Steve's workshop - Painting the outside walls

[Steve Maskery]

I've had Ray for 2 days this week, as he wanted to see some real progress. I'm sure he must regret starting all this. I do. But every time we come up against a problem, he figures out a couple of ways out and invariably takes the one that will produce the better job. "If we are going to do it, we may as well do it properly", has been uttered more than once, even if between gritted teeth.

So we started where we left off, cutting a block to fill the gap in the middle of a row.

Remember the soil pipe? Well the good news is that there is quite a fall on it, so once we get a foot or so away from the cabin we will be able to get some sand underneath it, not as much as we might like, but some. The edging rows are being cemented in, of course, so we can get away with a bit of whittling

And so we continued all the time me mixing and shovelling

We have a 1:100 fall to the far right corner, so we put some weep holes in the back edge

And so, at the end of the day, we have some edges that are done, some half done and the bit by the gate and the old raised bed yet to start.

The back is now starting to look better, rather than worse each week, which I'm really glad about, as it was starting to get me down. We have got rid of a very large part of the rubble, either to the tip or as foundations.

I've also had some good news on the cladding front. The BCO suggested I use Glasroc. But several people, including one or two on this forum, have pointed out that that is not a very good idea, as it is Gypsum based and meant for semi-exposed areas, not fully external.

But I've found a product called Cempanel. Not only will it fit the bill nicely, but it is cheaper than the Glasroc. Still a lot of money, given that I've already bought the shiplap, but it's a solution, and a good one at that.

Ray can't come next Wednesday, but Thursday, all being well. He's left me with some homework. I have to cut membrane for the narrow strip between the fence and the retaining edge and fill it with gravel. The fence is entirely on the neighbours' plot and we have built to the boundary line. I just hope I can keep that horrible ivy stuff at bay. It's a menace.

 

[Steve Maskery]

Today I cut some membrane for the ditch and filled it with the gravel that we'd swept up from the back door.

I ran out of membrane, so there is 5ft short up at the house end. But we'll need to get some for the area around the back door, so I'll just hang on until then.

So when Ray asks me tonight if I've done anything, I can look him in the eye and say, "Yes".

----------------------------

I then decided to do a bit to my RT. My last plate had been modified to take a vac hose in line with the cutter. It vastly improves the DX when routing grooves (as opposed to edge-routing). Because this plate is oriented front to back there is not really enough room to drill a big hole in the plate without compromising the plate itself, so I decided to drill it through the table top. It does put it rather further away from the cutter than I would like, but it's OK.

I wanted the neatest of neat holes. After all, this is my ultimate table top, I don't want to have to make it again, so it must be right. Perfectly right.

So I'd figured that trying to drill a 30mm hole by hand would not be perfect, so I decided to drill a 25mm hole and then flush-trim it to 30mm with a template.

Unfortunately, something went wrong. I still don't know what it was, but I ended up with a hole that wasn't even round, let alone the right size. I was pig sick. I had to redo it at 40mm to get it neat and then line it with a piece of waste-pipe.

I then routed it slightly to give a soft edge. I even got that slightly too deep, but nothing a quick whizz with P240 couldn't sort out. So although it does look reasonable, I know that it is a bodge, and this was supposed to be perfect. I most certainly didn't get it Right First Time this time

 

[Steve Maskery]

So now I do have a fairly neat DX hole, it's just that I know it is a bodge.

I have a piece of vac hose (courtesy of Ray - he never throws anything away) that collects dust pretty close to where it is created and it is accessible from the RH side wheareas before I had to keep the front door open.

The end result is OK, but only OK. I am not pleased with myself.

If you want to see it, or at least its predecessor, in action, I have a film on youtube.

 

[JakeS]

Unfortunately, something went wrong. I still don't know what it was, but I ended up with a hole that wasn't even hound, let alone the right size.

It was probably that dodgy-looking router you were using...

In all seriousness, I've had a little 500W 1/4" router move a template around when it was held 'tight' with those squeezy one-handed clamps you have in that picture, so if those are what you used here, I'd put the blame there, personally. I figured that as the blades of the router bit contact the side, they pull in a little bit, and if the template isn't firm enough the pulling of the bearing on the template can dislodge it.

