Sunday, September 30, 2012

A little to much like work!

It's getting toward winter.  I hate that my building spree will be slowed and finally stopped by the cold weather.  With this in mind, it's time to close in the shop.











After re-framing the entrance to the shop, I wrap the end of the shop with Tyvek.

Getting the siding to fit the crooked lines of the house and shop is a real challenge

Finally, this end of the shop is closed in with a door in place and trim applied and caulked.  The rain and the lateness of the day sent us inside.  I'm really tired after all this activity in one day.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

After 6 "man hours" of sanding of which Karen did at least 4, I have applied a coat of epoxy to the entire surface.  The key to a good coat with no runs is a good roller from West Systems, a moderate amount of epoxy spread evenly (think wall painting). You have to go over the coat with roller about 3 times to even it out and make sure there are no runs.  epoxy applied with brush always runs and must be mopped up with roller!




By rights, a second coat should be applied while the epoxy is "green."  This gives a chemical bond instead of a physical bond that you see with a second coat on a finished coat well sanded.  I'm afraid I don't have time for that as I have to meet Karen at 5p for dinner.  Tonight is ARES meeting and we have to be there early to practice "digital modes" for our upcoming annual "SET" drill (an nationwide Amateur communications disaster simulation drill).

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Now we are focusing on getting Tridarka back up and running.  Karen is hard at work sanding one of the amas.










We got tired of having the ama slide all over the horses so I made a couple of low horses and a jig to secure the amas in the upright position.  Here you see the ama treated with a stripper compound so we can remove the old varnish which is pealing off.  I suspect that it was applied without washing the amine blush off before application.  The sander just wasn't getting it off so hence the stripper.
   Karen has the shop looking nice and clean.  Having a clean and well organized shop makes all the difference in efficiency.










For my dear friends that I left working in 3G/4G CCU. I hope you can see I am enjoying retirement already. Sleeping nights is great.  I want to thank all of you for my two retirement parties.  Special thanks goes out to Phyllis Lowery, Michelle Gray and Nina Stefanie for arrangements.  Thanks to all of you from both 4A/5A and CCU that came to my party at Los Loros. I will always remember you!

Monday, September 17, 2012

My new custom fishing skiff

Here's my redone Porta Bote with casting deck and chair.  Note rod holders and rapid deployment anchor hanger.  The trolling motor is ready to go as well.  All I need is a bait can with aerator. Sea trials coming soon.








This is what it looks like on the water.
Sitting in the casting chair using the trolling motor.