neohic

Yup. This is the back and forth.

Lighting is something I haven’t completely finalized. Over and under the loft is figured but the main area changes depending on the day. I’d like to keep things looking mostly “old-timey” but there’s not a whole lot of efficient fixtures by the standards of today that have the feel of something vintage. I really like old stuff. I won’t sacrifice looks for amazing lighting though.

It’s never too early to start planning! I had almost two years of planning before I broke ground. Since before day one I already had it in my head what things would look like finished. This is huge for planning ahead, waiting for deals and sales, or even just making sure you know what kind of weather to expect for optimal building. I mostly work by myself and there’s a ton of figuring all the way down to getting material to the property. Can I unload this by myself? Can I frame or install this by myself? How do I do this in the most efficient way that I’m not wasting material or my time? Good luck with your build! Never forget the six P’s... prior planning prevents piss poor performance.

Had a real slow pitch kind of day hanging panels on the walls. The white I chose looked much brighter as a sample, but it’s not like I’m going to change it at this point. Kind of a creamy white?... I dig it anyhow. I really like going this route with finishing walls because it’s so fast and doesn’t take much thought to do. Easy instant gratification! I need to finish trimming around the windows but these two walls are done. Suppose I should start thinking about how I’m going to finish the floor in the loft too. I’ve got some plans for the south wall without any windows and I can now build the permanent steps for getting up to the loft. Otherwise I could tell that it was a gloomy day in here. I need lights and power!

Finished framing the patio this weekend. Still need to level and figure what’s going inside to finish it. The bottom step is lining me up for a potential 8-10’ deck further extending towards the south. Maybe next year.

Not sure if I ever posted this before but I’ve got a postcard from when it was part of the resort. Kind of a then and now.

Not yet! He was out yesterday patching back together his fence that a match and some well placed lighter fluid would be a better fix. No work today on things. Yesterday was a high of around 70°. Only about 40°, windy, and chance for snow today.

Yesterday wasn’t so bad. This morning?... not so great. The ground here is SO hard once you get down a foot or so. It’s a lot of work. Thanks, Brent!

A LONG while back I started a thread asking our Colorado members all sorts of questions on making the big move out here. Since then I’ve been thriving! We’re settled in, my shop is on its way to being done, so why not start another project? To catch up those who don’t know, I live in a massive 478 square foot house on a decent size lot that once was a part of a hunting lodge resort that started in 1947. Since then the houses were subdivided out, changed hands a few times, and kept falling into disrepair. The previous owners to us cleaned up the exterior, gutted the house completely, and did some shoddy landscaping. Things looked okay outside for a while but the drainage was never right and the general quality was really lacking. Here’s where we pick up from. We really wanted a better outdoor space so let’s start there. This sorry looking “patio” used to be clad in old half log siding but all of that was falling apart. It’s a good size space at right around 12’x14’. We didn’t see the need to grown anymore for now so we started on a facelift. The large concrete pad was originally put there by the sellers who wanted the front door there. This obviously didn’t happen and it was due to the lack of space for a decent header. So? Gone! It came out in chunks and I still need to finish breaking it up. Then came the trenching and timber framing. I’m using 6x6s because I think they’re fairly easy to work with. Once you get the bottom row level and straight then the rest just stack where they belong. We’re getting rid of the tight steps that were up close to the house in favor of big steps that extend all the way across the new patio. Not 100% sure how it’ll all get finished up but I’m leaning towards using granite remnants from the cabinet/countertop place I work at. For now, this is how far things are between last weekend and today. The wife and I are very much looking forward to being able to enjoy dinner and evenings outside!

Yard work yesterday. Pulling out concrete next to the house to get going on a new patio. Previous owners were going to put the door where the window is but there wasn’t enough room for a header. Little CJ did great! As for today, I was helping a friend go through his late father in law’s stash of AMC parts. He’s got a 258 that I’m interested in. It must have a PILE of miles on it though. Pulled bearing caps and took the head off. Not terrible?... but not great. Rear cap: Front cap: #1 rod: Cylinders: Not a lot of cross hatching evident but the bearing surfaces looked pretty good. Can’t catch anything with a fingernail, anyhow. I’ll put a micrometer on the crank to see if it’s a factory grind. I’d consider a dingle ball hone and a set of bearings rolled in. Maybe a new heart?

NEVER!! I’d say that most guys trailer their rigs that have been modified to the point of axle swaps and 37”+ tires. Those guys are taking the easy way out! Where’s the adventure?!

Gonna be sweet! I’m also a sucker for a reckless road trip with questionable equipment.

What made you go with MSD?

Oof. Second shot almost 24 hours ago. Feeling like I was hit by a truck this morning.

The ceiling is officially done!... minus electrical. All that was left was the other half of the panels, the trim, and the access to the attic. With the panels up it seems as though my walls are bowed out by about 3/8” at their worst. I won’t tell if you don’t. Another stick of scrap lumber and some time on the table saw fixed this. Besides the unexpected wow in the wall, things came out laser straight. My white wall panels were ordered this week. Maybe I’ll see them by next weekend? Then it’s on to electrical. Suppose I ought to bring that truck of mine home too.

Mmm... low back seats.

Looking forward to seeing updates on this. I love seeing what others build for vehicle dwellings!

Still a great truck!

Been a few weeks since I’ve been able to do anything in the shop which is unfortunate because the weather has been great... until this week. The outside temperature topped out at 22° but the shop rarely gets much below 40° since everything has been insulated and closed up. That’s about perfect for me when I’m moving around. Today was a bunch of ladder work with getting the majority of the nailers up for the top 2/3 of the walls. Stay tuned for something special I’ve got planned for this wall. The gable crown trim went up on the one end after the first ceiling panel on the south side went up. I was in a bit of a rush today to get enough material up so I could get some solid measurements for the rest of the panels. The local lumber supply place was having a “save the sales tax” day and I’ve been lucky enough to take advantage of this a few times before. Today was definitely the day to get the rest of the wall panels on order. It’ll be a couple weeks before I see them. I’ve got the rest of the other half of the ceiling to do before then.

Hell yeah, bro! Congratulations and a hearty good luck with everything.

Interesting idea. Staying tuned.

Excellent!!!

I used to have a kilt and I absolutely LOVED it!!! It was originally a left over from my high school theater closet that never made its way back. Then it grew on me all the way until it started falling apart a few years ago. Couple years ago I was in Seattle and stopped in a shop that carried “utility kilts”. They’re exactly what they sound like and I STILL kick myself for not getting one to replace my old high school garment. Kilts are rad and comfortable. Period... dot... end of story.

Up by the house. As for the rest of my work day, I made up the “crown” trim and got half of the ceiling up. I could work 12’ at a time worth of trim and the panels cover 3’. I got spoiled being able to stand up in the loft to get trim dimensions. After that, the trim got hung across the wall so I could hook the bottom edge of panel into the trim and then put a screw in at the top. I won’t say it was super easy, but I seem to always find a way to do this stuff by myself. ... and then done! The other half is happening another day. Gonna be bright in here!

Ah... springtime.