Easy Birdfeeder Project

I found some great plans online and decided this would be a fun project to tackle for a Christmas present for my Mom. The materials required for this project are as follows:

• 1"x6"x6' cedar
• 36" piece of 3/8" dowel
• Finish nails
• 2 screw eyes
• 2 hinges (smaller than the width of the cedar ... I used 1")
• Sheet of plexi-glass (this plan requires two pieces that are about 5"x10" each, but with a minor adjustment to the pitch of the roof, you could get by with one 8"x10" piece cut in half)

The plans have a good cut list, which made this a quick project to complete. The most difficult task was cutting the plexiglass to fit, as I did not have the correct saw blades, so I had to do this by hand.

I pretty much followed the plans, but made a few adjustments.

• Rather than drilling completely through the side pieces to insert the dowel perches, I drilled about 2/3 of the way through. This way the end of the dowel does not show through the side.
• Instead of cutting 1/2" openings in the bottom of the plexi-glass to allow bird seed to flow out onto the floor, I installed 1/2" pieces of wood on each side to support the plexi-glass; this cut down on the amount of glass cutting I needed to do.
• I added the cute little bird onto the roof on the front of the feeder. This was created by ripping a spare piece of cedar in half, and then cutting out the bird with a jigsaw.

Merry Christmas!

Taking some time out to enjoy Christmas with our girl!

Basement Floor Follow-up

We got multiple comments regarding our last basement post, so I thought I would provide an update on where we stand with that project. We got another quote for just removing the existing floor and replacing it with new concrete (i.e. no underpinning or drain work), which was around $6K. Our goal with this quote was to get an idea of what we could get if we decide to go as low as we can with the existing foundation; it appears we can get another 4-5", which would take our basement height to about 83".

Here is our plan for the basement. We are going to break up and remove the existing floor ourselves (this won't start for a couple of months). Once the floor is removed, we will then get a few quotes for the required drain and concrete work. I expect we will not underpin the existing foundation, so hopefully we can get at least 4" lower with the existing foundation. That is the plan for now. Thanks for the feedback!

Plan for Stairs Revisited

A couple of months ago, we talked about the plan for the stairs in our front hall. After some deliberation, we decided on the plan below, which involves adding a railing onto the landing and curving the two bottom steps around the posts.

I really like this plan, but after tearing out the old steps, I started to reconsider the plan. With the stairs turning towards the living room like this, it might prove to be a pain sometimes when we are going in and out through the front door (and when moving furniture). Accordingly, I came up with a new option (see below). This option wraps the stairs around the landing, providing access from the front hall and the living room. By cutting off the corner of the stairs/landing, the stairs do not take up as much space as if they were square. I am considering making the stairs/landing fully rounded (i.e. quarter-circle), but that might prove difficult with the bullnose on the landing, so this is the plan for now.

Any thoughts or preferences? We are truly 50/50 on this decision. The first option looks a little better in my opinion, but the second option is simpler and more functional.

So Far So Good Dad!

The floors are just over 50% completed... getting there and looking goood! They're so shiny and smooth compared to our old floors... and no more slivers in my socks - yaye!

Sneak Preview

We have started installing the hardwood floors. Owen seems pleased with the work.

Digging Out Basement = Expensive

Our basement ceiling height is currently 79", but goes down as low as 69" in some areas (under beam/ductwork). We got a quote this morning for lowering our basement floor, which would include lowering the floor by one foot, underpinning the foundation, installing new drains, and increasing our supply line to 3/4". The quote: $37,500. Yikes! As much as I would love to do this, I just don't think we can afford it, and even if we could, I find it hard to justify the ROI for that type of expenditure. So, we are re-thinking that part of the plan for the basement. Should we just go ahead with the existing floor? Should we just get the basement drains replaced and floor re-poured so we are starting with a better surface? Should we consider options for lowering just a part of the basement, or get additional quotes? We might delay the basement project now so that we can think it through, and focus on finishing the first floor and preparing to do the backyard in the spring. We'll see though. Any thoughts? Has anybody done this type of work before? Has anybody re-finished their basement with a 6.5' ceiling and not hated it?