While staying with my mom recently (who was convalescing from a brief hospital visit) I decided her back porch needed a little remedial work.
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Prescriptive codes don't address the connection at less common angles, so base the connection off more typical ones using bolts, structural screws, blocking, and steel tension ties.
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and while I was at it, I set some posts for a new, slightly larger gate.
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I anchored them to the concrete block wall at mid-point, and they'll tie together at the top - I'll be hanging a pretty heavy gate here.
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gonna break out some existing concrete to pour a couple of posts back here too...
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like dat (oops, ran a little shy of concrete!)
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Edited 10/7/2009 10:25 pm by Huck
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and while I'm at it, I think this looks kinda cheesy... Gotta re-route that condensate drain line for the A/C too, its right where my deck's gonna go.
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Edited 10/8/2009 2:45 am by Huck
There! That looks a little better (I knew that old stucco trowel handle would be useful for something!)
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And what's up with this? Abandoned elec. meter box.
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OK, that's better now too!
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Glued some sleepers down on the old porch (too lazy to break it out proper).
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Edited 10/8/2009 2:55 am by Huck
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redwood 2x6 decking
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I like the crawl space cover with the trowel handle. Pretty slick.
Not sure I agree with how you made the mid-point attachemnt of the new gate posts, I would have countersunk a bolt in to 4x and lagged it into the cmu, fill the core with non-shrink grout.
I think the idea of enlarging the back step is great, that little step looks like it would be awkward for anyone, regardless of age."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
I would have countersunk a bolt in to 4x and lagged it into the cmu, fill the core with non-shrink grout.
Man, that sounds bulletproof! I used tapcon concrete screws.
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Edited 10/8/2009 4:00 am by Huck
The decking over the old porch gets PL construction adhesive on the sleepers.
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I added that little corner extension as an afterthought, so that I could incorporate another post without pouring it in the ground - the deck "locks" it in place. Both those posts to the right are setting on the ground, but they're rigid because the deck holds them in place.
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I don't know why my staple gun snuck into this photo - it wasn't doing anything that day, and died a few days later when I really needed it.
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Love my Bessey clamps - yardsale find.
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OK, where's the hot tub?
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I have to make sure to leave a "window" in the guard rail so that the meter reader can see the gas meter from the gate. Although I'm sure they'll be switching to those "smart meter" things soon, that they can read without looking.
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The other advantage of the "window" in the guardrail is that sitting on the porch, you can have eye contact with someone sitting below.View Image bakersfieldremodel.com
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Closet-pole handrail.
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OK, time to plant another post in the ground! Because the handrail is countersunk into the posts at both ends, I had to drill and glue it in place before I poured the concrete.
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Edited 10/8/2009 2:40 am by Huck
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Besseys again!View Image bakersfieldremodel.com
I had that ball finial left over from a previous job - you can't buy them at Lowes anymore.
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Got some marine spar varnish on the vertical surfaces.
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$50/gal.
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And this is for the decking.
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There's a plumbing cleanout in the corner by the outlet, so I made an access hatch. Another one of them trowel handles (I scavenge them when the stucco guys toss 'em).
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I had to leave a little square piece down, so it wouldn't hit the outlet box when you lift the hatch.
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Now I've taken the fascia off that little return by the corner, and removed the little roof over the door. I broke out the stucco, and added a flashing, then patched the stucco back in. I also patched the stucco where the knee braces from the roof were removed. The flashing over the door will stay, and I'll add one more piece on this side of it.
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Now I've added the last piece of flashing, and patched the stucco back in around it. I've also added blocking between the rafter tails. I saved a chunk of broke out stucco, and took it to Lowes to match the color, for touch-ups.
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This is what I patch stucco with.
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First I paint the area around the patch with this, then mix a little in with the stucco, which I keep pretty thick.
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Don't know what these are called - arbor crowns? Gate crowns? Anyway, I cut the arch and glued the cut-out on top.
