Many years ago in another site I wrote a topic concerning the castle builders of today. Back then it was thought that a person could not build a true castle and some still believe that way. This ideal holds true to those not building a real castle but making a look alike or what has always been known as a folly castle.

I am a castle purist and I will admit it,  but one who believes that if a person wants a look alike then thats their right and no one should gain-say them their dreams.

So, like the post in what feels kin to a another life, I'm starting a topic for those Castles Builders of Today.

Welcome to Castle Duncan and feel free to tell us what you have planed.

Greetings!  Proud to be the first to jump aboard this particular train!  This is nice.  

 I will be building a Folly in South Eastern Connecticut, USA.  Im currently researching and putting together ideas for the design.  You know, when I first purchased a PC the very first thing I punched into the internet explorer search engine was "castles".  Guess what results were found?  Yeah, and since then I've spent most of my time here and at Castle Quest - nice and convenient that i didn't have to shop around to far to find the stuff I was looking for.    :cool:

 Production isn't scheduled yet to start but should last 2-3 years I'm estimating.  Perhaps there will be add-ons (and Im sure delays  :mad2: )  so it may be still ongoing towards 2010.  

 There's another idea I have which is to find willing participants in constructing this or any other castle who don't plan to take up the challenge of making their own all by themselves and assist in coordinating their contribution.  I for one fit this category; I'd love to utilize my professional talents to the end result of helping to build a castle.  Nice change from the house painting and drywall work in my business.  So wether this forum acts to achieve that end or another site is created later on, that issue and invitation stands for qualified  personell.  If you want to make one but don't want to do it alone, jump in where you can.

 Meanwhile, the timeline for myself is expected to go along these lines: Finalize the mental rough draft of the place (grounds, structures, moat, ruins, gardens) then start the drafting and renditions. Next it's find the land and go broke paying for it.   :cries:   After all that and the architects work Production begins followed by (cross my fingers) a minimal of difficulties and hassles.  

Not to worry, I have some good people to go crying to when and if that happens!!!   :laughlong:

I will be building a Folly in South Eastern Connecticut, USA.

How's the building codes there, anticipate any problems with the local government?

 

 

Thank you for the kind words here and in CQ.

 

 

 

Perhaps there will be add-ons (and I'm sure delays)

See Murphy's law about this,  

 

willing participants in constructing this or any other castle who don't plan to take up the challenge of making their own all by themselves and assist in coordinating their contribution.

This is one persons fix for that challange,John Carrigon's school of masonry

 

Finalize the mental rough draft of the place (grounds, structures, moat, ruins, gardens) then start the drafting and renditions.

Good basic planning, most will stand up to the test of time if enough thought was giving to each item.

Yes and thats a big yes things will and must change as the dream becomes a reality.

 

Next it's find the land and go broke paying for it.

Not always, look around, land can still be gotten cheap and check into homesteading, its not necessary in the deep woods some where but is often found in rural areas.

 

Looking forward to seeing your concept drawings posted here in this topic when you have the time,

 

Duncan

In responce to your questions:

The local government is fairly level-headed.  Connecticut is known for it's learned (and sometimes snobby) populace.  I've talked to the head of the business economics section(or whatever she was head of) and found that through talking with her and others in the office there certainly isn't an aura of dirt the way you might find in larger cities (Hawaii included).

 There are the usual codes but theres also sufficient farm and other property out in the sticks thats still not so far from town that it's realistic.  There are some plus-points.  I heard recently from my uncle (who knows like everyone that there is a newly constructed folly not too far from where I wanted to put mine (that dirty dog! - What is it with people stealing my ideas!!!   :madgo: )

Thanks for the reference on J.C.'s school of Masonry.

 

Ongoing broke for the land,  I don't really think this will be the case.  I have options as far as financing and all that.  If I can get the property for relatively cheap then Ill probably go right to it with the help of some of my uncles contacts.  If I have to fork out over 1/2 million then there will be a construction project done beforehand to act as a fund raiser.  Ill simply develop some land and sell it.  Should get sneaky and develop commercial stuff near by that bed and breakfasters would frequent, eh?   :D

 

Concept drawings:  Yeah! Right! Been meaning to debug that one too!  So Ive got the stuff but well... :stupid:   you know.  I need to be able to get it sent.  I think that I can't send what I have over the net because theres too much data.  Maybe trying todo it in black and white would fly instead.  When I have tried to do this earlier my PC said "No way, cheeseball!, you don't have enough juice to do

that!" :no-no:   So then I figured I would be cool and argue with the machine, right,  like Im gonna show it who's the man and who's the hunk of metal...

                                                       :overclocking:

 

But we wont discuss that...

In other news I have brilliantly come up with a new tool that will revolutionize the field of spliting stone and fastening screws,nails, pegs- anything!!!  You've seen the questions in CQ and elsewhere.. "how do they build them?", "What kinds of tools did they use?"  "How do I build my own?" Well now you can!!  

  Introducing the new "Hammer-head" tool by Whitemanfrtown:        :banghead:

It drives nails!  Splits stone!  Demolishes existing structures!  Dont waste money on a new chisle! - Why pay for a good hammer?  With a little use of your noodle you can accomplish almost any task including digging your own moat!!!

 

                                                                                   :bbfft:

A TOAST!  Nothing seriously monumental, but I started dealing with the planning and zoning officials today!  Motion on the project is motion on the project... its  "milk-thirty"!!!   :beerchug:

Wishing you the very best of luck!!

Don't sweat the small s***, work around it to better your project and remember as far as I know there is no open season on bureaucrats!! YET!!

Heads up:

Soon I will have sketches and mechanical details posted on a home page...   progress calls for celebration!  Milk-thirty!  :beerchug:   and then ... :beerchug:  

 

 

Ya, know I went surfing (around the net) to scope out different castle sites and I found that (soley my opinion):while there are individual sites out there that show pictures and may be interesting there arent too many bulletin boards and of those that I did find ... to be kind, I prefer this neck of the woods.  

I stopped in at their tavern and upon turning on the tap for some ale  dust came out. :(

 

But, having come back from (that) town, I find myself at home rather pleasantly. :beerchug:   ....I think Ill have myself a little..... :beerchug: ....uh.......  excuse me.... it's good to be home again....... :beerchug: .I think Ill have a nap :sleeping1:

Soon I will have sketches and mechanical details posted on a home page

:thumbs:

Sounds good to me as I'm interested in seeing them. Did you know that you can upload from your browser images here in this site by using the browse button just below where you type a post?

{note: you wont see it in a preview and it all ways goes to the bottom with in the post.}

If you have problems give me a shout in a pm.

 

Thanks for the kind words,  :beerchug:  we try to keep things freash around here.  :computore: There many items in the works and much more planned for the furture.   :laughlong:

 

Now, how about an ale or two?  :D

More ale... :shocked:

OK!!!  That's the best way to kill a hangover!  :beerchug:  

Alright, so here's the test by the neophyte using the browser...If all is good it might be milk-thirty again!... (drum roll please...)

MILK THIRTY!!!  CHUG 'EM!!!

 

:beerchug:  :)     again!   :beerchug:     again! :beerchug:       AGAIN!    :beerchug:  :dozingoff:

ok, that's enough...