Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT London Calling. An ordinary life.

[TomGW]

As much as I moan, I’m gonna miss the space to do things like this
Wifey buys a sink with vanity unit that needs a
little attention.
The bow front is rotten, so after poking my fingers through it, apart it came

A strip of ply later, and I’m in the good books

Just need to decide what to stain it with.

Steve

We are just finalising the sale of my late sister-in-law’s house which has a virtually identical basin/vanity unit. It is finished with paint wash finish that subdues the natural gold colour of the wood but allows the grain to show through.

 

[sawduststeve]

Steve,

Posts 1834 and 1835 show your excellent craftsmanship. I enjoyed your pics from your travels to the big city.

I still think you should have kept a little off hours access to your shop so you can do all your personal projects the wife hands you.

Thanks Captain

I think you’re right, we know we will have to rent a little storage but now I’m thinking a small unit/shop.

 

[sawduststeve]

What are the lead bars for? Sash weights?

Yes mate.
The originals coming out are always softwood, single glazed, most often only 3mm glass in a
1 1/4” sash, weighing maybe 15-20 lb
What we’re putting back is hardwood, double glazed and 2 1/4” thick sashes weighing 44lb
The lead weights can get a bit lumpy.

 

[sawduststeve]

I agree you will need some shop space to do these kinds of projects for your canal home or friends.

I’m guessing you’ve seen most varieties of wood rot but wondering which caulk brand or sealer type you like best? Also even with the good stuff and a professional application I’m guessing caulking should be scraped out and re applied every 5 or 10 or how many years.
We took the uber boat (I think that’s what it’s called) up and down the Thames and we should have walked up above the Tower Bridge instead of under London bridge where it was too busy to move.
Are you enjoying your 6 Saturdays and a Sunday week schedule yet or still too busy??

I’m coming around to the idea that I might need a small shop, I’ll get rid of the big one first then see what happens.

All caulks shrink and crack over time, I try not to use it if I can help it, either a small trim over or plaster the gap. Softwood can rot through in 5-6 years if neglected, hardwood will last 30 years if maintained and Oak you could leave in a puddle and it’ll last forever. You pays ya money

Yep Tower Bridge more interesting than London bridge, nice to have a trip along the Thames though. The original London Bridge is in Arizona
(I think) and the guy that bought it supposedly thought he was getting Tower Bridge. Always do your research

Not retired yet, 2-3 months to go.

 

[sawduststeve]

I always feel like a tourist when you take us for a ride Steve.

Cheers mate
Yet you worked up town and must have seen the sights way more than I have.

 

[sawduststeve]

We are just finalising the sale of my late sister-in-law’s house which has a virtually identical basin/vanity unit. It is finished with paint wash finish that subdues the natural gold colour of the wood but allows the grain to show through.

Hi Tom

Yep, the wife has decided to paint the unit….
Black
It appears I’m not up with current trends.

I’m sure I’ll post a pic when it’s in position and we can all decide

 

[littlebean]

I’m sure I’ll post a pic when it’s in position and we can all decide

by this I assume you mean agree with your wife.................

 

[sawduststeve]

by this I assume you mean agree with your wife.................

that is so correct

 

[sawduststeve]

Where were we, oh yes. Box sashes, box sashes and more box sashes.



The Balham job is made and awaiting installation

165kg/363ib of lead weights £625 of my English Pounds.

 

[sawduststeve]

In between I managed to knock up an Oak front door for Floaty, made with leftover timber from previous jobs.



And turned a bullion donated by Leadlight Mike
into a unit for the new door


This also got a proper sanding and two coats

 

[Old tool guy]

I think that is known as bullseye glass over here.

 

[drivesitfar]

My bride watches a ton of British murder mysteries and I can’t tell you how many times I watch an actor duck into a house or pub. Were standard door openings in the 1800’s and prior made less than six feet?

I always love your work and I bet after all these years it’s been a bit monotonous but you sir have skills. What are the dimensions of your new oak Mcfloaty door and I seriously love that glass?

 

[sawduststeve]

I think that is known as bullseye glass over here.

Yep, occasionally bullseye here, and I’d know what you mean but normally a bullion.

 

[Denwood]

The level of craftsmanship on these windows and doors just makes me happy I'm honestly smiling every time I catch up on your thread Steve. The mortised box sashes....like a warm hug.

 

[sawduststeve]

My bride watches a ton of British murder mysteries and I can’t tell you how many times I watch an actor duck into a house or pub. Were standard door openings in the 1800’s and prior made less than six feet?

I always love your work and I bet after all these years it’s been a bit monotonous but you sir have skills. What are the dimensions of your new oak Mcfloaty door and I seriously love that glass?

