Pandemic Projects October 13, 2020, 10:58:10 am Since I've been pretty much stuck in one location since April, I've been working on a few projects to keep from going insane with boredom.So far I've:Built an under bed shoe storageInstalled vinyl plank tile "wood" throughout the RVInstalled (and grouted for extra water protection) vinyl "travertine" tile the bathroomFinally built my version of Andy Baird's Pantry (still need to build a door though)Next on the list is painting the walls of the rear bedroom/lounge area of my MB.What projects are the rest of you up to? 25 Likes
Re: Pandemic Projects Reply #1 – October 13, 2020, 11:07:49 am Impressive ambition and skill sets; looks great! Good on ya! 1 Likes
Re: Pandemic Projects Reply #2 – October 13, 2020, 01:27:27 pm Very nice work, Deb!About that pantry door, here's a tip: finding good plywood that stays flat can be difficult. At the suggestion of a friend, I bought a sheet of 1/4" hardwood-veneer plywood, cut two identical pieces, and glued them back to back to make a 1/2" thick door for Skylark's pantry. That almost completely eliminated the warping problem. 8 Likes
Re: Pandemic Projects Reply #3 – October 13, 2020, 03:14:31 pm Quote from: Andy Baird - October 13, 2020, 01:27:27 pmVery nice work, Deb!About that pantry door, here's a tip: finding good plywood that stays flat can be difficult. At the suggestion of a friend, I bought a sheet of 1/4" hardwood-veneer plywood, cut two identical pieces, and glued them back to back to make a 1/2" thick door for Skylark's pantry. That almost completely eliminated the warping problem.Thanks for the compliment and the tip, Andy! I've been eyeing your pantry plan for a long time and was actually willing to pay someone to do it for me. It has been a fun project so far.The box and shelves were the easy part, it's the door I'm still pondering. I'm leaning toward double doors (like the wardrobe closet) because I built a deep unit deeper with 1x6s instead of 1x4s. I'll just have to try your plywood trick and double it. I travelled 4 hours yesterday with the pantry "as is" and it is holding up very well. Thanks again! 3 Likes
Re: Pandemic Projects Reply #5 – October 13, 2020, 03:53:20 pm Deb, just a thought: if the "keeper bars" visible in the photos prevent the contents of the pantry from shifting or falling out while traveling, and exposure to light doesn't harm any contents, going "doorless" is an option. Though it's not a big deal to open and close a cabinet door, access to contents would be more direct without it. I'm sure that some would feel that having a door would provide a more finished look (and prevent nosy people from gaping at what you might have in there! ), but not having to bother with the additional expense and hassle of crafting a door may be appealing. YMMV, as always. 2 Likes
Re: Pandemic Projects Reply #6 – October 13, 2020, 04:08:00 pm Quote from: Joan - October 13, 2020, 03:53:20 pmDeb, just a thought: if the "keeper bars" visible in the photos prevent the contents of the pantry from shifting or falling out while traveling, and exposure to light doesn't harm any contents, going "doorless" is an option. Though it's not a big deal to open and close a cabinet door, access to contents would be more direct without it. I'm sure that some would feel that having a door would provide a more finished look (and prevent nosy people from gaping at what you might have in there! ), but not having to bother with the additional expense and hassle of crafting a door may be appealing. YMMV, as always.Thanks for the suggestion Joan,I have considered going doorless. The extension rods were to be a temporary fix because I needed to make a trip (to vote). Not having doors does make it easy to see and grab what I need right away. I kind of want the doors because it would give me a place to hang some small pieces of artwork (within a recessed panel). Plus, I just bought a router and am itching to use it (any excuse to buy more tools :-) )I can't get to the doors for another 2 weeks. I'll keep thinking about it. No real hurry. 4 Likes
Re: Pandemic Projects Reply #7 – October 13, 2020, 04:08:40 pm Quote from: Jan Forseth - October 13, 2020, 03:44:59 pmYou are *handy* Deb!!!Former Habitat for Humanity volunteer. :-) 5 Likes
Re: Pandemic Projects Reply #8 – October 13, 2020, 04:13:00 pm My concern with respect to going doorless would be the keeper bars. They appear to be spring-loaded friction-fit ones, and I'm not sure I'd trust them to hold heavy canned goods in place during a hard turn, or on a bumpy road. With so many items in glass jars, anything that falls off a shelf is likely to make a nasty broken-glass-and-liquid mess on the floor. I've had that happen when (other) cupboard doors popped open while underway, and it was not fun cleaning up. Just a thought. 1 Likes
