Cuda1949

Okay back at it. Today I started building my life boats using basswood that I shaped sanded. I am in the process of planking them. I plan to cover the tops with white canvas material and then mounting them on the ship. I also built the braces or stands for the lifeboats as well as a jig for bending the planks. I have also continued doing the running rigging, I learned a valuable lesson from this to have everything done on the deck prior to rigging the ship. 

Well, this week didn't exactly go according to plan....
I did receive the portable a/c unit I had purchased on Monday and let it sit upright overnight (as recommended). I began installation Tuesday morning and by noon had the exhaust hose port & cover located and hose in place. Got the unit in place and turned it on. Well it kicked the breaker 3 times so I put in a 20Amp CB. Kicked that twice. Shut it off, called Black & Decker and then Amazon. Both said "send it back - full refund". So, Tuesday a.m. UPS picks it up and there we are - still hot & humid and sweating like a pig!!! Do pigs really sweat? I don't think so!!! Amazon, by the way, was very responsive to having me return it for a full refund + a promotional bonus for the trouble, so I can't fault them. 
I went back to further research this item and found that others had actually posted the same problems and really put the KIBosh on this model. I should have seen this, but was reading favorable reviews on the B&D website, not Amazon. My Bad, right?
So, one the refund is credited, etc. I will more than likely purchase a Whynter port. a/c w/heat that has gotten very good reviews/ratings and will be somewhat oversized for my sq. footage, but this may be compensated by the very hot/humid weather when everything is considered.
In the meantime I received 2 bookcases and have now assembled them and located & loaded them up! I have one more on order and hopefully will have enough shelf space to contain everything. I hope so!! Today I finished two scratch built sliding drawers on either side of my workbench station. The drawers were a couple that I had been hanging on to for a while, so now they've found a home!

I will probably make a couple partitions in each drawer for small tools & accessories that I use frequently. I'm working in the cooler mornings and evenings until the a/c situation can be concluded satisfactorily. As you can see, the worksurface is a complete mess - chaos at its finest!!! But, things will get stowed, it's just a matter of deciding what goes where, etc. I do hope to at least get one more good coat of floor paint down before too long and before more things take up space. Maybe next week might be a good time for that.
With the fall Beaufort, NC Wooden Boat Show now officially cancelled, I have a bit more time to do my repairs on NEW JERSEY before starting on a completely new project (USS STODDARD DD-566). So, construction continues, although at a slower pace, etc.

Back from the coast. All seemed to be in order; we didn't see any damage, i.e. - beyond what Florence caused and has still to be replaced/repaired/rebuilt. Most places were open, req'd. masks, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Visited with the New Bern Model Maker's Guild on Sat. for their monthly meeting and had a great time.
 
My new LED Architect's Lamp was waiting for me, so I got that hooked up and amid all the clutter, should work well on the cool white setting:

Of course, it's a bit hard to see - but, it should work fine once things are stowed away properly and the area ready for construction. I think I will try it with the included mounting bracket before I start drilling holes all over the place and then cry a lotEvery thing in it's own good time, right?

Pat,
Well, speaking of pegboards, I just finished a 2nd one (2'Hx3'L) and got it hung on the side wall behind a couple benchtop tools. Couple days at the coast and then back to shop work next week!!! Also, going to visit the New Bern NC model club at their Aug. meeting on Sat. noon. See what those pirates are up to these days!!!

Ken,
Thanks, I appreciate it!!! Yes, getting closer each week. Unpacking things will be a chore - sorting out and categorizing will take some time - I don't want to have to do it twice. But, no-one's timing this, so who cares, right?
Hank

Did a little clean up today, more un packing, and storms off & on, so I'm looking now for workbench lights. I've surveyed my stash of half dozen various desk lamps, etc. and have decided to donate the lot to Habitat Re-store. I did mount my old round fluorescent fixture on the back of the drafting table, but I may replace it eventually, also. Looking for LED worktable lamps (w/long bulb, etc.) as the brighter & smaller lamps are the way to go. I'm mainly concerned about the mounts. Roger Pellett mentioned a while back about a metal bracket he had made so he could move his lamps as needed. Great idea, Rog. !!! I'm thinking of possibly 3 lamps and 6 metal mounting plates to be located along the workbench at the back, out of the way. My machinist friend could make these easily for me - he's just finished a seat mounting plate for my wife's artist chair (came from Amazon - wrong size for wrong chair, go figure, right?). 6 or so 2" sq. plates would be a breeze for him. My only concern is that the 1/2" dia. hole for the lamp's mounting pin should really have a collar below it welded to the plate. I guess the first thing would be to decide on the lamp fixture, purchase them, and then make the plate/collar to suit; that sounds like a plan to me!! So, anyhow - here's the shop today:

So, we'll see what happens next week...

