I have some time on my hands today( cold, wind, snow, lazy)———— so i thought I would give posting pictures a try.
Please be kind—- i have no teenagers at home at present to help out with this—so I expect abysmal failure ,LOL.
historically—- most of my work has come from within a 8-10 block radius—-so i thought I would show a few pictures of what the old neighborhood looks like———————– here goes——–
Probably gonna need some help downsizing these—— it’s all i can do to get’em posted by myself in the first place.
first Picture is a house I sold about 2 years ago————–had the house fixed up to where there was nothing for me to do, but watch the history chanel and nude swedish college girls playing volleyball on cable TV—-then my wife found the house of her dreams———–
Ok folks, here is an edit————- y’all might want to just read the text in the next 30 posts or so— most of the pictures will be difficultly sized for you—— but if you open the pictures down in the 31st and 32 posts(8364.31, 8364.32) most of those should be shrunk down small enough for you.
after posts 31-32– any new posts should be more suitably sized
Edited 1/8/2007 1:24 pm ET by Hazlett
Edited 1/9/2007 8:58 am ET by Hazlett
Replies
these next pictures are of the "new" old house--------- it's a work in progress----and a calculated gamble----it's about 4-5 blocks from the old house
here
View Image
psychedelic brick.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Here is another view. It's about 3 times the size of the old house---but just a few blocks away.
with my kids going off to college-------- we didn't really need a house this size---------- but we are extremely happy here all the same. 4 bedrooms, 2 livingrooms, an office, a sunroom, 2 fireplaces( one in the basement), walnut woodwork out the wazoo---- been here almost 2 years and I am still finding closets in the bedrooms and basement that i didn't know we had.----------( I am not much on closets-----------every item of clothing i own could be stuffed in a army duffle bag-----but my wife tells me closets are desireable----and apparently 2 walkin closets per bedroom are especially desireable to wives.........
lets try that again
Edited 1/8/2007 1:44 pm ET by Hazlett
Try to keep you files under 100kb. These are too big, most posters won't take the time to open them.“The richest genius, like the most fertile soil, when uncultivated, shoots up into the rankest weeds..†– Hume
love to---------- just don't know how--------- if somebody spells it out for me I be happy to----remember-- I AM a dummy---LOL
Depends on what software you have. But somewhere in the toolbar at the top of the page will be an item for Edit then Resize. Just shrink it down to something a lot smaller. Sometimes you can right-click on the picture and then select Format Picture. Play aroubnd a little and see what options you have. Be sure to Save-As with a slughtly different name, or else you will lose the original picture.
"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
thanks eddie---------- for now---in the abscence of more explicit--completely idiot/err I mean "Stephen proof " directions on downsizing--------- i will have to wait until a teenager comes home---or the wife---or somebody in the household smart enough not to spend their life climbing ladders and hitting things with hammers---LOL
i noticed when calvin downsized the one picture--it made the brickwork pretty wild---not like it is in real life
I am actually freaking amazed i got THIS far myself------since I don't know WHAT the hell I am doing with this--kind of expected to accidentally launch a missile strike on China---LOL,
anyhow---absent some easy to follow directions from somebody here on breaktime---- I will wait untill I can get some help on the homefront before i post anymore new pictures----------- i have some more of the "hood'---and then some scary roofs we have done--and some BIG roofs------and some bread and butter shots------------also---can't find an entire file of some "other" pictures-----
in the meantime--my apologies for the excessively LARGE pictures and i AM sincerely greatfull for any help anybody has tried to give me-----------
Stephen
Ok, got an assist from son #2.
this park is across the street from my house------if my arm was 20 years younger I could hit that sign with a baseball from my front yard----got to admidt I would have to one-hop it though.
love the park--in the summer we have Ballet, orchestra, pops concerts etc.----an official marathon runs past my house( if ya see a blue line painted on the street in any pictures--it's part of the marathon route)
neighborhood puts on its own parade and fireworks show on july 4th----parade past my house in the morning----thousands of people walk past TWICE for the fireworks----it is, at times like living in a Norman Rockwell picture.
the park pictured is ,of course Firestone Park-------- the neighborhood is ALSO Firestone Park------ the Street is Firestone Blv.-------- About 3 minutes away there is AN OTHER park---ALSO Firestone Park.
See A THEME ????
Lets hope these 3 pictures are sized OK.
when I talk about the majority of my work coming within a 8-10 block radius------this building is the center point.
i am not religous---but some of the family is--and this is the focal point of the neighborhood as far as we are concerned. I roofed this church when we built it new about 3 years ago----------- It goes about 140 square. It was a Union job---but since I am technically a Parishoner( though not union)---and since the local Carpenters union did NOT want to shingle it-- the diocese and the union were happy for me to shingle it and save folks some money.
I did most of it solo---although some of the time I had a helper. I recieved a shell with 15# felt and copper drip edge on it. I installed 50 year Elk( Balsam Forest if I remember)---and copper valleys. A seperate company did the flat roofs(.060 rubber) and the copper gutters.
there are also some vents at the top of the "shed" roofs, below the arched windows
I intentionally had those removed from my scope of work because i KNEW they would be a problem down the road--and I didn't want the liability.-- informed the contractor--the foreman, the parish etc.--that these would be a problem-------'course no one would listen to a dumb roofer---after all an architect had spec'ed it.
well--3 years later they ARE a problem--at least they aren't MY problem !!!!
one last thing------ i barely made wages on this roof---that's OK. I agreed to do it because I liked the idea that my family friends and neighbors would all be being married and burried under my roof for the next generation or so.
also-since i see this building EVERY day-- I didn't want to spend the next 40 years looking at someone elses work.
BTW-- I am a grad of the attached school, as are my 2 sons, my 5 brothers and sisters, many of my neighbors, and my wife teaches in the school
If you have photo software, there's a function called 'resize', found in the toolbar at the 'view' or possibly the 'edit' dropdown. For posting on the Web, you need 72 ppi resolution and you can see the resolution by right clicking on the photo, then click on 'Properties'. When you resize, you have the ability to set the resolution in several ways but again, you don't need more then 72 ppi. How long have you had the second house- nice! Did it come with the awnings? Do they need to stay? IMO, it would be great to see the Palladian window(s) instead of covering it(them). Maybe the sun could be blocked with trees instead, where the canopy height isn't too great and the trunk allows viewing the house from the street.
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
highfigh,
i will try to put up a picture without the awnings.
the window you refer to------
is in smaller diningroom---really a breakfast room originally
the room measures about 8x12---so that window takes up most of the west facing wall
from about May through august-- the sun on that side of the house turns that room into a sauna at dinner time without the awnings.
we have always kept to the old ways as much as possible---- family eats TOGETHER at about 5:15.--- visitors eat with us if they are here at mealtime----we will just put a little more water in the potatoe soup.
son has a friend in----awkward circumstances---who regularly shows up here un-announced on sunday mornings for pancakes etc.---- it's a privilege------
anyhow--about the awnings--- these particular awnings---did not come with the house---but awnings were original to the house--- hardware was in place.
i tried, but failed ,to track down the original supplier of the original awnings. found the next best thing and a VERY local supplier-------- they tell me they were able to tell from the type of hardware and it's placement pretty much what was there--plus with the age of the house and what was locally fashionable at the time---we are pretty confident it is a suitable match. supplier we went with had index cards from the period recording what was on neighboring homes at the time-------------------
anyhow---we put up the awnings this spring----and the phone rang for 2 weeks with people telling us what a difference it made on the house
they come down in the fall----and the dining room is usable year round now------in comfort. Storm window down, awnings up---reverse in the fall---- it's a few hours work and a ritual i enjoy
one of my first projects last year was to build a storm window for that window----the existing one was so rotted it couldn't be safely handled--------- learned a LOT on that project----- necesity made that one of the first windows I built----but I really should have worked up to it.
things are getting a little confusing here---- to many windows open on screen, and i am forgetting where i have stashed things.
prior to yesterday i had never bothered with opening more than one thing------- poor management-------
anyhow--these 2 pictures
40 ft. ladder does not reach the turret.
at the time-- i remembered Frenchy lambasting me for not owning a lift---- but really in about 20 years---this is the first job we could have USED one---where one would have fit on the site.
since august, when this project was done, "we"--- have picked one up.
sub actually owns it--- it will be good to work on my chimney with----if we can figure how to get it into the back yard LOL
BTW---------- some of you will notice a bit of a ripple just to the left of the front valley.
I was unable to sell 50 year shingles on this job----which would have covered that ripple nicely.--valleys are closed cut valleys
flashing is one layer modified bitumen base sheet SA
SECOND layer is modified bitumen cap sheet( flintlastic SA)
then shingled over
valley was meant to be " bomb proof'--or as bomb proof as we could make it for the money---several options were discussed and suggested---with the various pro's and cons-- this was what was decided upon.
this is about the only light condition and time of day that ripple is apparent------- and as far as I know---in the real world i am the only one who knows it's there.
Edited 1/10/2007 10:47 am ET by Hazlett
Edited 1/10/2007 10:53 am ET by Hazlett
Wow, a 40 ft ladder doesn't reach. Makes me nervous looking at the pics.
Don't want to get personal, but what did you charge to do that job? Not that I really want to know, cuz it would take a lot more for me to do it. Kinda wondering if there is an upcharge for the height and all.
"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 understand the need to cool the room but it would be nice to see the brick work around the window. That's the reason I mentioned trees to block the sun. Being of that style, with the exposure it has, I suspect the awnings were added soon after it was built but I'm not sure they were there at the time of completion (flat-topped awning on a Palladian window). I wouldn't design a house with details like those with the intention of covering them. Personal preference, I guess. It was built in the 1920s, right? Yeah, they loved awnings then. Rotting windows is something I have to look at every day, as long as I'm looking at the house next door. The owner "fixed" them by screwing small metal plates at the joints and repainting them. New ones would make the place look so much better. That is a really good looking house. Good idea keeping meals together, too.
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
high figh,
this is the house next door---actually across the street since i am at a 3way intersection.
owner is a great guy---and his wife is my wife's teachers aid------ but i wish he hadn't put vinyl double hung windows in that house
RE, our awnings-- you may be right--not original, but VERY soon after
on the circular window--we could have got a circular awning------- but it would have had to be pretty permanently mounted and stay up year round----- they get dingy pretty fast that way---we enjoy the seasonal change and keeping things fresh putting them up, taking them down etc.
I have the original plans and drawings for the house--- it was built a bit different as originally intended
for example--- the garage was originally intended to be turned 90 degrees from the way it actually is---which i would have greatly preferred
it's kind of a vauguely pie shaped lot---so i assume there were space/zoning issues involved siteing it
Edited 1/10/2007 11:12 am ET by Hazlett
At least his windows aren't bare aluminum, like in the '60s. I grew up in a house that was basically mid-century modern ranch and after the sun came streaming into the front window in the living room, my folks put an awning on that and the master BR window. There was a pair of birch trees in front and originally, a big elm at the north lot line, with big old elms at the street. Well, the elms did what elms do and in most cases, Norway Maples and ash were planted in their place but when the birches went, a small maple was planted and has taken its time growing so it really doesn't look as good as it once did. I'm happy you didn't put up those aluminum slat awnings that roll up when you want more light.
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
I knew the frat house job would stress me a bit----------- so i bought a bicycle to blow off a little steam---------
i would work the frat housejob-------- come home eat---and ride my bike untill dark.
credit to my household--- they gave me time to do this--knowing it was a 9-10 day project---and a 3 day project is loooong for me typically
pretty soon i was riding regularly about 80-100 miles a week and kept it up untill it started gettin dark BEFORE I got home from work in the late fall.
sundays- i like to get up early-----and ride through akrons post industrial landscape while there is no traffic and i have the roads pretty much to myself-------------
so----check the air in your tires, grab a water bottle----and let's take a ride.
as I mentioned--- my house sits on a sanctioned marathon course( we are HUGE distance running fans here in the hazlett house)---------
it's about 6:00 AM--------- let's cross the street to the park and we will follow the marathon "BLUE LINE"---and see where it leads us about town-----------------
as we ride along the blue line past the park and out of the neighborhood we pass some fairly generic blue collar housing----all in all-quite similar to my first house--with the funky dormers??????
we will head north--there is no traffic out now--and heading at a good clip for about 10 minutes we approach down town---and our first stop
part of the University of Akron Campus-- the frat house is just a block or so away
when I went to akron U back in the early 80's-- this was a through street ----Buchtel Ave
Edited 1/10/2007 12:07 pm ET by Hazlett
ride through campus a block or so------and we come to E.J.Thomas performing arts hall
ballet, concerts, shows of all kinds--high school graduations etc.
one block farther and we are leaving the campus---------this is Inventure Place, and the National inventors hall of fame---who knew there was such a place????
this is St. Bernards.
Originally a German parish---it's now quite mixed---and up and coming hispanic.
in some of the rooftop Frat house pictures-- you can see this church in the distance--and you are looking down on these steeples. If you go to the RIGHT catholic highschool--- you have your last mass here the night before----and the next evening you graduate from E.J. Thomas Hall
My wife and i did it in 1980- our oldest son last spring--and our second son this spring.
my wife and i were high school sweeties---and to do this for our kids was our over-riding goal from before we were married-- even when we were making $4:50-$5:00 per hour-- the goal was in mind
let's turn the corner--and head north---- we traveled west across campus for a few blocks----- we resume north.
about a block down the street we come to the Ocasek building.
