5.17.2018

Jim worked some more on the furnace vent system - he put up another piece of steel blocking in the wall cavity and used one of his new clamps to secure the pipe.  Then he put another clamp on the pipe above through the joists.  This ceiling area is basically ready for drywall!

 

 

I got to check out the laundry room now that the paint is all dry - looks perfect!

 

 

Jim decided to spend the day mostly working on the stair railings.  He made and attached the newel post coming up from the metal shop...

 

 

Then he made the last newel post - here he's finishing up the last of the welding...

 



 

 I got to watch the procedure for attaching the newel posts - this is the last one at the top of the stairs.  Jim made a jig to drill the holes he will use for attaching the post to the stringer.

 

Once the holes are drilled, he fits the newel post into place and clamps it down...

Always making sure everything is perfectly level!

Then he has to fasten the screws in from the other side.  This way, if need be Jim can easily take apart the railings for moving but they are extremely strong.

There are specific codes that detail the measurements for the railings.  Jim cut the round pipe and then had to make sure it was at the right spot.

Jim ordered these special steel disks to use in attaching the brackets that will hold the railing.  He first had to drill a hole through the steel (not easy - it's 3/16" steel).  Then he button welded it to the newel post.

Next he had to tap the hole to make a threaded hole for a screw to fit in...

Just like this...

The final product - the railing bracket attached to the disc which is attached to the newel post!  Love the way it looks!

Jim knocked off about an hour early to get some more grass cut.  Then he came to pick me up and we headed into Saratoga.  First stop was Lowe's to pick up some plywood for stair risers.  In order to fit in the back of the car with the back seat in, Jim had to cut the plywood.  So he figured out his cuts ahead of time, brought all the tools, did some measuring in Lowe's parking lot...

Then cut the plywood...

Now it all fits nicely in the back of the car!

Then it was on to Home Depot - Jim's first order of special nails for the flooring was in.  We also picked up a sample of flat paint to try - we still don't like the matte sheen in certain areas like the hallway.

We then headed to Pope's Pizza for a celebratory Hawaiian Pizza, topped off with a trip to The Barn in Corinth for an ice cream!  We never made it once to The Barn last year so it was a nice end to the day.

High 76/Low 44 - perfect!