Author Archives: wroughtn_harv

We started the block box today

The day started with a visit to the Republic recycling center in Plano Texas.  There we loaded up some number 3 to number 7 plastics for testing the block box, aka bottle brick machine.  Tommy Kirk is the manager of … Continue reading

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Bottle Bricks

A bottle brick is a building block made from empty plastic bottles.  It is a form of recycling plastic bottles.  The bottles are compressed together in a mold.  Depending upon the pressure used to compress the plastic bottles in the … Continue reading

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A better way to build a stucco fence or screeen wall

In the southwest, stucco walls are constructed with a concrete beam or footer for a foundation.  Then a cinder block wall is built on top of that.  The excavation for the footer is labor intensive if heavy equipment can’t be … Continue reading

Posted in loafing sheds, metal barns, steel and stucco fencing, tack rooms, thinking out of the box, Tips and tricks, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | View Comments

A Better Way to Make a Barn or Shed

  I’ve been building small barns and loafing sheds with four inch C purlins oriented horizontally instead of vertically for about ten years now. My reasons for framing like this instead of the conventional way of welding the purlins vertically … Continue reading

Posted in horse stalls, loafing sheds, metal barns, tack rooms, thinking out of the box, Tips and tricks | View Comments

DNA Fence Project

I was asked for input on a theme for the fencing at a research center of a major university.    When I suggested a DNA top rail pattern they asked for a sample.  It wasn’t as easy as it looks to … Continue reading

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The stone and steel staircase

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Leo Frisk and harveylacey.com

Leo Frisk was a friend of mine.  He gave the most important gift one friend can give another.  He believed in me.  He’s the reason why we have the website.  He created it.  I’ve tried to continue it in that … Continue reading

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Cedar log pergola

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A stone of steel

One of my friends wanted me to make him a sign frame for his stone yard. All he wanted was a simple eight feet high by sixteen feet long steel frame he could cover with plywood. He would then paint … Continue reading

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