Mike's Garage & House Projects

[mfg0772]

Here it goes....I've been putting this off for far too long. I've wanted to get my garage/workshop in better shape before I shared here but at the rate I'm going, that will never happen.

I'm not proud of its current state but, if I've learned anything here in the last year or so, its that perhaps one of the biggest things this forum has to offer is giving people a place to go for accountability. So here I am. Without further ado, here it is:

So there it is in all its glory. Right now, its a dumping ground. I need to get better about that. I have the bad habit of expending all of my energy on a project and when the project is done, or I'm simply done for the day, then I dump everything and go in. I get this cleaned up every so often but it doesn't take long to end up like this again. I have some big plans to make this space better but I have a few other projects for SWMBO to get done first.

So on to those projects....

 

[mfg0772]

We moved into our house 2.5 years ago. SWMBO loved the house and its potential. Apparently, she mostly loved its potential. I've been checking projects off for the last two years. Right now, I am in what was supposed to be a guest room. In reality, I took over the space about 1.5 years ago to redo and it has become my indoor workshop while I do work in some other rooms. Well, now, we are expecting a new girl in July and my 3yo son is going to move into this room so she can have the smaller room. The pressure is on now. Here's it's current state:

I've already scraped the popcorn ceiling, pulled up the carpet and removed trim. Now I'm patching holes in the sheetrock and adding some switches. Next is to put down the subfloor overlayment, cut new trim, paint/prime, put up crown and window trim, install new floors, and install baseboard. Ok, that list doesn't sound too bad. I'll keep plugging away and post updates here. Like I said before, my main motivation for posting here is accountability.

I'll work on getting some more pictures of both my other recently completed projects as well as the other ongoing work.

 

[mfg0772]

Not much in terms of pictures today.

It was finally nice out so most of the day was spent outside. I will post pics at some point but I'm doing some fairly major work in my yard - clearing and regarding. My dad is a contractor so I try to steal his skid steer as much keep this possible to try to get things done. A few weeks ago, I blew a hydraulic line and had to bring it in for repair. Today, I finally got the call that it was ready so I spent - according to my wife - a lot of time moving dirt. It's hard for her to see the progress but it needed to be done to keep things moving forward.

After getting the “Its dark out and late, you need to stop bothering the neighbors and come in”, I put in a little work on my sons new room. Nothing picture worthy, just another coat of joint compound on the patches I mad in the walls.

I wanted to call it quits but convinced myself to head out to the garage for at least 10 min to do some cleaning/organizing. Once out there, I was motivated and spent 30 min revealing a flat surface on my work bench. Who would have ever guess that was there.

 

[fourbyford]

Hey Mike... it sounds like you and I could be brothers... lol
I tend to do similar things... charge head on into a project, dragging out the tools I need to get the job done. Then, as I come to the end of one project, I dont always take time to put everything away. Some of that is warranted... I use a lot of the same tools on various projects so, those generally don't get put away...
Anyways, after about the third... or sixth project, things can be a mess.
I have been getting better... as you say... accountability... A couple of days ago, I searched through several things looking for a tool... no bueno... So, I took a chance and looked in the drawer... and there it was! Damn... how cool was that?? ...lol
Anyways, it looks like you are making lots of progress! Keep up the great work... and the posts!

...D

 

[Trapps]

Nice start, welcome to GJ. You will find an absurd amount of content and inspiration here. It's been longer than I'd like to admit that I've had the 'prep the room for the new arrival' concern but i do remember. Good Luck to you!

 

[mfg0772]

Hey Mike... it sounds like you and I could be brothers... lol
I tend to do similar things... charge head on into a project, dragging out the tools I need to get the job done. Then, as I come to the end of one project, I dont always take time to put everything away. Some of that is warranted... I use a lot of the same tools on various projects so, those generally don't get put away...
Anyways, after about the third... or sixth project, things can be a mess.
I have been getting better... as you say... accountability... A couple of days ago, I searched through several things looking for a tool... no bueno... So, I took a chance and looked in the drawer... and there it was! Damn... how cool was that?? ...lol
Anyways, it looks like you are making lots of progress! Keep up the great work... and the posts!

