Steve's workshop - Painting the outside walls

[Random Orbital Bob]

 

[Steve Maskery]

Thank you guys. Thank you very much. I'm not totally out of the woods yet, I don't think, but my goodness me I feel better than I have for four and a half years.
Right let's move on. I have some serious Sketchup modelling to do while the concrete cures.

 

[Charlie Woody]

Looks like good news all around....Steve is finding his MoJo thanks to this build, the generosity of others time & knowledge (not to mention muscles) is shown once again, and we all get to enjoy another workshop build!

Looking forward to more of the same.

 

[SammyQ]

Wish I was closer. Long way Belfast to Nottingham....

 

[yetloh]

One thing I'd like to say.
You may or may not know (I've made no secret of it) that I've been ill for the last couple of years, largely due to losing my home and workshop. Only a couple of months ago I was still sleeping badly and at odd times. Usually I did nothing of significance until the afternoon and not always then. Some days I've done nothing at all and anything I have done has seemed like a mountain to climb.
But although this project is knackering my body, it is doing wonders for my mental health. I feel alive again. I've not felt this good upstairs since the domestic balloon went up. Yesterday I was in Morrison's by 8.30 and back home by 9.10 with the shopping. I couldn't believe that I was feeling that good that early in the day.
I'm posting this because many people offered me support and encouragement along the way and if this helps anyone else then that is a bonus.

Steve,

I've been following your thread somewhat sporadically but was struck by this post. I was aware of your illness and I am sure many other readers will, like me, be delighted to read of your progress on this front. Some years ago I too experienced a period of depression and found it far worse then physical illness. Like you I decided early on that I did not want it to be a secret, not least because, being in a management role at the time, I wanted to set an example which might help others to seek help and be able to talk about it without fear for their jobs or of stigmatisation. It also helped me when I did return to work and the concern and warmth I experienced changed my outlook on life. Your public profile is much higher than mine so your open approach is all the more admirable and has all the more potential for good. Keep up the good work, and also your most interesting posts on your workshop project.

Jim

 

[Boatfixer]

Fantastic work Steve - looking forward to seeing this build progress. You mention threading electrics behind the wall panelling. For workshops I like my electrics run around the eaves in trunking with conduit dropped down to wall plugs. Not pretty but so easy to alter as you move machines around or get new additions to the workshop arsenal.

Graham

 

[Charlie Woody]

First project will probably be the double doors. I don't really want to have to buy them, do I? I shall board p the larger opening until they are done. Not sure what to do about the personnel door. I'd like to make that too, but I can't board up both doorways, can I? I could make it atthe Community Workshop where I volunteer, but my time is usually taken up doing other stuff there and it would take up quite a lot of space. I might just make a temporary one out of 2x4s and OSB.

Steve
May I suggest a simple but sturdy door that can be made very quickly? A sheet of 18mm ply for the outside, 50 x 75 mm softwood framework inside, insulation within framework, 6mm ply on inside. All glued & screwed. It will be very solid and you can have your building secured in a day.

 

[Charlie Woody]

Fantastic work Steve - looking forward to seeing this build progress. You mention threading electrics behind the wall panelling. For workshops I like my electrics run around the eaves in trunking with conduit dropped down to wall plugs. Not pretty but so easy to alter as you move machines around or get new additions to the workshop arsenal.

Graham

+1 such a flexible solution.

 

[Steve Maskery]

Yes, that is a good option. But I'm thinking that if I have a void in the walls, and I leave a loop of cable between each point, I can simply cut a hole in the wall and reach in for the cable then cut it, turn the power off and add a new point. Not necessarily in that order...

And it's a lot prettier than trunking.
S

 

[Charlie Woody]

Yes, that is a good option. But I'm thinking that if I have a void in the walls, and I leave a loop of cable between each point, I can simply cut a hole in the wall and reach in for the cable then cut it, turn the power off and add a new point. Not necessarily in that order...

And it's a lot prettier than trunking.
S

Yes this might work. However if you remove a socket to re locate elsewhere you will need to fill the hole. Also if you have to move sockets a lot then you may run short of cable & it would be difficult to add an extra length. With conduit you don't have this issue.

 

[Steve Maskery]

I don't think so, Chaarlie. For a start I shall never take one out! If I have to replace a length of cable I could use the old one to pull in the new one. I'd just have to be careful about losing it at the stud hole.

I am also mulling over the idea of having a removable panel, say 200mm high, all round the room. Then access would be guaranteed.

 

[Racers]

That sounds like a good idea Steve, one run an a known height (probably one circuit on each wall) easy to change anything.

Pete

 

[RogerS]

Are you going to have a Master On/Off switch Steve? I always thought that that was something I could have put in. With a permanently powered small circuit for overnight vacuum-bagging etc, burglar alarm.

Radial cables for 16A machines also a good idea.

 

[wcndave]

Steve, is your house currently full of all your machinery? I seem to recall you had a fair number of tools and I doubt you are leaving them in the garden!

 

[Steve Maskery]

Roger, that is a good idea, I shall look into it.
Dave, erm, yes, my house is full of (what's left of) my workshop stuff.
S

 

[wcndave]

So having a dining table saw must make carving the roast a little easier...

 

[Steve Maskery]

Not much to show for this week's work, I'm afraid.
We decided to take out the inner form work. We thought that the concrete would shrink away and we could just lift out the boards. Dream on.
Instead, the wood swelled with the moisure and the boards jammed solid. We hacked away with SDS wood chisels, crowbars, auger bits, anything we could think of to get it out. It took two of us two days.

The result is 10 bags of kindling:

but an all-concrete base.

Next job is to finalise the structural design and get building. The walls are sorted but I'm having some difficulty with the trusses. I may have to get specialist help in. I say the walls are sorted, but after a chat with Houtslager yesterday I might change a couple of things.

A long way to go, but at least the only way is up now.

I must get round to knocking down the rest of the walls...

 

[morfa]

Looking good. Can't wait to see the finished workshop.

 

[Bluekingfisher]

I'm not sure if you are going to build your own roof trusses or buy?? The issue with roofs is that you have to consider the load, which may or may not be an issue depending on expected materials to be used.

I was advised to get it done professionally. If memory serves I had a free quote (online) from Jewsons, either that or TP, i can't recall. It takes them a week or two to get back to you. Its free of charge so depending on your time frames may be worth a go

Again, from memory to truss a roof 36' x 22' with a 1:4 raise it was £1500.00 delivered. Not cheap but takes all the worry out of it.

David

 

[Steve Maskery]

I've been to see a truss company today, actually. They are only a couple of miles away. We'll see what they come up with.
I also have a TP withing walking distance, so I'm not short of options.
S