Recent Posts

91

Home Improvement / Re: New Garage Woodworking Shop

« Last post by scuzzy on March 24, 2021, 09:36 hrs »

Update to getting into the attic. The biggest problem I face is where the current access hole is. Getting into the attic is some effort, but it's not too bad. The biggest problem is that once I'm in the attic, I'm on the house side. I then have to seriously contort and low crawl (twice) to get into the attic over the garage.

As much of pain that it is, I've reasoned that once this project is done I won't have to be in the garage attic anymore. However, I do plan to insulate the attic in time. Short story is that I'm going to create a new access hole near the shop entrance. This will make it far easier to get into the attic and do whatever future work needs to be done.

I'm really sorry I didn't think of this sooner, but I'll be creating a new access point today. It's too cold to do anything else anyway.

92

Home Improvement / Re: New Garage Woodworking Shop

« Last post by scuzzy on March 22, 2021, 14:53 hrs »

The only reason I'm in the garage attic is because of the workshop and the new wiring. Otherwise there's no reason to be there. In 17+ years, this is my first time up there.

I'm using my LEO flashlight as an area light, with a smaller flashlight for wherever I'm working. It's inconvenient at times, but it works.

93

Home Improvement / Re: New Garage Woodworking Shop

« Last post by Bill on March 22, 2021, 14:12 hrs »

You get into the attic via a hole in the ceiling? Have you considered a fold down ladder?  And some minor lighting?

94

Home Improvement / Re: New Garage Woodworking Shop

« Last post by scuzzy on March 22, 2021, 09:32 hrs »

No new photos, as things are moving slowly at the moment. Temps dropped again, with snow today.

We did have one really nice day, so I took advantage to work on more insulation and drywall on the bare garage wall. I'm down to one 8' x 10' section, which will have to wait until after the shop is completed. More than anything is having to take things down from the wall, and I already have enough clutter in the garage.

I also installed two new ceiling boxes for future LED lights, and spent a few hours in the attic installing new 12-2 Romex wire and an FM antenna. Working in the attic is challenging, due to limited space where the rafters angle down. Light is limited, I have to be very careful to not scalp myself on the roofing nails, and balancing on the joists is tiring. Dealing with 17+ years of dust and crap doesn't help. Even getting into (and then down) from the attic is an upper-body workout.

Enough whining... I'll be in the attic once more today stapling the wire I laid yesterday, along with installing two new junction boxes. At least the cooler weather makes working in the attic tolerable. Eventually, I'll insulate the garage attic with loose fiber.

95

Home Improvement / Re: New Garage Woodworking Shop

« Last post by scuzzy on March 18, 2021, 22:30 hrs »

I'm comfortable doing short electrical runs and repairs, but I have never messed with a panel. I have the new wall wired between the studs, but I still need to tie it all together in the attic using junction boxes, as well as from the eventual sub-panel. All the new wiring is 12-2 Romex.

The window AC unit will get it's own 20-amp circuit, the five new wall outlets will share a 20-amp circuit, and the exhaust fan(s) and two new LED ceiling lights will share a 15-amp circuit. I will also run a 220-volt line for the (eventual) ceiling-mounted heater, as well as a separate 220-volt outlet on the new wall, which I'll install via conduit.

I wish you were here too. I need someone to point out all my mistakes. Lol

96

Home Improvement / Re: New Garage Woodworking Shop

« Last post by Bill on March 18, 2021, 22:16 hrs »

Electrical stuff is pretty straight forward until you try some shortcuts to feed just one more outlet that really deserves its own circuit.  I've done a fair amount of new wiring and repair, isn't difficult, just requires your attention. I've even done some 220v stuff for A/C  units in wall outlets and circuit breakers in the panel.  220v bites a little harder, not particularly pleasant, but not fatal unless you have a pacemaker!
Good luck! I wish I was there.......

97

Home Improvement / Re: New Garage Woodworking Shop

« Last post by scuzzy on March 18, 2021, 21:49 hrs »

Thanks for your kind words, Bill, although it's not like I know what the hell I'm doing. This is my first time doing a project like this and I'm learning as I go. Obviously with my son's help and guidance, although I probably won't see him again for a couple weeks or more. Once I finish all three coats, the texture will go up followed by a paint job. Last will be installing the sub-panel and new wiring, which I will figure out by myself. Rest assured that it will be done perfectly, safely, and to code. The cherry on top will be when I install the compressed air lines.

I will eventually finish out the entire garage, as there's not that much bare wall left. Increasing the sales value is a nice thought, but the house will almost certainly stay in the family. Yet again, who knows?

98

Home Improvement / Re: New Garage Woodworking Shop

« Last post by Bill on March 18, 2021, 20:01 hrs »

Believe it or not, finishing the walls in the garage just increased your potential selling price.   Good idea even if you're just using up unneeded materials.
But it looks nice, your craftsmanship skills show.  Nicely done.

99

Home Improvement / Re: New Garage Woodworking Shop

« Last post by scuzzy on March 16, 2021, 17:58 hrs »

We only did some light work today, as the heavier sections of mud were obviously still damp. The door was hung, and I put up some insulation and a couple more sheets of drywall along the unfinished garage wall.

We're not expecting the weather to warm up enough until the weekend, so it's not likely that much (if anything) will get done between now and then. At most, I'll finish the top section of drywall that I started.

100

Home Improvement / Re: New Garage Woodworking Shop

« Last post by scuzzy on March 16, 2021, 09:24 hrs »

I have no new photos yet, but we spent the day yesterday taping and laying the first coat of mud. My son should be back today and we'll continue the work, to include (hopefully) hanging the door. I likely won't add new photos until the mudding is complete. Once the texture is done, the next big event will be installing the electrical sub-panel and running the new wiring.