Wow you have an amazing place and your talents and hard work in building and creating an incredible place are inspiring! Really enjoy seeing your progress!
Heath, you are the best off grid homesteader on TH-cam. I hope everyone understood about you not wanting people coming on your land uninvited. I don't like it either when people walk across my land. I only have half an acre but its mine.
Looks great and I like your sawmill bunk set up, no need for a bunch of expensive and labour intensive concrete. In my dream scenario, my first project for the sawmill would be a roof made from lumber I milled on the sawmill, then you can mill year round, and it would protect your sawmill from the weather. I'd also back fill with some gravel or you could be in the mud there when it rains. Really fantastic work. Fencing pliers, one of those tools that you can do the job without, but once you use them, you will never want to do the job without them, they just make a hard job easier to handle. Cheers from Tokyo!
FYI from another site that built a timber frame from logs. Keep checking level after loading each log. And lots of sharp blades. You may be surprised at how often they need to be replaced. If you are fencing off an established cattle trail you may need to put a hot wire on it while the cattle are near your fence. It will get them used to the idea that the fence is not the way to go anymore. And shut the hot wire down for the wild life.
Hi, glad you got the lithography of your family farm, and thankfully you didn't have to pay crazy money for a piece of paper, even if it is your family history. good luck with the sawmill and reducing the wildlife risk, place is coming on amazingly,
I was hunting near Prairie, ID and watched a handful of deer cross a fence like you put up. There was five deer and four had already jumped the fence. I grabbed a camera and waited for the last doe to jump the fence, but instead of jumping the fence she got down on her knees and crawled under the fence. I was so amazed I forgot to take the picture. As the deer move off from the road, it was apparent the one doe was injured and not able to jump the fence. So yes deer will crawl under a barbed wire fence - cheers
I really like what you’re doing and wish I were half my age so I could do it, too. Thank God there are still enough pioneers among us to do what you do. I grew up in NM and TX, and as a kid, worked on farms and ranches all through my high school years. Along the way I became a grammar grinch and just wanted to make a comment. The plural of cows is cattle (there are many breeds of them) and barb wire is really barbed wire (and there are many varieties of barbed wire - see Barbed Wire Museum, Oklahoma.) Once upon a time I could have done what you are doing . . . Never again due to health. Let me live vicariously through you. Keep up the hard work.
Red, dig a small ttencj at the base of the cut-out for the saw mill, to catch spring run-off watet, so your sawmill doesn't wind off a mud pie, and your track rails won't sink in the mud....just a suggestion. I'm sure you know best...
I don't know if the cattle breaking through is still an issue for you but some have had success using brightly colored surveyors tape along the top wire at regular intervals ... seems to define the fence better for wildlife and may help with the cattle as well and is cheaper then running an electric top wire ... hope this helps you ... great videos and thank you for posting them .
Looks good. One suggestion, do the top strand of your fence first and work down. That way the new strands don't snag on the other strands as you tighten them up. I learned that along the way...Keep the videos coming! Anxious to come along with you as you do the addition.
Up here beetle wood is expensive because the Chinese buy it for top dollar and make furniture from it. Because the blueish color tint from the bugs it makes some amazing wood pieces so good luck on getting it cheap.
A post pounder would drive that rebar in up to the last little bit. Run it down until it's bottomed out, flip it around and drive it down some more then finish it off with the sledge.
Great setup video. Did a video on my chainsaw mill a couple of videos ago. If I could get a new sawmill today I would probably go for the Lucas sawmill. Have an awesome weekend, Andreas on Off Grid Sweden 🇸🇪
I converted my generator to run on propane gas for about $20 so I am thinking about making a saw mill that runs on propane instead of gasoline. I may have my son and I sit and look at your saw mill build videos.👍
Great story excellently delivered, Heath! Well done! You could have shown us the Lithograph :-D Sounds interesting. Great job on the mill, too! I would have needed more help on that fence...a load of work! All the best!
I suspected as much ;-) This video made me go back and watch your sawmill video series (half way through - started really late). Not sure how I missed it the first time. Very well thought out. I'm looking forward to you putting it into service! I like where and how you bedded it in too! All the very best!
