Workshop 88

[xtremek]

Are you going to line the "well" with landscape cloth so dirt doesn't seep in between the rocks? That's my plan for the one spot in the driveway I haven't fixed yet.

 

[Mr. 360]

Are you going to line the "well" with landscape cloth so dirt doesn't seep in between the rocks? That's my plan for the one spot in the driveway I haven't fixed yet.

That's my plan currently. I lined the trenches with it and it seems to do a good job so far.

 

[elm_street]

Anybody else in the Great Lakes region been noticing massive rainfall this year or is it just me?

It isn't just you. We seem to be getting more rain overall this year just west of you over here in the Waterloo Region and we have had some pretty heavy downpours as well. On the positive side the lawn and garden are doing well without watering them.

 

[xtremek]

Now that you mention it, the grass is still green and we're into August. So I would say that Michigan is a little wetter than normal.

 

[Mr. 360]

It isn't just you. We seem to be getting more rain overall this year just west of you over here in the Waterloo Region and we have had some pretty heavy downpours as well. On the positive side the lawn and garden are doing well without watering them.

Now that you mention it, the grass is still green and we're into August. So I would say that Michigan is a little wetter than normal.

Thanks guys, glad it's not just me. Like you guys have mentioned, my lawn,wore too has been getting its fair share of work this year. The backyard has the lushest growing conditions I've ever seen in a suburban plot (my wife wants a veggie garden and she may just get it). I actually took the time to sharpen and hone my mower blades the way I do knives and axes, which is it say, very very sharp. This has made a huge difference in the cutting, no bogging down and I can actually hear the sharp 'slicing' noise as it goes through the heavy stuff.

 

[Mr. 360]

Updates post weekend, I'll keep this as brief as possible.

Remember this old nasty basement window well?

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Dug it all out this weekend, digging even deeper than it had been. I attached the corrugated metal to the house with tapcons, and used a sealant to close up the seam between them. I filled the well below the window with stones for better drainage, and topped it off with a rain shield. I also re-graded a slop away from the house/window.

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On the garage, I had enough old eavestrough from the house to do one full side. I still have enough pieces left over to perfectly fit the shed, but I'd like to paint those white first. The other side of the garage has yet to be done, and I'll have to buy the materials.

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Lastly, after waiting about 3 months or so, our driveway finally got paved this morning. The crew did a good job and was quick, though they did accidentally crush the bottom of the new downspout on the house. They handled it very well though, and gave me back a portion of what I owed them, so that I could replace it. In fact, I end up having enough to do the whole garage eavestrough as well from this, so I was happy.

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[Sunbimmer]

.......our driveway finally got paved this morning.

Looking good. Asphalt ???

 

[rmalkow2]

Lots of good improvements there. The driveway looks great and hopefully you will make progress against the water. You might get to test it out this week. Here comes more rain in our area.

 

[aggierailroad]

Is the outlet behind the lathe in the new setup going to be a problem with catching chips/coolant?

Might want to move it a bit higher anyways.

The improvements look great, one bite at a time!

 

[Alexbn921]

Nice work around the window. The driveway looks good too. I think you are slowly winning the battle against the water.

 

[Mr. 360]

Looking good. Asphalt ???

Yep, good ol pavement. I had contemplated pouring a pad out front to extend the floor surface, but the cost was just too much. I ended up getting them to make the slop up to the garage gentler so I could still use the paves surface in summer as an extension of the shop.

Slightly better shot than before.

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Lots of good improvements there. The driveway looks great and hopefully you will make progress against the water. You might get to test it out this week. Here comes more rain in our area.

Thanks, I got a chance to test everything out last night. Not the heaviest rain, but steady... everything so far is nice and dry. I have yet to do the eavestrough on the door side, but that should help even more.

Is the outlet behind the lathe in the new setup going to be a problem with catching chips/coolant?

Might want to move it a bit higher anyways.

The improvements look great, one bite at a time!

Good eye on that one, ya it's directly in the line of 'fling' for anything off the lathe. Currently, this is acting more as a storage spot, I dont use the lathe all that much at the moment, namely due to the cart its on not being solid enough. I plan to build it onto its own bench along the side, sort of back where it was before, possibly with an enclosure for chips and coolant.

Nice work around the window. The driveway looks good too. I think you are slowly winning the battle against the water.

Thanks, and I certainly hope so. I spend so much of my time now waterproofing that I haven't touched the fun stuff like pegboard, wainscoting, etc in months, not to mention that my Willys pickup is still at my parents house and has yet to be moved here. All in good time though

 

[Sunbimmer]

Yep, good ol pavement....

My original idea was to pave my driveway with asphalt too, but I can't find a contractor here in the Netherlands who can and wants to do this, same goes for my second choice, concrete so, bummer, have to find another solution. I like the look of asphalt a lot.

