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
Fix That? Or Fix That! Is it a question or a statement? I like the latter, it’s like a badge of honor; “yup I can Fix That” This is not a how to site though you will get some of that, my hope is to give you ideas that will inspire you to Fix That.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
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 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.
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.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
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"
Getting my grandmothers 1903 Singer treadle sewing machine running after 20 years
Attaching wood studs to a steel structure
Rebuilding a garden bench"
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