DIY Home Improvement Forum banner

Gulf Island Building.

1M views 8K replies 149 participants last post by  Katie Cabana 
#1 · (Edited)
Hi all:
Since the summer of 1997, I have been building a cabin and house on our 1/2 acre lot here. Before I dive into that part, I am going to show a few photos to set the stage a bit. We are remote here. No services of any kind, except that which we provide for ourselves. So don't expect to see any paved roads with big trucks delivering any materials.
We live at the head of a small bay, which is both a blessing and a curse.
When the tide goes out, we have to clamber over hundreds of yards of rocks to get to our boat. When it is in, I can float logs right up to my little railway to move them onto the log deck. Well, not any more, but more about that later.
This is the bay in front of us.
 

Attachments

See less See more
1
  • Like
Reactions: grant
#4,139 ·
I do believe that all the curved cedarstrips are now finished on the walls of the house. It just kind of snuck up on me while I wasn't looking. The last section was at the top of the stairs, done as of yesterday. Halleluyah!

And this morning - after the rain quit and the wind died down, I got out to the sailboat and yarded the carb off the outboard.

The throttle shaft needed to be gripped with a pair of pliers in order to move it. Man, but it was stiff. It took awhile, but I finally managed to take it out and fix it. I guess it was no surprise as to why the throttle cable kinked up!

Anyway, the carb should be OK now and I'll try to get it installed tomorrow morning after we get back from town. The missus seems to think that the weather is going to be good enough to go over in the skiff. I don't think she has seen the forecast...:huh:
 
#4,140 ·
Awwwwright, that is great, I know that don't hurt your feelings to have that behind you, all the curved walls, that don't leave many walls left if any, congratulations buddy, we are happy for you.

If what I am seeing about your weather for tomorrow is right, someone is going to get wet and cooooold, 39°F and showers.

I know that has got to make you happy that you got your big boat fixed, I know I would have been very happy to have the big boat fixed to go across in.

What is on your list to do next on your home Keith?
 
#4,142 ·
A successful trip across this morning for groceries - almost no wind. Got back in time to get the carb on the sailboat...and it gave me a real surprise.

Started on the first pull, something it has never done before, not even when brand new!

Now off to the house to get some work done.
 
#4,146 ·
Buddy, that just made my day, I know you are one happy dude, I know I sure would be. Looks like the weatherman missed the forecast this go round and that is a good thing.:yes:
 
#4,144 ·
Hey Coco Or anyone else... know how to stain and paint the cabinets that I am working on in my Thread? I know you do a lot of wood work coco so I thought maybe I would ask your first
Several ways you can apply stain.

First you need to determine what the final colour is that you want. Take a good look at the wood you're going to stain and see what the grain is like. Flat grain, edge grain etc. That largely affects how the stain will "take" to the wood.

Is it hardwood or softwood? Would you like a flat, semi gloss or glossy finish? What colour is it now? Is it clean wood, or is there any previous finish left on it.

You can apply most stains with either a cloth, a regular brush or a foam brush. If you use a cloth, you will find that you can get better control, and you can rub out any portion that gets too dark.

Experiment on ONE piece of wood first to see what happens, you don't want a nasty surprise on a dozen doors all at once.

Usually when applying stain the best thing is to follow the manufacturer's instructions. But here in a nutshell is what works best.

Using a rag, rub the stain on the wood (test piece). Wait about 5 minutes and rub it off. What is left is the stain that has penetrated the wood. You can do this more than once until the wood reaches the tone you want. The harder the wood, the longer you can wait before you start to rub the stain off. So if you have maple doors for example, you could probably afford to leave the stain on for 10 minutes the first time. Then keep adding more using 5 minutes between application and removal.

A softer wood will absorb more quickly, and I would start with 5 minutes.

When you decide what your final finish will be - a varnish type product, or a polyurethane - whichever - just make sure that it is compatible with your stain. In fact, it is often best if you use products from the same manufacturer as they have been thoroughly tested with each other.

Good luck! :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bootz
#4,157 ·
Very short weather window this morning...so a quickie trip over and the Star Quartz grout was in. Luckily, they had a second order which came over from Vancouver at the same time, so the end cost was only $117 after all.

Picked up some prezzies...new mig welder...nice box of sockets, wrenches and whatnot. Also noticed that the House of Pot now has LED lights in!!!!!!

Very slick little display by Phillips with about half a dozen lights all set up you can test - all with dimmers. They only had one bulb left to fit the chandelier in the stairwell, so I got that. They will be getting more in very shortly. About the same price as the online stuff, and it was right in front of my eyes.

One fifth the energy consumption of a CFL. I'm up for that!

Also managed to get some new gaskets for the outboard motor. Now there will be two days of rain for sure.
 