 

[dubber]

Hey Eric, where did you source that rain shield for the basement window?

 

[Mr. 360]

My original idea was to pave my driveway with asphalt too, but I can't find a contractor here in the Netherlands who can and wants to do this, same goes for my second choice, concrete so, bummer, have to find another solution. I like the look of asphalt a lot.

Man, those are kind of the staples around here... bummer. paving stones I guess, or gravel? Gravel's ok for country driveways, not as at home in the city...

Hey Eric, where did you source that rain shield for the basement window?

it's just a Home Depot unit, though Lowes carries the same thing. I used to recall them being thicker and better made though. This thing was like 18 bucks and it feels like the kind of plastic your Pot of Gold's come in at Christmas...

 

[dubber]

it's just a Home Depot unit, though Lowes carries the same thing. I used to recall them being thicker and better made though. This thing was like 18 bucks and it feels like the kind of plastic your Pot of Gold's come in at Christmas...

hahaha. Thanks man. Attacking the potential of water penetration at my new place is my top focus. You've done a great job with your water mitigating projects.

 

[Mr. 360]

hahaha. Thanks man. Attacking the potential of water penetration at my new place is my top focus. You've done a great job with your water mitigating projects.

Haha, all I can say is, Step on it son! I found stuff took a long time to show itself (I was at the house over a year before the basement window had the 'perfect storm'). I guess look at anything and everything around the foundation haha.

 

[Mr. 360]

I had heard that this week is supposed to have a couple days of bad rain and thunderstorms. Seeing as how my garage had only one side of eavestrough, I decided to tackle the remaining side with some new gutter on the weekend. However, my plans on Saturday were foiled, by rain.

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So, making lemonade, I turned my attention indoors and stripped out the old quick n' dirty shelving unit I had made last year. It was mostly empty by this point due to all my cupboards, so losing it wasn't too big a heartbreak.

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It did afford me the opportunity to clean out all the nasty remnants of squirrel damage in that corner too.

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I grabbed the necessary lumber from the massive pile in the middle of my garage (soon to be thinned/gotten rid of), and crafted up an 8' cupboard with the same depth as the one on the other side of the door.

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This gives me yet another 16 cubic feet of storage, though I did have to move the 8' tube light out of the way, making that area a little dark for my liking.

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Up in place (again, after playing a round of heavy garage tetris). This guy will most likely have sliding doors as opposed to regular hinged doors, due to the garage door rail in the way.

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I needed somewhere for the welder to sit until I build myself a cart, so I screwed one of the shelves back in at the same height as the welding table, and tucked my compressor and some steel underneath.

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Seen here with the cupboard partially loaded. I still have to do an organization in there, get rid of some stuff, etc etc.

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Rewarded myself with a frosty beverage. This has got to be my new favourite ginger ale. Ok, that was Saturday taken care of, Sunday was then slotted in for eavestroughs.

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The week before I had taken out the woodstove in preparation for the new eavestrough work (remember my claims of it being terribly out of plumb?). I will have to re-do the chimney anyways, it was so thin that it wouldnt last another season.

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The Home Depot Haul of eavestrough material.

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I bought 5 cans of white spray paint, 2 of which I used on the old troughs off the house (these went on the shed, didn't take a pic yet).

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The other 3 (plus an extra can I had in the garage) were used to re-spray my old brown soffit. I really didn't feel like putting up new stuff when the brown was functional, so I gave it a facelift to match the new troughs. I just held a big piece of cardboard against the wall to mask it off.

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I stitched together the 3 sections of trough and cut out the opening for the downspout. This went well all things considered, but I did make a mistake... we'll see who spots it first (it's not going to be critical, just an oversight on my part).

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In the end, I'm happy with the way it turned out. The downspout takes the water away from the structure, and it should keep my head from getting dripped on when I use the door on rainy days. I need to buy more spray paint for the other side of the garage and get them to match, and maybe someday plumb in a rain barrel . For now, I say bring on the storm, lets test this out!

 

[Nolift911]

Looks great - hopefully the rains will be beaten!!

 

[rmalkow2]

Definitely a lot of good work this past week. The new cabinet and re-org of that corner looks great and much more functional. You continue to squeeze the most out of a small work space.
Eaves look great too and will hopefully make a big difference in water management. I'll do what I can to send some rain clouds east over the river so you can test it out.

 

[Alexbn921]

Looks like a very productive weekend. The eaves trough should make a huge difference in water getting into the garage. The roof has a huge area and dumps all that water right against the wall. Shelf looks nice, to bad that door track is right in the way. Mine messes with me and I wish they where more out of the way.

 

[captain14]

Eric,
Am I missing something here? Tried to view your photos from your 1000am posting but just the little squares there. My IT issues or something else? I am far from a computer person.

