Leverage

Yesterday we went to Lowe’s and ordered all the materials we need to make a 16x12 deck for the shed. I had a 10% off coupon to help pay for the stuff.

This morning the lumber was delivered and most of my day involved moving it from the front yard to the back.

The delivery man unloaded everything and had the paperwork ready for me to sign but I didn’t order the 42 2x6x16 pressure treated boards that he had set down next to the stuff I did order.. That was probably $300+ worth of lumber that he was going to leave. I told him everything on my list was there and kept the wood. Only kidding. I told him that was not in my order and he put it back on his truck.

I went about the task of moving the lumber and cement blocks to the back yard. I got a good workout. I had to take my time and rest after each move. I also had to concentrate on not stressing my thumbs, hands, foot or back during the task. It’s nasty growing old.

I put my knowledge of physics and mechanics to use with the tools I had at hand to move the wood (with the least effort) and the results were very good. I used a sheet of plywood that was once part of our neighbor’s house to lengthen one dolly and make it the platform for the long pieces of wood. Then I used a second dolly at the end of the plywood to act as a lifting force and front wheels. This worked out well because the long pieces of wood hanging over the back actually helped lift the front. The only force needed was that required for motion. Pulling the forward dolly translated into lift and motion all-in-1 and moving the lumber was surprisingly easy. It was harder to load and unload the wood than it was to move it. Here’s a picture of my wood mover.


Here’s the lumber moved.


Tomorrow construction begins. I have no idea how long it will take to finish.

Last night just before I went to bed I checked the cat feeder only to find every piece of food gone. It looked as if I had vacuumed the area. That has meant raccoons in the past. So tonight I have the trap set up again and have a listening device (baby monitor) out there to alert me if the critter shows up. I haven’t seen this one yet so I’m still going on the assumption that it is in fact a coon. More on this as the story develops.