What happened to building?

[Nojacks]

I’m just curious about who’s actually building here anymore.
It seems like everyone on this forum just argues about everything.
I’m guessing we’ve all just aged out?
I miss the creativity, experience, and solid knowledge.

[terracore]

Aged out and moved from building onto maintenance.

[Nojacks]

Fair enough. Terracore, I’ve missed your posts. HOPE too, even kalakoa (I secretly think he’s a genius)
I’m still off grid and happy in Orchidland, and occasionally would love to get advice on an inverter, chainsaw, ridge cap, or Wrangler water pump.
Is that too old school now?

[terracore]

Many people, including myself, have moved on from single component solutions that include inverters in favor of all-in-one solutions that handle the charge controlling, battery storage, and inverting all in one package in an inclusive "power station".  They lack the customization of a DIY solution, but on the other hand all the components were 100% engineered to interface with each other so they can hammer the costs down because the tech support is much lower overhead, because they know exactly how every component is configured because they assembled them. And in my case I get both 120v and 240v inverters for the price of one or the other.  I went with the Ecoflow brand, but that was a decision based on necessity more than anything else because nobody will ship here and the local Home Depot (and sometimes Kona Costco) carry a limited selection from the EF inventory.

I can't help you with the ridge cap question.  We got our Wrangler fixed at Curlees, but they closed down and we sold the Jeep.

For homeowner use, I don't think the 40v Ryobi chainsaw can be beat for price / performance.  One wouldn't want to do professional tree work with one, but I've pushed the limits of "homeowner" use and I can get new compatible Oregon brand chains from Amazon for less than $7.50/chain so when one gets dull I can just replace it for far less than paying for sharpening or even my time trying to do a far inferior job myself. There are probably marginally better chainsaw options out there in that price range but one has to weigh if buying into another battery ecosystem is worth it if they already have a bunch of Ryobi tools and batteries. The "hack" here is to get the Home Depot store credit card because it automatically increases the return-to-store policy from 30 days (or whatever) to 1 year.  So if the Ryobi dies you can just take it back to the store rather than dealing with a warranty.  There are no local Ryobi repair centers so if you can't take it back to the store it's going to go into the trash because it will cost more to ship it off for repairs than to replace it.  I quit using gas yard tools years ago because everything comes from China and their electric motors are far better quality than their gas engines.

[punikahakaiferret]

Aloha Nojacks! :::waving:::

As for myself; I like being creative, finding unorthodox solutions, figuring things out, repurposing and trying to be resourceful, and pretty much "did my own thing" with my very small off-grid place (I even built my own windows and doors, not that anyone else would necessarily like my aesthetic but I was trying to be thrifty!)

Not sure what all else you'd wanna talk story about on here, but I always like hearing what others are doing to make life here more sustainable and affordable, creative and fun.

Rather read about that than all the bickering and arguing, anyday!

Seems like the only building going on right now are all the big-builder cookie-cutter homes being built in HPP, along with the multiple duplexes being put on lots there.

[randomq]

Y'all have windows? Screens and shutters here! We are getting older though, and I regularly curse home and property maintenance. Still might have another few builds in me though. A few more crazy ideas to try...

[Durian Fiend]

"Seems like the only building going on right now are all the big-builder cookie-cutter homes being built in HPP, along with the multiple duplexes being put on lots there."

Truth! Afraid there is plenty of that still going on there, and elsewhere in Puna. Those kit homes are so uninspired and unattractive.

There used to be a store in Hilo named "Build and Grow". 30 years ago that name fit my primary activities just perfectly, and still does to a lesser extent with the building component.

Ridge cap: What type of roofing? With metal ya just unscrew the old one if it's in sad shape and replace with a new one.

Chainsaw: For home use Terracore has probably got the best idea. I have a weaker Ryobi battery saw for small stuff and an old gas powered Shindaiwa for bigger trees.

If you have a gas saw not running well then take it to Garden X for a tune up.

Wrangler water pump: Replacing one on an older model should be a fairly simple DIY. Dunno about the newer ones. Most likely they are slightly more complicated. YouTube is your friend when it comes to assisting with car repairs.

[kalakoa]

all-in-one solutions that handle the charge controlling, battery storage, and inverting

Outback FP1. Not cheap but worth every penny. Loved mine until I left, now considering a grid-tied FP2.

don't think the 40v Ryobi chainsaw can be beat

Second that. I use the 40v walk-behind + string trimmer to maintain my yard. Quiet. No fumes. Totally worth it.

I've enjoyed the "house in town" thing but am looking at some acreage just up the road from the pub. Power and fiber available. I think I might have it in me to homestead one more ... going to use containers this time. No zoning, just a safety inspection by state fire marshal (this is the default if your town and/or county don't have their own codes).

State law says I can do all plumbing and electrical for my own home myself, whether I'm licensed or not. Exception is gas, I have to hire a licensed contractor for that.

[Chas]

Having built a new home on the BI (using a contractor), I have made many comments on the subject. Now that it's done there's not much to say...

I will say that if you have ANY questions about ANYTHING, just ask. This place is a wealth of information from some really good people.

[Punatang]

After 5 years of Ryobi Mowing, weed whacking, blowering, and chainsawing, my batteries dwindled down to just one working 6ah.  The replacements at HD are sky high and we tried a set of the aftermarket offerings obtained from Walmart. No bueno. The after market batteries actual Ah output is less than half of what they advertise.  You can tell by the weight in your hand. Weak sauce.

The 5Ah batteries have been discontinued.  There are private sellers on eBay who trickle them out - brand new genuine Ryobi 5ah 40v batteries - one or two at a time for about $50-60 and $20ish for shipping.  They will ship to Hawaii by ground advantage so don't old your breath but they do get here. Real Ryobi. Packed with brand new juice. The old mower has new life.  5ah is the perfect size.

Thanks for the chainsaw blade tip TC.  For those with more time than money, or who prefer to make old things keep going, if you buy a 5/32nd rat tail file and stick the end of it in your power drill so that it spins like a drill bit, you can sharpen a blade in a matter of minutes.  Check youtube.  It is amazing what you can accomplish with that chainsaw and a bit of strategy.