Recent content by Rusty Wrench

I'd start with spark and fuel check. Draw some fuel off the tank; any water in it?. Give a squirt of start fluid to see if she fires. That's where I'd start if it sat for a year with fuel in the tank/carb. See how far I can get through basic diagnosis before taking it in. Having repair...

Looking at LXCam's boo-boo reminded me: Add a new 1/16" twist drill to your kit. Best tool for relieving the blood pressure under a bashed fingernail. Hold between thumb and forefinger and gently twist it back and forth, Just a few twists and you'll get seepage; a bit more and you get flow...

Insulation encapsulation is recommended From the instructions: General requirements for pipe freeze protection: • FrostGuard heating cables may be used on metal and plastic water pipes but not on flexible vinyl tubing (such as garden hoses). • FrostGuard heating cables are not intended for use...

I'm finally going to run a water line from the house to my heated shop. About 300'. It will need to enter the shop above grade. Here is the question I posted to Raychem but it is not going through. The installation guide shows only a single strand along the protected length. Doesn't seem like...

i'd use smooth river stone. The pipe will bed in easier and consistent size; no fines. Absolutely wrap/sleeve with fabric. That's what we did for athletic fields. It'll silt in eventually. The engineers would give it a 25 yr life, I think.

There may not be enough evidence for professional concern yet, not to minimize that gnawing gut feeling most us would incur in like circumstances. Some good questions and advice above. I would also suggest attaching a crack monitoring gauge(s) in, if possible, unobtrusive areas. A simple plastic...

On the floors... have a browse through Dakota00 thread on tile. I'm rethinking my epoxy plan after recently reading it. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/my-2-car-porcelain-tile-install.212509/

I watched a YT recently... seem to be others as well. Can't speak to the advisability...

Going with a spalted maple also. From the pic, I don't see anything that wood suggest poplar. What might help with ID; moisten an area with a sponge and take a closeup photo. Also if you give dimensions and a reasonably accurate weight, knowing the density can be an aid.

In the house... fingers crossed.

Rodents love to nest in fiberglass and as I'm told, rockwool also. I had enough damage and odor that I had some batts replaced with blown in. If I had to do it over again it would all be blown in cellulose. Sounds like it's going to be a fantastic project :D edit: something in the treatment is...

RoyBell- have you shopped design/build? Airoom in Lincolnwood is the only one that comes to mind. They'd probably be at the high end cost-wise but they will give you some free time and perhaps even concept drawings. For that kind of scope I'd be inclined to pay for the concept with a few...

You can do a calculation on this as a 'what if analysis in Excel'. The equation uses mass, specific heat, temp diff and energy. That would be how much energy to apply to a mass to keep it from freezing. The other equation is Newtons Law of Cooling. Another simple equation, though I don't recall...

That small a repair can probably be 5 minute mud. Some paints will react the short setting stuff- you'll see the mud lifting and blistering a bit. If that happens squirt a bit of yellow wood glue into the mix. After cleaning the tools it'll have already started to set. You can do some additional...

I've tried balancing with the dampers and registers over the years. Continuous fan. Was never really satisfied. 6-7years ago we had it zoned at HVAC guys suggestion. They drill a hole in the ducts and put in air bladders that are commanded to inflate/deflate. A control panel by the furnace is...