The plan is to install it over the weekend where I can get a buddy or two to help. It supposed to be dry (yes, Portland gets dry days from time to time), but it might be windy which in my opinion is the worst weather to work in. Out in the entrance of the gorge, about 10 miles from my house, they were calling for 50 mph winds.
Remodeling a quaint little farmhouse in Oregon, and getting loads of splinters along the way.
Friday, December 29, 2006
Because It Wouldn't Fit In The Chimney
The plan is to install it over the weekend where I can get a buddy or two to help. It supposed to be dry (yes, Portland gets dry days from time to time), but it might be windy which in my opinion is the worst weather to work in. Out in the entrance of the gorge, about 10 miles from my house, they were calling for 50 mph winds.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Oak Tree Tile Trim, Part Three
Then I smoothed the surface out, ready to be tooled:
Next picture is running the tool over the clay. I had to do this several times to take small layers off each pass. Tonight was a good learning experience in this little craft, in that you can't take too much off in one pass because the clay will "tear" off. I also found out that keeping it fairly wet decrease the chance of reapplication of clay. If it does tear or if I found a blemish, I would just reapply the clay and start over. But that's no fun. I really dislike rework.
The finished product:
Tonight I was able to make about 90" of the trim in a matter of about an hour and a half. Here are the 4 sections place on the floor to dry out. I placed them against the wood studs to keep the straightness. But wouldn't it be funny if one of the studs was bowed? Hysterical.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Oak Tree Tile Trim, Part Two
After making the tool that will form the trim's profile, I made a jig that will hold the clay in place, as well as form the back corner:
And a picture of the forming tool IN the jig (this should clear up any fog):
The first trial run:
After letting it dry out a few days, it is firm enough to handle but still slightly wet that modifications can still be easily made. This is same piece on my counter. This practice piece is fairly rough and the final pieces should turn out much smoother as I will put more time into it.
But it works!
Friday, December 15, 2006
Oak Tree Tile Trim, Part One
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
A Different View
So here's another little house tour, from the roof of my neighbor:
And a view of the backyard (the waterfall is just to the left of the birch):
Friday, December 08, 2006
Drywall Finishing
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Mt. Popcorn
That is my ceiling, on the floor.
On Tuesday evening, in preparation for the drywall finish team, I scraped off the popcorn ceiling in the dining room. This was so they could blend the walls in with the ceiling. Also, since I will be installing a tin ceiling, I needed to make a smooth surface to attach the tin panels.
First, I sprayed the ceiling liberally with water, then took a tape knife and just scraped away. It came off fairly easy. The toughest part was cleaning the entire mess.
And the final outcome, not much to look at.....yet.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
One Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty Lights*
That's what I did all weekend. In the cold east wind. Slightly hungover from the irish session the night before. Wearing no gloves.
This is the first Christmas season to hang icicle lights from the gables. I have always wanted to, especially after getting the attic remodel completed. I think a farmhouse looks particularly good with the icicle lights. Unfortunately, I ran out so I wasn't able to get the north gable (or balcony) section completed. Later I was able to find some more lights, though cheaper, I think they'll do the trick. Now, I just have to find the time and the energy - preferably at the same moment.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
A Tight Fit
This biggest challenge to applying the finish panel is locating the openings for the outlets and switches in the panels. The challenge is that there isn't much room for error. Particularly the switches because since they are dimmers, the front face is nearly the size of the cover plates. I knew there'd be no way to cut the openings that precise, so I opted to disconnect them, and feed them through openings which were sized smaller for the electrical box to fit through. Here's a series of photos, in case I lost you:
Monday, November 27, 2006
All Insulation Covered
I'm so glad I don't have to look at the insulation anymore. I'm also starting to feel the dining room remodel come together with having completed this.
Before:
After:
I don't know if it's noticable in the picture but due to the framing, there are some huge gaps in the drywall seams. The next step this week is to hire out for the drywall finish. Hopefully, whomever I hire can work some magic with my horrific drywall hanging.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Pneumatic Nail Gun
Here's a picture of me within the first 15 minutes of using it. If I look relaxed, it's because the picture's totally staged.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
The Panel Wainscoting Has Begun
Before:
After:
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
To The New Owners in 2156
I also stuffed lots of newspaper articles in various spots in the wall for their future discovery, as well as a one dollar bill that I nearly had to reclaim in desparation for a quick cup of coffee at Bipartisan. Fortunately, I had my Bipartisan punch card full so I was due for a free cup.
One of the articles I stuffed in the wall was in regards to Mt St Helens and how the dome is growing so rapidly. Since I had been up there a month earlier, I decided to attach a picture of myself on the rim of St Helens, along with my name, date, etc. It's interesting to think of what the status of that volcano will be upon the time of discovering that article.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
I've Graduated From Lathes
Last Sunday I completed the final touches to the stove pipe install, which consisted of a proper connection to the stove itself with an adapter, and stuffing some fire resistant insulation between the brick chimney and floor. It was now time to make real fire.
I started with some lathes and everything was going great until I had about 6 or 7 lathes really blazing. All of a sudden, smoke started pouring out of the top as if there wasn't enough draft. But how could that be when I had started it slowly? Regardless, I threw a couple of cups of water on it to control it and started over slowly. Very slowly.
Last night, I got the courage to put some real logs (big boy wood) on after warming up the chimney with some simple lathe burnage. It went well for the most part, but there was a moment when it really got going and the whole smoke leakage started up again. This time I was able to control it with the front dampers. With the odd smell of the smoke, I'm wondering if it's just a 'break-in' smell, like of paint burning, and not a draft problem. Time will tell.
Regardless, I'm really having a blast with this new stove. Adjusting the dampers and watching the fire react is really cool.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Fall View From The Balcony
I like the deep orange color against the gray, purplish sky.