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Tag Archives: homesteading

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Buying A Great Massey Ferguson 65

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on November 6, 2019 by JimDecember 2, 2019
photo of The Massey Ferguson Model 65

A Massey Ferguson 65 is nice to have. Over the years, I’ve learned that a tractor is essential. The point was made in about 2002 when I decided to buy a truckload of decomposed granite to improve the driveway. After spreading 10 yards of material with a wheelbarrow and shovel, I realized there had to be a better way.

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Posted in machinery | Tagged 65, Craig's list, diesel, equipment, ferguson, homesteading, kingsland, Massey, model 65, Texas, texas hill country, tractor

Solar Powered Rainwater Project – The Chinese Connection

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on June 26, 2017 by JimJuly 15, 2017
photo of The inverter box

It’s been a while since I reported on the Solar Powered Rainwater Project. Since that early-April post, I’ve been gathering the rest of the parts, and we took our annual trip to the Red Power Roundup — this year at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. The biggest part of the delay was waiting for the inverter/charge controller. I wasn’t thrilled with the delivery delay on the device, but it turned out well in the end.

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Posted in Central Texas, maker, Projects, Rainwater, solar | Tagged battery, build, charge, China, Chinese, controller, deep cycle, DIY, hill country, homesteading, how to, howto, Interstate, inverter, panel, rainwater, renogy, solar, Sun Gold Power, Texas, texas hill country

Solar Powered Rainwater Project – Solar Panels Installed!

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on April 11, 2017 by JimJuly 14, 2017
photo of The panel un-boxing

The new 250-watt solar panels arrived very quickly. I was eager to install them, but they were just a bit larger than I could handle safely on the garden shed roof. Fortunately, I didn’t have too wait long, and my neighbor Jason was available a few days later.

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Posted in Gardening, maker, Projects, Rainwater, solar | Tagged build, charge, controller, deep cycle, DIY, hill country, homesteading, how to, howto, Interstate, inverter, panel, rainwater, renogy, solar, Texas, texas hill country

International Harvester 254 – Ignition Switch

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on May 8, 2016 by JimJuly 14, 2017
photo of the back of the old switch

I purchased a used tractor in 2003 after moving a truckload — literally 14 cubic yards — of gravel with a wheelbarrow, and deciding I didn’t want to do that again. It’s an International Harvestor model 254, a three-cylinder diesel … Continue reading →

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Posted in Central Texas, machinery, Projects, repairs | Tagged 254, Case/IH, diesel, harvester, homesteading, ignition, international, repair, switch, tractor

The Shed Roof — Storing Lumber in the Shop

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on May 7, 2016 by JimJuly 14, 2017
photo of the shop, as built in 2000

I built the shop at least 15 years ago, and it’s been one of the most useful projects here at the ranch. Originally, I was imagining a woodworking shop, and I even built a large, low bench and acquired some … Continue reading →

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Posted in Central Texas, maker, Projects, Woodworking | Tagged DIY, hill country, homesteading, how to, repurpose, roy creek ranch, shop, Texas, upcycle, woodworking

The Tiny House Door

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on April 26, 2016 by JimJuly 14, 2017

Originally, Lisa and Alva were planning to purchase a commercial door for the tiny house. It made sense since door and window manufacturers can produce excellent products at reasonable prices. Or so we thought. As it turned out, the odd … Continue reading →

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Posted in maker, Projects, Tiny House, Woodworking | Tagged hand chisel, hand plane, homesteading, how to, router, stained glass, Tiny House, woodworking

Chainsaws and Micro Mills

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on August 22, 2015 by JimJuly 14, 2017

We live in the woods. Live Oak and “Cedar” (a species of Juniper). There are acres of trees of all sizes and shapes. Over time, I’ve admired the beautiful work done by artists who use the idiosyncratic shapes of natural … Continue reading →

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Posted in Central Texas, maker, Projects | Tagged alaskan, alaskan chainsaw mill, cedar, hill country, homesteading, live oak, sawmill, tools, woodworking

The Tiny House is here!

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on August 3, 2015 by JimFebruary 5, 2017

We’ve been looking forward to this all summer. We’re helping our friends, Alva and Lisa build a Tiny House. Last spring, they were looking for contractors in Austin, but everyone’s too busy with the current building boom. They’ve been developing this … Continue reading →

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Posted in Central Texas, maker, Projects | Tagged homesteading, THOW, Tiny House, Tumbleweed

A New Well Pump

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on November 21, 2011 by JimFebruary 5, 2017
photo of Lowering the new pump

We moved to the Ranch in December of 1996. Everything was brand new and shiny. The well had gone in a few months before as part of building the house, so by now it was about 15 years old. Most … Continue reading →

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Posted in Central Texas, Gardening, Rainwater, repairs | Tagged aquafer, homesteading, pump, rainwater, Trinity River, well

Waste Not, Want Not.

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on January 8, 2011 by JimFebruary 5, 2017

Two years ago, I bought a packet of Italian beans at the nursery thinking it would be fun to have a trellis or wall of beans growing in the garden.  There were (as I recall) three types of beans in … Continue reading →

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Posted in Food, Gardening | Tagged beans, dried, homesteading, irrigation, italian, KitchenAid, sheller, volunteer

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