Ugly ain't it?????( things get even uglier shortly-----but that's another story)
the ocasek building-------in combination with the next building were highly formative to me. I used to pass this building under construction every morning on my way to school in the 70's------------ and pretty much---it illustrated every thing i hated about new buildings----also a really cool building-the akron armory--home to many boxing matches etc,-was bulldozed to make way for this government building.
i do remember seeing an iron worker with his hard hat on backwards slide down those curved I beams--with such non-chalance(sic?)--- i thought that was immensely cool------ i now suspect he wasn't as casually as he took pains to appear, LOL
these 2 pictures should be of Quaker Square
It's catty corner from the Ocasek building.------ in it's day--these were grain silos for the Quaker Oats company-- some of you may recall it as " the cereal shot from cannons"
cereal was one of our MANY early industries-----and if I am remembering-- oats were moved via compressed air--under ground through tubes--and down to be loaded on the Ohio/Erie canal---or rail road cars----- not far away( we were founded as a canal town---- ohios version of the wild,wild west!)
roughly at the same period the Ocasek building was foisted upon us-- the quaker oats facility was renovated into a hotel--and retail complex--------
As much as I hated the Ocasek building--- I loved the re-use of the quaker oats building----and loved strolling the shops with my girlfreind( now wife)--- even when we couldn't buy a thing
when we married-------- this is where we spent our first night before heading out of town
'course--- stephen---being poor and lacking even a credit card--- had to go down the day before--and pay the room charge in cash---in advance------- pretty suave eh????????
turned out to be a good idea-- i remember sailing through the checkin---while another couple-in full bridal gear---awarkedly counted out a wad of 1$ bills from THEIR bridal dance to pay for the room, LOL---at least I was spared that!!!
BTW--- hotel was a hilton then---and the bedrooms are circular--- try to " corner' your new bride in a circular room. I was younger and faster then!
Edited 1/10/2007 2:52 pm ET by Hazlett
if we ride a block farther---we come to what i referr to as-" a rape in progress"
beautifull old building, currently an art museum--- being ravaged by this hulking piece of ####.
really--the ugliest thing imaginable--- it's much further along today---but still looks much the same
mother effing architects--making a " statement"
lets pretend we didn't see that rape------
we will admidt that we were powerless to stop it----and it will be our shamefull secret we never speak of---but we will shower compulsively---------
heading north 2 blocks further----we ride out over a bridge--------
the bridge spans the "Little Cuyahoga Valley"------ which conects with the "Cuyahoag Valley'---an national park---we will skirt the edge of that today--maybe i will take you for a ride there another time----------
now the bridge we are riding on--- is the place you jump from in akron--if ya want to kill your self.
i get some strange looks as i stop mid span to snap these pictures--- but nobody asks me not to jump.
down below--some subsidized public housing projects---are makingway for mixed income/market rate housing---with sort of a new urbanism thing going on
Edited 1/10/2007 12:56 pm ET by Hazlett
we ride north across the bridge into what used to be the italian section of Akron,-we will circle around a hospital--pass a lovely church which i can't show you 'cause i took the picture into the sun--- head past grandmas house--------- and head BACK across the bridge South this time into downtown.
in the distance you will see a luxury residential building under construction--we will get closer in a minute
I think thisis a photo of more of those mixed income ,new urbanism buildings--- oops--no it's not
Edited 1/10/2007 1:06 pm ET by Hazlett
akron get's some nationally known speakers from time to time.
once upon a time--a woman of REAL character came to town------------------
around the corner from the sojurner truth building----and nearly catty corner from the "rape"---we have a fledgling arts district developing.
my son has played this club------- it's actually a nice sized venue for small local acts.
Mocha is a coffee house------ musica is owned by the same guy next door--it's a music facility joined together-- bar in the music side.
the owner is an really interesting guy--- i have met him a few times---- but it's not like we are close friends or anything.
If I was smarter, better educated, better looking, and had more money-- i would do what this guy does. i have followed his career with admiration for 20 years. He has nearly single handedly re-developed this end of downtown-privately-------- while at the same time--the city has used public money/subsidies to do larger projects at the south end of downtown.
hew is a guy i would love for blue to meet.
Ok---as the crow flies-we are gonna travel about a block and a half---- but we are gonna have to pedal maybe 4 blocks to do so-----------
remember we are on the edge of a valley at the moment
building in the picture doesn't look like much now---in fact i am told it is currently pretty much a gay night club--- when open------( not that there is anything WRONG with that, LOL)-----
but in it's day---it was a Jazz and blues club right in the heart of the " colored section'--to use the language of it's day
think of a legendary jazz or blues great???--- they played here most likely.
Edited 1/10/2007 1:29 pm ET by Hazlett
You just gonna leave us here at the gay club?
jt8
"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned."-- Buddha
that's funny john--i loved that!
I am typing my fingers to the bone all mornin here------- give me an effen second ok??? LOL :)
dudes gotta take a leak once in a while ya know?
ok,
in real time-it's only about 20 minutes since we left my house
so------ it's a little early for the worlds best pizza joint to be open--- right across from the new building.
when Luigis opens---within 15 minutes every booth is full and the line is out the door.
i know, got there at 5:15 last friday----45 minute wait.
some of the budding arts and music district
Ok--- we travel about a block and a half now, down hill into the little cuyahoga valley.
at no time this morning have we left the marathon route more than 50 feet---in fact we will stay on it all morning.
we are at the Mustill store building-----
Actually we are getting on the Ohio/Erie canal towpath for a while.
from this spot--we Could head north to cleveland-- conceivably all the way to Lake Erie by bike----almost never leaving the tow path
If we head south, parts are still being re-developed---but basically it passes within 5 minutes of my house---6 blocks or so( right behind the old Firestone Plant)
It's still a little cut up near my house---but if i ride about 10 minutes from my house i can get on---and ride pretty much maybe 30 miles south to Zoar, Ohio---which was a Utopian community in the 1800's--------
but right now---we are at the mustill store.
In real time--and NOT following the marathon route-- i get here in about 12 minutes.
we are gonna have to take a break here for a bit--in real time i have other stuff to do--AND I am typed out.
I hope Some of you have been having fun-- i know i have.
my apologies if the writing blows, etc.--- i try to pretty much just write what I would tell someone in person---in prettymuch the same language i would use.
we had snow last night--and i had some time to kill-- i had hoped enough would melt off by noon that i could work on a slate roof project this afternoon--- but it looks like it has to melt another hour or so---which will be too late to start today.
weather permitting i will be humping slate up a ladder tomorrow------- but if time permits i will try to pedal us a bit further along the marathon route
we have a LOOOONG way to go yet
Best wishes,All,
Stephen
dudes gotta take a leak once in a while ya know?
It is only my fear of a 2 week Taunton suspension that keeps me from contemplating the correlation between posting pics and description of a gay bar and the sudden need to take a leak... ;)
And by the by, while I'm rambling, you don't have a close up of that Flemish or whatever it was brickwork on that one house, do you? I can't tell if they're using a special brick..or if they just have a normal one turned and sticking out or what. Neat effect though. And I really like that front porch with what probably has a deck for the second floor. Nice depth to it.
View Imagejt8
"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned."-- Buddha
john--really got ta run ,now--but back earlier in this thread is a 855KB picture that is the closest i can come for you.
when i worked on that house earlier this summer--- i didn't own a digital camera.
Later this fall- i did a driveby and took these pictures-knowing that sometime in the winter i hoped to do this thread.
my work on that house was pretty limited--mostly i was removing some storm windows.
In the late 1970-s. early 1980's---the owner was a professional piano tuner. He built some stormwindows out of 2x4's doweled together with a sheet of plexiglass inset in a dado.
He then proceeded to effen lagbolt these storm windows direct to the masonry.
just made the windows really snug to the opening----force fit em into position---then ratcheted lag bolts into the brick work---not the mortar joint mind you--just drove it into the brick-------- so--about half the widows have the brick a bit chipped where the lag bolts were.
he did that on half the house---- the other half of the house--he realized he had the storm frames wedged in so tight that he didn't need to bolt'em in place----he just caulked em in place
Believe me---the bricks are something special--hard to explain.--you can feel a little bit of it from the picture--but in person---the bricks seem to -- i don't know---glow from with in--they radiate beauty in a way i don't think i have ever seen other brick do.
to put it another way--some young women have the same thing--when they are about 19 or 20--the skin tone---????? it's gone by about 24 or so---- they may still be wonderfully beautifull-- but that light from within???-isn't quite there anymore------very fleeting---------without being hoky-like flowers????
anyhow------ this brick has it------ 90 YEARs later.
Btw------- on the porch---above the stone arch???-that's all rebuilt about 10 years ago. dismantled, original brick CAREFULLY salvaged and re-built-- pretty good ,huh?????
you should see the garage---same brick. If I was single--
i would be happy living in the garage--it's high enough to be a story and a half. Car doors down below--built into a hill-------- Man door at yard level----could just about build a loft in the upper half and live upstairs--with a shop under neath.
Stephen
we have been getting closer and closer to this building all morning.
it sits on the VERY edge of the valley.
ultimately-- i hope to finish out my days in a buddhist monastery----but before that--- i could see myself retiring here for a few years.
units start about 180K----up to a million.You are exactly one block away from over a hundred miles of bike trails. GREAT pizzeria across the street. Great steak house a couple blocks away, music clubs, art galleries, art museum, new public library, an out door music venue in the summer, a AA professional baseball team located 8 blocks away, more night clubs, more coffee houses--all less than 8 blocks away-most within a one block radius or so.
We stopped at the Spaghetti Warehouse at the base of the former silos-turned hotel on a trip from NY once. It looks impressive until you get up close and see how ragged the cuts are at the balconies. Then again, i don't know if there's a really clean way to get through an 8" curved concrete wall. Intriguing concept though.The architectural firm that's designed the art museum is Coop Himmelblau (Austrian). They've been around since the 80's. Pretty much everything they do ends up like that. Might not be your cup of tea, but you have to admit it'll make people look twice. :)Firm i used to work at designed the new University of Akron rec center. Familiar with it/any photos?
draftguy---
spaghetti warehouse is-and always has been i believe-at the other end of down town------- never in the quaker building------- It's in a Goodrich Tire & Rubber Factory building i think-----we will bike past there later in the trip---can't recall if i took any pictures.
Re the ragged cuts----------
they aren't really ragged.
It's been 25 years or so---but what i recall--------- they kind of core sampled the 4 corners of each opening---and then with a giant wet saw----cut corner to corner.
the agregate inside the wall is exposed by the cut-probably what you are thinking of as "rough"---- course it was never meant to be exposed when the silos were built what? 100 years ago?
RE: the rec center-------- we biked past it about 30 seconds prior to the picture of akron U. that i did show.
since the rec center was on the route--but didn't make the photo show-- i must not have liked it??? LOL.
Pretty much---it looks just like a industrial warehouse------ my sons high school track team hosts an indoor meet there late in the winter---it's OK. when my son went to college---- every DIII school we looked at had a fairly comparable facility-- i was really suprized! I don't know about at Akron U----but where my son goes( Marietta)---- the indoor rock climbing features are pretty popular---Akron i think has the same.
Best wishes, stephen
The drill holes at the corners . . . that's right. I just remember thinking they would've looked better trimmed out somehow. And those rock walls at the rec centers are all standard anymore. Figures . . . all i got was some torn up weight benches next to the steam room in college.nice pictures :)
gotta walk the dog--see ya tomorrow though----------
one thing--while i think on it
it's been several years since i have been inside the quaker building--was in there several times a week in the 80's( I worked in the library next block over)--- but as I recall--we would see it as pretty dated now---and not in a real good way
exposed duct work painted bright primary colors--kind of industrial sheik
those window---same thing----------- I suspect if the same building were re-developed today---the windows would be treated different.
'member circa 1980----------when beams were being uncovered to be exposed--that were never supposed to be exposed-----------and in the abscence of an actual beam-----then stick in a fake beam to look "ye olde periode"
anyhow--the quaker was done in the 70's/80's-- on a 70's budget
later on the tour--we will be at a house built WITHOUT a budget really---sky is the limmit!!!!! Sandstone quarried on site, a railroad spur built to bring in materials and workers, materials imported from europe,a really grand old time------------- it will be fun---------------------we will even find out if stephen gets arrested for trespassing.......
Later
Edited 1/10/2007 4:37 pm ET by Hazlett
Edited 1/10/2007 4:38 pm ET by Hazlett
OK, now that john has managed to tear himself away from the gay nightclub, and catch back up to the group---we can resume the tour :)
Take a look around---- you are technically in what was known as the western reserve--originally settled by conneticut co.-----which accounts for the taste in Architecture.
just to re-cap---and keep you geographically located---- you are within about 2 blocks of downtown---you have just started into a valley------------
Behind you is a canal towpath/ now turned bike path-- leading to over 100 miles of bike trails
Edited 1/11/2007 8:00 am ET by Hazlett
the porch of the Mustill Store faces this canal lock
this is part of a cascade of locks that would lift canal boats up out of the valley---
akron--- ( akros)- the city at the summit----------- is the highest point on the ohio/erie canal--- presenting all sorts of canal engineering difficulties in it's day.
there are---- oh maybe a dozen or so canal locks within a mile or so---------- basically-if you were traveling by canal boat-------- you could disembark at the start of the cascade---spend the day drinking and whoreing i suppose, and get back aboard the boat a mile or so further---long before the boat could traverse Akron------------------------
Put your bike helmets on and cinch em down tight.--- for the next 4 miles or so we will enjoy a long downhill run. surface--mostly smooth, well groomed & packed limestone dust, a ;ittle asphalt and a boardwalk---but no cars--------- you can let it fly
you will be decending down,down down into the valley-------------------------
Ok,
catch your breath here----- you are in the valley and a few feet away--is a crossroads--in more than one sense.
currently Merriman Road and Portage Path decend into the valley, cross at this point and become Riverview Road and Akron Penninsula Road----each running roughly // to each other along opposite sides of the valley----with a river and fantastic sweetcorn growing farms in the bottom land-----it's also a national park of sorts
BUT----- hundreds of years ago this point was also a crossroads--even before roads-- AND at on time was the physical western boundry of the United States
about 50 feet north of here is a meander in the river. If you put your canoe in there-and head north----you can paddle to Lake Erie----and eventually to the Atlantic Ocean.
