1.5.2021

Jim started working on the trash can cabinet - this is the back panel...

Once it was all assembled and he cut the bottom panel, he gave them both a coat of polyurethane...

In the afternoon, we worked in the metal shop.  Jim loaded up the welder onto the engine hoist and moved it.  The first project he wants to do when the metal shop is operational is build a cart for this welder.

The next tool to move was the drill press but we had to first move all the steel pieces out of the way so that Jim could get the engine hoist behind it.  

Next, Jim moved the treadmill to make room for the drill press...

Jim had welded a hook to the top of the cap on the drill press for moving purposes but this is the first time it would be tested!  

The hook worked great and Jim was able to start moving it over...

Then he had to maneuver and turn it around...

For now, treadmill gets moved back to its original spot but the plan is to move it over to the back side of the shop...

Jim did a little adjustment of the steel table...

Then I moved all the steel pieces back underneath the steel table for now...

One big goal is to get the shop rearranged so that we can park the Mini in this area and get the 4Runner inside for the winter.  Jim decided to move his three storage cabinets (all full of screws mostly!) over to the side.

We thought we would have to empty all three but Jim was able to "walk" the first two over without emptying - I emptied the third one because it had boxes of screws inside.

Once those three were moved and reloaded, Jim brought over another cabinet...

Then this smaller one went on top.  Jim spent the last hour of the day filling those cabinets back up and also reevaluating where everything is located but things are taking shape now!

High 32/Low 22

 

1.4.2021

We got a couple inches of new snow this morning - everything looked so pretty and white.  The back dormer roof doesn't see much sun and it still had a thick layer of ice underneath the new snow.  Mid-morning, it came crashing down - it was so loud and literally shook the house and rattled the dishes in the hutch!  That was obviously a huge weight up on the roof - good thing Jim built it strong!

In the shop this morning, Jim started assembling the sink base cabinet...

It looks so beautiful!

Jim held the tilt out drawer front up to show me how it will look - I can't wait!

After lunch, Jim headed outside to plow.  Between what fell over the weekend and last night's snow, he wanted to get the driveway as clear as possible.

Once he came in, he was down in the metal shop figuring out how to move his steel table (which probably weighs at least 600 pounds!).  He had bought this huge chain when we had the old Bobcat transported from Ohio so he attached it to the table corners and to his engine hoist...

Then he lifted it up and slowly started moving it over to its new spot...

There is still a lot of tools and things he had to work around but he got it moving in the right direction...

Some final adjustments...

And it's now moved over into where Jim will do all his metal work!  Whew!

I just read online a bit ago that the first UK variant of the Covid virus was diagnosed in Saratoga Springs!  He hasn't traveled so they assume it's in the community.  Scary - hope everyone continues to stay safe!

High 35/Low 24

 

1.3.2021

I had to go into Saratoga for some grocery pickup errands - Jim was very busy while I was gone, making final adjustments to the sink cabinet to ensure everything fits together perfectly!

Final sanding on the cabinet face frame...

Then he started painting final gray on the tilt out drawer front...

And the face frame...

Then it was back down in the metal shop to figure out the cuts for this last big piece of drywall...

The piece is up and Jim is cutting out the receptacle...

The piece is all fastened and Jim is putting the receptacle wiring back together...

This area looks so completely different now!  Jim is starting to plan his next steps on moving things over to this spot and the order to do the next tasks.

High 28/Low 24 - little PM snow

1.2.2021

We woke up to a couple inches of ice and slushy snow - our poor pine trees were all bent over and the small one in the triangle resembled a bush more than a tree!  But the sun came out and the temperatures warmed into the mid-30s so before long the trees were clear.  

Now that the Formica is all cemented onto the sink base pieces, Jim started trimming - this is the access door...

All done including the finger pull!

The sink base had lots of trimming and lots of holes to cut out!  Jim first drilled pilot holes in each...

Then he cut out the middle section and then the plumbing holes...

All done and looks perfect!

Then he fit the base into the back panel - looks fabulous!

Next, he cut and finished the small tip out tray front, including a small finger pull.  The tray and hardware are on order and should be coming soon...

A coat of primer on the back; at the end of the day, Jim put a coat of primer on the front side as well.

Then it was back working on drywall in the metal shop, fitting and attaching the next piece over the door...

Then he worked on the pilaster - covering the front and auto bay side...

As well as the other side of the pilaster...

Then he cut the final piece for this area.  He'll have to do his custom work around the conduit and receptacle - that's on tomorrow's agenda.

High 35/Low 13

1.1.2021

Happy New Year!  A friend in Ohio sent this to me and I thought it was cute - definitely hope that 2021 brings us all peace, health and happiness!

Jim cut the Formica for both the access panel door and the lower sink base today...

Then started the glueing process, rolling on the rubber cement...

Glueing the formica on the sink base...

Letting the pieces dry...

Then Jim transitioned to the metal shop, taking apart the light switches...

Using the rasp to make sure the foamed area is completely flat before installing drywall...

Then Jim cut and installed the next piece of drywall.  Obviously another difficult piece with the box cutouts and another piece of conduit to work around.

Then Jim had to rewire the light switches and outlet to get everything back to being operational.  This wall section looks good - makes the whole area feel different.

High 32/Low 24 - winter weather advisory for ice/snow tonight