...D

Maybe it's justified, maybe (probably) it's not. Sometimes, I'm just rushing to get back to the family, although I guess I'm taking more away when I have to spend a full day getting things cleaned up and organized. My in-house workshop started as a place to be able to paint in the winter without being in the cold garage. It too turned into a dumping ground.

Nice start, welcome to GJ. You will find an absurd amount of content and inspiration here. It's been longer than I'd like to admit that I've had the 'prep the room for the new arrival' concern but i do remember. Good Luck to you!

I've been lurking for quite some time and felt that I really needed to start my own thread in an effort to interact more. It was a post by lilscorpion a week or two ago about having multiple tape measures because you can't find the one you knew you had. It hit close to home.

Not too much work today as the little guy turned 3. I did spend a few hours in the skid steer doing some more grading. For reference, the first two pics are from when we bought the house. The last few are from today. Lot's of work has been done to get this far and there is still quite a bit to go.

After:

The shed shown in the before pics is immediately to the right of this pic.

 

[mfg0772]

I've been slacking on posting but that's not due to lack of progress. Most of last week was spent moving dirt and getting stuck in the mud....no pictures of that. We finally had some nice weather this weekend and I wanted to pick up the garage a bit. SHMBO thought a fit punishment for my creation of a total mess would be to completely empty the garage and clean everything, purge, and re-organize (I didn't let on that I liked the punishment - and she even helped).

You can scroll up for the before disaster but here is the after.

I swear kids toys take up more room than all my stuff.

Then, onto the real progress. I threw together a screen from the pool equipment.

But the big news here is that everything got put away after so the garage is still in tip top shape.

A lot of talk on Gregor's thread lately about shaving yaks (go read it if you need an explanation) and I am definitely in that position. I plan to insulate and sheet rock and upgrade lighting in the garage among other things. However, I needed to put a new roof on the house...I have a small leak over the garage and I don't want it to ruin any work I do. No leaks anywhere else though so I likely won't be taking that project for 6-12 months. Why do now what I can put off until later I think that's how it goes.

 

[yetibiker]

You, sir, need a shed for the kid’s stuff. It is great when the only mess in there is yours.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[mfg0772]

You, sir, need a shed for the kid’s stuff. It is great when the only mess in there is yours.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I know right?!? I have a shed but that’s full of lawn equipment. We have talked about doing a little bump out off the side of the garage, maybe 6x12 or so but I don’t want to settle. I’m planning a full size stand alone shop but that would be several years out and I’m afraid that doing a bump out would push that out further. So for now, just dealing with the kid stuff. I will say that it is nice to be able to walk out and let the little guy pick what he wants and go on our way.

 

[mfg0772]

Another busy week/weekend. I'm keep telling myself that I will post after I finish a project but that doesn't seem to happen. On the plus side, I am putting things away when I finish a project so I will consider that a win.

There was lots of dirt moving this since my last weekend. I relocated about 12 yards of wood chips. I will get those posted and try to give them away. I still need to put some timber's around the little guy's playscape and use some of the chips there. Then I moved all my log length wood and some of the cut and split wood. I have about 15 cords is need to process and get sold this summer. You can see some of it in the pic and you might be able to make out the two stumps I removed as well.

The little guy and I also made 3 trips on Saturday morning to pick up 4 tons of 1/2" stone. It was tough getting it back in the yard since everything is so muddy right now. That will set me up to relocate the shed in the next week or two.

Also in preparation for that, I borrowed my dad's old surveying equipment and set out to re-locate my property corners. I knew the pins were there but couldn't find them. This got me close enough that I was able to relocate them and set a line from which I can work.

I also had a quick little project pop up. My son's little trampoline that he just got 2 weeks ago for his birthday broke. One of the legs just fell off when he was dragging it across the room. Luckily I was able to weld the bracket back on. I forgot to take pics so I only have 1 in progress shot. Don't worry, it was not pretty. I'm not sure I would even describe myself as an amateur welder but I'm trying to learn.

In between all that, I worked on getting the subfloor down in my son's soon to be new room. Doesn't seem like much but I had a lot of **** to get out of there to make any progress. I still have some to screw down but at least it is all cut and fitted.

I need to make a lot of progress on his room this week so that will be my focus.

