Thread: Evolution of the Shed

Well we now move onto Stage 2 of the shed.
Because the missus wanted to have her "farm shop" as nigelandjan pointed out and also to store some bagged rice in there instead of in the rice barn, it was getting crowded in the shed. Also, if I kept my farm implements in there, they had to be stored in front of each other and as Murphy's law would have it, the one you wanted to use was always the one at the back behind all the others.
So my solution was to extend the shed on one side as shown in the picture. However being such a clever dick I stuffed it up. I maintained the same roof pitch and also the same floor level as the original shed which would have been OK if the roof ended at the posts, which is where I calculted the height. Everything was fine until I tried to reverse the tractor under the roof from the side, the bloody canopy on the tractor was just a bit high, only 50mm or so, but still too high. If I had dropped the floor level by a 100mm it would have worked just fine. Everything goes in if you come in from the end but that wasn't the plan



same same but different


This area has now become a fabrication shop for making the trusses for our farmhouse but that's another thread on another day in the future. The plow is back out in the weather which led to stage 3 of the shed.


When this one was taken the excavator was actually sheltering under there


a closer look at the shed, the toilet block and the rice barn. Nothing special now but sets the scene for stage 3 to come


A more distant view which also shows a bit of the garden coming along and the sala in the background


A view from the end of the shed taken from the back corner of the house, the rice barn is obscured behind the tree leaves.


A view of the rice barn taken from the corner of the shed. Again nothing special but becomes interesting once we see stage 3.

Originally Posted by ootai

away from the "Thai" end

Amazing separation. I suppose if it works don't fix it.

I think you probably got 3 sack concrete or close to 2,000 psi regardless of what you asked for. Most of the batch plants here are pretty up to date as far as mix designs and technology automated systems. You just have to watch the workers so they don't keep adding water to make the mix move easier.

Your fence line is stout for sure and I like your cylindrical posts idea for the gate. I may steal that one from you. Currently we've used the large bamboo 6" plus size for our temporary gate posts and 2" bamboo poles for the cross bars. I need to get busy with some pic.'s and start a thread on the "Complete Idiot's guide to house building in Thailand." I'm not at a stage where I could post something of substance so I'll have to wait a while.

Yes, Americans don't give up their standards easily, point of a gun does wonders however to changing to the metric system I'm told.

Your wife is farming the 15 adjoining rai? Nice. Positive cash flow.

I would have thought you would elevate the floor of the tractor shed or farm shed to stop water build up under your implements and rice storage?

If you reversed the roof slope then no problems with any equipment entering or exiting. A "V," at the intersection of the main house roof and the shed...roof gutter drains into sump or tank. To late now.

Like the garden progress. The concrete design and placement was a great application.

Do you have plans for livestock? Pigs, chickens, pigeons, fish ponds?

Do you get sufficient rain during the course of the year?

Originally Posted by ltnt

I would have thought you would elevate the floor of the tractor shed or farm shed to stop water build up under your implements and rice storage?

If you reversed the roof slope then no problems with any equipment entering or exiting. A "V," at the intersection of the main house roof and the shed...roof gutter drains into sump or tank. To late now.

Like the garden progress. The concrete design and placement was a great application.

Do you have plans for livestock? Pigs, chickens, pigeons, fish ponds?

Do you get sufficient rain during the course of the year?

In reply to your first answer, all I can say is shoulda, coulda, woulda.
If I had used my brain it would have been OK. My mistake was calculating the hieght at the post not at the end of the roof overhang.
As for livestock, had 45 coattle a while ago but got out of them at a loss, got some chickens but the missus told me tonight that 4 had died from some mysterious ailment, pigs I would like to try but not while I am not there to completely supervise (read do the work) and fish in our pond would only happen if we wanted to feed the thieves.
As for the amount of rain it is what it is and we only grow stuff that is able to handle the normal conditions out here (Buriram), I did irrigate some Cassava one time and that worked out OK.

Well I got back home in the middle of this year and she said to me. "I want to extend the shed to make enough room". We had bought another car so my work ute (pickup) needed somewhere to go, along with the truck etc etc.
Anyway my reply was, "when are you planning on starting the build?"
The answer, tomorrow! So I had half a day to come up with an idea and this is what happened.

