LIFTING
The Lift
The two most common ways of lifting the wood onto your shoulder is the "clean" or the "wedge". The clean is just like the weightlifters method. You approach a stack of wood in the middle. The boards are stacked 4 or more. You bend your knees and squat down. Place one hand inside one outside and explode upwards rotating your body until the wood is on your shoulders. The wedge is where you start at one end of the stack and lift it up to your shoulder height. The other end is on the ground and you wedge it into something and start to walk forward. As you get to the center your shoulder acts as a fulcrum and the opposite end rises up. You balance the load and walk forward.
BRACES
The Brace
The brace is the main piece of a footing that keeps top top from spreading open. Ideally wherever you put a brace a picket will also be placed on either side. In practice speed is of the essence so both pickets and braces are spread out in different degrees depending on the ground density, thickness and height of footing, and urgency of completion.
Pickets
The Picket
The picket is the main piece of a footing that keeps the board from opening up at the bottom. If it is not hammered in deep enough and if It is spaced too far apart the board will open at the bottom and the concrete will spill out.
The picket works along with the brace to secure the two sides of the footing boards. Beginners usually start here along with spreading the boards.
What you can expect from this part of your training is cramped hands, sore back, and occasionally busted fingers.
Site Content
The Plans
Reading and understanding the basement plan shifts how you think. When your in the beginning phases of footing construction your mind can wander. It normally does because it can seem monotonous. Training in being present during the first year is difficult. Once reading the plan is part of your duties you must be present and you find your mindset shifts.