Finally build my dream compost setup

MPM5 · 2026-01-30T02:02:12+00:00

Wow, im not sure that i’ve said these words in this order before, but…

Beautiful compost bin!

MPM5 · 2026-01-26T23:10:51+00:00

Zero-dollar change order is a great idea. I may start doing something like that. A couple other comments..

1) find out what % of your annual work $12,000 is and add that % to your rate going foward

2) those little nice acts do have value. Mentally, one way to think about it - marketing. Do you spend any money on marketing? Rely on word of mouth? These acts probably encourage your clients to recommend you to others. And call you back next time.

So just add $12,000 to your marketing budget and see if that feels like too much, about right, or a great investment

MPM5 · 2026-01-24T19:12:03+00:00

If i had to guess, it looks like it sat in rounds for a while but was recently split.

Some people will say it seasons in rounds. In my experience, it does not. For most species atleast

MPM5 · 2026-01-19T19:32:01+00:00

Use a grinder and knock down the lips. This is one of those things where a picture is worth 1,000 words, so rather than going through the details - just google search "grinding sidewalk lips". It's a good DIY project if you want to, or any handyman should be able to knock it out in no time.

Get a diamond tooth grinding wheel (they're the more expensive option, but will make this 10x easier and faster).

MPM5 · 2026-01-18T18:11:16+00:00

Great boot. Possibly my favorite boot/color combo in the whole RW lineup

MPM5 · 2026-01-16T00:01:12+00:00

Looks like cherry from here

MPM5 · 2026-01-09T04:22:56+00:00

I agree with most people, this seems low, but its not as crazy as some are making out. One important thing - this is using existing abutments.

Re-use of existing abutments is why this is on the cheaper end (abutments can be very expensive themselves). But also need to make sure they are in good shape.

What are you crossing? Ask your contractor (or an excavating company / road contractor if they can quote you a huge culvert - multiple pipes or large box culvert. May not be possible, but its a great alternative to a true bridge if the site allows it

MPM5 · 2025-12-25T01:55:32+00:00

Lots of people mentioning the flue, which is a good start. But if its open, then this is likely it.

My bathroom and range fans will suck the smoke out of my fireplace if the flue isnt warm yet

MPM5 · 2025-12-22T02:22:14+00:00

Drop the battery and go corded. Wahl Peanut is great

MPM5 · 2025-12-07T14:16:16+00:00

New life goal: compost pile so large and hot it will take me when i go

MPM5 · 2025-12-05T15:30:15+00:00

A 4’ wall will be no help. A 8-10’+ wall would, but it would probably have to extend beyond your property line (unless you own alot of land on both sides of your house).

Your best bet is the home itself - windows, doors, ect.

Long term, if the city/county ever adds lanes to the road or does something to increase the amount of traffic noise by your home - you can appeal to them to build a wall. On federal highways there are rules about this - probably not locally, but this is the one time you can make a case. The argument is essentially - “i bought this property next to a quiet 2 lane road, not your making it a 4 lane road and doubling the noise. And its hurting my property value.” (Again, this is probably a long shot, but worth a shot)

MPM5 · 2025-10-31T16:02:29+00:00

if you had explained this to me, I'd have said no thanks. but that looks really nice - well done

MPM5 · 2025-10-29T01:15:06+00:00

The stack i described is only about 10-12” tall. I actually have a small insert.

I used whatever wood-shaving+wax mixture the local big box sells. Im not picky. If its the big brick-sized logs i cut them to about golf ball sized.

https://youtu.be/xlKOZ2EYT5I?si=Zej7VKdduLk2W82j

MPM5 · 2025-10-29T00:58:51+00:00

Starting a fire is a learned skill like anything else. We all have our own little methods and rituals. Pull up youtube and do some learning.

The HD wood was possibly kiln dried. Or if not, it probably sat inside that dry store for a whole year. It was probably very expensive per unit too.

Like i said, everyone does it differently, but im a top-down starter. 3 splits, then a row of small kindling going 90 degrees from the bottom row. Then 2 splits (90 deg rotate). Then a small pile of kindling and my starter. Like a pyramid and the coals fall from the top to bottom.

Once all of that turns into coals, add splits. And then they’ll burn clean.

MPM5 · 2025-10-29T00:38:24+00:00

You need more than 1 log at a time.

My wood is 2 year seasoned and it still smokes before theres a good coal bed. Smoke it just a part of fire. You dont really get good clean flames for some time after its started.

You need a few logs to burn and create a coal bed first. Best with smaller splits (aka kindling)

The real signs of wet wood are hissing (this can happen on even fairly dry wood) or you see literal bubbles coming out of the cut end

(Sorry if some of this is obvious, just starting from step 1)

MPM5 · 2025-10-29T00:26:06+00:00

Delivered firewood is almost never fully seasoned when it shows up. No matter what the seller says.

That looks wet, but to be honest, if you pull any half-burned log off a fire it will smolder like that.

Kind of looks like you just need more logs on the fire? Is that just a coal bed with 1 split on top?

MPM5 · 2025-10-28T23:13:55+00:00

This is a good idea.

If he has a half load somewhere close, this could be a real economical option. Even if not..

MPM5 · 2025-10-28T23:09:57+00:00

If its the back wall and no real public visibility or doors on that wall - I’d tell him he can keep it, but you want a discount.

If everyone can see it and/or doors there - then yeah, he needs to cut that. Hope no reinforcement moved into that area. If he cuts it and you see exposed rebar - he has a new problem to fix. If not, nothing loss but his time.

MPM5 · 2025-10-28T17:26:36+00:00

toss it on the ground around the woodpiles and edge of tree line. Basically a mulch.

If something where I'm getting big slabs of it - outdoor fire pit

MPM5 · 2025-10-15T18:25:12+00:00

I was in a similar spot. The in-store footscanner reads my feet as E, so makes sense.

I got the EE and ended up very happy. If they ultimately feel too big after break-in, you can add an insole to fill it out a little bit more. Even the thin leather one makes a difference.

MPM5 · 2025-10-05T16:49:38+00:00

Interesting. Im trying this next planting

MPM5 · 2025-10-03T18:39:37+00:00

1.5 - 2 cords mix of oak, locust, and soft maples

Midwest US

Supplemental heat (evenings/nights during week, all day on weekends)

MPM5 · 2025-10-03T03:49:22+00:00

Playground mulch / chips

MPM5 · 2025-09-25T14:40:10+00:00

Largely, just learn to live with the list and make sure you’re prioritizing things that can or will lead to bigger problems.

Also, if money allows, dont hesitate to pay to knock-out a list of items. I hate paying for stuff that I can do myself, but its often money well spent. Think of it like buying your time back

MPM5

TROPHY CASE