Well....It's been a busy week. The new workshop finally had the proper electrical circuitry installed this past week. A 200 something Circuit Breaker (Watts? Amps? I don't know. I speak Pilot.) That was the critical point for installation of the Air Conditioner. Air Conditioning being absolutely necessary in this time period in Texas. The AC unit has been ordered and is expected this week. However, as we're all well aware. "Never underestimate the power of Joe to ...expletive deleted ... things up."
We shall see. Once that is installed, interior wall installation is next, then calling the young lads with strong backs to move the heavy equipment from the old shop to the new.
At that point, woodworking wise, all will be right with the world. Which doesn't mean that woodworking hasn't been going on at Rancho Juvat. Nosiree! Mrs. J made an executive decision that the water here is way too hard for our guests and therefore must be softened.
So it was spoken, so it must be!
Realizing that my plumbing skills are at least as wanting as my electrical skills, I called Culligan, who came and installed a reverse osmosis water softener in each cabin. Unfortunately, there isn't much spare room in each cabin. So the RO's are a bit of an eye sore.
This one is between the Fridge to the right of the picture and the water heater to the left. It's "good feature" is it's out of foot traffic way. This cabin had been built for my sister to live in, so its design is a little more home like than short term guest like. However, with the completion of Operation "Everyone move one house clockwise", the cabin is strictly for guests now. So...Mrs. J has spoken.
The other cabin, which has always been for guests, has larger guest rooms and a different kitchen configuration, so the RO system couldn't go in there. Nor would Mrs. J allow it in the Living Room or either of the Bedrooms. which left....
Unfortunately, this will take a bit more creativity. As...
Theoretically, I could just box it in similar to the other cabin. But, that pesky light switch. I think I'm going to do a similar stepped front like the other cabin. Still trying to figure that out right now. That's the project for this week.
Mrs. J has planted vegetables in her garden. Unfortunately, that garden is on the west side of the house. This is Texas. She asked me if I would help her set up some netting around the garden to provide shade. I said OK.
Driving T-Posts? Now THAT's Fun! Just imagine it's your favorite "dumb as a T-Post"
In addition to Mrs. J's work orders, I received one from MBD and MG. Apparently, MG likes to be read to before bed. Therefore, MBD did research on book shelves and found some she liked in a catalog and asked if I could make some for her.
How hard can that be? Well, when your table saw is in one wood-shop, most of its tools are in the other and your table top power tools are set up in the Garage...Let's just say it's more difficult than I allowed time for.
The good thing is I learned a lot about several things. I relearned Fractions as I tried to figure out where to drill a partial hole in the same spot of different pieces so the dowel that would serve as the book rail would be level.
Guess which one I realized I had screwed up the math needed to divide a fraction by 2? (Just in case I forget again, keep the top number the same and multiply the bottom by 2.)
I also learned that plywood is ugly and requires some makeup to be applied to cut/visible edges. It also doesn't have much grain. Grain is what makes the latest "In" trend in woodworking, Color Washing, work. You apply the wash, wait a minute then wipe it off. The high part of the grain gets cleaned while the low part gets highlighted by the wash.
Theoretically.
| Top one has the color wash applied. Bottom has the base stain only. |
Unfortunately, my attempts ended up looking like I just dabbed some paint on it. MBD agreed and authorized a normal white paint job.
So it is spoken, so it shall be.
And I get another trip to Lowe's as my reward.
So...I've got that going for me!
Peace Out, y'all!