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Glued and screwed
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Glued and screwed and clamped to dry. That's the gate top on the left.
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one inch in, and one inch up - found a perfect form to scribe my cut line around!
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like that!
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I marked and cut from each side, since the blade deflects a little as it turns the radius.
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so its gonna look something like this (remind me to cut that post on the right!)
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It'll look better when it's painted white!
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Lots of nice touches there. Thanks.copper p0rn
Thanks.
This is my third gate built this way (bridle joints), and even 'tho each time I get better and faster, I still haven't found a better way to make these cuts. So, lacking a band saw, I use this low-tech method. The bridle joints are I think the most laborious and time consuming part of the process, but they are so strong I consider it worth it. But this is not exactly a work for hire either, so whether I could find clients who'd pay for this I don't know.
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I'm not sure I would paint the gate header, it makes a nice contrast to the white and it segues to the new deck."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
You have a point there. I'll put a coat of clear on 'em, and see how they look. Thanks for the suggestion!
Cutting the mortises (is it still called a mortise when its on the end?) for the gate stiles.
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For the tenons I cut grooves like this...
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using this
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then I break the chips out
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and clean it up with a belt sander
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I drilled my dowel holes before I cut the tenons
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Dado for the gate slats - 3 passes on the table saw, follow up with a chisel.
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Edited 10/8/2009 2:21 pm by Huck
and more dowel holes on the other edge of the rail
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the frame of the gate
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While the top and bottom rails have bridle joints, the middle rail has dowels
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You're looking at about a day and a half's worth of labor!
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then I fill the cracks, gaps, knotholes, etc. with this stuff, which I'll belt sand when it dries.
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Edited 10/8/2009 2:27 pm by Huck
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Got a small paying gig in Bako, so I'm back up the I-5 and over the hills for a coupla days, I hope to get back down to finish up soon.
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Huck,I always enjoy seeing your work. Thanks for posting.
Thank you. Sometimes I post with little or no feedback, and I'm never sure if anyone's enjoying the ride or not! I work alone most of the time, but my BT friends are never far from my mind - its what keeps me snapping pics and posting threads.View Image bakersfieldremodel.com
I am another one who follows along with your projects. I think you do exceptional work and the photo hosting site allows me to zoom in see what I should have done!
photo hosting site allows me to zoom in see what I should have done!
...or what I should have done better! =) I don't know how many have figured that out, but those mega blow-up sizes are definitely a two-edged sword - they can be informative, but they also show every little flaw!View Image bakersfieldremodel.com
Great work as always Huck. I wanted to share this gate/arbor I did in '04 I think. I was always very proud of it, being my project with a helper because my boss was a little scared to get involved. I was 24 at the time, I was just in that area and made the detour to take pictures of it, I don't think I even owned a camera at that time.
It was very wet earler that day, I think the cedar looks a lot better when its dry, oh well.
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Sorry if its not appropriate to post this here, I was just thinking you seemed to be into gates, I like your designs a lot.
Edited 10/9/2009 7:24 am ET by danno7x
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That is a beautiful gate! I'd love to know some of the construction details, i.e. how you cut the curves, is the top laminated, what kind of joinery, how deep are the posts, did you finish (varnish) it also, etc., etc. Very nice. And yes, I am into gates lately - not sure why, but I enjoy the challenges they present in a small project.
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Edited 10/9/2009 1:46 pm by Huck
Hey Huck, Nice looking project... I'm another one who likes your pictorials. You're not talking to yourself <G>http://www.tvwsolar.com
We'll have a kid
Or maybe we'll rent one
He's got to be straight
We don't want a bent one
He'll drink his baby brew
From a big brass cup
Someday he may be president
If things loosen up
heh heh heh, you can't know that's what I was wondering! View Image website
Cool, Im glad you liked it. Homeowner gave us pictures of 3 gates from books, and wanted a hybrid of them. The top curve is 3 1/2" square, laminated using 1x8's? maybe. I drew the curves of the gate on the garage floor in actual size, next to the shop and used it for reference.
