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14 hours ago, miguelito said:

Are the pool noodles your air supply system?

the lumber that rests on the angle iron is meant to resist lateral pressure. Often the gap is so large they can shift. The noodle (or spray foam) keeps them in place. That's probably going to be in a technical addendum to the Idaho Dept of Mines handbook.

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  • As I posted above, I have a need to dig a few holes on our place, but before that happens I'll tell a story on one of my favorite holes on our place and one that I currently hate the most.  This took

  • CleverNickname
    CleverNickname

  • CleverNickname
    CleverNickname

    Nice Saturday. Got after it about 3 hours. Not a big update, but satisfying.  Used the big jackhammer today. Very hard rock layer. I'm now about 5 ft below the third set. So that means I ca

Posted Images

On 1/1/2025 at 9:38 PM, miguelito said:

Are the pool noodles your air supply system?

I would think a battery-powered speaker hooked up to your phone would be the best way to listen to "All Out of Love", but I don't know what the acoustics are like in the hole.

Do you own the mineral rights?

Who’s asking narc

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18 hours ago, Mack Tripper said:

How many cats do you have? The amount of cat litter buckets you have is almost as crazy as this hole. 

I have one and my mother has one. Actually she moved to assisted living and then to memory care in the past few months. Very stressful, means Ive needed some good hole therapy sessions. And said cat (a very lazy, 16-17 yesr old lovable orange lump) is in need of adoption. He could not stay in memory care and my cat does not get along with him (her problem, not him IMO). He is great at the litter box, and just wants food and snuggles. No health issues, no meds. He comes with a dowry, to a good home. I think he'd get along with other cats, but he will eat all the food like a labrador and our cat is a dainty thing that browses all day. Not a great combo. He's living in part of our house, but he deserves a family to love on in his final couple of years 

20250112_192826.thumb.jpg.4f0c6d32ddaa8a92b7cf364c6e8bf688.jpg

20250105_093044.thumb.jpg.0ebc1bd58dba8cf61716e9d69f318e0c.jpg

message me if you want a cat. I can throw in a bucket of hole dirt.

Hoping to go up this Saturday. Around Thanksgiving it was just under the third set. My goal is to have half 48" below that before the snows.

 

Edited by CleverNickname

I have a cat that showed up during snowmageddon. I am very much violently allergic to cats, I have always hated cats. I hate this cat. This cat loves me....dammit, I love this cat. I love my dog more but dammit this cat has decided I am his dude. 

Not looking forward to digging a hole for the murderous asshole cat that I love.

Sorry for the aside. 

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Sent up on Saturday. I was about 4" under the third set (each set is about 48" from center of 4x6 to the next 4x6, although the top set rests above ground. But for simplicity, 4 ft per set). 

This is anprettynrocky layer. Got a good part of the bottom down to:20250118_130452.thumb.jpg.4f6c165fb5094b885f7f205cb0bcd2ca.jpg

I have a ladder, so I'll need to move it to get the whole bottom. As a reminder the inside dimensions are 30"x48", so the full hole is ~40" (30+3.5+3.5+1.5+1.5) by 58. Realistically I need space to to push threaded bolt down and tighten nuts, so I usually go down ~54 inches before I put in a new set of lumber. It seems quicker to jump up a set and pull up a bucket in 4 ft increments rather than use the hoist. I save the hoist for lowering and raise the hammer drill, as it's awkward to climb a ladder holding it. 

The handheld hammer drill is great, but it does struggle a bit when I get a shelf of solid rock. Next time I may use the full size jackhammer. The handheld is really great at embiggening the walls. I have a tendency to want to go deeper and then have to spend a trip or two getting the width right. The last 2-3" have been pretty hard. Usually it's partially calculated caliche (my heat guess I was a business major) where the rock comes apart fairly easily (resists a shivel, but a rock hammer splits easily). This layer had actual quatz:

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So prettty tough stuff. Mule is in shop for its first ever annual maintainance, so I didn't haul off the bigger rocks and gravel. Next time I'm up I've got a good dozen buckets of abiut 1/2 to 3/4 gravel that I'll spread out on "road" and another half dozen buckets of larger rocks I'll throw down a ravine.

