Below 265 SQ/FT DRIVESITFAR IS GETTING ORGANIZED in his 9x15 portion of 2 car garage. DIY’s & COOL VI

[Nobody-named-Olli]

Drives, my normal recommendation with carbide blades is to use cutting paste/wax as coolant when cutting metal/ screws. Most of your carbide blades seem to be for nails embedded in wood from what I can make out in the pictures, except for the one still in its package. Generally speaking, everything that says wood & metal or wood & nails is pretty much the lowest tier of available blades. You might have better luck with that blade that is still packaged & cutting paste/wax as coolant.

My go-to carbide blades are the Bosch: https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/starlock®-oscillating-multi-tool-carbide-plunge-cut-blades-43933-ocs-ac/

I do not know right now if these blades are compatible with your generation of Fein multitool or if an adapter is going to be needed. Let me know if you want me to find out/ look into it more closely.

Slow (tool set to 3 or 4 tops!) and as much movement while cutting as you can + the cutting paste/ wax.

That should do the trick. The cutting paste/wax can soil the siding, so keep a rag handy.

I would not recommend that diamond disc on the angle grinder for this, that is unless it is one of those “cuts all” site universal/demo diamond blades.

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[drivesitfar]

Ollie thanks for your very detailed and educational post. I really appreciate the information and I’ll definitely keep this in mind next time.

I didn’t see Ollie’s post before I attacked the siding prep today and there are good minutes and not so good snd more than a few swear words and a fall from a precarious position to remind me I’m not 30 any more.

I ended up using my fien Multy tool with the Diablo nail embedded blade and I’m guessing if it was cedar siding I might have started a fire. There were only 4 screws and sometimes I push the blade hard and sometimes I just let it grind away. I thought the diamond blade on my grinder was a bad idea so no go on that one.

I did manage to get the screws and old unnecessary tar paper out of my way so I can slide up a new piece of siding when I get to that point.

Instead of hammering in 1x4’s for backing with construction glue I had some tap cons that worked great after drilling holes with my new sds plus Diablo 3/16th bit on my Milwaukee plug in roto hammer drill.

I got both sides of the stairs prepped for new hardie plank siding and Azek trim now.

 

[Denwood]

Woody: thanks as always for checking in on my doings and for posting a few good words too.

Maybe I didn’t explain myself correctly but I already own 2 Fein Multy tools and maybe a 18v Ryobi too. The issue is finding a great metal and especially screw cutting blade. Diablo seems to make decent ones for nails and wood but I can burn thru blades quickly trying to cut a few screws.

Anybody have suggestions please post them here and I’ll buy a few and give them a test. I think my diamond blade on my Dewalt 4.5 grinder would work but since screws are behind siding I’m not sure of kickbacks if I can’t see screw.

It’s hot here (96) today so watered lawn and light duty stuff for this old guy cause it will be under 80 tomorrow.

Enjoy your day

Ah, so well equipped

I always a have a pile of blades on hand, but the best for metal are carbide blades, designed for metal cutting, like this: https://diablotools.com/products/DOS125CF The bi-metal blades seem to wear out in less than one cut...

From your pic though, you already have these...

 

[Prospecter]

You got 'er done. That's what counts. I love Tapcons for this sort of application. I also love the old Milwaukee USA corded power tools.

 

[drivesitfar]

Woody: I walked into HD and checked out their sale Diablo blades display and picked up a couple more packs of their nail embedded wood Multy tool blades which seem to work the best. I’m going to check to see if Ollie’s Bosch blades will fit one of my Multy tools and see if his method with greasing and slow cutting works better. I swear that these blades could cause a fire if you’re not careful so all of you bee careful.
I was going to buy a Diablo hardie plank (cement board) 7.25 blade for my skill saw and found a 5 Incher that should fit my Ryobi 18v saw so I can cut up the 10 or 12 foot boards in the parking lot to just throw in my Honda and have less chance of breaking a long piece on my trailer.

P: thanks and I agree All the plug in Milwaukee power tools I own work great and I just never found deals on their 18v tools which probably means they work great too. Still a bit of work to do with siding and trim install but I’m making progress.

Did I mention my bride likes to eat well and she’s a great cook so obviously I benefited these last 40 years with her around. Today it was 3 scrambled eggs and a couple waffles with lots of fresh fruit. I’m good til dinner.

