Fixin' up the Bungalow

Survived the Home Tour.

2009-05-02T07:30:00.001-07:00

Home Tour Visitors
Originally uploaded by gizmodyne

The Bungalow Heaven Home Tour came and went last Sunday. Over 1000 people came through the house and we had an overall great experience. People were very complementary of the work we had done. Our friends and family came over in the afternoon and we all enjoyed a drink on the new deck.

On to a slower pace.

Our Custom Bungalow Style Fridge.

2009-05-02T07:28:00.001-07:00

If you have followed my blog, you know that I had a massive hole in the kitchen wall.

The project is made from recycled douglas fir.

I painted the stainless fridge trim of the fridge with black epoxy paint.

After the fridge install, I was left with a gaping hole above it.

Here is the finished shot with the area trimmed out. Brass pulls.

I am very happy with this project!

Fridge Panels Part 2

2009-04-18T07:52:00.001-07:00

Fitting the doors
The doors are held on with a piece of metal trim that protrudes from the sub door of the fridge.

I decided to use a method where a 1/4” backer board is inserted into the trim and then my doors are screwed into place from the back.

I soon realized it is much easier to fit my doors when the fridge doors have been removed and are laying flat.

In the above picture I had already fit the freezer door. I did not take photos of this but you will see the entire process on the upper doors.

I reattached the door to the fridge box.

You can see a center line in the above picture. I sized the freezer door with the desired side reveal of a 1/4.

Aligning the beadboard
My goal was to align the beadboard of the upper doors to the freezer door. When I built the upper doors I made them roughly half the size of the lower door. Each door contains a full piece of beadboard that I could reference to the center line of the freezer door.

Here are both untrimmed fridge doors resting on the installed freezer door. The centers and horizontals are perfectly aligned, but the edges are too wide on the uppers.

I marked the overhang.

Then I trimmed the edge.

I had earlier built a prototype door (basic frame cut to exact size).

Based on the new reference edge of the outside, I came back and trimmed the interior edges for the size of the prototype.

Installing backer panel
I cut 1/4” baltic birch to the specified size.

I then persuaded the panel into place.

Note: Unsafe stool standing.

Rabbeting the doors
The doors are rabbeted to create a 1/8” relief. This allows them to recess into the panel. I set up a single flat bottom blade and carefully nibbled the distances.

TEST BLOCK

Rabbeted doors. Rabbet on top, bottom and right edge.

Then I held the pieces on temporarily with clamps…

... to check the reveal…

Looking good.

Next time
I fancy up the backer board and start finishing. Plus making stainless steel trim go bye bye.

Fridge Panels Part 1

2009-04-18T07:50:00.001-07:00

The Hole in My Kitchen
For the past two years we have lived with a hole in the wall of the kitchen where the fridge was. I was going to turn this into a pantry, but we decided to put the fridge back in.

We found a fridge that would accept custom panels. It is 36” wide. and only 24” deep to the doors.

We had to cut back one stud in the wall to accommodate the depth and reinforce the floor for the weight, but the hole/nook is ready for the fridge.

Design
I drew up several designs in SU and settled on the one on the right.

The panels are beadboard with domino-ed bread board ends.

Preparing Stock
I have documented this process several times in my dishwasher and cabinet progress, but here goes.

All stock is reclaimed fir headed to the dumpster and acquired for free from local construction projects.
I comb it with a metal detector and cut to rough length. Time: 2 hours. Cost: Free

I re-sawed all stock in half on the bandsaw.

I left the stock to acclimate for a few days.

I did not take any shots of the stock milling process but it is well documented on my other blogs.

Joinery
Using the table saw ran grooves on both sides of the stock to accept splines. (no pic) This time I sized the grooves to accept 1/4” plywood. Much quicker than milling 1/4” stock.

After crosscutting, I ran the center v-groove on the rounter table using a 45 degree bit. I set up the table with two fences. If the board were to kick away from the first fence the groove would get off center.

The grooves left by the bit are fuzzy in fir, so I ran the edge v-grooves on the table saw. These are really just half of the groove, but look like a full v when two pieces are set edge to edge.

Here is a picture of the milled b-board with grooves.

The breadboard ends are attached with dominos. Here I set the layout for the first piece. I need to trim the edge of the panel, so I placed the domino off center.

I reinforced two of the lateral joints on each of the upper doors where the door pull would stress the joint.

Here is the large freezer panel during glue up.

Afterward I trimmed it to fit and exactly center the beadboard pattern (more on the math involved here next time).
It was freezing in the shop this morning (for So. Cal).