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My aim is to build it up enough to drive the mule across. That's the property fence line, and my current path cuts down a hill. This route would be more gradual. 

 

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On 1/13/2025 at 7:52 PM, deft said:

Who’s asking narc

He has to admit it if we ask him

On 1/19/2025 at 8:55 AM, CleverNickname said:

Sent up on Saturday. I was about 4" under the third set (each set is about 48" from center of 4x6 to the next 4x6, although the top set rests above ground. But for simplicity, 4 ft per set). 

This is anprettynrocky layer. Got a good part of the bottom down to:20250118_130452.thumb.jpg.4f6c165fb5094b885f7f205cb0bcd2ca.jpg

I have a ladder, so I'll need to move it to get the whole bottom. As a reminder the inside dimensions are 30"x48", so the full hole is ~40" (30+3.5+3.5+1.5+1.5) by 58. Realistically I need space to to push threaded bolt down and tighten nuts, so I usually go down ~54 inches before I put in a new set of lumber. It seems quicker to jump up a set and pull up a bucket in 4 ft increments rather than use the hoist. I save the hoist for lowering and raise the hammer drill, as it's awkward to climb a ladder holding it. 

The handheld hammer drill is great, but it does struggle a bit when I get a shelf of solid rock. Next time I may use the full size jackhammer. The handheld is really great at embiggening the walls. I have a tendency to want to go deeper and then have to spend a trip or two getting the width right. The last 2-3" have been pretty hard. Usually it's partially calculated caliche (my heat guess I was a business major) where the rock comes apart fairly easily (resists a shivel, but a rock hammer splits easily). This layer had actual quatz:

20250118_131804.thumb.jpg.326bcb6252a9c98fffa35d3cd4006dd4.jpg

So prettty tough stuff. Mule is in shop for its first ever annual maintainance, so I didn't haul off the bigger rocks and gravel. Next time I'm up I've got a good dozen buckets of abiut 1/2 to 3/4 gravel that I'll spread out on "road" and another half dozen buckets of larger rocks I'll throw down a ravine.

20250112_114011.thumb.jpg.e9aecf832d245b681b3434e283505713.jpg

My aim is to build it up enough to drive the mule across. That's the property fence line, and my current path cuts down a hill. This route would be more gradual. 

 

20250118_130415.thumb.jpg.44e6860733e2b48becd001557d425849.jpg

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20250118_130355.jpg

IMG_1430.gif.95a1667a44bbc2cb25aa7cbd24e28532.gif

3 hours ago, CleverNickname said:

When I find the answer, I'll let yall know. I'm pretty sure I just need to go a little deeper. 

https://www.inverse.com/input/culture/the-masculine-urge-to-dig-a-tunnel-an-investigation

I dig not because it is easy, but because it is hard

https://youtu.be/JomxJqKRa1M?si=Z9C0RhJisa2UbBEY

Keep digging and I'm sure you'll find the answer.  We have faith in you. 

After this page I’m hoping this is going to be the world’s deepest pussy burial ground.  People will visit it centuries from now.

  • 4 weeks later...
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Nice Saturday. Got after it about 3 hours. Not a big update, but satisfying. 

20250215_120336.thumb.jpg.493bfe778eeb5fb27222774791c0622d.jpg

Used the big jackhammer today. Very hard rock layer. I'm now about 5 ft below the third set. So that means I can get started getting the entire bottom to that level. It is a little easier to widen than to dig deeper. Separating the big rocks from the gravel (& from the dirt) adds a bit of extra time. But I feel it's worth it, as the gravel is useful. My little metal screen fits on the top of a 5 gallon pail (seen below with the scooper I use). The lighting is via 18v doodads.