First we took the roof off the toilet block, the plan was to extend the roof about 8 metres out toward the rice barn


So we got in some prefab concrete post and constructed some trusses (not sure if that terminology is correct but oh well.)


looking from the other side


and again from the corner near the rice barn



This shows the south side (furtherest from the house) where I decided to extend the roof out a couple of metres. You can just see the blue steel at this point


a more distant view.


I was going to post 1 more picture but I am having a bit of a problem so thats it for now, more later of the finished product.

When's the building going to end? Seems every time you return there's a new project in the making. Wouldn't it be nice to finally finish?

I hate the thought of a build that never ends. My wife is of the same nature and can't wait for the finished product so we can relax and live life in peaceful surroundings. While the build is on though shes a Tiger on the hunt.

Originally Posted by ltnt

When's the building going to end? Seems every time you return there's a new project in the making. Wouldn't it be nice to finally finish?

I hate the thought of a build that never ends. My wife is of the same nature and can't wait for the finished product so we can relax and live life in peaceful surroundings. While the build is on though shes a Tiger on the hunt.

Good question and not exactly sure of the answer, but I believe we have now almost built everything we wanted. We are trying to buiild everything now while I am still working (cash coming in) so that when I retire (again) we will only have living expenses and of course operating expenses on the farm.
Projects completed so far, house built and a couple of add-ons added, shed built and extended twice, equipment is all purchased (i.e. I don't need anymore toys), new farmhouse built. As for modifications to our land we have cleaned up all 5 blocks and are currently growing Cassava, rice (in season), sugar cane and have knocked out a lot of paddy walls to increase the paddies to a size that more easily allows for working with tractors etc. When knocking out a lot of banks we discovered that they were quite often built around a big tree stump. All the tree stumps have been dug out using the mini-excavator (lots of fun for me). So at present we only have a few rai of paddy to left to modernise. The idea is to have it set up so 1 person can farm the whole lot and just get contractors in for certain bits like cassava planting/harvesting, cane planting/cutting and rice harvesting. These days the missus has finally realised getting a contractor at a pre-determined price per rai/tonne is the best way. If the family want work she directs them to the contractor.
So at this point in time the only things I would like to try over and above what has been mentioned already is to maybe set up something so I can irrigate a second small rice crop on the rice land. Also convert some land to rubber trees as a long term income source.

Just remember if your projects end then there is a good chance of becoming bored which is not good in the middle of nowhere.

I forgot to say that the reason there is always a new project when I get home is because we discuss it on the phone a lot but don't start anything until we conduct a "site visit" to make there has not been any misunderstanding about what we both think we are going to end up with, plus when I'm there I can keep my eye on what is happening. Recently she extended the back "patio" and I asked for her to wait until I got there, her response was "f****off, I don't want you interfering". I was really impressed with the outcome so I am happy that she does listen to my guidance sometimes.

Here's some pictures of the end result of the extension
From a distance


same same but closer


and again


from the south west corner shows the roof extension on the south side


room to park all the toys undercover and not "in" the shed


plenty of room for other stuff when the toys are removed


shows a closer view of the roof extension from the other end, all the implements are out of the rain and easily accessible to hook up.


more to come later.....

Brilliant shed mate, bloody ripper.

The extension came out well. I kinda wonder if the shed for implements is more to keep them out of the sun rather than the rain?

The rice storage will not be left on the floor, right?

I understand the use of contractors for farming help. In my wife's Ban they collective most of their fields. You help me, I help you sort of thing. For the most however its done by "family members." Currently harvesting beans and Cassava. Next second planting of corn, then rice again.

I can't understand why the land is so productive and hasn't "burnt out," already with so many crops constantly under til? Recently the BIL bought a new tractor and contracts it out to til everyone's fields. Paid 800,000 and has to make payments every 6 months with 300,000 down payment. He averages about 500 baht per plowing. I can't see this as a money maker, but he enjoys sitting rather than stooping for sure.

All the crops are sold to "Government Agents." The price goes up and down daily as well they only take so many bushels or kilos per day. Its a rigged game in my estimation, but they've been doing this all their lives.

Farming has always been a difficult way to earn a living in any country.

I don't think I want or need perpetual projects to keep me from boredom, but you never know when you'll run up against that.