If you pick up your canoe---and portage a few miles south----- you can put into the Tusc. River------head south and eventually the gulf of mexico. akron sits on a north/south continental divide.
We are going to venture out onto Portage Path for a couple blocks, cross at the light and traffic will be manageable at this hour of the morning. we follow the Portage south about 3 blocks untill it crosses Sand Run Road-------------------------
Ok---- this stretch was mostly donated by the founder of Goodyear Tire and Rubber--- Mr. Seiberling. We will be visiting his house in a few miles.
this next stretch--though quite manageable on bike---would likely be the most challenging if you were running
essentially---it's 6 miles of gradual but fairly steady up hill
i didn't take many pictures here because of light conditions------------
you may have noticed that this is an absolutely brilliant day--not a cloud to be seen
BUT-we are in a valley now-under heavy trees---and most of the next 6 miles are run through deep shadow----the sun is brilliant up in the upper reaches of the leaves---but doesn't reach down to us much on the road surface
Every hundred yards or so--on our left----- there will be clearings like this one
the shelter house in the background is a timber frame structure-----Depression era crew built--WPA or CCC---- many of these throughout our park system---later today these glens will be flocked with picnicers etc.
Edited 1/11/2007 8:46 am ET by Hazlett
oops------ how did that gay nightclub get back in here---john?, john????
this is the one i meant to post
A tributary comes down from our left and crosses the road at this point.
this is "The Ford"
don't get your feet wet( runners will likely cross this on a footbridge bridge out of the picture0
locally this is a famous and much loved spot---that periodically becomes impassible after heavy rains.
my dad was a local landscape painter and this area was a favorite-------------
we still have about 4 miles of gradual uphill to go at this point----------- strategically this might be the place to make your move??????( or not)
at thispoint we have climbed back out of the valley
again quite manageable climb for 44 year old, overweight roofers on a bike.
I put these pictures in for mike smith---------------
we have agained turned south for a mile or so---the pictures show the area to our left---we are running along akrons' western boundry--- Fairlawn is to our right
at this point-- i would mention the weather today. you might have noticed it's perfect!
today was one of about 4 consectutive sunday mornings with identical weather to this--- spectacular!!!!!!!!
Back in real time---------- we have a little snow still on the ground today----but another brilliant cloudless morning. Temp should hit about 50 degrees today--- i am gonna go do a bit of slate work this morning since the roofs have cleared.
tonight i am heading to Pittsburgh with my second son---so that he can audition at Duquesne tommorrow A.M.
It may be a day or so before I can resume our tour----------------
Best wishes, Stephen
Edited 1/11/2007 9:08 am ET by Hazlett
is that Firestone ?
what's the name of the course ?
View ImageMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Mike,
that is Fairlawn country club.
firestone is about 20 minutes away, catty corner across town.
some point in the future I will get ya a picture of that as well
Ok folks-- we will leave mike and the rest of the old white guys at the country club----- the rest of us can bike a bit East now.
this picture i took----'cause the roof re-minded me of a rest stop in virginia
for the next 10 minutes or so we bike gradually east towards downtown. terrain is mostly flat and this is the last hill we climb all day.
the stone wall on the right is the south west border of a sizable estate-now turned primarily museum
this sign is pretty self explanatory.
i will mention that over-all-- the building isn't my favorite style---- I am personally a little more zen oriented----but there is lots of interesting stuff inside the gates
this is the front of the gatehouse---- i am told that it is pretty popular to rent this now for small receptions.
If ya look close ya can just make out my "ride' at left.
the gate is open-----but no one is around----we will stroll in as bold as thieves--- because eventually we are supposed to pay admission----------------
back of the gatehouse------ just gotta admire that roof
we will head up towards the main house.
Personally-I would love FHB to do a "Great Houses" segment each issue----- like a one-two page thing of really over-the top classic houses. If they ever do--- the director of historic structures here has told me he would give us a 4 hour behind the scenes tour.--the woodwork inside is even better than the exterior--------------
we approach the house initially through an orchard that is being restored--then the terrain opens up----------------
a little better view of the facade
while I am admiring the facade------ I hear the distinct and authoratative sound of high heels approaching me from behind.
Catholic school guilt/conditioning rears it's ugly head----and i am pretty sure any moment I am about to be tossed out----since I have kind of sneaked in without paying
turns out--it's just a volunteer who encourages me to be sure to get a picture of some decoration she loves--that is on display for some festival--------
this scene caught my eye---because I have a similar picture in black and white, taken by a seiberling son, when the house was under construction
south side railings
more scaffolding on the north east side
one thing about this house---there are a LOT of windows--and a LOT of chimneys
the morning is progressing---and even though I could stay here for hours( the gardens are extensive)---- i would like to head home before traffic gets riskier.
this is the breakfast room I believe--again the woodwork inside is more over the top than the exterior-------------
Those are some very interesting windows. Is that theme repeated outside the breakfast room area? I could make out the diamond or rectangle pattern elsewhere, which is neat enough. But these are pretty cool.Not that I'd want them on my house, but it's nice to see something different and appreciate it for that.Tua res agitur, paries cum proximus ardet ~ Horace
Steve,
I can't recall if that window theme is repeated anywhere else.
In person the house is overwhelming.
It's quite asymetrical and meant to take advantage of numerous outstanding vistas--both across the great meadow and out over the valley.
when walking about the house-- I can only maintain personal focus by breaking down the massive scope of the place into smaller vignettes. there is just so much to see---you can only manage it a bit at a time over multiple visits.
It's not my favorite style---- but the seiberling family was hugely beneficial to the town--- large contributors to the local park system, founding a huge local company and developing a major portion of the city for his workers
( I live in Firestone Park--originally developed by Harvey Firestone----- Seiberling--founder of Goodyear Tire and Rubber did something similar by HIS factory as well---in fact "Goodyear Heights is even more interesting archtecturally than Firestone Park)
gotta run.
BTW--based on milage--we are only about a 2/3 through the trip---------
Ok, lets head for home---traffic is picking up now so let's be carefull
one of my favorite stops in the neighborhood my wife grew up in.
what passes for--------- bohemian here. my sons went to highschool a few blocks away---so, before they could drive---in the winter when i dropped 'em off at school and had more time i like to stop in here----it's a fun mix----------- blue collar/white collar, up tight businessmen, laid back college students,gay/straight, mailmen,truckdrivers, hot mommies, a group of about 10 ministers,rabbis, priests meet here to argue once a week. my current job is a few blocks away-------
one of akrons best cheap breakfast places
spend $6 in here and you will barely be able to walk to your car
a few blocks away-- this is the church my wife and I were married in. the Irish parish.
through this in for Grant--- copper roof.
BTW Grant--have ya ever seen the copper roof on the catholic church in Elizabeth town, KY.????- ugliest roof I have ever seen---------LOL
across the street is the highschool-- my sons go there( or graduated from there)-same with my wife and myself---------most famous recent grad-Lebron james- though we have sent quite a few others to the pro's etc.
through this in for mike smith-- i know he is a golf fan
we are about a block away from the church and school-- this is THE place for a serious steak or a traditional martini---it doesn't look like much----and in fact this is the place spruced up(LOL)
but--each summer akron has a large pro golf tournement played on firestone country club------------- this is the place you are most likely to bump into tiger woods, john dailey or whoever----bring cash-no credit cards.
at this point we are almost in downtown again--from the roof of this building ya could toss a rock back in the canal locks-------------
If ya look across the street from the diamond grill----- you will see what passes for our skyline-------
through this in for Blue---we are about 2 blocks away and back into the center of things-museum,arts distric, restaraunts etc.----Previously i had mentioned a developer Blue otta meet---this building was one of his projects maybe 20 years ago-----------------
turn the corner--a couple more of the same guys projects
down the street a few blocks----------- the building in the distance with the pyramid top????
before my knee surgery I liked to stay in shape in the winter running the steps there. there IS a Ymca in the lower floors--but stair masters aren't quite the same thing.
closer up-- this park is set up for a holiday carnival in the winter--in the summer this location has an outdoor music venue---very popular----
down the street just another couple blocks---- i have gone around the back to snap this---
Canal Park--it's a AA minor leaugue baseball facility- cleveland Indians affiliate.
Indians-Jacobs Feild is 35 minutes away---we see a lot of Major leaguers here on Re-hab assignments--and up and coming players---------
Some years ago watched Jared Wright pitch opening day here when the park was new---and later that same season I believe he was the starting pitcher in Game 7 of the world series-------------
coming back to my neighborhood---- this is ,of course the factory responsible for the neighborhoods existence
Back safely in the neighborhood--this is a typical street for my customers--------------------------this particular block was like a Cathedral when I was a kid------ before dutch Elm disease
this house is almost directly across the street from my home.
In the mid-west there is a chain of non-descript lumberyards------ Carter Lumber( similar in scope to 84 lumber)
this house was Mr. Carters house I am told.
It is MUCH bigger in person than it looks here---------- you can't see how far one wing extends back at the rear.
i didsome work on the roof at the front years ago--but have never been inside.
I am told each room is trimmed in a different wood species and that the MBR is approx. 20x40 with a fireplace
back at my house--traces of the marathon remain
when I come home each day-probably 9 months out of the year-----
I often find a scene quite like this one
got to say the wife is a treasure and a wonder. I am kept pretty busy building little tables for fresh flower arrangements to be located through the house.
she hasn't had much time at this house to build up the gardens yet---but she copes--------------
at the last house she had well over 50 varieties growing in a bed maybe 10x18
20 years from now you won't believe this place
this is the small dining room---------
well--that's about it for today----
I seem to have got this picture posting down ok
got a few more work pictures-maybe tommorrow-----
Best wishes, Stephen
Your Intellectual curiosity and retention is blowing me away.
I must have missed the tour entry. I forgot to pay the entry fee.
Nice Job Thanks.
clay, i suspect that is meant as a compliment----so thank you.
Best wishes, Stephen
Gessshhh I should of stayed in school, maybe taken expressive writing class.
Yes a very Big compliment to you.
Hey Stephen,I'm following along. When you figgered out how to post pics, you went for the gusto didn't you?. Glad I wasn't bent over in front of you shortly after you had sex for the first time ;+}. Great thread, man. Keep it coming. I've not seen the church in Elizabethtown you speak of.http://logancustomcopper.com
http://grantlogan.net/
It's like the whole world's walking pretty and you can't find no room to move. - the Boss
I married my cousin in Arkansas - I married two more when I got to Utah. - the Gourds
grant-------- i have some pictures of a box gutter i re-lined earlier this fall coming up-maybe later today.
I hope you and walter and sphere will not laugh to hard---------!
cost was an issue---dictating choice of materials.
location--could one day be spectacular with the right cooperation with the city.
Stephen
here is the house with the boxgutters
Stephen,
We won't laugh at all. We might offer some suggestions,but only in a helpful way- if any is even needed.
We're all enjoying the thread even though silently for the most part.
You've gotten the picture posting down to a science. Looking forward to more of your work shots too.
Walter
Stephen, you have now made me homesick for all those tudors where we lived in Cleveland Heights....Great tour! I drove through Akron on 77 hundreds of times and never really got to see the "neighborhoods" Thanks....Is the traffic any better on 77? <G>
pi, 77 is fine in town--but north and south it is the road construction that never ends.
thinking of clevland heights, shaker heights etc. yesterday---more neighborhoods i could happily work in the rest of my career.
Was in Pittsburgh friday----same opportunities there.
was in cincinatti a month or so ago--and going back later this month---if anything even MORE opportunities there.
where ever i go---- I usually find neighborhoods that could really USE our help---- and plenty that could actually pay for it!!!!
stephen
I drove from Cleveland to Marietta at least 3 or 4 times a year and the road construction was a PITA!Those inner ring suburbs in Cleveland are old, old, but full of grand old houses....We used to complain about the housing inspections in Cleveland Heights, but we understood why....When I drove up Carnegie from school and got onto Cedar Hill at Fairmount with all those glorious trees, I knew why we lived there....Again, thanks for the tour....
my son is going to college in Marietta---it takes me almost exactly 2 hours door to door-------- driveing him back Weds.
down around Canton it's a bit awkward--- but doesn't really drop below 55 mph.
Stephen
Marietta is a good school...My nephew's wife works there in the Human Resource Department and often works with students...Ah, forgot about good ol' Canton....Once I got past there I was flying!!It's just the never ending road project...
ok folks---- thanks for letting me learn to post pictures here------ y'all might have gathered that i learn through repitition,repitition,repitition----------------
most of my roofing/sheet metal tools I keep in a riggers bag which is pretty handy----------------
project involved re-lining some box gutters.
i have done similar things many times in the past---but usually as part of a flat front porch project.
I think you can deduce---------cost might be a factor here--------influencing material choices etc.
BEFORE
section torn out and opened up-----------
dried in for over night
fairly tight drive----and the neighbors house is interesting as well.
this side of the house took six days---scaffolding set up and taken down each day----------I am working solo on this project
front drain---------
front done????
I am pretty well done with this phase------------
prior to my involvement with this house--some trim had been re-done on the south side( opposite this side)--in a somewhat smaller profile than the original
I chose an ever so slightly larger profile that was more similar to the original.