I remember making a template out of some luan or something and then laid the 1x8" out so as to make best use of them and spread out the joints. Lots of glue starting form the first layer they could be screwed together except for the last layer was just glued and clamped. Ran one piece through the planer to make it 1/2 and put it in the middle. They were cut to rough shape with a jigsaw before being put together and then spent a bunch of time with the belt sander to get it perfect.
The uprights and bottom on the gates are 2x4's and the top had to be laminated too. Those spindles I made and routered all the edges with a slight roundover even the top and bottom (which I years later found out is called emphatic joinery, who knew). They were just marked out and hand cut with a jigsaw. Its all exterior wood glue and dowels. All kinds of dowels in there. Lots of clamps. Ya just never know how it will hold up and thats what I knew how to do at the time. Let me tell ya those joints look as tight as the day I put them together. I've always wondered about this project because I liked doing it and I'm glad I checked up on it after 4 or 5 years.
The gate posts are lagged into the fence posts (very stable) and the arbor posts are lagged into the gate posts. That trim on the curve covers the joint between the upper curve and the gate post and I think I put a bolt or something in the middle to align them and then glue or something, it would've gone 4" each way into the curve and post. Its finished with something but I don't remember what.
Thats a lot of stuff and if it doesn't make sense just say so, its always been something I remember fondly, but maybe not that clearly! I do know it was in the coldest part of winter and I was glad to be in the shop doing it! I wasnt involved in cost but I know I spent 40 hrs on it maybe a few more ;)
which I years later found out is called emphatic joinery, who knew
I didn't, but I've seen it done on Greene and Greene's work, and I like the look.
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Huck, you are definately a rock star here at BT. I'm slowly gaining confidence but wish I had your ability and ingenuity. I nice gate for me consists of pickets I'd buy at the home center.
hahaha! Here's what a rock star's work looks like:
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Had a friend of my family help me today, only took me twice as long as when I work alone LOL! Sweet old guy, gotta love him, but I'm just glad to have made it through the day with all his bones intact and all digits still attached.
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Are you going to paint that bare cmu wall?"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Are you going to paint that bare cmu wall?
OK, I bought some paint for it this a.m. Man, Lowes is really jacking the prices on the little stuff. 8 bolts with nuts and washers came to $17!!!!
Got the roof shingling finished - tucked in nice and neat under the existing roof, and under the flashing on the wall, so there shouldn't be any leaks!
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The roof is 6' x 15', took three sheets of plywood, and three bundles of shingles - with three shingles left over!
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I set my porch roof back about 6" behind the house roof - so I wouldn't destroy the symmetry of the gable. That existing fascia detail at the corners is the goofiest I've ever seen - but hey, I can't fix everything this go-around! So I let it be for now.
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overview of the front of the house
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I'm not happy with that square end on the glue-lam there
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I pre-painted the rafters and plywood before building the roof - seems so much easier that-a-way!
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OK, back to the gate. I'm dripping resin in all the areas that I don't want water to collect in. That ugly gash there is just me not paying attention to lumber defects as I was working - so I filled it with resin.
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That resin makes a drippy mess no matter what I do! Ready for sanding.
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Here you can see where I filled the dado around the fence planks with resin. And made a mess too LOL!
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would a grouter's pouch make that job a bit easier???
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
"Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"
Probably - something like that... maybe a cake decorators funnel?
Anyway, it cleans up pretty quick with a belt sander and 40 grit!
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Edited 10/13/2009 12:22 am by Huck
Incidentally, those are "Ruby Diamonds" cut out of the gate. Ruby being my mom's dog, and those being there for the specific purpose of barking at passing dogs, and of course, the mailman!
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My joints are not precision - I fill them with resin too.
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this picture is for FastEddie, as proof of my good intentions!