Itnt---the rice was drying on the floor and was put in the bags so it could be picked up and tipped into the rice barn.
As for farming as a collective, it would need to be "all in the family" as Thai's don't normally trust each other especially when there is money or work involved. That's the problem with socialism, everyone gets the same regardless of the effort put in, so everyone tries to do less than everyone else, so nothing gets done.
I don't believe we will ever make a living from farming more break even at least and produce stuff to eat and to keep us busy.

Here's some more pictures
This one shows a closer view of the south side roof extension.


same same but different


from the other corner showing the stage 2 extension


more of the same


looking from the inside out


from the back near the toilet block looking through the shed


This is the bit that amazes me, we needed to extend the shed because we didn't have enough room, but once I tidied the place up there was room to spare. Is it me or do Thai's just drop everything and never clean up instead just keep expanding their drop zone outward?


looking from the front gate showing the drive through aspect, of course the wife's fertiliser products would need to be moved first, if we ever wanted to drive through. We can access the back around the shed or from the back access to the house so probably never going to need to drive through anyway.


more boring pictures later

Good shed.
Is planning permission and building permits and what have you required?

Originally Posted by ootai

That's the problem with socialism, everyone gets the same regardless of the effort put in, so everyone tries to do less than everyone else, so nothing gets done.

try posting that in Issues!

Originally Posted by ootai

Thai's don't normally trust each other especially when there is money or work involved. That's the problem with socialism, everyone gets the same regardless of the effort put in, so everyone tries to do less than everyone else, so nothing gets done.

Interesting take on you're locals. My wife's family and friends seem to share a warm bond, unlike you've experienced.
They routinely go to each others farm plots and work in a co-op manner. When the work calls for more than family and close friends they pay by the day for extra help.

One interesting thing happened this rice season in that the government man came to pay off everyone for their rice crops, but he did so in a very strange manner. Lump sum based on number of kilos total for the entire co-op.

Everyone knew their gross kilos and what price they had agreed upon, (it varies from day to day), so all the co-op sat through the night and next day sorting out the individual payment for each farmer.

they're a pretty tight group and I assembled 17 of them to help me during my post and wire, land clearing operation. Worked harder than any Thai I've ever seen or met before.

I don't supervise directly and just smile and walk around. If they want something or need something I sort it out. When they have a question they stop and send the wife to fetch me. We sort it out, they go back to work and I piss off.

Of course the government guy had each clients crop total and payment on record, but evidently was in a hurry so dumped the lot on the co-op.

Originally Posted by ootai

same same but different

Are those round "knee braces," on the eve's for show?

I would have thought you or you're wife would get some wood pallets for your bag materials to get them off the floor?

No doubt about it, you're going to want to pull through soon and the drive will be blocked with all manner of things.

That's a first class shed. Are you building a work bench in there soon? Grinding wheel for sharpening implements, forge for blacksmithing, fridge for cold beers?

Originally Posted by Koojo

Good shed.
Is planning permission and building permits and what have you required?

Koojo
The honest answer is, "I don't know!" I only provide the engineering input and the cash, she takes care of the rest. Sometimes it is my idea sometimes not that we end up going with.

Originally Posted by DrAndy

Originally Posted by ootai

That's the problem with socialism, everyone gets the same regardless of the effort put in, so everyone tries to do less than everyone else, so nothing gets done.

try posting that in Issues!

DrAndy until your response I never even knew that there was a forum called "Issues" so I was not likely to post it there. I am also wondering about your comment, do you think my statement provocative or controversial?
What is the normal type of people who contribute to "Issues" is it a gathering of numpty's?

[/quote]

Interesting take on you're locals. My wife's family and friends seem to share a warm bond, unlike you've experienced.
They routinely go to each others farm plots and work in a co-op manner. When the work calls for more than family and close friends they pay by the day for extra help.

Everyone knew their gross kilos and what price they had agreed upon, (it varies from day to day), so all the co-op sat through the night and next day sorting out the individual payment for each farmer.

Are those round "knee braces," on the eve's for show?

I would have thought you or you're wife would get some wood pallets for your bag materials to get them off the floor?