I tried to make some allowances on my installation that would help me in the future--if i get a chance to replace the trim across the front and back---tieing things in better.
also------- i wish when i had done the first side( south)I had known i would be called in only weeks later to do the north side----that would have influenced things as well
i try to make the best over-all compromises/choices with the information available to me--in this case--some information was with-held---that would have been better if it had been furnished to me at the RIGHT time----------------
in addition to the trim-I also made some choices knowing that the roof MUST be replaced in the very near future-------------
Looks good, Stephen. Around here the only time EPDM gets put in box gutters is over the old metal w/o doing any carpentry repairs or regrading. With the luxury of having a new trough to reline, I can see it lasting more than a year or two. I'm still not gonna do it, though I do like the way you've done this job.http://logancustomcopper.com
http://grantlogan.net/
It's like the whole world's walking pretty and you can't find no room to move. - the Boss
I married my cousin in Arkansas - I married two more when I got to Utah. - the Gourds
this one had been re-lined twice in it's life with republic steel 40# galvanized
both layers were still in place.
as a practical matter-------- the cost of say YOU doing these gutters in copper would approach 50% or more of the value of the house itself----------- so it would be nice--just not feasible
frankly, i am concerened about the cost of the new roof being impractical--though desperately needed.
BTw------- 5 days of constant and un-relenting rain--has changed to snow this AM.
stephen
One day I was goofing and I got started touring Akron with you and I got hooked.
I have a good friend in Virginia that's a brick layer/mason. Hope you don't mind if I send some of your shots to him.
Mid thread some of the brickwork is just boggling.
6 degree this am and it just wont quit. SLC,Ut.
claysworld,
before i forget-----------
If you liked a picture i took or something I wrote-------well enough to forward it to someone else--------
well i am immensly gratified.
I had a lot of fun with this---enough fun to wish I could do it for a living-LOL.
at any rate--as things warm up this spring I have some other buildings in mind to share here---since at least a few folks enjoyed these.
probably on Saturday i am going out to look at a Barn i might do some work on later this spring------ i think that might be a good subject as well.
most of my time traveling is spent looking at or looking for interesting old buildings--------so maybe i can periodically revive this thread and show some new/old discoveries------------
Best wishes,
Stephen
Thanks much and yes I will check this site or if a new thread gets going I'll be looking.
On another issue I had a little thread I ran across that may be of interest to you as you develop your advanced E technique.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/1/15/14332/6729
thank you
Stephen,
Looking forward to some pics of the job you're doing with the salvaged slate-if you've taken any progress shots.
Walter
here are a couple of "before' pictures of the front porch. at present I have all the slates removed from this porch and have salvaged the better ones------- the roof decking has been replaced-and is totally icegaurded-regret-no pictures as it currently is
Edited 1/21/2007 1:34 pm ET by Hazlett
Thanks for sharing!
Wow what a mess the before pictures show.
Hope you'll let us see some restored shots when done.
Walter
here are a couple of pictures of the bay roof i will be replacing-again-these slates I have removed at present-salvaged the good ones-and repaired a spot of the decking-it's now under icegaurd.
i have been working on the main roof-replacing bad slates with those I salvaged off of the porch and bay--------------I have re-worked 2 sides of the main roof at present,replaced the fascia board and hung some new half round gutter.
this week-weather permiting i will be starting on the main roof-above the bay roof-I have approx. 16 hours of work up there i believe-and then I can get down to re-slating this bay.-------- the original slates on the bay side-and on the front side-have remained closer to a grey green color---but on the west and south-have weathered more generally into tans and buffs.
my apologies- i haven't really taken any progress pictures so far------------- homeowner is immensley pleased to date as the 5 leaks that existed before i arrived have all been turned off at this point.
homeowner is planning a rather elaborate color scheme for the siding/trim-and I have pre-painted the fascia board I am hanging in One of about 7 colors he is using overall.
Stephen,
Does the upper roof dump it's snow load down onto the bay and hip roofed areas? Might that be the cause of so many broken and missing slates?
Walter
the bay is largely protected by a quite nice overhang/soffit above-it was mostly damaged by the negligent landlord that formerly owned the house-leaning a ladder against the slate edge-which projected well beyond the fascia.
the front porch , i suspect is really to low pitch for slate,ideally.
additionally-it has been tempting for housepainters to walk on since the 1910's.
that's also part of why i chose to replace the entire front deck and completely icegaurd.
Snow here is not as huge of a consideration as it probably is for you in maine-we get it-but not in mamoth amounts.
Stephen
Stephen,
Yes I thought that front area was shallow for slate too,but now that you've redone the sheathing,ice guarded it and redone the slate-it should hold up for quite some time.
You're right,we probably do get more snowfall,so I'm more apt to suggest snowguards sometimes to protect lower roofs from avalanching snow.
I really like siegersnowguards.com their model C when they are a needed option.
Thanks for the updates- and I'm sure their are many others beside me who are thrilled you've taught yourself to post pics!
Walter
walter-you ain't seen nothing yet.
untill----oh 2 hours ago or so-i wasn't actually able to get the freakin pictures off the camera-rather had to get my youngest son to unload and file 'em for me.
We THINK-maybe I have that down( I actually took notes-and have "how to" written down on an index card)
son also showed me how to attach a picture to an email and send it off
have already sent one off to a customer-in regaurds to a suggested repair.
i expect this to be quite handy(read profitable)
one dumb roofer feeling increasingly smug-stephen
BTW------- it was really fun having my son teach me something----you should have heard the tone of voice he used on me-like i am some mouth breathing imbecile, LOL.
I ended THAT by pointing out that-to date I have invested by actual count $38,000 in private school education for him-and he ain't even in college yet-so i didn't think a little computor tutoring was too much to ask in return.---------he agreed that since i had paid for him to learn it in the first place that maybe it wasn't too much to ask--------
stephen
Stephen,
I'm 55 so my learning curve was taking awhile too,but once learned it's pretty easy to do.
When e-mailing pics I love those free hosting sites like Shutterfly-since once the shots are in an album you can use it over and over to illustrate a specific job.
I'll take some shots tomorrow of an apt. house roof I'm repairing with some of the most horrible repairs ever seen!( prior to my fixing it)
Walter
Stephen,
Here are some shots of reslating an area where the chimney was removed below roof line and the tarred up mess that I'll fix tomorrow.
Walter
Looks good, how about a current shot from the angle of DSC02113.jpg.
jt8
"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned."-- Buddha
John,
This is an apartment house which has seen very little care for quite some time-except for the vinyl-kiss-of-death installed a few Summers ago.
It's not really a job to be really proud of - just trying to keep the water out so a tenant can move in.
Walter
Just think of all the money they saved on the repair the first time around. Ugg
Nice patch. Sometimes it just pains you/me to see what people do to cause a slow death of good properties.
It's scary how some repairs are done. Doesn't take much longer to do it properly.
I am really enjoying the project so far---but it is moderately nerve racking for me-------------- i have roughly 65 hours invested in this,including overhead-with maybe 70 more hours to go-production wise.
it's a twist for me-as my projects are more typically in the 4-16 hour range when working solo-going to the same place more than 2 days in a row-depresses me.
weather has gone from spectacularly good-to rather crappy.
i suspect I will be plodding along here way into February-although i actually have untill May1 to complete-and even that date is flexible.
between the customer and myself-we are in the rare position of having the bank by the short hairs for once.
stephen
Wow, those trees look like they are WAY too close to the house. I'm surprised they don't have foundation issues there.
View Image
jt8
"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned."-- Buddha
Edited 1/22/2007 5:17 pm by JohnT8
john, i know what you mean about the trees.
this side of the house is actually the EASY side-the one with the most room to work. pretty much everywher I want to put a ladder-something is in my way.-other side of the house has trees, a fence, a koi pond and about 30% of the yard that this side has.
It also had a repair------which required me to open up an area approx. the size walter had to patch on that chimney dismantling job--- I don't have any pictures- but I opened an area approx. 3ft.x5ft. or so. this was an area directly Below a dormer valley-it had a broken slate and the previous landlrd/owner had "repaired" it ,apparently, by reaching out the dormer window and throwing tar around the corner onto the roof, LOL
the repair is un-noticeable except for the fact that the slates used for the repair were some of the better ones salvaged from the front porch-and less weathering and more pine sap has kept them a darker grey green than the surrounding slates which have weathered a bit more tan.
also-replaced around 30-40 slates around the chimney when re-flashing it-same color considerations.
walter's slates are also a bit thicker than the existing ones on this roof-these are about 3/16"- the slates i have bought to re-slate the front porch and the bay are closer to 1/4-3/8".
the color of walters' slate-is also not a common one here.
I have seen it-but not often.
the color on the house I am working on-well first let's point out that this house was originally built as a builders spec.-the current owner tells me it was the first house built in this " allotment' back in the 1910's.- the slate is really probably the 2nd most common color here -the MOST common being a soft PA. grey slate-most of those were shingled OVER 30-40 years ago. we still find 'em buried under a layer or 2 of asphalt shingles here during tear-offs-but less and less often now( more commonly 10-15 years ago.- there are about 4 neighborhoods I keep an eagle eye out for such things when doing roof estimates-----------------
If the snow melts off the roofs here today-I will try to resume work on my project tommorrow-AND I will try to get a few pictures of my stash of new slates on that job-'cause I think Walter would enjoy them-
Best wishes, Stephen
Stephen,
Yes I would enjoy very much seeing the new found slates.
Those in the chimney repair I just did are Monson- from Maine.They are basically a grey/black and very hard. These are only 8"x11" with only a 2" headlap.
I'll post some more in a different thread so as not to hijack yours any further.
Walter
Did you bust your camera or something? Got a picture embargo on us or something?
jt8
"The flower that follows the sun does so even on cloudy days."--Robert Leighton
no embargo--mostly snow.
starting some slating today---and took some more biking pictures yesterday---just haven't got around to posting them.
stephen
Well--if I haven't forgot how to post pictures-------
this should be a picture of a covered bridge---it's about a 40 minute bike ride from my house. when my wife and I were first married--we used to go to some contra dances here---if ya can believe that.
My dad was a local landscape painter--- i know he painted this scene---and similar ones countless times in the 60's/70's.
my grand dad and his 5 brothers---along with great grand dad-were all carpenters
one of THEM owned the land adjacent to this bridge----I am looking at the bridge from the left----untill quite recently the distant relatives owned the equivalent spot to the right
this bridge was damaged by a flood back in the mid-70's--rebuilt in the 80's---the dances we attended would have been just after it was re-built.
Ohio used to have something in the neighborhood of 2000 covered bridges---this is the last one in summit county
oops-meant to show inside the bridge----------
back in the day---------------
this is a pretty nice area to bike-------I road the same route 3 consecutive days------of course the day I took these pictures was the cloudy one---------it's gonna start to snow in a few minutes---but no matter
If we cross the bridge--or take a slightly longer way around------these buildings are just down the road
I am more interested in the little town in the background---but since it is about to snow--I am not gonna get closer
this is actually something of a living history museum-----scattered about are glassblowers, carpenters, blacksmiths, farming displays, they are maple sugaring right about now
actually-my current customer works here temporarily------------as a slave auctioneer.
this is the house I am currently working on----as weather and inclination permit.
to date I have replaced about 140plus slates on the main roof, re-flashed the chimney, replaced about 100 ft. of fascia and am hanging some half round gutter.
back in december I removed the slate from the front porch and bay window----immediately tossed out about a third of it-----and have been picking through the rest for suitable pieces to do repairs on the main roof.
i bought some new slate to re-slate the bay and the porch. up untill yesterday i have been afraid the new slate was going to be just a touch too green to match the existing slate on the main roof----------I spent 2 hours yesterday morning slating the center section of this bay------i am really happy with how close the color actually matches.
new slates for the bay are somewhat smaller than the slates on the main roof----------actually--I think it fits the scale of the bay roof better. the new slates came with square bottoms, so i am scalloping the bottom edges with my cutter to match the main roof. I will have to do the same with some slightly larger slates for the front porch. weather permitting, i will finish this bay monday morning, along with some odds and ends---that will finish the 3rd side of this house-----and time for another progress payment.
tuesday i will move to the front---repairs on the main roof, new fascia on the main roof and porch, new half round gutters---and of course new slate on the porch----maybe 5 days or so of work in all----then time to move on.
usually ,I am not at anyone project more than a day or 2----4 days is an eternity.
this project I figured 16-18 days----broken down by hours actually worked I am exactly on track---which impresses me to no end
Stephen,
Glad to hear the weather has improved enough to progress with your project.
Hopefully you'll give us some more pictures of the rest of the work.
Walter
Stephen
Cool pictures!
Now I gotta go back and read all the text. <G>
Doug
Do you have a larger version of the bridge pic? Would be a nice addition to my wallpaper folder.
jt8
"The flower that follows the sun does so even on cloudy days."--Robert Leighton
Yea, I have one-----but tell ya what----
I will try to get you one on a sunnier nicer day----maybe this weekend.
Stephen
first off--my apologies to john-------- I did go and get you some more shots of that covered bridge on a sunny day----just can't find them
my son was messing with the camera for a science fair project--- I will have to see if he stashed the pictures somewhere before he messed with the camera.
also--apologies to walter---- I finished that slate project and I had a few more pictures------------- they disappeared with the covered bridge pictures. I am going back to that customers house in a week or so to do some carpentry work---- i will try to get some more pictures then------if the house isn't entirely obscured with foliage by then------------------
stephen
a few days ago---in the business folder-- there was a thread regaurding small projects-- how you charged for them?--were they worth it?
as luck would have it----- I was going out that morning to do just such a small project---and I had the camera along. ( I try to take it with me to work most days now---- but I don't take as many pictures maybe as I should---it's hard to break the zen of the moment to snap a picture----------)
at any rate-- i thought this project would illustrate pretty clearly the economics behind the small project value.
i left my house at 7:55---got to the project by 8:10---snapped these before pictures about 8:15
working steadily , but with no big rush-- i start to unzip this roof around the skylight i am going to replace. this next picture is a classic case of BAD step flashing installation.---look closely---the sep is nailed where the nail will NOT be covered by the next piece of step flashing
Ok--the time on these pictures is about 9:15.--all the shingles were removed easily with an Estwing roofers bar--just slapping it with the heel of my hand---really came apart nicely.- I did have to tap a bit with my hatchet to get some of the site bent flashing off the curb
all the decking at this point was clean and dry---all though water marks are clearly present. It's 1/2" cdx---sound and not de-laminated--so no decking was replaced.
