Eagle Scout Project

Project Overview Description I will be constructing two benches to be used at the Newport Beach Environmental Nature Center. The benches will ultimately replace one pre-existing bench which the ENC refers to as the “waterfall” bench, and a location in need of a bench. The existing bench is antiquated, and is seeing signs of structural degeneration, and the second location is near a large map where seating would be ideal, so the need for a new bench in both locations is evident.

The bench should be able to reasonably fit 3-4 adults safely and comfortably. The bench must also fit into its natural surroundings, meaning it should be composed of eco-friendly materials and be natural colors (greens and browns) that mix well with the ENC campus.

I will be building a bench similar in scale to benches already existing across the ENC campus, with dimensions roughly six feet wide, 32 inches in height, and 20 inches in depth.

Who Will Benefit The Environmental Nature Center located at 1601 16th Street, Newport Beach, CA will be the primary benefactor of this project.

I have spent a lot of time with a Mr. Mark Maeseele, the acting ENC's Eagle Scout coordinator and store manager*, who initially presented the need to have one bench replaced and one additional bench. This need has also been expressed by the ENC in the attached letter of need.

The current bench is in “bad need of repair” and the new bench is especially needed given the over “16,000 students” expected in the coming school year. With all those students who will use the benches, it is of the utmost importance that the benches be of a safe build and design. The current bench is showing signs of falling apart, in this way my bench will add to the safety of the campus. Given the center's recently remodeled buildings and modern appeal, replacing the current bench's outdated design with a new bench will also serve to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the ENC. *Mr. Maeseele can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone (949) 645-8489 Jacob Ashendorf’s Eagle Project

Site Description The standing bench is situated along a wide path, and towards the rear of a staging area referred to by ENC employees as the “waterfall.” There is a significant amount of vegetation and brush behind and to the sides of the bench that make up the natural landscape.

The second location is in the far back of the center, and adjacent to a large map and description of special aspects of the ENC. A bench here will allow visitors to take a break while they learn about the park.

Jacob Ashendorf’s Eagle Project

Plans / Drawings / Designs I have attached initial sketches done by design architect, Mr. Donnie DeWees,* that outline the visual look, estimated dimensions, and structural issues of the bench design. I have supplemented his drawings with 3D models created using Google SketchUp which better illustrate the look of the bench as a whole, and offer finite dimensions. *Mr. Donnie DeWees can be contacted by email at [email protected]

Jacob Ashendorf’s Eagle Project

Jacob Ashendorf’s Eagle Project

Rear joint x-ray view.

Jacob Ashendorf’s Eagle Project

Forward joint x-ray view.

Jacob Ashendorf’s Eagle Project

Planning Details Method of Construction I will be using six foot sections of Trex for the seats on the bench, three to sit on, and two as a back support. Ganahl Lumber offers these in a green color that will fit well into the ENC landscape, and can be cut to 6' lengths on site. Trex beams cannot support great weights at spans of more than 20”, so my design has four structural sections unlike a typical bench that may have three or only two. This design makes the beam spans 19 5/16” long; safe for greater weights that may be tested over long term use.

Each Trex beam will be attached to the frame with eight screws, two at each bench support, making for a total of 40 screws. The screws will be 3” long composite screws preferably from Grip Rite. Three inch screws will pass through the 1 1/2” deep Trex beams and go 1 1/2” into the 4x4 beam beneath, making the beams solidly secured.

The 4x4 pressure treated logs will be purchased from Home Depot, and also cut on site to my specifications (see below). The pressure treated wood as well as Trex pieces are termite resistant, so should be long-lasting. Both of these materials were requested as the “preferred” materials by the ENC.

In Figure 1 to the right, I have labeled the three pressure treated beams which will compose the support structure, as A, B, and C.

Beam Lengths:

A – 13.5”

!

B – 18”

!

C – 32” !

Beam A will be attached to beam B by a 3/8” diameter lag bolt 6” long. It will drive through starting on beam B and going into beam A, and will be slightly recessed into beam B so as to provide a flush top to attach the Trex seats. A washer will be used in the recession.

Beam B will be attached to beam C with the use of two 3/8” diameter by 3” long lag bolts and an Jacob Ashendorf’s Eagle Project

A24 steel angle piece. The angle piece will have one bolt pointed upward and screwed into beam B, and one bolt pointed right and screwed into beam C. Washers (1” diameter) will also be used here to further enhance the sturdiness of the connections. These pieces can be seen more clearly in Illustrations 7 and 8 on the previous page.

Lastly, a rear inner-side flat joint piece will be nailed on to more securely connect the rear posts with the forward section. This addition counteracts any force pushing the rear posts down, which makes the frame want to separate.

With each bolt having a 3/8” diameter, all drilling will be done with 1/4” bits, which is two sizes down from 3/8”.