 

[mfg0772]

Not too much going on so far this week. I did knock out a pretty quick project though. I got timbers installed around the little guys swing set. That was the easy part though, now I need to fill it in with wood chips.

I also need to figure out what to do with that slide laying on the ground. It wasn't part of the swing set when we got it but my wife got it for free. Thinking I might try to make a platform off the back for it but I'm not sure yet.

Other than that, trying to get his new room primed and painted this week to keep that moving forward.

 

[sean Buick 76]

Fantastic project! I am the same way. Honestly I had a messy garage with tons of potential but no follow through. I was spinning my wheels.

Until I found this page and i made a few efforts:

1. Drink less alcohol. Till the days work was done.
2. Make steady improvements each day, even if it is only 5 minutes of progress.
3. Be humble and post pics of the progress even if you know you could have done more.
4. Once you start posting your daily or weekly updates you will be inspired to do better!

 

[bj383ss]

Mike just found your thread. You are making great progress. When I saw the first pictures I was like he needs a shed! Then I saw you had a shed. Damn can't offer that advice. Maybe you need attic space?

I remember all the kids toys in the garage and the living room and anywhere else. I swear at one point our living room looked like a daycare. Now all they are interested in has to connect to the internet or have a controller. So more space for me. Only problem is they are using all my bandwidth .

Looking forward to your updates. And there is nothing like a new baby to get you motivated!

Bret

 

[mfg0772]

Fantastic project! I am the same way. Honestly I had a messy garage with tons of potential but no follow through. I was spinning my wheels.

Until I found this page and i made a few efforts:

1. Drink less alcohol. Till the days work was done.
2. Make steady improvements each day, even if it is only 5 minutes of progress.
3. Be humble and post pics of the progress even if you know you could have done more.
4. Once you start posting your daily or weekly updates you will be inspired to do better!

Thanks for stopping by. I laugh at the girls who I went to high school with who post workout stuff on Facebook to "be accountable" but I guess we are doing the same thing with our shops so maybe I will be less judgmental. It may not work for everyone but it seems to help me.

Mike just found your thread. You are making great progress. When I saw the first pictures I was like he needs a shed! Then I saw you had a shed. Damn can't offer that advice. Maybe you need attic space?

I remember all the kids toys in the garage and the living room and anywhere else. I swear at one point our living room looked like a daycare. Now all they are interested in has to connect to the internet or have a controller. So more space for me. Only problem is they are using all my bandwidth .

Looking forward to your updates. And there is nothing like a new baby to get you motivated!

Bret

I shouldn't complain about the toys. If they weren't parked there, the wife's car would be so its all the same for me. We actually were talking about it when we emptied out the garage and decided that she is good parking outside and that we will just store them in the attic during the winter so her car can be in when it snows.

I do have an attic over the garage with pull down stairs however I have always been hesitant to use it with the exception of outside Christmas decorations. My thought was that if I'm putting something up there, I should just get rid of it since I am not using it often enough. That said, I just started using it more so I will just need to make sure I keep that area under control as well.

 

[captain14]

A little progress everyday will help.

How many pictures did you post in #10 & 11? I see the little squares in both like their missing an additional photo.

 

[mfg0772]

A little progress everyday will help.

How many pictures did you post in #10 & 11? I see the little squares in both like their missing an additional photo.

4 pics in #10 and 1 pic in #11. Strange - looks fine to me but that wouldn't be the first time.

 

[captain14]

I only see 2 in #10 and 0 in #11

Just the little squares

Try below?

I am not an IT expert but something about dropping the “s” or extra “s” if you are using Imgur?

 

[mfg0772]

I only see 2 in #10 and 0 in #11

Just the little squares

Try below?

I am not an IT expert but something about dropping the “s” or extra “s” if you are using Imgur?

I think I fixed it. Who knows, I've been doing the same thing each time so your guess is as good as mine.

 

[captain14]

Showing up now. What did you do different?

Whatever you post you can see from GJ member says about photos.

 

[mfg0772]

Showing up now. What did you do different?

Whatever you post you can see from GJ member says about photos.

I got rid of the 's' as you suggested. Not sure why that mattered since I had left it on other pics and it seemed to work but I won't do that anymore just to be safe.

