19 August 2012
On Monday we offloaded the curved iron. To prevent oxidisation, there needs to be ab gap betewwn the sheets. I have run out of suitable scrap timber, so I started cutting No 8 wire (bloudraad) in suitable lengths. It was very hard and crooked, so I had to straighten it on an anvil. I required 60 pieces of wire. Well, we finished that and stacked them all. Now we had a new problem, the sheets started rolling off. Two Waratah posts (Iron fencing posts) sorted that, and we put a shade net over it to protect it from wind.That project will now have to wait for summer.
The ceiling in the new bathroom was made of board and batten, 30 mm boards with a slight gap between them, covered at the gaps with an ornamental molding. The boards were beyond repair, eaten by border, cracked and rotted out. We decided to put a false ceiling of gib board just below the original, and then replace the battens and cornices. I got treated timber and cut it into cleats, and nailed that in between the original boards. The nailing was done with the nail gun. Some nails didn't go in all the way, and I had to ask Barry/Barco to help me out. It turned out the ceiling beams are made of a very hard timber, and in the end he had to hammer the nails down by bending it over. Now the job of leveling. There I ran out of steam, and gave up.
That night, our power tripped out several times while Elna was cooking. It turned out it was the stove/range. We have already bought a replacement, but it is a unit that is to be built into the cabinets (under counter) with a glass top. This became a job of urgency now. Previously we have bought a kitset kitchen, but the new prices are just beyond our reach. I have decided to make the units myself, but remember, I am no joiner. Previously we have bought an old kitchen, which I have dismantled. I stared cutting the panels required to make up a few units. I am still working at that. The hinges of the oven are worn out (we knew about that), so I started removing them for repair. I did manage to improve it, but it seems I will have to buy new ones. That is for next week.
Our weather is improving, we do get some days without rain. The forecast normally shows a sun, clouds and rain. Today is a typical Waikato winters day, rainy all the way
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Sunday
12 August 2012
We had a wonderful week, in many respects.
I am still working on the bathroom, and on Thursday had somebody take a 30 km detour to deliver me a shower head I have bought on Trademe, at no cost!. Wonderful people all around.
On Tuesday we had a visit from Willie, an SA friend who came over to visit his daughter (or was it granddaughter?) The family all took the day to visit us from Auckland. Now there is not much more a friend can do for you, is there? We had a nice chat and I could show him around. He is one of our serious Blog followers. Baie dankie Willie!!!
Remember the problem we have with the curved corrugated steel we need to reinstate the veranda? All the sheets we need are available, but at what cost!. I managed to buy 40 sheets, 3 m long (we need 2.1m) used curved iron on Trademe for $ 465. On Tuesday afternoon we went to fetch it from Matamata, about 60 km away. We loaded about half the batch because out trailer's tyres are old and perished. After we loaded, the seller noticed one wheel was low, and inflated it. We got home safely. The next morning that wheel was flat. I removed the wheel and had it stripped. There was a nail in it. But there was another problem, the wheel had a tube in it and the hole where the valve comes through on the rim was rusted out. I spent the morning considering options, as I have spare rims and hubs, but it doesn't fit the axle. In the end I cut a piece out of another rim and welded that in place. I also bought two secondhand tyres and had it fitted. Friday afternoon we collected the remainder of our purchase. It turned out that we got 50 sheets, some had slight damage. That won't bother us as we will need to cut some on the corners anyhow. We have to keep in mind that we will have to repair and seal the nail holes and paint the sheets inside and out. It will mean a lot of work but we will save lots of money. That will be a spray paint job for the summer months.
On Saturday our church group turned up and started digging the soil for the Community Garden project. They did an excellent job, but got only half way.
We also managed to do some work on the bathroom. It takes a lot of money and time. Please be patient, we will get there.
We had a wonderful week, in many respects.
I am still working on the bathroom, and on Thursday had somebody take a 30 km detour to deliver me a shower head I have bought on Trademe, at no cost!. Wonderful people all around.
On Tuesday we had a visit from Willie, an SA friend who came over to visit his daughter (or was it granddaughter?) The family all took the day to visit us from Auckland. Now there is not much more a friend can do for you, is there? We had a nice chat and I could show him around. He is one of our serious Blog followers. Baie dankie Willie!!!
