day 38 10/24/2011

We are getting down to crunch time.  I am trying to be done and ready to weigh in at the scales by Friday.  There are a lot of details still remaining.  Today was a good day to work on the kitchen and the closet/pantry.  We decided to go with an simple design without cabinets under the counter tops.  We are putting shelves under the counter tops where they won't interfere with the sink plumbing and hot water tank.  The pre-maid counter tops help to make it easier.  The ends are easy to finish on the counter tops. 

 I added some pine to the end to close things up.  I think I will also add some finish 1x3 to the face of the shells to make things look a little tighter.  The sink came from Ikea and fits well in smaller areas.  I put the hot water tank in its location, but still need to do the plumbing and strap the tank to the wall. 

I started to build the wall for the pantry which will be behind the door  I will build the shelves before I build the enclosing wall on my next day of work as I just ran out of time today.  The bottom half will be the closet for coats and shoes and stuff and will have its own door.  Same with the pantry on the top with 2 or 3 shelves to be built.

I put in 7 more hours today (265 total hours worked).

Day 37 10/18/2011

The pictures don't really pick up the detail from the polyurethane, but it is on and looks good.  I noticed that the color on the pine darkened a little with is ok.  It is a semi-gloss and it really gives it a good cabin look.  I have left a heater on it for a few days and I am struggling to get rid of the toxic smells.  I will try to cook it with more heat for a few days and then leave the windows open to air it out. 

It took 8 hours to apply the polyurethane and I still have a few area that are not done.
(258 total hours worked so far.)

Day 36 10/17/2011

The Pine is on and all done except for the pantry and the areas around the kitchen cabinets that are net yet installed.

There are still a few windows that need to be trimmed.  I ran out of material.  I decided to get started on the floor.  The OSB plywood that I used for the decking did buckle a little even though I gapped them in accordance with the manufacturer.  Nothing that a quick run with the belt sander couldn't handle.

I don't know that is was necessary, but I put another layer of felt paper down on top of the plywood. 

Time for some laminate flooring.  Most laminate flooring products go together quite easily.  and once you get your lines down and layout ready, it goes very quickly.

The laminate floor is very durable.  Even after I dropped a few tools on it, the marks never showed.  It looks really good done except for the base trim.

The floor is done and next will be the polyurethane.

I worked another 9 hours today.  (250 total hours worked)
 



Day 35 10/15/2011

The pine is done except for the window trim and cabinet work!

The dormers are continuing to provide challenges to my processes for sure.  I attached a ledger on the outside wall and above the window down 5 1/2" from the plywood.  That matches the existing 2 x 6 rafters. 

I ran the pine long in between the dormers and after I scribed a line, cut them off.    Once they were cut off, I attached a board to tie the corners together.

I am not sure how to trim the outside corners.  The corners went quite well and ended up amazingly tight. At this point, I am thinking that I might just hit the corners with the palm sander and call them good. 

I still need to trim out the winders and then I plan on hitting everything with a sander and knocking down any rough edges.  After that comes a nice coat of clear polyurethane.  Laminate flooring to follow...

I put in 10 man hours (241 total hours.)

Day 34 10/12/2011

My Dad came over and helped today.  2 people get more than double the work of a single worker.  One person works the saw while the other lays in the loft and secures the wood with the nailer! 

Now the loft is really taking shape.  Having the pine up there is doing two things.  First, I don't have as much head room to put my head up between the rafters.  I guess it is good to know how much room I have to work with.  Second, The opportunities to crack your had on the rafters was cut in half today!!! 

I faced the dormers as well.  I need to face them before I attach the ledger to continue covering the rafters.

So I am rounding the corner with the end in sight.  I only have the half of the rafters to go before ALL is covered.  Of course there is still a lot of trim work to do, but I think it will all be done in a day.  I am hoping to be ready for a clear semi-gloss polyurethane on Sunday.  Tomorrow will be a much needed brake and then hopefully Friday will bring the closer.

9 hours today (231 total hours worked to date)

Day 33 10/11/2011 Continued

I started off with a good morning of work end ended with a good evening of work as well. 

Just finishing this end make the loft seem a little more cozy. 

I found that the loft will provide a good sleeping area, but there is not room to work with a saw and boards up there.  I guess it will be up and down and up and down on the ladder for me.  It is 11pm now and I and calling is quits for the night!

4 hours this morning and 4 more this evening makes it a pretty good day.
(222 total hours worked.)

Day 33 10/11/2011

I just wanted to post a quick video of the main floor now that the pine is in and done on (except the trim work).

We aren't done working today, but I am moving up to into the loft area.  I still need to finish some insulation, but I plan on getting a lot of wood up before throwing in the towel toninght.