Above 1200 Sq/FT Restored 1930's Auto Shop

[MG David]

Thomas, thanks for all the detailed shots. It is a lesson in the value of good planning.

 

[1949 caddyman]

Thomas, thanks for all the detailed shots. It is a lesson in the value of good planning.

^^^^^What he said!

 

[magnusk750]

Hi there KST1 and thanks for that information. Do you happen to know if residential homes are being built utilizing plaster? Plaster repairs to existing homes with plaster I understand, but new construction?


Thomas

In my part of the world plaster is still quite much in use. Makes a solid surface, without the joints between drywall sheets, with their possible cracks.

 

[BB767]

Well Thomas and Chris, after 5 months or so I have made it to the real-time end of the vortex!

There is such a great mix of history, restoration, repair, construction, recycling, conservation and education in this thread across several fields it's easy to see why it's enjoyed by so many.

I can't add any more sentiment to what others have already said, other than to say thanks for sharing what and as much as you have.

Cheers Grumblebum.

Cheers to you Grumblebum. OK I'll admit it, I had to look on Google Maps to see just where Wollongong, Australia is and it's a mighty long reach for the vortex! It's been said the sun never sets on this thread; it's being followed all around the world and I guess that's a true statement. Thanks so much for dropping by. Always nice to have a new friend join us.

Since you're so close to Lyndon in Sydney, next time you see him tell him I'm still trying to get an update on Beltsville Shell. The gentleman who has it presently is incommunicado. Maybe he'll see here we're trying to reach him.

Stand by, there's more posts headed this way.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Plaster

In my part of the world plaster is still quite much in use. Makes a solid surface, without the joints between drywall sheets, with their possible cracks.

I'm curious magnusk if wood lath boards are still being used under the plaster around you? Also, is horse hair being used as a binder in the plaster mix. The plaster in our old family home had both. Plaster certainly muted sound transmission between rooms.

Thomas

 

[old salt racer]

Hey All, I wonder what the Vegas odds are on the basement steel beams being powder coated or not ????---- Headed to The Center of The Universe, watch out.----Lou----

 

[BB767]

More Truss "Stuff"

Some additional truss information.



Once all the trusses are in place these 2 X 6 re-enforcements will be nailed into place. In this picture they've only been stowed in the trusses and are not yet positioned properly.



They will tie the trusses together and prevent any tendency for them to rock back and forth.



Here's a look at the hearth area...



...with all the trusses installed on their respective hangers. Those are wood planks covering the fireplace foundation in the background.



This side view might help you visualize what's going to be installed. I'll cover this more in depth when we construct the fireplace.



To aid with the installation of the radiant heat tubes, some of the I-beams are raised-seen on the right. Note the trusses hang from that beam while the trusses sit on top of the beam in the center of the picture. Once the first floor radiant tubing installation is done I'll post more about this. BTW, those wood posts under the I-beam on the right are just temporary, they will be removed.



This is the area for my material lift. More about this later as well.

Thomas

 

[oldschoolbob]

Thomas, I really enjoy reading your thread – especially now that you’re building your house. I find this most interesting. I wait up nights to be the first to read your post for the day. I don’t know how many folks realize all the work that goes into building a house but you are also documenting every step and reporting on how it’s done. That alone is a timely job.

There are so many different ways to achieve the same results but I never know which is better, that’s why I have so many questions. When we built my shop and garage the inspector requested a 4 inch high concrete curb between the garage and the shop because he said a cars gas tank could leak and flow under the wall into the shop where we had the furnace and water heater. In your case the gas could leak down the basement walls. Has this been inspected yet?

I noticed the supporting basement walls – one wall has 3 - 2x6 top plates and no 2x12’s headers over the door. The stair well walls have 2x12 headers but only one top plate. Reason?

