April 12, 20197 yr Popular Post Roh-Kray, Raggy....this is the existing front porch. . one too high step, even with the added lumber....no handrails...Boss HATES this porch, needs help to use the steps....so.. tape measure, pen and a sheet of paper...trying to measure things while fighting a stiff breeze...Came back inside, and drew up a PLAN That I could take down to Lowes this morning, and do a materials list, and refine the plan a bit... .Decking will go across the concrete slab, a rim joist will be tapconned to the edges of the slab...the rest will go onto 4 x 4 posts as needed...I even get to cut my own stair stringers...that aught to be fun to watch I will cover the sidewalk and that POS step... With the NEW stairs covering this cracked section. Front corner of the house has a bump out window, so where the bump-out starts... Is where the front of the new deck/porch ends...railings go right to that corner 2 x 6 top rail. No digging for the posts, as they will sit on concrete pavers, 1' x 1' squares. Railing all around the non-house sides, with hand rails for the steps. Lumber and hardware arrive the Monday after Easter...went can you people show up to help out? Even with the Mil. Discount...tain't cheap.... project is less that the 10 x 10 minimum that means I do NOT need to get a permit for this job. Should I be blogging this project, or just surprise everyone when I get it done?
April 12, 20197 yr Popular Post I wanna follow the process!! I see you you upgraded to the next higher version of Sketchup!
April 13, 20197 yr Popular Post 3 hours ago, steven newman said: Should I be blogging this project, YES! I have a 10x10 deck to build this summer.
April 13, 20197 yr In the people’s Commonwealth of Massatwoshi!!s a permit would be needed. I wanna follow this one also.
April 13, 20197 yr Popular Post 54 minutes ago, Artie said: In the people’s Commonwealth of Massatwoshi!!s a permit would be needed. No problem, here ya go.
April 15, 20197 yr Author Popular Post Ok...lots of tapcons to install...needed a hammerdrill to drill the holes....don't have such a drill in the shop. trip to Lima, OH harbor Freight, today....couple more clamps F style clamps, and a cheap 1/2" chucked hammer drill.....just need it for this one job....can always take it back and get the money back....thinking a corded drill will do a better job the a cordless one....at least last a day's work....have a corded impact driver to drive a few bolts with....just won't run a drill bit. Monday after Easter....delivery whenever they get out and about...have ONE pair of sawhorses to use...Have a decent enough 4' level...chalk line can also be a stringline as needed...need to practice up on cutting stair stringers....and fix a circular saw....may have the blade in wrong....can spin the blade with ease, without even turning the saw onWe have a back-up plan,,,,either a D-8, or that 6" Skil saw...may need to bring a mitre box up from the shop....bevel cuts for the step railings.. Have a week to get things all lined up....maybe get a few extra bits? Drill and otherwise...They are even sending screws for the joist hangers Stay tuned....again, if anyone wants to drop by and help..."Cold Ones" will be at hand....work first, then the brews...
April 16, 20197 yr Author Popular Post Had to go back out and check on one location.....seems there is a second downspout.. Right about where that green planter is.....Thinking the new decking can slip under the elbow....new decking will be even with the threshold. Big thing, is to form up the rear corner..joist comes right onto the step, from the front corner to the back...then the back rim joist heads "south" across the sidewalk...then "east" along the south edge of the sidewalk. Connecting that corner may be a bit.."cozy"? Waiting to see IF I need to remove the old tread....just a couple tapcons holding it in place. Picked up the 3way plug, today. can connect both drills and the saw to one cord....saves all that plugging and unplugging to use each tool as needed. BiFocal glasses arrived today....at least I'll be able to see what I am screwing up....walkway lights ( solar ones) will migrate up onto the railings....we'll see.. First joist to be cut and installed, will be along the east/front of the existing porch...from just under that other downspout to just short of the south edge of the sidewalk...decking will run east-west. Two more LONG joist to get to the front ( 37" from the front of the concrete) with 4 x 4....some will be even with the top of the joists, others will be 1/2 of a 10' post, to attach the railings to. Lots of joist hangers to install....and a bit of "blocking" in-between the joists... Circular saw has been fixed....meeting up of the "D" shapes cured it... This thing weighs more than my old all-metal Sears one did...has a new blade installed, don't think I'll need this rip blade.. heavy Beasty...may use the lighter 6" Skil saw to trim deck boards... Stay tuned..
April 17, 20197 yr My vote is for your blogging this adventure... hey, I'm missing a deck - have you seen it? Looks like I will be replacing one myself sometime in the future.
