Reno in process

So now I'm deeply occupied  into my basement reno process and anything else kind of drifted away. Reading, watching YouTube, reading again, asking question. And again Home depot is a bad place to ask questions - you will get or bad answer or stupid question back to your inquiry. That one was the joke of the day... A few days ago I'd bought reciprocating saw, not the best quality, so the blade waved just after a few uses. I've decided to buy better more expensive blade, but wasn't sure if it would work with my saw. I've picked up a few blades and stopped the customer service guy in front of boxes of "my saw" and asked if these blades will work with this saw, because the originals just waved after a few uses. The guy looked at me, probably thinking that I should be blonde (well... I wasn't) and asked me "Do you know that saw goes back and forth?" ....No comments... right? So I didn't, I just asked "Can you answer just one word - "Yes" or "No" if THIS blade works with THIS saw?" I've got right answer and left HD as soon as I can. I know that I will be returning there (it's the closed to my home), but the best is do research on line, then grab needed product and done with that.

And here we had a few visual illustrations about the work flow:

1. Framing work of the exterior wall, as always supervised by Archie the PITA is that I don't have good driver or framing gun and all screwed holes should be pre-drilled :o( but furring is done and almost the framing...

2. Here you adapt your two hands and smart ideas, when need four hands:o) vacuuming and working with  the saw and no dust.

 

3. For my dream shower we need to move the entrance door, so the demolition days and cleaning after too

4. Plumbing is done by professional (two things that I'll never touch is - electrical and plumbing), but concrete pouring is my part (and Archie must check my every step:o) and from leftovers of concrete - concrete bowl. It was the last minute spur. I remembered from some forum idea about two guys making beautiful bowls here the link

 4. It appears that to find mini sink in reasonable price range is practically impossible, so I decided to make myself custom made concrete mini sink, that will be glass mosaic inside and outside .... I need to think. Will show the result when I done. The process pretty much simple: two plastic containers from the dollar store, pvc pipe that's equal strainer's diameter, modeling clay, oil spray. There are two ways of pouring - in or out.  I decided on "out" - filled the bigger container with the concrete and pushed in the small one.

Reno prep mode

It's been awhile from the last post:o)))

Right now I'm in my basement's renovation prep mode. The first was - measuring and drafting of my "dream basement", it's still in "dream" stage because didn't get any approval from plumber if it's possible concept. Asking knowledgeable friends 1001 questions, reading mighty internet about framing, insulation and etc. The big job was to empty that workshop/TV/storage room. Felting table and kiln went last:o)) Checked any possible moisture problems - non whatsoever :o) that is a good sign. The biggest problem - one and only wall that I need to cover (frame and insulate) is sooo uneven=curved at all perimeter, that I'm not surprised why previous owners left it be. We just were too "green" to understand definition of finished basement and took white painted concrete walls as  good:o)) you live and learn:o) Now I'm in 2x3 and 2x2 and furring strips and soffit making plans. Learnt all new vocabulary. I come to lumber store and as seasoned professional with straight face can tell "I need 15 2x3 for basement furring" or " Do you have pressure treated 2x3?" or " I need not finger jointed 2x3, just SPF":o)))) Ha... mighty internet - free university :o) Right now when I know something about basement reno I can tell that whatever I'll do it will be improvement, because so far what I see (and not) it's done sooo bad that "Holmes on Homes" would be very welcome to help:o)))

 This is a dream draft:o)) And this what I'd found behind build-in book shelfs

 All wall to all directions- wavy 

  Who told that insulation should be behind the drywall - nonsense! Archie helping to check moisture problems under the old vinyl - approved:o)

Meanwhile ...

Finished for somebody "dream/custom made slippers" I hope she will like them, because it took a lot of time and a lot of emails to create the end product:o)))

Also finished my "Folded necklace". When I made the bracelet my friend told "nice necklace" - ops..:o) then I thought that necklace should look good too. So I did.