Home "Improvement"

[tony@CIC]

14 minutes ago, GaryF said:

 What I save with diy, I can spend elsewhere.  For my bonus room & full bath, my builder wanted $60K and I did it for $27K.  

Yup - I get that! Typically,  I do all of the house projects, the last one was replacing all of the kitchen cabinets plus removing the tile floor (off of concrete). The tile removal convinced me that I never want to do that again. Our tile guy had the ceramic bathroom floor and wall tile demoed in less then a couple of hours. 

[Shapotomous]

Took advantage of some nice weather today to do some yard cleanup around the putting green and stream.  So i take full blame if the mid atlantic gets a late winter blizzard in the next two weeks since i even brought out the ballwasher.  Flags and sticks need some paint.  Some think the color scheme is john deere green & yellow because thats where the spray paint came from but to me it looks like Augusta colors!

[TSauer]

10 minutes ago, Shapotomous said:

Took advantage of some nice weather today to do some yard cleanup around the putting green and stream.  So i take full blame if the mid atlantic gets a late winter blizzard in the next two weeks since i even brought out the ballwasher.  Flags and sticks need some paint.  Some think the color scheme is john deere green & yellow because thats where the spray paint came from but to me it looks like Augusta colors!

Dang… I’m jealous! I wanted to do something similar in my back yard but I’m afraid I’d mess it up and waste my money. Is there a lot of maintenance to keep things looking nice?

[skraeling]

Welp it was pricey but my word… what an upgrade.

quieter more efficient overall just better.

[Shapotomous]

1 hour ago, TSauer said:

Dang… I’m jealous! I wanted to do something similar in my back yard but I’m afraid I’d mess it up and waste my money. Is there a lot of maintenance to keep things looking nice?

Maintenance on the putting green consists of painting the flags and sticks once a year, using the leaf blower for less than 5 min on a frequent basis, but we live in a state forest so leaves are a plague.  I do get some weeds creeping into the fringe but a few times a year maybe 10 min to pull them out.  If it starts rolling too fast I will take a push broom to it for maybe 15 min to make the blades of fake grass stand up a bit to slow it down.  It has been a great backyard practice spot for the last 15 years.  We paid to have it put in by a certified SW Greens installer and they did a great job, worth every $ to me.

The stream / waterfall was necessary for SWMBO to OK the whole project.  Maintenance is to add a bit of bleach to the water a few times a year.  Adjusting the rocks in the stream bed has to happen after each visit from a little kid as they love to play in the water.  But I don't stop them because I remember how much fun it was to do that as a kid.  Leaves need to be picked out frequently.  The water feature was designed and installed by us.  Shaping the stream bed and hauling tons of rocks was my fitness membership for a summer.

We only use potted plants around the green so they need to be watered frequently in the summer heat, usually every other day.  For me that's a worthy trade to weeding a garden bed.  And the plants need to be sprayed with deer out every two or three weeks to keep the deer from eating them.

I think its the kind of thing to do if you know you are in the house for the long term.

Edited March 17 by Shapotomous

[Jmikecpa]

Do the classic Briggs and Stratton engines ever die?  I have a pressure washer that has been in my shed for 8 years untouched and pulled it out, cleaned the plug, sprayed a little break clean in it and fired right over. Oil is still fine in it (for now) and just need to fill the gas can and it is good to go. 
 

On a funny note apparently my wife got into the wine over the weekend and ordered a metal roof gazebo for our patio as an early Father’s Day gift to me. Happy day to me…I get to spend my weekend building my present after I pressure wash said patio. 

[Swood1994]

Nice to see this thread in the recent page. 

I've been trying to stay motivated to get my 2nd floor remodel back up and running. I recently just ordered all the trim and got the doors installed. I need to finish the bedrooms to move our oldest up there before baby #2 arrives. The bathroom tile is up after that…
 

[Arizilla]

Guys,

If you’re looking for a decent golf simulator that is not too expensive, I would recommend SkyTrak. I think they sell the whole setup for around $6K, give or take. It includes everything in the picture below (does not come with a person or decent swing ).

If anyone’s interested in purchasing one, feel free to message me—I can share all the specs and details you need!

Edited August 15 by Arizilla

[skraeling]

Well project wall is slowly but surely coming along.  Havnt done much uh actual wall stuff as of yet because I had some other prep work to do first... namely burying my downspouts (something ive always wanted to do).

Here was how it started out: just laying these out to get an actual visual idea of wtf I want this initial curve to be:

So this weekend I just said fk it enough looking time to get with the doing (digging suuuuuuuuucks).

100% hand dug this entire damn thing.  Could really only work for a few hours in the morning till about noon as heat indexes were over 100 the entire weekend.

The initial trench:

This was day 1 here.  Overall didnt feel like I got much done but it wasnt nothing anyway. Ground is hard as a damn rock (weve been over 90* for a week).  Yay clay soil.  Thanks.