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A little sanding cleans everything up! Belt sanded first for the nasty stuff, then followed up with the palm sander.
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I cut the end of the beam round (multiple passes with skillsaw, followed up with belt sander), and added a decorative corble brace.
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Mom and Ruby, checking up on the hired help
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After sanding, a coat of spar varnish
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I bolted my rafters to the existing rafter tails
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thats what i'm talkin about.
looks good
Your mom is cute and so is Ruby. Border collie?
Did you have to get a permit because the porch was attached?
Work for the greatest vital intensity - the greatest solidity and aesthetic reality. Finally, eliminate everything non-essential. Reduce to the absolute essence. ~ F.C. Trucksess
Ruby is a miniature Australian Shepherd (I think). And I didn't ask.
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Got to water test my new roof - rain and drizzle all day today. Much needed, but hard to get much work done!
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That door there is a 2'6" (small) door, and it barely opens in because there is a washer and dryer behind it. Meaning you have to turn sideways and squeeze in, and if you open it in a hurry, it bangs into the washer. So I told my mom now that there is a better roof over the door, we could put an outswinging door there. So of course, I'm not even finished and she's asking When are you putting the new door in? That's a separate project Mom, let me finish this one first!
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"And I didn't ask."
I was just wondering, since we are about to build a patio cover over the 20 x 30 patio we recently poured. Here, as long as it is not attached to the house, we don't need a permit.
Work for the greatest vital intensity - the greatest solidity and aesthetic reality. Finally, eliminate everything non-essential. Reduce to the absolute essence. ~ F.C. Trucksess
Rounded end of the beam looks much better. I think the skinny handrail from that post to the freestanding post needs some help. At least a second rail halfway down. It looks fragile."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Got this in last night before putting everything in for the rain.
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have you tried reading that gas meter from the gate?
that oughta be fun. looks really good.
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Yes, you can see it, which is all they need. They have a magnifying viewer for the job, but once they switch to the new smart meters, they don't even have to see it. Its transmitted by radio wave, they just have to be near.View Image my website
So I had these hinges left over from something. And since Lowe's is outright gouging on the little hardware type stuff, I thought I'd use what I have first. I screwed the hinges down, then cut around the edges with a sharp knife.
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then I freehanded my little Bosch palm router up to the line
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cleaned up the corners and whatever with a utility knife, and now I've got mortised hinges!
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I'd run out and install it if it weren't raining! Put another coat of varnish on in the meantime.
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a little bit of progress, in spite of the rainy weather
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Absolutley beautiful work. It's great that your joints aren't perfect and that you're not afraid to show it.
I 2nd (or 3rd or whatever # I am) that I truly enjoy your threads even though I don't comment. I'll throw a thumbs up on the next one just to let you know I'm paying attention!
Mom should be proud of her son.
Edited 10/14/2009 5:09 pm ET by MikeRyan
Thanks Mike. Just a comment like that keeps me goin'!
Got the crown (what is the proper term for that?) bolted. I used some deck screws to hold it in place first, a little tacky, but what the hey.
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"I used some deck screws to hold it in place first, a little tacky, but what the hey."If you had moved the deck screws a bit closer to the bolt holes, you could have covered them with the washers. (If yer anything like me, you -won't- remember that, for the next time. LOL)Huck, you are one of the guys here whose work epitomizes "Fine Homebuilding".Keep it up. And thanks for sharing...It's all fun and games, until someone puts an eye out..You are always welcome at Quittintime
One other thought...Put ONE deck screw, exactly where the top bolt hole is going to be.Let that hold the piece in place, while you drill and bolt the bottom one. Then remove the deck screw, and drill and bolt the top one...It's all fun and games, until someone puts an eye out..You are always welcome at Quittintime
Thanks for that - man, sometimes I just don't have my brain in gear - then I look back and wonder what was I thinking!View Image my website
Sorry to backtrack; I'm behind in my reading and this thread just keeps truckin' along...I'm interested in the resin treatment. Is that just standard polyester resin with MEK hardener?Thx,Scott.
