Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
Home Repair (alt.home.repair) For all homeowners and DIYers with many experienced tradesmen. Solve your toughest home fix-it problems. |
Reply |
|
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
The crawl space in my 80 year old house has about a foot of space in it. I
need to dig it out so I can get in there and do some work. Are there any power tools or equipment which I can rent which will make this easier? I suppose I could find a conveyor belt for dirt removal. But what about the digging part? |
#2
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
On Apr 2, 7:58 am, "Joseph Meehan" wrote:
"Bill" wrote in message ... The crawl space in my 80 year old house has about a foot of space in it. I need to dig it out so I can get in there and do some work. Are there any power tools or equipment which I can rent which will make this easier? I suppose I could find a conveyor belt for dirt removal. But what about the digging part? My uncle hired the neighborhood boys to do it during the depression. I eventually bought the house and had a basement because of their work. I also had a lot of neighbors who remembered all the good my uncle had done as they or their boyfriends had done much of that work and that is how they came up with a dollar or two during the depression for a date. My uncle had a few dollars as he was retired navy. The way the economy is going, we may be back to that soon. You're going to hire neighborhood boys and put in a sub-basement...? I think you might be sinking money in that house. To the OP: there's not a lot you can get in to a foot high space to help out. You don't mention how much work you need to do and how deep you are planning on going. In similar situations where people are digging out a basement they'll open up a foundation wall and excavate a ramp so they can get a Bobcat in. R |
#3
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
I'm digging it out about 2 ft. deep and currently have an opening about 3
ft. by 3 ft. (for digging out). |
#4
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
"Bill" wrote:
The crawl space in my 80 year old house has about a foot of space in it. I need to dig it out so I can get in there and do some work. Are there any power tools or equipment which I can rent which will make this easier? I suppose I could find a conveyor belt for dirt removal. But what about the digging part? The only power tool I've used on the enclosed space is a Bosch hammer with a spade bit to break up the clay. [had a wall open one summer and was able to scoop a lot with a backhoe- and shovel the hoe full from under the house for some more] I've been plugging away at mine for years- working just in the winter, a couple winters off for back & heart problems. But the floor in the first 10x20 space [pavers] should go in late this spring. I will probably set up a conveyor for the second section. [lowering old floor by 2feet] - but this part has been all bucket work. I used to do 5 wheelbarrow loads a day- Now I do 3 every other day. Beats paying for a gym membership. Jim |
#5
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
on 4/2/2008 8:15 AM Bill said the following:
I'm digging it out about 2 ft. deep and currently have an opening about 3 ft. by 3 ft. (for digging out). What work are you going to do in there? With only 3 feet of headroom there's no standing and barely enough room for sitting. -- Bill In Hamptonburgh, NY To email, remove the double zeroes after @ |
#6
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
Bill wrote:
The crawl space in my 80 year old house has about a foot of space in it. I need to dig it out so I can get in there and do some work. Are there any power tools or equipment which I can rent which will make this easier? I suppose I could find a conveyor belt for dirt removal. But what about the digging part? A few years ago on HomeTime on PBS they did that. They did it by lying on their stomachs and shoveling it into a tub that was pulled out with a rope. The tub was a flat oblong with sloping ends, kind of like a sled. I think it might have been a mortar tub. But basically I think you are talking about a lot of work. Good luck. Bill Gill |
#7
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
On Apr 2, 8:06�am, BillGill wrote:
Bill wrote: The crawl space in my 80 year old house has about a foot of space in it. I need to dig it out so I can get in there and do some work. Are there any power tools or equipment which I can rent which will make this easier? I suppose I could find a conveyor belt for dirt removal. But what about the digging part? A few years ago on HomeTime on PBS they did that. �They did it by lying on their stomachs and shoveling it into a tub that was pulled out with a rope. �The tub was a flat oblong with sloping ends, kind of like a sled. I think it might have been a mortar tub. But basically I think you are talking about a lot of work. �Good luck. Bill Gill easier to jack up the home and dig out a proper basement.... with the proper ,imi excavators etc........ dont forget you will need new foundation supports.......... footers etc |
#8
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
what does the OP plan on doing down there? probably easier to lift the floor........ digging out may not be the most cost effective approach |
#9
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
Hire some willing young diggers..........