I just finished the sawmill series. Quite impressive. Nice keyways, dogs and blade guides! You do the research! I like how you got it together. "Not going to use carbide blades" - "$10 bucks? I'll take two!" :-) A realist - I like it! Still, all the very best, Heath!
The homestead is really coming along. I am glad to see the saw mill come to life, looks awesome all mounted and ready to make some lumber. Will you make a shelter for it? Hope so. Thanks for sharing
Just watched your series on building that saw. Great stuff, one suggestion, do you need addition weight on the lower supports (above the castors) to make the whole thing more sturdy and the weight of the system helps? It looks quite easy to move and additional weight will help a slower more consistent advance? Never see anything better than this when created from scratch. I would definitely paint it, like HAMMERITE.
Are you going to add stays to the barb wire fence, at least where it crosses the trail??? I have a homemade wire dolly that sure makes life easier. It has 2 field disks off a farm disk for wheels, has a pinned axle that the roll of wire goes on and an old lawn mower handle is attached to the outsides of the axle to pull the whole thing with. You can pull wire off it or just attach the loose end and it feeds off while being pulled.
I guarantee you will have to re-level that track next spring ! Freeze/thaw will move those ties. Ever notice that railroads set their ties on thick bed of large gravel ?
Looking great Heath, glad you have the sawmill back up and going. That engine you have from your buddy, the PREDATOR engine is from Harbor Freight. I owned one for several years and it worked awesome, you can also get parts pretty easy thru them as well. Just a little FYI, if you didn’t know all that already. Great content, thanks for sharing! 👍😎🌵John - AZ
The livestock fencing laws in AZ, for open range, require 5 strand barbed wire set at a given height. If the livestock break through, the owner of the livestock to responsible for any damages to the owner of the fenced property. Might want to check out your state laws for livestock fencing.
have you ever thought about running a strand of electric fence wire along the spot where the cows want to come through? We had a battery fence charger that worked very good.
Did you ever keep in touch with lyle , and get him over to your place , to see your solar setup , seemed like a great guy , very helpful , and humble, good, wise , very forward thinking man , old school wisdom , you cant get that these days , people like that should be treasured .
thanks for your response to my last comment in the last video.. I really enjoy the way you've gone to a commentary style on the vid during the editing process.. makes things you have thought of along the way presented clearly and or objectively with your goals and proceedures.(maybe use gravity better to your mechanical advantage *pulling barbed wire uphill looked pain-full..lol). keep up the hard work and thanks for sharing..and enjoy your Slightly used NEW pliers!! /ps perhaps some bigger wheel stops & a locking chook mechanism to have trolly stay where you put it --more safely? and maybe a guide rail along the inside edge of the trolly to keep you pointed in the right direction.. but you know // your on the right track! lol see ya ..83RacerX
I totally get the hunting thing! I’m all for it, but here in Michigan during hunting season some folks just don’t use common sense. I have pets and a kiddo too and I don’t want a hunter I’m not familiar with or a hunter without my knowledge on our property in back. They may mistake a pet or my son for a deer running through the brush! Would love to see the lithograph photo!
Nice work. I saw in previous videos that you used v groove bearing for the blade guides and you said they were working well, just wondering if they are still working well and holding up?
A coworker had a bull that would use the hairs on his face to see if the fence was hot; if it wasn't then he'd push the T-post over and the herd would go looking for greener grass. As a welder he used scrap to make spare posts as the ones the bull abused couldn't be used again with S curves in 'em.
Well , you see something everyday. I have seen many tractors used to pull fence. But I have never seen a tractor used to anchor the roll of fence so YOU CAN PULL IT !!!!! UP HILL AT THAT 😳
Time to be looking for a 4x4 4wheeler or side by side. COWS and fences seem to never stop. I loved checking the fence line as a kid. It was always an adventure !! You were talking about deer getting caught in the fences. Quick tip for you. We had great success with tieing the orange marking tape to the top strands between each post run. My dad also painted the top post with a reflective white paint. He did this because my grand dad loved rabbit hunting and would ride the fence line at night with the old head lamps that ran off of the big square 12volt batteries . Great memories for me and my grand dad. But anyway the light would reflect off the poles. So we had very little hang ups from deer. But we would have quite a few nosey calves stuck !! LOL Sorry for the short book but you got me reminiscing with your fence video !! :) LOVE IT
I love your home made saw mill...do you plan to build a she'd around it ? That will protect the water storage tanks?.. Also do you think the back hoe is more versatile then a mini excavator since you have used both extensively on your property
You can never spend too much time on preparation - it pays off in spades in the long run :) I think I've watched all your videos but don't remember if you said those cows belong to someone?
