Workshop Renovation 2006

February 17, 2006

Continued the slow progress on my workshop coffee and coke bar.  Got the wiring done, and now I just need to get the walls up.

Cut the flooring for the area to hold the refrigerator, custom built to accommodate the size, and with an outlet inside to plug it in.

Got most of the wallboard up today ... just need to slap on some joint compound and prep them for painting.

I was also able to install the red mini-blinds we took out of the den, and they do happen to match the color scheme in my workshop !

Since I was still hot to do something with tools, I finally installed the shades for the den doors:

February 25, 2006

Was given an in-house project today ... make the hallway heating vent thingy look better.  It has lost paint and developed rust in places.  Painting was not a reasonable option because the grill is permanently attached at the bottom, so I could either remove the entire thing, try and sand the rust off, paint it, and reinstall it, or I could just put in another.  I opted for the second choice.  Below is the current grill in the hallway:

First I removed the wood trim, laying it aside (to the left below) and hoping to use it again, but realizing that the odds that the two grills were exactly the same size was very remote, so I will likely be putting in new trim.

Next I removed the frame and took the old grill out.  While I was at this point, I went ahead and cleaned out the dust and crap that was clinging to the walls of the ductwork.

Then I installed the new grill and frame.   Looks better already, but will still need to cut and paint some trim, as I was correct when I assumed the frames would not be exactly the same size.  Off to Lowes ....

Returning with the new trim, I made precision cuts, installed, and will paint as soon as the joint compound dries out and can be sanded.  Another amazing project almost complete !

February 26, 2006

Continued working in the hallway, since I had most of my tools there.  How many tools does it take to work on a typical project ?  See below:

Started another electrical project ... goal is to install a light at the end of the hallway that will light the glass shelf area.  Since I had to run wire down in that direction, I decided to do a few other things too.  We had a hole in the wall that I had covered up with a blank outlet cover.  I dropped a wire there and installed an outlet (we needed on in the hall anyway !).

I ran the wire from the outlet to a new switch that will operate the light yet to be installed.  I made the switch wheelchair accessible since Cindy is the one who wanted the light to begin with.  Damn nice job, I must admit !

The wire from the switch will run to the light ... another project another day ... hopefully in the next week or two.

February 28, 2006

Got up this morning, taped off and primed the wood frame around the hallway vent.  Will try and paint it soon so this project will be DONE !