phoenix / goodwill rebuild

[Magicman]

Thanks for the update Austin.  We have patience but it does not equal your diligence.  You are a good man and we are proud of you.

[Den-Den]

I am glad to hear that you were able to drill through that post, I was concerned that would be a problem.  It is hard to stop and rest when you are sick, hope you get better soon.

[mesquite buckeye]

I never heard of bit extensions. Where did you get those ???


As long as you are moving forward you will get there eventually. ;D 8) 8) 8)
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[beenthere]

Click here:

boring bit extensions

[nmericle53]

Austin, Andy and I really enjoyed this cabinet project together. So glad Stacy is getting her dream kitchen with us being part of it. We always enjoy our visits with you and family. I know the kids think we should just move in! We love seeing the kids growing up. They hold a special place in our hearts. see ya'll soon.

[mesquite buckeye]

 ;D

[dablack]

Austin, Andy and I really enjoyed this cabinet project together. So glad Stacy is getting her dream kitchen with us being part of it. We always enjoy our visits with you and family. I know the kids think we should just move in! We love seeing the kids growing up. They hold a special place in our hearts. see ya'll soon.

Thanks Nancy!  Yes, we are enjoying and slowly finishing the kitchen.  Yes, the kids do love the visits.  They are great kids. 

[dablack]

OK!  Finally some pics!  I'm slowly finishing some things.  None of these pictures are of finished projects but I gotta show somethin'

Dennis kindly cut some 6x6 posts for me.  One of those posts got drilled down the middle and got power to the cook top. 



 

Here is the post installed.  It was first sanded with the belt sander, then random orbit sander down to 180 grit.  Two coats of water based poly and it is up!  Originally I was only going to put in two posts (one on each end of the island) but then I decided I wanted some beams.  The post is 6x6 and the "beam" is 3x6.  I wanted it to sort of look like it was set into the ceiling.  There will be another "beam" that will go to the other post at the other end of the island.  It really helps frame the kitchen. 



 

You can see the 8G and 12G wires that power the cook top and plug on the post.  The next beam that goes up will be notched on the end to go around the wires. 



 

Here is the plug installed.  Took a little chisel work but I got it done. 



 

Finally, here is the new cook top.  The island top is just 3/4" plywood right now.  I stained it with a dark walnut stain and then put three coats of poly on it.  It works great for right now.  Dennis is drying some QS oak for me to use on the top later on. 



 

Also, a while back I remember people posting pictures of there shop/mill dogs.  Well, we don't have a dog anymore but I do have a couple of shop cats.  I don't have a shop door yet so they have taken up hanging in the shop at night.  When we first moved to the property we had a problem with field mice.  Not anymore.  Here is Lucky Black the black cat!



 

Austin

[Andy White]

Austin,
Outstanding !! That dark counter top makes the white cabinet "POP". The top looks like granite. Really shines. Nancy said the cooktop looks right at home setting up there. Looking at the background, it looks like Stacey has the cabinets full. I hope you will have enough space! ha. Every thing looks great, and I can see how busy you have been. Keep up the pretty work.  8) 8)  Andy
When you are ready for those framing chisels, call, and we will make a trip.

[grweldon]

Looks great!  Starting to look like a finished home!

[dablack]

Thanks guys.  I'm no Tule Peak, but I like the way it turned out. 

The juxtaposition of the dark counter tops with the light wood posts really works.  When I get the QS oak from Dennis (den-den), I don't know if I will go THAT dark but it will still be dark. 

Then the white cabinets with the stainless sink, dish washer, cabinet hardware, and a silver tin ceiling, it will going to turn out great.  I have a vision!

[mesquite buckeye]

Starting to look like a home.

Looking good. ;D 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

[PC-Urban-Sawyer]

... I have a vision!

I went to the doctor and found out they have medications for that!!!  :D :D :D :D

Good work.

Herb

[Magicman]

I am loving your plans Austin. 

[drobertson]

Plane flat nice!  real happy for you and your family there Austin,

[dablack]

Thanks guys.  I'm still jumping around between projects but I guess that is how I do things so..... Here you go. 

Thursday after work the talented Den-Den came over to drop off the last load of pine boards and to pick up a few beam trees.  If anyone caught my timber frame post, I plan to build the porch in a "timber frame" style.  I'm not promising metal won't be used....