Final shot: Glue dries on a fridge door panel.

Next time
Fitting the panels on the fridge

Home Tour Madness and the Deck

2009-04-18T07:48:00.000-07:00

Originally Published at www.lumberjocks.com/gizmodyne

Home Tour Madness
In two weeks (April 26) our house is going to be featured on the neighborhood home tour. Over 1000 people will be walking through…. gulp.

I have a to-do list longer than my arm.

I’ll give you more details on that later.

Item 50: Build Deck
Previously we had a crummy set of dilapidated stairs leading to our back door.

After some poorly planned landscaping we ended up with a dirt circle. Seen behind me in this picture. On the upside it was a good place to finish furniture.

We hired a contractor to build the foundation of the deck, but I wanted to have a hand in it, so I decided to lay all of the decking and install built-in benches.

Hidden Deck Fastener System Thingies
We decided to use Eb-Ty deck fasteners and avoid holes in the top of the deck. They are fairly easy to install.

1. Cut biscuit slot at joist intersection.

2. Drill screw into biscuit.

The real evil thing is fixing bowed decking. For that I used a Cepco BoWrench: Very cool tool that hooks onto a joist and lets you straighten out boards.

So the deck laying is easy, but time consuming; about two sixteen-footers per hour.

Benches
I drew up a plan for built-in deck benches based on a drawing from the Sunset Deck Book.

I tested a few locations.

I notched out the 4×4’s to sit around the beam….

...and bolted the heck out of them with 1/2” carriage bolts.

I did something new this project. I printed my Sketchup Drawing’s full-size, glued them onto plywood and made templates. Very cool use of Sketchup.

Template for Rails

What’s a project without a new tool? My new Ridgid OSS smooths the curves.

I spent many nights working on this project. Here I am last Sunday under the flood lights. The short rails were attached with deck screws covered by plugs. The long rails were attached with pocket screws.

I built a little jig to hold the top pieces at 6” cantilever.

Plywood spacers set the distance between boards.

More night Work.

!!
in the rain.

Almost done now… Just need to finish the plugs.

Deck ends have been cut square after this picture was taken

Next up
Refrigerator Panels.

Won't you be my neighbor?

2009-03-20T18:19:00.001-07:00

Buy my neighbor's house.
Originally uploaded by gizmodyne

My neighbor's house has been a rental for years. It is finally for sale. They are asking $590,000 but I bet you can work something out.

It actually has some great details but needs exterior paint, a garage, a driveway and lots of TLC.

Bonus. You get to live in historic Bungalow Heaven next to a guy who will help you with house projects. Plus we are quiet.

Write me for the listing. I get no cut, I just want to live next to nice people.

Refinished cabinet

2009-03-15T07:19:00.001-07:00

Refinished cabinet
Originally uploaded by gizmodyne

Here are the finished results of the cabinet refinishing project started two years ago. Custom hinges and all. Check out my lumberjocks site for more details.

Live Webstream: How to Stain Douglas Fir.

2009-02-09T19:34:00.000-08:00

I am going to do another informal broadcast tonight at 8:00 p.m. PACIFIC. I will demonstrate my technique for staining douglas fir. Staining fir is my specialty, but I am a slob. So come take it all in. Sorry for the late notice and late time East Coasters. :)

Recap of the last year and a half.

2009-02-08T09:25:00.001-08:00

How does this happen? I have been working in off and on on the house projects since summer.
Last time I wrote here, we were just having the floors done.

Living Room
Here is the after shot.

Looking back the other way

The inglenook

Dining Room
With the addition of the Stickley Table we hosted a great Christmas Dinner.

Kitchen
I built and installed the custom dishwasher panel

I stained and installed the remaining doors and drawers for the kitchen cabinet.

Stained and installed a swinging door.

I also stained three of the original cabinet doors which I am standing next to in the above photo.

Hallway/ Den
I stained and installed the den door and .

Exterior
I built and installed the 10 remaining wooden screens

Some painted pine.

Some reclaimed fir..

I built three windows from reclaimed fir for the kitchen porch. Tempered glass.

Kristin continued work on the garden.

Furniture Projects.
Happy to say that I finished a few pure woodworking projects over this time as well.

Den Doors Done

2009-02-07T20:55:00.001-08:00

Den Doors Done
Originally uploaded by gizmodyne

I finished all of the den doors over. Dec and Jan. Only a tiny bit left in this room to do.

Organized!

