In which no rain, sleet or stupid sn*w will keep us from building the barn
With 8 inches of sloppy white horribleness lingering on the ground, we hunkered down under the roof of our barn today, ready to build ourselves some walls.
Measure twice, cut once.
Right? Or did I get that backwards?
Jim is my expert go-to guy.
There are lots of folks who can't learn to do stuff from family members. I am delighted to report that our family is not that way. Jim even taught me how to crochet a few years ago, although even he has been unable to teach me to knit. There's something about putting two sticks into my hand that causes trouble.
So, here's a secret: before this afternoon, I'd harboured a secret terror of circular saws. I literally had nightmares about them as a kid. Nobody ever told me that it's set up just like a sewing machine!!!!
Wheeeeeeeeeeee! I can do it!!!!
(I know all the capable female readers--FUNDER, I'm talking about you--might not know how great it feels to me, adding a skill like this. Some of y'all are so capable, you blow my doors off.)
We set some of the boards in place, just to check the fit.
We still have to primer + paint each piece before we put it in place permanently.
Here's the door to Hana's new stall!
"Hey, Mama! Hey, Food Guy!
Hurry up and finish building my barn!"
HIFIVE! That's totally awesome - I'm so happy for you! And the barn is looking *great*! (Go Jim too!)
ReplyDeletethat looks awesome, can't wait to watch more progress. i like the gloves too.
ReplyDeletei'm trying to rank the danger of chain saw, table saw, and circular saw. what do you think?
Sorry to butt in...
ReplyDeletelytha, table saws look awesome, but I've read a lot of horror stories about them. If you don't feed the wood in right, it can bind and kick 100 mph spears of wood. I think Euro table saws have the high-end safety measures that make them much safer than our US saws... I can't remember what they're called but I can look it up if you want.
Chainsaws also terrify me. They kick too. I guess circular saws kick - I've had them kick - but I'm just more familiar with them.
That's a lot of plywood! Looks like you've made a really good start at "real" walls!
ReplyDeleteNice work! Having worked with the Noble panel-plywood arrangement, I must say that the hardest past is holding them in just the right position to get the holes all drilled for the dandy little fastener bolts. You could probably also work on that until the #*^%# weather cooperates for painting.
ReplyDeleteAs for saws, I agree, a circular saw is what I'm most familiar and comfortable with. I got a table saw a few years back for a flooring job I haven't yet started (tho Funder has inspired me to try for this summer). I did use it a little, with an experienced friend, when I put the barn doors together, and had no problems. I personally think a chain saw is the most dangerous, because it has NO spatial controls (the table and guide of a table saw, the sheet of plywood you are cutting with the circ saw), they are heavier and bigger and more awkward than the others, have MUCH more blade, and a lot of stupid people who think they know what they're doing are often attached to the handle.
Aaaaaagh, a reminder that any saw will kick, over at Drafts with Dots.
ReplyDeleteTakeaway lessons: don't hold the blade guard up unless you need to. Get a sharp blade, they make such a difference! Know the most likely area the saw's going to kick toward and don't freakin stand there!
You have cured me of my circular saw anxiety. You're right. They're just like sewing machines! pshaw. We can do that.
ReplyDeleteAnd WAY TO GO!!
I agree with Funder on safety. I've had no problems with my table saw, but I also use all the safety equipment, make sure the blade is not higher than it needs to be, and use the feeder.
As an extra measure, I note where the knots are on the wood. Saw is most likely to kick when it hits a knot. Avoid cutting through them when possible.
Best post title ever ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's good to be a little leery of circular saws and other power tools -- like horses, they have a powerful kick. You have to learn to work by their rules and then they are useful.
ReplyDeleteIt's tools like the chalk line that really amaze me, though. Every time I snap one, i am amazed -- what a simple, brilliant device!
I have barn-envy and I don't even have a horse.
ReplyDelete