#4,162 ·
That is good that you saved a few bucks on the grout but that is still a little rich for my blood.

Man you did pick up some serious presents, that is some things any dude would love. I hope you enjoy them buddy.

When you try the LED lights could you tell us how they compare to regular light bulbs as far as the brightness goes. It took some getting use to the florescent bulbs over regular bulbs for us.

We need to do a ain't gone-a-rain dance for you Keith. We got some snow this go around and it is cooold out there right now 18° and dropping.
 
#4,159 ·
You beat me to the punch, I was going to ask that also. We have a couple of the florescent light bulbs in our kitchen and one has already bit the dust. I saw somewhere on the net where some of the florescent light bulbs were catching on fire so we had planed to change them out anyway.
 
#4,160 ·
I just heard on the news last week that the EPA hasn't been completely honest with us about the amount of mercury in the CFL's. It's 20x higher than they first told us. FWIW

I'd buy the LED's though.

I read about the CFL's that were starting fires Jim. If I remember right, they were made in China and sold at Wal-Mart. But they pulled them off the shelves. I don't think the better quality bulbs do that. You can google 'CFL bulbs catching fire' or something similar and you'll find articles about it.
 
#4,164 ·
I'll have to check the local stores for the LED lights. It would be great to get a lower electric bill each month.

Thanks for telling us about those Keith. I'd heard of them but didn't know they used that much less power.

When we moved into this house, there was an old electric stove, an old electric dryer and a side-by-side refrigerator that was probably 25 years old. All energy suckers.

I can't remember how high our electric bills were then. But within the course of a couple months, we replaced all 3 of those appliances and the sump pump. The new dryer and stove were gas. So my electric bill dropped.

During that time, we had a freak snow storm in October and a tree limb fell on our power line and pulled the electric meter away from the house.

A new meter was put on and I do remember our electric bills were in the $35 to $55 range after all of these things were replaced.

The power company must have missed our larger monthly donations because the following summer one of their guys knocked on my door and told me my power would be out for a short time while he switches over to a new meter.

I told him that the one that was out there was still fairly new. He told me that he had to replace it and that he was replacing all of the meters up and down my street. Sure.

I asked all of my neighbors if their meters had been replaced and they all said no. :laughing: If the power company had asked, I would have explained to them why my bill was lower and saved them the time and trouble.
 
#4,165 ·
Well, you should have asked him how long do these junk meters last? Will you be putting in a new one every time my bill drops? Don't you think that's a waste of money? Or don't you give a damn? Now get off my property.

The lie about replacing all the meters on the street would have done it for me.

Now, get a small glass drill, drill a hole in line with the spinning disc, and shove something in there to jam it. If it doesn't spin as fast, your bill will drop significantly...oh dear, what a shame.
 
#4,167 ·
I'm Rich, I'm Rich, this is proof that "good things come to those who wait". Looks like I'm in the bucks and right at Christmas time too. It don't get no better than this. And look who the notice is from: "Helen Troy". Yessir this is absolutely a good deal.:thumbup::clap::party::thumbup1:


UNDP SCHEME 2010.
14/12/2010.

This is to notify you that you have been appointed as one of the recipients of a Cash Grant/Donation for your personal and community development.You were selected among the beneficiaries to receive the sum of US$500,000.00 as developmental aid from the UN Foundation.Please contact.UNDP Secertary-Mrs.Shannon Maris on this email: undp_grant1@yahoo.com.hk , TEL:+447024019857

Regards,
Chairman Grant Programme,
Helen Troy
Helen Troy indeed! These are genuinely stupid people of very low intelligence that dream up these things. The trouble is...those that fall for it are even dumber.:) It's too bad.
 
#4,169 ·
I'm Rich, I'm Rich, this is proof that "good things come to those who wait". Looks like I'm in the bucks and right at Christmas time too. It don't get no better than this. And look who the notice is from: "Helen Troy". Yessir this is absolutely a good deal.:thumbup::clap::party::thumbup1:




Helen Troy indeed! These are genuinely stupid people of very low intelligence that dream up these things. The trouble is...those that fall for it are even dumber.:) It's too bad.
Oh no, I feel so stupid now.
 
#4,170 ·
Seems a shame you're only getting the cheap ones Bud...most of mine come in the multi-million dollar range from Nigeria. How on earth do you guys think I can afford all this stuff?

Next time I get one I'll have to post it just for fun. No sense keeping all this money to myself...:laughing::laughing::laughing:
 
#4,175 ·
Well, it didn't take long for someone to offer me $16,500,000...


