No callback? Fine, I'll put up my Ferris wheel.
Oh, how I do enjoy looking for work. The routine questioning, the not-really-legal inquiries, the dismissive responses, the bored power-tripping, the patently insincere expressions of interest. I know it's just the crap one must wade through to get to the good job offers so I endeavor to keep a positive outlook on the whole process. Whatever. I have a human-powered Ferris wheel.
While waiting for callbacks I decided to be productive and build a doghouse and erect the Chesney wheel. The doghouse came out great. Lots of room for Tika inside and weatherproof. It's insulated with styrofoam sheets in the walls and even with the open door it warms up quickly once occupied; I know this because it's big enough to sit in. I used a different technique for this
project after considering the challenges I encountered when building the waterbed. Instead of mitered corners and the struggle to precisely fit box sides I opted for a semi-pre-fab approach. Four wall panels plus a floor panel would make the box, with a hinged 
roof. The panels were a sandwich of "soffit" type plywood on the exterior (coated in plastic and woodgrain textured), 2x2s and styrofoam in the middle, and 3/8" chip-ply sheets on the interior (non-toxic in case the dog chews on it). Once made, the panels were easily and quickly nailed together to form the box. I decided to make the interior dimensions 30"X48", allowing the use of factory edges on the bottom panel. All together I used three sheets of soffit-plywood, two sheets of chip-ply, about 64 feet of 2x2 pine, 12 feet of 2x3 pine, 24 feet of 1x4 PVC faux-wood, six feet of 2x4 pine (for skids), four galvanized steel handles, 24 feet of flashing, two lbs. of nails, 2.5 tubes of caulk, two tubes of "Shoe Goo" and three hinges. It took about 12 hours to put together and another day for the sealants to dry. If I built another one with this design I would substitute 2x4 for the 2x3, use PVC 2x4s for skids, and get a nail gun.
On Monday this week I put up the Wheel. Upon inspection I found some minor rust and slight bends in a couple of the members but nothing serious so it went up without any modifications or repairs. It took a couple of tries to recall the proper way to set up the tripods and the 1/4 bolt hardware was rather dirty but otherwise it went up without issue. I 
loaded concrete blocks on one of the chairs as a counterweight and now it can be used by one person. I installed only two chairs to save time and make life easier for me when we have people over; managing and balancing six Wheel riders is more stress than I want at a party. Interestingly, the Wheel seems much quieter than the last time I used it, barely any creaks or metal noises. Tika the Dog does not seem perturbed in the least by me riding it.
While waiting for callbacks I decided to be productive and build a doghouse and erect the Chesney wheel. The doghouse came out great. Lots of room for Tika inside and weatherproof. It's insulated with styrofoam sheets in the walls and even with the open door it warms up quickly once occupied; I know this because it's big enough to sit in. I used a different technique for this
project after considering the challenges I encountered when building the waterbed. Instead of mitered corners and the struggle to precisely fit box sides I opted for a semi-pre-fab approach. Four wall panels plus a floor panel would make the box, with a hinged 
roof. The panels were a sandwich of "soffit" type plywood on the exterior (coated in plastic and woodgrain textured), 2x2s and styrofoam in the middle, and 3/8" chip-ply sheets on the interior (non-toxic in case the dog chews on it). Once made, the panels were easily and quickly nailed together to form the box. I decided to make the interior dimensions 30"X48", allowing the use of factory edges on the bottom panel. All together I used three sheets of soffit-plywood, two sheets of chip-ply, about 64 feet of 2x2 pine, 12 feet of 2x3 pine, 24 feet of 1x4 PVC faux-wood, six feet of 2x4 pine (for skids), four galvanized steel handles, 24 feet of flashing, two lbs. of nails, 2.5 tubes of caulk, two tubes of "Shoe Goo" and three hinges. It took about 12 hours to put together and another day for the sealants to dry. If I built another one with this design I would substitute 2x4 for the 2x3, use PVC 2x4s for skids, and get a nail gun.
On Monday this week I put up the Wheel. Upon inspection I found some minor rust and slight bends in a couple of the members but nothing serious so it went up without any modifications or repairs. It took a couple of tries to recall the proper way to set up the tripods and the 1/4 bolt hardware was rather dirty but otherwise it went up without issue. I 
loaded concrete blocks on one of the chairs as a counterweight and now it can be used by one person. I installed only two chairs to save time and make life easier for me when we have people over; managing and balancing six Wheel riders is more stress than I want at a party. Interestingly, the Wheel seems much quieter than the last time I used it, barely any creaks or metal noises. Tika the Dog does not seem perturbed in the least by me riding it.
posted by Fantastic Display of Machismo at
10:56 AM
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