Just saying but Since you had the machinery there why didn’t you use the bucket for the loader to pound the rebar into the ground we have done that are numerous projects with fence posts and a bobcat skid steer just throwing that out there as a thought for the future if you ever need to do something like that again easy does it though
Heath this is your dream and there is nothing wrong with that but were is the input/investment of your family members? You want to give a home and there is nothing wrong with that idea but what is your family members investment in the land? I don't think you need to go crazy but get that garden growing. Make the kids build a rabbit hutch. By doing everything yourself you are keeping the kids from learning hard work and success. Let the kids fail and push them to succeed. Why aren't you teaching your kids electrical runs, making concrete pads and skills for basic framing of a house? Why are you all alone building this home?
I agree but that does not make the work easier. Heath's Cousin located close to him is at Busted Wagon Ranch and it is all hands on deck to make a home stead. Heath can and will all the work himself and that is his choice. I wish to see little more assistance from his family. His family and his homestead and if he is happy with the work that is all that matters.
looks like you are doing well. good work. good job. I think you are overthinking your excavator. it is the final drive motor. unless the directional valve to that side went bad, but it sounds more like your drive motor, either low on oil, or not functioning correctly. Here is a video from letsdig18 showing him putting in this drive motor. I like your excavator a lot. its a good one. th-cam.com/video/YAQKXa2-sZE/w-d-xo.html
I am always amazed how much you get done between videos. Enjoying them all.
Real nice fence. Water, Home, Sawmill, Backhoe ready to go 😊
In high school but this even gives me inspiration. :)
Wow you have an amazing place and your talents and hard work in building and creating an incredible place are inspiring! Really enjoy seeing your progress!
Heath, you are the best off grid homesteader on TH-cam. I hope everyone understood about you not wanting people coming on your land uninvited. I don't like it either when people walk across my land. I only have half an acre but its mine.
Thanks Billy!
Thanks again for your video. Can't wait to see you sawing logs.
Propane torch... BRILLIANT!!!
Looking forward to seeing sawmill projects.
Good luck setting up your sawmill
Looks great and I like your sawmill bunk set up, no need for a bunch of expensive and labour intensive concrete.
In my dream scenario, my first project for the sawmill would be a roof made from lumber I milled on the sawmill, then you can mill year round, and it would protect your sawmill from the weather. I'd also back fill with some gravel or you could be in the mud there when it rains.
Really fantastic work.
Fencing pliers, one of those tools that you can do the job without, but once you use them, you will never want to do the job without them, they just make a hard job easier to handle.
Cheers from Tokyo!
Thanks!
Without a doubt you Sir are the Wizard of the Mountains and it seems that you do your best work when it's freezing with snow on the ground...?
Place Looks Amazing. Hard Work Is Really Obvious.
FYI from another site that built a timber frame from logs. Keep checking level after loading each log. And lots of sharp blades. You may be surprised at how often they need to be replaced.
If you are fencing off an established cattle trail you may need to put a hot wire on it while the cattle are near your fence. It will get them used to the idea that the fence is not the way to go anymore. And shut the hot wire down for the wild life.
It's holding up so far. I'll watch it close.
Hi, glad you got the lithography of your family farm, and thankfully you didn't have to pay crazy money for a piece of paper, even if it is your family history. good luck with the sawmill and reducing the wildlife risk, place is coming on amazingly,
I was hunting near Prairie, ID and watched a handful of deer cross a fence like you put up. There was five deer and four had already jumped the fence. I grabbed a camera and waited for the last doe to jump the fence, but instead of jumping the fence she got down on her knees and crawled under the fence. I was so amazed I forgot to take the picture. As the deer move off from the road, it was apparent the one doe was injured and not able to jump the fence. So yes deer will crawl under a barbed wire fence - cheers
I think antelope can't jump. They have to go under.
