What did you do today?

[Handy Don 17,012]

3 hours ago, ohiofarmer said:

     After I sent the screws through to mark the drywall behind the wall, we had to mount a hardwood board inletted into the drywall so the screws could have a solid bite. 

 

Planning ahead for solid mounting points for grab bars is an often-neglected step.

I hope you are placiing a vertical one on the near wall for stepping in and out as well as one on the “far” wall for stability while getting up or down in the tub. 

Edited Saturday at 11:31 PM by Handy Don

[davem1111 2,290]

On 7/27/2026 at 4:13 PM, davem1111 said:

So, this is not a "today" thing but ongoing work for the last few weeks.  We had a torrential downpour (we seem to be having more of those lately) and discovered that a large quantity of water was being re-routed into the corner of the house due to a badly constructed gutter. Had to remove a built-in bookshelf and start tearing out walls and floor. This apparently had been happening for years - there was a lot of rot, and the waferboard subfloor was like pudding. 

 

 

Interestingly, we discovered a floor-to-ceiling window in the wall to the left, that a previous owner had just cover over for some reason. This is between the house and an aluminum screened/glass porch. We've decided to open it up again, it lets in lots of light. There are streaks between the panes so we'll probably put some vinyl adhesive frosted pattern on it to hide that:

I'm in the "sanding spackle", "patching in tongue-groove flooring", and "re-framing the window" stage now. I painted everything that won't be seen under the flooring or bookshelf with mold killer primer. I used Rock Wool insulation - that stuff is cool (but expensive). Outside is done.
 

 

Inside work is all done except putting the shelves and books/knickknacks back in place. 

 

 

[ohiofarmer 3,459]

1 hour ago, Handy Don said:

Planning ahead for solid mounting points for grab bars is an often-neglected step.

I hope you are placiing a vertical one on the near wall for stepping in and out as well as one on the “far” wall for stability while getting up or down in the tub. 

       Absolutely.We bought three grab bars and will install at least two. The wall I was dealing with is an outside wall so i left it intact as possible and used hardwood for maximum hold. Drilling an undersize hole so the threads grab without splitting. The other walls will get solid blocking and a block for a third grab bar in case there is need for a caretaker within the shower. this house was bought in case we would have to take care of a parent, but its only two miles from here and the need for an easier property for us is a possibility. It is a step in shower that fits a five foot opening. Its nice and rigid and solid Vickerel where the cplor goes all the way through

[8ntruck 9,090]

We slept in, went over to Crystal Lake Diner for brunch, walked the dog, and finished several small projects that were cluttering up my bench - there is actually a fair sized empty spot on it now.

 

One of the projects was finishing reassembling my Red Ryder.  Last fall it quit shooting.  When I did get it to shoot once, the barrel plug/sight and shot tube came out and landed about 8 feet away. 

 

Total tear down and search for parts.  Ended up with a new shot tube, barrel plug (with a 'fiber optic sight'!), new air tube, new plunger seal.  Once I figured out how to make a dependable spring compressor, it went together.  It did shoot bb's - at a very low velocity.  It was not producing an air pulse when fired.

 

Took it back apart and compared the new plunger seal to the old one.  Was about 1/16" smaller in diameter.  Put the old seal back in and it is working like it should.  Needs to be sighted back in, probably due to the new shot tube and front sight.

[SylvanLakeWH 31,815]

@8ntruck be careful!!!

 

[953 nut 67,562]

On 8/1/2026 at 3:35 PM, ohiofarmer said:

shower wall and just no way to hold anything to messure

When I built our house I put in a LOT of blocking in all the shower walls. When it came time to install the grab bars I used foam double stick tape to hold them in place while drilling and mounting.