The hanging floor truss system is really nice. It allows no steps from the garage to the living space (great for us older people). But it has also lead to some minor design problems – the removal of the last course of blocks on the chimney. I also noticed that some of the beam pockets may have been installed too high. It looks like some of the beams had to be notched and an angle attached to the wall in order to lower the beam. Or was it designed that way? One last question – Why weren’t all the beans installed at the same level and all the trusses made to hang on the beams. That would have given you a flat level ceiling with no obstructions below.

You’re going to love those open trusses with it comes time for plumbing, electrical, and ductwork.

I really want to thank you for all the work you put into this and sharing it with us.

Bob


Also I just noticed some of the beams have a 2X on top (between beam and truss) and some don’t. How is the truss attached to the beam without the 2X ?

 

[sqaurelizard]

Re: Plaster

I'm curious magnusk if wood lath boards are still being used under the plaster around you? Also, is horse hair being used as a binder in the plaster mix. The plaster in our old family home had both. Plaster certainly muted sound transmission between rooms.

Thomas

Interior walls all still plastered here using gypsum based plaster usually on top of insulated platerboard slabs, just doing the joints is only done on very low cost construction

 

[Boosted1]

That is going to be one very solid floor.

 

[Lyndon]

.
.
Since you're so close to Lyndon in Sydney, next time you see him tell him I'm still trying to get an update on Beltsville Shell. The gentleman who has it presently is incommunicado. Maybe he'll see here we're trying to reach him.

Thomas

Thomas

I was wondering about that, but didn't want to interrupt - you seem to be unbelievably busy at present.

Keep up the great work.

Lyndon
Sitting quietly in the corner.

 

[9C1]

Hi there KST1 and thanks for that information. Do you happen to know if residential homes are being built utilizing plaster? Plaster repairs to existing homes with plaster I understand, but new construction?

Monticello is a great little town, one of my favorites. I did my student teaching at the high school there many, many, many years ago. You can still get real gas there at the FS station with no ethanol.

Thomas

Yes, Thomas there is real E0 gasoline there, but last time I was there (I forget if last Summer or the year before) it was 89 Octane. No high test.
Terry
PS: Keep up the great work on the new house.

 

[BB767]

House Questions and Answers

Thomas, I really enjoy reading your thread – especially now that you’re building your house. I find this most interesting. I wait up nights to be the first to read your post for the day. I don’t know how many folks realize all the work that goes into building a house but you are also documenting every step and reporting on how it’s done. That alone is a timely job.

There are so many different ways to achieve the same results but I never know which is better, that’s why I have so many questions. When we built my shop and garage the inspector requested a 4 inch high concrete curb between the garage and the shop because he said a cars gas tank could leak and flow under the wall into the shop where we had the furnace and water heater. In your case the gas could leak down the basement walls. Has this been inspected yet?

I noticed the supporting basement walls – one wall has 3 - 2x6 top plates and no 2x12’s headers over the door. The stair well walls have 2x12 headers but only one top plate. Reason?

The hanging floor truss system is really nice. It allows no steps from the garage to the living space (great for us older people). But it has also lead to some minor design problems – the removal of the last course of blocks on the chimney. I also noticed that some of the beam pockets may have been installed too high. It looks like some of the beams had to be notched and an angle attached to the wall in order to lower the beam. Or was it designed that way? One last question – Why weren’t all the beans installed at the same level and all the trusses made to hang on the beams. That would have given you a flat level ceiling with no obstructions below.

You’re going to love those open trusses with it comes time for plumbing, electrical, and ductwork.

I really want to thank you for all the work you put into this and sharing it with us.

Bob


Also I just noticed some of the beams have a 2X on top (between beam and truss) and some don’t. How is the truss attached to the beam without the 2X ?

Bob, all excellent questions. Clearly you've been paying attention. That will pay dividends at "test time", trust me.

Isn't it the truth there are several different ways to achieve the same result. I've come to the conclusion it frequently just comes down to personal preference.