I really like what you’re doing and wish I were half my age so I could do it, too. Thank God there are still enough pioneers among us to do what you do. I grew up in NM and TX, and as a kid, worked on farms and ranches all through my high school years. Along the way I became a grammar grinch and just wanted to make a comment. The plural of cows is cattle (there are many breeds of them) and barb wire is really barbed wire (and there are many varieties of barbed wire - see Barbed Wire Museum, Oklahoma.) Once upon a time I could have done what you are doing . . . Never again due to health. Let me live vicariously through you. Keep up the hard work.
Mill looks great!
Congrats on reaching 50,000 subscribers!
Thank you!
50,000 Subscribers. Congratulations. I really enjoy your channel.
Thank you!
Red, dig a small ttencj at the base of the cut-out for the saw mill, to catch spring run-off watet, so your sawmill doesn't wind off a mud pie, and your track rails won't sink in the mud....just a suggestion. I'm sure you know best...
Very nice! From one PHX man to another, your living the dream there bud keep up the good work.
I don't know if the cattle breaking through is still an issue for you but some have had success using brightly colored surveyors tape along the top wire at regular intervals ... seems to define the fence better for wildlife and may help with the cattle as well and is cheaper then running an electric top wire ... hope this helps you ... great videos and thank you for posting them .
Great video Heath
Looks good. One suggestion, do the top strand of your fence first and work down. That way the new strands don't snag on the other strands as you tighten them up. I learned that along the way...Keep the videos coming! Anxious to come along with you as you do the addition.
Thanks for the support!
Up here beetle wood is expensive because the Chinese buy it for top dollar and make furniture from it. Because the blueish color tint from the bugs it makes some amazing wood pieces so good luck on getting it cheap.
It's everywhere around here.
50 K.... big landmark and attests to the quality of your vids.. you now got shot at 100K by years end...
That would be ideal! Thanks for watching!
Great idea for the wasp. Gota try that
Get a wood chipper too. Wood chip can be used for lots of projects.
Fantastic
With some cedar poles and some used tin, you can build a shed for the mill that will protect it for years.
On the short list.
Hard work! Take care.
Love what you do keep it up you will get there
Tip # 657.....use your bucket to drive the rods in the ground....nice work brother!!
Awesome! Can’t wait to see the sawmill in action. And I hope you’ve frustrated a few cows. Heh Great job Heath!
Thanks!
Thanks for sharing
A post pounder would drive that rebar in up to the last little bit. Run it down until it's bottomed out, flip it around and drive it down some more then finish it off with the sledge.
looks good ! ! !
Great setup video. Did a video on my chainsaw mill a couple of videos ago. If I could get a new sawmill today I would probably go for the Lucas sawmill. Have an awesome weekend, Andreas on Off Grid Sweden 🇸🇪
Great video!
I converted my generator to run on propane gas for about $20 so I am thinking about making a saw mill that runs on propane instead of gasoline. I may have my son and I sit and look at your saw mill build videos.👍
Great story excellently delivered, Heath! Well done! You could have shown us the Lithograph :-D Sounds interesting. Great job on the mill, too! I would have needed more help on that fence...a load of work! All the best!
I'll show the lithograph soon.
I suspected as much ;-) This video made me go back and watch your sawmill video series (half way through - started really late). Not sure how I missed it the first time. Very well thought out. I'm looking forward to you putting it into service! I like where and how you bedded it in too! All the very best!
I just finished the sawmill series. Quite impressive. Nice keyways, dogs and blade guides! You do the research! I like how you got it together. "Not going to use carbide blades" - "$10 bucks? I'll take two!" :-) A realist - I like it! Still, all the very best, Heath!
Its looking great it if you can afford it to keep the backhoe you should if it doesn't owe you anything that road get blocked in winter
The homestead is really coming along. I am glad to see the saw mill come to life, looks awesome all mounted and ready to make some lumber. Will you make a shelter for it? Hope so. Thanks for sharing
yes on the shelter.
super job !!! ,
You inspired me some much.
positive attitude
Just watched your series on building that saw. Great stuff, one suggestion, do you need addition weight on the lower supports (above the castors) to make the whole thing more sturdy and the weight of the system helps? It looks quite easy to move and additional weight will help a slower more consistent advance? Never see anything better than this when created from scratch. I would definitely paint it, like HAMMERITE.
It's pretty heavy but that's not a bad idea.