yes, standard polyester resin with catalytic hardenerView Image my website
"Thanks for that - man, sometimes I just don't have my brain in gear - then I look back and wonder what was I thinking!"That describes me, too! It means that I'll perpetually have something to learn, even if it's the same thing over and over. :)Huck- Thank you so very much for your well documented projects!View Image
a good general contractor has to have a clear vision of the finished product, and how each and every detail will impact the final outcome - its a challenge that I feel I can never fully master, but I do hope I get better with timeView Image my website
not doubting you but can we have a shot of the gas meter from outside the gate? :)
not doubting you but can we have a shot of the gas meter from outside the gate? :)
I finished up and just got home. I'll try to get a shot next time I'm down - but I doubt the camera will do it justice. I worked it out with google sketchup ahead of time - really cool how the 3D feature lets you actually see details like that as you design.View Image my website
painted bonder around the perimeter
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I thought it wouldn't hurt to add some fiber mesh I had left over from something - but I must've added a little too much, because it made finishing difficult when it bunched up on the surface in places.
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I saw this on the old gate and thought of darkaluke, so I put it on the new gate. My mom didn't even recognize it, asked where I got it!
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I got most surfaces repainted and revarnished today - but didn't get to the block wall. I've got the paint, 'tho, so next project I'll do that too.
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Mom had eye surgery recently, that's why the shades.
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I added a row of frieze blocks on the inside of the beam also - as a bird stop more than anything.
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So th-th-that's all folks! This project is a Done Deal! My big brother came by today and saw it for the first time - all he could say is "so what are you building - a castle?". Man, some things never change LOL!! Anyway, the timing was perfect. He'll be staying at his house nearby (a fixer upper he's fixing to sell) for a couple of months, so I'm wrapped up, and Mom has another son nearby for the next two months at least.
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Very nicely done, and a very enjoyable read. Thank you, Patrick
Really nice job Huck, i first started following your work when you did the addition for the handicapped son. Since that thread if i see a thread you posted i immediately open it up. Keep up the good work and pictures. Thanks Fred.
Great thread. I really enjoyed it. Thanks.
So you think maybe the other boys will feel guilty and maybe do something to fix up the house?"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Its a long and convoluted story of (probably typical) family politics, but I'm more or less the latecomer to this show.View Image my website
Everything looks nice, but the cellar window. It looks like a hazard there. Could you make some kind of a cover in case someone tripped and fell?
Everything looks nice, but the cellar window. It looks like a hazard there. Could you make some kind of a cover in case someone tripped and fell?
The pictures may distort that, since its really not the case so much in real time. I have thought about doing that, 'tho, (a cover) because of water intrusion to the basement. Although, I know rain in so. cal. is pretty minimal, esp. during this drought the past few years, and its been that way for 70 years without a problem. But it does bother me. Perhaps you could post a picture for me?View Image my website
I've got a few ideas. First would be a cover that slopes to the top of the window. Make the sides from the same flooring lumber. It could hinge or just lift off. I would use a clear polycarbonate (lexan) cover if you need light otherwise I would use something that is unobtrusive.Second would be a cover that looks like a tabletop. You could put a sloped pan under it to drain water.
Huck,
Thanks for the progress pictures (a la Mike Smith)
One comment.....I think the handrail on the LH side (as you go down the stairs) should be a little more "beefy" and ornate to go with the grandeur of the entire project, no?
I know it matches the one on the RHS, but to my eye it don't look right.
http://www.grosshillrentals.com
It appears that you built this in a week. Fine job!You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.
Marv
Great project and narrative Huck, I have admired your work for quite a while. Just one question, you planted the wood posts in the concrete, why not use something like Simpson post bases that would keep the wood out of contact with the ground, water, etc.? Just wondering, great project and I loved the gate, that came out great.