20250215_120856.thumb.jpg.9c9feafe9f6358d67563bc0103263a1f.jpg

Deepest section (about 1/2 or 1/3 at the moment) is down to 17'2" according to the boy. I have a couple paint or pool chemical pails, and they are just a little bit bigger than a 5 gallon handy pail. Enough that they are frankly too heavy. I've found it's fastest to lift up each bucket (2 or 3 buckets each time), rather that use an electronic hoist or manually with the pulley. The 2x's across the sets are enough space to hold em as I pull them up. So figure 3x 40-50 lb kettle bell clean lifts from 17' to 12' (sucks, not just handle to chin but bottom of bucket to chin) then 12' to 8', 8' to 4', and 4' to surface. So 12 reps each time I scramble up. Probably get 4-6 buckets per jack hammer pass. I didn't set up the hoist today, and only used the pully to raise and lower the jackhammer. You can see the rope dangling in these photos.

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Fairly busy second half of February into March, so I'm not sure when I'll get the whole thing down to about 17'. I haven't purchased the 4x6s for the fourth set yet, but I do already have the 5/8 threaded rod and the 1.5" angle iron for side lagging ledges. Not sure if I'll add fifth set. I could start building up some concrete and rebar in lifts. But I dunno... if I got to where the rock stops, it would be mighty tempting to try and find the water table. 

I'm trying a thing where I dump a gallon of 10% vinegar when I leave for the day. I dunno, maybe it will help loosen up the limestone and caliche. Make em more friable. Stupid, but it's only like a bucket. 

Winterized the cabin extra well. Temp in the teens expected. Gravel spread on the dirt road, and dumped the rock and dirt in my sisphyean ravine. Dozens of cubic feet poured in and I can't say it looks all that much more filled in. All you can do it do it like Johnny Cash. It don't cost me a dime. (except the couple grand I've spent, excluded gas)

Did the traditional DQ chicken strip country basket and blizzard when we hit town. Oh, cat got rehomed and mom's house goes for sale next week. Fuckin' a.

20250215_122341.jpg

Edited by CleverNickname

Now that the hunting thread is all but dead this is my new favorite Monday morning update.

So are we going to age cheese down there or is this more of a wine aging hole?

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Freezing rain? Fuck it. I have dirt that needs moving.

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Existing deepest part 24" x 30" and 59" below the third set. LFG.

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Knocked it out. How many buckets? Many buckets? How many advil? Many advil.

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Good enough to switch the ladder from one side to the other. Dropped it into the deeper section.

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Mase it 2 rungs taller. Running out of rungs.

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It got a little deeper. Because when you've got the jackhammer down there, might as well break some limestone. Whateveredge is down there is some hard damn rock.

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Pondering on investing in steel 5 gallon buckets. Three for $50 on amazon. Maybe I need a gofundme.

This crappy thermometer gave me a reading above the hole:

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My phone said it was 33 degrees. So maybe it runs hot. 

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A balmy 51.4. A delta of 15 to 20 degrees. And that was up higher, didn't have room in the deeper section.

Not sure when I'll get up there next. Felt like good progress today.

  • 3 weeks later...

image.png.437846af3cd9fd320377c2ed84dc5af3.png

Check around some mechanic shops for some 30/35 gallon steel drums, then cut 'em in half.

  • Author

I've been thinking about borrowing or buying a cheap pressure washer and seeing how useful it would be. Maybe when I start going horizontal? 

I think you’d flood yourself out pretty quick trying that. Not to mention all the mud buildup.

 

I've been thinking about borrowing or buying a cheap pressure washer and seeing how useful it would be. Maybe when I start going horizontal? 

Sounds like a good way to turn your mineshaft into a well.

Also, in addition to a safe work permit, your gonna need an open flame permit, confined space permit, and an excavation permit. Make sure you have all your ducks in a row before you start calling for all the required approvals. 

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More hole.