Are you going to add stays to the barb wire fence, at least where it crosses the trail??? I have a homemade wire dolly that sure makes life easier. It has 2 field disks off a farm disk for wheels, has a pinned axle that the roll of wire goes on and an old lawn mower handle is attached to the outsides of the axle to pull the whole thing with. You can pull wire off it or just attach the loose end and it feeds off while being pulled.
I have some stays I will use in select places.
You might be able to drive in the rebar with a hammer drill , depends on the soil some time it goes in like butter.
I guarantee you will have to re-level that track next spring ! Freeze/thaw will move those ties. Ever notice that railroads set their ties on thick bed of large gravel ?
Looking great Heath, glad you have the sawmill back up and going. That engine you have from your buddy, the PREDATOR engine is from Harbor Freight. I owned one for several years and it worked awesome, you can also get parts pretty easy thru them as well. Just a little FYI, if you didn’t know all that already. Great content, thanks for sharing! 👍😎🌵John - AZ
Thanks!
I would have taken the whole roll up the hill and let it roll down! hahaha hindsight is a marvelous thing innit?
They just want you mooove! :)
The livestock fencing laws in AZ, for open range, require 5 strand barbed wire set at a given height. If the livestock break through, the owner of the livestock to responsible for any damages to the owner of the fenced property. Might want to check out your state laws for livestock fencing.
I can barely wait for the excavator to be working properly.. I just wish I could find on for a low price like you did
have you ever thought about running a strand of electric fence wire along the spot where the cows want to come through? We had a battery fence charger that worked very good.
I may do this if we get goats.
Did you ever keep in touch with lyle , and get him over to your place , to see your solar setup , seemed like a great guy , very helpful , and humble, good, wise , very forward thinking man , old school wisdom , you cant get that these days , people like that should be treasured .
Saw him a few days ago.
Excellent , pleased you have kept in touch with him , top guy . Respect to you and lyle .
thanks for your response to my last comment in the last video.. I really enjoy the way you've gone to a commentary style on the vid during the editing process.. makes things you have thought of along the way presented clearly and or objectively with your goals and proceedures.(maybe use gravity better to your mechanical advantage *pulling barbed wire uphill looked pain-full..lol). keep up the hard work and thanks for sharing..and enjoy your Slightly used NEW pliers!! /ps perhaps some bigger wheel stops & a locking chook mechanism to have trolly stay where you put it --more safely? and maybe a guide rail along the inside edge of the trolly to keep you pointed in the right direction.. but you know // your on the right track! lol see ya ..83RacerX
I totally get the hunting thing! I’m all for it, but here in Michigan during hunting season some folks just don’t use common sense. I have pets and a kiddo too and I don’t want a hunter I’m not familiar with or a hunter without my knowledge on our property in back. They may mistake a pet or my son for a deer running through the brush! Would love to see the lithograph photo!
Nice work. I saw in previous videos that you used v groove bearing for the blade guides and you said they were working well, just wondering if they are still working well and holding up?
Weld A push bar on the out side of the sawmill or put plywood in the middle so when you are pushing the mill you don’t trip and hurt your self
Definitely!
Set up a solar electric fence to that barbed wire. Once they find it's electric and it hurts and trains them to know it's hot then shut it off.
A coworker had a bull that would use the hairs on his face to see if the fence was hot; if it wasn't then he'd push the T-post over and the herd would go looking for greener grass. As a welder he used scrap to make spare posts as the ones the bull abused couldn't be used again with S curves in 'em.
😊😊
Heck yeah you need a mill on a homestead. You can save on your own projects and make money milling for others (if you so choose).
You'll be able to save a heap of money sawing your own lumber
I hope so.
I bet the cow protestors were funny to watch!
What kind of boots are those? They look like square toe lace up? I've been looking for a nice pair.
Anyone know?
Justins
Dumb question. Why didn't you drive the bobcat up the hill, tie off the barb, then back down the hill?
The backhoe would not safely get up the hill.
@@RedPoppyRanch an ATV would be great to have. Lol
Will you put a shed /roof/ sides over it?
Yes.
Anyone who doesn't think you are for the public using public land need to learn to read that hat of yours. I am with you on that.
whats your plan once the house is finished?