 

[Steve Maskery]

Well that would certainly make sense, Jake, but I wasn't aware that that had actually happened.
Still, it is as it is.
S

PS And if I still had my little MOF96E or my wonderful 177E, I wouldn't need to use such a dodgy-looking router...

 

[RogerS]

Just remember, Steve, that what you have there round your perimeter is a small French drain and like all useless French drains, it will clog up within months and stop working.

 

[doctor Bob]

I'm sure it will all look great, I have had the will power to read the whole thread, done up to about page 10 then dipped in and out.
I suspect the guy cutting the blocks will suffer with lung disease in later life, I really hope he hasn't cut too many without a mask.

 

[Glynne]

Steve, the dust extraction looks really good and I liked the video.
I'm thinking of doing the same but don't want to compromise the insert plate (although mine is sited the normal way). I'm guessing that the ideal position is a close to the cutter as possible but would be interested to see how far yours is?

 

[Steve Maskery]

Bob, I've no doubt you are right, but when I've asked him if he wants a mask or goggles, I get a "Naaaiirr!"

Glynne the hole and cutter are 150mm between centres.

 

[Steve Maskery]

Good day today. I woke up actually feeling good. I was hoovering at 8am! No idea why. (Well I know why I was hoovering but ...)

So by the time Ray arrived I'd cut back a barrow load of ivy and brambles, and got the mixer out, assembled and ready to go. I think Ray was pleasantly shocked.

We set out a string for the left hand fence. Yes I know the fence panels are dead, but because of the neighbours' trees, if I took them out, I wouldn't be able to slot new ones in. Anyway it's not a priority. So with me mixing and carrying, Ray laid the blocks.

The existing driveway concrete is far from straight

It gets a bit messy around the gate posts. They are enormous iron girders set into concrete. I hope Ray doesn't chip too much away...

But we're trying to keep everything as square and straight as possible

So that's another 140 blocks down

Time to get cleaned up and on my way to Peter's Do (yes, I know it's only Thursday, but I'm walking...)

 

[Glynne]

Thanks Steve. See you Saturday.

 

[damo8604]

Phew...... what an epic journey!

I don't mean the build (which of course is a magnificent achievement) but just getting through this thread!

I joined the forum yesterday and mentioned I am at the beginning of building my workshop (pouring the footings this afternoon after work), someone kindly directed me to this post which I started reading yesterday and finished today.

I hope to post pictures of my build as I go, although mine is a very small build in comparison, just a measly 14' square timber workshop.

Well done on a fantastic job..... any ideas where I can get myself a Ray local to Surrey/Hants?

Kind regards
Damian

 

[MickCheese]

Phew...... what an epic journey!

I don't mean the build (which of course is a magnificent achievement) but just getting through this thread!

I joined the forum yesterday and mentioned I am at the beginning of building my workshop (pouring the footings this afternoon after work), someone kindly directed me to this post which I started reading yesterday and finished today.

I hope to post pictures of my build as I go, although mine is a very small build in comparison, just a measly 14' square timber workshop.

Well done on a fantastic job..... any ideas where I can get myself a Ray local to Surrey/Hants?

Kind regards
Damian

You have to kidnap your own Ray it seems.

Mick

 

[Steve Maskery]

Up to now I've been clamping my fence to the RT table top but that has not been very satisfactory as the new table top is a few inches shorter than my fence. On my previous top, the fence was bolted through slots in the top. This was a good fix, except for the fact that detritus would fall through andmess up the top drawer.

At the weekend, Eric the Viking very kindly gave me a length of T-track, so this afternoon I set to fitting it. I don't have fence rods long enough to span my table, so it was a case of being very diligent in keeping the fence pressed hard against the table edge. This is not so difficult when fitting the RH track (as viewed from the back), as the forces of the cut pull the fence in. It's a different story on the LH side. Indeed, as careful as I was, I did slip very slightly, but fortunately it was not a finish cut, so it disappeared on the next pass.

