Barn Demo, A Stone Wall, & a Shooting Backstop in the Making

For all the Gobbler Nation "do-it-yourselfers".
Post Reply
User avatar
HunterGKS
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 5554
Joined: January 2nd, 2013, 5:12 pm
Location: North Central Ohio

Barn Demo, A Stone Wall, & a Shooting Backstop in the Making

Post by HunterGKS »

The Barn Demo


When I 1st bought my place in Ohio, the barn needed some work. It is a 2 story banked barn
with a grainery & a hay mow in the upper part. The roof had different sections blown up over
the years during heavy winds. I spent several thousand doing repairs but it seemed that year
in & year out, more things needed fixing & the barn was not worth the cost to repair. I have
had a lot of offers to buy the barn & all but 1 was ludicrous. One guy offered me $2k but I
would have to do all the clean-up. It would have cost me more to get the site cleaned-up then
he was willing to pay. The last offer satisfied me & they would do all the clean-up. I did a little
investigating & the company has done a lot of barn demos in the area & all reports were good
so I accepted his offer.

There was a lot of scrape metal & 8 large rolls of old hog fence in the barn. I had a dumpster
dropped off and, when all was said & done, I had 4240 ponds of scrap metal & about 250 pounds
of copper & electrical wire which resulted in a nice chunk of change.

They were going to start in about 2 weeks but there was a delay in getting some of their
equipment moved to the next job & a storm was forecast for the afternoon so they came
over yesterday, 08/29/2018, to get a start.

This has been a learning experience. Each “type” of wood goes into separate stacks & is
used for different things. All nails have to be removed as well as the ends squared off. The
pile with the short boards is grainery wood & the other pile is floor boards as well as other
“brown” wood. Each piece will be pressure washed & then ran through a planer. Most of
the wood will be going out west to be used to build houses or do remodeling. The 4’x4’
pieces will be turned & used for table legs. My barn has a lot of beech, maple, & some oak.
It doesn’t look like there is any walnut or wormy chestnut, both high dollar woods. Also,
some of the beams/uprights are hand hewn but most appear to be saw, Hand hewn are
more desirable & bring more $$s. They estimate that the barn was built some time around
1910 which is when portable sawmills started being used when buildings were put up.

Once they get the barn down & everything cleaned-up, I’ll start seriously shopping for someone
to put up a new building. It won’t be on the same spot as the old barn. I’m thinking about
putting in a garden there next spring. I can’t wait to get everything done.

I will be saving some of the scrape beams/studs to build a new shooting range.

The work has been ongoing since 08/29/2018 with some stoppages due to weather & other
jobs the crew had in progress.

We have been getting a lot of rain so the area that needs final grading is nothing more than
a big mud bog. On Friday, 11/30/18, they came & got the skid steer they will use to finish up.
It will probably be spring before they can finish, DANG IT!!!!



I know that some people have really short attention spans & are easily bored, so rather than
go into a day-by-day written document, I’ll let the pics describe the work being done & I’ll
post a minimum of pics.



Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
George

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR BODY STILL. YOUR HEART JUST HASN'T CAUGHT ON.

.17 = NITRO OF THE RIMFIRE WORLD USAF 1969-1973


Image
User avatar
HunterGKS
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 5554
Joined: January 2nd, 2013, 5:12 pm
Location: North Central Ohio

Re: Barn Demo, A Stone Wall, & a Shooting Backstop in the Making

Post by HunterGKS »

The Stone Wall

Part of the banked wall was made of limestone. I salvage enough to make a stone wall
around my deck & ramp. I have a little more work to do this summer to straighten
some of the stone.

Image

Image

Image
George

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR BODY STILL. YOUR HEART JUST HASN'T CAUGHT ON.

.17 = NITRO OF THE RIMFIRE WORLD USAF 1969-1973


Image
User avatar
HunterGKS
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 5554
Joined: January 2nd, 2013, 5:12 pm
Location: North Central Ohio

Re: Barn Demo, A Stone Wall, & a Shooting Backstop in the Making

Post by HunterGKS »

A Shooting Backstop in the Making

I also salvage some concrete blocks from the same wall & cut some 6’ section
of beams they were going to burn. I will use the CBs to keep the beams off
the ground. I have some telephone poles & will use them as posts to hold the
beams in place for a shooting back stop I will build this summer.

Image

Image

Image
George

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR BODY STILL. YOUR HEART JUST HASN'T CAUGHT ON.