 

[mfg0772]

So I've been slacking on posting again but not due to lack of progress, mostly due to lack of photos. Maybe someday I'll get better at documenting.

This weekend and this week have been busy. I put added timbers and wood chips I had under the swing set and stained the whole thing. It was frustrating to have the skid steer sitting right there and have to use a wheelbarrow but my grass is finally coming up so I couldn't risk tearing it up.

Also cut down the last few trees that were in my way. Now I can grade and get ready to move the shed.

I also got the new room primed and put up two coats of paint. No pictures there but I will grab some at some point.

Last night, I was replacing outlets in the new room (upgrade to white but also a better outlet that isn't worn out). After that, I decided it was time to tear down my vintage craftsman table saw. I actually have 2 of them. One was my great uncles and the second I recently bought for cheap to get the aftermarket fence off it. So, I figured I would start with the saw I bought as practice and then I will do my family saw next.

Again failed to get pictures but it is all torn down and I started cleaning it up. I did get one pic and will take some more tonight. This should be a fun little project.

 

[mfg0772]

Just a quick update from Saturday, I'll have to get pics from today's activities and update that another time.

I started by getting rid of the last of my wood chip pile. By my estimate, I was able to give away about 10 yards of chips so that is one huge obstacle out of my way. Since I don't have a ton of room, I find I spend just as much time moving and re-moving things as I do actually doing productive work.

I also spend a bit of time in the garage. On Friday night, I cleared all my tools out of the new room and just dumped them in the garage since it was late. I got all that picked up to keep the garage in as good of shape as possible. I can't believe how many tools found their way into the house. It took a bit of reorganizing but I found a home for everything.

The big activity for the day was the shed. I'll start with the fact that we were right on the edge of a storm band. The weather kept showing that it was going to rain and even that it was raining when in fact it didn't. My wife went over to her parent for a bit so I figured it would be a good time to tacked the shed without SWMBO looking over my shoulder. We all know how this story goes...as soon as I get the shed emptied out, it starts to rain.

So, why did I need to empty the shed?

Pick up...put down...turn around...pick up....

And relocated!

And the best part is that I had it down before the wife got back. It got a bit hairy at a few points but overall went off without a hitch. And of course, once the shed was moved, it stopped raining .

Then came loading it back full. I was able to purge a few things in the process. I was also able to convince the wife that I need to build some shelves in there to make easier to get things so that project will be moving up the list a bit.

Anyone have any ideas on getting moss of the roof? I will be re shingling it when I do our house within the coming year but SWMBO seems to think the moss must come off now.

 

[BORING HOP YARD]

Before we put a metal roof on the house we used to fight moss every year like your shed.
I found two things that worked well.
I put "Moss out" in some old knee hi nylons my wife had "about the size of my fist" and placed them at the peak of the roof, it killed the moss but it took a few times get all the moss covered. The other way I kind of discovered by accident, I was using weed killer around the house and decided to spray the roof and it worked very well. Good luck on your projects.

 

[mfg0772]

Before we put a metal roof on the house we used to fight moss every year like your shed.
I found two things that worked well.
I put "Moss out" in some old knee hi nylons my wife had "about the size of my fist" and placed them at the peak of the roof, it killed the moss but it took a few times get all the moss covered. The other way I kind of discovered by accident, I was using weed killer around the house and decided to spray the roof and it worked very well. Good luck on your projects.

Thanks for the advice. I had weed killer in my sprayer already and thought about using it but instead walked around the walks and driveway spraying weeds to use it up so I could instead spray with a bleach solution. So far, that doesn't seem to have worked so I will try weed killer next.

 

[mfg0772]

Sunday/Monday weren't overly productive as we had a few people over both days.

I did get the end of the wall I build excavated so I can finally finish that project.

Since grade slopes down in two directions there, I am returning back into the lawn so that grade only has to slope one direction.

I had a helper so it wasn't the most productive work I could have done but he was having fun helping me and I enjoy his company.

Overall, I got over half of the work done but since I was going right up until dark, I didn't take any pics of my progress. Hoping to finish that up in the next day or two.