It took me about an hour to get this icegaurded in-----it's about 10:20---high 50's/low 60's--and even at THAT temp the Grace ice and water shield is a pain to work with.
in the past I have used Certainteed wintergaurd-- but this Grace product sticks to itself( and everyone else in the neighborhood)---making a curb wrap very nice
If I was doing this skylight again-- i would probably remove the plastic cap on the drywall--and cut that top drywall edge down about 1/2"---cause it set up a little higher than I liked.
At any rate---- i used the standard Velux flashing kit-----it's REALLY not worth bending your own on site--though i did it for years.
these 2 pictures are at about 11:40. installed the velux flashing kit and icegaurded in the top pan--shingled everything. step flashing was installed as per Velux instructions--nailed to the curb and not the deck---------- I really prefer to nail to the deck---high on the step where the next step will cover it---but I thought-might as well do it Veluxes way!---it's not like there was siding in my way on this---------
put away the ladder, cleaned up the debris, packed up the truck and took this picture before leaving-----it's 12:26.
the skylight replaced is the highest one shown.
probably next year will do the 2 lower ones
and the year after that 2 on the other side of the roof.
i had worked on this house 5-6 years previously--replacing a valley on the front of the house. customers are very nice people---- and I used a stand-off to protect the gutter gaurd from my ladder
home for lunch---this is what is in bloom at my house currently.
wife says this is a species of Magnolia. I took the storm window off the kitchen window later that day so we can smell the blossoms in the house------
and not being an Alpha male-------- i like to stand in the driveway and look at the tree for a few minutes before i head off to work--and sometimes take a flower with me in the truck-------------
there is a similar tree--- but with pink blooms that comes out about a week later on the front of the house----
Ok---so the question is--are small jobs worth it?
to me-the answer would have to be yes---it's what I prefer to do.
On this skylight job---- the project house was located a few minutes from the slate roof project I was working on------so i went over and sold this project pretty much with minimal time invested.
i picked up the materials( last friday)---less than $300 -------when i was ordering materials for another roof that I did this tuesday and weds.---again--combining trips to the supplier--minimal time invested.
customer actually gave me a check in full------BEFORE I was done( she had to leave for the day)---charge for the project was $870.
there are 4 remaining skylights to do in the future--- If i do them as pairs-- I will probably charge about $650 EACH-- i doubt it will take more than 2 hours additional to do 2 at a time.
and of course-eventually that entire roof is going to need replaced---which i will be happy to do as well.
now-- i don't know how it is in your area-----but people here tell me they have a hard time finding someone who will come in and do a project like this-----this one happened to be roofing related-- but I am sure there are carpentry related projects of a similar scale---replacing doors etc.
personally- i would be happy doing 4-5 of these a week.-- not looking to hit any home runs------ just a bloop single once or twice a day.
for fun this spring i have been keeping track of my sales/closing ratio---and so far I am batting .647.---not bad numbers for a guy with no power---LOL.
I will put up some more pictures when something strikes my fancy--or I stumble across something interesting.
Stephen
Edited 4/5/2007 10:14 am ET by Hazlett
If you, Calvin, or Forrest lived closer, I'm sure I could you busy with smaller projects. All those things I don't really care to do myself, but end up doing because I don't want to pay a premium to get someone in there (because that someone doesn't like small jobs).
The current list includes stuff like: cutting a back door through a brick faced wall and installing the door, putting a roof over a 7x15 porch, re-doing the porch concrete, moving a 32" door from one side of the garage to another, shingling the roof of a 5-in-12 ranch, etc, etc.
For the most part, it is a PITA to try and bring someone in to do jobs like this. And I'm not getting sufficient bang-for-the-buck to make it worth paying a premium to get the larger job guys in there.jt8
"We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop."-- Mother Teresa
Nice job- and real good for about half a day too
OK, folks----let's drag this thread up to the top again. I have beenpretty busy the last month and a half----at one point working 26 days straight from 5:30 AM untill about 9:00 pm
got the work load a bit more managed here-------so last weekend my oldest son and I got up to some foolishness------------.
i just spent the last hour or so picking through some photos and re-sizing them-------- I pulled about 50-----let's see how many I can get up---------might have to work on this a few days
stephen
Ok---my oldest son,Kevin, and I took a little trip this weekend into west virginia.
Kevin is interested in rock climbing----but not tremendously experienced------ he climbs in a gym on a rock wall a lot at college-----and has taken a few trips into southern ohio top roping-----but a week ago we read a newspaper article about this place-------and well hear we are on the approach hike
I probably should have shrank these pictures just a bit more-----but i was afraid you would lose the scale of what's going on------you will see why in a bit.
anyhow----this is the trail sign----what we are gonna climb is a "Via Ferrata"----- loosley translated--iron way.
in short it is an established rock climbing route for people with minimal experience------and a way to get in over your head FAST-----but also a way to get to places you never would any other way.
My apologies to ACTUAL rock climbers------but for the rest of us------come on the climb and see what the fuss is about
my son took this shot---and the first 2 as well.
I am including this as a warning-----
if you are fatter than me------do not take this trip.
If you lead a sedentary life---this is not for you
I weigh about 232# currently---down about 35 pounds from my peak---- I also roof every day------earlier in this thread you have seen some of my projects----
so----if you are fatter then me---or nor comfortable climbing ladders in some of the pictures shwon earlier in this thread---this trip isn't for you.
Physically----it was easier than my average day roofing-----mentally----scare -wise-----well you will see soon enough------will put a number on it in a bit.
not sure what this is a picture of
Oh ya , me at the early start.---a little out of order.
Edited 7/23/2007 5:05 pm ET by Hazlett
some of these pictures I took---some kevin took----- usually i won't credit each picture-------they will mostly be obvious-----but we will switch back and forth to get the best feel for the trip
you take a short hike through heavy woods to the rock face----it catches you by suprise with NO warning--POW--there it is in your face-----and you are too close to get the scale of it------that will come a couple hours later.
edit---there is a party of 4 ahead of us---started about 35 minutes ahead of us------------------ 1 climber with some experience, his buddy and 2 absolutely stunning beautifull girls.
the buddy and the girls were NOT happy with this----and slowed the whole trip down weighting for them to complete manuevers-----but--as i said---the girls were breathtaking!
Edited 7/23/2007 5:11 pm ET by Hazlett
so---- we are off to an easy start
looking down after the start
you might as well meet Kevin now----he is 19-----super smart--he collects scholarships like baseball cards--- he is a distance runner-----and as this picture shows---supremely confident in his abilities
here is another shot of kevin---while I still have nerve and energy to get one
here is another view of the easy start we are on--from en-route
kevin follows me along an easy traverse
a word of explanation
all of us are of course wearing harnesses.
the route has a steel cable along the entire way----most of the way you are clipped onto the cable with 2 lanyards-----when you reach the end of one cable you unhook your first caribiner---and clip on to the next cable--then repeat the process with your second caribiner.
YOU ARE ALWAYS CLIPPED ONTO A 1/2" steel cable.
it would be difficult to fall-----but despite this---this is not disney world
it's about to get terrifying for yours truly.
as i mentioned-------you approach the face through a heavy woods---then BAM it's right in your face----no warning, no sense of scale.
I am completley comfortable-----because the start is quite like climbing ladders---- I do that all day every day
but rapidly you climb higher than any of my ladders----and higher than any of the buildings i have roofed
and you still have no sense of scale or proportion---the rock is always right in your face or just to your right side
we have been climbing foe a while here--- no picture stops, no free hands-----trying to keep your mind under control.
we squeeze to the right through a narrow gap--------------
and well the next picture doesn't do it justice-we refer to this as the notch
I am through the notch-------kevin is about to swing out into space...........
no warning--just POW----you are in over your head.
no way out at this point----you can't back down----you can only go ahead here.
i have better pictures from across the gorge of this notch------but for now lets look at the rock---it's a bit "overhung"---and well beyound what a 232#, 44 year old should be effing around on
opps--this is the overhung picture
this is what Kevin and i are looking out at-------and what we are hanging off of is quite similar
it's a panarama shot be sure to scroll sideways folks
Edited 7/23/2007 5:39 pm ET by Hazlett
a word about Kevin---he is 19---when not in college he works 7:30AM untill 8-9:00 at night for a landscaper
when he was born his foot was twisted and pushed up his leg like a flipper
a lot of therapy as a baby
and---well like I said ---------he is now a distance runner. when he was born i didn't think he would ever walk------so ya-- I am obsevively fond of him-------and his brother
coming through that notch----personally was the scariest moment of my life----up untill then.
actually at the moment----i was already ranking my moments of terror--and where this fit in
this was the scariest----by a factor of 2-3. 20 years of roofing, fell 3 times, surgery on 1 knee, wife rolled a minivan with my mom in it, 2 sons born----kevin who you have met-----and his brother AJ-----who had to have bowel surgery at 6 days of age--------------- and oh yes----CALVIN and BLODGETT-----don't think I forgot about YOU up on that mountain----roping me into throwing out the first pitch at the mudhens game a few years ago at toledo fest---- I haven't forgot THAT terror-------------
words don't describe it--------- but we have some picturs coming up---maybe put it in better perspective
Ok--- we are through the notch---and here is an easy scramble up to a bridge
wait a minute----we gotta cross THAT??????
son of a !@#$%
look close to the left----that's the bridge
bridge
if you can take your eye off the bridge for a moment-------panaorama shot.
these features are locally called fins
we are about to take this effing death trap bridge from one fin to another
this is a picture of an adjacent fin
i am NOT happy with this bridge---and neither is the group ahead of me
at least the girs are beautifull
coming through the notch was the scariest moment of my life---by a factor of 2 or 3
15 minutes later i am about to eclipse THAT by a factor of 5 or 6
I am seriously, seriously scared.
but the slammin hot girls ahead of me--pulled themselves together and did it
and Kevin is right behind me
so it's time to nut up and just do it
I actually take 2 steps out onto the bridge-----and then back off
my oldest son is there to capture that proud moment !
there is a pretty experienced climber nearby----he tells me what to do
since i am just a dumb roofer---- I am looking at this bridge thinking i am gonna try to step as close to the cables as possible----using dum roofer logic----I figure that's the strongest point on that 2x4
did i mention i weigh 232# ?
and as i look out----i see some of the coards have been replaced.
WHY?-----why not all of them?
this is nuts
so the exprirenced guy nearby points out i should step in the center of the 2x4---and the bridge will sway much less
so-------- i weight untill the group in front makes it across--instruct kevin to wait untill I make it across-------and i step out.
eye on the board,eye on the board,eye on the board,eye on the board-----this becomes my mantra----- i only want to focus on my foot and the board--------don't want to see anything BELOW the board------
eye on the board,eye on the board,eye on the board,eye on the board
in buddhism we say" when you carry water----only carry water"-----pay attention and focus on what you are doing------not outside distractions------
wait a minute my mind is wandering----back in focus---eye on board,eye on board,eye on board,eye on board,eye on board,oh f!@# winds picking up--------eye on board,eye on board,eye on board eye on board,eye on board
with in minutes i make it across
now it's kevins turn----and since he is 19 and gonna live forever---he thinks it's way cool-----he even stops and takes pictures on the way------------
Kevin----fearless
man i love that kid
so we are across-----and immediately i am back in my element
just like climbing ladders
ever higher
neighboring fin-----quite like what we are on
kevin is so cool---he took zillions of pictures of the local fauna----and close ups of rock structure----me--i just wanna NOT die
so we crossed from one fin to another----climbed straight up the wall------this is the wall we are on
second picture shows pretty much what we have been negotiating all day
Edited 7/23/2007 6:47 pm ET by Hazlett
got another tricky spot here before we climb to the top of the fin
just before we swing around to the back side of the fin----here is a better look at the bridge
OK--- i could have skipped this part--- but i came THIS far.
those fins i have been showing you----well we are gonna get up on top of one of them
this face is overhung---progessively more so as you get to the top-----you can really feel the gravity pulling at you
Edited 7/23/2007 6:53 pm ET by Hazlett
frankly-- i am just trying not to die----
but kevin is taking pictures like CRAZY---even tries to make a cel phone call to one of his college climbing buddies back in ohio---not suprizingly-no cel phone service
THAT"S the effing bridge----
look a little different up here????
lookingover back across the bridge----that second notch to the left is the one we came through
scariest moment in my life----for about 15 minutes till i trumped THAT
anyway---here is the notch-----and a close up of kevin in the notch
looking down to the right
view behind us--- we can here cows mooing somewhere----sound travels
another panorama----scroll sideways
yes we are up pretty high
if you look at the very top of that razor edge-----that pretty much about what we are on taking pictures( wellkevin takes pictures--- i just white nuckle it and wussy back down!)
