What a project. You are da man

Yes, what a joy it's been to follow your progress. And might I add, that little stone work with the date is a might fine touch!

911 Rod, trying to get it weather tight before Christmas, me going back to work has slowed things up a bit so not sure we'll do it

Sooner of later, thanks if I'm da man then Mrs Ahab is da lady

daepp, thanks, nearly went with a fresh cut stone but found the stone in my pile which I had the date hand carved into it. Once the new build has weather in to match the old house, I'm hoping people will take a double take when they spot it

This weeks progress achieved one milestone, the gable wall is finished, one side down, two more sides to go

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1544377752.jpg

Date stone now in place, I debated with myself about using the pinky coloured stones that are dotted about the courses as the colour is not quite in keeping with the other brown shades

These stone are iron stone as per the rest of the build but somewhere during their life they were exposed to fire which turns the stone pink. Glad I did as their colour tells a story, like the rest of the building should hopefully do when finished.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1544378806.jpg

My involvement this week was minimal, only had an hour on a few late evenings, so under the cover of darkness and like a little church mouse I very quietly drilled and fitted the metal wall straps that fix the front timber wall plate for the joists to the inner block work wall.

This weekend I broke out out with the power tools and trimmed up the front joists, trial fitted the fascia boards and trial fitted the upper window oak lintels.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1544378639.jpg

Everything is now ready for our builder to hopefully finish off the front wall this week.

Each day gets you closer, right?

By the way, your profile refers to landspeed exploits. What was that project if I may ask?

Good question. No need to ask about "extreme diy"

yep, every stone placed is one I don't need to cut again

A couple of projects,

McLaren F1 production road car, 240 mph in 1998
https://cars.mclaren.com/featured-articles/mclaren-f1-record-breaker.html

and Honda F1 at Bonneville, 247 mph in 2006, still kick myself for not speaking up as I could have helped out at the salt flats :(
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.the-long-read-chasing-400km-h-in-the-worlds-fastest-f1-car.4KJFHbfjaU8GgqUEgsKQeU.html

well spotted, have it listed as one of my interests on my resume but no one has ever asked me about it :D

Enough!

Take a look at this Mr. Captain and see if you can figure out what parts my company made:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1544386781.jpg

Kidding, of course. I do love this build. The Date Stone, in particular, is an example of the cool.

Never disappointing. Best.

Thanks Paul, this photo is an example of cool

Going to make some wild guesses here as I don't know that much about your company

I spent 18 months doing competitor design analysis from detailed track spy photos while working a previous F1 employer so got a reasonable eye for detail but a Helo is something I know nothing about so here goes,

as you do composites I'm going to say no to the metal parts which appear to be many, looks like quite a hot area around the exhaust outlets so too hot for anything other than very specialised composite materials??

as for composite parts my immediate guess as it's in the centre of the pic is the electrical enclosure , under the rotor (looks like a cable routed through the slot), doesn't look weather proof but more an enclosure to protect electrical boxes/assemblies for dust/debris blasting from the rotors??

or the antenna's/sensors ?? to the right of the above enclosure, these look composite, if they had copper wires co-laminated in they would need to be made from fibreglass

or the small enclosure to the very right of the pic

or if I was to really stick my neck out here the rotor pitch control rods ??, these would be very trick made with hollow carbon tubes with co-laminated/bonded metallic threaded end fittings for the fitment of the adjustable spherical rod ends, remind me of larger version of a F1 front steering track rod

how did I do Paul?? even if I'm wrong anything manufactured that makes it on to a military helo is a cool project

forgot to to say looks like a UH60 Blackhawk :cool:

You did great, as usual. We did the composite design for the sensor cover with the line leading into it.

Special part:D. Getting parts certified to fly on military aircraft, UH-60 indeed, puts Sisyphus to shame.

I was just having fun. I have the utmost respect for your, and Mrs., efforts. It is a pleasure to watch it all.

Best.

Ace! Very cool project to be involved in

If you ever need an impartial sound board to bounce off design or manufacturing ideas with you know where to find me, would be my pleasure to help you

In no uncertain terms, that's just badass.

Me, I'd have to post a photo of some concrete. Sigh...

No kidding. I work in IT, nothing is tangible and most is really not that interesting to anyone. Love this thread, such a cool project.

Any updates ?

I think a bunch of us are wishing that the roof will get finished and the inside all dry by New Years, or at least before winter comes on too hard.

All the best Captn. In finding time away from your new job to keep the momentum going on your home project.

