Time off

Well, I really needed to get a breath of fresh air, well, maybe not as I live in the mountains, but I decided to take my one day off and drive up to my ranch, so I did not get any work done over the weekend.
I did, however, work some on pounding metal during the week. I thought I had come up with a really easy way to smash the tubes. Used a 1 1/2 ton hydraulic jack and a 1 foot bucket from a backhoe that I had. Problem was that it took two people to hold everything just right. That is ok, but I am trying to do it as a one man operation where possible, so I reverted to the hammer.
I also found that it was easier on me and no harder to smash the tubes, using a claw hammer, than the sledge hammer, so I am using the claw hammer.
It took me about 18 minutes to smash ten poles, both sides. I made a cut in the jig (see photo), so that the second smash would be along the same plane as the first. Kind of an important thing you think?
So, anyway, It looks like it will be about 5 more hours of work to smash all the ends down. That brings my time to around ten hours. I will still need to drill, clean, bend and paint the ends.
I did purchase a press for the drilling. I think it is probably the most critical part of the whole operation.
Boy, I sure enjoyed my time at the ranch. I usually go alone, cause taking the kid is just a pain. This time he was mature and fun and he helped without griping and kept himself busy when I didn't need him. I really need to get up and away more. I feel revitalized now.