PROJECT PHOTOS

Windows, part 3

May 14, 2008

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Another day, more work. Billy started adding foam to the deep wrinkles on top of the big 2 story augment. He has always been bothered by the way that it looked. So this was a way to fix it so he could top it off with STO and stucco it to match the rest of the dome. We will have to repaint the entire dome so that the color is correct.

Foaming is like sculpting, you have to apply it then carve it down to a reasonable shape, then plane it level and sand down the edges to match the other surface, then coat it with STO stucco for texture and strength. Then finally paint it.

The cosmetic work we are doing now goes a long way to increase the curb appeal of the dome. It is fairly easy to do, but time consuming. Anyone can learn it in a short time. Since the work is on top of the airform, it doesn't affect the structural integrity of the dome.

We got our new chicks for our laying hen program. We want to have a flock of egg laying hens to see how they might supplement our food storage program for fresh eggs. We know how the previous chicken experiment turned out, so we have new knowledge to use this time. The hens have to stay inside a protected area at all times, no free ranging. They are prey for the pair of hawks on our property and the barred owl that hangs out behind my office window. They are a nuisance to the walkways and the car with their droppings. They also love to peck at the foam on the dome surface.

foaming behind the trim and on top

our 5 new laying hens

the filled foam after planing and sanding

kitchen window after foaming and stucco

sanded foam around sliding glass door

trimmed foam behind decorative trim

planing the top of the augment

tricky work on the swaying scissor lift

the planer makes it snow in Florida

 We have five Golden Comet hen chicks, and are getting some different chicks on Saturday. Billy is creating an automatic food and water setup in the new coop he is building to reduce the daily farming chores. This will also give the chickens a safe and secure place to roost and nest.

pretty high up

they are Golden Comet Chickens

foam before trimming with the long knife

back door after foaming and stucco

closeup of kitchen window

after covering with STO

applying second coat of STO around the kitchen window

sanding with the belt sander to get it pretty smooth

using the long knife to trim the excess foam flush with the dome surface

see the difference in the wrinkles after filling them with foam