August 13, 20241 yr That random odd pleasure guys get digging a hole can also be found in filling a hole. I keep waiting for this thread to turn unexpectantly.
August 13, 20241 yr 6 hours ago, deft said: There might need to be a sister thread: “so I’ve started a hill”
August 14, 20241 yr 5 hours ago, MonkeyDoughnut said: That random odd pleasure guys get digging a hole can also be found in filling a hole. I keep waiting for this thread to turn unexpectantly. If you want me to give details about how I filled your mom's hole, I will be happy to do it.
August 14, 20241 yr On 8/13/2024 at 7:48 AM, SurlyGator said: Welcome. You will never want to leave. Yep, great thread. My life is this exciting.
August 18, 20241 yr Author Went up Saturday night, got things ready (ran the extension cord, put up work light, set up pully, let down jackhammer, set up a fan). Got an early start Sunday. Worked pretty hard, 630 to 1130. About my limit. Got out 32 buckets of dirt/rocks, and another 6 buckets of just rocks. Hand clenched up for a good 5 minutes after the 40th or so 12' haul of ~40 lb of stuff. So now one side is down to 13'. I still need to get the sides straight, and realistically that's a whole trip right there. I want to get a more portable rock hammer. I think it would make chiseling out the rocky layers easier. Once I clean up that side (space enough for the 4x6 and the 2x shoring - leaving 48x30" ID clear), I can turn the ladder around, and probably raise it a rung or two. Once I get the other side down to 13' it will be time for another set of shoring. I've got the big lumber, but I need 4x 5/8 60" threaded rod, and some angled slot (holds up the 2x lagging). I still have a little lagging I need to finish up and the second level. I like to buy the next set of 4x6 so I can drill the proper 3/4 holes so that they line up well. The rod is pretty forgiving honestly - thank goodness because even with a manual drill press my holes aren't perfectly straight down. People asked about what I do with the dirt. It is an issue! Sometimes I separate the rocks a bit, and use them for erosion control around the ranch. I have an old pile of dirt from when I started. The hole is in the background. A while ago I decided to make use of the dirt. So I stacked some concrete blocks and am making a ramp for the pickup. That way I can load a tiller or whatever a little easier.
August 18, 20241 yr Always a good day when we see your updates. I recall it was asked prior; what's the ambient temperature like @ ground level vs. bottom of the hole? Do us some sciencing & try to write this down when you start & when you stop, including the time(s) for start & stop. We'reCountingOnYou.gif
August 18, 20241 yr And you should sell off the rocks. Souvenirs from the Big Hole or some shit like that. I mean pet rocks were a thing.
August 18, 20241 yr Author 20 minutes ago, ROFL BOX said: I recall it was asked prior; what's the ambient temperature like @ ground level vs. bottom of the hole? I will get a thermometer. I've been keeping just a screen on top (may build some kind frame with 1/4 hardware cloth over bug screen). With a big 3/4 plywood on top, it was trapping to much moisture. I would guess down at the bottom it's the mean of the past days temperature. So this morning it was high 80s or so. By the time I left it was 96 outside, but a little cooler inside, even with the fan. But still hot. I do think there is a earth insulating and lagging effect, but without a lid I think the ambiet air temp is the dominant factor.
August 18, 20241 yr There is some lost revenue not having a YouTube channel about this hole. I have watched much dumber videos.
August 18, 20241 yr I have questions. 1. Final depth? At some point, I'd start to think about Carbon Dioxide build up. The fan is a good idea to stir/mix the air. 2. Lifting heavy dirt buckets one at a time or do ya' have a helper? 3.Speaking of lifting, are you using a straight rope and pulley system? To cut to the cut on my thinking can you use a cordless drill to gain leverage and save work? Final thoughts, first, nice job on the ramp and dirt usage. Second, nice job on using Uni-Strut for a bed rack on the truck. Finally, if you stumble across an entity with horns, pointy tail and pitchfork named Charla you had better bust out a cross or Bible. Lastly, maybe a username to Digger, Prairie Dog, Worm shit or....?