Edited 7/23/2007 7:07 pm ET by Hazlett
we climb back down off this fin pretty much the way we went up
and then there is a easy little traverse
mostly we just have a 20 minute scramble----still clipped on to cable
somewhat suprized to be alive
one fin to another view
ho-hum overlook at this point on our way down----that's a silo I suppose
last shot of Kevie
It takes about 4 hours to do the climb----almost exactly what it took me to re-size and post the pictures with a bit of naration.
out of time today-----but if anybody is interested let me know in this thread and i will try to post info incase anyone wants to take the same trip themselves
and again---my apologies to actual climbers---
stephen
Stephen, where exactly were you climbing? I had a kid working for me who guides around Fayetteville, I think it's called the New. Rock climbers...a whole different breed<G> Someone's got it in for me, they're planting stories in the press
Whoever it is I wish they'd cut it out but when they will I can only guess.
They say I shot a man named Gray and took his wife to Italy,
She inherited a million bucks and when she died it came to me.
I can't help it if I'm lucky.
Snort---
this was a private parcel of land( it's for sale by the way)
adjacent to or very near government park land.
general area is called Seneca Rocks---maybe 45 minutes from Elkins.
i have some more info including a web site etc.-----but it's still in the car----and the car is elsewhere right now---- i will dig it out for you.
the New River Gorge is an other thing---- i rafted that 20 years ago. we used to white water raft a lot( my wife and I and our friends---started on the " Yock" in PA. then moved on to the New and the Cheat rivers----never got the chance to do the Gaulley when they had dam release 'though.
stephen
Thanks, I'd appreciate the info. My youngest son did the Gauley last year, and stayed in the raft! We canoe on the New River around Newport, Va, serene compared to the Gauley<G>The rock climbing place I was speaking of is in the upper part of the New River Gorge...also private, and a pretty good little business...I'll send you the name sometime, but it is fur piece from you<G> Someone's got it in for me, they're planting stories in the press
Whoever it is I wish they'd cut it out but when they will I can only guess.
They say I shot a man named Gray and took his wife to Italy,
She inherited a million bucks and when she died it came to me.
I can't help it if I'm lucky.
here ya go Snort
Nelson Rocks
304-567-3169
or--
Nelson rocksPreserve,
P.O. Box 93, Riverton West Va. 26814
or http://www.nelsonrocks.org
the web site has links to hundreds of pictures etc.
Stephen
Thanks Stephen! Someone's got it in for me, they're planting stories in the press
Whoever it is I wish they'd cut it out but when they will I can only guess.
They say I shot a man named Gray and took his wife to Italy,
She inherited a million bucks and when she died it came to me.
I can't help it if I'm lucky.
Amazing pics and narration! My knees are sore and the pucker factor is there, and I'm just reading about it. I'd have to lose about 100lbs and get in a WHOLE lot better shape before I'd even try that. And even then, I'm not sure if I'd have the hoohaws to get 'er done.
But where are the pics of these stunning women?! for all we know you were having some kind of altitude hallucination. Where's the proof! :)
jt8
"If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there and worrying. It's the worry that gets you, not the loss of sleep." -- Dale Carnegie
If you look close--
i think there are a couple of "Butt shots", LOL
Actually this points to a basic difference between men and women
I am confident those 2 girls never thought of sex the entire climb
but speaking for myself-- every time I came around the corner of a rock and one of those rear ends was RIGHT THERE--- my first thought was " man I would like to hit THAT"
which proves I think--- guys think about sex constantly--and even under the most adverse situations.
As far as in shape-----well it was physically no problem for my son
and actually--physically it was no problem for me------an average day of roofing on a non-walkable roof is more tiring to me-----so Physically I was personally prepared. However-------- reasonably-- I don't think someone with a more sedentary lifestyle---say an office job-- who was as heavy as me should really atttempt it.
Mentally however- there were 2 really,Really, REALLY scary parts-- coming through the notch---and the bridge
the pictures we took near the bridge are scary enough-- but don't really do justice to the scope of it------ but the picture my son took from the summit of the fin looking DOWN onto the bridge and below-- I think puts the whole bridge in perspective---simultaneously sphincter tightening and bowel loosening .
I was kind of hoping my son had a similar experience--- but he says no- he figures If the hot girls and I made it across the bridge----HE could do it.
Personally I have found it to be pretty life altering--- I can't imagine any business situation I might choose to accept that I can't handle now-------it's all simply a matter of unclipping the first caribiner and clipping onto the next cable, un clip the second caribiner and clip on the next cable--and then climb to the end of that cable------step by step,by step
stephen
Forgot to ask: any idea who maintains the site? Is it just volunteers or what? Lotta work stringing that cable and hammering in all those rungs. And don't think you'd see me volunteering to replace those 2x4's.
jt8
"Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree." -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Wow. Amazing. Fantastic.
Really.
Just think about who had to attach that cable and hang that bridge.
Thanks for these pics.
"What's an Arkansas flush?......It's a small revolver and any five cards."
If you go to their website that I posted earlier, you might get more solid info----but from what my son tells me
the place is owned by a guy who was a lawyer---and a pretty high caliber climber.
apparently he bought the place and laid out and installed the course in about 5 months.
the place is currently for sale----------
BTW--can you imagine that they did NOT have t-shirts for sale?--seems silly but---------
they charge you $45 to do the route--which includes using their harness, helmet, lanyards etc.( charged my son $40, since he used his own harness)
from a business perspective--- hard to imagine anybody climbing the route------NOT buying a t-shirt to brag about it.
but-- there might be some hardcore climber,anti mercantile attitude at play there I am not tuned into.
my son tells me there is often some kind of vegan/vegatarian culture tied up in climbing--which he thinks dates back to a "dirtbagging' culture out west-------basically dudes would just camp out permanently in top notch climbing areas--- climbing everyday living on bags of whole wheat or whatever. when they ran out of food--they would drift into town--do odd jobs or whatever to scratch together enough money to buy another sack of brown rice and wheat---and then head back up to climb for another month or so--eating simply and vegan--- was the cheapest way to do that-ie: minimize time working, maximise time climbing.
all i know is there was ZERO merchandising--which come to think of it is refreshing.
Stephen
Nice to see people climbing above the smog of politically correct and fear of lawsuits. After thinking, 'holy crap', my next thought was, 'sheeze, how do they keep from getting sued if some yahoo falls because a rung came lose."
all i know is there was ZERO merchandising--which come to think of it is refreshing.
I agree.
Although there is a little bug somewhere back in my brain that thinks it might be interesting to sell tshirts at the top. Assuming the only way up is to climb up there. :)
jt8
"Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree." -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
thanks for posting the climbing picts, Stephen - memories for a lifetime, indeed - not sure I'd have the upper body strength to do so of the climbs -
DW and I did the upper Gaulley several years ago - put in right below the dam - three 20' tubes with water shooting out full bore - eye opening @ 7 AM, at least for this farm boy - anyway, if you get the chance, do it -
regards - D
"there's enough for everyone"
why is it
every time someone has a camera
they always talk about the stunning women they saw
AND THEY DON'T TAKE ANY #@%*# PICTURES!!??!
(Lewis Black moment)
Aside from that, great photos. Have a 6-year old who climbs the rock walls at the gym like a monkey . . . I'll be in my mid-fifties when he's your son's age. There goes my plan to just let myself go. <g>
they always talk about the stunning women they sawAND THEY DON'T TAKE ANY #@%*# PICTURES!!??!
Kinda what I was thinking. Wasting a perfectly good zoom lens.jt8
"If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there and worrying. It's the worry that gets you, not the loss of sleep." -- Dale Carnegie
......5 days of constant and un-relenting rain--has changed to snow this AM.Same here.http://logancustomcopper.com
http://grantlogan.net/
It's like the whole world's walking pretty and you can't find no room to move. - the Boss
I married my cousin in Arkansas - I married two more when I got to Utah. - the Gourds
BIL EPDM'ed his built-in gutters 3 or 4 years ago. No problems so far. He had a neighbor who had done the same 10-15 years ago and so far hasn't had a problem. So even if it doesn't have the 100 year lifespan of copper, it should last a while.
jt8
"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned."-- Buddha
Stephen,
Thats a nice looking repair! That should last for quite some time,since as Grant said ,it's adhered to new wood instead of some rusty metal.
Glad to see pics of your work-I wish more folks would contribute shots of their work too.
Here's an album of pics for a job in Northern Me. I'm consulting on and also bidding on. An Elk's Lodge.
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8cbsmrhqzww
Keep those pictures coming
Best regards, Walter
I'm impressed that you're able to set that alum. deck by yourself!
walter----------
the aluminum pic is a two man, 14" widex 24 " long.
It weighs over 100# I think.
Once it is up--it's convenient and very stable.
i am sure YOU know how it goes up--but for anybody else----------
I set the ladders up and position the jacks about 7 feet off the ground.
Pick up the plank and set it on the jacks-------- clamp the jacks to the plank.
climb up one ladder and lift the jack/plank up about 3-4 rungs. climb down
climb up the other ladder-lift that end up 6-7 rungs
continue like that till it's where ya want it.
take it down in reverse.
whole thing takes me like 10 minutes ,tops-if I am wasting time.
got to admidt i hate that pick.
at my old house i had a garage 28 ft. deep I could drive into with the pick on the ladder racks---now my garage is only 22 ft. deep--and EXACTLY 24 ft. wide.
storage is a pain--and takes me and my 2 sons to hang it up in the current garage.
consiquently--a few weeks ago I bought a 16ft.x 14inch one man pick that i am using on my current project that i like a lot.
much easier to move around solo. I know--that you know walter-when you are used to working solo---ya figure out how to get these things done, LOL
Stephen
Stephen
Yes I've done it too,but it's still a chore to have to do it on a daily basis-but I see that driveway is tight.
Walter
limmited repairs under way
this is a project I did late last fall.
several weeks previously I had done the opposite side of the house. after a few weeks-the customer decided they wanted THIs side done as well.
the house is in a sub-urb/neighboring town.
basically it's an old mill town fallen on hard times---it does have a ray of sunshine though---the town square.
right across from the project house is the town square--centered around a lake. the whole park takes up an entire city block--and the lake is big enough that in the summer they actually have water ski shows in the lake from time to time. the park has about a zillion cherry trees-----------so spring features a cherry blossom festival,
fall features a mum festival.
the 4 sides of the park are lined with MOSTLY well maintained homes--some pretty spectacular. the 2 you will see eventually clearly need help----- but I think you can see-------this was once--and could be again a desireable area for city dwellers--------------------------------about 10% of the homes surrounding the park---could probably use a grant from the city to really bring back the whole feel of the place--------------
of course--while i have been out on my bike-my wife is home hard at work
in real time-- today is 1-14-07
she still has flowers in BLOOM at that location
stephen... so what are the trees now... did they plant them to replace the elms ?
View ImageMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
mike, I am not certain what the trees are now----probably silver maples---which now have problems of their own.
stephen
Locusts?
blue"...if you just do what you think is best testing those limits... it's pretty easy to find exactly where the line is...."
From the best of TauntonU.
I'm going for Black Maple, I'll go back and check the pictures cause you need to see the bark/leaf and trunk structure. But this could be just like going to Vagas, place your betts. Second Norway/third Red maple But I'm going for black at 51% paying 3 to 1.
View Image
View Image
Darm! You offering insurance with that bet. Exploded the bark view and hmmmmm. Can't quite make out the leaves.
Next to the plant and maybe 2-3 blocks from my house- firestone stadium
coached many happy games here- really one of my favorite places on the planet
wouldn't i like to go back in time and coach 3rd base again-waive a kid home and see a close play at the plate-see my oldest pitch here again-or my yougest catch--------------------
That picture get my adreniline pumping!
Nice thread.
blue"...if you just do what you think is best testing those limits... it's pretty easy to find exactly where the line is...."
From the best of TauntonU.
once I escape the volunteer-- I resume tresspassing
this is ,I believe one of the south east gables
If ya look close ya can just make out my "ride' at left.
Saaay, that is spiffy! How far can you go on a charge?
View Image
:)jt8
"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned."-- Buddha
Now a days a charge will get you all the way to china and back.
I'm starting to think he didn't noticed his pic had been altered :)
Perfectly good humor and he didn't even notice. Sheeze, no good if you have to splain it.
jt8
"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned."-- Buddha
Awesome thread Stephen. There certainly is a lot to do and see in your "rust belt" midwest neighborhood. I'll have to do a similar thing about Au Sable and Oscoda. The differences will be sobering.
blue"...if you just do what you think is best testing those limits... it's pretty easy to find exactly where the line is...."
From the best of TauntonU.
blue--- we have actually pedaled out of my neighborhood---and gone out and about town------but really at no time have we been more than 10-15 minutes away from my house.
As we head for home---- i will show a few more pictures of my actual neighborhood--and some of my immediate neighbors.
BTW--- certainley---if i wanted to-- i could arrange a considerably different tour.
LOL
It's really a matter of attitude---- now that I am more "AWAKE"--and looking around about me---the more I see opportunities at every turn. It's not a matter of not enough opportunities------------ but simply choosing the best opportunities from an overwhelming abundance of options.--person A-has a problem---that's an opportunity for person B----
Best wishes and more tommorrow
oops------ how did that gay nightclub get back in here
Yeah, I noticed that. What's wrong, did you get another "call of nature". Tut tut, those Freudian slips must be Hell..
:)
jt8
"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned."-- Buddha
Yoo hoo, Mr. Tour Guide...Any chance that this western reserve you spoke of is related to Western Reserve Academy? And have any of the distance running fans in the Hazlett family raced in the Akron marathon? If it's a nice course, I might have to put that one on my schedule.Thanks for keeping the photos going. Glad to hear John made it out of the niteclub :)Tua res agitur, paries cum proximus ardet ~ Horace
Fat Roman,
Western Reserve academy--is located in Hudson--a suburb.
Pricey/Private/HIGH Caliber.