Keeping the water from all the structures is good for the long term. "Recycled" the rain gutters is the correct term. Hate to see someone else take your perfectly good gutters and hang them on their shop.

Keep posting your work.

 

[Mr. 360]

Looks great - hopefully the rains will be beaten!!

Thanks, I'm hoping so too. It's definitely been quite the fight so far haha.

Definitely a lot of good work this past week. The new cabinet and re-org of that corner looks great and much more functional. You continue to squeeze the most out of a small work space.
Eaves look great too and will hopefully make a big difference in water management. I'll do what I can to send some rain clouds east over the river so you can test it out.

Send em over, I want to see how this setup works. Once I have all my cupboards in place and have the place organized, my 30-ton shop press will go in where the welder shelf is, so hopefully that'll improve the functionality yet again

Looks like a very productive weekend. The eaves trough should make a huge difference in water getting into the garage. The roof has a huge area and dumps all that water right against the wall. Shelf looks nice, to bad that door track is right in the way. Mine messes with me and I wish they where more out of the way.

Thanks, Im really hoping for the best with the whole water deal. I hear ya on door tracks, the other one is only 4" off the wall and is in the way of my pegboard.. nuisance.

Eric,
Am I missing something here? Tried to view your photos from your 1000am posting but just the little squares there. My IT issues or something else? I am far from a computer person.

Keeping the water from all the structures is good for the long term. "Recycled" the rain gutters is the correct term. Hate to see someone else take your perfectly good gutters and hang them on their shop.

Keep posting your work.

Hmm, that's odd... The pics are located in the same spot as most of my other images. I have used a few shots before from PB, but got away from that cuz it wasnt working so well. And recycling.. well, you know me

 

[captain14]

Ok now the pictures are there to view. I am glad you were able to recycle the rain gutters. Hopefully with all the grading of the yard and driveway you will not be getting water in the shop or the basement

 

[sean Buick 76]

Good solid progress, I like all of the projects!!!

 

[xtremek]

The weather here is supposed to be wet all week, so I'm guessing you'll get the same. Should be a good test of your work. I hope it goes well for you.

 

[Mr. 360]

Ok now the pictures are there to view. I am glad you were able to recycle the rain gutters. Hopefully with all the grading of the yard and driveway you will not be getting water in the shop or the basement

The weather here is supposed to be wet all week, so I'm guessing you'll get the same. Should be a good test of your work. I hope it goes well for you.

Here's hoping guys... Rain coming today, thunder, lightning, the whole deal. I'm fairly confident now i guess, though I should refrain from prematurely saying 'I've fixed everything' until it's been through a few rainfalls

Good solid progress, I like all of the projects!!!

Thanks very much. It's slowly beginning to look like the sketches I did over a year ago, which makes me happy.

 

[Mr. 360]

A quick adjunct to the eavestrough post - I never snapped a pic of the ones I put on the shed.

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I only have one 10' piece of downspout.. I suppose I could cut them both at 5' and kick out higher up, or cut one down 6' and one 4', putting a rain barrel under it. Anyways, this is how it stands now. The white looks a lot fresher than the old brown, and if I can find some cheap off-tint exterior paint at lowes or HD, that shed's getting painted too... Not a big fan of the colour to be honest.

On another note, am I crazy, or have other people in snow-belt regions already begun planning their list of 'to do before the snow flies' chores? I know mine is a little extensive. After all, and I'm sure someone will skewer me for saying this, but it's not too long before this arrives...

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[captain14]

My vote is rain barrels if you can find them at your price. Do you have a garden to use the water? One neighbor use a small sump pump to move the water to the desired spot. Another one has the spigots on the bottom and uses gravity and raised platforms to move the water.

 

[Mr. 360]

My vote is rain barrels if you can find them at your price. Do you have a garden to use the water? One neighbor use a small sump pump to move the water to the desired spot. Another one has the spigots on the bottom and uses gravity and raised platforms to move the water.

No gardens at the moment. When I removed both decks front and back for siding, the gardens came out too. Next year however we'll probably have some gardens out front, and a nice bucket with a tap might just do the trick. I'll have to see if I can find one at a good price, like you said.

 

[xtremek]

I've already got my "Got to get it done before the dandruff hits" list, especially in light of last winter. Just got some hand-me-down Carharts from the BiL, check box one. Get ready for it and it may not hit. Don't prep, and you'll get hit hard.

 

[Mr. 360]

I've already got my "Got to get it done before the dandruff hits" list, especially in light of last winter. Just got some hand-me-down Carharts from the BiL, check box one. Get ready for it and it may not hit. Don't prep, and you'll get hit hard.