 

[38 Dodge Coupe]

Regarding the moss on your shed roof- I have a pressure washer that allows me to adjust the pressure at the nozzle. I use a wide pattern nozzle and turn down the pressure to remove that from my shed roof. You want to be careful not to hit it to hard- very similar to cleaning a wooden deck.

 

[mfg0772]

So I guess I haven't updated anything since 5/26 oof. Between all of the projects, having a second kid, starting an MBA program, and life, this took the backseat. Nonetheless, I'm back and will try my best to catch up.

I believe that when I last left off, I had precariously moved by shed with the skid steer. Now that it was relocated, it was time to finish grading the yard. To do that, I had to dig out a small bank and build a rock wall tying into the rest of the wall I built to keep water from draining into the pool area.

Of course, I had a helper to keep me moving and working as efficiently as possible.

And completed. Look at that, I actually finished a project in a timely manner.

Moving on from that was getting a fence. I’ve gotten rid of most the trees on my property, but my neighbor still has lots of trees. And they hang over my yard. With a little convincing, he let me clear back about 20’ onto his property. When I asked him how far I could cut, he asked how far I wanted to go. I told him he better show me what works for him because I will cut every tree if he doesn’t. This should help the leaf situation in the fall and hopefully let a little more of the late afternoon sun hit the pool.

Back to the fence part, now that the trees were down, the fence could go up. I got a killer deal (i.e. material cost only) since my best friends dad owns a fence company. They brought in a handy little machine and we got started putting posts in. About 3 days of putting posts in and we threw up the infill in a day.

And since no good dead goes unpunished, we found my drain lines that serve the downspouts. I knew about where they were and knew we were close. Unfortunately, due to the need to have a specific gate location and a tree stump, we didn’t have a choice where the hole had to go. Obviously, we found the pipes – dead center.

With those lemons, I made some lemonade. The four pipes have always daylighted in the middle of the yard and the abundance of water in that area would kill the grass. I took the opportunity to build a small distribution box where the four 4” pipes would enter, and I would exit with a single 6” pipe. I then dug a trench over to a wooded area to let it discharge over there. Much better.

With that completed, it was time to turn my attention to the pool. I pulled up pavers and put down concrete last year but left a void for new coping. With gas prices falling earlier this year, I decided to drive to Pennsylvania and get some bluestone coping. Since that is the source, it is much cheaper there than here in Connecticut and is was a short 4 hours each way. Of course, the battery died in my truck right after I loaded up to come back. Small detour to pop in a new battery and I was headed home.


I used a grinder to cut off the aluminum coping. I left the lower portion as that is the liner track. I was prepared to replace it with the right liner track but wanted to see if this would work to save me some money and time.

Success. Test pieces are in. Now I can confidently cut away all the coping and get the stone down. Per usual, my helper was with me to make sure this was done in record time.

Here it is mostly finished. I used a self-leveling joint sealant to finish it off. No good pics of that but you can see a bit under the cover.

Next was a small garden bed for the wife to plan raspberries next year. Again, with a helper.

Finally, I had to replace my pool pump and filter. The pump froze up one day and the next was working again. Rather than risk it, I searched for something new. I fond nearly new variable speed pump and DE filter for sale and picked those up. Unfortunately, it needed 2" plumbing and I was at 1-1/2". That's ok, I had been unhappy with how the setup had previously been plumbed so this was the opportunity to redo it to my liking. I will say, I had a good run with the old equipment which we believe was original (30 yrs). I dug up everything and buried all new lines. Finished product:

That was it for outside work this year. I am pretty happy with how the grass came in but will be adding some more topsoil next year and overseeding to try to get it as perfect as possible.

So earlier, I mentioned getting another bedroom updated on a tight schedule before my daughter was born. Well that didn’t happen, but I had the SWMBO’s blessing. She wanted me working outside so that’s what I did. We are now back to crunch time to get the room done with the goal to be complete by Christmas. Last week, I got trim up around the windows and crown molding installed. Now I am filing nail holes and imperfections.

That’s current for now but I’ll try to get back on the wagon and keep things updated. I still have lots more projects on the way including getting the garage back in order.