Evening Drives
What you will see in many country pubs is the sign “ Duck or Grouse” most often on a very low beam that has a padded section for minimal protection.
I don’t think there were any standard door sizes until way later, small rooms with low ceiling heights were easier to heat if all you had was an open fire.
Large ( expensive) houses had large doors, country houses ( peasants ) had little everything.
Terrace houses need large doors 7ftx3ft as everything has to go through it.
The three most common door sizes are
33” x 78”
32” x 80”
30” x 78”
Mcfloaty is 27” x 74” and I’ve made it bigger than what’s there now.

Some elements of work are sometimes monotonous, as most jobs ?, but I’ve never not wanted to get up and go.
Enjoy you job and never work a day in your life

 

[gilr]

I always cringed every time Martin Clunes (Doc Martin) hit his head on the doorway header leading to his office at the surgery in the series town of Port Wenn (really Port Isaac) It would give me a headache each time he hit his head there and in many other places on the show. I've been to Port Isaac a few years ago, a really interesting small village, even stood on the patio steps of the building that was the surgery on the show, really small place. It has caused the value of the homes there to skyrocket to the point most locals can't afford to live there anymore.

 

[Geoff289]

I always cringed every time Martin Clunes (Doc Martin) hit his head on the doorway header leading to his office at the surgery in the series town of Port Wenn (really Port Isaac) It would give me a headache each time he hit his head there and in many other places on the show. I've been to Port Isaac a few years ago, a really interesting small village, even stood on the patio steps of the building that was the surgery on the show, really small place. It has caused the value of the homes there to skyrocket to the point most locals can't afford to live there anymore.

We visited Port Isaac too, it's a lot bigger than the bit of the old part shown on the tv series, isn't it, with a very large more recent housing estate up on the hill behind the old town. We had to park way up there and walk quite a way to see what you see on tv.

I don't know if you have the British series Escape to the Country in the US but I'm always surprised at the philosophical acceptance of having to routinely duck one's head in many of the old places offered to the would be escapees, not only to go through doorways, but often to negotiate numerous intrusive low roof beams within a room.

 

[drivesitfar]

Steve: always great to get the 411 (old information number on our rotary phones) about doors and ceilings. My wife still watches reports of all the old midsommer murders that is on its 25th season.

We watched all the doc martin shows too even though I didn’t get invested in them til about the 4th season. He was banging his head all the time on the doors and beams.

BTW the fake news over here told us to avoid London and UK cause it was dangerous for us and I we went anyway and loved the people and the history and stuff and had a great time. Is it still ok there cause I’m sure other people would love to visit?

Have a grand day!!

 

[sawduststeve]

BTW the fake news over here told us to avoid London and UK cause it was dangerous for us and I we went anyway and loved the people and the history and stuff and had a great time. Is it still ok there cause I’m sure other people would love to visit?

Let’s address the serious part first
London is as safe as a safe thing
Apologies for the reading




Drives, if you visit again don’t go to Midsumer, you’ll be face down in the pond or at the bottom of the well before the first adverts.



Steve

 

[Denwood]

Let’s address the serious part first
London is as safe as a safe thing
Apologies for the reading




Drives, if you visit again don’t go to Midsumer, you’ll be face down in the pond or at the bottom of the well before the first adverts.



Steve

Much safer than our little town which apparently is the murder capital of Canada at about 6 deaths per 100K people, per year :-( The town is pretty small at about 123K.

 

[sawduststeve]

The level of craftsmanship on these windows and doors just makes me happy I'm honestly smiling every time I catch up on your thread Steve. The mortised box sashes....like a warm hug.

Steady on fella.
Last time someone said let’s hug, BAM , married with a kid before I knew it. I’m not fooling for that again.
Thanks though

 

[sawduststeve]

I always cringed every time Martin Clunes (Doc Martin) hit his head on the doorway header leading to his office at the surgery in the series town of Port Wenn (really Port Isaac) It would give me a headache each time he hit his head there and in many other places on the show. I've been to Port Isaac a few years ago, a really interesting small village, even stood on the patio steps of the building that was the surgery on the show, really small place. It has caused the value of the homes there to skyrocket to the point most locals can't afford to live there anymore.

We visited Port Isaac too, it's a lot bigger than the bit of the old part shown on the tv series, isn't it, with a very large more recent housing estate up on the hill behind the old town. We had to park way up there and walk quite a way to see what you see on tv.

I don't know if you have the British series Escape to the Country in the US but I'm always surprised at the philosophical acceptance of having to routinely dug one's head in many of the old places offered to the would be escapees, not only to go through doorways, but often to negotiate numerous intrusive low roof beams within a room.

Thanks for calling in guys , and this pretty much takes us full circle.
We visited port Isaac/wenn 18 months or so ago and, I didn’t think much of it, TBH. A bit too steep for not a lot of anything there. I much prefer Bude back along the coast. It was however good to see the Doc Martin sites.


Another reason for the visit was that I have a customer there with a second home, they have spent way to much renovating the house and probably won’t get their money back on it and have put it out of the Price range for the locals.
They did a great job


The full circle, is that these are the clients that are my last job back in Essex. They are in Port Isaac for 5 months while there house is being knocked about and rebuilt

Steve

 

[sawduststeve]

Our last ever job is well on its way.





