April 30, 20197 yr Popular Post 3 minutes ago, steven newman said: back porch...and work on the gazebo....honey-dos, once they start, they never seem to end... I don't have much of HOney do lists, but I have several 3 ring binders of projects I dreamed up and drew out while in Iraq. Maybe 5 lifetimes of work??
April 30, 20197 yr Author Popular Post Hung a new light for the front porch, with motion detector in it... Back porch step project, weather permitting... There is a gate here...may get rehabbed....that thing that looks almost like a step will be coming out...pile of stuff to the left... Junk will be tossed...rest is getting scraped down to a flat, bare earth starting point....may even get a bit of gravel laid down... Goal is to build a box, tap-con it to the concrete slab, with cinder blocks to add supports as needed....will start in this corner, and stop.. Right before that old coal chute window. May add a strip of 2 x to bring the treads out a bit....will have to see about whether a second step is doable.... Handrail will be down by the old window. Roll-around trash can will have a flat "parking spot" on the left side...so we can load the trash bags easier...no ramp, empty doesn't weigh much....and we can just pull the can off the step on Trash Day. using the leftovers from the front deck, may need to buy a couple more blocks... Well, that be the "plan" so far...we'll see how it turns out,....after the Monsoons go away...may spray that gate with bleach, to kill that green stuff.. Stay tuned..
May 1, 20197 yr Popular Post 4 hours ago, steven newman said: .may spray that gate with bleach, to kill that green stuff.. Take your bleach and mix it with some cheap dish soap. Makes the mix hang better letting it work. use this method to clean my vinyl siding.
May 1, 20197 yr Author Popular Post the old screen door had too many issues....decided to install a new screendoor out front....involved a couple hand planes.. Because the jamb was a little too snug... And was a bit wavy....finally got things to fit... Swept away 90% of the shavings...so..now we have a decent looking screen door... Last night, I even changed out the porch light, to a motion sensor one... having a"Cold One", as I am soaked, and not from rain...torrow, I can go get the stone stuff, and build two gates...weather permitting...
May 2, 20197 yr Popular Post That screen door is perfect Steven, glad you "convinced" it that it should fit and fit right
May 2, 20197 yr Author Popular Post Feeling under the weather...can't stray too far from the bathroom throne... Went outside to install an extension to one of the downspouts....rain started in.. later, after the shower went through....got out a hoe and a rake.... And cleaned all the mess out of the work area....we don't use that garage ( so full of the landlord's junk, about the only thing holding it up) Right under the trashcan, there is a concrete pad...almost like a step...if you are 6'10" Plan right now, is to remove all of the old gate, and replace it with something....else 72" section of railing, you can buy at Lowes. Intend to make two saw cuts, and have a swinging gate..that when closed, looks like one piece... There is a concrete box in front of that window....will rest the joist on that edge...between the window and the old step.....just sand....will cover with rocks.. Having a cold Scotch Ale...to cool down a bit....I am soaked, and not from rain... Stay tuned....looks like Sunday will be a good day to start...
May 4, 20197 yr Author Popular Post remembered to get a picture of those lights for the treads, out front....since I was working out there, today.... Top tread already has enough lights. Had to set up a saw table... needed that 2 x 4 mitered, and cut into 4 pieces....to build a frame... 1 screw per corner..meh...added 6 spindles, spaced like the rest on the porch...Hinges were added on the inside, on the left..so this will swing inward.. Hmmm...saggy, and sticky....latch is on the right...had to change it...after a turnbuckle was added, and a bit of handplane work Much better? Had to raise the latch. when the gate is not needed to keep the fleabags ON the porch, gate swings in, and rests against the south rail. made another mess for the Boss to clean up.. having a Scotch Ale right now, may have earned a "Cold One" today... Maybe tomorrow, I can start on the back porch...front one is now done...stay tuned...
May 5, 20197 yr Author Popular Post Couple more of the gate...from the inside.. Showing the hardware...including the turnbuckle...and, when stowed away.. It even goes over there, by itself....unlatch the gate, and it swings open. Now, about the back gate...will try to do a bit of demo, today....and should get the new gate installed..before dark... Just about the only thing that will stay put..is that 4 x 4 post....will add a second post where the hinges will go...old gate and prop will head to the firepit....intend to reuse the hardware....including the tap-cons....if they will come out...looking like a 1400 hr start time... have to find a better spot to hang the hoses.. Trash can will have to go out front....maybe tomorrow, I can get the step done....maybe? Anyone want to drop by and help? Stay tuned...