At that point my camera battery died, so I'm afraid I have only a couple of finished shots, taken with my phone. But basically I squared off the routed ends and screwed in the track. The fence is then held down with Bristol levers and sliding nuts.

With the great benefit of hindsight, I wish I'd made them an inch or two longer. The fence does reach the centre of the cutter, but there are many times that I need it to come to the front limit of the cutter. The fence will do that, but it is extended to its limit to do that. However, I do have plenty of space in the base to drill a new pair of holes that would give me that extra bit of wiggle room. I am a bit annoyed. I wasn't short of track, I could easily have afforded that bit extra. It seems that everything I do at the mo is "good but no cigar", and that bugs me. I know how to do it, I know what is important, and I still make mistakes. My brain simply isn't working like it used to. I do hope that this is not permanent, I want to do stuff and do it properly. Heigh ho.

So the upshot is that my RT is perfectly useable. I don't have a mitre track yet, but I very rarely need it. I have a good 10" support in front of the cutter and the same behind it, when the fence is farthest back. It's good.

 

[Graham Orm]

I want to do stuff and do it properly. Heigh ho.

So the upshot is that my RT is perfectly useable. I don't have a mitre track yet, but I very rarely need it. I have a good 10" support in front of the cutter and the same behind it, when the fence is farthest back. It's good.

I'm always rusty and miss the obvious after a few days away from work. It lasts a few hours and then you get back into the swing. It's because you've not been doing the intricate stuff regularly Steve, it will come back I guarantee.

Couldn't you rout the slots a little longer and slide the track further into the table? You would loose the inch or so at the back edge but you would have the full cover of the bit where you need it.

 

[Panda]

Phew...... what an epic journey!

I don't mean the build (which of course is a magnificent achievement) but just getting through this thread!

I joined the forum yesterday and mentioned I am at the beginning of building my workshop (pouring the footings this afternoon after work), someone kindly directed me to this post which I started reading yesterday and finished today.

I hope to post pictures of my build as I go, although mine is a very small build in comparison, just a measly 14' square timber workshop.

Well done on a fantastic job..... any ideas where I can get myself a Ray local to Surrey/Hants?

Kind regards
Damian

I´m new here too and I think Steve´s project is really inspiring! Not planning to build a workshop at the moment, but I hope to be able to start (and finish a big project like this in the future.

 

[cammy9r]

Hi, thats a great workshop. Im only on page 85 just when the rain water drainage is getting done. Do the downpipes run straight into the soakaway/sump. If so it wont be that long until it starts to fill with silt from the roof. It might be near useless in a few years.
I know im a bit late to this thread but you could install a silt trap with easy access near the front to clear out every month or two, it will greatly increase the life of the soak away.
Ok im off to do stuff and will continue with the thread later, im enjoying it. Good luck with the rest of the build.

 

[Steve Maskery]

I've had Ray two days this week, but the photography isn't that exciting, I'm afraid.

We've finished the edging to the patio and started the levelling.

The bit against the house is a bit of a mess, but it's a jolly sight better than it was before.

I've done loads of trips to the tip, but at least now the area is clear of rubbish and it looks huge! If I'm lucky I shall be able to turn my car round instead of having to back it out with only an inch or two clearance each side.

We laid some membrane in the lower area

And started to rake out to the required level. we have quite a bit of stuff to shift, becasue these blocks are 65mm rather than the 55mm that we took up, and we have introduced a decent fall over the area.

All the time I was going to the tip and riddling the sand we were taking up so that we can re-use it.

Ray wants to lay the area in 2 weeks time, preferably the Thursday & Friday, but all the people I would normally ask are away or at work. He is prepared to do it on the Saturday, but I need to get some muscle together, so if anyone is available and feels like helping to shift 3500 blocks...

I've also been doing some work on my drill press table, but I'll post all that together so that it doesn't get strung out out over several pages.

 

[Racers]

Count me in Steve and I will try and drag Sam and possibly Tom with me.

Pete

 

[Steve Maskery]

Thank you Pete, that is great. What day can you make? Charlie has booked Thursday and Friday as hols - he never takes his full complement, apparently.
He's a star, too.

As ever there will be unlimited bacon butties and cake. Until it runs out, anyway.