Home Improvement/Hobby Projects Thread

[APB]

That looks really sharp, Raptorman!

[Raptorman]

The best part of the kitchen remodel was before, we had 28 inches of counter to the left of the stove and 15 to the right. Afterward, we have 30 inches on either side. It's amazing what that extra space will give you. The space where we took out the built-in pantry and put in cabinets also gave us a lot more storage room. Not to mention the new ones are 42 inches rather than the short ones.

And the best part is that my wife who enjoys cooking is no longer bitching about the lack of space in the kitchen when she is cooking.

So she is doing more in the kitchen, where she belongs.......................just kidding.

[Raptorman]

That looks really sharp, Raptorman!

Good job on the floor. And I see you pulled the baseboards off. A big mistake that many people make is not redoing the baseboards.

[APB]

We had one of those formal sitting rooms off our entryway that only served as dead space or an area for occasional dog naps. Decided to convert it into something we'd actually get some use out of: a bar!

Side note: the pictures loaded in opposite order of how I intended so you'll need to scroll from bottom to top to see the work as it progressed.

[NCF]

Beautiful.

[wallyuwl]

Anyone gotten their insulation upgraded by getting the white spray injection foam done in the walls? If so, thoughts on it?

[BF004]

We had one of those formal sitting rooms off our entryway that only served as dead space or an area for occasional dog naps. Decided to convert it into something we'd actually get some use out of: a bar!

Side note: the pictures loaded in opposite order of how I intended so you'll need to scroll from bottom to top to see the work as it progressed.

Amazing, you make that whole table, or just do the top?

Passively working on a computer desk, still thinking through how to build and connect all the legs so its really sturdy, without being egregiously heavy.

[APB]

We had one of those formal sitting rooms off our entryway that only served as dead space or an area for occasional dog naps. Decided to convert it into something we'd actually get some use out of: a bar!

Side note: the pictures loaded in opposite order of how I intended so you'll need to scroll from bottom to top to see the work as it progressed.

Amazing, you make that whole table, or just do the top?

Passively working on a computer desk, still thinking through how to build and connect all the legs so its really sturdy, without being egregiously heavy.

I ended up buying the base.

I had originally gone to some metal/welding shops around town to have joints similar to the ones in the pics manufactured but it would have been way more expensive. I got that table base online for around $270, I believe.

Speaking of egregiously heavy, that table and base combined probably goes a good 300 lbs! That slab is cherry and the wood on the base is walnut along with the steel leg fixtures. If a tornado hits, I’m hiding under that sucker.

Edit: here it is

https://www.webstaurantstore.com/lanca ... nfirmation

[APB]

Gave the fireplace a face-lift. Added a ledger stone tile facing and a floating black walnut mantle. LED lighting on the shelf and up top.

Before - In progress - after.

[wallyuwl]

Really cool. We did something similar a couple years ago but a little less involved.

[NCF]

Gave the fireplace a face-lift.

I don't like you. You are too talented.

[kampmanfan4life]

Anyone gotten their insulation upgraded by getting the white spray injection foam done in the walls? If so, thoughts on it?

Just got some new outlets installed (none outside, and some in the garage). I asked the electrician if there was insulation in the wall and he said no. I figured there was not. Home build in 1959, so seems pretty common. I'd love to insulate the walls but seems like a big mess. I will be adding insulation to the attic this spring.

[APB]

Not necessarily home improvement but it's certainly made home life better. The latest project:

Bought this 1992 Club Car golf cart off a private owner about 6 mo ago.

Replaced the six 6-volt batteries with a single lithium 36V 100amp battery. Biggest expense by far but worth it.

Had to completely rebuild the rear axle drive gearbox since the dude ran it without any gear oil in it. Thankfully gears were salvageable and just needed new bearings throughout.

Added headlight/taillight kit w/brake and blinkers.

Put a 6" lift on it and found those 23" tires from a local dealer trade-in scrap pile.

Paint was simple rattle can, 4 coats, and then 3 clear coats to seal it.

All in came to about $4200 invested. Bet I could turn it for at least $7500 now.

Before/during/finish:

[APB]

Scratch another item from the "honey-do" list.

We have been making due with some 12 yr old wicker deck furniture that had multiple broken strands and just looking worn out. Looked at pricing on new deck furniture and about threw up. Instead, went and bought some wood and pocket screws and got to work.

Built the 3-seat sofa and 2-seat loveseat over last two days. Simple design but solid as a rock.

We went from two single seat and one loveseat to the 3-seater, 2-seat loveseat and two more store bought rocker/swivel chairs we found on clearance marked $200 off. Nearly doubled the seating without cluttering the space.

Gotta wait out the summer heat for the lumber to dry before staining but it's done for the most part. Pretty happy with how it turned out for a quickie project.

[wallyuwl]

Took a couple days with my dad and installed OSB on the garage walls. Prior owners put insulation but never covered with drywall, osb or plywood. Still a little bit of finishing touches to do (extend the now recessed electrical outlets, put up a few shelving storage hooks).


Next project is install new upper crankshaft bearing on ghe outboard and hope it fixes the problem (ticking/rattle and a little flywheel movement).

[APB]

Have any of you installed a reverse osmosis water filtration system in your home? I have been looking into them and think I'm gonna do it. I'm not talking a whole home system, just a local system installed at the primary drinking water location. Not the sink, though, I want to install it on the stand alone refrigerator. That way my drinking water and ice making are provided with RO purified water. I've identified a few pitfalls with installing it this way and am curious if anybody else has messed with a similar install.

[wallyuwl]

Have any of you installed a reverse osmosis water filtration system in your home? I have been looking into them and think I'm gonna do it. I'm not talking a whole home system, just a local system installed at the primary drinking water location. Not the sink, though, I want to install it on the stand alone refrigerator. That way my drinking water and ice making are provided with RO purified water. I've identified a few pitfalls with installing it this way and am curious if anybody else has messed with a similar install.

Doesn’t your fridge have a filter?

[APB]

Have any of you installed a reverse osmosis water filtration system in your home? I have been looking into them and think I'm gonna do it. I'm not talking a whole home system, just a local system installed at the primary drinking water location. Not the sink, though, I want to install it on the stand alone refrigerator. That way my drinking water and ice making are provided with RO purified water. I've identified a few pitfalls with installing it this way and am curious if anybody else has messed with a similar install.

Doesn’t your fridge have a filter?

Yes. A carbon activated filter that allows many contaminants to get through.

https://www.expresswater.com/blogs/wate ... gLNMPD_BwE

[wallyuwl]

If you want one, I would just have a water treatment company do it. They usually know more and are cheaper than a plumber for this type of thing.

[APB]

If you want one, I would just have a water treatment company do it. They usually know more and are cheaper than a plumber for this type of thing.

A plumber? Water treatment company?



Uh...no.