Workshop Renovation

February 17, 2003

We got about an inch of sleet last night, so no work today !  Even though it is about 25 degrees outside, I was unable to keep away from the workshop.  Here you see the insulation in place.  Once my fingers thaw out, I will be putting up the next piece of wallboard.

With the freezing temperatures still in abundance, I braved the cold and finished installation of the wallboard in this area.  A bit too cold to apply the wall mud, but will get to that later in the week when the temperatures reach 60 degrees !  Also time to get more wallboard ... maybe I should just have a truckload delivered !

February 20, 2003

In preparing to install the wallboard in the front corner, I needed to add another stud.  Since a wire is going from the outside deck lighting to the switch, I had to accommodate this.  I notched the stud to take the wire, placed a wire protector plate in front, then stuffed insulation inside to prevent the wire from ever trying to come into contact with the metal plate.

If you look at the stud closely, you will notice I also installed a metal wire protector plate on the other side, the side that will be against the outside wall.  I usually don't have this luxury, but in this case I was able to do this.  It would be just like me to try and nail something in from the outside and hit that particular wire !

Here the stud is in place in the corner, caulk has been applied along the bottom, and I am now ready to put up the insulation.  And all done by 5:00 am !

Later that same day ...

Heading to the Night Sky Workshop in the evening, we are greeted by the soft lights around the deck.  Upon entering, I was inspired to finish the insulation needed for the next piece of wallboard.  As usual, the switch box had to be relocated so it would be flush with the new wall going up shortly.  With this area now ready for the finishing treatment, I hope i will be able to achieve that tomorrow morning.

What you don't see here are the dozens of staples I had to remove because i determined the switch plate box needed to be moved a bit.  Taking it slow ... doing it right !

February21, 2003

Got up a bit early this morning and finished the area to the left and above the entrance door.  Was a wonderful morning except my amazing cordless drill jumped from a height of ten feet or so in an effort to commit suicide.  Appears to have been successful, unless I can find a battery to replace the damaged one.  Wish me luck !

February23, 2003

Well, after having done such a wonderful job on this wall, I decided to install a light outside the front and back doors.  So, down with the wall and up with the insulation, giving me room to get this task done.  After looking this job over, I decided to do the backdoor light first, so I could learn from my mistakes, should there be any (and there usually are !). 

Moving to the backdoor, I installed a three-switch box to handle the outside light near the door, a spotlight in the back at the apex of the roof (like in front), and several lights that are near the backdoor (this will involve moving a switch wire from one switch to this one).  Perhaps I should have planned my lighting demands a bit more before I started !  After MUCH frustration and many hours trying to cut a perfectly round hole for the outlet box at the top, I decided I needed the proper tool.  (Click here to see my new hole saw and arbor!)  So much for the inside ... see below for the outside work:

Here is the light by the back door.  Now that I know how to do it, I can do the one for the front door next.  Still have to run a wire from the main fuse panel, but that is the easy part.  Except for the climbing up a ladder to run the wire across the rafters ... and having to go up and down the ladder a dozen times ... and having to move the ladder a dozen times ... and the part where I have to drill a hole along the top of the wall to drop the wire to the switch box ... and actually having to connect the wire in the main fuse panel ... and having to staple the wire to stabilize it ... and having to put up a metal wire protector ... but besides all that, it is the easy part !

Click here to go to February, 2003 - Part 1