saving $745.00

This week I had my wife’s car in the shop for an oil change; yup I have someone do that, do the math it’s worth the 25-30 dollars. She was planning a trip out of town this weekend so I had the shop look it over as well to be sure everything was good to go. Now let me say that this is a good reputable shop nearby, I trust their judgment.  That said I got the phone call.. “Good afternoon, this is Shop Guy. You were right about the front breaks it need them but…. It also needs rotors, rear shocks and a suspension link”… Me;“Ok.  Basic stuff and I have seen the signs, so what’s the estimate?”  Shop guy; “well, were lookin at about $975.00”. Me; “mmm ok, just change the oil.” 

Well the wife’s going on the road and the work needs done. So I pick the phone back up and called the parts store that I like (which by the way is the same store that Shop Guy likes) I got prices for the parts that Shop Guy quoted and wouldn’t you know the total price was $230. That evening I spent about 3 hours in my garage and the work was done; saving myself $745. Now, you say. 3 hours on the ground, in the garage, in march; ug.. Yah, I’m with you. This is one area of fix it that I don’t typically enjoy. However replacing brake pads is  not difficult and there is tones of info out there on how replace brakes, shocks and just about any part of your car yourself if you’re unsure of how to do it and I’ll bet you’ve got a buddy that would love to help. Here are a few up sides to this one; 3 hours in the garage alone, cool tools, listening to the radio as loud as you want, did I mention 3 hours alone and best of all saving $745.00. FIX THAT!                      

People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success. — Norman Vincent Peale

Recently at the building I work in we finished the walls in a gym that we have on site. This space is a standard steel building with 18 foot ceilings. The stud framing was basic, the same as standard interior wall framing only 18 foot tall. The question was how to secure the stud framing the steel structure.  A simple task for someone that dose this type of construction daily but if you’re like me and my team you may only tackle this type of project once or twice in your handyman career.  

The key to any project is knowing how to get started, I have found that the rest will fallow.  I began with good measurements and a rough sketch of the framing layout that I needed to achieve.  Because there is a level of structural sounds needed here I meet with a local commercial construction contractor that I have worked with on other projects and he guided through the lay out process and challenges I would encounter. I have found the quality contractors and suppliers are eager to assist with input and advice even when you’re not paying them, why, because they know you’re more likely to come to them when you need the big job done.

The first challenge was that none of the steel framing was in on plane with each other.  That is, one beam sat out two inches further than the below it or the gage of steel from one beam to another was different. All of this would in the end cause the wood framing to be out of plumb (not straight). 

The solution was simple, some small cut offs attached to the steel to move the wood framing out to a point that the studs could be plumbed and squared.

To attach the blocking and studs to the steel we used a 2 ¾ inch self taping screw. In this case it was a Teks brand but there are others like it. This screw is similar to a self taping sheet metal screw but has a lot more mussel to it. The key to its design is a pair of wings just above the drilling head. These wings bore out the wood stud to the correct diameter allowing you to drill directly through the stud without binding.  When the wings hit the steel behind the stud they break off allowing the screw to tap into the beam.  This made securing the stud framing quick and easy.  We did find that with the main beams which were ¼ thick steel I was easier to pre drill the beam using a template, the template ensured that the holes in the beam and the wood blocks would line up each time. 

When we first looked at this project I thought it was pushing the edge of my ability but with some basic research a little advice and some good old fashioned “Git R Done” I now have a new edge to push.  How about you is your preceded edge stopping you from something?  Push it further out then walk right up to it again.       

1903 Singer Treadle back in use

 Recently my grandmother passed way and I was greatly surprised when my parents arrived at our home a few weeks later with her 1903 Singer treadle sewing machine. I have always admired it as great example of turn of the century engineering and workmanship but more so for the family history that is attached to the machine. Not only was it my Grandmothers but it was her mother’s as well and my mom learned to sew on it as well.

 As I began to look in to the Treadle I was amazed to find out how many are still in regular use today and many parts are commonly available even at the local hardware store though you likely won’t need many parts. This machine has not been used in nearly 20 years but I do remember grandma using it quite a bit when I was a kid. A simple cleaning began by carefully removing any covers and brushing away any dust while sucking it up with a vacuum hose at the same time. I just used a small brush like the one below but a clean paint brush will work to.  I then wiped all the moving parts down with a soft cloth that I had applied a little light oil to, then a few drops of sewing machine oil at each of the contact points of the moving parts.  After cleaning the oak cabinet with a little bit of Murphy’s Oil and replacing the belt mom threaded the bobbin and needle and we were sewing. If you have not used one of these foot powered sewing machines or heard it run I can tell you it really is a amazing to see a piece of history, 108 years old working right there in front of you.              

Comming soon

"In the works:
Getting my grandmothers 1903 Singer treadle sewing machine running after 20 years
Attaching wood studs to a steel structure
Rebuilding a garden bench"