Life 2.0

[HarveyWildes]

What will you be using for insulation?  We decided to spray polyurethane when we built our house, and I've never regretted the decision.  You end up with R-20-23 in 3.5in of wall.  Sprayed on the underside of roof sheeting, it keeps heat from building in the attic and seeping into the rest of the house.  All around it cuts our energy bills by a factor of 2-3.  In addition, it adds structural strength to the framing (if you are framing).  It also helps with sound insulation, but doesn't do the full job.

The main downsides are cost and the ability of an enclosed, sprayed space to concentrate heat in a fire, since there is no place for the heat to go until the poly is breached.  There are some dramatic stories of how fast fire can spread in enclosed, small spaces like hallways.  I figure if our house ever goes up, the contents will pretty much be a total loss.

But overall I love the product and the results we got with it.

 

[Kev]

What will you be using for insulation?  We decided to spray polyurethane when we built our house, and I've never regretted the decision.  You end up with R-20-23 in 3.5in of wall.  Sprayed on the underside of roof sheeting, it keeps heat from building in the attic and seeping into the rest of the house.  All around it cuts our energy bills by a factor of 2-3.  In addition, it adds structural strength to the framing (if you are framing).  It also helps with sound insulation, but doesn't do the full job.

The main downsides are cost and the ability of an enclosed, sprayed space to concentrate heat in a fire, since there is no place for the heat to go until the poly is breached.  There are some dramatic stories of how fast fire can spread in enclosed, small spaces like hallways.  I figure if our house ever goes up, the contents will pretty much be a total loss.

But overall I love the product and the results we got with it.

Because I'm more concerned with keeping heat out and not warmth in, I'll likely go with something like E-thermhttp://thermotec.com.au/products/thermal-insulation/e-therm/commercial-roofs this stuff is very good at keeping the heat out. A lot of solar panels on the roof will stop a fair amount of radiant heat hitting the structure and a few solar whirlybirds will get rid of trapped heat.

Although the design is a work in progress, we'll be orienting doors, windows and under cover outdoor areas to be sympathetic with prevailing conditions.

 

[jmbfestool]

[popcorn] [popcorn] [popcorn] [popcorn] [popcorn] [popcorn] [popcorn]

 

[rmwarren]

[member=13058]Kev[/member] Congrats! I suspect you hit the Deep Envy button on the vast majority of regular Foggers, certainly in my case. Lemme see...

- Leaving the city, check..
- Tropical breezes, check..
- Lots of land, check..
- Build big shop, double check..
- Local timber, check..
- Covered porch off the shop, check

Add in a beer-fridge, humidor, big green egg & the loo and there's not much need for an actual house. Absent nearby neighbors and poisonous snakes the loo may be optional. Sleeping on a lumber pile is vastly underrated.

Following this thread will be a vicarious pleasure. Enjoy the journey.

RMW

 

[dltflt]

Good luck on your new endeavors. I have 4 years before I start my new life. Wish I could do it now but it is not in the cards.

 

[Kev]

Just adding a Volkswagen Amarok to the stable as our "rural pickup" ... should take delivery next week. Now shopping for a decent trailer and will probably grab a little boat to take advantage of local fishing.

Less than 8 weeks now till the day that we should be settling on the new place counting the days [smile]

 

[travisj]

Congrats on the move.  I am envious of the views.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[fritter63]

Congrats Kev , that's what we did 10 years ago.

We are still grid tied but zero net energy (passive solar straw bale house + solar pv). Feel free to pm me if you want any advice.

 

[Aquila]

Hi Kev,
I'm in Brisbane & love the life. In terms of local timber supplies, one event you won't want to miss is th Maleny Wood Expo
https://malenywoodexpo.squarespace.com

The local Festool dealer, Ideal tools exhibit too!

 

[Kev]

Hi Kev,
I'm in Brisbane & love the life. In terms of local timber supplies, one event you won't want to miss is th Maleny Wood Expo
https://malenywoodexpo.squarespace.com

The local Festool dealer, Ideal tools exhibit too!

Thanks [member=4301]Aquila[/member] I've save the date [wink]

 

[VW mick]

Hi Kev

This looks amazing. I am probably not the only one that's just a tad jealous

Love the way you just picked up a VW amrock because you needed one.

Can I ask a question. Have you completely relocated and have now retired or are you still going to be working ?

Good luck with your new life mate I'm looking forward to following this thread

 

[Stephen B]

[member=32795]VW MICK[/member]
The one with a discount down here for March that most of us in the market for an Amrock would probably purchase.  [smile].

[attachimg=1]

The one of two that we know [member=13058]Kev[/member] [LOL] would have considered and most likely purchased.  [smile]

[attachimg=2]

 

[Kev]

Hi Kev

This looks amazing. I am probably not the only one that's just a tad jealous

Love the way you just picked up a VW amrock because you needed one.

Can I ask a question. Have you completely relocated and have now retired or are you still going to be working ?

Good luck with your new life mate I'm looking forward to following this thread

[member=32795]VW MICK[/member] It's a complete relocation, but I'm still going to do a bit of work. In all honesty I don't believe in retirement, I believe in switching to doing what you want to do in a way that makes enough to make ends meet.

The next 12 months will probably just be toy shopping and establishment, with mainly home build work. I've got a couple of work from home IT gigs lined up, but they won't get in the way of fishing [big grin]

 

[Kev]

[member=32795]VW MICK[/member]
The one with a discount down here for March that most of us in the market for an Amrock would probably purchase.  [smile].