or do it yourself..... Using a homeade built box.......4 inch high walls and plywood bottom with eye hook and rope. One works inside and one pulls box out and empties..... cut shovel handle to 12 inches........ small pick dust mask coveralls. good lighting helps knee pads gloves....... "Bill" wrote in message ... The crawl space in my 80 year old house has about a foot of space in it. I need to dig it out so I can get in there and do some work. Are there any power tools or equipment which I can rent which will make this easier? I suppose I could find a conveyor belt for dirt removal. But what about the digging part? |
#10
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
"Bill" wrote in message
... The crawl space in my 80 year old house has about a foot of space in it. I need to dig it out so I can get in there and do some work. Are there any power tools or equipment which I can rent which will make this easier? I suppose I could find a conveyor belt for dirt removal. But what about the digging part? Giganews Berlin area poster, The tools needed, by hand and power, depend on the type of ground you're intending to dig. -- Dave How about a tax to support any military conflict/police action over 3 months old? An actual war, we can do what's been done in the past. |
#11
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
On Apr 2, 6:29*am, "Bill" wrote:
The crawl space in my 80 year old house has about a foot of space in it. I need to dig it out so I can get in there and do some work. Are there any power tools or equipment which I can rent which will make this easier? I suppose I could find a conveyor belt for dirt removal. But what about the digging part? If its hard pack dirt rent a demolition hammer with a spade bit to get everything loose fast. |
#12
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
Bill wrote: The crawl space in my 80 year old house has about a foot of space in it. I need to dig it out so I can get in there and do some work. Are there any power tools or equipment which I can rent which will make this easier? I suppose I could find a conveyor belt for dirt removal. But what about the digging part? Depends on how much you want to spend on rental vs. how much back breaking work you want to do, as well as how much rock there is in the mix. You can rent a towable vacuum excavator from places like United Rentals that will do the job in a day if you don't have big rocks to deal with. These units will suck up ~500 gal worth of dirt at a time between dumps. |
#13
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
" wrote:
what does the OP plan on doing down there? probably easier to lift the floor........ digging out may not be the most cost effective approach It is absolutely the most *cost* effective. Removal costs are nil. Whether it makes sense in the long run is entirely up to the digger (and those effected.] My basement excavation- like my summetime exterior landscaping by shovel- is a combination of hobby/exercise/home improvement. The digging is free. The footers and piers cast little. It is still cheaper than drinking beer & buying a health club membership. Jim |
#14
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
On Apr 2, 11:10 am, Jim Elbrecht wrote:
" wrote: what does the OP plan on doing down there? probably easier to lift the floor........ digging out may not be the most cost effective approach It is absolutely the most *cost* effective. Removal costs are nil. Whether it makes sense in the long run is entirely up to the digger (and those effected.] My basement excavation- like my summetime exterior landscaping by shovel- is a combination of hobby/exercise/home improvement. The digging is free. The footers and piers cast little. It is still cheaper than drinking beer & buying a health club membership. You must drink cheap beer. The last three words I don't recognize. R |
#15
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
On Apr 2, 7:29*am, "Bill" wrote:
The crawl space in my 80 year old house has about a foot of space in it. I need to dig it out so I can get in there and do some work. Are there any power tools or equipment which I can rent which will make this easier? I suppose I could find a conveyor belt for dirt removal. But what about the digging part? check the depth of your footings. you don't want to undermine them. T |
#16
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
Bill wrote:
The crawl space in my 80 year old house has about a foot of space in it. I need to dig it out so I can get in there and do some work. Are there any power tools or equipment which I can rent which will make this easier? A friend of mine turned his crawlspace into a basement using dynamite... Nick |