Needed to get the last bit to be basically flat at 17ft.

Here's the topside set up:

20250329_102624.thumb.jpg.f3e83e5867eefcd15f534a1177682510.jpg

14" " 21" x 36" shelf remained:

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Something like 20 buckets removed.

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20250329_122623.thumb.jpg.2f5257e3608e39e0fb650f285871ee66.jpg

 

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I got the 4x6s drilled and cut for the 12 to 16 ft level. I thought I had left the washers and nnuts at the ranch, but I guess I had run out or misplaced them. Gotta buy another 8 of each.

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Worked a little on the hole.

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looking up:

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at a hard layer. Breaks in sheets.

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down in the hole:

Somehow I'm pretty good at jackhammering away with one hand and holding my phone in another:

I will have to put in the lumber set next time I go up. Inevitably the sides need to be widened a bit. The bottom is pretty damned hard. My plan is to go 4.5 ft or so under the last set, down to 20'. On the one hand its good I'm in hard limestone - the risk of collapse is low. But it does make chipping away a real chore. At that point I think I'm going to see about going horizontal. But I also plan to use concrete forms in lifts and maybe slowly replacing the wood sets with concrete. I'm looking for a electric concrete mixed on FB marketplace.

Hooollly shit, I haven't checked this out since the first couple pages. It appears I have some reading to do.

On 2/22/2025 at 4:56 PM, CleverNickname said:

Pondering on investing in steel 5 gallon buckets. Three for $50 on amazon. Maybe I need a gofundme.

 

 

Ever considered bags? Working load of 3000lbs and rated for 5x that. $20 each for a ~ 3x3x3:

 

Open-Top-Flat-Bottom-FIBC-Bulk-Bag.jpg

On 3/24/2025 at 5:37 PM, CleverNickname said:

I've been thinking about borrowing or buying a cheap pressure washer and seeing how useful it would be. Maybe when I start going horizontal? 

Add me to the growing list of Surlyites with little to no hole digging experience that thinks this would be unwise.

41 minutes ago, hornian said:

This is all very elaborate for your outhouse. 

Would he ever need a shit stick?

On 4/8/2025 at 1:34 PM, hornian said:

This is all very elaborate for your outhouse. 

You’ll be sorry when his hadron gravity poop collider fusion project comes to fruition!

You’re thinking about hand mixing enough concrete in that hole?  Fuck man. You’re going to break yourself. 

  • Author
12 minutes ago, UT_OB1 said:

You’re thinking about hand mixing enough concrete in that hole?  Fuck man. You’re going to break yourself. 

yeah, I think I'm gonna buy an electric mixer and do it on like 8 or 12" lifts. Fiberglass rebat, because I want it to last centuries. Lowering each bucket down manually with a rope. I mean, how hard can that be?

15 hours ago, CleverNickname said:

yeah, I think I'm gonna buy an electric mixer and do it on like 8 or 12" lifts. Fiberglass rebat, because I want it to last centuries. Lowering each bucket down manually with a rope. I mean, how hard can that be?

Put these words on your tombstone. 

20 hours ago, CleverNickname said:

yeah, I think I'm gonna buy an electric mixer and do it on like 8 or 12" lifts. Fiberglass rebat, because I want it to last centuries. Lowering each bucket down manually with a rope. I mean, how hard can that be?

image.gif.bcd7217babd4db509bb7e738a210ea10.gif

On 5/8/2022 at 2:28 PM, CleverNickname said:

I got to thinking. Lots of people think about digging a hole (maybe?). I have property where a guy could build a hole. And sure about 16 inches down it becomes partially cemented caliche. But only partially. I own a San Angelo bar. And I don't think I will hit a big layer of solid limestone. I saw them dig a septic ta k, and it never had a big problem. So not only could I dig a hole, but that hole could be dug.

 

 

 

Remember this? 

Do you ever think about this song?  Is your name John by chance?

 

Edited by Bevo&Pevo

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