Experienced, but still dangerous!
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you planted the wood posts in the concrete, why not use something like Simpson post bases that would keep the wood out of contact with the ground, water, etc.?
Thanks. I really don't have a good answer to your question - maybe just old habits die hard, I guess.
Once the posts are planted in the ground plumb and inline, its easy to build the deck around them, without cumbersome temporary bracing. The posts are treated lumber to begin with, then I painted the portion that went in the ground with this, and let it dry.
It's southern california, a dry climate with sandy soil that percolates exceptionally well, so moisture probably isn't as big an issue as other places. As an afterthought, I followed up by epoxying some bolts into the cement, and adding some Simpson brackets.
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You can't use simpson post bases for non-top supported elements, like fence and gate posts. There isn't anyhting to resist falling over."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
It appears that you built this in a week. Fine job!
hahahah. "Appears" is the operative word, here. The project ran for several weeks. But that's OK, since they weren't always 5-day weeks, and included taking Mom grocery shopping, visiting, doing handyman repairs around the house, etc.View Image my website
Very nice work Huck and very informative thread. If you are ever around southern Indiana and looking for a "Dad" that you want to help out I have some work for you. Just kidding, I an probably to young to be your day.
It is great the way that you help your mom out, with this project and the front porch before. I wished that I would have done more from my mom when she was around. You will really appreciate the time that you spent doing this for you mom later, and she appreciate it now.
Mike
We are the people our parents warned us about. J. Buffett
Edited 10/16/2009 3:21 pm ET by parrothead
I think the handrail on the LH side (as you go down the stairs) should be a little more "beefy" and ornate to go with the grandeur of the entire project, no?
thanks, I'm a big fan of Mike's threads also. He's who I want to be when I grow up! In hindsight, you may be right about the handrail, it hadn't occurred to me. There are always a few things I would have or might have done differently on every project, for sure! I will say that "grandeur" was the furthest word from my mind as I worked on the project - I tried to keep everything simple, clean, and uncluttered. But somehow everything I do always ends up being a little more cluttered than my initial vision!
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not doubting you but can we have a shot of the gas meter from outside the gate? :)
Sorry it took awhile. I was down last night, shot this one for you!
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That is absolutely amazing. From all the other pics it looked impossible.
You da man!!
All I can say is your mom is very, very lucky! Beautiful work. I don't understand all the technical jargon, but it sure helps to see it, visual learner that I am...
Visual. That's me too. I'm a very visual person, why I love Google Sketchup! Here's my sketchup planning sketch, and the end product.
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"Probably - something like that... maybe a cake decorators funnel?"Large syringe.No needle. No plunger. Just let the resin drain out of the tip.To stop the flow, put your thumb over the plunger end...It's all fun and games, until someone puts an eye out..You are always welcome at Quittintime
That's a NICE gate!
Thanks! Can you believe this detail? A real Einstein came up with this one. Almost tripped a few hundred times during the course of the job, and DID trip a few times also. So here I'm drilling holes in preparation for busting the concrete out.
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concrete tomorrow!
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this is a doorstop/gate latch I rigged up
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Hi Huck,
Hey, keep on snapping pics and posting...they are always enjoyable! I liked your gate design. My own house is situate next to an alley at the rear of my property. A gate like that coupled with a large plant arbor would look real nice. Might just have to copy that gate design come next Spring...if you don't mind too much.
Davo
Might just have to copy that gate design come next Spring
Have at it! Its a taller version of one I posted before, but I decided to eliminate one step by using dowel for the vertical slats on the top half. The other one used dowel pegs in square 2x2's, so this was a simplification. And come to think of it, the other one had tongues on the ends of the flat slats, I eliminated that step on this one also.
My mom saw that one (it was for a friend of hers, and I worked on it at her house), and loved it so much I knew I'd have to build her one someday!
