would suggest finding a house plan you like from the thousands available in the library or on-line. Then have an archiect or designer provide a set of drawings that reflect that plan and detailed to utilize one of the two following methods of construction.
Hope these options give you more to research. Best of luck.
Deacon
Hi Jack , I love your logic! And my hills aren't all that steep. Traffic (we hope) won't be as you describe, it is a small town surrounded by same. However my imagination could see just me and the guy turned sideways on the little country road. Tom
Thanks Deacon, More to consider... I'll look up the info on the insulating concrete block. Time won't allow the labor for pre fab panels (by me). Thanks, Tom
Weight on the wheels will help with linear traction and braking...BUT... too much will cause the ass-end to 'pendulum' away on you when you swing into an unexpected turn. DO ask me how I know that..*G*
...btw.... when transporting a mother-in-law, it is legal here in Kanuckistan to leave the gate open.
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