I’m having a couple issues with electrical mostly outlets tripping so I need to do a little modification and replacing almost 20-40 year old outlets. I upgraded about 90% of the wiring from old knob and tube when we moved in 40 years ago and I’ve changed out all the outlets and switches at least once and in most cases twice to modern ones. That said the 40 ish old service panel has some old breakers in it that probably could use and upgrade. I like simple good working ones and some of the new gfci breakers look like maybe they might be a problem later. Anybody have favorite dependable breakers to recommend? The big box stores have some great, good and cheap choices but I think I’ll head to the local electric supply store to get a bit better quality. Platt is the one in our area unless someone knows of another?

BTW we still love this waffle maker we bought about a year or so ago for I think around $50.

Have a great weekend!!

 

[drivesitfar]

I’ve owned Ryobi 18v tools for maybe 20+ years and dewalt 18v for maybe close to 10 and I’m still learning about them.

The small hardie plank 5 inch blade I was going to put in one of my Ryobi 18v skill saws didn’t work cause hole is about 3/4 inch and Ryobi blades usually have a hole about half that size. I thought maybe finding a washer to fill the gap might work but closest I found was a copper lock nut but I would have had to dig out a grinder (I have mine in storage at the minute) so I installed without anything and it might have worked for a few cuts but remembered I also have a dewalt skill saw. The dewalt blade is a bit bigger than the Ryobi blades (6.5 to 5.5) and hardie blade is 5 inch but dewalt uses the same size hole. Even though it doesn’t look correct I think it will work nicely for the few siding cuts I need to make. While I had the old Ryobi blade off I installed a Diablo blade with a few more teeth so I can cut azek trim if I don’t want to pull out a miter saw.

I found the electrical issue before tearing into the service panel to check and or replace old breakers (still looking to do this in future). I had installed a gfci on the inside outlet where I pulled wire to outside one that wasn’t working (pushed the little button in and good to go to power up outside gfci). It’s not easily seen so I did turn on and off all breakers a couple times before I figured it out. I also changed out an old outlet and put in a new waterproof gfci and cover and I’ve got a couple more to do this summer.

My bride is making French toast so we won’t starve and also scrambled eggs do we get our portion of protein too.

 

[drivesitfar]

We tried a different nursery for our tomatoes plants this year and the cherry size sun golds are pathetic but the big heirlooms are Jurassic World size. Anyway same gardener and just different varieties that can make all the difference. These two separate planters had their plants planted within days of each other. Soil and types of plants can make all the difference cause both have been getting plenty of sun and water.

Heading to the first of a few dump runs now that the deck restoration is nearing its end. Lots of to do’s and honey-do’s to do still and maybe guest on list now is building a new gate. I need to figure out a good way to install a couple 6x6’s next to our garage.

 

[M.Brane]

Don't write off the cherries just yet. When we've planted them they eventually try to consume all available space, and keep sending up volunteers long after you've ripped them out.

Deck is looking fantastic.

You have concrete there. I would fab up some square tube support posts, and fasten 'em down with anchors. Then you can attach whatever gate you choose.

 

[Prospecter]

I second M.Brane's thoughts on the posts. Your deck, gardens, and house are spectacular. Just gorgeous.

My cherry tomatoes just haven't done anything this year. (Sweet 100). Odd because they are usually first, and most prolific. However, between drought, neglect, weeds, deer, and groundhogs, the garden has languished.

Love the flowers mixed with the tomatoes.

Always satisfying to clean up and head to the dump.

 

[drivesitfar]

MB: fabrication skills are yet to be attained in my skill set but good idea. Thanks for the good words and idea!!

P: the flowers under cherry tomatoes are marigolds that we buy every year with our tomato starts to keep bugs away. In Jurassic type garden are the flowering ones are actually cilantro that will be a spice (forgot which one at the minute) for our homemade chai we drink daily. My bride makes two batches a week that are amazing. We have one big glass a day usually around 5pm with whole milk or cream and cold.

My thinking on attaching the 6x6’s to concrete next to garage so far is using a few (2 for each post) 6 inch 3/4 inch bolts with the concrete sleeve on them and attach 6x6’s to each pair unless I figure out a better way.