.17 = NITRO OF THE RIMFIRE WORLD USAF 1969-1973


Image
User avatar
Hoobilly
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 13330
Joined: August 15th, 2011, 10:15 pm
Location: Argos Indiana
Contact:

Re: Barn Demo, A Stone Wall, & a Shooting Backstop in the Making

Post by Hoobilly »

them guys did a stellar job on tearing down and cleaning up

We had a local feller have his siding stolen off of his tobacco barn. They took off the tobacco advertisement off the one side
Don't start none, won't be none!

https://foxtrotammo.com/
User avatar
HunterGKS
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 5554
Joined: January 2nd, 2013, 5:12 pm
Location: North Central Ohio

Re: Barn Demo, A Stone Wall, & a Shooting Backstop in the Making

Post by HunterGKS »

hoobilly wrote: December 2nd, 2018, 7:07 pm them guys did a stellar job on tearing down and cleaning up

We had a local feller have his siding stolen off of his tobacco barn. They took off the tobacco advertisement off the one side
I'm happy with the job they did but I wish it could have been done in a shorter time frame. I worked my azz off on that stone wall.
I weighed an average sized stone & it was 50 pounds. I had to do a lot of carrying as I didn't want to take a chance on hitting a
mail with the 4-wheeler or trailer which I parked at the outside edge of the work zone & carried the stones to it.

Takes some balls to steal a barn wall. Did they catch em?
George

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR BODY STILL. YOUR HEART JUST HASN'T CAUGHT ON.

.17 = NITRO OF THE RIMFIRE WORLD USAF 1969-1973


Image
User avatar
Hoobilly
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 13330
Joined: August 15th, 2011, 10:15 pm
Location: Argos Indiana
Contact:

Re: Barn Demo, A Stone Wall, & a Shooting Backstop in the Making

Post by Hoobilly »

Nope they haven’t caught the thugs who did it. Someone mentioned it was probably sold before it was stolen so no one would ever see it for sale. Read them old advertisements sell for big money
Don't start none, won't be none!

https://foxtrotammo.com/
User avatar
soiltester
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 3708
Joined: March 31st, 2015, 8:04 am
Location: Gaffney SC

Re: Barn Demo, A Stone Wall, & a Shooting Backstop in the Making

Post by soiltester »

George -- your demolition crew couldn't have done a better and cleaner job than they did!! Very well researched and done!! :thumbup: :cheers:

Here's a few pics of the 1913 barn we had on a MI homestead we bought in 1984, from a lady that had lived there all her life, until she sold it to us and moved to town!!

It was kept up on the outside but was a disaster on the inside :roll:

Finally got it cleaned out and able to mow around the outside 6/86!!
6-86.jpg
Back side is ageing in 2/89 !!
2-89.jpg
Had it sided and gutted and built my wives Veterinarian Clinic in it in 11-90 .
11-90.jpg
Insurance re-roofed the south side of the barn and replaced roof over dog runs, after straight line winds during turkey season, took down hundreds of central MI barns in 98.
6-98.jpg

My buddy even had a "hotspot" picked out to turkey hunt on the morning of the terrible winds & rain. Got there and set up and it never did get light enough when all heck broke loose and we got wetter than wet when we got back to the pick up. Then drove ahead enough to clear the woods, so the trees wouldn't blow down on us and thought the pick-up was going to roll over. Buddy lost 4 or 5 older barns like yours, on his various farms. :(
ever wonder where the white goes when the snow melts??
User avatar
HunterGKS
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 5554
Joined: January 2nd, 2013, 5:12 pm
Location: North Central Ohio

Re: Barn Demo, A Stone Wall, & a Shooting Backstop in the Making

Post by HunterGKS »

hoobilly wrote: December 3rd, 2018, 8:39 am Nope they haven’t caught the thugs who did it. Someone mentioned it was probably sold before it was stolen so no one would ever see it for sale. Read them old advertisements sell for big money
Too bad. Not much I hate more than a thief.
George

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR BODY STILL. YOUR HEART JUST HASN'T CAUGHT ON.

.17 = NITRO OF THE RIMFIRE WORLD USAF 1969-1973


Image
User avatar
HunterGKS
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 5554
Joined: January 2nd, 2013, 5:12 pm
Location: North Central Ohio

Re: Barn Demo, A Stone Wall, & a Shooting Backstop in the Making

Post by HunterGKS »

Charlie, Too bad more of the old barns weren't kept up like yours. A lot
of hard work & good workmanship went into them. Mine was in bad shape
when I bought it. Good job on your "rebuild."

They still have to come out & do the final grade work but that probably
won't be until the spring. It is just a big mud bog now.
George

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR BODY STILL. YOUR HEART JUST HASN'T CAUGHT ON.

.17 = NITRO OF THE RIMFIRE WORLD USAF 1969-1973


Image
User avatar
soiltester
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 3708
Joined: March 31st, 2015, 8:04 am
Location: Gaffney SC

Re: Barn Demo, A Stone Wall, & a Shooting Backstop in the Making

Post by soiltester »

HunterGKS wrote: December 4th, 2018, 12:49 pm Charlie, Too bad more of the old barns weren't kept up like yours. A lot
of hard work & good workmanship went into them. Mine was in bad shape
when I bought it. Good job on your "rebuild."

They still have to come out & do the final grade work but that probably
won't be until the spring. It is just a big mud bog now.
That's a plus as you know it should settle well with the winter snow & rains!!!!