Remember the problem we have with the curved corrugated steel we need to reinstate the veranda? All the sheets we need are available, but at what cost!. I managed to buy 40 sheets, 3 m long (we need 2.1m) used curved iron on Trademe for $ 465. On Tuesday afternoon we went to fetch it from Matamata, about 60 km away. We loaded about half the batch because out trailer's tyres are old and perished. After we loaded, the seller noticed one wheel was low, and inflated it. We got home safely. The next morning that wheel was flat. I removed the wheel and had it stripped. There was a nail in it. But there was another problem, the wheel had a tube in it and the hole where the valve comes through on the rim was rusted out. I spent the morning considering options, as I have spare rims and hubs, but it doesn't fit the axle. In the end I cut a piece out of another rim and welded that in place. I also bought two secondhand tyres and had it fitted. Friday afternoon we collected the remainder of our purchase. It turned out that we got 50 sheets, some had slight damage. That won't bother us as we will need to cut some on the corners anyhow. We have to keep in mind that we will have to repair and seal the nail holes and paint the sheets inside and out. It will mean a lot of work but we will save lots of money. That will be a spray paint job for the summer months.
On Saturday our church group turned up and started digging the soil for the Community Garden project. They did an excellent job, but got only half way.
We also managed to do some work on the bathroom. It takes a lot of money and time. Please be patient, we will get there.
5 August 2012
The week started slow, mainly because there was a lot of planning to do. We had a problem positioning the shower. The preferred position was against the inner wall, but then the bathroom door would interfere with the all glass shower door. We had a visit from Jaco, a friend who suggested a sliding door for the bathroom. Now that is radical for an old house. In the end we accepted his logic, especially since the original door frame was so decayed from borer that it would have to be replaced anyway. We will still be using the original door, but as a slider now. The picture shows the door in the cavity, and the "new" wall to the right. The shower tray is still standing upright.
So I could proceed building the frames for the sliding door, and also for the new wall between the bathroom and the new kitchen. We also sealed gaps on the outside wall weatherboards and floor. That is ready now for insulation. The insulation on the inside wall on the bath side got done, and on Saturday Jaco and his kids turned up to help. We managed to do the gibbing of that whole wall. The next picture shows the newly gibbed wall on the left, and part of the doorway to the right
We still have some detail to sort out on the frameless shower we want to install. Remember, once the gib is up, there is no going back to add another nog or stud.
The water pipes will all be new, and be installed behind the gib. In new construction, the building inspector insists that the pipes be connected and be under pressure before it may be covered up. I might have to do a temporary coupling of the pipes before we cover it up.
We also experienced problems with the strips of nails I use on the nail gun. Because the box was stored in the tool shed, it got moist and if you try to lift a strip of nails, it just falls apart. There are 3000 nails in a box, and I cannot afford to throw it away and buy new, at $ 120 per box. So Elna started repacking, re aligning the nails, 60 to a strip, and we reglued it with construction adhesive. It was an enormous job, but it is nearly done now. I have used some of the "new" strips and it works well.
The week started slow, mainly because there was a lot of planning to do. We had a problem positioning the shower. The preferred position was against the inner wall, but then the bathroom door would interfere with the all glass shower door. We had a visit from Jaco, a friend who suggested a sliding door for the bathroom. Now that is radical for an old house. In the end we accepted his logic, especially since the original door frame was so decayed from borer that it would have to be replaced anyway. We will still be using the original door, but as a slider now. The picture shows the door in the cavity, and the "new" wall to the right. The shower tray is still standing upright.
So I could proceed building the frames for the sliding door, and also for the new wall between the bathroom and the new kitchen. We also sealed gaps on the outside wall weatherboards and floor. That is ready now for insulation. The insulation on the inside wall on the bath side got done, and on Saturday Jaco and his kids turned up to help. We managed to do the gibbing of that whole wall. The next picture shows the newly gibbed wall on the left, and part of the doorway to the right
We still have some detail to sort out on the frameless shower we want to install. Remember, once the gib is up, there is no going back to add another nog or stud.
The water pipes will all be new, and be installed behind the gib. In new construction, the building inspector insists that the pipes be connected and be under pressure before it may be covered up. I might have to do a temporary coupling of the pipes before we cover it up.
We also experienced problems with the strips of nails I use on the nail gun. Because the box was stored in the tool shed, it got moist and if you try to lift a strip of nails, it just falls apart. There are 3000 nails in a box, and I cannot afford to throw it away and buy new, at $ 120 per box. So Elna started repacking, re aligning the nails, 60 to a strip, and we reglued it with construction adhesive. It was an enormous job, but it is nearly done now. I have used some of the "new" strips and it works well.
