The Home Improvement Thread - Page 25 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Clarkey · 07-19-2015, 08:47 AM

That looks great. how did you sand the parts up against the wall and stair riser? How did you coat them?

EldrickOnIce · 07-19-2015, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clarkey

That looks great. how did you sand the parts up against the wall and stair riser? How did you coat them?

Stripped, didn't sand. Scraped them with a hand scraper. Had to sharpen scraper several times with a grinder. Everything now is low/no voc, expect strippers. Nasty, stinky job. Hand sanded after first coat on both dark stain and everything white cover stained. Sanded white a couple times- was pretty anal about that, but left perfect surfaces. The hardest part really was the steady hand required to edge every step/rise... frustrating lol.

V · 07-19-2015, 06:38 PM

Well it looks effing awesome, so probably worth the trouble. Like you said, though, it looks too good, now you have to improve everything around it.

EldrickOnIce · 07-19-2015, 09:18 PM

The only caution I would add to anyone considering doing something like this is it would have been nearly impossible to do a quality job if the railing/bannister was glued.
There is 56 spindles. To first scrape and then stain around these, top and bottom, and leave clean, professional lines might have been impossible. I got lucky in that I never thought about removing them initially.
The only other thing... it cost me $15 per spindle to have them spray stained in paint shop (I supplied stain/lacquer). The entire project would have cost only about $300 had I not outsourced that, but the spindles look like glass, so it was worth it in the end. Did have it quoted @ 5k for staircase alone (no trim) so it will, when finished, be a valuable DIY (mostly).

Hugh Jahrmes · 07-19-2015, 09:43 PM

Very impressive upgrade, even coming in around a grand seems like a total steal.

Unrelated, has anyone with no previous experience ever installed stone or brick veneer (inside)? I'm looking to jazz up my master bedroom with a brick wall and make a stone accent area for TV/fireplace in one of the living areas. I have a friend who moved away who keeps telling me to just go for it and it's simple, but he also could probably build a house from the ground up.

Just wondering if there are any horror stories/tips/stuff to avoid.

EldrickOnIce · 07-19-2015, 09:58 PM

If you are talking stack stone kind of stuff (all stone facade, no 'mortar' lines), it's easy. From the work you have done and showed here, you'd have absolutely no problem at all. There's an art to 'real' stone mason stuff that I'd personally be scared to tackle. The beauty of Stone is it is perfect in its imperfections.
Do it

Fuzz · 07-20-2015, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

The only caution I would add to anyone considering doing something like this is it would have been nearly impossible to do a quality job if the railing/bannister was glued.
There is 56 spindles. To first scrape and then stain around these, top and bottom, and leave clean, professional lines might have been impossible. I got lucky in that I never thought about removing them initially.
The only other thing... it cost me $15 per spindle to have them spray stained in paint shop (I supplied stain/lacquer). The entire project would have cost only about $300 had I not outsourced that, but the spindles look like glass, so it was worth it in the end. Did have it quoted @ 5k for staircase alone (no trim) so it will, when finished, be a valuable DIY (mostly).

How much do spindles cost? Maybe for some it would be cheaper to just buy new ones.

calgarygeologist · 07-20-2015, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Jahrmes

Very impressive upgrade, even coming in around a grand seems like a total steal.

Unrelated, has anyone with no previous experience ever installed stone or brick veneer (inside)? I'm looking to jazz up my master bedroom with a brick wall and make a stone accent area for TV/fireplace in one of the living areas. I have a friend who moved away who keeps telling me to just go for it and it's simple, but he also could probably build a house from the ground up.

Just wondering if there are any horror stories/tips/stuff to avoid.

I did a brick backsplash in my wet bar and it was very easy. I bought some thin brick veneer from a place called Stone Concept on Blackfoot Trail. It is a reclaimed brick that they slice the face from to create thin pieces that are really easy to install. Because of it being reclaimed it adds a lot of character.

