The Sawdust Dispatch

Dispatch #31 - Keeping Varmints Out of your Workshop

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Wed, 29 May 2013 16:12:00 +0000

If you are one of the forturnate few woodworkers who have an air conditioned workshop, then this is just fun reading for you. For the rest of us, who work out of garages or buildings with roll up doors then this applies.
My workshop is in a two car garage with an 18 ft. wide door. In the summertime trying to work is hard because of the flying insects that come in to buzz about and land on an arm or leg, and starting drilling for blood right as I'm running a board through the table saw. And, on several occasions I've had birds to fly in and it was a fight trying to get them back out. When a bird gets excited, it tends to crap on everything it flies over.
The solution? A garage door screen from Garage Door Screens. A low cost fix for the flying insects, four legged varmints (like the neighbors cat) and even two legged varmints. Even though people can see in, it makes them stop and sound off before being invited in. At night is when the screen really is nice. I can work into the late evening in comfort and not have to put up with night bugs flying everywhere.
The screen is held in place with a Velcro strip around the perimeter of the door way. The manufacturer suggest for additional holding power to attach the Velcro with small screws every 6" to 8". I didn't do this to begin with, but recently went back and installed them. I had chosen white Velcro since my door trim was white so I wanted to use white headed screws. I purchase some 1/2" screws and stuck them into a piece of cardboard and spray painted the heads white. Now when I remove the screen the screw heads are nearly invisible.
The screen came with three heavy duty well made zippers, one on each side and one in the middle. To hold the screen down, you can slip a piece of 1/2" PVC pipe or conduit in a pocket at the bottom which is designed for that. Access is easy though the middle zipper when you just want to come and go, and, to move large items in or out of the workshop, just unzip the middle and side zipper and roll up. The manufacturer provides one Velcro strip to hold the screen up with but I chose to use a better version of it and to fasten it in place with a screw. It only takes a couple of minutes to roll up one side and the screen advantages outweigh the trouble to roll-up.
I've had the screen in place now for nearly two months and feel it's one of the best investments I've made for my workshop ever. Plus, the wife likes it because when I come into the house from the garage, a bunch of flies don't come in with me.
The folks at Garage Door Screens are great folks to do business with. It is a Mom & Pop operation and the screens are made by them. So, check out their website and decide if a garage door screen is right for your shop.
Disclaimer: This is only a recommendation, I have no financial interest in this company, nor do I receive anything if you click on their site or purchase from them.

Screen with Door up

Screen with door down

Looking from outside toward driveway

The strap to hold screen when rolled up

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Tue, 28 May 2013 13:43:00 +0000

Dispatch #30 - Back in the Woodshop Again

After several years of neglect to this blog I'm once again resurrecting it from the ashes of the internet. I'll be entering more projects as time goes by since I've retired and now have time to devote to woodworking and my photography hobbies.
The current project I'm working on is a storage cabinet for underneath the right wing of my tablesaw. Since I have a Biesemeyer fence with the 30" extension table there is a great space to put the cabinet. My saw is on a caster platform and this cabinet will be mounted to it also. This still leaves my table saw completely portable should the need arise to move it out of it's present position.
As of today I have the cabinet carcass built and the edge banding put on the front. Since we'll be leaving going on vacation in a couple of days I'll have to put building the drawer boxes on hold until we return.
I need also to post pictures of the kitchen remodel that was completed.
In the meantime, here is pictures of my Shop Vac Cart build.

Dispatch #29 Undercabinet drawers - Update

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 02:17:00 +0000

The undercabinet drawer project is moving right along. I got all of the stock cut to size. For the first time I did all of my measuring with my Woodpecker Precision Ruler and my marking knife. All of the cuts were made on my Dewalt SCMS. It was amazing that by utilizing this process my cuts were all on the "right" side of the line. If you don't own a precision rule and marking knife, I strongly recommend that you get one and start using it on layouts.
After all the stock was cut to length, I milled the box joints on the table saw and then cut the dados for the drawer bottoms. This was as far I got on the project Saturday.
Tomorrow, I will start cutting the bottoms and then assembly can begin after sanding of all pieces.
Another project that I've been working is getting my new EZ Smart System cutting guide setup. I installed the dust collector port on my Makita 5007MGA circular saw. It sure makes a big difference using the circular saw with dust collector in place.