April 18, 20197 yr Author Popular Post Shopping trip, yesterday... since I am working on both the front and back porches....woodworking consisted of.. Boss found this flat-pack item at Aldi's...guess who had to assemble it....also, for the back porch, we are closing off the south wall of the gazebo neighbor issues..Replace the shower curtains with treated ( painted) plywood...joint will be about center to help stiffen the wall..which means a post will need to be there... Less than $7...need to cut to fit. Grandson is using that circular saw on his back porch project, at the moment. Plywood he is removing from the enclosed porch, will be recycled on the Gazebo wall. More shopping.. I have 3 framing squares in the shop..none have enough left of their markings to be of use so...I bought one I could read...that little package? These clamp onto the square, once I have the stringer's first layout lines made...have three stringers to cut...4-3/4" rise, 10" run...four treads, top being even with the deck's floor. ( there is a"calculator" online to figure the layout with...)Now, IF the normal April weather will cooperate ..I might have the porches done before May gets here...At least, I can go hide in the shop when it rains.... stay tuned...
April 19, 20197 yr 9 hours ago, steven newman said: guess who had to assemble it Erm, how many guesses do we get?
April 21, 20197 yr Author Popular Post Hmm..phone call today..Lowes was confirming a delivery date and time, for Monday, between 0800 and noonish.....then, I went out to Lowes..Boss wanted a few plants..I needed something else... Can't work as a Carpenter, without a toolbelt, right....no way will this stay up during use, so. For about $9 or so more...then spent 1/2 an hour adjusting the height of the belt..down to where I can get into the pouches... printed out a plan for the stair stringers.. You enter the sizes you need, the site will calculate and draw up a plan....will have to "fudge" this a bit....was unable to get the deck low enough for the calculator to work need to lose about 2" in height....they even show the treads and risers.. Fancy....doubt I'll add the risers.. When this project is finally done...I intend to pull this cork... on this bottle .... Of 12 yr auld J & B , J.E.T. Scotch, and share with the help...if anyone wants to drop by and help out... Stay tuned Edited April 21, 20197 yr by steven newman
April 21, 20197 yr Popular Post If I had any vacation I would make a drive and stay a spell. Maybe even help.....
April 23, 20197 yr Author Popular Post Roh-kay, Raggy....phone call said 0800 to noonish.. This morning, another call said 1030 to 1045...delivery was at 1100... Spent awhile re-stacking all the lumber, taking the hardware into the house..inventory showed I was short 5 boards...4 x 4 x 10' that I needed to make the posts with,, Spend most of the morning (0800 onward) clearing away junk, dirt, leaves...and planters,,,even used a leafblower To get things ready.. Tried to remove the tapcons holding the tread on the step ( was in the way) and just stripped them out...crowbar to pry the tread off the blue screws, hammer to snap the screws off... While awaiting the arrival of those posts, got started anyway...using cutoffs for the posts.. 1st joist was installed (tapcons to the concrete slab) then turned the corner twice... Back corner is sitting in a joist hanger...then the posts arrive...started adding those...cut them to 5'.. Grandson and my son helped get the posts in place, and things leveled up...then turn the next corner.. The Boss even came out to supervise...other end? Into the wall...that be the last post, installed, today....decided to do a level line for the posts out in front...seems the concrete pavers were throwing things off a bit.. Just a bit...that is what a sawzall if for...Harbor Freight clamps helped out, too.. Decided that 1730 hrs was close enough for quitting time...tarpped the rest of the lumber, put all the toys away in the house, time for a "Cold One" ( or two?) IF it doesn't rain tomorrow...I will try to add the decking....first need a few more posts, and some blocking between the joists...more hangers to install.. Stay tuned...I might just get something done...
April 24, 20197 yr Author Popular Post Let's see..this morning, the monitor for the computer went down, and would not start up...two trips to wallie world to finally get the right monitor...got that replaced, and new installed. Fixed a Lunch...knees were barking BIG TIME had to haul the toys back out to the "Work Zone", including a workbench.. First items were blocking, and a couple short 4 x 4 posts....the long joists across the front need the extra bracing.. here and then about halfway between here and the house...then the first plank of decking....not going to notch it, I just cut lengths to fit between the posts.. Clamps to pull a couple planks into alignment ( premium lumber my a.....) 3 screws at each joist...back was having issues, as well as the knees.. Just over halfway..trimming as I go. Wonder IF I can pave the sidewalk in wood? Notched around things...like that post, and the threshold back by the door....even the corner board house trim...Late start....decided to try to get to the next post.. And call it a day...2 large Gatorades, today....tomorrow's job jar? Finish this stretch..( box around the downspout) and then try to cut the stringers for the steps...weather permitting...and knees.. need to fit a use for all these cutoffs...being treated, I can't burn them. Don't like them for woodworking..too wet. Stay tuned...enjoying a Cold One...or two right now....
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.