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cliffhanger
Trad climber
California
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Sep 14, 2011 - 01:43pm PT
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Bridge made from a living tree
In a monsoon swept forest of India in the Himalayan foothills people train the roots of a Strangler Fig tree to form a living bridge across the raging torrent:
http://www.humanplanetblog.com/?p=1933
The Fig lives to be over 500 years old and the bridge just keeps growing stronger throughout that time.
It seems that a living bridge could be formed with any large tree that likes to grow by rivers.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Sep 14, 2011 - 02:47pm PT
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Train those trees to work for ya!
Oh, you want some log home builders? I found these guys in Argentina...
It wasn't really run by termites.
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POTATO
Trad climber
GRAND JUNCTION, CO
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Sep 20, 2011 - 10:25pm PT
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Cool forum
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phylp
Trad climber
Millbrae, CA
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Sep 21, 2011 - 12:22pm PT
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Cragman - "raining spiders" - OMG, that's a nightmare!!
I like those Hardee siding products and manufactured decking products (we have Trex on our deck). Actually, I'm always puzzled when people use natural wood products these days. I can understand it from the "natural beauty" perspective, but It seems like it would be a lot more maintenance in a lot of environments. The newer technologies (like insulating concrete forms) really interest me.
Yet it still seems like the majority of new construction is still wood frame.
Builders - does this surprise you (that there is still so much wood construction)? Is it a cost thing?
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tolman_paul
Trad climber
Anchorage, AK
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Sep 21, 2011 - 12:33pm PT
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The challenges with newer products is weather or not the increased cost of the materials is offset by labor savings. And if the building crews are trained in using the newer products. You'd think SIP's would really be taking off due to their energy efficiency, but then not all building crews are going to be interested in the framing crew being replaced by a guy with a crane.
I'm not a huge fan of trex, but there is something to be said for not having to stain your deck every year or every other year.
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Gal
Trad climber
a semi lucid consciousness
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Sep 21, 2011 - 02:26pm PT
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Potato-I like that bridge-cool!
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healyje
Trad climber
Portland, Oregon
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Sep 21, 2011 - 04:48pm PT
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Having worked on one steel-frame house I can say that it's an odd and semi-unnatural medium to work in and you have to get competent with a different tool/skill set. That said, however, I'd never frame with wood again - ever. I'd still use wood for trim and accents, but that's it.
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phylp
Trad climber
Millbrae, CA
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Sep 21, 2011 - 06:06pm PT
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I think if I ever had to "build" a home, I'd like a modern pre-fab something like these:
http://www.prefabs.com/PrefabHomes/MarmolRadziner/skyline.htm
I owned a prefab (middle of the road contemporary style) in CT once, and the people in the neighborhood told me that the whole thing was assembled in about 3 days. At my age, faster sounds good to me!
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tom woods
Gym climber
Bishop, CA
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Sep 21, 2011 - 09:59pm PT
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Cragman- what do you think of that timber tech stuff? On the remodel I'm doing, I have a deck coming up to finish off the project.
My friend wanted Trex, but Home lumber sells timber tek. They say it's better than trex.
How's it stack up against wood? Bearing in mind that down here in Bishop we worry more about sun than water/snow.
Also, I worked with Chez a bit over the summer. We had a good time.
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Off White
climber
Tenino, WA
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Sep 21, 2011 - 11:06pm PT
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Tom: look at Timbertech "Florizon" which acts like a tongue and groove deck board. The big advantage for you in Bishop is that the plank is thinner and won't heat up as much and burn your bare feet in all that sun. There is another brand we used, it was a hollow plank, looked almost like broom finished concrete, 2x6 sized, and spanned 24" on center.
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tom woods
Gym climber
Bishop, CA
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Sep 21, 2011 - 11:15pm PT
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I've never heard anything good about trex. They don't even sell it anymore at Home because they had too many problems.
I was inclined to go with redwood because I know what it is, and I know what it will look like in 5 years.
How's the timber tex hold up over time?
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tom woods
Gym climber
Bishop, CA
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Sep 21, 2011 - 11:43pm PT
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I'm concerned with the long term maintenance. Timber Tek sounds good, but I've heard so much bad stuff about Trex over the years, I get nervous about this stuff.
This landing isn't very big, so the cost isn't going to kill anyone if we go timber tek. It's basically the code required landing outside a sliding door and two steps down to the lawn.
I've heard good things about the tropical hardwoods (I have cruised that website you linked to), but I've not used them.
The thing is, Bishop sun is no joke. I've not seen anything survive too well here.
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Off White
climber
Tenino, WA
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Sep 22, 2011 - 03:17pm PT
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Yeah, Cragman took the words out of my mouth. Maintenance issues is why the deck at my house is concrete. I've even poured concrete as a second floor deck.
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st0nm0nky
Trad climber
Boulder, CO
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Sep 23, 2011 - 10:33am PT
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#16 & 18 Parachute Adams in olive and grey.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Sep 28, 2011 - 12:55pm PT
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Threw this together the other day...
NOT! :-)
This is in Sam Maloof's house which you can tour in Alta Loma.
There is also an exhibitiom on through January at the Huntington Library of
his work. The man was one of the greats.
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Brandon-
climber
The Granite State.
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Sep 28, 2011 - 06:14pm PT
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I'm wrapping a remodel on a really old timber frame home tomorrow, and have a ribbon cutting ceremony on the playground after work. Life is good.
I want to see more of what ST is building!
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john hansen
climber
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Over 500 yards of concrete so far, another hundred to go,, lots of curbs and detail work. Ninety percent of the flat work is stained concrete ,so it has to be a very nice finish right to the base board...
But we have a very good crew.. we all can't wait to finish the concrete and start framing. Two classroom buildings with lots of crane work, steel, and storefronts... I like building schools because so many kids will have memories from those times for generations to come.
Kanu o Ka aina Hawaiian Charter School
Every morning all the kids and faculty, gather around in a circle and they sing Hawaiian chants.
It's pretty cool.. instead of P.E. they practice old Hawaiian warrior training, with spears and stuff.
Seem's I have been building stuff all my life.
[photoid=219288
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Dr.Sprock
Boulder climber
I'm James Brown, Bi-atch!
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just built an ampeg b15n portaflex amp for a friend in oly wash,
same amp as jamerson used at motown
best bass amp in the world,
check the point to point,
sounds frickin awesome with 6384 bendix red bank tubs, 6sl7 preamp and western electric 1940's output trans
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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That's a tweaker's pacemaker. You can't fool me!
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NigelSSI
Trad climber
B.C.
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NICE work DrSprock!
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