August 18, 20241 yr Author 1. Final Depth: I would like to do 20-22ft. But I dunno, maybe I'll want to keep going. The book advices 2.5x the height of a side tunnel as overburden. So a 5' side tunnel would need 12.5'. Call it 18', plus another 4 or 5' of insurance. 2. I have an eye out for a hanging hoist with remote. They are not very expensive ($140 or so?) but I also don't want one that is too slow. I can run power over (just and extension cord for now, but I could run some conduit from the pole I guess). 2. ventilation - I have an elbow and 4" vent come in at about 18" in one short side. My plan is to eventually run 4" pvc down a corner on and do a little forced air.
August 19, 20241 yr I have questions. 1. Final depth? At some point, I'd start to think about Carbon Dioxide build up. The fan is a good idea to stir/mix the air. 2. Lifting heavy dirt buckets one at a time or do ya' have a helper? 3.Speaking of lifting, are you using a straight rope and pulley system? To cut to the cut on my thinking can you use a cordless drill to gain leverage and save work? Final thoughts, first, nice job on the ramp and dirt usage. Second, nice job on using Uni-Strut for a bed rack on the truck. Finally, if you stumble across an entity with horns, pointy tail and pitchfork named Charla you had better bust out a cross or Bible. Lastly, maybe a username to Digger, Prairie Dog, Worm shit or....?Carbon dioxide doesn’t randomly build up in holes being dug outdoors….Carbon monoxide however might be a problem if a production source was present in or near the hole (internal combustion engine), but the oxygen consumption of a single human’s respiratory drive is incredibly unlikely to render the atmosphere anywhere close to unsafe, especially given the aforementioned ventilatory efforts.
August 19, 20241 yr Popular Post I have been in China for almost 2 weeks now. I will be leaving in 3 days. You need to get a move on if you want to be greeted by a Texan when you break through.
August 19, 20241 yr 34 minutes ago, mininghorn88 said: I have been in China for almost 2 weeks now. I will be leaving in 3 days. You need to get a move on if you want to be greeted by a Texan when you break through. UserID sorta checks out but you gotta start digging from your end as well.
August 19, 20241 yr 1 minute ago, ROFL BOX said: UserID sorta checks out but you gotta start digging from your end as well. I have equipment over here digging multiple holes in Inner Mongolia as we speak. 60 tons per scoop.
August 19, 20241 yr 9 minutes ago, mininghorn88 said: I have equipment over here digging multiple holes in Inner Mongolia as we speak. 60 tons per scoop. Well... I hope y'all do horizontal drilling / digging as well.
August 19, 20241 yr 22 minutes ago, ROFL BOX said: Well... I hope y'all do horizontal drilling / digging as well. So I have been lied to my whole life??!!!
August 19, 20241 yr 1 minute ago, mininghorn88 said: So I have been lied to my whole life??!!! Haven't we all? I don't recall seeing on TV any starving kids who wanted my peas or lima beans.
August 19, 20241 yr 19 hours ago, InkaUtexas said: And you should sell off the rocks. Souvenirs from the Big Hole or some shit like that. I mean pet rocks were a thing. I'm thinking @CleverNickname needs to have a hole christening, sorta like they do for boats. He could make a speech about the arduous effort it took and where he found the inspiration. He found support from his comrades, blah, blah,.... Hang some banners, invite the Gov or other dignitaries, BBQ some briskets, set up a TV for a little TEXAS football ass kicking on some poor punk ass SEC division rival, you know have a real country Hootenanny. I'm in for a brisket and bottle of Vodka. Edited August 19, 20241 yr by Bevo&Pevo
August 19, 20241 yr 2 hours ago, Bevo&Pevo said: I'm thinking @CleverNickname needs to have a hole christening, sorta like they do for boats. He could invite the Gov I'm thinking too many people would be tempted to roll him to the edge & tip over the chair.
August 19, 20241 yr 4 hours ago, ROFL BOX said: I'm thinking too many people would be tempted to roll him to the edge & tip over the chair.
August 19, 20241 yr @CleverNickname any thoughts on running a 20 ft hose to an 18 gallon shop vac to get your dirt out of your hole? Seems less labor intensive if it had sufficient suction. I am a hole digging novice however, so I’m sure there is a reason why this wouldn’t work.