#17
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
Crawl space work a lot of times involves laying on your back or side. It's
not always easy. s "willshak" wrote in message m... What work are you going to do in there? With only 3 feet of headroom there's no standing and barely enough room for sitting. -- Bill In Hamptonburgh, NY To email, remove the double zeroes after @ |
#18
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
"Bill" wrote in message ... The crawl space in my 80 year old house has about a foot of space in it. I need to dig it out so I can get in there and do some work. Are there any power tools or equipment which I can rent which will make this easier? I suppose I could find a conveyor belt for dirt removal. But what about the digging part? Bill, I am working on my crawl space. Going for 42" depth so I can move around and fix plumbing, insulation, HVAC ducts etc. I do have a Bosch demo hammer but have not had to use it much. I dug a deep ramp with my Kubota alongside the foundation. I opened up the foundation, just like you had. Got some "flexible" conveyors on Craigslist. These expand from 7 feet long to 35 feet and can snake around obstacles. Bought eight 27 gallon plastic totes. Starting out was difficult for the first few feet. Now I simply sit on a stool, use a full length spade and one foot to dig horizontally into the bank, fill the 8 totes and send them out on the conveyor. My biggest problem, due to age, is getting the totes out from under the house and not the digging. Of course the conveyor takes care of all that. I simply give the string of 8 totes a push and they fly out from under and even empty themselves. After each group of 8 totes I do have to get out from under (I can walk bent over in 42" space) and collect the empty totes. After about 10 round trips I remove all the excess dumpings with my Kubota and lose it on my 4± acres. While my dirt (bottom 2 feet) is quite stiff, I stopped using the Bosch hammer. Taking a horizontal slice against a vertical bank (the slice is only about 2 inches deep) while sitting down, is very easy. You would be surprised how much force you can exert with a sharp spade, push of the foot and a little wiggling. Write me if you need any more info. And yes, as many of the replies stated, I have quit going to the gym. Ivan Vegvary |
#19
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
"Ivan Vegvary" wrote:
-snip- eight 27 gallon plastic totes. -snip- My biggest problem, due to age, is getting the totes out from under the house and not the digging. What? You can't throw 27 gallons of dirt around? BG I hope you meant 27 quarts- or I'm feeling even whimpier than when I started going for 3 gallons instead of 5. [though I'm carrying mine up a flight of stairs- of course that's 3 gallons in each hand.g] -snip- After about 10 round trips I remove all the excess dumpings with my Kubota and lose it on my 4± acres. Those little machines are handy. I had my brother-in-law's Kubota for a few weeks a couple years ago. Sure speeds up the process. While my dirt (bottom 2 feet) is quite stiff, I stopped using the Bosch hammer. Taking a horizontal slice against a vertical bank (the slice is only about 2 inches deep) while sitting down, is very easy. You would be surprised how much force you can exert with a sharp spade, push of the foot and a little wiggling. *Sharp* spade is a good point. I've got a great little short handled landscaping spade that is serrated, even. Though it doesn't help much in my clay. You can peel about 1/4 inch off- but any more and it is spade bit time. [till I get to the wet spots- but that's a whole nother headache.] Jim |
#20
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
Jim Elbrecht wrote: "Ivan Vegvary" wrote: -snip- eight 27 gallon plastic totes. -snip- My biggest problem, due to age, is getting the totes out from under the house and not the digging. What? You can't throw 27 gallons of dirt around? BG I hope you meant 27 quarts- or I'm feeling even whimpier than when I started going for 3 gallons instead of 5. [though I'm carrying mine up a flight of stairs- of course that's 3 gallons in each hand.g] -snip- After about 10 round trips I remove all the excess dumpings with my Kubota and lose it on my 4± acres. Those little machines are handy. I had my brother-in-law's Kubota for a few weeks a couple years ago. Sure speeds up the process. While my dirt (bottom 2 feet) is quite stiff, I stopped using the Bosch hammer. Taking a horizontal slice against a vertical bank (the slice is only about 2 inches deep) while sitting down, is very easy. You would be surprised how much force you can exert with a sharp spade, push of the foot and a little wiggling. *Sharp* spade is a good point. I've got a great little short handled landscaping spade that is serrated, even. Though it doesn't help much in my clay. You can peel about 1/4 inch off- but any more and it is spade bit time. [till I get to the wet spots- but that's a whole nother headache.] Jim The vacuum excavators I noted in my other post would make the process much faster and easier. Just put the suction hose where you want to dig and start jabbing that area with the air lance. After sucking out some 500 gal of dirt, take a break to dump the vacuum container and then go at it again. |
