Electrical

The electrical is roughed in and waiting for the inspection to take the next step.

The heater is on order.  Pressure washed the whole exterior yesterday.  I might actually get to put some of the tools together one of these days.

Looks like this thinkg is really going to happen this year.

Getting closer

The windows are done and the siding is back up so it's time to take the big step.  No more tip-toeing around on this little project.  It's so close I can almost smell it.  The electrical is going in Friday, only two more days, and I've selected the guy and the hardware for the heater. 

The outlets will average four feet apart and 48 inches off the floor.  Six on the east wall (it has the service door and will have the standing tools on it) and seven on the west wall (a 29 foot wall that will be a bench to use the bench top tools on and general storage).  Both walls will alternate two 20A circuits.  Nowhere will two consecutive outlets be on the same circuit.  Each wall will also have two 220 outlets.

The south wall will only have one outlet on a dedicated 20A circuit.  That's because it will ultimately be the source of the outlets that will be built into the tool bench.

The north wall has two outlets but they are for the TV and sound system.  Yep.  That's what they're for.  That wall also has the garage door and is blocked by the service door so there is little room for anything more important.

The ceiling is another story.  There are 7 outlets for lights.  Each light will be eight foot sections with 4 high output T8 fluorescent bulbs in each.  There are two brackets to mount ceiling fans with individual speed controls mounted by the door.  There is also a dedicated outlet for the air filter I will ultimately get.  They all come with remote controls at this point so the high ceiling isn't important. There are also two outlets on a dedicated circuit that will be right above the workbench.  There will eventually be two cord reels hanging to get retractable power to the workbench.

The heater is a gas Hot Dawg unit with 60K BTUs and a sealed combustion chamber.  That last part is important in a dusty environment but sure adds to the price.  There will be a digital thermostat somewhere in there.

Oh yea, and the name of the place . . . "Cliff's Dog House".  After being in it for most of the past 26 years it will finally be a physical place.

I also bought a new scroll saw.  I got a nice 20" Dewalt with a stand and light and I can't wait to use it.  I haven't even put it together yet.  It's still in the box.  It was on sale for a good price so I bought it knowing that it would be a while before I could set it up.  I moved it tonight to sweep under it and almost cracked the seals on the box just to pet it a little.  A little more patience and I will be able to put it to work. 

Weekend progress



The second window is in and the siding is going up.



A light will be hanging next to the door on a cedar plank.

I finally got sick of the weeds around the house number at the end of the driveway. Saturday was spent removing grass, planting, potting, spreading mulch. 

The lighting was the easy part.  I bought new lights and pushed them in the ground.

1 Down, 1 To Go

The siding is off and the tarps are up.  We finally got enough of a break in the rain to get out to the shop.  I spent the rest of Saturday and Suunday framing in the first window.  Tonight Barb and I put it in. 

 



The tape I bought to put around the window is something else.  I think it is a direct decendent of the stuff Noah used to seal the ark.

Rain

I am sick of rain.

We haven't had 2 consecutive days without rain for weeks.  Can't wait to get into the shop.

I was in contact with a heating and electrical guy last night and am waiting for them to put together some ideas.

I bought a used 10" Craftsman contractor table saw last week.  It's in very good shape and very heavy.  Barb tried to kill me with it by dropping it on my foot.  I'll be tweaking it into alignment over the next few days.  I don't have any doubts that it will be fine for many years.

I also bought a used 10' Craftsman radial arm saw this week.  I'm still not sure if it is the best choice but at the price I got it for there weren't any better alternatives.  Let's just say it's in great shape and the person I bought it from was very, very, very anxious to get it out of their garage.  Not anxious enough that I got it for free but it was a heck of a deal.  This is the same saw I had when we lived in New Jersey and moved to California.  I know it will align great and stay that way.

Woodcraft has a 20" scroll saw on sale this week and it includes a free stand and light kit.  I stopped by yesterday to take a look at it and expect to get it before the sale ends on the 28th.  I already have a scroll saw but it isn't a real good one.  I will still keep it and use it when a large pin-end blade is sufficient (just so I don't have to change the blade all the time) but won't hesitate to part with it when the space is needed.  Maybe one of the kids would like it to use.  I could see Kymberlee enjoying it with her creative bent.

So it's starting to come together.  Once the weather cooperates I'll be moving ahead full bore.  I just hope the rain ends before my patience does.

Windows phase 1

Here's a perfect example of why I am puttingwindows on this side of the shop.  The morning sun will provide some welcome natural light in the shop.  The hot afternoon sun will be behind the trees and ehlp to keep the shop cool.  I am not planning to have air conditioning but 2 ceiling fans instead.

Here's the new power stand on the shop.  I obviously haven't been out there much.  The meter is all the way up to 00002.

Turns out they make a mess when they bring in the big toys. One more side project to keep my busy. 

All set to start

Everything is in place to start the window installation.  The materials are in the shop just waiting for me.

I have to mow the lawn tomorrow but the siding starts coming off the day after that.