I have at least one mole ringing around our planting areas and he’s popped up a couple times in the middle of my front yard. I am pretty sure he’s not finding grubs under the grass cause I use grub killer in April and September but I was a bit lat (May) this year cause of the new seeding. I may have to relocate him to mole heaven but for now he’s behaving ok.

 

[rharman]

@drivesitfar - On your question about circuit breakers.... It's not an issue of "favorites". You're going to be limited to those that are approved for your panel. Look at the info sheet usually attached to the cover of the enclosure. On some, you'll have to remove the panel cover itself as it may be on the inside.

Besides the big box stores or electrical houses, one online source I know of (but have not used) is CircuitBreakerWarehouse.com

Also, what brand panel do you have. If it's a Federal Pacific (FPE), you would want to replace it.
Federal Pacific Electrical Panel Issues <=== Link

 

[drivesitfar]

RH, thanks for the information!!! It’s not simple to see the name on my circuit panel where it’s located in my garage but I’m pretty sure it was a square D panel.

I’ll pull a couple breakers when I get time after my summer projects and take a few pics and let all of you see and I’ll do some research too.

I did replace all my old outside outlets with new gfci outlets and new covers. AND I just picked up the azek trim that they sell in lumber measurements. A 1x4 pvc board is 3/4 x 3.5 inch. I need a few boards at 5 and 4-4.5 so I picked up a couple 1x10’s I’ll rip with my new track saw. I also picked up a few 12 foot hardie plank pieces and brought my 18v Dewalt with the hardie blade so I could cut off 4 footers I’ll need and do 8 footers could fit inside my Honda pilot. I can carry 10 foot material inside my Honda but if my bride is with me I won’t put 12 footers inside.

Having a great weekend and we had two of our young granddaughters over last night for a sleepover and they loved the new deck to play on.

 

[drivesitfar]

Fires are over an hour away but winds have brought heavy smoke into our area the last few days so outside work has been put on hold.

Mid 80’s still so probably would be closer to mid 90’s without the smoke but that would be awesome if it blows away (or stops burning).

Plants and grass are growing like crazy with just a bit of water and harvested our first big sweet onions and beets. Broccoli and celery are starting to show their potential too.

 

[drivesitfar]

I almost forgot the figs, and lemon cucumbers (tasty and size of a baseball) and pics so here’s a few.

With prices in quality deck and patio furniture more than a bit spendy I found a decent quality two year old set on offerup that will work great for us.

For any of you thee as t don’t know about sunbrella fabric there is a reason why it is two or ten times as expensive as other outdoor fabrics. These simple looking chairs swivel and rock which is what we really wanted.

 

[Prospecter]

Those lemon cucumbers are delicious! I also plant Boothby's Blonde, which is a local heirloom I like even better than the lemon cucumbers. I generally plant both for the sake of redundancy. Never seen lemon cakes as large as yours though!

Sunbrella is good stuff.

What are the boards leaning against your foundation in the second photo?

 

[drivesitfar]

Thanks for the tips on cukes!! Our 4 year old granddaughter eats lemon cucumbers like an apple after we wash it.

Those are removed pieces of hardie plank I cut on different joints so I could stagger the repair. I’m using a few of them either on shorter replacements or ripping them at 2 inches to put under bottom rows.

Hope you aren’t getting any of this smoke residue cause it dampens an otherwise awesome summer weather we are having.

Any buyers giving you the “offer you can’t refuse” yet on your house/farm?

 

[Prospecter]

Thanks for the tips on cukes!! Our 4 year old granddaughter eats lemon cucumbers like an apple after we wash it.

Those are removed pieces of hardie plank I cut on different joints so I could stagger the repair. I’m using a few of them either on shorter replacements or ripping them at 2 inches to put under bottom rows.

Hope you aren’t getting any of this smoke residue cause it dampens an otherwise awesome summer weather we are having.

Any buyers giving you the “offer you can’t refuse” yet on your house/farm?

We only had a few days of smoke early in the summer from fires farther east. Nothing like you folks are enduring.

Lots of saves, lots of showings, but not The One yet.

 

[Denwood]

That deck is looking great. I'd love to see your work flow as you repair the hardie plank. We have that on our upper story and messing with it (as you have) gives me some anxiety! It looks like you have it sorted though...