BARCLAYS BANK PLC,
566 TO 599 VICTORY ISLAND
LAGOS NIGERIA
TELL - +234 8020 989 864
Email: bbkplc@live.com

Attn. Beneficiary

CHANGE OF BENEFICIARY

I hereby send to you the information submitted by Mr. TIMMY CROSS U.S.A of Florida group Ltd, with an application to receive your payment on your behalf. Please as a matter of urgency, you are required to verify the following information and inform us if you are aware or know anything about this.

This morning Mr. TIMMY CROSS came to the office claiming that you have instructed him to come and receive the payment on your behalf with some representatives.

I have ask them to come back tomorrow as they did not provide any power of an attorney from you which will proof that you thoroughly send them, This was to enable me contact you to verify how genuine this people are to you.

1. Did you instruct one Mr. TIMMY CROSS of USA Florida group Ltd. whose information's is below, to claim and receive the payment on your behalf?

2. Did you sign any 'Deed of Assignment' in his favor thereby making him the current beneficiary with the following account details:

Account Name: Timmy Cross Group Ltd,
A/C #USD114-1025567-8,
Bank Name: Standard Chattered Bank
Florida Swift Code:
SCBL 11K111.

Finally, you are hereby advised to indicate to this honorable office with immediate effect, if you are the person that instructed Mr. Timmy Cross to come for the claim of your fund worth of $16,500.000.00 (Sixteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars), to enable us endorse for the final payment approval order on his behalf. Endeavor send your reply bbkplc@live.com for urgent attention.

We shall be waiting for your urgent and prompt response.

Sincerely,
MR. DAVID FOX,
DIRECTOR,
BARCLAYS BANK PLC.
PLEASE CALL IT IS VERY URGENT CALL ME NOW - +234 8020 989 864
 
#4,176 ·
Standard Chattered Bank
Shouldn't that be Standard "Chartered" Bank.

See what I mean? They are all idiots, idiots I say, IDIOTS.:yes:

Go ahead and authorize ole Timmy to get your money on your behalf I'm sure he will be on your doorstep with your share by next Monday morning.

Wouldn't a major player at Barclay's Bank also have a Barclay's Bank.com email address? Idiot!!!:mad:
 
#4,177 ·
Yeah...I thought you'd like that one.

Just got another one, but it's only for $5.5 million...hardly worth reading...

Only this one is from a bank in Arkansas! Sure it is. :no:
 
#4,178 ·
"did not provide any power of an attorney from you which will proof that you thoroughly send them, This was to enable me contact you to verify how genuine this people are to you."

If they weren't so busy being crooks, they'd have time for an English class or two.

Like they say though, if they're not smart enough to hold down an honest job, they aren't smart enough to be successful crooks. :no:

I think it would be fun to contact them as if you really fell for it. Then send them some Monopoly money. But just xeroxed copies. You wouldn't want to send them the real thing and ruin your game. :laughing:
 
#4,181 ·
Got yet another awesome offer yesterday...this one from Hong Kong and worth $18.35 million. Honest to gosh, what I am I gonna do with all this money??? I think I'll hold out for $20 million! :thumbup:

Started to have a go at the flooring in the top hallway yesterday. I made the bullnose piece which is supposed to transition into the actual flooring. The only practical way to attach it was with screws.

I sandwiched the foam underlay between the bullnose and the subfloor, and although it's a no-no I'm going to use some small nails - or possibly some small screws - to hold the first piece of flooring in place. I really don't care if someone spots the screws. Maybe I will put a dot of matching paint on the screw heads.

Any movement, and it's a safe bet there will be some, will have to take place elsewhere. Fortunately, the distance from the top of the stairs to the far side of the floor is not too large. Perhaps 8 feet or so.

Should be able to get a pic later.
 
#4,182 ·
Keith, I would have done the flooring the same way at that place. I usually just plug the hole where I put a screw and sand it off. It is good to see you feel like doing something, I know the weather does make a person not feel like doing much sometimes. Maybe you will have a bunch of warm sunny days where you feel really good, I hope so buddy.
 
#4,183 ·
hmmmmm....warm, sunny days...wouldn't that be nice. Maybe about June next year at this rate!

The thickness of the flooring is only 8 mm, (just under 1/3") so there really isn't much sense in trying to countersink & plug. Besides, I don't think the hardboard would take kindly to plugging. Not to mention that it would be quite impossible to try and match the aluminum oxide finish.

Anything around here that looks oddball is referred to as "character"...then I guess that would include me as well!!! :laughing:
 
#4,187 ·
It seems the start of something is often the worst to get underway.

The laminate flooring on the top landing is now proceeding apace, and should be finished this weekend some time. Here's the first chunk.
 

Attachments

#4,188 ·
The facing board on the riser is 1/4" plywood which I stained and varathaned long before I got the flooring. It goes together pretty well.

The bullnose has no finish on it yet...
 

Attachments

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top