So, Dennis had already cut me four of the five posts but ran out of trees for the four beams.  Sure enough one of my "big" pines hadn't greened up this year so I thought it would be perfect to take out.  I thought we would for sure be able to get at least two of the 13' beams out of that tree.  NOPE!  Obviously, big is relative.  It was only hiding one 8x10 beam, but will give us at least the other 8x8 post needed. 



 

The good news is, it was dry enough that my little kubota could pick up the 14' log using the BG bucket forks and even taking it up the hill to Dennis' trailer.  It is a little rough down there and I was worried about the trailer getting there. 

So we had to find another pine.  We found another "big" one down by one of the ravines not to far from the driveway.  The only problem is, I hadn't mowed over there and there was lots of brush growing up around it.  While Dennis moved his truck, I mowed a path. 



 

The 14' log was too much.  Too wet.  I was able to move it but no way could I lift it onto the trailer.  No problem for Dennis!



 

[dablack]

In the picture above where Dennis is starting to load the logs on the trailer, the house is right behind those trees in the back ground and is most likely centered in the picture.  Can't see the house for the trees..... old saying. 

Anyway, Friday and Saturday I put up more wall boards and got some of the master bathroom installed.  The sink vanity is just sitting on the platform in this picture.  At that point, I hadn't drilled the holes for the drain and water lines. 



 

Slowly but surely!

[Den-Den]

I like the fact that you are taking the time to do quality work.  It is looking good and getting better and better.

[dablack]

I've got lots of good friends that help me out.

[Andy White]

Austin,
Another fine looking wall job you have there! Things are beginning to come together now. I just hope the dressing table will fit in the remainder of that space! If it don't, ,, I've got a big saw!!  The tin ceiling sounds like a great look for your downstairs. Keep up the good work, and stay safe. We will see you soon.   8) 8) Andy

[1-2 Tree]

I have been watching your build and it just reassures me that there are some good people left .  Best of luck to ya from a fellow East Texan .I guess we should count our blessing everyday . Keep making sawdust you are on the down hill stretch !

[dablack]

Well, it has been a while.  The family and I took about a month off.  Somethings got done in that month but not much. 

Dennis came by with the porch beams/posts on Thursday and I said, I would post something on Monday so here I am. 

Dennis' beams and posts look great.  He supplied five 8x8 posts and four +13' long 8x10 beams!  They were big but the Kubota helped.  I'm not sure when I will get to the porch.  Probably right before I put on the siding. 

The house has stayed nice and cool with just AC upstairs.  It has been really nice with the spray foam and will get even better with the rigid foam on the outside.  I did get to barrow a thermal image camera and using that I found some leaks and some hot spots.  I took pictures with my cell and the thermal image.  I will try and post up those pictures too. 

Right now I'm painting kitchen cabinet doors.  I do three or four every couple of days.  The boss is about ready to get her kitchen table back so I need to finish up!

I also finally ordered the oven today.  We should get it late this week or early next.  WOW!  I got an employee discount and it was still a bunch of money. 

I will try and get some pictures this week. 

thanks
Austin

[Andy White]

Austin,
It's about time! I was almost to the point of calling out the search party to look for you. I know how the time flies by, and how sometimes you just need a break!! Sounds like your project is still moving forward. The porch project should make the front of the house really "pop". When you are ready, I can still cut a joint on a timber frame. Can you see the light at the end of the tunnel yet? I know as the weather cools, my getup really goes into high gear. Your camera must be full of progress by now. Can't wait to see them.   ;D ;D 8) Andy

[Magicman]

Thanks Austin for the update.  I kinda know how building (and $$$) goes, so your progress always brings a smile.   

[dablack]

Thought I would post up some interesting photos (to me at least).  I borrowed the thermal image camera from work and did a little inspection.  Since we don't have sheetrock or wall boards up everywhere yet, I figured now was the time to check stuff out.  I did find some air leaks and some weak points in the foam insulation and framing.



 



 

As you can see above, where I had two trusses stacked up for the attic stair way, lead to an air leak. 



 



 

Above, you can see that I also had problems under the 2nd floor walls. 



 



 

The kitchen door had a big leak below the door.  You could see the heat on the inside of the house and it was cold on the outside. 



 



 

Finally, I just thought this was a cool picture.  I think a shower and dishwasher was going at the same time.  The cold lines opposite from the hot lines that are flowing are also warmer than ambient.  This is up in the attic and shows how cool the attic stays with the silver metal roof, spray foam, and rigid foam.