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I wish I had your eye for design. Your artistic talents come thru even when doing the simpler projects. Seeing the how the end product evolves is just as informative to people like me as the construction details.
Huck,Great stuff as usual. Thanks for sharing the photos. Always appreciate seeing your inventive solutions to the task at hand!And good for you for helping your mom out.'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb
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I hated to see the thread end without you being finished! looks good!
OK, here's a couple more shots
Beam me up scotty
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The glue-lam was only 3" wide!
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round-tail rafters - I rough cut them to shape, then clamped several together and belt sanded. Kinda funny I went with a 4x10 header to hold up 2x4 rafters LOL!!
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the beam is painted white on the public side, spar varnish on the house side.
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I see you still have not cut off the top of the new gate post ... :)"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Now you can see why I wanted that post in the corner - to attach a handrail to.
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Looks good.Chuck Slive, work, build, ...better with wood
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Dear Neal,
Your mother needs her rest. Can you please keep the racket down?
>>kidding, of course<<
You are a good son and the project looks great! Question: Why did you opt for such a closed-slat treatment on the porch railing? Was it for privacy?
Question #2: Did you get a good price on the redwood? The price has dropped quite a bit up here.
Hey I hope you didn't throw away her old "Beware of Dog" sign! I have been looking for one just like that, can't find them anymore.
Why did you opt for such a closed-slat treatment on the porch railing? Was it for privacy?
Mostly it was just the way I was feeling at the time. Like the "window" I left for the meter reader took such a big chunk of the railing out, that the remainder should be closed. And it'll match the gate.
I don't even recall on the redwood price. It was just the only decking the big box store had in stock, and I didn't need all that much, so I just bought it and put it down without giving it much thought.
I think I have an extra beware of dog sign, and oldie just like that one. If you email me a mailing address, I'll see if I can find it, and send it to ya'.
I'm not such a great son, but I feel like I just got my mom back. For 30 years she was married to a mean s.o.b. who didn't like her family, and treated us all like cr@&, so for 30 years me and my sister and two brothers just didn't go where we weren't welcome. He passed away a short time back, and I'm just getting reacquainted with my mom. She grew up with an abusive father, and just fell into her old pattern, although she regrets it every day now.View Image bakersfieldremodel.com
Another thought about the "good son" line - I should clarify: I'm not charging Mom like a regular customer, but I am making her pay what I'm sure amounts to a pretty good chunk of change by her standards (remember - this is a woman who bought this 300K plus house for $5K, back in the day when my dad was making $15/week working for the L.A. Dept. of Water and Power!).
So its not like I'm just driving all that way and donating my time!! She pays for my gas, my materials costs, and a little something to bring home to my long-suffering wife LOL!! My rationale is as follows: A) She can afford to pay a little B) If I give it totally free, she doesn't appreciate it as much C) In more prosperous times I could afford to work for free, but wouldn't have the time. In these slow times, I have the time, but am pretty broke.
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Edited 10/8/2009 11:26 pm by Huck
>>>So its not like I'm just driving all that way and donating my time!! Seems like a square deal to me. Plus that 300K house is now worth more like 325K with that nice porch.Scott.
Edited 10/8/2009 11:42 pm by Scott
Thanks. Here's what I came back to town for: H.O. called me to ask if I could build a base cab. and a "false wall" (plywood panel) to hang his flat screen TV on. The cabinet had to match and look like it came with the unit, and the panel had to be removeable. And could I have it done within a week. My bid was $850, and he said he'd pay $1K if it was done by Thurs. night. Not that thats any big dieal, but I figured if he was that excited to get it done, I'd try to accomodate him.
Here's the cabinet:
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My cabinet shop charged me $475 to build the cab., but they wouldn't finish it, for fear of it not matching. So I stained it with Golden Oak Minwax, and brushed three coats of oil based polyurethane satin finish, in my driveway. Final coat this morning, drove out and installed this afternoon.
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