With your question on leaking gasoline, are you talking about liquid gas or gas fumes? Any common walls with the basement and garage will be sealed making them liquid proof. Additionally with the slope of the floor, gravity will make any liquids flow to the central drain. For fumes I'll have ceiling fans on 24/7/365 along with air quality monitors which are part of the HVAC CERV system. Once the CERV unit is installed I'll post more information about it.



The basement wall with no header over the doorway question. When that wall was built we didn't have any 2 X 12 material on site. That wall was necessary to install the floor trusses so we built the wall anyway and will add a proper 2 X 12 header in that doorway at a later time.



There is only a single top plate on the stairwell wall because it's not load baring per se; there will be no wall above it on the first floor. The stairwell will have a railing with balusters and spindles all around it on the first floor. I didn't want a wall around the stairwell on the first floor. By using a railing it will allow more natural light into that area. The stairs are also extra wide bring in more light.



This is the doorway area from the garage to the house. One very important requirement for the house was no steps anywhere on the first floor. That will make it easier for my future wheelchair to maneuver from the garage to the house.

The removal of the row of blocks from the fireplace foundation was due to a simple miss-communication. If Steve had been on site he would have known immediately how high we should have laid the blocks.

The shallow beam pockets were designed that way and are a compromise. We didn't want to make the pockets too deep to accommodate the lower I-Beams so we roughly split the difference by partly notching the I-Beams. Our steel fabrications engineer told us with our design we have still full strength. The supporting angle installation only took a few extra minutes installing the wall anchors and they really secure and stabilize the I-Beams as an extra bonus.

The different heights of the beams are a result of the radiant floor heat tubing installation. The HVAC team was brought into the design phase early on and to make their work and installation easier and neater, this was the result. Once I get to the tubing installation it'll become apparent why they're at different heights. The basement will largely be a wood working work shop and will not be finished, so a non-flat ceiling isn't a concern.

The beam with a wood top plate have the ends of a truss resting on it. We need something to secure and locate the ends of the trusses. The wood top plate allows for the truss end to be nailed to it.
The beams with no top plate, the truss just rests on the beam. There is 2 X 6 wood blocking between each truss to space the trusses away from each other and those blocks are lag screwed to the beam through holes in the beam flange. I'll try to get a picture to illustrate that.

Again, excellent questions Bob. I predict you'll do fine on the "test".

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Re: Plaster

Interior walls all still plastered here using gypsum based plaster usually on top of insulated platerboard slabs, just doing the joints is only done on very low cost construction

The house I helped build in 1973 that used plaster walls that as I recall, used wall material called "blue board". It kind of looked like dry wall, was blue in color and had hundreds of small holes in the surface. Those holes are what the plaster was forced into to grip the wall board. Never seen it before or since.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Hey All, I wonder what the Vegas odds are on the basement steel beams being powder coated or not ????---- Headed to The Center of The Universe, watch out.----Lou----

Now Lou, play nice! There is some building material that will be powder coated that I just received today in fact.........but you're going to have to wait a while to find out what it is.

Looking forward to seeing your rig parked in the spot reserved for it in front of the shop. Custard Cup awaits!!

Safe journeys my friend.

Thomas

 

[Bob Heine]

Thomas, when we moved to Florida in the mid-70s, every home we looked at had plaster walls and ceilings inside. When I did a minor renovation in the 80s I used blueboard as the backer for plaster. I thought my ability to do drywall would transfer over to plaster but I was wrong (big time). An elderly gentleman who did small plaster repairs came to the house and in two one-hour sessions had my four sheets of blueboard covered with base and finish plaster. Aside from me having to sand paint the ceiling section to match the sand finish plaster on the original work, you couldn't tell the plaster had been patched. He charged me $70 and wouldn't take a penny more.

Based on the mess I made with my attempt, I put drop cloths down before he started to work. When he was done, there wasn't a single speck of plaster on the drop cloths. A master plasterer is hard to find but wonderful to watch.