29 July 2012
We had some light rain from Monday and therefore the bathroom won the battle over the veranda. Now I have started on the bathroom and will have to finish it.
On Monday we went to Cambridge to collect our frameless shower doors which we had in storage there for about 5 years. That took care of half the day.
We started stripping the saking (cladding). Elna did a great job of assisting me and cleaning after me. You can imagine the amount of dust and debris after 130 years! We also started cutting the insulation, because our stud spacing is different to the new 600mm spacing.We have installed some but then we ran out of useable nails to install some nogs (horizontal timber at 1200 mm spacing). These old houses did not have any nogs, and the insulation tends to sag without it.
We did run into a problem. I am using a nailgun to install studs and nogs. I found that my strips of nails came apart. I think it is because of the damp conditions in the coookhouse where it has been stored. So we started re gluing it together again, using one of these tacky adhesives. Monday I will try the ones we have glued, and if that works, I can proceed with the nogs and insulation. If it does not work, I will have to spend $120 towards a new box of nails.
We need to make sure the new wall will allow us to cut holes in the floor that does not fall directly over the floor joists. We also still need a mixer tap for the bath. Then the pipes must be installed prior to fitting the gib on that side.
We are still trying to get rid of the stuff Marike left behind. We made a trip to Cambridge to bring some more stuff over
We had some light rain from Monday and therefore the bathroom won the battle over the veranda. Now I have started on the bathroom and will have to finish it.
On Monday we went to Cambridge to collect our frameless shower doors which we had in storage there for about 5 years. That took care of half the day.
We started stripping the saking (cladding). Elna did a great job of assisting me and cleaning after me. You can imagine the amount of dust and debris after 130 years! We also started cutting the insulation, because our stud spacing is different to the new 600mm spacing.We have installed some but then we ran out of useable nails to install some nogs (horizontal timber at 1200 mm spacing). These old houses did not have any nogs, and the insulation tends to sag without it.
We did run into a problem. I am using a nailgun to install studs and nogs. I found that my strips of nails came apart. I think it is because of the damp conditions in the coookhouse where it has been stored. So we started re gluing it together again, using one of these tacky adhesives. Monday I will try the ones we have glued, and if that works, I can proceed with the nogs and insulation. If it does not work, I will have to spend $120 towards a new box of nails.
We need to make sure the new wall will allow us to cut holes in the floor that does not fall directly over the floor joists. We also still need a mixer tap for the bath. Then the pipes must be installed prior to fitting the gib on that side.
We are still trying to get rid of the stuff Marike left behind. We made a trip to Cambridge to bring some more stuff over
22July 2012
Another slow week. The hibernation bug has bitten me.
We moved into our new bedroom. Very warm and cosy. Then we moved all of Mieke's surplus stuff to our old bedroom, on preparation of a "garage sale" on Saturday. We invited only people we know. Some stuff went, but most of it will go to an op shop. The movers also picked up the stuff Mieke wants sent to SA. So we had a nearly clear "new bathroom". With help we moved both of the wardrobes to our old bedroom, and started playing with possible layouts of the new bathroom. I forgot to mention, there are still a lot of furniture in storage in Cambridge, which we will try to sell on Trademe
Saturday I continued cutting firewood from the timber we bought. There is still a lot to cut. Sometimes I wonder if it worth the effort. It might be better to buy a load, but then again, it all has to be put away. Which is the lesser of two evils?
On Friday afternoon Bunnings delivered the insulation, timber and Gib (plasterboard) that we will need for doing the new bathroom. Now all depends on the weather.If it is rainy, I will start working inside. If it is clear, I will start work on the veranda. So far we have a few rainy days ahead of us.
Another slow week. The hibernation bug has bitten me.
We moved into our new bedroom. Very warm and cosy. Then we moved all of Mieke's surplus stuff to our old bedroom, on preparation of a "garage sale" on Saturday. We invited only people we know. Some stuff went, but most of it will go to an op shop. The movers also picked up the stuff Mieke wants sent to SA. So we had a nearly clear "new bathroom". With help we moved both of the wardrobes to our old bedroom, and started playing with possible layouts of the new bathroom. I forgot to mention, there are still a lot of furniture in storage in Cambridge, which we will try to sell on Trademe
Saturday I continued cutting firewood from the timber we bought. There is still a lot to cut. Sometimes I wonder if it worth the effort. It might be better to buy a load, but then again, it all has to be put away. Which is the lesser of two evils?
