Lots of room to build, but no place to weld just yet!

[MiscDotGeek]

Well, after 2 years living in a rental where I didn't feel comfortable working in my garage due to a very strict landlady, and on top of it being super busy rebuilding my life after the loss of my wife 3.5 years ago... I bought a house! It's 2/3 Acre out in the middle of the desert and I have lots of room! The only problem is that all of the sheds on the property are trash, and I am going to have to get a 40 foot container out there in order to really have storage, and then pour some concrete next to it to give me a place to work outdoors. Although the container itself will give me room to work initially!

The house itself is super rough, having been built in 1909 and then moved to its current location 50-70 years ago... without a foundation! There's not a square or level surface in the entire place. But it's mine! I've made some videos if anyone wants to check it out:

Desert House Project

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I look forward to getting back to building. Probably some motorized projects as well. I have ideas. I'm also going to need a small tractor of some kind. The nice thing is that I also now have room for antennas and I can get my ham radio station back on the air! I'm very excited about that too. I also have automotive projects, and I need to get more familiar with the MIG welder I purchased last year.

This place is going to be a long term project for sure. I just had to share with the CZ/AZ community.

 

[jonrev]

Congratulations on getting yourself a really nice looking new homestead. It'll obviously take time and a good deal of effort but there's nothing more rewarding than getting your own place slowly turned into your own dream home and that place looks just right to me. Lots of space and 'elbow room' but not so isolated that you'll ever feel too vulnerable.
All the best to you for the future.
John

 

[undertoad]

At least you live in a dry place - Everything is well preserved, even if it's questionable construction.
Now, if it was in Florida, you wouldn't need to be concerned about the sheds - They'd be nothing but mulch by now

 

[MiscDotGeek]

@undertoad I totally get it! I lived in Washington state- the wet side- for 10 years. There's a reason I moved back to the desert after my wife passed. Things can survive out here, even though winters.

And @jonrev thank you sir! It's definitely going to take lots of time, but I'm not in a hurry.

 

[Radical Brad]

That will be an idea setup. Where I live now, my junk pile is in an old construction trailer and my welder is outside. Tough in the winter, but I actually prefer this setup. Two sawhorses and boards across them... that is my welding table now. Spirit, Transporter, Aurora, YardMule and the portable chicken coop were all made outdoors in the minimal "shop".

 

[MiscDotGeek]

Brad, I remember your videos/pictures with all of the buckets. I like to use storage bins from walmart for the same purpose. It's gonna be a bit before I'm "set". When the property is paid off in 5 years, I'm going to have to save up for a new house to put on it. The current house will have to be torn down, it's just too rough. It's had a good life!

As for welding outdoors, I can probably do it as long as I'm on the leeward side of the container. It's a very very windy area, and it'll blow the MIG gas away pretty easily. there's also the concern about setting things on fire, as it's very dry here too. That's why I want to put a slab next to the container as soon as I can afford it.

I'm also going to need new fencing. And electrical ran to the shop and... and... and... it's only money, right?