August 19, 20241 yr ^^ Labor output is why I asked about the rope and pulley system. My come a long has an exposed nut that I can put my cordless drill on and take the arm ratcheting out of the equation. It sure makes life easier sometimes.
August 19, 20241 yr 18 hours ago, ROFL BOX said: Well... I hope y'all do horizontal drilling / digging as well. Yea hate to break it to anybody but pretty much anywhere you dig in Texas (really the entire US for that matter)....you're coming out in the Indian Ocean. But, maybe you find MH370 so keep scooping Edited August 19, 20241 yr by Surly Bevo
August 20, 20241 yr [mention=2041]CleverNickname[/mention] any thoughts on running a 20 ft hose to an 18 gallon shop vac to get your dirt out of your hole? Seems less labor intensive if it had sufficient suction. I am a hole digging novice however, so I’m sure there is a reason why this wouldn’t work.A shop vac wouldn’t have near enough head pressure to pull dirt straight up 20 feet I wouldn’t think
August 20, 20241 yr 16 hours ago, miguelito said: You could always turn slightly when you reach the creamy nougat center.
August 24, 20241 yr Author Made another trip, this time with my new friend: Maybe hard to tell, but I took out another 6 or so buckets, mainly to straighted up the walls. Handheld demo thing worked amazing. Small chisel broke apart rocks just fine, and it is much lighter than the 40 lb jackhammer. I was able to put the ladder on the lower side of the hole. Raised it two rungs.
August 26, 20241 yr On 8/18/2024 at 2:15 PM, InkaUtexas said: And you should sell off the rocks. Souvenirs from the Big Hole or some shit like that. I don't know if the wife would appreciate that though?
August 28, 20241 yr Author 1 hour ago, UT_OB1 said: How much have you spent on your hole? The one you’re digging. A hole is like a hole in the ground you pour money in. I bet I'm over $1k and pushing $2k.
August 28, 20241 yr On 8/19/2024 at 9:18 AM, Bevo&Pevo said: I'm thinking @CleverNickname needs to have a hole christening, sorta like they do for boats. But this implies that the hole is completed. I am pretty sure this can never be so.
August 28, 20241 yr 1 hour ago, CleverNickname said: A hole is like a hole in the ground you pour money in. I bet I'm over $1k and pushing $2k. Any idea how many man-hours?
August 28, 20241 yr On 8/19/2024 at 6:28 PM, Surly Bevo said: Yea hate to break it to anybody but pretty much anywhere you dig in Texas (really the entire US for that matter)....you're coming out in the Indian Ocean. But, maybe you find MH370 so keep scooping It might suck for those that love the Indian Ocean but could help with our drought conditions.
August 31, 20241 yr 58 minutes ago, ChickenNuggets said: what do you use to dig? the hole's too narrow for a pick axe, right?
September 2, 20241 yr On 8/24/2024 at 3:08 PM, CleverNickname said: I'm certain others have thought "Heyyyyy, nice shaft."
October 12, 20241 yr Author Video! Hole set up from cabin: Hoisting a bucket Today I tried to separate the rocks from the dirt. This allows me to reuse the rocks for projects around the ranch. Didn't quite get to making the bottom even at 13', but fairly close. I wanted to get home jn time to watch the RRS.
October 14, 20241 yr On 10/12/2024 at 8:50 PM, NotActuallyALonghorn said: You should try some black powder blasting. Done judiciously... And filmed, for posterity.....
October 14, 20241 yr On 10/12/2024 at 2:46 PM, CleverNickname said: Video! Hole set up from cabin: Hoisting a bucket These are the most Surly videos I've ever seen. Edited October 14, 20241 yr by ChickenNuggets
October 14, 20241 yr Author 41 minutes ago, ChickenNuggets said: These are the most Surly videos I've ever seen. oh goodness, am I breathing heavy in those? Lol
October 14, 20241 yr On 5/8/2022 at 3:21 PM, AUinHsv said: Exactly... I second the use of explosives and video Edited October 14, 20241 yr by AUinHsv
October 14, 20241 yr 3 hours ago, BabaYaga said: And filmed, for posterity..... I had to search but I remembered mentioning that a while back. Did not realize it was post number 3 in this mega thread On 5/8/2022 at 3:21 PM, AUinHsv said: Exactly... I second the use of explosives and video
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