#21
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
"willshak" wrote in message
What work are you going to do in there? With only 3 feet of headroom there's no standing and barely enough room for sitting. For now I am doing some plumbing (moving bathtub and toilet, insulating hot water lines), adding support under a heavy woodstove, and adding a beam and support to fix a sloping floor. For the future it would be nice to be able to get under there to run wires or whatever. The vacuum idea sounds great! Even a shop vac with two people working would probably be an easier way to get the dirt out. Also dust is created when disturbing the old top layer of dirt, so the vac could also remove any dust clouds. Thanks for the idea. |
#22
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
Bill wrote:
The crawl space in my 80 year old house has about a foot of space in it. I need to dig it out so I can get in there and do some work. Are there any power tools or equipment which I can rent which will make this easier? .... Find a badger and pen him up down there a while... -- |
#23
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
Bill wrote: "willshak" wrote in message What work are you going to do in there? With only 3 feet of headroom there's no standing and barely enough room for sitting. For now I am doing some plumbing (moving bathtub and toilet, insulating hot water lines), adding support under a heavy woodstove, and adding a beam and support to fix a sloping floor. For the future it would be nice to be able to get under there to run wires or whatever. The vacuum idea sounds great! Even a shop vac with two people working would probably be an easier way to get the dirt out. Also dust is created when disturbing the old top layer of dirt, so the vac could also remove any dust clouds. Thanks for the idea. The rental vacuum excavator units I mentioned are a far cry from a shop vac. The units listed in the United Rentals catalog are all 25HP, are trailer mounted and weigh around 5,000#. The collection vessels are ~500 gal and tilt for dumping the contents. A weekend rental of one of these units and your project will be done. |
#24
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
On Apr 3, 5:39 am, "Bill" wrote:
"willshak" wrote in message What work are you going to do in there? With only 3 feet of headroom there's no standing and barely enough room for sitting. For now I am doing some plumbing (moving bathtub and toilet, insulating hot water lines), adding support under a heavy woodstove, and adding a beam and support to fix a sloping floor. For the future it would be nice to be able to get under there to run wires or whatever. The vacuum idea sounds great! Even a shop vac with two people working would probably be an easier way to get the dirt out. Also dust is created when disturbing the old top layer of dirt, so the vac could also remove any dust clouds. Thanks for the idea. I've done the experiment (only to prove the futility) a reasonably sized shop vac can only do about 1 gpm loose dirt removal. Plus you need time (or a helper) to empty. You'll need a vacuum excavator which is serious machine. cheers Bob |
#25
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
On Apr 2, 7:55 pm, "Ivan Vegvary" wrote:
"Bill" wrote in message ... The crawl space in my 80 year old house has about a foot of space in it. I need to dig it out so I can get in there and do some work. Are there any power tools or equipment which I can rent which will make this easier? I suppose I could find a conveyor belt for dirt removal. But what about the digging part? Bill, I am working on my crawl space. Going for 42" depth so I can move around and fix plumbing, insulation, HVAC ducts etc. I do have a Bosch demo hammer but have not had to use it much. I dug a deep ramp with my Kubota alongside the foundation. I opened up the foundation, just like you had. Got some "flexible" conveyors on Craigslist. These expand from 7 feet long to 35 feet and can snake around obstacles. Bought eight 27 gallon plastic totes. Starting