Today we went down the river to practice laying out a contour plan 30m by 30m
We started with 2 string lines going out at right angles then use the builders 3,4,5, to square it up then measuring out 30 meters each way using a 30 meter tape. Then we divided it into equal parts of 5meter squares.
Then we set up the builder level in the middle of out grid, and we started to take spot levels at each 5meter interval, taking down the measurements.
This took approximately 2.5 hours.
Upon returning to UCOL Matt got us to plot the measurements down on a grath and join the lines up to form the contours of the land

Today we went to Higgans Concrete where Arron Curry showed us around the plant.
First he took us up into the control room where they mix [with the help of a computer] the components that make concrete and then load it into the trucks.
Then once the truck was loaded they took some of the concrete out to do a slump test [were they test it for water content] and they also took some to do the compression test.
Then we were shown the silos that hold the raw ingredients and additives to make the different types of concrete.
Mr Curry also explained want they do with the waste from the trucks as well as putting in SIKA90 so they don't have to clear out the buckets after each load but just add a new load of concrete.
Did not realise how much went into making concrete so the trip was very interesting

Today we went to ITM truss and frame plant.
We  seen how they made the trusses for the roofs and frames for the walls. It was interesting to know that only selected places [people] can build trusses [for roof]
Upon coming back to class we talked about wood [pinus radiata] and why it was used extensively within the NZ building trade.
Then we talked about MSG [machine stress grade] and the levels, 6 to 12 being the best quality. MSG10 was the one used to make the trusses and frames.
After that we went over the timber treatment scale - H1.2 the treatment level used on the timber used to make the trusses and frames up to H5 that is treatment used for the timber used in the structure that is in the ground. We also looked at the chemical [used to treat the wood, and the colours of the wood from these treatments / H1.2 pink, H3.2 to H5 green], tothe level of exposure the different grades can  take [near to none up to being in the ground] and then the Bio hazard each treatment protects the timber from decay to insects.
In the afternoon we went over Pythagorus Theurum [right angle triangle] a squared + b squared = c squared or c square - a squared = b square / c squared - b squared = a squared
    Also how to set up a builders level, placing the 2 front parts of the level over the 2 legs of the tripod with the other part over the third leg, then leveling it up by the dials on the sides to place the air bubble in the middle of the circle. repeat moving the level around in 90 degree sections keeping the bubble in the middle.

Today was interesting, first we started team building exercises, using hammer and nail, correct way of holding and swinging with the hammer. That's was good, learnt abit there.
The fun started with nail bending, went a little to far here, as I was bending the nail [ NEK minute] it went into and nearly through my hand and out the other side, so spent most of the day up in hospital waiting for them to remove it, which is now done.
Back on Monday

My Name is Conan Khan. I'm doing the carpentry course to add new skills to the trades I already have, plus the wife wants building work done around our house but wants it done properly.
I'm 47 yrs old have 2 trades one in painting and decorating that I did in Australia as teenager and the other is in interior plastering I did when I worked for the PNCC.