Deck day 5 – I am starting to feel naked
Another productive day, as the deck in front of the kitchen is now gone — It was removed all the way to the North corner, where it turns West and runs 36 feet to the steps just off the the entrance to the mud room: The photo… [more]
Deck day 4 – surprises
We expected damage, but not as much as shown by the structural parts shown here. The ends of the joists looked awful: Not to be outdone, the aprons (rails?) between the support posts showed terrible damage. Carpenter ants did… [more]
Deck day 3 – new footings
The contractor and his assistant dug holes for the new footers, and poured concrete: Dave believes this might be an early-1900s cement mixer - quiet as a mouse, the "spokes" on the drive wheel have been welded to the rim more… [more]
Deck day 2 – excavating and filling
Thankfully, day 2 provided only one (small) surprise; we found only a tiny pinhole leak on the return line to the swimming pool. This was fixed in short order; we sleeved the flexible water line with corrugated pipe, to allow the water… [more]
Deck day 1 – demolition
Day 1 resulted in quite a surprise, as one of the stairway support posts had failed completely and provided exactly zero support: I chuckled when I saw the brick (photo above). It reminded me of the Roman mosaics we saw in… [more]
Deck repair work starts today
We reached decision time this past weekend, and awarded the job to a local contractor. He and his assistant will start work this morning; reluctantly, he asked me if it was OK to start at 7 AM, to which I replied that I am usually… [more]
Sizzlin’ Summer special from Leigh!
I don't own any Isoloc templates, but this offer will likely make me buy one. Leigh is offering free router bits for use with the templates: Make sure to visit the Isoloc web page to read the details. In case you are not familiar… [more]
Replacing and repairing wooden decks
Warning: This is not furniture-making; it probably falls into the carpentry or general contracting arena. I learned recently that (cedar) wooden decks don't last forever. The entire deck on the North side of the house must be replaced;… [more]
Some words about woodworking contests and challenges
I invite everyone to visit the WoodNet woodworking forums, to read about the contest to "...Get yourself a single construction grade 2" x 6" x 8' and make something beautiful out of it..." The contest ends at midnight tonight; the… [more]
Summer time!
The weather in NW Missouri has been gorgeous, following terrible storms just one week ago. So far, we have been able to spend at least two hours a day sharing the pool with our daughter and her wonderful family: One of the smartest… [more]
Get ready for the Lumberjocks Summer 2010 Woodworking Awards
Lumberjocks just announced the Summer 2010 Woodworking Awards - the Category is Fluidity: Fluidity – "Like grasses swaying in a summer breeze, the fluid motion is visible in the solid form of the wood." Create a woodworking… [more]
Recent articles:
Sizzlin’ Summer special from Leigh!
I don't own any Isoloc templates, but this offer will likely make me buy one. Leigh is offering free router bits for use with the templates: Make sure to visit the Isoloc web page to read the details. In case you are not familiar with the look of this joint, I invite you to look … [Read More...]
Get ready for the Lumberjocks Summer 2010 Woodworking Awards
Lumberjocks just announced the Summer 2010 Woodworking Awards - the Category is Fluidity: Fluidity – "Like grasses swaying in a summer breeze, the fluid motion is visible in the solid form of the wood." Create a woodworking project that portrays fluidity and/or movement, Be … [Read More...]
Under the weather
This is a short update. Sandy and I are confined to quarters. Doc confirmed we both have strep throat, which is (very) contagious to others. Therefore, we are staying in the house, while Dave and his help are roasting in our hot, humid weather, building the new deck. The only thing … [Read More...]
Deck day 5 – I am starting to feel naked
Another productive day, as the deck in front of the kitchen is now gone — It was removed all the way to the North corner, where it turns West and runs 36 feet to the steps just off the the entrance to the mud room: The photo above also shows the rock- and sand-filled area … [Read More...]
Deck day 4 – surprises
We expected damage, but not as much as shown by the structural parts shown here. The ends of the joists looked awful: Not to be outdone, the aprons (rails?) between the support posts showed terrible damage. Carpenter ants did their thing, unrelentingly: Many boards showed … [Read More...]
Deck day 3 – new footings
The contractor and his assistant dug holes for the new footers, and poured concrete: Dave believes this might be an early-1900s cement mixer - quiet as a mouse, the "spokes" on the drive wheel have been welded to the rim more than once. It worked so well that it earned a place … [Read More...]
Deck day 2 – excavating and filling
Thankfully, day 2 provided only one (small) surprise; we found only a tiny pinhole leak on the return line to the swimming pool. This was fixed in short order; we sleeved the flexible water line with corrugated pipe, to allow the water line to expand and contract under the rock and … [Read More...]
Deck day 1 – demolition
Day 1 resulted in quite a surprise, as one of the stairway support posts had failed completely and provided exactly zero support: I chuckled when I saw the brick (photo above). It reminded me of the Roman mosaics we saw in Cyprus, many years ago. No doubt that, at some point, … [Read More...]
Deck repair work starts today
We reached decision time this past weekend, and awarded the job to a local contractor. He and his assistant will start work this morning; reluctantly, he asked me if it was OK to start at 7 AM, to which I replied that I am usually up between 5 AM and 5:30 AM. He and I went to Menards … [Read More...]
Replacing and repairing wooden decks
Warning: This is not furniture-making; it probably falls into the carpentry or general contracting arena. I learned recently that (cedar) wooden decks don't last forever. The entire deck on the North side of the house must be replaced; also, the deck in front of the family room, … [Read More...]
Some words about woodworking contests and challenges
I invite everyone to visit the WoodNet woodworking forums, to read about the contest to "...Get yourself a single construction grade 2" x 6" x 8' and make something beautiful out of it..." The contest ends at midnight tonight; the winner in each of four categories will be announced … [Read More...]
Summer time!
The weather in NW Missouri has been gorgeous, following terrible storms just one week ago. So far, we have been able to spend at least two hours a day sharing the pool with our daughter and her wonderful family: One of the smartest things we did was move the grill up on the … [Read More...]
More recent articles:
- Get ready for the Lumberjocks Summer 2010 Woodworking Awards
- Sizzlin’ Summer special from Leigh!
- Tutorial: How to make the mold for the curvy legs on the little table
- Greene & Greene Furniture – Poems of Wood & Light
- The curvy table is finished
- First look at the curvy table
- Curvy legs
- A little SketchUp, please
- Woodworkers Guide to SketchUp and my drawing skills
- The sewing room, relocated
- First time using the Driftmaster fence
- Installing the Laguna Tools Driftmaster fence system