You'll be mowing grass over the old foundation by summer :lol: :thumbup: :thumbup:
ever wonder where the white goes when the snow melts??
User avatar
HunterGKS
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 5554
Joined: January 2nd, 2013, 5:12 pm
Location: North Central Ohio

Re: Barn Demo, A Stone Wall, & a Shooting Backstop in the Making

Post by HunterGKS »

soiltester wrote: December 4th, 2018, 1:06 pm That's a plus as you know it should settle well with the winter snow & rains!!!!

You'll be mowing grass over the old foundation by summer :lol: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Since they can't do anything now, I hope they wait until early spring to get as much
settling as possible. I'll have someone come in & seed it after I roll it.

It should actually take less time even thought there is more to mow as it will
be flat & I won't have to screw around on the banked section or going around
the barn itself.
George

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR BODY STILL. YOUR HEART JUST HASN'T CAUGHT ON.

.17 = NITRO OF THE RIMFIRE WORLD USAF 1969-1973


Image
User avatar
soiltester
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 3708
Joined: March 31st, 2015, 8:04 am
Location: Gaffney SC

Re: Barn Demo, A Stone Wall, & a Shooting Backstop in the Making

Post by soiltester »

George,
You don't need to have it seeded by some one else, less they owe ya' a favor :lol:
Just take your 4 wheeler and haul a drag and work it up and hand seed 3# per 1000' (old rule of thumb) of your grass seed you want.
Level then lightly straw it, so it will retain moisture and not dry from spring sun and then roll it if need be :thumbup:
ever wonder where the white goes when the snow melts??
User avatar
guesswho
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 5426
Joined: July 11th, 2011, 7:50 pm
Location: Bumpass VA, moving to Fuget KY

Re: Barn Demo, A Stone Wall, & a Shooting Backstop in the Making

Post by guesswho »

Every time George plants a seed the Sheriff tells him to kill before it grows.
Double Naught Spy!
RCD's Owner----------------Badonka Deke Prostaff
MoHo's Prostaff-------------Lighter Than HTL Shooter
The Storm Whistle Prostaff
Official Member Of The Unofficial Firedup Turkey Calls Prostaff
User avatar
HunterGKS
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 5554
Joined: January 2nd, 2013, 5:12 pm
Location: North Central Ohio

Re: Barn Demo, A Stone Wall, & a Shooting Backstop in the Making

Post by HunterGKS »

soiltester wrote: December 5th, 2018, 7:15 am George,
You don't need to have it seeded by some one else, less they owe ya' a favor :lol:
Just take your 4 wheeler and haul a drag and work it up and hand seed 3# per 1000' (old rule of thumb) of your grass seed you want.
Level then lightly straw it, so it will retain moisture and not dry from spring sun and then roll it if need be :thumbup:
Charlie, That was my original plan but the area is a heck of a lot bigger that I had originally planned. It's worth the money to me
to have it done. I had 2 other buildings razed shortly after buying the place & did it that way. That area was about 1/4 the size.

Thanks for the input.
George

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR BODY STILL. YOUR HEART JUST HASN'T CAUGHT ON.

.17 = NITRO OF THE RIMFIRE WORLD USAF 1969-1973


Image
User avatar
HunterGKS
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 5554
Joined: January 2nd, 2013, 5:12 pm
Location: North Central Ohio

Re: Barn Demo, A Stone Wall, & a Shooting Backstop in the Making

Post by HunterGKS »

guesswho wrote: December 5th, 2018, 8:20 am Every time George plants a seed the Sheriff tells him to kill before it grows.
He don't like buds. Then again, neither do I.
George

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR BODY STILL. YOUR HEART JUST HASN'T CAUGHT ON.

.17 = NITRO OF THE RIMFIRE WORLD USAF 1969-1973


Image
User avatar
soiltester
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 3708
Joined: March 31st, 2015, 8:04 am
Location: Gaffney SC

Re: Barn Demo, A Stone Wall, & a Shooting Backstop in the Making

Post by soiltester »

It can't be more than acre, is it?? Bout' roughly 220' x 220" ????

Shoot .. I rework and plant my 1 1/2 acres food plot every fall :o
20181029_154229.jpg
ever wonder where the white goes when the snow melts??
User avatar
HunterGKS
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 5554
Joined: January 2nd, 2013, 5:12 pm
Location: North Central Ohio

Re: Barn Demo, A Stone Wall, & a Shooting Backstop in the Making

Post by HunterGKS »

soiltester wrote: December 5th, 2018, 10:42 am It can't be more than acre, is it?? Bout' roughly 220' x 220" ????
It's well under an acre but it's just easier to have it down so I don't have to worry about it.
George

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR BODY STILL. YOUR HEART JUST HASN'T CAUGHT ON.

.17 = NITRO OF THE RIMFIRE WORLD USAF 1969-1973


Image
Post Reply

Return to “DIY”