Quote of the moment:
I have long been of the opinion that if work were such a splendid thing the rich would have kept more of it for themselves.
- Bruce Grocott

Dispatch #28 Undercabinet Pullout Drawers - Update

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:24:00 +0000

Note: Pictures for this entry select :Photo Galleries>Flash Photo Gallery>Pullout Drawer Project
This week on my days off I started building the prototype drawer for the project. My first prototype (P1) was constructed using half lap joints. I didn't do a full glue up on P1, instead I used blue painters tape to put it together to see how it looks. I wasn't real happy with the results of P1 so I decided to build another using the box finger joint method.
Before I started P2, I decided to go ahead and mill all of the boards to final thickness of 1/2". It sure made a lot of new mulch for the concrete planters on the front of the garage.
In cutting the pieces of P2 to length I used my Woodpecker precision straight edge and a marking knife I picked up at Woodcraft. This method sure my cuts accurate.
I then numbered all of my corners using blue painters tape and a sharpie. This was to keep the orientation correct. I cut the finger joints on the table saw using my sled jig.
The bottom of the drawer was cut from 1/2" birch plywood. To cut the piece I used my new EZ Smart System rail and my Makita 5007MGA circular saw. This was my first opportunity to use the EZ system and I was well satisfied with it. All of my cuts were dead on accurate with the EZ rail. This eliminated having to use the table saw to cut pieces to final dimensions and saves stock.
I glued up P2 and after we had supper I installed the drawer slides on the box and then the rails inside the cabinet. The prototype was a great success so I will began production of the remaining drawer assemblies on my next day off.
Your comments are always welcome and don't forget to check out the pictures.

Dispatch #27 Starting a New Project

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 03:35:00 +0000

This past week I began the kitchen cabinet pull out shelf project. These shelves will be installed in all but one of the lower kitchen cabinets. The only reason the one won't get the pull outs is that the door does not open fully due to the new dishwasher being a bit bigger than the old dishwasher. I will be installing a total of 12 pull outs.
The first problem I've encountered is that the cabinets were site built. The entire unit was built as one piece. This means there are no side wall to attach the drawer slides too except on one end of the cabinet.
The solution to this problem was to construct a mounting strip for the drawer slides to mount to. I measured the side next to the end wall and it needed 1-1/4" to bring it flush with the edge of the face frame. On the opposite side, the middle face frame was 2" wide. For the 1-1/4" thick piece I used a piece of 3/4 x 4" pine and added 3 pieces of 1/2" mdf as spaces. On the 2" thick piece I laminated two 3/4" x 4" with 3 ea 1/2" mdf blocks in between them. This gave me the 2" I need.
To fasten them to the cabinet shelves used my Kreg Pocket hole jig to drill 6 pocket holes on each face of the 2" thick pcs and 6 holes on the accessible side of the 1-1/4" piece. We will be staining the piece prior to installation so I can add a few dabs of glue to the bottom of the mounting strips when I install them. Between the glue and the pocket hole screws they should be secure.
Tomorrow is Labor Day and I plan taking the before pictures and the pictures of the mounting strips. They will be posted to the gallery tomorrow evening.

Dispatch #26 Shop Update

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:17:00 +0000

Not a whole lot going on this past week. I continued the shop cleanup project. Did manage to get the air hose retractable reel mounted to the ceiling. I've had the reel since fall of 2007, but just never gotten round2it to install. It sure makes managing the air hose a whole lot easier.
Had a good "find" on ebay recently, picked up a Stanley 60-1/2 low angle block plane at a real nice price. Have to sharpen the blade a bit more, but it is gonna be a handy item. I'll get pictures of it posted soon in the Hand tool section.
On another note, I ordered the slides for the kitchen cabinet slideout draawer project. They are due in today via UPS. I got them from Grizzly.com for $9.95 ea which is about half of what the local HD BORG wanted for them. They are the same type that I used on the assembly table project and are a good value for the buck.
I'll be leaving Thursday morning heading for Atlanta to attend the The International Woodworking Machinery and Furniture Supply Fair at the Georgia Congress Trade Center. It is one of the largest woodworking events in the country.
Norm Abrams will be there signing autographs and I plan to take my first New Yankee Workshop book for him to autograph.
That's all for now, heading to Southaven, MS for my son's wedding today. More on that later.