Cheers Richard

here you go LJ851

thanks Richard, keep wishing everyone, the roof is getting there, didn't have any time during the evenings :( so most progress was thanks to our builder and a bit from myself and Mrs Ahab

Yesterday our builder and I finished all the roof joists above the garage, it was cold and raining, called it quits by lunchtime as I couldn't feel my fingers, face or head, I had a full thickness ice cream head :D

This side of the roof is the trickier side as the roof will run flush into the old roof and the new building rear wall is not square on to the old building

Will also have 3 roof lights (see hole for the garage roof light) and a dormer window. Rear half of the inside is very wet

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1544982224.jpg

Our builder was busy during the week fitting a breathable, waterproof membrane and battens for the tiles. I spent today screwing down all the roof joists and nailing 9 rows of battens, only 4 or 5 more to go and it's done

This side of the roof is the easy side, there will be a small step down from the old roof to the new roof as the new front wall is stepped back from the original front wall

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1544981422.jpg

The front half of the building is nearly dry :)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1544982000.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1544984546.jpg

Hey Capt A your house has become huge and very impressive. Well done to you and your wife and builder for all the hard work. Just for comparison here is a pic of our modest house and cars from the early 1960's.

We were located on the Reading road just outside of Wallingford, Berkshire. After my dad died in 1966 my mother sold the house for 5000 pounds. Now it is worth 1,000,000 pounds. Unbelievable increase in property values that are commutable to London.

Keep up the good work!:)

Thanks recycled sixtie, great photo, house prices here are very expensive, the UK is a crowded island so you either pay up or make the most of what you have

Firstly hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and thanks for the kind words of support and encouragement as we've worked on our build

While I was at work the week before Christmas our builder and Mrs Ahab worked on the roof joists on the house end of the rear roof, not quite there yet but thanks to their hard work I've only got a few joists left to fit :cool:

I managed a few days over the Christmas break and nearly finished the roof membrane and battens over the garage end, just got a few left to do at the top. Also fitted one roof light, got another 2 left to do.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1546189469.jpg

I also finished doing the battens on the front side, length of the battens used can nearly be measured in km's and miles :D

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1546189724.jpg

The inside space is starting to close in on it's self but with the high ceiling it still feels roomy

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1546189986.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1546190045.jpg

I'll spend a couple more days on the roof before it's back to work for me. With the limited time I have free I've mentally set myself the target of having the roof all finished by the end of Jan.

The tiling is a quiet neighbour friendly activity which I can do under flood light in the evening

Until my next update I wish everyone a Happy New Year and an ace 2019!

Best, Mr. and Mrs, Ahab.

What I thought you were after in the beginning of this thread and where you have gone is 180 degrees out.

The way it should be.

Again, best to you and yours in the coming year. Outstanding stuff, a complete pleasure to follow along.

Yes well done Mr and Mrs Ahab. Everything you have done is in keeping with the surrounding area. The bricks and stones do not stand out but your workmanship and the Mrs. and the builder's does. Congrats and have a great new year. You all deserve it!:)

Can't wait to see this completed. Great work. SmileWavy

Congrats on your steady progress thus far, and may you keep the drive towards the finish in focus.

Happy Holidaze !

So impressive. I'm so happy to see the materials and worksmanship. Not green 2x4 and Hardie board.

I think its more of a "man hangar".

Thanks gents, first update for 2019, plenty more to follow

Not getting much time on the build in the evenings :( but Mrs Ahab and our builder are making good progress

Mrs Ahab deserves a special mention, her 'side project' is shaping up very nicely, when she's not running the house hold she has built/concreted steps up to the garden next to the shed and extended the garden wall

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1547406298.jpg

To make the most of my building time on weekends Mrs Ahab has turned her hand to roofing too, cementing in the gable end tiles. So impressed with how straight/even the tiles are, really finishes of this end of the house

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1547406747.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1547408060.jpg

Our builder has been working on the stone work for the garage rear extension which adds much needed extra length to the garage space. Believe it or not this part is the only part of the house build that extends beyond the foot print of our original garage foot print

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1547407123.jpg

This weekend Mrs Ahab and myself tiled half of the front roof, 1500 tiles in 3 hrs, my Iphone health monitor measured 71 stories, 6500 steps, it didn't account for me having 5kgs of tiles in each hand while walking up the ladder :eek: Tiling isn't tiring but sure stretches the muscles.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1547407505.jpg

We worked on the rear too and I also spent some tile trimming up the fascia boards to match the profile of the stone wall

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1547408242.jpg

Mrs Ahab is a whale of a builder.

More stellar work! I still cannot quite apprehend the scope of effort here, its really tremendous.

Are those skylights a nod to modernity?

My curiosity is getting the better of me.
The rafters look like 3x8 are they oak?
The battens to hold the tiles look like 2x3 are they hardwood?
How are the tiles attached? Are there a couple of holes in the top end to take galvanized nails or screws?
In '01 I came across a building site in Helmsley in which the structure had been taken down to the top of the ground floor wall and they had built upon that. Construction with rafters to a ridge pole has given way to trusses in NA and I have never seen tiles applied.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
Best
Les

Some really great work going on there I am really looking forward to pics of the completed building .

I bet the Ahabs are also looking forward to that day.

Wow. I think we should start calling you Noha.

I believe this is the most wonderful thread ever posted here. I follow it regularly. Fantastic work!