out was difficult for the first few feet. Now I simply sit on a stool, use a full length spade and one foot to dig horizontally into the bank, fill the 8 totes and send them out on the conveyor. My biggest problem, due to age, is getting the totes out from under the house and not the digging. Of course the conveyor takes care of all that. I simply give the string of 8 totes a push and they fly out from under and even empty themselves. After each group of 8 totes I do have to get out from under (I can walk bent over in 42" space) and collect the empty totes. After about 10 round trips I remove all the excess dumpings with my Kubota and lose it on my 4± acres. While my dirt (bottom 2 feet) is quite stiff, I stopped using the Bosch hammer. Taking a horizontal slice against a vertical bank (the slice is only about 2 inches deep) while sitting down, is very easy. You would be surprised how much force you can exert with a sharp spade, push of the foot and a little wiggling. Write me if you need any more info. And yes, as many of the replies stated, I have quit going to the gym. Ivan Vegvary Ivan- I remember your post form last year. How much dirt have you removed and how long as it taken? I think you estimated about 2 hrs per cubic yard removed. For my engineering data base... close were our numbers? cheers Bob |
#26
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
On Apr 4, 12:48 am, Bobk207 wrote:
On Apr 3, 5:39 am, "Bill" wrote: The vacuum idea sounds great! Even a shop vac with two people working would probably be an easier way to get the dirt out. Also dust is created when disturbing the old top layer of dirt, so the vac could also remove any dust clouds. Thanks for the idea. I've done the experiment (only to prove the futility) a reasonably sized shop vac can only do about 1 gpm loose dirt removal. Plus you need time (or a helper) to empty. You'll need a vacuum excavator which is serious machine. But they are becoming more available at rental yards and they certainly have a lot of advantages. Some of the machines have a reverse flow feature where the excavated material can be deposited elsewhere on the site or in a truck/dumpster so the machine can keep going. http://www.constructionequipment.com...oID=1283221977 R |
#27
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Vacuum Excavators [was; Digging out crawl space - Power tools?]
RicodJour wrote:
[vacuum excavators] -snip- But they are becoming more available at rental yards and they certainly have a lot of advantages. Some of the machines have a reverse flow feature where the excavated material can be deposited elsewhere on the site or in a truck/dumpster so the machine can keep going. http://www.constructionequipment.com...oID=1283221977 Got a video of one in action? I've called a couple rental places & haven't found one to look at yet. [near Schenectady, NY] But this might be the answer to my '10' trencher' question I asked about on a.h.r a couple weeks ago. I don't need fast- but I need to dig a 10' long horizontal hole about 4-6" in diameter- then 'elongate' the hole vertically down 7-8 feet. The soil is hardpan clay. Jim |
#28
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Vacuum Excavators [was; Digging out crawl space - Powertools?]
On Apr 4, 11:31 am, Jim Elbrecht wrote:
RicodJour wrote: [vacuum excavators] -snip- But they are becoming more available at rental yards and they certainly have a lot of advantages. Some of the machines have a reverse flow feature where the excavated material can be deposited elsewhere on the site or in a truck/dumpster so the machine can keep going. http://www.constructionequipment.com...occlamp&articl... Got a video of one in action? I've called a couple rental places & haven't found one to look at yet. [near Schenectady, NY] Nope, I don't. Try YouTube or one of the manufacturers' sites. But this might be the answer to my '10' trencher' question I asked about on a.h.r a couple weeks ago. I don't need fast- but I need to dig a 10' long horizontal hole about 4-6" in diameter- then 'elongate' the hole vertically down 7-8 feet. The soil is hardpan clay. I'm not sure I understand you. You have to dig a small diameter hole that extends 10' horizontally then go down 8' starting at the far end of that hole, or are you saying you have to trench 8' down the whole 10' length? The first one sounds borderline impossible, the second one _might_ be possible with the vacuum excavator if the soil conditions are right, but I think that you'd still end up collapsing the trench as you went due to the vibration. R |
#29
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Vacuum Excavators [was; Digging out crawl space - Power tools?]