Dispatch #25 Trip to the Hardwood Center

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 02:32:00 +0000

Today we made a trek over to Scottsboro to the Hardwood Center. All I can say is WOW!! They had species of wood I've never even heard of before. There were some Africa Mahogany that was a good 22" wide and had the most beautiful texture and delightful to the touch.
Our mission today was to find some 1/2" thick stock for construction of the pull out shelves in the lower kitchen cabinets. After walking through the Hardwood Center's warehouse and oohing & hahing over all of the wood, we settled on some basswood. It is appox 9/16" thick by 4" wide. It came in random lengths and we managed to find about 100 LF that will be usable. They had a great price I thought on the basswood at .83 per LF. In fact all of their hardwood prices seemed very reasonable.
We also checked out their hardwood plywood and saw some great domestically produced hardwood ply. Will sure keep that and all of the wood in mind for future projects. I would highly recommend anyone within driving distance of Scottsboro, AL to make a trip over there if you need quality hardwoods for any project. They also produce hardwood flooring, molding (both stock & custom order). If you are restoring an antique home they can even take a sample of you existing molding and make a cutter knife to produce new molding to match. Visit their website at Hardwood Center
We got rain most of the day here in Florence, I was suppose to go over and watch UNA's football team practice this afternoon, but due to the rain we postponed till tomorrow evening. That works out even better since they will be scrimmaging then. So I made good use of my time and done a little cleanup in the shop. I removed all the items from one section of my pegboard in preparation of removing it. I plan on replacing it with five 16" x 32" cabinets that I already have on hand. These were originally storage shelves for thick computer printouts at Sequoyah Nuclear Plant. I purchased them several years ago for $5.00 at a TVA sealed bid sale. They are made of Walnut Veneered dimensional lumber with a plywood back on them. I'm going to cut doors to fit and then install the doors with euro hinges. I'm debating on whether to paint the cabinets white or leave them walnut and then stain the doors to match.
I plan on hanging the cabinets on the wall using a french cleat at the top and a strip at the bottom edge. A drywall screw will be driven in to the bottom strip to prevent the cabinet from accidentally being knocked loose. Pictures of this project will be posted shortly in the photo gallery.
As always your comments are welcome.

Dispatch #24 Happenings this week

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 03:03:00 +0000

Not much going on this week after the completion of the assembly table. I worked on cleaning up the shop and putting stuff away. On Friday and Saturday I constructed a couple of clamp racks to hang my Cabinet clamps and F style clamps from. Based them on plans from one of my woodworking books. It rack will hold 12 clamps, I mounted them right inside the garage door in what has been wasted wall space. The longer clamps went on the top rack and the shorter ones on the bottom rack. I still need more clamp storage though. When I redo the pegboard wall I plan to install a couple of more clamp racks on that wall in the corner next to where I installed the first two.
I begin taking measurements for my next project which is the pull out drawers for the kitchen cabinets. I will be installing 13 drawers total. I plan on ordering the 100lb full extension slides from Grizzly. Those are the ones I used on the assembly table and they worked very well.
We are going Tuesday over to the Hardwood Center in Scottsboro, AL and select the wood to construct the drawers from. Still don't know if we're going to use dimensional lumber or plywood. More on that later.
That's it for now.

Dispatch #23 Assembly Table - Update

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 01:35:00 +0000

Work continued on the table since my last post. I got all of the finger joints cut and the drawers assembled. I had one snafu when I got one of the deep drawer sides reversed and cut the dado for the drawer bottom on the wrong side. I had to re-make that one. The installation of the drawers slides was not near as difficult as I expected. Using the tips I gleaned from The Wood Whisperer's podcast they went in fairly easy. I did find out why he installed his drawer slides prior to putting the top on. It would have been a whole lot easier to have installed them with access from the top. Especially the top drawer slide, it was tight getting it in to say the least. I wouldn't have installed the top at the point that I did except there wasn't enough room to work with the top on the sawhorses and trying to assembly the cabinet at the same time.
I also cut the two cabinet doors and installed them with the Euro hinges. I previously had purchased a double template jig from Rockler with drill guides. This jig worked really well once I dialed it in on some scrap plywood. I cut the adjustable shelves and installed them. The drawer handles and knobs that I had selected were also installed.
Tonight I started on the final assembly work prior to staining. I cut the walnut plugs from a piece of rough sawed walnut that is about 20 years old. It has been in my basement for the last 10 years. I cut two of the four oak boards for trimming the edges of the top. Tomorrow's project will be to cut the other two boards to length and then rip all four to final width. The countersinks for the plugs and pilot holes for the screws will also be drilled on the drill press.
Recently using a piece of the scrap plywood used on the cabinet I tested all of the stains I had to see how they looked on the Birch plywood. I also tested the recipe mix that was in Fine Woodworking using the Pratt & Lambert gloss poly. The P&L mix was nice but with Tongue Oil it was just too red on the birch. I finally decided on the Minwax Honey Maple. It is a light colored stain with just a hint of maple color and it's the look I was going for.
Pictures will be posted in the Photo Gallery on my website Dave's Saw Dust Pile very soon.