On Friday afternoon Bunnings delivered the insulation, timber and Gib (plasterboard) that we will need for doing the new bathroom. Now all depends on the weather.If it is rainy, I will start working inside. If it is clear, I will start work on the veranda. So far we have a few rainy days ahead of us.
15 July 2012
Two weeks of doing very little. With Mieke visiting here, and she was working on internet all the time, I could not do much. What we did do however, was to bring all her stuff that was in storage in Cambridge to Kihikihi. She sorted out what she want shipped to SA. Boxes everywhere. I just counted 35 discarded boxes. I have no idea what is in them, we will see. Then I will have to coordinate the 4 cubic metres of stuff she wants shipped.
We did manage to buy some Kauri timber from somebody. They have chucked it out as firewood. We also got some real firewood with it. I cut some of it up, but most of it is still waiting for me.
Our church group was here on Saturday, they want to start a community garden, so I volunteered the land. The sprayed the grass with weedkiller, and put up a fence. All of this is work that has been on my list, but I never got around to it.
Last Saturday the group helped somebody to cut a dead tree. I just mentioned that our two lambs are beginning to suffer from a lack of grass. One person volunteered that I could take the labs to his place, he has got ample grazing. Monday morning I built a cage and moved the lambs over. Thank you very much. It is a relief not to have to open and close the gate every time we go out.
We had some lovely weather these last two weeks, but today it started raining. The last forecast I saw said rain until at least Thursday. I think I will hibernate!!!!!!!
The odd post that slipped in was one I have discovered in the draft file, but it seems it was published anyhow, so I deleted it. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Love
G
Two weeks of doing very little. With Mieke visiting here, and she was working on internet all the time, I could not do much. What we did do however, was to bring all her stuff that was in storage in Cambridge to Kihikihi. She sorted out what she want shipped to SA. Boxes everywhere. I just counted 35 discarded boxes. I have no idea what is in them, we will see. Then I will have to coordinate the 4 cubic metres of stuff she wants shipped.
We did manage to buy some Kauri timber from somebody. They have chucked it out as firewood. We also got some real firewood with it. I cut some of it up, but most of it is still waiting for me.
Our church group was here on Saturday, they want to start a community garden, so I volunteered the land. The sprayed the grass with weedkiller, and put up a fence. All of this is work that has been on my list, but I never got around to it.
Last Saturday the group helped somebody to cut a dead tree. I just mentioned that our two lambs are beginning to suffer from a lack of grass. One person volunteered that I could take the labs to his place, he has got ample grazing. Monday morning I built a cage and moved the lambs over. Thank you very much. It is a relief not to have to open and close the gate every time we go out.
We had some lovely weather these last two weeks, but today it started raining. The last forecast I saw said rain until at least Thursday. I think I will hibernate!!!!!!!
The odd post that slipped in was one I have discovered in the draft file, but it seems it was published anyhow, so I deleted it. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Love
G
1 July 2012
My apologies again. I spent some time working on the design of the new (to be) kitchen. That was because I want to build the kitchen cabinets myself, and had to decide on the sizes of the cabinets and its panels. Turns out we can possibly use some of the material we bought as a complete kitchen for $ 27. We have bought an oven and range some months back for $40 and want to install that in the current kitchen. Problem is that only fits into a cabinet, it is an under bench oven. Now you understand why I tackled the job backward front. No actual manufacturing of the cabinets has started yet.
Mieke is still visiting and we spent time with her, and also, she works by internet, and I don't want to start any noisy work. We also went to mount Ruapehu for the weekend, she is a keen snowboarder and we couldn't let her go by herself.
Hopefully next week will be more productive.
My apologies again. I spent some time working on the design of the new (to be) kitchen. That was because I want to build the kitchen cabinets myself, and had to decide on the sizes of the cabinets and its panels. Turns out we can possibly use some of the material we bought as a complete kitchen for $ 27. We have bought an oven and range some months back for $40 and want to install that in the current kitchen. Problem is that only fits into a cabinet, it is an under bench oven. Now you understand why I tackled the job backward front. No actual manufacturing of the cabinets has started yet.
Mieke is still visiting and we spent time with her, and also, she works by internet, and I don't want to start any noisy work. We also went to mount Ruapehu for the weekend, she is a keen snowboarder and we couldn't let her go by herself.
Hopefully next week will be more productive.
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