[attachimg=1]

The one of two that we know [member=13058]Kev[/member] [LOL] would have considered and most likely purchased.  [smile]

[attachimg=2]

[member=19746]Untidy Shop[/member]

[attachimg=1]

The V6 felt wrong, but the high line with 8 speed auto felt right. Picked it up this morning and went straight to ARB (the quote for accessories is going to be ugly).

We'll still have the Audis for cruising, so the Amarok is for farm and towing.

Should get the mower on Tuesday .. going with a Cub Cadet Tank 60" with bigger tyres, canopy, integrated cleaning system, etc. Its really cool, a zero turn with a steering wheel (Power steering too).

Also borderline on the Polaris 1000 Ranger hunter edition ... (instead of a tractor) [big grin]

Fishing boat and utility trailer are this week's mission though I'm really mixed on what is best for my lake, river and near shore fishing options.

 

[Stephen B]

That Amrock looks to be a great unit [member=13058]Kev[/member]. Color?

Re the mower, a Zero turn with a steering wheel seems counter intuitive, but that 60mm deck will sure avoid some hours of mowing. After nearly 200 hrs on our Cox Zero turn, I am now considering a Cox Stockman with live drive. The Hydro drive of the Zero turn is not recommended for towing [spraying, carting fire wood, landscaping etc.,.] there are areas of the property I cannot get a larger mower into, and there are others that are too soggy in winter for the larger mower to operate without getting bogged. My old Greenfield never had a major problem in the wetter areas of the property such as down near the dams, but I lost count how many times  last year the bigger mower bogged. We had 300mm more rainfall than average though. Even had to get a neighbours 4wd to pull it out twice. Still you will have the Amrock!  [smile]

With higher wind loadings, we are also losing trees. Mainly Wattles that have reached the end of life and are weak, but also some larger gums.  So will soon purchase a larger chipper too. More fire wood, but the thinner branches still have to be dealt  with and a Chipper will provide ground cover and compost for the garden.

Oh, by the way the Amrock image is upside down. Was that intentional for some of those northern hemisphere folk such as [member=550]Tinker[/member] ?  [big grin]

 

[HarveyWildes]

...
Oh, by the way the Amrock image is upside down. Was that intentional for some of those northern hemisphere folk such as [member=550]Tinker[/member] ?  [big grin] [/font][/size]

We think that's normal for below the equator, but I'm just wondering how the tires maintain traction on the roads?

Seriously fun truck.

[member=19746]Untidy Shop[/member], the jobs you describe are not for a brand new Amrock.  They are well suited to a 20 year old Ford 150 with rusting floorboards - a truck with enough character to be given a name.  A truck has to earn the right to do the really dirty jobs .

Also, thanks for the Amrock pics - VW does not sell a truck in the US that I know of.  I'd be tempted to say that it was because of emissions, but that doesn't seem to have stopped them in the past.

 

[McNally Family]

...
Oh, by the way the Amrock image is upside down. Was that intentional for some of those northern hemisphere folk such as [member=550]Tinker[/member] ?  [big grin] [/font][/size]

We think that's normal for below the equator, but I'm just wondering how the tires maintain traction on the roads?

Seriously fun truck.

[member=19746]Untidy Shop[/member], the jobs you describe are not for a brand new Amrock.  They are well suited to a 20 year old Ford 150 with rusting floorboards - a truck with enough character to be given a name.  A truck has to earn the right to do the really dirty jobs .

Also, thanks for the Amrock pics - VW does not sell a truck in the US that I know of.  I'd be tempted to say that it was because of emissions, but that doesn't seem to have stopped them in the past.

LOL

 

[Kev]

[size=13pt]That Amrock looks to be a great unit [member=13058]Kev[/member]. Color?

[member=19746]Untidy Shop[/member] they call that natural grey.

I thought the same about the zero turn with a steering wheel. The Cub Cadet Tank is amazing .. it all makes sense when you try it. Hopefully I won't need anything with a smaller deck.

Coincidentally I was looking at a chipper on Friday .. the one I currently have is a piece of garbage electric thing. Can't remember the brand, but the one I was looking at is semi commercial (14hp, electric start). I'll find out the brand and let you know.

 

[Kev]

...
Oh, by the way the Amrock image is upside down. Was that intentional for some of those northern hemisphere folk such as [member=550]Tinker[/member] ?  [big grin] [/font][/size]

We think that's normal for below the equator, but I'm just wondering how the tires maintain traction on the roads?

Seriously fun truck.

[member=19746]Untidy Shop[/member], the jobs you describe are not for a brand new Amrock.  They are well suited to a 20 year old Ford 150 with rusting floorboards - a truck with enough character to be given a name.  A truck has to earn the right to do the really dirty jobs .

Also, thanks for the Amrock pics - VW does not sell a truck in the US that I know of.  I'd be tempted to say that it was because of emissions, but that doesn't seem to have stopped them in the past.

[member=61231]HarveyWildes[/member] we'll probably get a "truck with character" for our young fella ... something like a second hand tray back Hilux would be ideal or even a Land Rover.

 

[Kev]

[size=13pt]That Amrock looks to be a great unit [member=13058]Kev[/member]. Color?

[member=19746]Untidy Shop[/member] they call that natural grey.

I thought the same about the zero turn with a steering wheel. The Cub Cadet Tank is amazing .. it all makes sense when you try it. Hopefully I won't need anything with a smaller deck.

Coincidentally I was looking at a chipper on Friday .. the one I currently have is a piece of garbage electric thing. Can't remember the brand, but the one I was looking at is semi commercial (14hp, electric start). I'll find out the brand and let you know.

[member=19746]Untidy Shop[/member] found it ... the Chipmaster GTS1400EShttp://chipmaster.info/application/files/5614/2913/6696/CHIPMASTER_BROCHURE_Emailable.pdf