As always, your questins or comments are welcome.

Dispatch #22 Assembly Table - Update

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:30:00 +0000

Haven't gotten to work on the project very much in the last week or so. On my two days off this past week I did get to work one of the days in the shop up until about 5 PM. The second off day was spent having a colonoscopy at the hospital and recuperating from the procedure.

I got all of the drawer components milled and the finger joints cut. I glued up three of the drawers for one side. After the glue had dried overnight, I installed the drawer slides and put in the drawers. They all worked out very nice.

Having to work most of the day today and till 7 tomorrow, so won't get much done until my next off day which is Monday.

For updated pictures, check out my photos on the website Dave's Sawdust Pile

Dispatch #21 My New Website

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:28:00 +0000

Hey folks, have setup my new website. I will still be posting to this blog, but in the future all of my pictures will be posted on the website under "Photo Gallery"

Dispatch #20 Assembly Table - Update

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:30:00 +0000

I continue to work on the table yesterday and again today. Yesterday I finished gluing the main partitions and the stiffener partitions. I also installed the four stretchers across the top.

Today I install the casters. These are the ones I purchased from Woodcrafter. I was duly impressed by these casters when I turned the table right side up. These are the best rolling casters I've ever used. And, the locking mechanism on them are exceptional. Even with top installed the table was easy to roll and when locked I could not get it to move. All I can say is WOW!!, I'll use this type again.

I got the top installed today also. I used 4 Spax screws on each side to attach the top to the stretchers. I think this will hold the table top in place without a problem.

I received my Freud Box Joint Dado blades today so I'll be able to start on the drawer boxes tomorrow.
Here are the progress pictures for today:

Dispatch #19 Assembly Table - Update

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:55:00 +0000

Started last evening cutting out the panels for the cabinet that the torsion box assembly table top will be on. I got the 2 end panels and the middle panel cut out. Today, I cut out the bottom and then routed the dado for each side joint and the middle partition joint. Since I'm putting mine on casters, I'm adding stiffeners from the side panels to the middle partition. I routed the dado in the bottom with my router and then used the dado blade on the table side to do the sides and middle pcs. I couldn't use the table saw on the bottom due to it being bowed. Hopefully, I will be able to pull the bow out when I glue up.
I decided to have an adjustable shelf in the cabinet side so I got all of those holes drilled. I then cut the top stretchers. The original plans called for 3 but I decided to go with 4 to help prevent racking of the unit when it's moved. Tomorrow I'll continue the build and hopefully get the carcass glued up. Clickable thumbnails below.

Dispatch #18 New project - Torsion Box Assembly Table

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:11:00 +0000

Started on 7/8/08 building a dead flat torsion box assembly table. This will be my primary work surface for building all future woodworking projects. It gives me a reference point to begin with that I know is "dead flat".
The top is constructed out of 1/2" MDF top and bottom skins with the interior honeycomb also being 1/2" MDF. The outside perimeter pieces are 3/4" MDF. This makes for an extremely strong yet light weight (to a certain extent)top. It is 4" thick x 48" x 48". This is the same design used to build aircraft wings.
I will be starting on the base in a few days. Have to work some crazy shifts the next couple of days. Have to work from 10 to 7. Messes up the day on both ends.

Dispatch #17 VICTORY DECLARED

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 04:33:00 +0000

As of today we have declared VICTORY on our den remodel project. I completed the punch list today. Debra is putting the finish coat on the wooden battens for the sunroom doors so they will be ready to install in a couple of day. I compiled a short video of the before and after of the remodel project.
Please leave a comment if you like.

