Things I've helped build

I'm not an electrician, but I have pulled a lot of wire and figured out a few rat's nests in my time. For this house, I was the puller of wire, driller of holes, and follower of instructions. Lots of romex, high ceilings, many walls, long days. Later, I installed many outlets and switches.               Unraveled a few rat's nests too. A few aftermarket car stereo installations: problem solving and soldering.                 And one really huge, super fancy LED display...never again!                

A full remodel, and I was part of a crew of 'jack-of-all tradesmen' doing all manner of tasks. It's hard to keep doing the job AND remember to take photos. So, here's a sampling. Know that this project started by sweeping up the needles from the floor of the building that used to be here. Ship-lap cedar panel, spray stained by yours truly and attached one at a time. A team effort for sure! In process...don't underestimate how tricky the underside can be! Floating shelves! What's holding them up? Big ass screws, that's what!  You know, getting all those acoustic panels to fit snugly between ceiling joists that we not parallel was no easy feat. Neither was the tight fitting wall paneling. Shelves getting drilled for hanging. Nice paint job! Oh, so many planks! Hung a few windows. Oh, this door! All three of us to get that one in! See? Heavy!!! (and tight fitting) That's me. Living the dream, I suppose. It was March in Austin--not too hot yet--and I was hav...

I do enjoy making art! Here is a simple, but delightful project. A most pleasant elevator foyer. Art, as in the placement of these disks, is so often and in the moment thing. If I do say so, Nick and I had a good moment that morning calling placement of the disks. A closer look. Hand-painted. Carefully painted...I am continually surprised how much time, effort, and care can go into what appear to be very simple presentations. Slices of trees, they are. Good looking rings!     Mixed feelings.                                                           Such a use for trees? Well.... Beats stick-built, spec-houses everyday!  And uses way less material... This machine is called a part sander. 

 Now, this is where it's at! Custom fabrication, not so gritty, paid well, great clients! Click for some Love and Rockets

 A horse turn-out Lots of shoveling that day! Sand and gravel. Allow me to introduce you to Shawn. This man is incredible! He can build and/or repair pretty much anything. He also has the hands of a healer. I learned so much from working with him, and that learning continues, even without the work. Not just about building skills and practices, but about integrity. The dome house Painting the dome house, west of Austin. This was a dawn 'til noon kinda job. Come high noon, it was not only unsafe to be on that roof--what with the Texas heat and all--the paint quit behaving properly--what with the Texas heat and all. Fancy Flooring 11,000 pounds of hardwood flooring carried by hand up the stairs in one day! Come 3PM, I was pretty sure that I was going to die. Come 6PM, I felt good about what we'd accomplished. This pic and next, a bit of before and after. The next four pictures, especially the last one, I want you to behold the master work of Shawn. Scribe cutting floor planks is n...