Daily Book Review – The Heart of the Matter

You are in for a great discovery if you have never read anything by the author Graham Greene. Greene’s novel, “The Heart of the Matter”, is my selection for today. Like Bruce Chatwin, Greene was often type-cast as a travel writer or spy master but he is so much more than that. The Heart of the Matter is essentially about a man trying to be true to himself and to his God. Greene’s views on morality are particularly relevant now. And, this book is on the 100 Best Books list.

Daily Tip for Home Builder – More Tool Suggestions

Read some tool reviews from sources like Consumer Reports. Power tool brands that rate high are: Ryobi, Milwaukee, Makita, Craftsman, Porter Cable. Carbide tip blades are best for sawing wood. If your circular saw does not have a blade break, buy a new one. A reciprocating saw (Sawzall) is a must-have and next most valuable after circular saw. You’ll need a 16 oz curved claw hammer (remember to use wood block as a shim when extracting nails with claw.) and a 20 oz framing hammer (Estwing is best) with checkered head (and keep head roughed up to prevent misses). Use a speed square, not a combination square which will only add clutter to your tool box. You will need a framing square and short and long levels. Buy stair gauges (2 small pieces). They attach to bottom plate of circular saw and act as a guide for ripping wood. Add  a prybar and wrecking bar to your tool list. Wonder Bar nail puller is the best. Also, you’ll need a sledge hammer. Invest in a Screw gun (electric screwdriver i.e. for drywall) with adjustable speed, reversible, adjustable nose for depth of countersinking screw head. Duraspin drywall screwgun with reel of screws is a good idea for DIY.
For concrete work, buy a tool for bending or cutting re-bar; you bolt it to a board, insert rebar rod and move lever. Cool! Stanley brand tape measure ‘‘Fat Man’’ 30FT by 1.5” stays rigid up to 12 ft extension, Long tape by Lufkin 100 FT fiberglass (not steel).Twist the rebar ties with Rat Tail or Yo Yo tools. Always need Hammer-Tackers for attaching Tyvek, tar paper, insulation batts, plastic sheets, etc.

Daily Book Review – A Short History of Nearly Everything

I promised to discuss this other book by Bill Bryson after you took “A Walk in the Woods” with this incredible writer. “A Short History of Nearly Everything” is a must have title for anyone with the least interest in how we (and everything else) got here. Bryson cracks me up with his often unexpected humor, which is just the thing to lighten heavy subjects. If the reader has a low tolerance for facts and figures, I can’t think of a better writer to explain and entertain. The title is a huge promise, but Bryson delivers.

Daily Tip for Home Builder – Tool Box Suggestions

Today we will discuss some ideas for your toll box. Don’t buy top of the line tools; step down a level or two. You can void sales tax on tools by buying on the Internet, but expect transportation costs unless you can find free shipping. How about a locked shipping container on site for materials and tools. Buy this book! “Do It Yourself Housebuilding” by George Nash is a must-have reference to keep onsite. Remember to add a hacksaw and blades; and, a special scoring tool for cutting cement board (Red Devil). Does your back ache? Buy an extension screw gun for driving screws into decking while standing up straight; it also grasps the screw. Use red chalk lines on concrete blue on wood (carry two chalk lines in tool kit). Never use masonry nails; use drive-pins or lag bolts with metal expansion sleeve. Consider three separate tool boxes: carpentry electrical and plumbing. Use your router to cut openings for sinks and rough openings in sheathing and drywall. There is a special pneumatic hammer for attaching joist hangers and other straps/hangars. The nail protrudes from the hammer to allow it be centered in a hole in the hangar before firing. Note that there is a special hole saw for electric drill; regular drill bit makes starter hole for center and then you insert point of tool and bit cuts the circumference of hole. Its adjustable for various diameters. Consider heavy duty 1/2” right angle drill for running electric and plumbing through studs/joists (auger bit and hole saw).

Daily Book Review – Great Expectations

Let’s round out our discussion of Charles Dickens by recommending his novel, “Great Expectations”. The rise and fall of our hero, Pip, and his love for Estella have enthralled generations. This is one of Dickens’ later works, so it is influenced by his own experience of the hard lessons in life. It is not as autobiographical as “David Copperfield”, but it is surely informed by “Great Expectations” in his early life. The restoration crowd will be particularly interested in the “before scenes” of Miss Havisham’s Mansion. In Great Expectations, a brewery is attached to the house instead of a vineyard, and the house is called “Satis House” (its real name is “Restoration House”).

