Just fired my helper today. Found out where my Hilti Rotary hammer went a few months back. And now where my Paslode trimmer and sawzall went.
None the less, I think I want to work alone for a while. Any tips other than the ones in the “solo building?” book.
How to move sheetrock, hang heavy doors, etc….
Can’t I go 1 day without spilling my coffee?
Replies
Sorry to hear what happened. John Carrroll's book "Working Alone" had some good tips. Taunton sells it (no, I don't work for them, just read the book). Lots of good ideas, especially using the new quickgrip clamps to hold stuff up.
Yeah, i've already read that book, that's the one i was thinking about in first post, just couldn't think of the name.
I'm just not as strong as i used to be, so there's one of my main problems.
Can't I go 1 day without spilling my coffee?
Sub-contractors.
Really. Develop relationship with good, well paid subs that you'd invite over for BBQ.
Set up your contracts so they get paid the day they finish. Also, get to know other guys who work alone and offer to help each other as the need arise.
Sorry about the rip off. But if you need a helper, look for a new guy who isn't a thief and understands that you have a new policy for dealing with thieves.
Edited 6/6/2002 9:10:24 PM ET by Mark McDonnell
I do alot of renovation, sub are ok for Electric and plumbing, but unless its a huge addition, I like to do as much as i can.
As for the thief, No one would have ever thought it of the guy. He was clean cut, good kid. Friend of my whole family. Invited him to dinner w/ my wife and me etc.. He was a real friend, i thought. If I didn't personally catch him, I'd have never belived it.
Can't I go 1 day without spilling my coffee?
Here is a long discusion from last fall.
http://forums.prospero.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=541.1
I like to work by myself, too. I haven't found a solution to carrying long floppy stuff yet, like Hardi Plank, but other than that, you just gotta think clamps. I have managed to work 12' long 2x12s up 8x8s and bolt them on 8' up in the air by myself. And I think it was EASIER than if I had help. Because it was secure, not "Hurry and get the nail in! I can't hold this!" I clamped a block and a board to the post sort of like the old bar-the-castle-gates arrangement, then just moved one side at a time until I got it all the way up there. Leisurely checked the level and everything, it's all good.
You can also hook two clamps together to reach farther than one will go by itself. That's ####good trick. I can do just about anything with 4 24" QuickGrip clamps.
I also like my BoWrench for decks. And clamps, too.
And my sand filled dead blow Estwing mallette is good for knocking things into place WHILE they are clamped. I like it a lot better than using a regular hammer because it doesn't mark the wood and it doesn't make the wood ring and hurt my ears.
Wedges.
Leverage.
Wheels.
Inner tubes.
Trim nails to hook the end of the tape over and secure the chalk line.
Shingles instead of lap siding.
the main thing will be to get into the mindset of staging your work before you start....because that guy you used to yell down to run something up the ladder isn't there anymore!
Heavy things can usually be walked /pivoted/rolled into place one way or another. Rent a drywall lift. Look into a cabinet lift ala "GilLift".
A buddy at work got the 30 ft I beam from the driveway ...around back......and up onto the deck before I could get there late morning. He cut up the round porch columns we had replaced into 4 sections .....used a big prybar as a lever.....found the center point and rolled the thing thru the mud. Used the center point trick again and got it up onto blocks by see-sawing it as the 2x cribbing grew to match the deck.....about 2.5 feet. Then used the rollers again to position it to roll right into the access hole we later cut into the house. A rented beam lift was used to get it onto horses.....the lift forks reversed so it would snug up into the ceiling blind.
Damn beam went from driveway to ceiling with out anyone breaking a sweat or being anywhere close to getting crushed.
Lots can be done with a few minutes of forethought. I find I can usually get more done by myself. Braces, nails, screws,clamps.....broom handles.....bags of sand.....what ever it takes.
Another tip from my buddy Joe.......carrrying sheets of 3/4 ply around the site....I was doing the extended arm deal.......left arm down by my knee holding the bottom....right across steadying the top......holding it horizontal......Joe goes to the pile.....slides a sheet off so it's standing vertical.....8ft tall......then turns around and backs into it.......bends slightly and lets it rest on back....bends his knees slightly....and reaches down and back with his arms.....and grips the sides.....picks it up easy as pie.......and walks away like there's no weight what so ever. Mover style.
There's usually an easier way to do things....ya jusy gotta stand back and think for a short while. Jeff "That's like hypnotizing chickens........."