phoenix / goodwill rebuild

Andy White · June 09, 2016, 09:00:14 PM

Austin,
All is looking good. I know about the work situation. Just knowing you have a forever home makes the future somewhat easier to deal with. It is all looking great, and soon me and Nancy can come up for a visit. Andy

Magicman · June 10, 2016, 08:07:21 AM

That island top will really pop when finished.

dablack · June 10, 2016, 10:53:27 AM

Did a little more yesterday and got up early to get more done. I think it is turning out pretty nice. Again, should have had more clamps.....

Please excuse the mess. Most of the drawers under the island top are out the stuff is everywhere. I also have a big box fan in the window to pull the stain smell out.

I'm hoping to put on some poly tonight.

Ljohnsaw · June 10, 2016, 12:00:42 PM

That looks great! But before you put your finish on, have you thought about putting a radius on the corners? A lot less painful when you walk into them in the dark...

dablack · June 10, 2016, 12:06:34 PM

Yes, we talked about it and I even bought a nice router bit but we decided against it. I rounded off the edges and corners before I put on the stain.

If anyone wants the details, the extended part of the bar where we will put some bars tools is about 9". The rest is the top extends 1.5" around the cabinets.

Austin

Den-Den · June 10, 2016, 07:07:02 PM

You did a good job on that installation! The stain really brought out the character of that oak.

plowboyswr · June 11, 2016, 01:03:21 PM

smiley_clapping looking good

dablack · June 11, 2016, 09:14:10 PM

Thanks guys. I'm really pleased with the way it has turned out. The boss really likes it too.

Here it is with about four coats of poly on it and the cook top put back in.

Now I need to finish the post on the other end of the island.

Kbeitz · June 11, 2016, 10:54:16 PM

Now that looks good...

dablack · June 12, 2016, 11:49:24 AM

Thanks! Dennis did all the hard work. I just slapped the boards on the counter did a little glue, then put in screws from below. Sanded a little, rubbed on some stain and some poly.

dablack · September 26, 2016, 08:38:02 AM

Finally have something to update!

We bought 3000 sqft of pine shiplap from a local mill to finally finish the interior walls upstairs. It is coming along well and it is nice not having to look at spray foam wallpaper!

Also, We finally got the front porch poured. It is 10' deep and runs the full length of the house (52'). Next is to get it covered. Now I can finally start looking at brick or stone for the front columns. Dennis (Den-Den) has already cut me my 8x8 posts and 8x10 beams. It is going to turn out great!

Austin

Magicman · September 26, 2016, 08:55:41 PM

Thank You Austin for this update. Pat and I have been wondering. ;) ???

samandothers · September 27, 2016, 06:22:31 PM

Thanks for update. Hope Job search stuff is going good!

dablack · September 28, 2016, 12:28:43 PM

Thanks! The job search is over. I took a job a couple of months ago that is only 20 minutes from the house.

Found some bricks in tyler that I like for the columns. The brick porch columns are going to be about 3' high and then the 8x8 posts will go on those. Now I just gotta figure out a way to get the brick to my place. Truck delivery or pick them up!

Austin

1-2 Tree · October 03, 2016, 09:34:43 PM

House looks awesome

dablack · February 01, 2017, 12:47:18 PM

Just wanted everyone to know that work is still going at Black Acres. I'm about 80% done with the front porch brick columns. Here is a picture of the 2nd column I built (no pictures of the first one...... it is far from the front door thank goodness).

Also, we had a great Christmas and found the perfect tree not more than 50 yards from the front door.

After the bricks are done, then the 8"x8" pine post goes on top and the 13' long 8"x10" beams go on top! (thanks Dennis)

Austin

Magicman · February 01, 2017, 01:11:50 PM

Thanks for the update Austin. It's nice to see your progress and also nice to watch your family growing up.

samandothers · February 01, 2017, 06:49:02 PM

Great to hear how things are going. Family looks happy! Hope progress continues to go good.

Brucer · February 01, 2017, 08:13:51 PM

Nice progress

. Those kids sure are growing

.

Andy White · February 02, 2017, 01:42:41 PM

Austin,
Great to see you back on the forum! We sure have been missing the kids! Are you spending time in Waco as well as Rusk, or Waco full time? The porch is looking good, and the brickwork looks great. Will try to work in a visit this month, as we are taking my brother to Houston for his stroke treatments when his wife is teaching. Time seems to be at an all time minimum these days. Stay safe, and tell the kids we will see them soon. Andy

Bill Gaiche · February 02, 2017, 08:36:52 PM

Looking good Austin and so do the kids. Tell them and Mom I said howdy. bg

Treehack · February 03, 2017, 12:08:27 AM

I have only been a member for a short time now, so when I saw most recent posts, curiosity got the best of me so I started at the beginning and read both threads start to finish. This is truly inspiring. Inspiring what a man and his family can accomplish with hard work, determination and God's grace. Inspiring that there are still some great people of character and generosity around. Hope everything continues to come together.

dablack · February 03, 2017, 01:44:47 PM

Thanks guys! I'm still having fun working on the house so that is a good thing.

Andy, I'm splitting my time between Waco and Rusk about 50/50. We would love to see yall ASAP.

BG, Thanks and they said Howdy right back!

Treehack, You are one of the reasons I'm still posting. This brick work has NOTHING to do with sawmills but everything to do with God's grace. This is a "as cash allows" build so that means there is no hired labor. I rely on the generosity of others and gainful employment. It has been slow but steady and in the end we will have a finished house that we own. I want everyone on the forum to see what they have helped to make and for the new guys to see what this forum is about.

I will be back to mixing mortar in the morning! If the rain holds off I'm hoping to be mostly done with the brick.

Austin

dablack · March 01, 2017, 02:39:58 PM

Got a little more done. I planed the posts (8x8) that DenDen cut for me and got them mounted on the brick base.

The BG forks on my tractor made the perfect work bench.

Next it was time to try and set the 13' beams (8x10). The tractor bucket didn't have the reach to set the beam so I tried to hang the beam from the tips of the forks. The tractor didn't like that much and it felt a little unsafe. I material lift that guys use for beams is only $50 a day. Rather safe than sorry. This beam in the pic has not be planed or sanded yet.