Heres how it ended about noon yesterday.  Didnt completely bury the pipe here as well its gonna get hidden anyway once I get the wall a done and top everything up with dirt.

Next weekend I might start the actual wall wall stuff.  Bonus points for not hitting the gas line by me either (yes I had it marked) much hand digging for the second corner downspout... so so much hand digging.

Edited June 24 by skraeling

[Jmikecpa]

In the last two weekends I managed to assemble a gazebo on my patio, pressure wash the fence and house, clean the gutters, build a new platform for the fire pit in the back yard, clean out the shed, pressure wash all the concrete around the house.  I am about over this home project stuff for a few weeks.....oh wait I have to repair the side deck this weekend and do some painting.  One can dream!

[Willie T]

The missus wanted a new door for the main bedroom at the beach trailer place (talking 1960's mobile home here). Due to space considerations, she thought a barn door would be a great idea.  She orders one of those kit rigs where you build the door as it comes in pieces.  Door assembled and that is when the fun started....the door is 84" tall and so is the ceiling in the 1960's trailer.  So time to do some ciphering as Uncle Jed would say.  After several trips to the place to measure remeasure and measure again.  All told I had disassemble the door twice to trim a total of about 8" off the door to get it to fit inside the room and run the rail.  At the end of the day - it was a fun exercise of working the tools and having a very happy wife....

[PrismFlopper]

Have gotten a few of the summer projects done so that’s big win. Finished the nursery like 95%, got the deck completed after ripping down an entire section that was starting to get a little sketchy to walk on and then right as all those wrapped up my original wire closet system collapsed so had to rip all that out and put in a new system. Still need to paint the closet but it’s at least able to hold clothes again. The front yard that I’ve been struggling for years to grow, I sealed some professional help and that starting to really look good. Next up is to level, weed block and place pavers for the patio. I think the rest of the yard is going to be ripped up shortly after that so that  it will all be grass again and not the gross mix of burnt grass and moss. Projects are never ending but at least there is progress. 

[Overspark07]

Three straight weekends painting my basement. Walls were all wood paneling so we sanded and cleaned up the first weekend, and also ripped out the 80s wet bar. Tried out a sprayer for the actual painting and did both the walls (white) and ceiling (black). Found it pretty good for doing the ceiling but lots of spray settled onto things below. All in all not sure I’d go that route again for rooms. I’m trying to decide now if I have enough energy to bike over to the course with my son for some work on the putting green.

[stevehernes]

On 3/17/2024 at 1:15 AM, Shapotomous said:

Took advantage of some nice weather today to do some yard cleanup around the putting green and stream.  So i take full blame if the mid atlantic gets a late winter blizzard in the next two weeks since i even brought out the ballwasher.  Flags and sticks need some paint.  Some think the color scheme is john deere green & yellow because thats where the spray paint came from but to me it looks like Augusta colors!

great job!

My wife recently inherited a very old house, and it has now become the project of our lives. There are so many things that need to be done, I don't even know where to begin. Has anyone had experience with these roofers in Fort Walton Beach FL https://emeraldcoastroofingexperts.com/fort-walton-beach-fl/. I would really appreciate some feedback, as it looks like the roof needs a complete replacement.

Edited August 14 by stevehernes

[Rob Person]

Lady boss decided it's time to redo the laundry room after seeing my cousins laundry room makeover

So now I am sourcing a 6-8' base cabinet set, a counter top, waterproof/scratchproof flooring , paint colors, and possibly demo out the linens closet to move the freezer and standing supply cabinet.   She gave me until Christmas.   And she expects it done in a weeks time when it happens. 

With little to no extra space to move things around, it will have to be done in stages I think. 

The flooring can't go down until after painting happens. Can't paint until I known if I'm removing a wall/closet. Can't put cabinets in until I have the flooring done. 

I definitely have a challenge ahead of me!

[skraeling]

Well the entriety of the wall project is nearing its completion.  The corner stone of the whole setup (the tree) should be shipping out early this week.  Well worth the effort to track this one down... hoping it survives the trip.  Please be as tough as your species tends to.

I cant explain how much digging sucks.  People that do this daily?  Hats off to you.

 

Edited August 12 by skraeling

[Rob Person]

36 minutes ago, skraeling said:

Well the entriety of the wall project is nearing its completion.  The corner stone of the whole setup (the tree) should be shipping out early this week.  Well worth the effort to track this one down... hoping it survives the trip.  Please be as tough as your species tends to.

I cant explain how much digging sucks.  People that do this daily?  Hats off to you.

Wow!  Looking good!

[Rob Person]

Found 2 vanities today. One of the back straps was broken, so they have me 50% off. Will marry them together when the time comes to install

  Also, 14 boxes of flooring are also here.  This could be a weekend project,  or it could be a month long one.  

 

 

[Josh Parker]

Added new couches to the living room and the major project is sanding down our dining room table to re-finish. Daughter made slime and wife walked out of the room for a few minutes and came back to a large stain on the table. Which led to panic and a magic eraser.  