2009-02-07T19:20:00.003-08:00

Organized!
Originally uploaded by gizmodyne

The shelves are in!

http://lumberjocks.com/jocks/gizmodyne/blog/7398

Bungalow Christmas

2008-12-27T19:50:00.001-08:00

IMG_3928.JPG
Originally uploaded by gizmodyne

We held our annual Christmas Eve dinner.

The meal was followed by a little homemade limoncello courtesy of my friend Erin.

The "Stickley" Table seated ten! I love this shot of the family sitting around the table, with the box beams above.

What style is my bungalow?

2008-12-15T21:43:00.000-08:00

You might get a kick out of this. I made this tutorial a few years ago in my M.A. program. I find it silly now. It is a tutorial to teach the basics of bungalow style. The assignment required a quiz. Check it out. http://edtech.gizmodyne.com/style/index.htm

Bungalow Cabinets

2008-12-15T16:39:00.001-08:00

Long Shot
Originally uploaded by gizmodyne

I finally put the bottom doors on the cabinets. Only a year since the dishwasher went in. Bungalow Heaven has asked us to be on the home tour this year. We have to think about whether we can finish all of our various projects in time....

Hmmm.

More about the cabinet installation at http://lumberjocks.com/jocks/gizmodyne/blog/6715

The Room of Non-Requirement

2008-11-24T18:22:00.001-08:00

Guest Room
Originally uploaded by gizmodyne

The goal is to have another bedroom. First we need another bed. In the meantime this room has become the room of non-requirement.

In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry and his chums are able to summon a room full of whatever they need at the moment. This room is the opposite. It is full of a bunch of random stuff.

An old school scale, a damaged Victrola, several clocks, furniture to be repaired, discarded electronics, flashlights, unsorted inheritance, and papers. Oh the papers.

Random Pics I never Posted

2008-11-21T22:47:00.001-08:00

Inglenook Finished
Originally uploaded by gizmodyne

I have been going crazy keeping up with teaching a split class this year, so nothing much has been accomplished on the house. To tide you over here is a random pic that I never uploaded.

The inglenook featuring the new-new mantle and the morris chair that belonged to my grandfather in Memphis. We had it recovered and it is most comfortable.

The painting is by my mom, Geyer Andrews, a most excellent artist. It features the avo tree from my back yard. Contact me if you are interested in seeing her other paintings.

Stickley Dining Table 622 Reproduction

2008-07-21T14:14:00.001-07:00

Stickley Dining Table 622 Reproduction
Originally uploaded by gizmodyne

I finally finished it! Three years later. My version of the Stickley no. 622 Dining Table. Quartersawn Oak.

More pics at Flickr or Lumberjocks.

Finish Inspector

2008-07-20T09:26:00.001-07:00

Finish Inspector
Originally uploaded by gizmodyne

I finished the dining table "finish". The boss came out to inspect.

We will put it together today!

A Great Arts and Crafts Woodworking Blog.

2008-07-11T08:14:00.001-07:00

treefrogfurniture.blogspot.com

Originally uploaded by gizmodyne

I had been running into posts from this blog while researching fuming and arts and crafts finishing techniques.
Since I have been using Google Reader I decided to subscribe.

I am reading all of the entries.
This blog is as good as any book on Arts and Crafts furniture.

Beginning with a trip to the Stickley museum, he writes about style, construction, the designers, techniques. Quite well researched and clear too.

I am not a fan of the light text on black background, which is probably why I never wanted to read the site, but in Google Reader I view it as black on white.

Check it out. Something for anyone interested in Arts and Crafts furniture or woodworking.

Get it done with Zoho-Projects for Free.

2008-07-06T08:22:00.001-07:00

Zoho-Projects
Originally uploaded by gizmodyne

For those of you house restoration geeks who are also computer geeks. (You know you are...Hint ....you are reading a blog right now.)

Zoho is an online documents package similar to google docs, but offering a useful project management software. The free version allows only one project.

Here is how I use it:

1. Create milestones for the different sections of my house. Example: Kitchen to be finished by August 24.

2. Add tasks with their own to do dates to the milestone list: Cabinet doors.

3. Add sub tasks to the the task.: Stain, Hang, Install Hardware.

You can view all of your tasks on a calendar, set up the program to email you when tasks are overdue, and view your to-do's anywhere you have web access.

The pay version allows you to have multiple users. Then you can assign others tasks. If you are restoring a bungalow you are probably a control freak and won't need this feature. Just walk that lonely road.

http://projects.zoho.com

Mission Furniture: How to Build It.