Disptach #16 Cross Cut Sled - Completed

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 13:37:00 +0000

The cross cut sled is not officially completed. I constructed a prototype box joint jig face for it and made my first box joint using some scrap 1/4" plywood. I made the cuts using an old adjustable width Craftsman Dado blade which is very lame on accuracy. I was able to cut a fairly tight joint using it though by dialing in with the Kreg Micro Adjuster. I have placed a order for a Freud Box Joint Dado blade that will cut perfect 1/4" & 3/8" flat bottom slots. When I receive it I will make the finally faces for constructing box joints. The beauty of this jig is that faces with different sizes of box joints (Height & width) can be made and switched out easily by removing two screws.
This entry is a test of using a YouTube created video in my blog. Excuse the rough edges.

Watch a short video of pictures from the build of the sled.

More Photos here: Cross Cut Sled

Dispatch #15 Making Sawdust

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:33:00 +0000

Started construction of the cross cut sled for my tablesaw last week. I'm generally following the plans as shown in the current issue of Shop Notes. I'm using 1/2" & 3/4" MDF instead of the plywood that the author of the article used. From all I've read MDF is very stable and won't warp like plywood does.
I picked up an Incra miter track from the Rockler store for the slide. It has a good fit in the track and when installed following their directions it is adjustable from the top of the sled thus insuring a method to keep the sled in square with the blade.
So far I've cut the base out and installed the rear fence which is the most critical aspect. I have taken some pictures but have off loaded them from the camera yet.
Today I will work on installing the front fence and other components before I have to go to work at 4:00 pm

Dispatch #14 Den Remodel Project - Update

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 22:08:00 +0000

Haven't gotten to work much lately on the project. Tasks accomplished since last post have been continued installation of the trim such as floor to tile transition pieces for the foyer and hall way doors. Also got the last piece of the Hardibacker board installed around the fireplace and grouted in the joints with the thinset mortar. Ready to start installing the marble tile later this evening.
I have been working on tuning my tablesaw even more. I worked on getting the blade aligned this past Monday evening and have now gotten it so that there is only .002 difference between the front and back alignment. As we used to say at TVA "That's close enough for government work". It amazing though how much better it cuts getting it dialed in.
We attended the BF Avery Antique Tractor Show (B.F. Avery) this past weekend in Edinbough, IN. While we were there we went on into Indianapolis and visited the Rockler Woodworking Store. I spent about an hour going through and touching and admiring everything. They managed to get a a nice chunk of change from me for a few things I just couldn't live with out.
I picked up a couple of items that I'll need to build my cross cut sled for the table saw. I'm ready to start on that very soon. After I get it completed, then I will start on my assembly table. It sure is going to be nice to have a dead flat table to work off of. My biggest challenge will be to keep the clutter off of it like what inhabits my two workbenches. Gotta work on getting them cleaned of also. More latter.

Dispatch #13 Den Remodel Project - Update

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 02:50:00 +0000

Things have really progressed the last few days. We have moved all of the furniture back into the den and Debra has been busy cleaning and putting her decorations back in place. My son and his girlfriend came over from Southaven, MS this week and while he was here we moved the mantle back into place. I got that installed and glued the last pieces of the Hardibacker board on the edges of the brick. After we get back from the Avery Tractor Show on the 23rd I finishing installing the tile surround for the fireplace. Then all will be left is to caulk it in good and touch up the paint.
Still have a few items on my punch list such as reinstall the doorbell. Have a temporary one in place now so it's not critical.
I did manage to spend nearly a whole day cleaning on my workshop. Damn what a mess, sawdust was everywhere. There was crap piled on every flat surface and was one hell of a mess. I made a major dent in it but still need to spend lots more time straighten up. Things will be better when I can get time now to build some shop cabinets and my assembly table. The assembly table will have a drawers and a coupe of storage sections that will help tremendously. Here is what the assembly table will look like. Assembly Table
While I was cleaning I collected a few items to sell on Craigslist. I listed my old Sears Router and Table, the 14.4 volt Ryobi set, and the molding head cutter for the Radial Arm Saw I no longer have. Sold the Router and table today, so I'm off to a good start. Still have a few more items to list.
Hopefully tomorrow I'll get some more pictures taken and uploaded.

Dispatch #12 Den Remodel Project - Update

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 04:12:00 +0000

Since the last update things have progressed nicely. The laminate flooring
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has been installed, all baseboards, door & window casing has been installed. All the trim has been caulked and touched up with paint. I installed the wooden transition strips between the den and kitchen flooring.