 

[magnusk750]

Re: Plaster

I'm curious magnusk if wood lath boards are still being used under the plaster around you? Also, is horse hair being used as a binder in the plaster mix. The plaster in our old family home had both. Plaster certainly muted sound transmission between rooms.

Thomas

No, not any more, if it's not made as a real museums piece. A kind of wood lath mesh was used in the soviet time. Wood laths about an inch wide wowen together about 60 x 40 cms nailed to the wall to carry the plaster. Horse hair is somethimes used in lime platser but alsothat is only in high end historic restauration. With a a plaster of mixed cement and lime it's strongand flexible enough without the horse hair. Instead of the wooden mesh lath boards plastic or steel mesh is used. Here's a video that makes you feel like a master of plaster and the Swedish Chef in The Muppet show in the same time:

 

[BB767]

Re: Plaster

.........

Here's a video that makes you feel like a master of plaster and the Swedish Chef in The Muppet show in the same time:

Now that video was very cool indeed. Two thumbs up magnusk. I didn't understand a word he said but visually it was great. I'd never seen plaster slung using that triangle shaped hand tool. That's different for sure. Many thanks for posting the link.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Wedge Floor Trusses

I never did show how...



...the wedged shaped part of the floor trusses finished up. It was one of the more interesting parts of the puzzle.



Those wedged shaped areas utilized the trusses circled.







Each of the short trusses were hung on one end just like those in front of the fireplace hearth. It's rather complex and very solid!

Since I'm literary falling asleep while posting this I'll cut it short for tonight. Tomorrow I'm up at O-Dark Thirty to drop some material at the powder coaters. They open at 06:00 AM and it's an hour drive away.

Thanks again everyone for checking up on me.

Thomas

 

[AZpilot]

What you need is an underground tunnel to the garage.

 

[ZRX61]

That's quite a nasty kink in that one wall, was there a crease in a plans?

 

[ZRX61]

What you need is an underground tunnel to the garage.

That's already been done by another GJ member

 

[rixtrix1]

Neat stuff, Thomas! Thanks.

 

[Armour]

Great work on the house Thomas, first time I've logged in for a while. I was looking forward to seeing the quality workmanship you have shown on every project you have documented on here transfer onto the house build and you haven't disappointed. Still my favourite thread on GJ.

Al

 

[AZpilot]

That's already been done by another GJ member

So North American Aviation, It can't be done again?

 

[PLOWJEEP]

I was wondering how you where going to do that section of floor. Nice.

 

[DoorBreaker]

Thomas, Will you be installing sprinklers in the house? I ask because, although those open trusses are a time saver and strong they also fail big time in fires. The staple plates fail and they fall apart.

Also you mentioned that the basement won't be finished as it will be the wood shop. Will you be installing a ceiling because of fire hazard from drifting sawdust building up?

Not a good thing to think about but sometimes things happen, sprinklers can also reduce your insurance a good amount.

Just the worries of an old firefighter talking.

 

[bluestripe67]

Thomas, you are an inspiration! Following this makes me want to have a new house built, but I know that won't be happening. I am well attached to my 1936 brick and block center hall two story home. Dennis

 

[BB767]

Beltsville Shell Will Be On The Move

Thomas

I was wondering about that, but didn't want to interrupt - you seem to be unbelievably busy at present.

Keep up the great work.

Lyndon
Sitting quietly in the corner.

I'm happy to report Beltsville Shell should be in the mail to Maryland this week. David finally got hold of me and told me he'll be sending it out shortly. Dennis, the new recipient, has been alerted and told me he's on the lookout for it and he'll get cracking on it since the Australian contingent is chaffing at the bit to receive it. Good news all around.

Once Dennis is done with it he'll mail it back to me. I'll then prepare it for the long trip down under. You're 1 reader away from it finally coming your way Lyndon.