Jacob Ashendorf’s Eagle Project

Table 1: Estimated Materials for Benches Item

Description

Quantity

Source

Unit Cost

Total Cost

Trex

Wood plastic composite 5.5” x 1.5” x 18'

2

Ganahl Lumber

$63.21

$126.42

Trex

5.5” x 1.5” x 12'

2

Ganahl Lumber

$45.24

$90.48

Lumber 4x4 (pressure treated)

3.5” x 3.5” x 8'

6

Home Depot

$9.97

$59.82

Lag bolts

3/8” x 6”

8

Home Depot

$0.89

$7.12

Lag bolts

3/8” x 3”

16

Home Depot

$0.50

$8

Screws

Composite screws used for Trex (Grip Rite) 3” length

2

Home Depot

$8.64

$17.28

A24 angle piece

90 degree metal pieces to support rear of bench

8

Home Depot

$2.80

$22.40

Washers

1” diameter, 3/8” hole

24

Home Depot

$0.13

$3.12

Sealant

For exposed areas of pressure treated wood

1

Home Depot

$19.57

$19.57

Paint brushes

Any quality

2

Home Depot

$2.95

$5.90

Screw drivers

Robertson head for composite screws

3

Home Depot

$2.11

$6.33

Sand paper

Medium roughness

1

Home Depot

$5.00

$5

Total

$334.64

Jacob Ashendorf’s Eagle Project

Time Schedule This project should take about four days to complete. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Work out final design detail with ENC board Approval from Unit Leader and Council Advancement Committee Fund raising (letters asking for donation sent to family and friends) Purchase of materials Schedule time with participants and volunteers for assembly Build the bench Move the bench to the ENC Finishing touches / present bench

Project Helpers • • •

Donnie DeWees – design architect who helped with designs, and supplied tools John Perfect – go-to man for technical questions Barrett Steele – engineering advice

Table 2: Total Estimated Project Time Item

# of Hours

Researching projects

3

Consulting with ENC - Touring ENC to see where bench would go - Taking photos - Talking with Mark Maeseele about bench requirements

3

Researching - Looking at bench designs - Meeting with architect - Trips to Home Depot and Ganahl lumber

10

Composing Project Write up - Writing descriptions - SketchUp drawings (had to learn the software)

24

Fund raising

3

Buying materials

4

Organizing volunteers

2

Work time (aggregate) - For details see Table 3

58

Moving to site and implementing

1

Total

108

Jacob Ashendorf’s Eagle Project

Table 3: Estimated Work Time Expanded Item

# of Participants

Time in Minutes

Safety instructions / where things are

Everyone

3

Signing in

Everyone

1

Measuring hole locations • This needs to be highly accurate, so the more time spent the better, but I also want high participation because anyone can do it. There are a total of 104 locations to be measured

10

10

Drilling

5

20

Screwing in lag bolts (total of 24) • Requires at least two people because wood pieces must be held together

15

10

Screwing in composite screws into Trex

15

10

Quality Control • Each task will need someone to be watching, this will be me, and perhaps people who have already successfully performed the task

2

Duration

Supervision (adult)

2

Duration

Sanding • All exposed pressure-treated wood will need to be sanded before sealant is applied

10

10

Applying Sealant (2 coats)

10

30

Breaks

15

5

Bring bench to ENC • Bench must be loaded on pickup, driven to ENC, carried (Trex is very heavy) through to back of ENC campus (which can only be done safely at a slow pace), and properly situated.

5

60

•

A total of 24 holes must be drilled of varying lengths from 3 to 6 inches

Total 1185 Total (counting those who will be there full time) 3515 ≈ 58 hours

Jacob Ashendorf’s Eagle Project

Safety Information Safety for all those involved will be a top priority in the building process. I've taken a number of precautions to ensure that making the bench in my garage is a safe process for all involved. Everyone on site will be informed of where certain things like safety kits are, where the Emergency card is located, where a phone is located.

Ventilation / Escape Feasibility Working with chemicals, woods, composites, requires good air circulation, which is why the garage and garage door will be open at all times of building. This is good for ventilation, and also makes escape in the event of something going awry easier.

Adult Supervision Given the nature of the project, working with power tools and heavy objects, it is best that at least one parent be present at all times. The “always there” adult will be my step-dad because he works at home. We have phones for emergency calls.

Dehydration / Hunger Considering volunteers may be on-site for multiple hours, food and water needs must be considered. A water pitcher with cooled water as well as snacks will be available for participants.

Jacob Ashendorf’s Eagle Project

Cuts/Scrapes + Other Physical Harm The work site will have a first aid kit, as well as a first aid sheet detailing remedies for common problems.