Various windows and doors.
And the last one,


Sashes to make yet, all friction hinges and multi point locking. Only the outside to be painted and then everything to be glazed
A little still to do.

Steve

 

[sawduststeve]

While all of the above has been going on Mcfloaty hasn’t standing still.
Wifey ordered a kitchen from a company that, for a fee will advertise and sell your kitchen before your new one turns up.
Sadly the one she bought wasn’t as described, by a long shot, the **** bags. This caused untold chaos with the upshot being we had a refund of 60%. The kitchen was basically totally refunded but we had to suffer most of the cost for the removal and delivery
For example, broken sink rotten unit


Some of what we threw out


I remade 4 whole units and we sanded and painted everything we could use over 3 weekends.

Getting in the way


Finally, almost in place


Steve

 

[sawduststeve]

Had an interesting Wednesday two weeks ago, we had a van full of stuff for Mcfloaty, kitchen included along with three windows and a pair of doors the front door and frame and various bits and pieces.
So we hired the garbo barge @Geoff289 , surprisingly all aboard in one trip.


Unfortunately they brought the wife back.

It’s taking shape


Last Wednesday after work my brother and I drove up to his place at Oulton Broads and stayed the night there. In the morning it was only a
35 mins drive to the river.
A misty morning


We managed to fit the three windows and the pair of doors. This allows the guys on site to fully finish the interior.



Steve

 

[Old tool guy]

It’s about time you posted again.
Is this the house they spent too much on? About how much is the market price for that?

 

[Geoff289]

So we hired the garbo barge @Geoff289 , surprisingly all aboard in one trip.

Excellent choice Steve.

Unfortunately they brought the wife back.

Brave man. I take it Mrs. Sawdust is not a regular reader of this forum.

 

[littlebean]

Our last ever job is well on its way.

hopefully you'll find something to show us your workmanship on.............

I remade 4 whole units and we sanded and painted everything we could use over 3 weekends.

ah you have - it's **** that there's people out there prepared to rip someone off for a quick quid though
cargo barge is cool and everything looks to coming along nicely
I shall now sit back in my comfy chair and await the next instalment, clocks ticking

 

[bugnut]

Great update thanks, I will miss seeing your daily work!

 

[captain14]

Great update thanks, I will miss seeing your daily work!

I will too.

 

[f121]

Is it still ok there cause I’m sure other people would love to visit?

Nah, it’s shite. Full of tourists taking selfies next to phone boxes and half the pubs kick out at 10pm.

 

[Old tool guy]

and half the pubs kick out at 10pm.

Not a problem, just go to the other half.

 

[littlebean]

Not a problem, just go to the other half.

no point they shut at 9....

 

[sawduststeve]

It’s about time you posted again.
Is this the house they spent too much on? About how much is the market price for that?

Hiya mate.
Sorry I’ve been slacking, things got a bit hectic for a while.
Yep, that’s the house
Started like this


Throw money at it and it finishes like this

Probably spent £400k total including purchase and worth possibly £300k

Steve

 

[Old tool guy]

Well that’s a problem. Did they spend much on the dead possum skin on the railing?

Seriously … how old is the house?

 

[sawduststeve]

Excellent choice Steve.

Thanks, it went surprisingly well, from the van onto the boat and into the house in an hour.
I don’t know what all the worry was

Brave man. I take it Mrs. Sawdust is not a regular reader of this forum.

No she’s not, but then she does have a weird sense of humour, she married me.

 

[sawduststeve]

hopefully you'll find something to show us your workmanship on.............

I’m sure there’s a list somewhere with my name on it

ah you have - it's **** that there's people out there prepared to rip someone off for a quick quid though

Yeah, I think the guy thought we were just gonna **** it up. After the refund I think we paid £300 for the usable bits. **** me though, it was a hell of a lot of work to make it all fit.

cargo barge is cool and everything looks to coming along nicely
I shall now sit back in my comfy chair and await the next instalment, clocks ticking

Now that’s what I need a big comfy chair. Who supplied yours.

Steve

 

[sawduststeve]

Great update thanks, I will miss seeing your daily work!

I will too.

Thanks guys.
There’s a possibility I’ll miss the daily work , my knees won’t though. Now seems like a good time to stop, there’s plenty of different stuff to do.

 

[sawduststeve]

Well that’s a problem. Did they spend much on the dead possum skin on the railing?

Seriously … how old is the house?

I’d guess about 125-100 years old. I’m meeting with the clients Friday, I’ll ask, if I remember.
Port Isaac on the other hand has been about a while


Steve

 

[littlebean]

Now that’s what I need a big comfy chair. Who supplied yours.

can't remember but do remember the frustration of the sales team when we went looking for one.........
apparently getting up and heading off to the next option almost before you've sat down in the first one isn't the done thing
sales people would descend only to find I'd already moved on