I have enjoyed your journey it looks great you have created a masterpiece. So when can I expect you to come up here and do mine. LOL.
Actually i have kept a space in my shed (Garage) for my desk at the end of my work bench.  Hope to move in  the fall.
 

I have enjoyed your journey it looks great you have created a masterpiece. So when can I expect you to come up here and do mine. LOL.
Actually i have kept a space in my shed (Garage) for my desk at the end of my work bench.  Hope to move in  the fall.
 

Thanks, Roger!!!
 
Wed. night - Well, today I order a portable a/c unit for the shop - Black & Decker 14k BTU w/heat - got a used "very good condition" (small cosmetic blemishes on top/sides) from Amazon at a good savings over buying the same item as brand new. So, in a week or so we'll see if this pans out. I read reviews, did research, and watched an installation video of the basic unit which sort of sold me on it. Not a whole lot of affordable ones out there sized for my shop and including heat. Today/tonight I got the ceiling finished and then started work on a wrap-around shelf that will go 12" below the top of the walls on one side - for my collection of annual gas tanker trucks, etc. Here is the shop as of evening:

So, depending on the weather and The Admiral tomorrow, my schedule is flexible....!

Well, today was kind of a catch-up day of sorts:
Got the shelf along the partition/long wall painted & installed. Began, assembling framed artwork & such and grouping into subject matter for hanging, etc. Had to break during the hot afternoon, but returned to work there this evening. Thunderstorms tonight, welcome cooldown from the day! Starting to open boxes and get things sorted out, all along with putting up more shelves and so forth. So, it's an organized mess!!!
May have more pix tomorrow late or evening as things progress.

Da ding be dere!!! Of course, once the interior work is completed, I'll roll another coat of paint prior to actual usage of the shop - I gots a whole gallon to use!!!!
Well, this a.m. the HVAC Guy shows up on time, removes the old mini-split and installs the new one - only here 2 hours or so and it's cooing things quite nicely!!!! While he's not experienced with portable a/c units, I gave him a tour of my shop and mentioned my plans for a port. a/c w/heat and he thought that this might be an excellent choice given size, windows, etc. So, I'm in the research mode on that end of things.
This afternoon I did the the 2 LED lite fixtures installed and they are working great!!! It's really bright in there with the new fixtures turned on. The two units come with std. B/W/G leads that need to be connected to the power source (110v or 120v - normal elec. supply current. So, having a spare, unused #12 wire coming from the junction box in the attic space above the shop ceiling, I ran that to a new std. receptacle box (1st Picture below). I had two unused older extension cords (3 prong) and I cut off the female ends of both cords, stripped the wires and connected them to the leads (b/w/g) in each of the LED units with wire nuts. So, after drilling a 1 1/2" dia. hole in the ceiling for each lite fixture, I ran the cord thru the hole to connect to the new receptacle box. Once I put the covers on each of the fixtures, I then secured them to the ceiling and returned to the next receptacle box. I wired a new dual receptacle, put the cover on and plugged in the cords. Operating off the wall switch, everything was on!!! (2nd Picture below). So, tonight I plan to get the remaining ceiling panel in place and then do touch up on paint, etc.
 
Once the ceiling is finished, I'll concentrate on other things in the shop itself - HVAC, getting tools arranged, things unpacked, etc. Then, possibly address the exterior painting, roof, etc. 

Everything looks prim and proper from here, Hank.  I hope it doesn't upset you the first time you get sawdust on the floor. It will be like getting the first ding in a new car.

Oh, Pat - da deck be scuffed!!! Fer Shur@!!!!!! But, I appreciate the comment as I've strived to get it as neat and clean as possible. Of course, just walking in the shop draws dirt - just like Pigpen and his sandbox!!!!
 
