Halloween home reno update

Shame on me for not thinking to take photos dueling daylight hours. Here's a quick run down on the progress:

Sideburnz saw quiver includes a reciprocating saw (cordless) 2 circular saws (one corded and one cordless), a table saw, a compound miter saw, and a Husqy chain saw.  The cordless saws just arrived on Monday, so we haven't put them to good use yet.  The Husqy saw some action last Monday. The offending branch on our mango tree is history. Liberty mutual will be pleased.  The quiver of saws has motivated Sideburnz to build a picnic table.  His favorite retailer, ReUse Hawaii had two 18 ft rough sawn genuine 2x10s. We have enough wood for the top, just need more for supports.  We have genuine 2x4s in the carport that might make good benches.  The construction is slated for next Monday.

I have been on a major door campaign.  All entry doors (4 of them!) were hollow/weathered/termite chewed/all of the above. 3 new doors are installed.  The back door is last on the list because that one has to change from opening out to opening in.  We decided the exterior hinge pins were not a security asset.

I am also on a campaign to rid the house of the last stink: removing carpet from the middle bedroom. It would be as easy as just hauling it out, but why waste a perfectly cut drop cloth? Its actually more complicated than it seems.  Last weekend was phase 1: air conditioner removal, window and screen installation.  You should see the rust holes in the air conditioner. scary. The window installation was 90% perfect. I cut the jalousie hardware to fit the window. Chiseled out part of the window sill to make it fit really nice. Secured it. And then found out that my jalousie panes were 1/8 in too long!  I bought a glass cutter at city mill, even though the sales guy said I couldn't cut jalousie panes.  He was wrong.  I had one casualty (the pane, not me), and I am still short 3 panes, but the window is installed.

I think the crowning moment of the window experience was making the screen. City mill wanted $50 for a custom screen.  I knew I could do better. I made a custom screen frame from scrap wood (34 in x 48 in frame) and primed it.  While it was drying I dug through the sewing boxes. Lo and behold, a scrap of army surplus bug net that is just a little bigger than 34x48. Golden.  Once the primer was dry, I stapled the bug net to the frame and ta-da! a nearly free screen.  It even fit perfectly.  It looks a little weird because the bug net had seams in it, but it goes well with the 3rd class jalousie panes and salvaged jalousie hardware.  At least the bugs and most of the rain will stay out.

Things are progressing slowly, but the progress is satisfying.  I will try to remember to take photos in the daylight.  Then you'll really be able to see the progress.