The table is the one I'm dreading. Can't move it and have to sand in place. 

[tony@CIC]

1 hour ago, Rob Person said:

Found 2 vanities today. One of the back straps was broken, so they have me 50% off. Will marry them together when the time comes to install

  Also, 14 boxes of flooring are also here.  This could be a weekend project,  or it could be a month long one.  

 

 

Great deal on the cabinets. I just finished a laundry room as well but sounds like it’s smaller than yours - it was only 5X10. I pulled up the old seamless floor and had my tile guy install ceramic tile then I put 2 base cabinets in along with 2 - 42” upper cabinets. Wife of course said she needed a new washer and dryer ($$$$). I did the backsplash as well and had our countertop guy install a quartz top.

 

 

[tony@CIC]

1 hour ago, Josh Parker said:

Added new couches to the living room and the major project is sanding down our dining room table to re-finish. Daughter made slime and wife walked out of the room for a few minutes and came back to a large stain on the table. Which led to panic and a magic eraser.  

The table is the one I'm dreading. Can't move it and have to sand in place. 

I love that table! 

[Josh Parker]

7 minutes ago, tony@CIC said:

I love that table! 

Thanks!  I built it when we moved into this house and it's survived a ton of kids drink and food spills. It will fit 10 pretty comfortably. 

[Rob Person]

39 minutes ago, tony@CIC said:

Great deal on the cabinets. I just finished a laundry room as well but sounds like it’s smaller than yours - it was only 5X10. I pulled up the old seamless floor and had my tile guy install ceramic tile then I put 2 base cabinets in along with 2 - 42” upper cabinets. Wife of course said she needed a new washer and dryer ($$$$). I did the backsplash as well and had our countertop guy install a quartz top.

 

 

That Looks great!

Ours is roughly 6×12, however , on one side I have the water heater closet, w/d, ( with 4 overhead cabinets, 30" linen closet, Hall door.  Opposite will be the cabinet base, the deep freezer. Another standing storage unit. That leaves 26" in the middle between them. But by adding the base, I'm gaining more storage, and removing the stand up unit. Plus counter space for laundry folding,  ironing,  etc

I can't add overhead cabinets either, as there is a window there.

Lady boss has not considered 

[tony@CIC]

13 hours ago, Josh Parker said:

Thanks!  I built it when we moved into this house and it's survived a ton of kids drink and food spills. It will fit 10 pretty comfortably. 

That’s impressive!

[Rickp]

On 6/11/2024 at 7:47 PM, Jmikecpa said:

Do the classic Briggs and Stratton engines ever die?  I have a pressure washer that has been in my shed for 8 years untouched and pulled it out, cleaned the plug, sprayed a little break clean in it and fired right over. Oil is still fine in it (for now) and just need to fill the gas can and it is good to go. 
 

On a funny note apparently my wife got into the wine over the weekend and ordered a metal roof gazebo for our patio as an early Father’s Day gift to me. Happy day to me…I get to spend my weekend building my present after I pressure wash said patio. 

To answer Briggs & Strattons do not die.  There is a small B&S generator that my son-in-law is still using.  I bought it late 1960’s!!

[Rickp]

15 hours ago, tony@CIC said:

Great deal on the cabinets. I just finished a laundry room as well but sounds like it’s smaller than yours - it was only 5X10. I pulled up the old seamless floor and had my tile guy install ceramic tile then I put 2 base cabinets in along with 2 - 42” upper cabinets. Wife of course said she needed a new washer and dryer ($$$$). I did the backsplash as well and had our countertop guy install a quartz top.

 

 

The laundry room updates will never be shown to SWMBO

[Rickp]

16 hours ago, Josh Parker said:

Added new couches to the living room and the major project is sanding down our dining room table to re-finish. Daughter made slime and wife walked out of the room for a few minutes and came back to a large stain on the table. Which led to panic and a magic eraser.  

The table is the one I'm dreading. Can't move it and have to sand in place. 

Welded Steel legs?  

[Josh Parker]

1 minute ago, Rickp said:

Welded Steel legs?  

Yes, 4x4 steel.  We had to carry top in with 5 people and then each leg. It weighs a ton. 

 

1 hour ago, tony@CIC said:

That’s impressive!

Thank you!

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

Finally got my hang out spot tv mounted and outlet ran for it with an assist from @R.Rice. Can watch the games while playing darts and poker now….but of course the dryer shit the bed today….never stops.

 

[Rickp]

34 minutes ago, Josh Parker said:

Yes, 4x4 steel.  We had to carry top in with 5 people and then each leg. It weighs a ton. 

 

Thank you!

Nice job!  
My Dad’s hobby was furniture making.  Our garage was wood working shop.  I helped him on many projects including Pine Dining Room tables (2) one for each of us.  They were trestle tables so easier to transport.  They are smaller than yours seat 6 or 8 uncomfortably.  Our daughters now have them in the homes.  
Glad I spent that time helping him.