 

[mfg0772]

No pictures this weekend, not that you want to see me filling and sanding nail holes. It's not exciting but it is progress. I also did some quick garage organization. While I've been meaning to do it for some time now, it was done out of necessity this time since the snow blower was buried and I had to get it out. I'll keep pushing though this week and hopefully get to something that is picture worthy.

 

[mfg0772]

Just a quick update. I got the room done before Xmas so I got some bonus points. Here are some pics from the 23rd when the little guy moved in. I've since put up curtains, changed out the fan, and built some book shelves.

I haven't been good with posting because as soon at this was done, it was onto the next project. I am building some end tables and a coffee table for our living room. Will try to get some pics up later tonight of that. I'm getting close on that project and hope to be done by the weekend.

 

[mfg0772]

Ok, so I **** at posting. It seems something has to give and it usually is posting here and picking up my 'shop' area when I'm done working are the things that always get cut.

So I had hoped to be done with my most recent endeavor by this past weekend, but, alas, life had different plans. Now I'm shooting for this coming weekend. Who knows, maybe it will happen, maybe it won't.

So lets get to the good stuff to get caught up to current. I spent one day on this in Feb. 2020 getting all my steel cut and a few frames welded up. I would weld and my dad would grind. We had a good system. Then, between life in general, competing projects, and COVID, the project sat until after Christmas. My dad and I spent another two days getting everything, welded, ground, and hit with the flap disc. Since then, I've been spending a few hours here or there whenever I can get a chance. Painting is tough since it is too cold outside. I've resorted to the basement but creates fumes so I need to plan it for when everyone is gone for the day so that has been a challenge. Regardless, everything is primed and pin holes are filled. I also bought my wood. I was originally going to get white oak but ultimately choose ash since is should stay whiter in the long run. Below, you can see what I started with and where it ended up. I also had to do a glue up for my larger table.

The slabs were all 2"+ thick. They had been air dried for quite some time so moisture content was good. Warping and checking wasn't too bad. The worst was on the piece I glued up although I could have planned it better.

For my first ever glue up, it went off without a hitch.

I think I have about 6-8 hours into milling the slabs. I went from 2"+ to 1-1/4". I also purchased a new Bosch router and Metabo belt sander in the process to help the project along. The router is a major upgrade to the old Black & Decker I am always borrowing from my dad. And the belt sander was a necessity if I was ever going to get them finished since my random orbital just wasn't the right tool for the job. I'm happy with both purchases and am justifying them as being both tools I have wanted for a while anyways and deserved since I'm saving since my wife didn't buy this stuff from West Elm. I will likely be a wash in the end and will have taken longer.

I did a quick assembly to use a pattern bit to get the slabs to the exact size of the tables. Everything is now disassembled. I'm testing finishes today. I also need to sand the high-build primer. Hoping to paint on Wednesday and get whatever finish on throughout the week.

I do need to wait for Amazon to bring me a new 1/4-20 tap for my leveling feet that I am adding. I broke the two I had with 3 holes to go so that put a stop to that aspect yesterday.

Overall, forward progress continues. Hopefully I am getting into a groove, both with the projects and posting.

 

[captain14]

With the helpers around, you will never get much accomplished. Fact .

If you let the 3 year old work with you maybe the next project is an outside wash area so he doesn’t track everything inside . It’s only going to get worse as he gets bigger.

But you are getting something done, even if it’s 5 minutes worth at a time.

I’m not sure but are you missing photos from post #27 on? I see one.

Moss in the roof? Ask This Old House did a segment once. Fill long thin narrow socks with Tide soap powder and place at the ridge line and let the rain wash it away.

 

[cwise]

Lots of projects, great work. I really like the stone wall around the pool.

 

[mfg0772]

With the helpers around, you will never get much accomplished. Fact .

If you let the 3 year old work with you maybe the next project is an outside wash area so he doesn’t track everything inside . It’s only going to get worse as he gets bigger.

But you are getting something done, even if it’s 5 minutes worth at a time.

I’m not sure but are you missing photos from post #27 on? I see one.

Moss in the roof? Ask This Old House did a segment once. Fill long thin narrow socks with Tide soap powder and place at the ridge line and let the rain wash it away.