Meantime would all you fine fellows in Australia make sure everyone there knows the current list order and mailing address of each other that it will be sent to. The Australian list got changed around with a little bumping into line and I'm not quite sure how it all turned out. Lyndon, would you post what you believe to be the final list. Then if there any additions or subtractions we can have that all finalized before I send it to you.

Thanks for all your patience. I'm confident it'll be worth the wait.

Thomas

 

[Lyndon]

Re: Beltsville Shell Will Be On The Move

I'm happy to report Beltsville Shell should be in the mail to Maryland this week. David finally got hold of me and told me he'll be sending it out shortly. Dennis, the new recipient, has been alerted and told me he's on the lookout for it and he'll get cracking on it since the Australian contingent is chaffing at the bit to receive it. Good news all around.

Once Dennis is done with it he'll mail it back to me. I'll then prepare it for the long trip down under. You're 1 reader away from it finally coming your way Lyndon.

Meantime would all you fine fellows in Australia make sure everyone there knows the current list order and mailing address of each other that it will be sent to. The Australian list got changed around with a little bumping into line and I'm not quite sure how it all turned out. Lyndon, would you post what you believe to be the final list. Then if there any additions or subtractions we can have that all finalized before I send it to you.

Thanks for all your patience. I'm confident it'll be worth the wait.

Thomas

Thomas

I'll gladly use your thread as a conduit to get a few people over to mine. So, all the Aussie guys wanting to read BS1.0, please declare your interest on my page or by PM. I know there was an original list here on Thomas' thread, but that was likely 40 pages ago with all the building work Thomas has been doing (of houses and other people's cars.... ) so it will be hard to find. Just pop over to my smaller thread and post up the interest there.

Thanks Thomas

Lyndon
Getting ready for the onslaught!!!

 

[markviii]

Post #9230 (pg 462) has the all-important list:

- Lyndon - Sydney, Australia
- VMX42 - Sydney, Australia
- 1/2 Cup - Shepparton. Victoria. Australia
- Nursepeter1973 - Western Australia
- BBChevro - Brisbane, Qld., Australia
- Gatsby - Canberra, Australia

Chris

 

[Lyndon]

Post #9230 (pg 462) has the all-important list:

- Lyndon - Sydney, Australia
- VMX42 - Sydney, Australia
- 1/2 Cup - Shepparton. Victoria. Australia
- Nursepeter1973 - Western Australia
- BBChevro - Brisbane, Qld., Australia
- Gatsby - Canberra, Australia

Chris

Chris

You are the bomb finding that. (Was it going to be on the test?).

I've got a few extra to add now too.

Will update after getting all the info together (and taking notes....).

Lyndon
Ever thankful

 

[Lyndon]

Thomas/Chris

I think we are nearing a list down here:

- Lyndon - Sydney, Australia
- VMX42 - Sydney, Australia
- 1/2 Cup - Shepparton. Victoria. Australia
- Nursepeter1973 - Western Australia
- BBChevro - Brisbane, Qld., Australia
- Panthersteve - Brisbane, Qld
- Gatsby - Canberra, ACT
- Grumblebum - Wollongong, NSW

And Rod will bring it back up to me.

If he's interested we might slot Hotfr8 in after 1/2 Cup. I'm waiting to hear.

And at this point I think (?) we have it nailed.

I will then be responsible for packaging it and ensuring it makes it's way stateside correctly and safely.

Lyndon
Shheeeesh!!!

 

[AZpilot]

I don't know. I've been to Brisbane, and once things go there, they don't come out the same. I know I didn't.

 

[Lyndon]

I don't know. I've been to Brisbane, and once things go there, they don't come out the same. I know I didn't.

Oooooh, cutting - I ain't sayin' nothin'.

Mark - over to you.

Lyndon
Letting that one through to the keeper.

