Enter the Gas Man!

No Art Primeau doesn't need Bean-0... he has extensive experience in the oil and gas biz and know's why gas goes up instantly when someone burbs in TX but takes weeks to pass through a 50% drop in oil prices.

Even with the lecture on gasconmics Art was able to master the telehandler and swinging the hammer. No sissy blisters for him like the book worm got a few days earlier....

Cousin Tommy to the rescue!

My cuz Tommy came by for the day and we worked him silly.

He's a young buck who swung the hammer with the best of them! He promises to be back - we shall see, we shall see.....

Book worms can swing hammers!

Yes friends - this is indeed Jerold R. Jenkins - book publishing mogal - pounding away today on row 8 of our cabin. Jerry's delicate hands haven't seen anything worse than a paper cut for years - but after today he has a couple of real-life blisters to show off to his fellow book nerds!!!

Thanks Jerry -you're welcome anytime - and I might even let you drive the telehandler next time!

The H3R Top-Secret Plans!

Here is the plans to make your very own H3R. The only cost for this amazing time and labor savings device is 2 dozen of your very best homemade chocolate chip cookies!

Hummmm cookies!

Hard at work - my Dad - Herbert E. Heger

Scampering up the logs like a young mountain goat - driving the telehandler - pounding in rerod with a fury that leaves his son slumped in the corner - it's my Dad - he only knows one speed - full throttle!

I hate pounding down the rebar....

So I fabricated a plunger system that uses the power of the boom to drive the rebar into the logs.

And down it goes!

The boom pushes the plunger down - with not a single swing of the sledge hammer.....

The results!

The 24" rebar is now driven 22" into the logs - and pounding in the last 2" is a lot easier!

7 Rows!

As you can see we are making great progress - here you see the best telehander in NW Michigan - my lovely bride Diane - next to the wall. 7 down and 9 to go!

Lifting the logs the easy way....

We rented a telehander - basically a fork lift that goes up/down and in/out. We use a strap that is rated for 10,000 pounds to lift the 3,500 pound logs. Once the log is in place we use log dogs (sort of big staples) to hold the log in place.

Closer view of the corner

This will look great when it's done - if my sissy muscles and hands can take it!

3 Rows Done....

Well - we have 3 rows now complete. The technique we are using requires us to pound a 24" piece of rebar through the top log and into the lower log.

I now am painfully aware of how much a computer nerd I am! This is hard work! My Dad and I can get 4 logs on in 5 hours - after which we collapse onto the ground.......

As Dad always says "If it was easy everyone would do it..."