I have also done a backsplash using the groutless stacking stone tiles. That turned out pretty well but I would personally never do a very tall wall installation with those. The stacking stone pieces are quite heavy and I would be worried about not installing them properly and having the stones fall over.

woob · 07-20-2015, 01:54 PM

Posted this "Looking For" in the CP Power Ring, but thought I'd link it here too in case someone has a recommendation.

LF: Bobcat service & hauling/delivery.

woob · 07-26-2015, 04:21 PM

Got my bobcat work done.

Doing a 4inch floor in my garage (previous dirt floor) and am now doing the prep work for concrete. I've read both 12inch spacing for rebar and 16inch spacing. Anyone have any experience and/or recommendation on rebar spacing?

Fuzz · 07-26-2015, 09:54 PM

Who did you use for bobcat work, and were you happy? I need some dirt removed.

woob · 07-27-2015, 09:12 AM

Meh, mostly happy but I'm not sure I'd recommend again.

Fuzz · 07-27-2015, 10:09 AM

Ok, thanks. Will look around.

Wormius · 07-27-2015, 09:56 PM

Anybody have experience with using / renting plate compactors? I am looking at renting one, but not sure if one will even fit in my car. I have both a hatchback and a Rav4.

Hugh Jahrmes · 07-28-2015, 07:07 AM

Not sure what kinda cabin space the RAV4 has with the seats down, but I know that the one I rented from Home Depot when I did my retaining wall last summer wouldn't have fit in my ex's old Tahoe, was definitely job for my truck.

I love things that require my truck.. Since everybody drives pickups needlessly I've noticed it's become cool to ask people "what they even -really- need one for".. Rattling off a solid recent list is stupid, but so is thinking, caring or asking about things I buy.

You Need a Thneed · 07-28-2015, 09:32 AM

Slowly but surely getting more and more done on my kitchen:

Installed the exhuast duct through the exterior wall yesterday evening.

Wormius · 07-28-2015, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Jahrmes

Not sure what kinda cabin space the RAV4 has with the seats down, but I know that the one I rented from Home Depot when I did my retaining wall last summer wouldn't have fit in my ex's old Tahoe, was definitely job for my truck.

I love things that require my truck.. Since everybody drives pickups needlessly I've noticed it's become cool to ask people "what they even -really- need one for".. Rattling off a solid recent list is stupid, but so is thinking, caring or asking about things I buy.

Yeah, the one time I need a truck

At least Roger's offers delivery, so saved me the hassle of renting a truck and all that jazz.

You Need a Thneed · 07-29-2015, 12:28 AM

Bench for our banquette table, live edge sycamore, 3" thick, 14-16" deep.

It's just going to be lacquered. We attempted staining a scrap piece, but didn't like the results, so it's not going to be stained.

EldrickOnIce · 07-29-2015, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Jahrmes

Not sure what kinda cabin space the RAV4 has with the seats down, but I know that the one I rented from Home Depot when I did my retaining wall last summer wouldn't have fit in my ex's old Tahoe, was definitely job for my truck.

I love things that require my truck.. Since everybody drives pickups needlessly I've noticed it's become cool to ask people "what they even -really- need one for".. Rattling off a solid recent list is stupid, but so is thinking, caring or asking about things I buy.

Ha. What is interesting is when you come down east. Here in Montreal, maybe 1 in 100 people drive a pickup.
Takes some getting used to, and ducks for Renos!

surferguy · 07-31-2015, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Jahrmes

Very impressive upgrade, even coming in around a grand seems like a total steal.

Unrelated, has anyone with no previous experience ever installed stone or brick veneer (inside)? I'm looking to jazz up my master bedroom with a brick wall and make a stone accent area for TV/fireplace in one of the living areas. I have a friend who moved away who keeps telling me to just go for it and it's simple, but he also could probably build a house from the ground up.

Just wondering if there are any horror stories/tips/stuff to avoid.

Ive done this - let me know if you want details.