Tuesday, December 31, 2019

NOAH batman light - part 3



Hot weather has delayed the job so still have to cut out the name and spray matt black, the I can start the lighting.

NOAH batman light - part 5

Cooler weather has arrived so back in the workshop...where was I ???



Internal cuts are time consuming as each segment of a letter needs pilot holes for the blade to pass through.

Saturday, December 28, 2019

Al's Kitchen - Chicken Curry

This morning we are doing Chicken Curry, one of my mums recipes from way back like last century. Also doing a pot of Basmati rice.

Simmer with lid on until potatoes are done.

Friday, December 27, 2019

NOAH batman light - Part 1

Customer order for a bat with the name NOAH.



Printed out the cutting template sand here masking the MDF blank before gluing on the actual template.

Replacing rotten weather boards (final)

Last post for this job, 2nd coat done and we are done. Next job is to repair/replace the weatherboards under the side balcony window but that won't be till next week cos we have a hot spell coming up for the next four days.

We can tick this one off the job list...

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Replacing rotten weather boards (part 6)

A nicer cooler day to finish this job. Last board is up and first coat is done so in for a coffee now then back out for the second coat and we are done.


Last board is up and one may wonder why it's taking so long for only four boards. When the boards are prised off there are lots of nails left behind and it took a while to get them all out with large round nose nail puller and side cutters. The old vapour barrier paper was a bit tatty so had staple and even patch some areas with plastic from packaging.

Rreplacing rotten weather boards (part 5)


Back after lunch and just put up the 2nd board.

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Replacing rotten weather boards (part 4)

Why am I doing home repairs on Christmas day ???
We do Christmas Eve and yes, yesterday was a busy day in the kitchen prepping for dinner with family and friends.



Setting up the work site.

Monday, December 23, 2019

Replacing rotten weather boards (part 3)

Finally we can start painting. This spot will have shade for most of the afternoon.



Doing the back of the boards first - two coats. It's important to do the ends. The boards are 3.0M and when I put them up I'll trim the ends down to 2.850mm on the cordless mitre saw and dab paint on the fresh ends.

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Replacing rotten weather boards (part 2)

These days stuff like this comes primed but regardless of that I'm going to give them two coats of primer and when up another two coats of Mission Brown on the outside face. Found a 10L can of Dulux Weathershield White that's never been opened but must be going on 20 years old, will it be OK ?. Popped the lid and it will be fine, just needs a bloody good stir. But... I don't have the larger drill powered paint stirrer and not even going to try with a flat stick.


Making a drill powered paint stirrer.










Long timber roofing screw with the head cut off.

Let's get back to the job.



Replacing rotten weather boards (part 1)

Our AV Jennings 'Catalina' family home has been in the family for 49 years. It features weather boards below all the main windows and no complaints that some of them need replacing.

Bedroom 3 - all four boards need replacing.

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Passive Metal Detector - Paw patrol

After all the trade and DIY activity over the last couple of weeks I had a feeling there would be sharp objects lying around the back yard, like nails and screws hidden in the grass and garden beds!

Al's metal detector - this morning made this like...on the spot. Batteries not required.

Monday, December 16, 2019

Garden shed refit - part 5


We can start moving stuff back into the shed.

Garden shed refit - part 4

Had to remove the top cross pieces that originally held the planks together to squeeze the unit in between the shed end and the window frame.

Garden shed refit - part 3

Continued on making the storage unit from the packing case shelving.



To continue we need a flat surface so moving from here to the carport.

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Garden shed refit - part 2

Due to the weather I'm doing some fill in jobs related to shed storage and if needed can pack up quickly in case we cop a shower.

There are two of these in the garden shed and...just found another two stored here in the workshop under the back workbench so assembled them to make four - good start!

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Roof repairs - Final update

Roof was sprayed today, three coats of Dulux Mid Brown (includes primer) and that's it, all the work is completed and paid for - yay


Garden shed refit - part 1

With the roof done it's time to completely empty the shed for a storage refit.



Amazing how much stuff you can store in a 3.4M x 1.8M shed.

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Garden shed roof replacement (part 4)

The roofing is up!

With the sun low in the sky the roof is on before day's end which is good,



Next session I will put in the rest of the roofing screws.

Garden shed roof replacement (part 3)

Spent a few more hours on the shed and at this point ready for the final stage - roofing. From the last session secured the timber to the top of the back wall with stainless screws using the same pop rivet holes.

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Garden shed roof replacement - part 2

Roof repair guys postponed from today to tomorrow so decided to continue with the garden shed job - remove the roof.


That's the first one, lots of pop rivets to drill out so a good quality 1/8' HSS drill bit is essential.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Garden shed roof replacement (part 1)

Hard to believe the garden shed was erected 48 years ago !!!

She started leaking water a few years ago along the top of back wall where the steel tubing has rusted out,

Looking for the Wi-Fi Chicken Doors?

Stay tuned... over the next few days I will be catch-up posting the Wi-Fi chicken Doors. Oh... and my Wi-Fi Bird Feeder. I'll be back...