Deck Railing Progress - June 8th, 2012

   Yesterday I finished peeling all the deck railing posts and all but three of the rails. The poles I cut last week looked straighter in the mountains that they do on the peeling rack. I will have to go back for a few more rails. I scribed and carved out each post so they fit tight to the vertical log supports. Each post is labeled with its position on the deck.

    The second picture shows the final fit. I ran a double string line along each side of the deck to help position the posts in relation to the vertical logs. I spaced each post 1/4 inch above the decking so water on the deck cannot wick up into the posts causing damage. I also made sure that each post was as close to vertical as possible. This will make the top and bottom rails in each section the same length, and the spindles will have uniform gaps at both ends on each section.

    The next step is to strap the two posts for each section in place and determine the rail length for that section. I will then pick out the rails, cut them to length, and determine where the two holes should be drilled for the bottom rail. These holes I will drill while the posts are strapped to the log supports. Once the spindles are installed in both upper and lower rails, I will be able to determine where the top holes should be drilled.

    The weather forecast for the next two days is a high of 52 and rain. I'm looking forward to summer!

Peeling Deck Rails and Posts June 4th, 2012

      Today I finally started peeling the poles for the deck posts and rails. I forgot how much fun this part was. I managed to peel and cut to length 23 posts and 8 rails. (Stacked in my trailer) I need 30 of each to complete the deck. I have enough poles to supply the rails for the loft, so I will probably peel those while I am at it. (If I don't expire first) You can see the poles I have to peel on the peeling rack in the background.

     I received a call today from the Butte Silver Bow Courthouse. They have my garage building permit approved. I will pick it up tomorrow.

    I woke up this morning to a downpour. It was very loud as it hit the roof.

    Tree swallows were starting to build a nest in one of the can lights over the deck. The bulb was off center allowing them room to get behind it. I put up another bird house on the deck post and centered all the bulbs over both sides of the deck. The birds have already moved into the birdhouse. They've got my number! They mess with the house and I make them a birdhouse!!!

Basement Wiring MAY 31ST, 2012

After stumbling around the basement at night trying to find the bathroom light switch I decided to wire most of the basement. The first photo shows the exterior lights and one of the two exterior outlets I installed.

This picture shows two of the three can lights I installed inside the basement. I also installed three outlets on the inside wall under the windows. What a difference! I probably should have done this last year like I planned.