Yes - such a GREAT thread, made even more so by the team you and Mrs Ahab have created with one another. It's truly inspiring.

FWIW, I think she deserves Wife of the Year award to go with the Best Pelican Build Thread Award!!

Sooner or later, Mrs Ahab is not a large lady but pound for pound she would give a Leaf Cutter Ant a run for it's money :D

thanks, rfuerst911sc

Les, roof joists are softwood, C24 premium pressure treated structural grade, tile battens are small, only 3/4" x 1.5" pressure treated softwood,
Using plain concrete 6.5" x 10.5" tiles which have 2 fixing holes and two hanging nibs underneath, using aluminium nails every few courses
Tiles are all reclaimed, from the garage demolition and buying lots up cheap over the years. Total cost for approx. 6000 tiles must be no more than $500

911Rod, thanks, I've been called worse before ;)

cairns, wow, not sure how to reply other than thank you :)
If you're enjoying it now you'll really enjoy what I've got planned for my man cave fitting out but this is quite away off. Unlike when we bought our house this time around I've promised Mrs Ahab the garage work will be done after the internal house work is complete

daepp, thanks and agree Mrs Ahab deserves Wife of the Year award

Making good progress on the roof despite only doing a bit each evening under floodlight/head torch. Noisy jobs stop at 9pm, quiet lifting/moving work goes on until I hear the village church clock chiming 11pm :)

In 1.5hrs I can move 638 or 1406lbs/638kgs of tiles in batches of a dozen up onto the scaffolding, my Iphone measured 6000 steps, 51 floors and 2.5 miles/4km :cool:

Not as strenuous as the stone chopping/moving but a very pleasant work out after a day sat in an office :D

astrochex, sorry missed your question about skylights, not a nod to modernity but a subtle way of adding light without changing the profile of the roof to being sympathetic to the 'conservation area' planning restrictions

Was really hoping to post pictures of a fully finished roof

Wasn't from a lack of trying, spent every spare minute working nights and weekends in the rain, strong winds, snow and in the dark. Even took a day off work last Fri., made good progress but not quite there yet.

Old roof meets new roof, to blend the new roof into the old I used lots of plywood spacers to try and add some curvature to the tile battens as each roof is slightly misaligned to each other. New modern, lightweight breathable roofing membrane on the right, old 70's, heavy, reinforced bitumen on the left

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1548623163.jpg

Our builder finished off the rear dormer window stonework, as the rear took shape I wished we'd designed in 2 dormer's but just the one has worked out very well. It is almost halfway between our rear extension with it's pitched roof and the end wall of our new build. Really has added some height above the driveway

Also a good lookout for spotting if our rear defenses have been breached by marauding neighbors :)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1548623285.jpg

Yesterday in the wind and rain we has a 'topping out' moment, the fitment of the first roof ridge tile, rightly deserved the honors of cementing it on had to go to Mrs Ahab :cool: We endured the weather to do about half of the ridge tiles too.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1548623476.jpg

Rear is now water tight (ignoring the 2 roof light holes ;)) and nearly fully battened, just got the dormer to do and replace a few broken battens I snapped while climbing up and down. I also trimmed up and fitted the tiles around the garage roof light.

I have one small slight tiling problem, I mean challenge to sort :confused: it's in full view if you can find it

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1548624232.jpg

The front is pretty much done, doesn't look too bad considering I tiled most of it in the dark with only a head torch for illumination. Only have the bottom 2 courses to finish but need to fit the fascia boards and rainwater guttering first

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1548625399.jpg

Today was spent trimming the end tiles and fitting the lead soaker's up to the old house. These allow the rain water to drain down the roof and not soak into the wall. They will be covered by another single piece additional heavier weight lead flashing.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1548624806.jpg

Got plenty of night jobs planned this week but snow is forecast so I may have to get a bit creative with my job list

An update!

Nice work!
Will you spray something on the new tiles to promote moss growth? Or clean of the old ones? Or say F##k it a leave them as is?

thanks 911 Rod, tiles are quite dirty so will be left as is, a winter or 2 and they'll also look like they have broccoli growing out of them too.

Read somewhere strings of copper wire across the roof help to keep the moss growth down but have never been bothered enough to try it

No building action this week :(

Tried working one evening but froze my hands, couldn't feel my fingers until I went for the rapid defrost under a cold tap and gradually warming the water up, the pain was excruciating :mad:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1549228925.jpg

Not polar vortex cold but plenty cold for me, weather didn't stop weekend progress, front fascia boards all done and some more tiling on the rear

Dang so close to getting all closed in before the snow came. Realize how many here are pulling for you and the Mrs. Capt.
It's been such a great ride you have taken us on with your project.

I was looking at the steps and walkway, then those amazing walls. And started to think how contrasting to your F1 work, both skillful. This very demanding phisically.

This will last for generations, the F1 work tho very exacting, eclipsed in a year or two.

A real legacy you two have created.

Cheers Richard