My sons ran at a track meet there a few years ago---and actually, I drove past it last week.
the marathon is a nice course--- if you come please Email me and we will see what we can do for you while you are here.
my oldest son is the actual distance runner in my immediate household. he has never run in it----because of a critical schedule conflict-------- the marathon is on the same weekend he has always run in a BIG cross country meet in Rochester, New York. McQuaid Invitational-- that's a huge meet with runners from 2 countries and about 10 states-- his team has won there division I think 4 times in 6 years there.
now he is running in college----------and again he is running out of town at that time.
My neice, Katie Dudek-ran the marathon this fall, she is a college student------ i believe she was 5 or 6 in her age group. her brother, gus----------- is even more talented/state ranked at the high school level as well-----------------
again-let me know if you come
Stephen
Edited 1/11/2007 8:44 am ET by Hazlett
Stephen,Thanks. I appreciate the offer and I'll certainly be in touch if I make it out. It looks like it's 3 weeks before my big race each year, a little endurance festival they call the Ironman. But if I'm not out in Hawaii this year or next, I'd love to come give the Akron race a shot. I see the guy that finished 3rd is someone I used to race against here in VA.With all that running talent in the family, are you are going to give the race a go, too?Thanks for the info on WRA. A good friend of mine went there, and I always thought it was closer to Cleveland.Best,
SteveTua res agitur, paries cum proximus ardet ~ Horace
FaT Roman,
realisticly-- there is no way i can ever run a marathon.
a year or two before this marathon started I ran in a 5k , with my son,attached to another marathon--- the Towpath Marathon------ that was a nice race--but little publicized----very runner freindly------------- little road work---soft surface mostly
despite that----- i developed some severe heel pain that year from that race--and training for another one earlier in the summer
so i didn't run for 2 years
started to get back into it 3 years ago----running stairs in a building downtown----100 stories a day ,up and down.---later that year---blew my knee out in my backyard of all places.
Knee surgery 2 years ago---- doctor told me" stephen---you are never to run again--with the possible exception of finding yourself in a building on fire"
so--it's bike only now.
now-- I admidt that i cheat a bit. Periodically--the knee will get feeling so good-I delude myself into thinking I could start running again-------so i start up again on the QT---( hiding it from my wife)------- but after a couple weeks---the knee feels so bad---- I know I am an idiot
so-really now----- i know i have to save my knees for climbing ladders and earning tuition money for my sons
realistically-my running days are over-----it's bike and lift weights.
BTW-- i go about 240#-----so i haven't had a runners build since I was 20 or so( 44 now)
also gotta admidt---- i like biking better.
Stephen
will try something different next time------
told ya i am a dummy, LOL
thanks for sticking with me through this-----------
trying something new here----------------
this house is out of the hood----this was a tear-off-2-3 layers of asphalt over cedar shingles over skip sheating.
Tear-off, redeck, 50 year elks, copper valleys, copper vents, copper drip edge, copper flashing.
just did a litle horse trading this spring with the homeowner for some of the cherry I Knew he had stashed in his garage------------ he had cut down some cherry trees on his property before i did this roof some years ago--and had been air drying some lumber------------
Hey--- i might catching on with this---finally.
this is a house i have always loved---------- you should SEE the attic. my work here was minimal--but it was a privilege.
customer works for Nestle----originally from africa---she has lived in something like 14 countries---fascinating accent and a stunning beauty---she sent home some "special' chocolate--- for my family--not a big chocolate fan----but I am told it was superb.
Stephen,I'm greatly enjoying the tour! Keep it up. This is a terrific idea, and perhaps I'll do something similar one of these days.Best,
SteveTua res agitur, paries cum proximus ardet ~ Horace
thank you Fat Roman--- i was afraid I might bore folks with this-----------
i have another set of pictures--if they haven't been lost----where I rode our local marathon route on a bike--taking sort of a highlights photo package of the city.
lived here my whole life---but riding that route by bike forced me to look at the city from new perspectives------some WAAAAY cool stuff looking down into neighborhoods from a bridge----and out in to the cuyahoga valley
amazing opportunities here--with a fantastic cost of living.
you folks in California, New York etc. would crap yourself if ya knew what a steal these houses are. Decent sized city-on the edge of a national park--------- Farms just minutes away-------world class art and music facilities close by----- i AM a bit of a booster.
I have been building up towards a set of pictures---------- probably the most dangerous roof we have ever done---which we did this past august.
It was a privilege----and a nightmare all in one.
one saving grace ---------it was on the campus of the University of Akron
I only wish y'all could have SEEN the driver of this vehicle
my apologies for the size of this picture--- i was afraid if i shrunk it down ya couldn't read the print on the wind sheild
remind me to tell y'all aboutthe girls team that paraded by the job every day at 11:30 !!!!!!!!
thanks for your patience one and all--------------- i will get to the main event tomorrow( if the weather is bad enough)------ i actually got ta run now----it's 5:06 and my sons' college cross country team is gathering here at my house from all over ohio to watch the OSU Buckeyes
doncha all wish YOU had the best college team in the nation????????
Stephen
Stephen,Enjoying the pics. Especially like the new house, reminds me of a few of our neighborhoods. Are you planning on doing much renovation? or just cleaning up?Haven't had to scroll on any of the pictures. Thanks for taking the time to share.
Barry E-Remodeler
hopefully i have most things re-sized here.
progresses from a house i sold after living there 20 years, to the brick house we bought a couple years ago, some shots of one of the fireplaces, and to a large church roof i did, not more than a few blocks away
Ok folks, here we have a roof I did a few years ago-----several layers of asphalt shingles OVEr cedar shingles and skip sheathing--------- everything torn off, re-decked, copper drip edge, vents, flashing, 50 year elks------ I did some trading with this customer this summer for some Cherry lumber he had milled from some of his own trees and had air drying in the garage.
Next picture is a house we did some minor work on----for a really interesting customer
Next picture--again some minor work------ posting it because I LOVE the brickwork
the last picture brings us up to date on some of the hi-jinks going on---as we worked a nasty roof on the campus of the university of akron this past summer
Great idea Stephen!
Your thread gives me a much better understanding of your marketing tactics and your pricing mentality. I fully understand why you would want to concentrate on that geographical region. You are a smart guy!
As far as your picture posting skills: Not bad for a first time! You're better than I would have predicted.
You might be able to make your job easier if you reset the camera settings and take the pictures so they show up at a smaller size. You might not have to resize anything. That was a tip that I got from Mike. Usually, guys like us don't need the high resolution that is attainable by leaving your camera on that ultra sensitive setting. "Real" photograperhs need pics that come in at 800 kb, but us nailbangers can do quite well at 75kb.
Ask the young un's to help you change your camera settings.
blue"...if you just do what you think is best testing those limits... it's pretty easy to find exactly where the line is...."
From the best of TauntonU.
blue,
i am going to continue taking all pictures BIG-------- pretty much on advice from a FHB editor.
' See, some of these pictures may end up in a magazine or a Hazlett Roofing and Renovation Ltd. Web site----and taking 'em big i guess theoretically gives me ultimately better options down the road. when i take a picture- i just don't know it's ultimate use.
Stephen
these next few pictures----are the real reason i even started this thread.
In fact---- they are the real reason i even bought a digital camera last August.
basically--this house is currently a fraternity house----it wasn't ALWAYS a frat house though.
It's located on what was at the end of the 1800 perhaps THE best street here in town. It was owned by one of the top families----but it wasn't their residence.
the family actually lived in a house that is NOW 3 doors away---there residence was a bit smaller--but much more elaborate. THIS house------- housed some servants-----and was used for entertaining. when the family threw parties-they threw 'em in THIS house.
the first floor in it's day was primarily a fantastic dining room, complete with a hidden byzzer under the table to summon servants during meals.
there is an elaborate staircase rising to the 2nd floor---the whole second floor was a ballroom.
most of these pictures in the first set--show the house the first morning we arrived. due to delays beyond OUR controll---and poor planning on the frat boards part---we had about 10 days counting weekends to get this roof torn off and replaced--BEFORE students moved in.
We did it in 9 days counting saturdays and sundays. the roof had 1 layer of asphalt over a layer of slate--------- wonderfully--only 16 lineal ft. of decking had to be replaced
we are ready to start tear-off the first morning
for sanities sake--- I am going to censor some of these photo's---- I took hundreds----- but a lot of them are risky, LOL
Here we are getting started
making a little progress this morning
Zal WILL work you into the ground.
It's a dirty job--but somebody has to do it
let's see what this picture is about-------
oh ya, don't scratch the paint on that truck!!!!!!
Edited 1/9/2007 10:12 am ET by Hazlett
some of you might be wondering if stephen does anything other than stand on the ground in the shade taking pictures on this job????????
I actually bought the camera for this job--because I knew there might be some once in a lifetime shots of my city -------- up on top.
at the back of this house---it's about 4-1/2 or 5 stories high----plus it sits on a hill.-- in the distance on one of the photos you will see a church with 2 towers/steeples--- you will be looking DOWN at a steeple.
my apologies--------- the pictures do not do the reality justice. I am unable to convey the simultaneously sphincter tightening yet bowel loosening nature of this roof, LOL
Meanwhile---it's time to "nut-up' and climb aloft--------------
Awesome shots Stephen. Keep em coming.
blue"...if you just do what you think is best testing those limits... it's pretty easy to find exactly where the line is...."
From the best of TauntonU.
we had a little dusting of snow here last night----- i have been waiting for it to melt off.
since it has done so, i am going to head out and get a few hours work in on a slate roof i am working on currently. I am about 45 hours in to a project i have estimated at 128 hours-- got to keep banging away. about 10-12 more hours of work and i can get my second draw---which means i will be about halfway done.
i will try to get some more pictures up tomorrow
Steve,
Come to my house this spring and help me tear off and reroof my 12 in 12 hip roofed house. I'll cover your transportation, provide room and board, and wages.
Steven, when was your "new" house built? Nice. I'm enjoying the tour. And, that Flemish brickwork is outstanding, to say the least.Oh, yeah, how does one fasten asphalt shingles to slate?FWIW, I like big pics...after they download, I can right click, save to my desktop, click again and it opens opens up fitting to my screen...no scrolling. Those little pics have no detail, and way less soul<G> "But to be honest some folks here have been pushing the envelope quite a bit with their unnecessary use if swear words. They just put a character in to replace a letter. But everyone knows what they're saying." Sancho FREE CAROLE
Snort,
Actually, you can nail an asphalt shingle on right over a piece of slate----at least most of the slate used in this area. slate is actually pretty soft after 80 years( again---I refer to the stuff in this area.
It is however " not good practice" to layover slate, LOL.
now---as far as my house----it's actually newer than the one I sold in order to move in here----this one is 1941.------ pre-war is my target--my bread and butter.
we were happy in the previous place-- i mean ya really appreciate being a homeowner when you buy a house while making $4.50/hour--------
working on THAt house is what got me into contracting.-- couldn't afford to pay ANYBODY to work on it for me-----------
so my father in law who was a carpenter from the old school--showed me some things----and my brother in law who was the head maintenance mechanic in a sky scraper down town--showed me a few things-------and i read a lot of books---and had at it.
eventually-- i would do something to my house-------and a neighbor would ask me to do the same to THEIR house---and i would do it nights and weekends, etc.
well--when your regular job is paying----( well i never made over $6.50/hour)-- so little-----well, pretty quick i noticed that I could make more on the weekend---than i was making working 50-60 hours in the chrome plating shop-------------
Eventually-- i found myself as the sole support of a stay at home wife---with a 12 month old baby------and a second baby on the way--------and $6.50 wasn't gonna cut it---------
so i rolled up my sleaves---bought a $500 truck---and got to work. Put an adv. in the classified section of the paper---went into the chrome shop to give my 2 week notice monday morning. chrome shop said--" if that's the way ya feel--might as well start now--don't let the door hit ya on the way out"
Went home---( this is about 8:00-8:30 monday morning)--- wife hads me a stack of phone messages with a smile--says" you have NINE calls already from people that want estimates"----------------------
course that was about 18 years ago-----when my education REALLY started-and i learned there is a difference between being busy giving free estimates--and being busy earning, LOL
Stephen
Snort,
If it doesn't bore ya--more on the house.
i live in akron---which was at one time known as " the rubber capital of the world"--------------all the major tire manufacturers were headquartered here.
my neighborhood is Firestone Park--- I am about 4-5 blocks downwind of the tire plants---- when i was young, burning rubber smelled ike fresh baked bread to me.
my street is a blv. leading from the Firestone plant--------- to Firestone Park--- the park I showed earlier which is right across the street from me.
firestone park was laid out by Harvey Firestones Architect---all the rubber barons had their own pet architects.( Later I am going to show pictures of Stan Hywett Hall--which was the home of the guy who founded Goodyear Tire and Rubber--- HIS Architect worked with the guy who laid out Central Park in NYC.
firestones architect is famous as well----- i have notes somewhere here--- but at the moment i forget WHO exactly--
anyhow-- the park is actually laid out in the shape of the Firestone Emblem--Basically it is shaped like a sheild.------- the boulevard splits at my house , changeing from firestone Blv.---into N. firestone Blv. and S. firestone blv., as it wraps around the park shaping the shield trademark.
we are located DOWNWIND--( no longer an issue)---------- the top exec.s, and owners houses were on the west side of town---upwind.
our neighborhood was primarily for employees and middle level management----so our house was built for an middle level firestone exec. in 1941.
i will show more pictures later-- but basically--4 bedrooms, kitchen, library, sunroom,2 diningrooms, 1 HUGE living room( we call it the ballroom--it's entirely too grand for a dumb roofer), 2 full baths, 2 half baths, walk in closets out the wazoo, pantrys, store rooms, 2 fireplaces, a terazo floor in the basement--with what is locally considered the neighborhoods most over the top wet bar, -------- upstairs walnut doors, walnut trim,walnut wainscoting in both dining rooms and around the fireplace in the ball room--we actuall eat in the smaller dining room---and use the larger dining room as a more manageable sized living room.- in the future--if my sons marry-and bless us with grandchildren---we will likely return the large dining room to dining room status. Walnut french doors opening into the sunroom with it's original beadboard ceiling----- same type of door from the library/office leads into the sunroom as well
eldest son brought home his girlfriend from college------and several other members of his XC team---stayed several days--great fun--roaring fires---full house---young people-- plenty of work as far as the eye can see---, bad knees,bad back,bad elbows being managed-----life is good.
my apologies Snort--- this all seems pretty much like bragging I suppose------
it's just that---well everyday before i go to work---and when i return--i walk around the yard looking at the house thinking " dumb roofers aren't supposed to be allowed to live places like this"--- it's a bit grand for me--so i prefer to think of myself as just the full time maintenace man who lives here.