Jim Elbrecht wrote: RicodJour wrote: [vacuum excavators] -snip- But they are becoming more available at rental yards and they certainly have a lot of advantages. Some of the machines have a reverse flow feature where the excavated material can be deposited elsewhere on the site or in a truck/dumpster so the machine can keep going. http://www.constructionequipment.com...oID=1283221977 Got a video of one in action? I've called a couple rental places & haven't found one to look at yet. [near Schenectady, NY] But this might be the answer to my '10' trencher' question I asked about on a.h.r a couple weeks ago. I don't need fast- but I need to dig a 10' long horizontal hole about 4-6" in diameter- then 'elongate' the hole vertically down 7-8 feet. The soil is hardpan clay. Jim Probably video around somewhere. In my 2006 copy of the United Rentals catalog there are four units shown on page 9, two Vac-Tron, a DitchWitch and a Verneer all with similar specs. 1-800-UR-RENTS or unitedrentals.com should point you to the closest location you can call for information. I've not used one of these units personally, but I know they are very versatile and also popular for excavating around utilities since you aren't digging with any kind of blade. |
#30
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
"Pete C." wrote in message ... Jim Elbrecht wrote: "Ivan Vegvary" wrote: -snip- eight 27 gallon plastic totes. -snip- My biggest problem, due to age, is getting the totes out from under the house and not the digging. What? You can't throw 27 gallons of dirt around? BG I hope you meant 27 quarts- or I'm feeling even whimpier than when I started going for 3 gallons instead of 5. [though I'm carrying mine up a flight of stairs- of course that's 3 gallons in each hand.g] -snip- After about 10 round trips I remove all the excess dumpings with my Kubota and lose it on my 4± acres. Those little machines are handy. I had my brother-in-law's Kubota for a few weeks a couple years ago. Sure speeds up the process. While my dirt (bottom 2 feet) is quite stiff, I stopped using the Bosch hammer. Taking a horizontal slice against a vertical bank (the slice is only about 2 inches deep) while sitting down, is very easy. You would be surprised how much force you can exert with a sharp spade, push of the foot and a little wiggling. *Sharp* spade is a good point. I've got a great little short handled landscaping spade that is serrated, even. Though it doesn't help much in my clay. You can peel about 1/4 inch off- but any more and it is spade bit time. [till I get to the wet spots- but that's a whole nother headache.] Jim The vacuum excavators I noted in my other post would make the process much faster and easier. Just put the suction hose where you want to dig and start jabbing that area with the air lance. After sucking out some 500 gal of dirt, take a break to dump the vacuum container and then go at it again. I've used my shop vac to clean out trenches for water pipe, and to remove the loose soil at the bottom of an augered hole. Works quite well. |
#31
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
|
#32
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
On Fri, 4 Apr 2008 19:56:01 -0400, "Chas Hurst"
wrote: I've used my shop vac to clean out trenches for water pipe, and to remove the loose soil at the bottom of an augered hole. Works quite well. I used mine to clean out footing holes (had to be 5 ft, and my post hole digger was not up to bringing the dirt up that high... Mostly sandy soil however, and was a lot of work regardless. Didn't take long to fill that sucker up! |
#33
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
"Jim Elbrecht" wrote in message ... "Ivan Vegvary" wrote: -snip- eight 27 gallon plastic totes. -snip- My biggest problem, due to age, is getting the totes out from under the house and not the digging. What? You can't throw 27 gallons of dirt around? BG I hope you meant 27 quarts- or I'm feeling even whimpier than when I started going for 3 gallons instead of 5. [though I'm carrying mine up a flight of stairs- of course that's 3 gallons in each hand.g] -snip- After about 10 round trips I remove all the excess dumpings with my Kubota and lose it on my 4± acres. Those little machines are handy. I had my brother-in-law's Kubota for a few weeks a couple years ago. Sure speeds up the process. While my dirt (bottom 2 feet) is quite stiff, I stopped using the Bosch hammer. Taking a horizontal slice against a vertical bank (the slice is only about 2 inches deep) while sitting down, is very easy. You would be surprised how much force you can exert with a sharp spade, push of the foot and a little wiggling. *Sharp* spade is a good point. I've got a great little short handled landscaping spade that is serrated, even. Though it doesn't help much in my clay. You can peel about 1/4 inch off- but any more and it is spade bit time. [till I get to the wet spots- but that's a whole nother headache.] Jim Hey Jim, You caught me!! Of course I meant 27 quart containers. Good eye!!!! Ivan Vegvary |