Evening work: I put down a single 3' wide strip of construction paper in the center of the shop while I'm working on the LED fixtures. Made progress tonight and have one unit ready to go. Once I've wired the 2nd unit, I'll do the attic wiring and then locate the connection points for the fixtures. With the HVAC guy coming in the morning to work on the house, I probably won't get out to the shop until late. 

The Admiral's RFO has been postponed until such time as I'm able to "properly" amend her digital calendar; my first attempt at sliding in an unscheduled visit w/o being caught was unsuccessful and I was duly introduced to "The Cat" - I should be able to regain full usage of my shoulders, neck, and right ear (her aim is not that precise!) in good time.🥵

I have enjoyed your journey it looks great you have created a masterpiece. So when can I expect you to come up here and do mine. LOL.
Actually i have kept a space in my shed (Garage) for my desk at the end of my work bench.  Hope to move in  the fall.
 

Friday night:
I'm beat!!! Worked all day in the garage yesterday/today on the display unit for PEACOCK and also worked in the shop on finishing the installation of the floor panels. So, it's been a tiring, but rewarding week - the floor paneling is completed and tomorrow a.m. I will fill the screw holes, cracks, imperfections, etc. with Durham's and continue to move scrap lumber and assorted "stuff" to our small shed (now storage). I will then sand the floor panels and paint - perhaps Sunday; I think tomorrow is already covered up. The Admiral helped me carry out the display/shelving unit to the shop and we got it located and I then got it leveled. It is now piled up with "stuff" that will need to be properly stowed once the book shelves are located (perhaps next week, I hope). So, here's today's progress:

The picture on the left - (PEACOCK's new homeport) is 5'Lx2'Wx44"H and will handle her case to a tee! Middle/Right pictures - floor paneling maybe looks haphazard, but I manage to use as much already cut panels without wasting too much and actually have 2 panels to return to the store!
 
Gardener's beware - if you don't have some sort of perimeter fencing around your pole/bush beans the deer will get them!!! They wiped out our whole raised bed of beans 2 nights ago (I was blaming the bunnies🥺, but after catching a doe in the act this a.m., I apologized to the Bun.E. Corps. et al!!!

I don't know about vacuums, but Lt. Smokey abhors traveling ANYWHERE!!! However, the vet's visit was a real success - after a year of diabetic insulin shots daily, The Lt. has been declared in Diabetic Remission and was duly rewarded with minced chicken upon arrival at home port!! Coxswain duties concluded for a while....
 
Today I'll be working on the shelving system in the garage and then possibly more floor work in the shop this evening (did likewise last night). Heat/humidity have sort of wrung me out and I'm trying to stay cool while still getting something accomplished. I may get the shelving unit painted today and then get the two lower shelves cut to size and also painted. That's the plan. It's almost noon and already the heat/humidity is here for the day.
 
Managed to get 3 floor panels cut, drilled, & installed last night; so, progress, albeit slowly, is being made. Now, I have "stuff" to rearrange again before any futher floor work.

Pat,
Thanks! Well, unlike yours that was empty and then gradually got filled, mine was "stuffed" from the outset and I'm trying to thin out "stuff" while having to deal with it during construction!!! If it were up to ME.....that entire loft would be Deep Sixed tomorrow!!! 😪, But, alas it is not up to me.....
I too like tools, gadgets, instruments, anything that has moving parts, etc. and makes a noise, so I know what you're up against. The new sell-it-yourself apps for smart phones really come in handy when it's time to cull the herd!
 
Tonight I got baseboards cut & installed all around to the back (workbench). The humidity drove me back to the house and I'll pick up tomorrow a.m. with flooring, etc. I may even get the Kelvinator located and cranked up and see if she still works!!
 

Thanks, Roger!!! Always good to have a pat on the back!!!
Fri. Afternoon - Well, my 2 hour mission to Lowe's for flooring panels was a success!! So, I now have 14 more 2'x4' panels ** ready to be sized, drilled, and installed. This morning, as noted above, I did get the remainder of the floor painted with both coats of paint after vacuuming, etc. I now have paper rolled out to keep my feet from gumming up the works! I plan to start on the remainder of the floor panels this evening. It's in the 90s, somewhat showery (nice!), but extreme humidity and I need to cool down a bit. So, perhaps after grilled chops & fresh white corn on the cob I'll be stoked for more work! Will post pix sometime tomorrow.
 