Table 4: Safety Materials #

Item

Source

Estimated Cost ($)

1

Fire Extinguisher

Home Depot

2

First Aid kit

Kris Flint

(donated)

3

First Aid manual

Kris Flint

(donated)

4

Gloves

Home Depot

5.99

5

Goggles

Home Depot

3.90

6

Dust mask

Home Depot

8.49

17.99

Total

36.37

Emergency Card (will be placed in visible location on work site)

In Case of Emergency: Call 911 ! *Be sure to speak calmly and slowly* Our address is : 2002 Vista Caudal ! Newport Beach, CA 92660 Cross streets are Eastbluff and Vista del Oro Important contacts: Jacob Ashendorf – (949) 903-4800 ! Scoutmaster (Derek Fisher) – (714) 608-0861

Jacob Ashendorf’s Eagle Project

Carrying Out The Project Fundraising I sent letters to family and friends asking for donations to my Eagle Project fund. The response was very generous, and I was able to cover my estimated costʼs quite easily. Table 5: List of Donators & Contribution Name

Amount

1

Dennis and Charlene Ashendorf

$100.00

2

Dave and Jan Berner

$50.00

3

Jon Ceretto

$20.00

4

John and Phyllis Perfect

5

Jeff and Michelle Pinchot

$50.00

6

Martha Pine

$50.00

7

Mike and Lou Sheehan

$25.00

8

Barrett and Bev Steele

$25.00

9

Brad and Cyndi Terry

$30.00

$100.00

10 Neil and Kim Titus

$25.00

11 Rob and Cindy Trantow

$50.00 Total Donated

$525.00

On the next two pages are a copy of the fundraising letter sent and a copy of the thank you letter sent to those who donated.

Jacob Ashendorf’s Eagle Project

Volunteer Hours Aggregate of volunteer hours, plus my work hours. Next page has volunteer signatures.

Table 6: Volunteer Hours Date 8/19/09

8/20/09

8/22/09

9/4/09

Name

Number of Hours

Cahill Maffei

7

David Lin

6

Peter Schreyer

5

David Lin

6

Aaron Varasteh

6

Peter Schreyer

6

Cahill Maffei

5

Christopher Nguyen

5

Austin Quon

2

Josiah Phan

2

Austin Quon

4

Christopher Nguyen

4

Peter Schreyer

4

Donald Ghazi

3

Jack Mulcaire

3

Julien Crockett

2.5

Henri Crockett

2.5

Petersen Walrod

2.5

Alex Ludlow

2.5

Cahill Maffei

2.5 Total

80.5

Total + me (20.5 hours)

101

Jacob Ashendorf’s Eagle Project

Table 7: Materials and Cost Post Project Item

Description

Quantity

Source

Unit Cost

Total Cost

Trex

5.5” x 1.5” x 12'

5

Ganahl Lumber

$45.74

$228.70

Lumber 4x4 (pressure treated)

3.5” x 3.5” x 8'

7

Ganahl Lumber

$9.97

$69.79

Lag bolts

3/8” x 6” galvanized

8

Home Depot

$2.4

$19.20

Lag bolts

3/8” x 3” galvanized

16

Home Depot

$1.33

$21.28

Screws

Composite screws (Grip Rite) 3” length

3

Home Depot

$8.64

$25.92

A24 angle piece

90 degree metal pieces to support rear of bench

8

Ganahl Lumber

$2.75

$22

Joinder pieces

An add on for extra strenght

8

Home Depot

$0.5

$4

Washers

1” diameter, 3/8” hole galvanized

24

Home Depot

$0.21

$5.04

Sealant (Copper Green)

For exposed areas 1 of pressure treated wood

Home Depot

$9.48

$9.48

Sand paper

Medium roughness

1

Ace Hardware

$4.57

$4.57

Laser Miter Saw

Legit piece of equipment

1

Home Depot

$26.6

$26.60

Nails

Galvanized 2”

1

Ganahl Lumber

$4.29

$4.29

Fire Extinguisher

Red, medium sized

1

Home Depot

$16.98

$16.98

Dust masks (pack of 3)

Air filtration

1

Home Depot

$2.87

$2.87

Gloves

For carrying wood

1

Home Depot

$4.46

$4.46

Food

Drinks, breakfast, fast-food

1

Ralphs, Mag’s Donuts, various other places

$41.96

$41.96

Total

$507.14

Total with 8.75% tax

$551.51

Jacob Ashendorf’s Eagle Project

Cost Analysis The estimated cost of the project was building materials ($334.64) + safety purchases ($36.37) multiplied by tax, and equals $403.47. The actual cost of the project was materials + safety purchases + food = $551.51. Making the difference between estimated and actual = $551.51 – $403.47 = $148.04 In my original estimate I had forgotten to factor food, part of the reason why there is a somewhat large difference. The difference between amount fundraised and project cost = $551.51 – $525 = $26.51, which was absorbed by my bank account. Changes The only change to my design was the addition of a rectangular square metal piece which connected the rear vertical 4x4 beam and the only horizontal 4x4 beam. This was necessary to allow the bench to handle larger pressures, and keep the backrest from tilting away from the seat. The change is only visible from the rear. Final Hour Count Item

# of Hours

Project Planning (Table 2)

49

Carrying out the Project (Table 6)

20.5

Volunteer time working on project (Table 6)

80.5

Total

150

Jacob Ashendorf’s Eagle Project