Daily Tip for Home Builder – Safety and Security Continued

This continues the discussion of safety and security at your home site. If you plan to do much work by yourself, I suggest you read up on it first. “Working Alone: Tips and Techniques for Solo Building” by John Carroll is a good place to start. Here is one such tip for installing trusses: Nail a vertical 2X4 to peak of truss to use as a temporary lever/handle for flipping truss into place. Do not carry OSB or plywood up a ladder. Instead, create a plywood lift. Make a 2X4 ledge halfway up the exterior wall. Lay sheet on this ledge and then turn sheet up on end so sheet can be grabbed from above. Roofing brackets needed for safety when slope is more than 4-12. Use roof jacks to prevent falls and sliding materials. Patio doors must be tempered glass for safety. . Be sure to use bracing and safety lines when raising exterior walls above ground level, a very dangerous job. Consider sheathing these walls when laid flat to avoid ladder work later but extra weight is a big factor. Remember to use diagonal let-in bracing in all stud walls to prevent racking. Consider the swing when installing casement windows and don’t block paths or patio area when opened. Avoid a nasty bump in the head when working below an open casement window. Window sizes (CABO); code indicates that a fireman and his equipment must pass through opening. Need separate flue for each fireplace in a shared chimney. Run vent pipe inside a larger vent pipe so the air space keeps the outside pipe cool. Fireplace should draw air for combustion from an outside vent; room air is circulated around the fire box for heating. Install CO2 detectors as part of your alarm system. Lithium batteries in smoke alarms last 10+ years. Add a separate shut off near the electric meter and lock it; easier to work when entire service is shut off. Install all Electrical outlets with third prong (ground) at top of outlet in case something falls across a plug and shorts across hot and neutral. | ° |. Don’t use lead-based solder on pipes (can cause illness/death); use tin-antimony instead. Clean all cement handling tools immediately as well as any powder or cement from your body and clothes. Consider a home defibrillator on the job site and in your household later.

Daily Book Review – David Copperfield

As long as we are on the subject of Dickens, have you read “David Copperfield” recently? If not, let me suggest this novel as a wonderful alternative to modern fiction. This book has inspired and entertained generations of readers of all ages. American’s were so taken with English Author Charles Dickens that he attracted huge crowds when on the lecture circuit in US cities. Many of his works were first published as serial installments and you can imagine the suspense as eager readers waited for resolution to the circumstance of their fictional heroes like David Copperfield.

Daily Tip for Home Builder – Safety and Security

If feasible, erect a temporary construction fence (padlocked) to keep people and pets away from hazards as well as protection from theft and vandalism. Conduct a daily cleanup of jobsite and street. Make an on-site safety checklist and invest in a first aid kit. Pressure treated lumber is now treated with a copper compound and is much more expensive but safer. It is still toxic, so wear a mask when sawing and gloves when handling. Clean up sawdust and scraps. Inspect all framing for correct number of fasteners; It is easy to miss some when raising walls and that could be dangerous. Don’t use ladders if scaffolding with railing is available; a fall can kill! Ladder safety: Don’t carry anything up a ladder; use tool belts and raise material; wear a harness when working up high. Place the base of ladder out 25% of its height i.e. 20’ ladder out 5’. The top of the ladder rails must extend at least 3’ above the step-off point i.e. the roof. Rough up hammer head to avoid glancing blows. Even pros wear safety glasses. Invest in a pair that you don’t mind wearing constantly. A router is a very dangerous tool! Pipes and rebar sticking out of footers slab and floor systems are dangerous. Cover with foam padding in case of a fall. Use a rolling work seat when working at low points i.e. landscaping wood trim painting. Knee pads when working on floors decks. Avoid smashing fingers when hammering, especially on small nails. Set circular saw blade depth plus one eighth inch and cut through saw horse; that kerf is harmless and will avoid accidents. Handling wire mesh; unroll and flip it over and bend it backwards to work the spring out of the mesh. Bend the cut ends back to join the overlaps and to prevent punctures to the vapor barrier (and injury from touching sharp edges). Consider wet traction on steep driveways and walkways; score the concrete or stiff brush it before the slab sets. Don’t backfill around retaining block walls until after the mortar and poured slab have cured because the pressure can cause the walls to collapse.

Daily Book Review – A Tale of Two Cities

I would argue that Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities” is the most powerful story of unrequited love ever written. The selfless acts of Sydney Carton for his beloved Lucie rise to a spiritual level, not unlike Christ’s love expressed through his crucifixion. Perhaps I am overdoing the comparison since Dickens wrote popular lessons for the common man and the Bible was written for… Well, let me just say that the redemptive love of Sydney Carton is something to which all men should aspire and that all women desire.

Daily Tip for Home Builder – What is Truly DIY?

As an owner-builder there are many tasks that fall in the “Do It Yourself” (DIY) category. Whether your motivation is to save money or the shear enjoyment, there is plenty to keep you busy. However, there are certain jobs that you shouldn’t attempt unless you have a lot of prior experience. Here is my list of “Do’s and Don’ts”:
Don’t attempt these jobs: Framing, concrete pour, metal work and welding, roofing, marble or granite, pool or spa, finish carpentry, HVAC, final plumbing, electrical (final and service panel), drywall, counter tops, fireplaces, doors and windows.

But, Do attempt this extensive list: Site cleanup and safety protection/security, Help erect move and inspect scaffolds and safety rails, Checking for level plumb and square; inspect for code, Operate chop saw, File receipts and all job records, Counting and inventory periodically, Measure and cut for framers and carpenters, Install blocking, Tool cleaning and maintenance, Demolition, Compact soil lay gravel sand rebar mesh and vapor barrier, Layout footers with builder’s level staking and batter board, spray paint excavation outline, Build forms for footers, Lay CMU block walls, Hod carrier, Build French drains, Water proofing, Build decks, Caulking, Insulation, Rough electrical wiring, cable, phone PC, TV, security, intercom. Light fixtures, outlets, switches, ceiling fans, exhaust fans, Install cabinets, Appliance hookup, Gutters, Railings, Painting, Home Theatre, Mirrors, Trenching light excavation temporary retaining walls and temp fencing, Landscape and sprinkler system, Retaining walls and stone walls, Final cleaning of house, Final Punch list tasks.
As you can see, there is plenty for the DIY builder to do!