Try to catch ol Murphy by surprise eh? I've heard all kinds of mixed reports as to weather predictions for this winter... Some say it's going to be a cold Autumn and winter, and others that it'll be milder el nino.. who knows. I've gotta get the yard cleaned up from projects, and get the woodstove back in with 'chimney 2.0.'

 

[longlivepunk]

Not only do I have a "before snow" list, but I even have a "come spring" list for yard clean-up. Hoping to keep the weeds at bay next year.

 

[HSpencer]

I've been to two county fairs and at least one wagon greasing and I have to admit in my near on to 70 years of life on this earth, I have never heard gutters called eaves troughs. However it is a fitting name for them.
At least now I know I "didn't know" everything!!!!

All looking great Eric

Best Regards
Herb

 

[Mr. 360]

Not only do I have a "before snow" list, but I even have a "come spring" list for yard clean-up. Hoping to keep the weeds at bay next year.

Wow, I haven't planned that far in advance! I mean, I had kinda figured on a garden next year but hadn't planned past that haha. That's ambitious.

I've been to two county fairs and at least one wagon greasing and I have to admit in my near on to 70 years of life on this earth, I have never heard gutters called eaves troughs. However it is a fitting name for them.
At least now I know I "didn't know" everything!!!!

All looking great Eric

Best Regards
Herb

Not to worry Herb, until just recently I never knew they were also called gutters haha. It was someone on this thread that introduced me to that term. Maybe it's mostly based on the area you live, etc. Live and learn I guess, I certainly learn a lot of new stuff on this site. Thanks for the comment! Now, what goes on at a wagon greasing? Or, is it that obvious?

 

[Brewsterg6]

Up here, gutters are found down either side of the bowling alley...

 

[1/2 Cup]

They are called either rain gutters or spouts out here.

Regards

 

[Mr. 360]

Up here, gutters are found down either side of the bowling alley...

That's typically what I think of with gutters, that and roadside gutters.

They are called either rain gutters or spouts out here.

Regards

Spouts.. that's a new one on me



In other news, had a decent rainstorm last night, and everything is flowing nicely. No flooding at all, nada. This is success in my mind

 

[HSpencer]

Wagon Greasing

Back in the day wagons were pretty heavy and big. People would meet at the host farm and a barrel of grease would be on hand. Wagons would be lined up and the wheels taken off and grease mopped on the axles. With the manpower there the wagon could be lifted and the wheels off and back on. There would be women who fried chicken and brought mashed potatoes and green beans and apple pie. The women would bring and trade their canned items. The Jewel Tea salesman would be there in his sales wagon as well, selling all sorts of home needs. The blacksmith would set up and repair any wagons that needed iron work. A preacher would be there and people would get married and also baptised in the creek. Kids would go swimming with the cotton mouth snakes and after that there would be lots of watermelons. In the afternoon old men would sit and sip a jug of "shine" and swap stories. There would be lots of horse trading.
Things of this nature at the Wagon Greasings.

Best Regards
Herb

 

[longlivepunk]

Wagon Greasing

Back in the day wagons were pretty heavy and big. People would meet at the host farm and a barrel of grease would be on hand. Wagons would be lined up and the wheels taken off and grease mopped on the axles. With the manpower there the wagon could be lifted and the wheels off and back on. There would be women who fried chicken and brought mashed potatoes and green beans and apple pie. The women would bring and trade their canned items. The Jewel Tea salesman would be there in his sales wagon as well, selling all sorts of home needs. The blacksmith would set up and repair any wagons that needed iron work. A preacher would be there and people would get married and also baptised in the creek. Kids would go swimming with the cotton mouth snakes and after that there would be lots of watermelons. In the afternoon old men would sit and sip a jug of "shine" and swap stories. There would be lots of horse trading.
Things of this nature at the Wagon Greasings.

Best Regards
Herb

 

[Mr. 360]

Wagon Greasing

Back in the day wagons were pretty heavy and big. People would meet at the host farm and a barrel of grease would be on hand. Wagons would be lined up and the wheels taken off and grease mopped on the axles. With the manpower there the wagon could be lifted and the wheels off and back on. There would be women who fried chicken and brought mashed potatoes and green beans and apple pie. The women would bring and trade their canned items. The Jewel Tea salesman would be there in his sales wagon as well, selling all sorts of home needs. The blacksmith would set up and repair any wagons that needed iron work. A preacher would be there and people would get married and also baptised in the creek. Kids would go swimming with the cotton mouth snakes and after that there would be lots of watermelons. In the afternoon old men would sit and sip a jug of "shine" and swap stories. There would be lots of horse trading.
Things of this nature at the Wagon Greasings.

Best Regards
Herb

Quite the event! Too bad stuff like this rarely happens nowadays. My family has an old farm with wagons laying around, perhaps this used to happen there (it would have been the largest farm in the area some time ago).