Dispatch #11 Den Remodel Project - Update

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Sat, 31 May 2008 13:21:00 +0000

Work continued this week on the den. Haven't had much time to work on things due to my work schedule. I was able to trim out the doorway from the foyer and the doorway into the hallway. Debra has gotten nearly all of the door frames and the french doors primed with the Kilz. Today I'll be installing trim on the right set of french doors and have to plane the edge on the french door going to the sun room. Won't be able to do a whole lot since I have to be at work at 1:00 pm. My next off day is Tuesday, so hopefully I'll be able to attack at full speed.

Dispatch #10 Den Remodel Project - Update

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Tue, 27 May 2008 18:03:00 +0000

Monday, May 26, 2008 was a milestone in the den remodel project. I completed the installation of the hardwood flooring. Now the trim work begins.
I had to mill several 1/4 x 3/4 strips to flush out the door frames. Since the original walls were of 1/4" paneling, all of the door casings had been installed to flush to it. After I installed the 1/2" Sheetrock this would have left a 1/4" gap between the door casing and the door molding. So, to the table saw I went.
I picked up a piece of 3/4" S4S clear pine at the HD last week just for this purpose. I ran both edges across the jointer several times to true up the edges. I then started ripping 5/16" strips off the edges. Then these 5/16" strips were run through the thickness planner and milled down to identical 1/4" thick strips. They were cut to proper length and using glue & brads installed on the door casing. As soon as Debra gets the door moldings painted I will be installing that. She has the baseboards painted and ready to install, but I have to wait till the door molding is installed.
In the mean time, I will clean my shop area up and get ready for the next steps.
On another note, Friday, May 30, 2008 is our 17th wedding anniversary. Seems only yesterday that we were installing a new deck on the house in Chattanooga and took part of a day to go get married. Tried to get Debra to make our celebratory trip to Loews today, but she didn't want to get out in the rain. We're going out tonight to celebrate since I have to work closing shift on Friday evening. We have reservations at the Marriott 360 Grille. This should be an event to remember since we've not been to the tower since the Marriott took it over.

More later.

Dispatch #9 Den Remodel Project - Update

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Wed, 21 May 2008 11:10:00 +0000

Yesterday we completed a couple of punch list items such as deciding on the molding required to trim the edge of the den wall where it abuts the breakfast bar area. We settled on a 1-1/4" shoe molding to make the transition.
The laying of the laminate wood flooring was began also yesterday. I got about of third of it down and had to stop until I got the door frame from the den to the hallway cut off. I tried out my Rotozip with the flush cut attachment for the first time on this task. It worked great. Wouldn't quite cut all the way through the thickest part of the frame, but that was easy enough to chip out with a chisel.
Have to go back to work today, from 7 till 3, so won't get to work on the flooring until late this afternoon.

Continued to work on the flooring when I got home this evening. Got about four more runs installed. Had to take my recip saw and cut some more wood from the door jams so that the flooring would slide all the way underneath it.

Dispatch #8 Den Remodel Project - Update

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Tue, 20 May 2008 11:58:00 +0000

Crown molding has been installed and caulked. Still have to touch up some nail holes and seams but it is looking good. Started yesterday planning for laying the hardwood floor. The transistion strips between the tile and the hardwood are going to be a PIA (pain in the ass). They are designed to be held in place by a plastic channel that is attached to the floor and in which the wood strip snaps down into. Not a very good design for floors that are not dead level flat. I'm going to modify them and use countersunk trim screws to hold them down. I'll then use oak plugs to cover up the screw heads. I thought about using my air nailer to install them but don't think they will stay in place with just the nails. The strip is going to get a lot of traffic across it so it can't be popping up everytime you happen to step on it.

Debra continues to work on the french doors. She has them fairly well sanded and was working on the edge next to the glass yesterday. Next step will be to start applying a couple coats of Kilz primer and then the final semi-gloss white enamel.

Dispatch #7 Den Remodel Project - Update

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Fri, 09 May 2008 03:50:00 +0000

Work is progressing on the den remodel project. The sheetrock is finished, two coats of primer and the first coat of paint was applied tonight.

The crown molding has been painted and is ready to install as soon as the final coat of paint is applied.

Won't be able to work any more on the den until next Monday. We are heading out to Nashville this weekend to visit my sister.