DIY Projects

[fox1371]

I thought I'd start a thread where we can all share what DIY projects we've got going on.

Here's what I'm working on at the moment. I found an old electrical spool and decided that I wanted to turn it into a fire pit/table. So far the project hasn't been too difficult at all and it should turn out quite nicely.

My picture skills aren't very good, so I'm having issues rotating that bottom picture. But if you all turn your monitors sideways, you'll get the idea.

I'll keep posting pictures as the project progresses.

 

[AWP]

I'm giving serious thought to building an brick grill at home and this winter, while a very small project, I'm going to build a home theater PC (HTPC).

Good thread, lots of potential.

 

[RackMaster]

All my projects never get finished for some reason. lol

 

[Chopstick]

Ive been watching a show on DIY and HGTV about this place: http://blackdogsalvage.com/

It is amazing the things they make out of reclaimed junk!

 

[RackMaster]

There's a local store near here that's entire focus is on providing materials and expertise entirely in environmentally friendly or reclaimed products. Been meaning to go in and see what cool shit they have that I can't afford. lol

 

[Chopstick]

I know! They take nothing and make stuff and sell it for $$$$

 

[AWP]

I know! They take nothing and make stuff and sell it for $$$$

Kind of like a boob job.

 

[SpitfireV]

I've been thinking about building some kind of blast furnace, I live in a commercial/industrial property so that's not a problem. Problem is more my lack of building skills. Also thinking about distilling rum but can't seem to find bulk mollasses around anywhere.

 

[goon175]

Oh man. Love this thread already. I'm in the 4th quarter of a complete bathroom reno, will post pics as soon as it is done (hopefully by next week...we shall see...), and I still need to take the "after" pictures of our bedroom reno, but I will post up soon!

 

[pardus]

I've been thinking about building some kind of blast furnace, I live in a commercial/industrial property so that's not a problem. Problem is more my lack of building skills. Also thinking about distilling rum but can't seem to find bulk mollasses around anywhere.

http://www.agrifeeds.co.nz/products/liquid-feeds/

 

[SpitfireV]

http://www.agrifeeds.co.nz/products/liquid-feeds/

You know, I've seen that, but my question is, is it suitable for human consumption? I realise that's probably a silly Q but I've asked a few people (granted, none farmers. We don't get our haaaarrnnds dirty here) and noone seems to know.

 

[pardus]

You know, I've seen that, but my question is, is it suitable for human consumption? I realise that's probably a silly Q but I've asked a few people (granted, none farmers. We don't get our haaaarrnnds dirty here) and noone seems to know.

It'll be fine. Besides there is heat involved in the process right?

 

[SpitfireV]

It'll be fine. Besides there is heat involved in the process right?

Yup afirm. Cheers for that.

 

[RetPara]

Well... lets see.... We installed a bathtub for the dogs (at $12 per dog at the self wash- even with free towells and soap). Took one day to install the drain... ran the plumbing yesterday. Also putting up cement board for tile on the wall.... First venture into PEX vs copper. Using the Sharkbite joints for hard to reach area makes the PEX a LOT easier to use than copper. Will post pics tomorrow.

 

[RackMaster]

Well... lets see.... We installed a bathtub for the dogs (at $12 per dog at the self wash- even with free towells and soap). Took one day to install the drain... ran the plumbing yesterday. Also putting up cement board for tile on the wall.... First venture into PEX vs copper. Using the Sharkbite joints for hard to reach area makes the PEX a LOT easier to use than copper. Will post pics tomorrow.

I'll be looking forward to your review of the PEX and Sharkbite. We're in the process of planning a second bath in the basement for company with a walk in shower/low profile tub for for the dogs. Been looking at eliminating as much copper as possible.

 

[TB1077]

If you are new to PEX my only recommendation would be to ensure that all joints are in easily accessible areas for the first time using it. Leak repairs are much easier when you don't have to tear out wall, floor, ceiling, etc. With that said, the stuff is pretty easy to install and is pretty strong. Definitely cheaper than copper as well. Good luck gents.

 

[goon175]

When we started the bathroom remodel we are currently finishing up, we first re-plumbed the entire house using PEX. It was not as flexible as it looks on TV, but very easy to install. Just make sure you have the right tools for it, to include a crimp removal tool. All said and done, we replumbed everything for a couple hundred dollars, compared to a couple thousand if we had used copper.

 

[RetPara]

If you are new to PEX my only recommendation would be to ensure that all joints are in easily accessible areas for the first time using it. Leak repairs are much easier when you don't have to tear out wall, floor, ceiling, etc. With that said, the stuff is pretty easy to install and is pretty strong. Definitely cheaper than copper as well. Good luck gents.

We pressure tested the joints as we went. As a first time PEX installation, my biggest error was NOT crimping hard hard enough. I was concerned about crushing the brass elbow or joint. Had to go back and snug a couple down. I also did not get a good seal on a Sharkbite elbow. I was able to disconnect/reconnect quite easily. The Sharkbite stuff is expensive, but REALLY great for confined spaces.

goon - I think that is what Higher Authority wants to do. When we found the 3/4 to 1/2 down size on some lines.... It was a real WTF, not wonder we don't get decent pressure. The only hard one will be the line up to the shower.... but we can tear the wall out in the bathroom to fix that. BTDT.... It ain't gonna happen next week though.

 

[goon175]

Yeah, water pressure was the motivating reason for us as well. We still had the old galvanized steel pipes, and that was just unsat. After we pulled it out and looked inside the pipes, we could see why the water pressure was so shitty...

 

[SpitfireV]

I'll be looking forward to your review of the PEX and Sharkbite. We're in the process of planning a second bath in the basement for company with a walk in shower/low profile tub for for the dogs. Been looking at eliminating as much copper as possible.

Basement....company....remote area....hmmmmm