#34
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
On Apr 2, 2:04*pm, "S. Barker" wrote:
Crawl space work a lot of times involves laying on your back or side. *It's not always easy. s "willshak" wrote in message m... What work are you going to do in there? With only 3 feet of headroom there's no standing and barely enough room for sitting. -- Bill In Hamptonburgh, NY To email, remove the double zeroes after @- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Why just don't you go and talk witha contractor. http://www.planorealestateadvisor.com http//www.planorealty.blogspot.com |
#35
Posted to alt.building.construction,alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
On Apr 5, 6:42 pm, europeanvic wrote:
Why just don't you go and talk with a contractor. He is. Several in fact. R |
#36
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
replying to Jim Elbrecht, G.Dub wrote:
elbrecht wrote: It is absolutely the most *cost* effective. Removal costs are nil. Whether it makes sense in the long run is entirely up to the digger (and those effected.] My basement excavation- like my summetime exterior landscaping by shovel- is a combination of hobby/exercise/home improvement. The digging is free. The footers and piers cast little. It is still cheaper than drinking beer & buying a health club membership. Jim I am completely with you Jim. I'd rather do some jobs with muscle and time... I call it no-brain (needed) work... let's my mind think about important things, feel the satisfaction of progress every day, get exercise, and save my nickels. -- |
#37
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
|
#38
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
"TimR" wrote in message ... Here's how to do it: https://www.youtube.com/user/LilGiantsConstrCo after you limber up a bit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBMUvAUPTGM#t=72 |
#39
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
On Thu, 17 Jul 2014 19:44:02 +0000, G.Dub
wrote: replying to Jim Elbrecht, G.Dub wrote: elbrecht wrote: It is absolutely the most *cost* effective. Removal costs are nil. Whether it makes sense in the long run is entirely up to the digger (and those effected.] My basement excavation- like my summetime exterior landscaping by shovel- is a combination of hobby/exercise/home improvement. The digging is free. The footers and piers cast little. It is still cheaper than drinking beer & buying a health club membership. Jim I am completely with you Jim. I'd rather do some jobs with muscle and time... I call it no-brain (needed) work... let's my mind think about important things, feel the satisfaction of progress every day, get exercise, and save my nickels. In front of my house, someone needs to jackhammer out a piece of blacktop 6 feet long by 4 inches thick, by 4 inches wide, I think that would be good exercise but the only time I used an electric jackhammer, I was tired in 30 seconds. Do you think I can do this myself? In a full day's rental time? Or can I rent a saw that does this? |
#40
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Digging out crawl space - Power tools?
On Thursday, July 17, 2014 11:11:47 PM UTC-4, micky wrote:
In front of my house, someone needs to jackhammer out a piece of blacktop 6 feet long by 4 inches thick, by 4 inches wide, I think that would be good exercise but the only time I used an electric jackhammer, I was tired in 30 seconds. Blacktop 4 inches thick? unlikely. What's under it? Hope it's not concrete. Basically you need to cut a 4 inch wide trench six feet long? Saw cut it and pry it up, this is only an hour job. You can rent a saw. I've heard you can do this with your circular saw but not tried it myself. |
Reply |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Drying out a crawl space | Home Repair | |||
Water in Crawl Space | Home Repair | |||
Crawl space excavation | Home Repair | |||
CRAWL SPACE | Home Repair | |||
NEC question - crawl space furnace power | Home Repair |