 

[BB767]

Thomas/Chris

I think we are nearing a list down here:

- Lyndon - Sydney, Australia
- VMX42 - Sydney, Australia
- 1/2 Cup - Shepparton. Victoria. Australia
- Nursepeter1973 - Western Australia
- BBChevro - Brisbane, Qld., Australia
- Panthersteve - Brisbane, Qld
- Gatsby - Canberra, ACT
- Grumblebum - Wollongong, NSW

And Rod will bring it back up to me.

If he's interested we might slot Hotfr8 in after 1/2 Cup. I'm waiting to hear.

And at this point I think (?) we have it nailed.

I will then be responsible for packaging it and ensuring it makes it's way stateside correctly and safely.

Lyndon
Shheeeesh!!!

Please don't forget...

- williamhamilton - Wairarapa, New Zealand

... is on the list also. He's gallantly letting everyone in Australia finish it before it goes to him. If no one else in New Zealand wants it, I'll presume he'll be the one sending it back to me?

Once the list is settled I'd suggest everyone contact the person in front of and behind you on the list to make sure they still want to read it and as insurance it won't get waylaid somehow. Provide contact and mailing information and I think you'll be good to go. Phone numbers might be useful to have as well. The good folks in Europe and the UK set the standard on how it should move along. No drama and it was mailed along the list like clockwork. Well done gentlemen!

Sorry Lyndon we missed your summer, but looks like it'll be there in time for winter.

Thomas

 

[HOTFR8]

Something we need to be aware of is our super s...l...o...w... mail system here now. I was made aware of a mail delivery that took 14 days when it should have been overnight delivery. I have also experienced mail from Castlemaine to Melbourne posted Thursday arriving on Wednesday the next week and usually that should be over night or 3 days at the most.

I am sure it will get to NZ faster than it will between readers here.

Yes something posted overseas can be delivered here now faster than internal mail deliveries and our mail cost went up as well. Adding to that our Express Post is no longer guaranteed.

 

[Lyndon]

Something we need to be aware of is our super s...l...o...w... mail system here now. I was made aware of a mail delivery that took 14 days when it should have been overnight delivery. I have also experienced mail from Castlemaine to Melbourne posted Thursday arriving on Wednesday the next week and usually that should be over night or 3 days at the most.

I am sure it will get to NZ faster than it will between readers here.

Yes something posted overseas can be delivered here now faster than internal mail deliveries and our mail cost went up as well. Adding to that our Express Post is no longer guaranteed.

Simon

I'm not experiencing any of that..... I had a parcel posted in Melbourne on Monday, and we got it Wednesday (thankfully - it was my daughters birthday present that I got on Flea Bay for her).

There is now a fast and slow postage for letters, for which you pay extra if you want the fast option.

And - do you want to be on the Aussie distribution run?

Sorry Thomas for discussing this here. It is on my thread too....

Lyndon
Wasting time on a Friday arvo

 

[HOTFR8]

Simon

I'm not experiencing any of that..... I had a parcel posted in Melbourne on Monday, and we got it Wednesday (thankfully - it was my daughters birthday present that I got on Flea Bay for her).

You will see it in time.

There is now a fast and slow postage for letters, for which you pay extra if you want the fast option.

The Express Post is no longer guaranteed next day out of state so expect 3 days for something like that.

And - do you want to be on the Aussie distribution run?

Count me out. I know I would like to read it but I have plenty going on at present and there are plenty wanting to read it.

Sorry Thomas for discussing this here. It is on my thread too....

Thomas will not mind as it is his book after all. I wonder how hard it would be to get a copy of my own

Lyndon
Wasting time on a Friday arvo

What is that! Time on the GJ is wasted Oh well, I best waste some more time and see what every one is up to.

 

[Lyndon]

What is that! Time on the GJ is wasted Oh well, I best waste some more time and see what every one is up to.

No - I mean I'm wasting time at work...... Trying to look busy while waiting for THAT time to roll around.

Lyndon
Still here.