Best wishes, all
stephen
and i really don't have much money at all , LOL----- but this house just kind of fell into our hands at the right time----and it will be a 20 year restoration project
Edited 1/10/2007 9:15 am ET by Hazlett
You're not boring me, it's refreshing to see someone who enjoys what they have.I would have pegged you house earlier than '40, the trim at the fire place looked a little decoish. You've built a nice life<G> "But to be honest some folks here have been pushing the envelope quite a bit with their unnecessary use if swear words. They just put a character in to replace a letter. But everyone knows what they're saying." Sancho FREE CAROLE
snort,
the tiles came from The Moravian Tile Works in PA.
they have a nice web site----facility has re-opened with the original molds and operates now as a living history museum
it's a great tour----and if you like the beauty of irregularly shaped hand made product--- great pieces
also--funny you should mention deco--- the bathrooms are pretty deco--fixtures, tile work etc.
Ok folks----some more of the frat house pictures
BTW--- did i mention that the house is haunted???? at least half a dozen folks told me that during the time we worked there.
Later i mentioned this to a dear friend that teaches at akron U.---and she said--" oh sure---------- it's notorious------- para-normal pshycholgists are always coming to town to study it"
lived here all my life, but never heard the story---------
apparently a maid, or the housekeeper---- hung herself, despondent over an affair with one of the sons of the household.
meanwhile---- here are some pictures of one of the chimneys----as we found them.
they did not leak a drop, BTW
ok folks, i am still working on size for these pictures---- first y'all complained they were too big----- then to small
i goosed e'm up a bit--- maybe a little too big now again???????
anyhow---------- i have had to really weed through these pictures to find some that i can actually show without taking to big of a flogging over
ever see sausage made???????--- well roofing falls into that class of things that maybe ya had druther not watch happening. LOL
I wanted some crane shots--- have some---but rather not show'em.
one of these we are starting to build a temporary chute over the fire escape-----later I had a crane pick up a pallet load of shingles which we unloaded by hand onto toe boards----can't show that--------- we also unloaded a buttload of bundles on the fire escape--I carried themn INTO the house through the fire door and stacked about 5 bundles each---in each bedroom upstairs------ then when we needed them---back out the fire door---onto the fire escape, and up the roof.
some of the guys wanted to stack about 8 square directly on the fire escape------ but i vetoed that idea---- escape was shaky enough with just ME on it LOL
Morning Stephen,Your new house looks terrific! Keep the Tour d'Akron coming.And, don't sell yourself short. You are certainly not a 'dumb roofer'. From where I sit, I see a guy who was intrigued enough to educate himself in areas he didn't know, started his own business, has a real interest in art (including artistry at work)and music, takes enormous pride in the history of his town, and from what I've read, raised some pretty good kids to boot. That sounds like a smart and successful person to me.Looking forward to some interior photos. And I have to say that I'm really curious at how you went from chrome plater to running your own company. Why did you choose roofing over something else?Best,
Steve
Tua res agitur, paries cum proximus ardet ~ Horace
it's just that---well everyday before i go to work---and when i return--i walk around the yard looking at the house thinking " dumb roofers aren't supposed to be allowed to live places like this"--- it's a bit grand for me--so i prefer to think of myself as just the full time maintenace man who lives here.
You're not braggin Stephen, just observing.
I often think the same thing when I sit here and gaze out over Lake Huron.
blue"...if you just do what you think is best testing those limits... it's pretty easy to find exactly where the line is...."
From the best of TauntonU.
It took you 9 days to do that roof? I'm betting Jose and Pedro could do it in 6!
I opened one pic of the city view, and don't worry, the slope of the roof comes through just fine!
"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
Not to be picky, but maybe the next pics you post could be aroud 100k. The 50-60k are a little small. Just click on a diffderent setting when you shrink them.
Interesting thread. That frat house looks like a tough job. If you need help, I'll stand on the ground and watch.
"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
Your right ED, I think 100 is good enough but some dialuppers might prefer about 70. I think I shoot for about 75 or less.
What do the dialuppers think. Are you still on dialup Ed?
blue"...if you just do what you think is best testing those limits... it's pretty easy to find exactly where the line is...."
From the best of TauntonU.
Interesting thread. That frat house looks like a tough job. If you need help, I'll stand on the ground and watch.
And I'll stand next to ya and yell up helpful tips like, "watch out, it's pretty steep up there!"
:)
jt8
"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned."-- Buddha
Fast Eddie,
jose and pedro are not much of a factor here, YET.---- they are however more than welcome.
the way I got that Frat house job------------ I came home from vacation---and there was a message on my answering machine.
answered the message and was asked to look at the project.
I wasn't particularly eager to do it---- but we didn't have a lot else on the books at that point-----so i looked it over pretty carefully---gave 'em a price-( and some copies of my magazine articles BTW,LOL)---and a couple of weeks later the job is lined up.
eventually i found out that over 25 other contractors had looked at the project---and not one would even write a proposal. apparently, competitors couldn't get away from that roof fast enough--can't really blame 'em.
which goes to show---never, ever be afraid to give an enourmously high quote---- you may be the ONLY person looking at the project. Knowing THEN what I know NOW----- I am pretty sure I could have got another 10K out of the project.
Ironically----- when i priced the project, I didn't plan on getting it--and priced it maybe a little high----but Before I was given the go ahead--------------- my phone began to ring,and ring,and ring,and ring------and ---well I could have worked 7 days a week since august If I wanted to.---so I probably would NOT have taken the job---if I had known that was gonna happen------------
now However I am glad I did.
Stephen
which goes to show---never, ever be afraid to give an enourmously high quote---- you may be the ONLY person looking at the project. Knowing THEN what I know NOW----- I am pretty sure I could have got another 10K out of the project.
I've worked for contractors that sought these types of jobs. They loved finding job that no one wanted to quote.
If you think about it, it's easy to see why that approach is a sure winner. We did most of these jobs at cost plus and the plus was substantial.
blue"...if you just do what you think is best testing those limits... it's pretty easy to find exactly where the line is...."
From the best of TauntonU.
Good idea and reason Stephen.
blue"...if you just do what you think is best testing those limits... it's pretty easy to find exactly where the line is...."
From the best of TauntonU.
Barry,
It's a bit complicated--------- I am simultaneously expanding AND contracting my business.
as simply as i can put it--------- 4-5 years from now my kids will be through college and my tuition paying days will be over
at that time i will go into semi retirement----- by that i mean I will probably be pretty well done with roofing------so to prepare for that I am now working on taking on more carpentry type jobs-- replacing doors, windows, exterior trim details, porch work--- really odd ball restoration projects--building eyebrow windows from scratch to match existing openings, replacing redwood siding and details etc. historically i have done most of my work in a more modest neighborhood------------- the first picture is a typical house in that neighborhood and most of the houses date to the 1920's
I am slowly moving into a few other neighborhoods--that have bigger houses and are typically 10-20 years older--- roofing and roofing restoration is how i penetrate these markets. there is a demand for someone who will FIX and restore old things---instead of just ripping it out and covering everything in vinyl and slapping 20 year 3tabs on the roof. there is a DEMAND for that work---but most people here locally aren't interested because old work has a high " pain in the azz" factor. It's fun to me---though, as i would much rather fix something old---than to build something new.
So--- i am preparing to shrink into carpentry only type projects over the next 4 years----by subsidizing that switch with an expansion into larger roofing projects. Basically-- I am currently running 2 small companies at once. ---1) me the budding carpenter---really doing just more of what I have always done in a more limmited way, 2) larger roofing projects with me and a few subs
clear as mudd?????? my next pictures should start showing one of the larger, nastier roofs we did last summer.
Best wishes, all--and thanks for your patience
Stephen
They are interesting pictures. I don't usually see houses of thast style. But I gotta tell you ... people are going to click on other threads if you don't shrink the pics. I have high speed, so the time is not a problem. But I can't stand scrolling to see a small portion of the picture. You need to go back and shrink every one of them, or the thread will die a horrible death.
"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
Eddie,
If you want to avoid scrolling, instead of just clicking on the photo icon, right-click it and choose "open in new window".
Once it's loaded, it will auto-resize to fit in the window.
This is assuming you're using Internet Explorer as your browser.
Don
Did not know that.
Blue - I run with the fast crowd now.
"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
If you want to avoid scrolling, instead of just clicking on the photo icon, right-click it and choose "open in new window".
Or just hold the shift key down when you click on the pic. That will also open it in a new window (assuming you don't have pop-ups turned off).
jt8
"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned."-- Buddha
I love the brickwork on this house---- homeowner tells me the bricks AND the flemish bricklayer were imported specifically for this house.
Neighborhoods change---------circa 1980--- this house was in a pretty scary area( good friend lived around the block)---------- since then things have changed---it's a national historic district--about every 3rd house has a bronze plaque proclaiming as much.
my work on this house was prety modest as well--but it is a beauty---and it's located in one of 3 neighborhoods I am targeting for the next 4 years
If you have Windows, then you have MS Paint. Simple to use and it's already on your PC.
Open Paint and then click FILE and OPEN and find your pciture to open it. Most likely it will overfill the screen (you'll only see the upper left corner of the picture).
Click on IMAGE on the top of the screen.
Then click on STRETCH/SKEW from the drop down menu.
Change both the horizontal and vertical percentages (make sure both numbers are the same or the picture will look funny). Change the numbers until the picture fits nicely on you screen. If it fits on your screen, then it should be close to the right size file.
Go to FILE and click SAVE AS.
Select JPEG as the file type, not BMP. ( BMP files are huge. )
Done
“The richest genius, like the most fertile soil, when uncultivated, shoots up into the rankest weeds..†– Hume
how many of these houses do you have? :)that house looks amazingly like one a few blocks north of my location (and would probably be about 3 times more valuable)
here are some shots of one of the fireplaces-----wife saw it and had to have it.
tiles depict Dickens " Picwick Papers"----not my favorite dickens work.
tile in the surround is from moravian tile works in PA
I later bought some tiles( similar to the hearth tiles) from the same place---just 70 years later-----and built a table with the tile inset----to place in front of the fireplace----folks seem to like it.
try again
I like the second house.
"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're right man, too big. You have to scroll all over the place to see.................the place.
You're no dummy, right click on the picture b/4 you load it and choose resize picture. Make it small-100kb-
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Is it a state holiday in Ohio today?
You bet, with the game tonight, not alot gets done cept for "preparation".
hic.............A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
tomorrowafter the Bucks make some Gator shoesedit: darn that Calvin and his quick fingers
Edited 1/8/2007 1:43 pm ET by draftguy
How bout them GATORS !!!!! The south's gonin to it again and again.
our team got beat up, down and all around by a clearly better prepared opponenti say winner buys first round :)
gators like to eat nuts !!!!!
OK, I just started this thread, so someone may have already asked this, but how does the rain drain out on those dormers?
View Image
jt8
"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one getting burned."
-- Buddha
If you mean the window wells------- they are done in a seamless EPDM. the Epdm laps out onto the porch roof about 3 inches and there is a slight slope in the window wells from back to front---about an inch or so over about 40 inches.
the actual dormers------- valleys drain into the small gutters that are hung pretty horizontal---- they have always drained fine. the dormers are so steep--they are more of a wall than a roof.
I have to admidt, john---------- that is not my favorite style of house. It is EXTREMELY common in this neighborhood---- i have roofed probably a couple dozen of them.
that one in particular-- i have roofed twice--------- once about 19 years ago----and then again shortly before selling it.------------ bought that house about 22 years ago for 32K. I was making $4.50/hour at the time---and my wife was making $5/hour LOL.
Best wishes, Stephen
Hey Haz, Good thread. Keep them pics coming. And I say post 'em big. If anybody doesn't have broadband (as Sam Kinison said about all the people starving in Africa "Move to where the food is"), they need to cough up the extra $20/month or move to where the speed is and quit whining.http://logancustomcopper.com
http://grantlogan.net/
It's like the whole world's walking pretty and you can't find no room to move. - the Boss
I married my cousin in Arkansas - I married two more when I got to Utah. - the Gourds
Speaking of cameras and pictures:
I just grabbed my camera today to snap some gorgeous shots of the mouth of the Au Sable River. The cloud formations, combined with the snow squalls, and the passing of a closeby freighter were spectacular. I was on the phone, busy and I decided to pass up the shot...until the freighter began to get swallowed by the misty backdrop.
I grabbed my camera, a simple Kokak, and found the battery dead!!!
Can't find the charger now, because the batteries last so long, I've forgotted where I put it.
Anyways, the rant is: I'm tired of missing great shots. I bought this new camera because I missed so many with the last Kodak.
Are there any idiot proof cameras? Obviously, I'm a special case.
blue
"...if you just do what you think is best testing those limits... it's pretty easy to find exactly where the line is...."
From the best of TauntonU.