** By purchasing the 4'x4' panels (@ $17.78) I saved $4.90 over buying (2) 2'x4' panels (@11.34) - this is also before deducting my 10% military discount. I should have been buying the 4'x4' panels all along!!! I also had Lowe's cut the panels in half at no charge!!! What a deal!!!!

Thursday Evening Update:
Well, I DID get the remaining installed floor panels sanded tonight, found a couple screw holes I'd missed, and puttied them. So-o-o, tomorrow a.m. I will vacuum the floor and then paint. I've decided to go to Lowe's and get them to cut enough of their 4'x4' panels into 2'x4' for me to finish the job. I've resisted this simply on a time basis, but will bit the time clock bullet and if it takes an hour or so, so be it. I'll have my wood and be somewhat ahead on the cost. So, here's tonight's work:

I will also re-roll a couple small portions of the floor where dirty spots have developed from tracking in stuff from outside. With weather in the 90s I don't think it will take long for the paint (2 coats) to dry solid. Anyhow, that's the "plan"!!!

Well, today has been a mixed bag - got a couple things accomplished, but not what I had intended to do. So, realizing that there is no actual schedule, I guess progress is progress regardless, right?
 
With the help of my nautical neighbor, we got the drafting table mated to the board and then I put up my 2nd cork board and some small pen & ink sketches of sailing ships:

I have once again moved "stuff" out of the way in order to belt sand the unpainted floor panels tonight after supper and then prep for painting. An earlier trip to Lowe's today was a total bust; I guess I'll have to break down and actually cross the river to visit stores in W-S in hopes of securing the necessary panels to finish the job. So it goes.....🥵

Dr. Per,
Yes, your comments are very true - and, things change. Basically, I'm fairly close to ending up with what I originally planned to build, but with a few changes. If I can get the needed flooring panels in a day or so, I think I will be able to finish the floor by mid-next week. I've got my 2 lite fixtures but will wait to install them after the floor is finished completely. After that it is mainly painting odds & ends and then moving a couple items around to their perm. positions AND finding space in my smaller shed for storage of wood scrapes/pieces, building supplies not needed (can't be returned, etc.), and then moving PEACOCK, NEW JERSEY, and AVS to their new homes. Oh, I also need to build a 2 tier 24" wide bookshelf/base for PEACOCK (Case - 60"x26"x42") which I've already got simple ideas in my mind as to how to do that without a large amount of fuss/time. I'm going to incorporate my small refrigerator into one end of the unit under the model!
So, I'm hoping that sometime in early August I will actually be able to do some maintenance on NEW JERSEY and then clear the decks for beginning USS STODDARD (DD-566). At least, that's my intent. Outside painting and possible roof replacement will come when I have time/money. I have the paint, but won't worry about it at the moment. Also, the HVAC will need to be purchased and that may come next. We'll see!!!
Hank

Maury, Maury....where have you been??? The shed has been full all along!!! I have to move "stuff" in order to do construction. So, now more stuff would only compound the already existing problem!!
 
Tues. noon update - I've filled all the "visible" screw holes/cracks (not joints, BTW!) - I still have many that are covered by "stuff" and will move things around this afternoon in order to fill those in before beginning another assault on the remaining paneling.
 
Tues. evening update - Well, no panels to be had today. The woodcutters at Lowe's must be out with the COVIDs or something along those lines. Maybe tomorrow; however got screws and Liq. Nails, so I'm only lacking the boards! Worked on a couple other areas of interest this evening before calling it quits. All the putty in the floor should be hard by tomorrow a.m. 

One thing I've noticed since moving from close to a city to just outside a small town, the folks are friendlier; sometimes to the point of (dare I say it??) wasting my time with all the fussing about this and that - but, certainly more welcome than what you find in the metro areas - I'll leave it at that.
So, tonight I finished using what paneling I had on hand and may begin tomorrow by mixing up some Durham's and filling in screw holes and other imperfections. Here's the shop tonight:

I've used 29 of the 2x4 panels and 8 of the 2x2 panels - my orig. estimate was for 40 of the 2x4 panels; we'll see how many it actually takes.

Buy 4X8 sheets and have them cut them down to 2x4 or 2x8 for you, much cheaper.