Move in ASAP
nice setup, but whats going to happen during your first heavy rain?
Well , you see something everyday. I have seen many tractors used to pull fence. But I have never seen a tractor used to anchor the roll of fence so YOU CAN PULL IT !!!!! UP HILL AT THAT 😳
The backhoe wont go all the way up the hill so I did it the hard way.
Time to be looking for a 4x4 4wheeler or side by side. COWS and fences seem to never stop. I loved checking the fence line as a kid. It was always an adventure !! You were talking about deer getting caught in the fences. Quick tip for you. We had great success with tieing the orange marking tape to the top strands between each post run. My dad also painted the top post with a reflective white paint. He did this because my grand dad loved rabbit hunting and would ride the fence line at night with the old head lamps that ran off of the big square 12volt batteries . Great memories for me and my grand dad. But anyway the light would reflect off the poles. So we had very little hang ups from deer. But we would have quite a few nosey calves stuck !! LOL Sorry for the short book but you got me reminiscing with your fence video !! :) LOVE IT
How long is the sawmill looks small in this video. Can you do more that 8 feet length lumber?
20'
Elecritify it
What railroad tides/ties????
I love your home made saw mill...do you plan to build a she'd around it ? That will protect the water storage tanks?..
Also do you think the back hoe is more versatile then a mini excavator since you have used both extensively on your property
The backhoe is most definitly a more versatile piece of equipment but the mini ex is needed for a very specific job.
You can never spend too much time on preparation - it pays off in spades in the long run :)
I think I've watched all your videos but don't remember if you said those cows belong to someone?
They do. They are supposed to be up on the forest service but the fences up there are bad.
Just saying but Since you had the machinery there why didn’t you use the bucket for the loader to pound the rebar into the ground we have done that are numerous projects with fence posts and a bobcat skid steer just throwing that out there as a thought for the future if you ever need to do something like that again easy does it though
Just for laughs, Keith those cows were cursing you out. Sorry for the correction when you're being serious.
😌👉🐮 do Dogs help w the Roamin cattle ?
I'm sure but not as good as a fence.
Red Poppy Ranch 👍 just watched a. Video on. A old. Steam engine Saw mill. Lol. Researchin a wood burn boiler. Take it easy in the heat 🍺
Hi Heath, love your ingenuity in getting things done. How is the home coming along?
Ready for concrete.
I would put a walk board along the center of that mill. All you need is to twist an ankle or worse one tired day. peace
Why did you not use the old foundation you built to make a platform for your saw mill . It's not like your using it for anything else.
It's too close to the house and the mill is too noisy.
Could have left an 8 foot corridor through your property for the cows to pass through, if the trail is that established.
No thanks... The cows are supposed to be up on the BLM and Forest Service.
Flux core and galvanized makes for bird poo
why aren't you using your 4wheeler up & down the hill ?
I could have on the one side but I decided my legs and back needed it the excercise.
Heath this is your dream and there is nothing wrong with that but were is the input/investment of your family members? You want to give a home and there is nothing wrong with that idea but what is your family members investment in the land? I don't think you need to go crazy but get that garden growing. Make the kids build a rabbit hutch. By doing everything yourself you are keeping the kids from learning hard work and success. Let the kids fail and push them to succeed.
Why aren't you teaching your kids electrical runs, making concrete pads and skills for basic framing of a house? Why are you all alone building this home?
I agree but that does not make the work easier. Heath's Cousin located close to him is at Busted Wagon Ranch and it is all hands on deck to make a home stead. Heath can and will all the work himself and that is his choice. I wish to see little more assistance from his family. His family and his homestead and if he is happy with the work that is all that matters.
How come you didn’t weld something on a four wheeler and went up and down that hill? It would’ve been alot easier.
The wheeler is down and out at the moment.
Noice :-)
looks like you are doing well. good work. good job. I think you are overthinking your excavator. it is the final drive motor. unless the directional valve to that side went bad, but it sounds more like your drive motor, either low on oil, or not functioning correctly. Here is a video from letsdig18 showing him putting in this drive motor. I like your excavator a lot. its a good one. th-cam.com/video/YAQKXa2-sZE/w-d-xo.html
You must don't like deer or elk meat.
I don't like it. I love it. I'll be loading the freezer very soon with elk.