What did you do today?

[highup]

Building a hobby bench. Also doubles as a shelter in case the house falls on my head!

Planned out main beam and first cross tee location. Marked with string. Also going to build 3 wall cabinets. I have 2 sheets of mdf, 1 sheet of 1/2 inch plywood, and 2 sheets of 1/4 inch lauan. Going to make a lot of sawdust!

I'd add a few more short 2x4's to support the work bench top, and maybe double thickness plywood for the top.... Or mdf.
Ya never know if the need to rebuild a Chevy small block might suddenly arise.
If you haven't figured a wear surface, 1/4" Masonite is a good choice. Just cap the edges with some strips of hardwood.

 

[Tom Picciani]

I'd add a few more short 2x4's to support the work bench top, and maybe double thickness plywood for the top.... Or mdf.
Ya never know if the need to rebuild a Chevy small block might suddenly arise.
If you haven't figured a wear surface, 1/4" Masonite is a good choice. Just cap the edges with some strips of hardwood.

I am putting a double layer of half inch plywood on top...

 

[zannej]

I was sick most of the day & it was raining. I looked up some stuff on the internet & then finally got up to do some cleaning in the kitchen. My brother refused to clean his pressure cooker & actually told me I needed to do it because he wants to keep it clean but he's not willing to actually clean it himself. I knew if I didn't do it that it would just stink & attract fire ants. It had some sort of condensation reservoir that was full of gunk and stunk horribly. Apparently he didn't know it was there.
He found an LED light in the pantry that he put out near the sink so we can see better at least. And the dog just busted in to my room like the Kool-Aid man and let cats in that are not allowed in here (the un-neutered males that spray).

 

[Tom Picciani]

Struggling a little with layout of grid because in an old house, no wall is straight. I think I made a good compromise where to hang first beam. Lot of step stool work.

 

[amandazag]

Do yall have an tips for installing the smartcore? Do I need to do anything to the plywood floor underneath besides scrape up this 1970 carpet pad that stuck to the floor?

 

[Tom Picciani]

Do yall have an tips for installing the smartcore? Do I need to do anything to the plywood floor underneath besides scrape up this 1970 carpet pad that stuck to the floor?

do you have padding and staples too? You might want to try a floor scraper with exchangeable blades. I left mine in backwards and it popped staples out easy as pie. Might work on glue too.

 

[Floorist]

do you have padding and staples too? You might want to try a floor scraper with exchangeable blades. I left mine in backwards and it popped staples out easy as pie. Might work on glue too.

You can also rub the blade on concrete and make them dull. Sometimes they are so sharp they will gouge the floor.

 

[Tom Picciani]

Funny thing. Last year I didn’t realize the blade was in backwards until I was done using it

 

[Tom Picciani]

I’ll tell you a secret. Nearly every vendor that demonstrates how to install laminate is wrong. You never should start at the wall. No wall is straight. No corner is square.

start by cutting one plank into 6 inch pieces. Connect them and estimate where your rows will end up. do this from one side to the other. Pay attention to obstacles like fireplace tiles, hallways, stairs, and molding.
Try to get planks to be at least half a plank at each obstacle. You can manage with less, using ca glue to attach to a full plank.

 

[Tom Picciani]

When you start, assemble 3 rows and check it to make sure it’s straight. Place the first row 3-4 planks width away from the starting wall. Measure as much as needed. Then take the cut up planks apart and connect the pieces to the assembly of planks on the side of the near wall. Put them at each end and each joint. Use a wood screw to secure them.

now the assembly won’t move as you tap the planks together. Once you have finished to the far wall, remove the braces and finish the last wall.

 

[Tom Picciani]

Got some pop rivets, a good set of impact rated Phillips bits, and a new pair of tin snips. And I replaced all the blades in the 3 utility knives. All I need is my buddy to pop over with the 360 laser level.

 

[highup]

When you start, assemble 3 rows and check it to make sure it’s straight. Place the first row 3-4 planks width away from the starting wall. Measure as much as needed. Then take the cut up planks apart and connect the pieces to the assembly of planks on the side of the near wall. Put them at each end and each joint. Use a wood screw to secure them.

now the assembly won’t move as you tap the planks together. Once you have finished to the far wall, remove the braces and finish the last wall.

Damn your good! You've done this before.

 

[Tom Picciani]

Look on YouTube for so that’s how you do it about flooring. Episode 2 shows exactly what I’m talking about

 

[zannej]

Thanks for the tips on that Tom. I'm hoping when we get around to doing vinyl plank that it will go smoothly.

Went to the store to get groceries & grabbed some soda for my friend. It was his birthday so we popped in for a brief visit. His fiance is not enjoying 3rd trimester & keeps having acid reflux. She's due in August but she's underweight still. She's got a small build so the doctors have to watch her carefully the next couple of months because she's at risk due to her size.

I couldn't sleep last night because I was worried about my cat so I went down to the workshop to make sure he wasn't locked in there. He heard me calling him and came out from the barn or somewhere to see me. He's been camped in the living room all day. It's been rainy and nasty. Got some gardening tips from Amish Heart on the homesteading forum & passed it on to my sister (who lives in the same area).

Tomorrow morning I'll be taking my friend to the hardware store to get supplies to patch up the laundry room. Still need to make a trip to Lowes to get the Reflectix roll for insulation. I'm going to see if it will let me apply military discount if I do in-store pickup since it's in stock. If not, I can go pick it up later & bring Mom's ID. They were nice last time I used the card bc I said she was 70 & is staying at home.

Found out another friend is sick & it could be Covid. Her co-worker had Covid & still went to work sick & got other people at work sick. Apparently she didn't have any PTO left & didn't want to get points against her for missing work. I'm worried about my friend because she isn't in the best health. She is in her mid-20s but she's got organ damage from a mercury thermometer breaking in her mouth when she was little. She's always been a bit sickly. Super sweet girl who doesn't deserve crap like that.

My brother still hasn't heard back from HR on whether or not he's still employed. We have both been having headaches from the rainy weather.

I was going to start some demo on Mom's shower but she was sleeping most of the day & I didn't want to wake her up. Now I'm lacking motivation & headache is bugging me. Maybe I can take a crack at it after I take my friend to the store tomorrow.

 

[highup]

Look on YouTube for so that’s how you do it about flooring. Episode 2 shows exactly what I’m talking about

Episode 2?

 

[zannej]

Connection is being pissy due to weather but SoThatsHowYouDoThat is the channel name. SoThatsHowYouDoThat
I can't seem to get it to load to show the exact flooring video because of my connection issues.
On the plus side, I was able to order the Reflectix for in-store pickup & get military discount so I can go pick it up once it's ready.

 

[amandazag]

Damn your good! You've done this before.

Wish yall lived in Wisconsin. I'd higher you faster than you can say Flooring

 

[amandazag]

do you have padding and staples too? You might want to try a floor scraper with exchangeable blades. I left mine in backwards and it popped staples out easy as pie. Might work on glue too.

Great! I'll get an actual floor scraper rather than use a putty knife (I know , I know) I haven't seen any staples in the floor. Of course , this black stuff is pretty thick and I havent removed much, yet. I'm guessing that's because I'm using a putty knife

 

[Tom Picciani]

Episode 2?

Iirc I’m not allowed to post links. If that’s wrong I’ll be happy to send it

 

[Tom Picciani]

The guy’s name is Joel. Shows how to transition to rug, into closet, around obstacles. I was so impressed I paid $30 for membership in his website, mostly as a thank you for the knowledge.