2008-07-04T10:17:00.001-07:00

Hall Chair
Originally uploaded by gizmodyne

If you have never checked it out.. This book is in public domain and can be found on many e-book sites. http://books.google.com/books?id=q1lC8JaCUGcC&pg=PA111&dq=mission+furniture+hall+chair&ei=ywZtSLO6LoLqsQPL3Yi2Bg&client=safari&sig=ACfU3U0dylHcBh79HazRMUzUnaufTJOnNQ

I completed a sketchup of one of the projects.

Hipsters Wanted.... Lake at Walnut

2008-06-24T08:47:00.001-07:00

Standard Pacific Homes - New Homes in Pasadena at Lake at Walnut - Community
Originally uploaded by gizmodyne

This is funny. Sorry Hipsters

If you have actually been to this location, it is miles of asphalt with a view of the Ralph's parking lot on one side and the 210 on the other.

Boutiques? (Does the 99 cent store count?)

Saunter to the news stand? Nobody saunters on Lake. It's Hell hot.

Little Journey's

2008-06-22T21:56:00.001-07:00

Little Journey's
Originally uploaded by gizmodyne

I finally finished the Little Journeys Bookstand!

This project is from Shop Drawings for Craftsman Furniture by Robert Lange. I have much more about its construction detailed in my blog .

The finish ended up being fumed followed by tinted shellac and dark wax. I like it.

This project looks simple, but has a ton of handwork including the 16 through mortises.

A few pics

A shot of the top in the sun.

Close up on the tusks and through tenons. All handwork.

Looking up at the figure eight clips.

And now a look at the books. The piece was originally made by Elbert Hubbard to display a set of books called Little Journeys. I bought a set on e-bay and they have really cool covers and spines. They include titles like Little Journeys to the Homes of ….. Famous Women or English Authors

Shellac

2008-06-09T06:16:00.000-07:00

Shellacin’
I cleaned up 90% shop dust by vac and broom and then run the overhead air filter for a bit before finishing. I protected the workbench with plastic. The panels are raised up on scrap sticks. You can see a bottle of Transtint (Dark mission brown) in the foreground.

I add denatured alcohol to a container and then add the shellac to the consistency of a 1lb or so cut. Very thin.

I am padding on the shellac with a clean t-shirt scrap wrapped around another scrap. I also used a glue brush and a larger brush.

I work from the middle out to the ends to avoid over collecting on the ends.

After one coat (Still wettish)

When the first coat and on are dry I sand with my little worn spongy sanding block to knock down the dust nibs /level the surface. You can do this with very worn sandpaper too. If I have nothing else I take a piece of 320 and rub it against itself to break the grit down to a softer texture.

I feel the grit of the finish with my hand and then sand very lightly until It feels smooth. The goal is to remove that grit feeling and nothing more.

Tint it
On the second and so on coats I added the dark brown dye to the shellac to add a little more color to the project.

Shot with final coat of tinted shellac

Finally I tackled the sapwood by adding a few more drops of the dye to the shellac. The sapwood lacks that tanins that enact color change via fuming. (By the way I find the liquid dye WAY easier to work with than the powdered).

I brushed the concentrated color/shellac mixture onto the sapwood only.

Before:

Brushing Shellac/Dye..

After blending with my shellac pad..

Better I think.

Dry time
I really want to finish this, but I am going to wait a few days to let the shellac cure before I wax it.

Watch the shellac dry.

Next time Wax

In Which I Fume Oak for the First Time.

2008-06-07T20:38:00.001-07:00

I had a little more handwork to do on the Little Journey’s Bookstand. I fiddled with the tusks a bit.

I originally sanded the piece to 400 but decided to sand to 220 this time. The loose tenons/tusks took forever to sand and detail.

Fuming Time

I have always wanted to try this. Two years ago I had a student whose dad owned a blueprint shop. He gave me a large bottle of super strength ammonia. I had bought an ammonia respirator in preparation for the job.

I build a simple tent from pine scraps and then stapled plastic to the outside.

I donned long sleeves, my respirator, chemical gloves, and goggles.

I poured two bowls of ammonia.

and stuck them under the tent.

The color change happened almost immediately.

We kept watch over it and then after about 3.5 hours we removed the tent.

I poured the spent ammonia into a large bucket of water.

I took the piece back to the shop to air out for the night. That stuff is wicked! Even with a respirator.

In the finewoodworking article, author Kevin Rodel indicates that the final finish will darken the piece while warming it up.

We will see. I plan on shellac and dark wax.