 

[drivesitfar]

P: good luck on your sale and I’m praying and crossing fingers and toes for you. I bet it’s nice having all your tools and tractors and accessories at one place now.

Woody: I’m not sure what you are looking for but I’ll try to document a few things on the siding repair. We changed our old 4 inch 3 steps from upper to lower deck to 2 6+ inch ones so I needed to pull off about 5 rows of 6.25 inch hardie plank siding. I think we opted and installed these planks with a 4.5 inch reveal.

Getting the old siding out was pretty easy on one side cause I just needed to pull off a nailed in piece of 1x1 inch cedar trim to expose the screws. Then taking the top rows off and exposing the lower screws made they pretty easy. I did cut some of the long planks in place with my Dewalt 4.5 inch grinder with diamond wheel which is my tool of choice. When we installed the hardie about a decade ago I used a sort of scissors made to cut concrete board that I gave to my brother in law that helped and he does construction for his day job. The hardie plank was to replace the failing LP siding I installed another decade or so before that so I just made sure the 1x4’s were still glued and nailed or tap con screwed or ramset nailed to my concrete block home.

The other side of our old steps siding was a bit more difficult taking a strip out of the middle and I talked about it with some pics last week.

There are many choices I could use for the trim that will be painted. I originally installed cedar trim 1x3’s and 1x4’s and the new trim around our deck will be Azek pvc trim. Since I originally had 1.5 inch treated wood decking and I was planning on replacing with clear cedar until my bride convinced me that we didn’t want to restain it every couple years at our age. So with the timbertech being an inch our new azek needed to be 4 inch and believe it or not the pvc products 1x4 is actually 3/4 by 3.5 go figure. Anyway I decided to use my new track saw to rip the 1x10 (3/4 x 9.25) to get my 4 inch and 4 inch plus trim pieces.

Hopefully by the end of next week trim will be installed and ready to paint now that it’s a lot less Smokey around here.

Hope you are all having a grand weekend!!

 

[drivesitfar]

Just in case you didn’t think I was eating well I had two helpings of French toast with berries and walnuts and deli turkey.

It started off the day drizzling so I set up my track saw in my brides side of our garage (after removing her car) to rip my 9.25 inch azek trim into 4 and 5 inch widths to start installing our trim. Then in the Afternoon the clouds disappeared and it was a sunny mid 70’s dummer day.

I only have a couple pieces left to do after today because I also cleaned up the old trim and added 2x3 and 4x4 pieces to extend the old trim down to the timbertech decking.

I decided to rip some of the 12 inch wide timbertech fascia to fill in the 1/2 inch gap under one slider.

 

[drivesitfar]

I’m making slow progress in the azek trim install and only have one piece to cut and install under one of the sliders left.

Then maybe a day to cut and install the pieces of hardie plank. Since we bought our house paint at a sherwin Williams store about 7 years ago they still have our paint color on their books to make us up a couple gallons of trim and house paint.

My bride says it should look better with horizontal pieces being the house color which I think is sandstone and all vertical pieces in sort of a cream color. I’ll sand a bit if the rough edges and caulk gaps and screw and nail heads to smooth things out before my bride paints it. Finally nearing the end and already several more projects are being tossed around.

Have a grand day all

 

[drivesitfar]

When I built our deck 35+ years ago there was a cedar 2x8 under our living room slider that sat on the upper deck framing and deck and protruded about 2 inches. Now that the Timbertech decking is only an inch and not 1.5 inches like the previous treated wood decking I cut off the protruding piece.

Now I’m doing some fine tuning cutting it just under the slider’s frame so a piece of 3/4 inch Azek will sit on its side after I trim it to 2.25 inches. I’m not sure if there is an easier way to cut out this wood under the door frame about 3/8ths of an inch but it’s probably going to work.

I’ll bring back out the Makita track saw and trim a 3.5 inch wide piece to 2.25 then angle the end of it to catch the trim piece that heads a different direction at 22.5 degrees. Did a quick little angle check with some scrap cedar.

 

[drivesitfar]

Now that I’m ready to trim a piece of 3/4 by 3.5 to about 2.25 inch Azek pvc trim to put under our slider I was considering using cooper green or g tape to put on untreated cedar that I just trimmed under the door. BUT about 5 years ago I bought some spendy shellac (or might have different name) I put a couple coats on and outside butcher block top bench that is holding up extremely well. So I think I’ll shellac this piece of cedar, then install the 3/4 inch Azek on its side and caulk the top edge and call it a day. Anybody have a good reason why I shouldn’t use shellac on the side of cedar 2x8 before attaching pvc to it?