That's a first class shed. Are you building a work bench in there soon? Grinding wheel for sharpening implements, forge for blacksmithing, fridge for cold beers?[/quote]


Itnt
I don't think my experience is any different from yours. I just think we are describing it a bit differently. You speak about your wife's family and friends sharing a bond. That's exacrtly the same with my family but your extended family all seem to have some land, none of mine does. Very few of our friends have land, so if they work for us we pay them. There are a couple who do have a bit of land and we work together but it is usually me doing more for them than the other way around, i.e using the tractor or truck. I am always willing to help anyone who is trying to help themself (to get better not to steal).
I also thought that the way you were speaking, that the land was owned by the community but when you described them sitting around all night to work out each person's share, I realised it isn't. I never have anything to do with organising labour etc. as I leave that to her so it is done the "Thai" way. She does sometimes get a bit upset with the effort put in as she/we ran a business in Australia for a few years and she has seen the difference in expectations of productivity.

When you speak about "knee braces" do you mean the supports that go from the roof to half way up the wall? If that is what you are referring to then maybe they are for show but maybe they're not. If it is only the wieght of the roof materials then they may be redundant, but what if someone was to walk out to the edge? The roof is overhanging the wall of the shed by 3 metres, which I considered to be too far without some support. Also the extension steel was just butt welded to the pre-existing roof beam so how strong it is, no one knows. If it got windy and the wind was blowing up under the roof it would flip over very easily without the braces to provide some downward force. So the answer is yes and no, but not really sure.

As for lifting the bags off the floor they normally are but they were placed there temporarily after I tidied up inside and while we extended the shed.

As for putting anything inside the shed, not sure but definitely not until I am there full time, as the missus stresses out about things being "borrowed". As for a fridge I am a teetotaller so there will be no beer but maybe some cold soft drink. I already have a small grinder that I bought over from Aussie when I came a couple of years ago. A couple of good solid wood work benches would be nice as well.

Well we have finally made it to the end of this stage and who knows if there will be more or not, I don't.

Looking out under the extension toward the rice barn, this time the floor was lowered a little.


from the same point but looking toward the other corner


I reckon I will eventually put a roof back on the toilet block, a new door on the dunny and make the other old "hong nam" into a lockable storage space it will need a good strong door.


same as the first but different


couldn't resist this taking this picture nature was trying to match the colours on the roof ie. brown, yellow, blue and green


for those who have looked a my house building thread from before here's a look at how the house looks now


a closer view.


as they say "that's all folks!"

Ootai,

Yes, my wife's family all own land as well her close friends who also are intermarried with other close relations.

The bond is so tight that nobody outside the original families is allowed to own property within the greater Ban.

A couple years ago a man from Bangkok wanted to purchase some land from one of the locals, who BTW was spending most of his time in Pattaya and needed some ready cash. The Bangkok man was shown the door by all the members of the local Moo Ban.

The land was later sold, but to a local family member. I made a similar offer on some of this guys property in a different location. I would have been allowed to purchase the land due to my wife's ties to the Moo Ban, however during negotiations a lady showed up, also from the Moo Ban and was a distant relative to my wife and she had previously discussed the very same property with the seller.

They looked at me and I looked at them. She didn't have the money, but did have prior claim. I told the seller that I felt it would be unfair of me to buy the land out from under her and that she should have first shot. If she decided later that she did not want or wasn't able to purchase the land then I would be very interested in once again making an offer.

Seemed to make everyone happy and the uncomfortable feelings dissipated for everyone.

The property we now own took us an additional 2 years to find and purchase. My wife has a small property next door to her brothers but we needed or wanted a bigger piece to build on such as you've done.

I have my eye on 20 rai nearby to do some farming on or just plant rubber trees on so we're always looking for land.

Yes I was referring to your roof supports. Quite an overhang for sure. I don't think I want to climb up on it even with you're tubular supports/knee braces. I know you want to be able to drive or pass under the overhang, but for real support I'd put some vertical posts up.

I am also a teetotaler so beer is just another image that gets the vision awake in most situations. Also vegetarian so I'm really off the chart.

I like working with foreign workers and for the past 20 or so years before my retirement that made up most of my work forces. We had a 10,000 man worker camp on several of the last jobs with 32 nations represented. I'm used to their ways and thought processes, however every now and then they surprise you.

One instance was a bent "I"-beam. I watched the workers for a while and then a cherry picker showed up. Out went the out-rigger and the beam was placed under the hydraulic out rigger. The pad was lowered onto the beam and the bend was taken out. Amazing stuff these little people.

Cheers

Originally Posted by ootai

as they say "that's all folks!"

Never say never! Nicely framed.

Originally Posted by ootai

Is it me or do Thai's just drop everything and never clean up

Bingo! they have no idea about putting stuff away.