Re: Pandemic Projects Reply #9 – October 13, 2020, 04:15:31 pm "Former Habitat for Humanity volunteer."Good for you... and you obviously picked up quite a few useful skills along the way. Have fun with that new router! :-) 1 Likes
Re: Pandemic Projects Reply #10 – October 13, 2020, 04:38:37 pm Quote from: Andy Baird - October 13, 2020, 04:13:00 pmMy concern with respect to going doorless would be the keeper bars. They appear to be spring-loaded friction-fit ones, and I'm not sure I'd trust them to hold heavy canned goods in place during a hard turn, or on a bumpy road. With so many items in glass jars, anything that falls off a shelf is likely to make a nasty broken-glass-and-liquid mess on the floor. I've had that happen when (other) cupboard doors popped open while underway, and it was not fun cleaning up. Just a thought.Not pictured in the original but I also have some temporary stretch netting attached to a couple of the tension rods to catch the few glass bottles I have. Most of the contents are in plastic with the heaviest items on the bottom and graduating up to the lightest items on the upper shelves. The netting probably won't prevent a fall but will hopefully make the fall more gentle. 1 Likes
Re: Pandemic Projects Reply #11 – October 13, 2020, 04:56:03 pm OK, good point on the "keeper bars". If they are the spring-loaded, friction-fit as Andy said, no, I would not trust those to hold contents in place. I had a couple of those for the refrigerator shelves and dumped them; wimpy, useless items. And, of course, a new tool must be enjoyed! 1 Likes
Re: Pandemic Projects Reply #12 – October 13, 2020, 06:55:29 pm The whole projects look great!! So productive. We have been doing stuff around our house and love your get-it -done attitude. Just a note, I see Los Padres National Forest has opened up except one area. Didn't see the exclusion. Just had email about it. Robin 1 Likes
Re: Pandemic Projects Reply #13 – November 06, 2020, 05:28:38 pm I finally finished my "Andy Baird" pantry cabinet. It's not perfect but I'm not a carpenter and it works for me.It's a 3-panel door so I can hang some artwork. I used 3 hidden soft self-closing hinges. I also used 3 door magnets (top, middle, and bottom). I haven't driven since I completed it (yesterday afternoon), so I may have to make modifications as I go. I also used scrap wood to build a spot for my Travel Berkey in the wardrobe closet. This has been tested with a rough drive and works well. 10 Likes
Re: Pandemic Projects Reply #14 – November 06, 2020, 05:46:44 pm The pantry looks very functional; well-designed and built. Swell job! 2 Likes
Re: Pandemic Projects Reply #16 – November 06, 2020, 09:42:46 pm I think I'd limit the contents to unbreakables for the first 1,000 mile test drive Joel
Re: Pandemic Projects Reply #17 – November 07, 2020, 04:23:11 am Quote from: joel wiley - November 06, 2020, 09:42:46 pmI think I'd limit the contents to unbreakables for the first 1,000 mile test drive JoelI drove about 500 miles "before" I put the door on the pantry, so I think I'm good. :-) 1 Likes
Re: Pandemic Projects Reply #18 – November 07, 2020, 03:19:40 pm Deb,Great Job! You have used your time in a creative and productive way. I hope you will show off your work at the next Morro Bay get together, assuming the virus is under control.Harold 1 Likes
Re: Pandemic Projects Reply #19 – November 07, 2020, 03:58:26 pm Thanks, Harold!I won't be at Morro Bay next year but hope to catch up with everyone at the Balloon Fiesta. :-)
Re: Pandemic Projects Reply #20 – November 07, 2020, 09:26:28 pm Deb, I will look forward to seeing you next time, wherever!Harold 1 Likes
Re: Pandemic Projects Reply #21 – January 31, 2021, 12:16:51 pm Next on the list was servicing my tow bar.I stripped off as much of the flaking paint and sanded the rusting areas. Finally, I taped off the branding and safety instruction stickers and used metallic silver-ish and gloss black Rustoleum to spray on a new finish.Before I painted the arms, I pushed back the rubber boots re-greased them so that they would move more smoothly (no pics as my gloved hands were covered in red grease)I also replaced the safety cables. I painted the ends of one cable red so I don't have to keep figuring out where each one goes when crossing them to connect to my Jeep. 6 Likes
Re: Pandemic Projects Reply #22 – January 31, 2021, 12:39:26 pm DebI am in total awe of your talent and capabilities. If it weren't for the age difference we would make a great team! 2 Likes
Re: Pandemic Projects Reply #23 – January 31, 2021, 12:49:47 pm Quote from: Lazy Bones - January 31, 2021, 12:39:26 pmDebI am in total awe of your talent and capabilities. If it weren't for the age difference we would make a great team! Aww, thanks!Just name the project and I'm there! 2 Likes
Re: Pandemic Projects Reply #24 – January 31, 2021, 01:15:35 pm HI- My wife wants that pantry. Could you send me the specs for it. I'm not very handy but I like to make my wife happy,Thank you 2 Likes