BTW we bought Sherwin Williams paint to match our home that we painted 9 years ago and lucky for us they delete customer files after 10 years. That said I bet they could have done a color match. At 40% off it was still $240 for 3 gallons and I know we could have found a better deal but we love sherwin Williams quality.

It’s a foggy start and in 50’s st the minute but supposed to be sunny and 80 later today.

Have a grand day!!

 

[drivesitfar]

On a health related note I’ve been losing hair on top of my head quite a bit the last couple decades and thought it was genetics cause my moms dad was bald at 25.

After reading tons of information there is actually a very specific reason we lose our hair and one of the treatments is to rub onions on your head. We don’t buy red onions regularly but we eat white onions in about half of our dinners so for the last few months I take any leftover ends (juicy side) and rub it in my head. No kidding this seems to be working and a lot of my hair is growing back on top of my head.

Another reason for balding is wearing dirty hats and I’m guilty as charged in that way too so I rarely wear hats now. There is also a solution you can make up with onions and another one that uses rosemary.

Happy hair growing and hope it works for you too.

 

[Jeff Ivers]

Do you have to avoid going out in public after one of those hair treatments?

 

[drivesitfar]

Jeff: I usually do cause we love our home that is like a stay cation.

Honestly if you get juicy onions and put all over your head to the point of almost crying like chopping them it almost is far free and sort of like a jell fir the rest of the evening and some nights I don’t bother washing it out til morning and my bride doesn’t mind.

It’s a process but it seems to be working for this old guy.

 

[drivesitfar]

If any of you are more serious about the daily application of onion for hair growth snd you’d like to go in the public for work or fun you might also alternatively make up a rosemary solution like the one I got from a Central American 80 year old who’s the great aunt of my barber

And another I found online.

 

[Jeff Ivers]

Jeff: I usually do cause we love our home that is like a stay cation.

Honestly if you get juicy onions and put all over your head to the point of almost crying like chopping them it almost is far free and sort of like a jell fir the rest of the evening and some nights I don’t bother washing it out til morning and my bride doesn’t mind.

It’s a process but it seems to be working for this old guy.

I am glad this is working for you and your wife is so understanding. Are you going to share before and after photos? I love to eat onions, but have never really enjoyed the odor - which has me viewing this (from a personal perspective) as a situation where the cure is worse than the ailment.

 

[drivesitfar]

Try it and see how you like it. I’m pretty sure the rosemary version smells a bit better and I hear it works too. Honestly my bride hasn’t said anything about the smell and more than not I shower before I come to bed.

I did explore the pay for hair option and for one I didn’t know anyone that had success and it was $50-100 per month about with no end once you’re started. I’m guessing I’ve read more than 20-30 testimonials of guys having success with onions or other natural products.

Most of you have all your hair most likely so for you how about a semi Smokey sunset pic in case you didn’t get to see it live tonight. This was from the portion of the deck we didn’t get to walk on last summer cause it was just framed without decking.

Have a grand evening!!

 

[drivesitfar]

We got in a good walk today cause I have a goal to lose 10-15 pounds by end of September just because. I’m pretty sure I can do it with less sweets and more days with 8-10,000 steps.

I finished one side of the siding that’s now ready to paint and I’ll do the other side tomorrow that will take a bit more thought and effort cause I’m cutting in the steps. I still need to caulk and maybe sand a bit before my bride can paint.

Instead of starting the other siding repair in the late afternoon sun my bride has taken a liking to my old tequila barrel I used to set my tools on so I sanded it and used up the rest of the star varnish after brushing on a nice coat on cedar 2x8 under the slider.

It’s kinda smoky or let’s say smoggy so maybe another cool sunset tonight and hope you all get to see it or enjoy your weekend

 

[Ford52PU]

Beautiful sunset pictures!! Thanks for posting.
I took this one last week in Chincoteague gotta love a sunset.

 

[drivesitfar]

52: nice pic of sunset and glad to see you enjoyed one of yours.