Ok, I looked back and see we have gone through this before with picture issues. It looks fine on my computer but when I looked from my phone, no pictures. I went back and added the 's' to the image link and it seems to be working from both my computer, phone, and the app but I will need someone else to confirm. Hopefully this fixed it because there were a lot of missing pictures.

I love that the little guy wants to work with me, the only complication is meeting SHMBO's imposed deadlines.

There are many days where he is stripped down, hosed off and then brought into the house.

Lots of projects, great work. I really like the stone wall around the pool.

Thanks. The original owners had put in the wall at the deep end of the pool but then it transitioned to a landscaped bank. We wanted more sun, less maintenance, and more room around the pool so clearing it all out and extending the wall seemed like the only option. My first (and hopefully last) wall.

 

[captain14]

Post 27 looks good except one spot between the seeding and doing the bedroom paragraphs

Not sure. If there is a photo for 29 and 30 is Good

I remember getting hosed off outside in my younger days. Builds character!

 

[mfg0772]

Post 27 looks good except one spot between the seeding and doing the bedroom paragraphs

Not sure. If there is a photo for 29 and 30 is Good

I remember getting hosed off outside in my younger days. Builds character!

Phew, I think I've got it now. I had an extra 's' on one of the pics on 27. Not sure what was wrong on 29 so hope that's good now too. Not continuing to make these mistakes is a reason all of its own to post more often.

 

[mfg0772]

I wish I had a better update since last week but I just don't. I disassembled the tables last week and got the frames painted. They look pretty good. I did some test finishes on some of my scrap material and got something we were happy with. I then did the same steps and...it came out nothing like the sample. So, this weekend, I had to sand everything down again and start the finishing process over.

I'm three coats of stain in now. Hopefully one or two more will get me where I want to be. Then, to apply the color wash and poly. Progress is moving forward, just not as quickly as I had hoped.

 

[mfg0772]

This project has been a long time in the making for me but I can finally report that I am finished. I put the last coat of the temperamental Polycrylic on last night. This morning, it was dry enough to bring the frames and tops upstairs and get them assembled. In hindsight, my judgement was clouded by my desire to please SWMBO not accounting for the impossible task of keeping a 3yo from trying to touch, climb on, cover with toys, etc. the not yet fully cured poly. But, theres no going back now so I will sit on the couch and guard the tables tomorrow to keep his grubby paws off. Actually, I could use a day on the couch so maybe this is working out in my favor. I'm sure SWMBO will cut me a break on all the other projects to sit on the couch. Who am I kidding, I better have my helper with me as I work on more projects tomorrow. So, without further ado:

Up next is building some cabinet doors for the built ins I build about a year and a half ago. I mean, who really needs cabinet doors.

 

[nicholam77]

Those tables came out really nice! Totally looks like they could have been bought at West Elm. I feel like DIY projects often end up costing way more than expected and sometimes dangerously close to the “real” thing. But buying from a store won’t give you the pride in creating something or the excuse to pick up some new tools. [emoji16]

My daughter isn’t quite old enough to really “help”, but even just finding the time to make stuff with kids is hard. You’ve done a great job on all your projects, and I think it’s great to involve them even if it slows you down.

I have that same rug as a kitchen runner.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[mfg0772]

Those tables came out really nice! Totally looks like they could have been bought at West Elm. I feel like DIY projects often end up costing way more than expected and sometimes dangerously close to the “real” thing. But buying from a store won’t give you the pride in creating something or the excuse to pick up some new tools. [emoji16]

My daughter isn’t quite old enough to really “help”, but even just finding the time to make stuff with kids is hard. You’ve done a great job on all your projects, and I think it’s great to involve them even if it slows you down.

I have that same rug as a kitchen runner.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

Thanks Nick. Even with the tools, I think this one came out *slightly* less than buying. You are spot on with the real advantage being new tools and a chance to hone/show off my skills. The other advantage, and the reason I originally considered building was getting exactly the pieces that worked for us. Because of the way we set up the room, we wanted very narrow tables on each side of the couch, something that didn't seem to be offered. I also used 1" stock which I think looks much better than the smaller stock that West Elm uses.

 

[quadrcr87]

Mike,
For some reason the table photos in post #37 aren't showing up. I checked on the computer and the app. Good progress on getting the garage cleaned up and plugging forward on your projects.