May 5, 20197 yr Author Popular Post Ok, sun came out this afternoon....decided to demo things out...old 4 x 4 was worth the effort to save, install a new one...and a bracket.. Tap-conned to the porch....then slowly add screws through the new post, while checking for plumb...Post at the wall used those 6" Structural screws.. That I have to pre-drill for....careful measurements ( holding the rail up in place) a few cuts with the circular saw...and a few screws.. Patio slab has a bit of "fall" so rain water runs away from the house....railing is level..view from the outside? Gate? What Gate? Open the gate, to see IF it works... Install the latch... And, since I didn't like that tall post in the middle of the "railing".. gave it a trim. And a bevel. Took almost as long to bring the toys outside, and then put they away when done..as it did to build a gate..Weather is nice tomorrow,...new step(s) will get done...anyone want to show up and help? Stay tuned..
May 5, 20197 yr Popular Post On 4/30/2019 at 11:17 PM, Woodbutcherbynight said: Take your bleach and mix it with some cheap dish soap Thanks for the tip!
May 5, 20197 yr Use this stuff from Sam's club. No soap needed on wood. Paint it on full strength with a paint brush and watch the magic. Edited May 5, 20197 yr by HandyDan
May 5, 20197 yr Author Popular Post Better idea...have a bunch of cardboard boxes to burn....then add the old gate on top....
May 6, 20197 yr Author Popular Post Knees are hurting, clothes are soaked, got up into the 70s today....picked up some screws, a turnbuckle, 6 spindles, and a pair of 2 x 4 x 8'....4 hours later, I am putting the toys away...because... Treads have "fall" so water will run off towards the ends....matter of build a box.. Add the treads.. Pour out 3 bags of gravel ( river rock) build a second box.. Get it to set down in the gravel base...attach to the first box...then work on a railing.. used that speed square to mark 20 degree cuts, for the railing parts Almost ran out of screws.... Turnbuckle was install on the gate, changed where the gate latches at....for some reason...am a bit tired out... Sam Adams Boston Lager.....burgers on the grill...sounds good to me...
May 7, 20197 yr Author Popular Post Pulled the cork on some 12 yr old J & B Scotch.....as I think the porch projects are now...done But...man...am I sore...
May 7, 20197 yr Popular Post 2 minutes ago, steven newman said: But...man...am I sore... You get a nights sleep then the Honey Do list must continue. Unless the doghouse is very comfortable.
May 8, 20197 yr Author Popular Post Still doing a "Punch List"....cleaned things up... Just got back from buying more gravel...after I had raked all the crud out.. Kind of needs a layer of rocks... Ya think? Latch was changed out...to the "Hole-in-the Wall" model.. Went out and bought a new mower... And mowed the back yard "Hayfield" to try it out.. My woodworking project for today..was a tool rehab.. $1 axe, meet a new $9.88 Hickory handle...the before... About an hour later...still needs a GOOD sharpening...for some reason...I am a little worn out, today...
May 14, 20197 yr Author Popular Post Got things cleared away, yesterday,,,Got the post measured....turned out I was a bit too long...by about an inch....anyway, good weather this morning... Crosscut was done....quietly... have to save that cut-off! After a test fit showed the post was too long, and then trimmed down....laid out for a notch.. And another crosscut was done... Saw worked great at crosscuts, sucked as a rip saw.... Circular saw was a tad bit better...still needed a bit of clean up.. Along with Lew's mallet. Area this post needs to go.. Right about here....Clamp and a bracket to attach to the frame.. Post IS plumb, rest isn't. To keep this plumb, added another bracket.. With a few blue screws. Added a couple to the Gazebo, as well, so it won't try to walk away, again Now, about that cut-off? Angle on the first one is 20 degrees....to match the angle of the stair rail... Screws are also coming up from under the rail. Added a light. Still had enough left over, to make a second "Lamp Post"... had to shim the left side a bit, angle is 19 degrees. Still have a few parts to build a flower box for the back steps...and hang on the outside of the stair rail's spindles.. maybe later? Not sure what I'll use those blocks for...yet.
May 16, 20197 yr Popular Post Good work, Steven... as always! Hope it doesn't drive the rent up! John
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