I actually bought two red onions and hoping I can can cut slices daily to rub on my old balding head each morning to see if regular use helps me have a full head of hair again. Not the end of the world if not but it seems to be helping with white onions a few times a week.

Funny how are August mornings start off cloudy and almost foggy or drizzling and by about 2pm it’s sunny and 80. BTW my hips and knee was super sore in the middle of the night and woke me up and instead of grabbing an Advil (or 3-4) I managed to get back to sleep and feel better this morning. Getting old ain’t for sissies. Speaking of getting old before I met my dream girl 40 years ago I’m sure I ate some of these types of leftovers long after I should have. I didn’t research every one but make sure to have a routine for tossing them or eating them before you eat spoiled or bad food. We have been known to freeze excess leftovers which is another option if you can’t eat them before they spoil in the fridge.

I started a get healthy thread just before I turned 60 and now that I’m 70 I’m doing ok but can always improve.

It’s another good day to be above dirt. Sadly I found out yesterday our new Dr. we’ve had for about the last 4 years passed away from a rare liver disease.

 

[drivesitfar]

Did I mention how much I love ripping boards of pvc or wood with my makita track saw? Well it’s awesome to say the least. The pvc trim is now done and just need to caulk it in and finish the small section of hardie plank siding next to stairs now.

My bride loved my cardboard templates and she joked that we probably could have saved some money if we’d just installed cardboard siding.

Here’s to another grand day above dirt.

 

[drivesitfar]

I finished putting on the missing hardie plank siding and we decided the trim would look better with1.5 inch Azek strips on the steps so hopefully I’ll finish that tomorrow and then caulk and my bride can paint it.

I back cut the vertical piece of trim with my fien and a 1.5 inch blade so the piece would fit and look better.

When we took our annual physical a couple weeks ago my blood pressure was 157/83 which is high for me so our replacement Dr. mentioned it and was willing to give me blood pressure reduction meds and I passed. I know I get a bit amped up going to a Dr or just in general talking to people so I took my BP at home yesterday and it was about what it’s been for the last 50 years since I started paying attention to it.

 

[Ford52PU]

Deck looks good. I like the cardboard template method and will remember that and probably steal that idea from you and tell the Mrs. I thought of it on my own.

My BP is always higher when I first get it taken and then when the doctor comes in and takes it again it drops to close to normal.

 

[drivesitfar]

52: Borrow any tips you can use and own them like you wish cause I’m here to share and I probably learned it from someone too.

I’ll try take a few pics if the back notching I mentioned where I made room for trim without leaving a huge gap where the steps overhang if any of you are interested. Otherwise I’m hoping to have the trim done today and maybe the caulking too. I’m far from the best caulking person as with drywall mud it’s an art but filling gaps and getting good contact is the key. Snd if my bride has her input it probably will have to look better than decent. Wish me luck!!

Sunny in the PNW so it’s a good day already.

 

[drivesitfar]

I am putting away all my cutting and screwing and other tools today cause the deck job is ready to caulk and paint finally.

It’s hard to believe why I didn’t put this Azek trim piece in one of my vises cause it might have saved my thumb a fairly deep gash. I knew to keep my hands out of the way while pushing my fien wood blade thru the pvc but still had a slip.

I’m pretty sure I’ll live and won’t think twice about my thumb in a couple weeks but changing bandages a couple times a day and putting new skin on it will be my new routine.

I’m not super happy about this little step trim but my bride likes it so that’s good enough for me. On to the next project. Started another puzzle just because.

Sunny and 75 after another foggy almost drizzly morning was a perfect weather day.

Hope yours was too.

 

[Denwood]

That is looking great...very nice job on the siding repair!

 

[sawduststeve]

Hi Drives
Just caught up a little with your going ons
Great work with the decking and trims, I have exactly the same model Fein multitool, and it constantly comes in handy, way more than you would think.

No thanks to rubbing an onion on my head, but thanks for the laugh. Had to check the date.
I think it’s an old wife’s tale, to keep young bits of fluff away from the old men.

Keep up the good work
Steve

 

[Prospecter]

You've hung in there on that deck for quite a while now. Congratulations on your strong finish. Looks great.

Sorry about the thumb. Seems like I need to be more and more careful these days. My left thumb was chewed on by a hole saw a couple years ago. Got a fancy scare to show off. We're just at that stage where we need to take care of ourselves, as I know you know.