Jan 26, 2014 Stalling out! Cannot wait for summer!

January 26, 2014 dillysadv Leave a comment

Well, maybe not a full on stall.. We did get a little further along on the project.. after running the wires we were feeling like we were on the home stretch.. well, at least until we started the insulation ( MAN DO I HATE THAT STUFF!) we were able to get it all in Minus down around the concrete and the attic access. The attic access will be an Expanding foam insulation and around the concrete will use a rigid R4 insulation paneling. Here are some pics of where we are at.

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This week was a bit tricky getting much done because, well, putting in 57 hours really limit what you are able to do elsewhere. But we are still on track.. we are hoping to get the sheet rock on Monday and get it going in this week.. The overall goal is to get the kids moved in by Valentines.. I think we can do it, it is just time right!?

Update stated, here is the deal.. I was really hoping to get the trench dug yesterday with a vid of that process but there was not a trencher available.. hopefully soon.. we’ll get ‘er dug and get some wiring to the garage..

Now for those of you that know me, I am always shooting for things waaayyyy out of reach and really I am at it again! I am trying to convince my wife of doing some massive amounts of concrete work.. (new driveway, curb, gutter, sidewalk, and of coarse a driveway to the shop) what that means for you is a lot of new projects.. and tons of great vids.. the catch is somehow I have to swindle a new computer and a car lift in the mix of everything else. The upside to that is I can use it for a income source but it is the journey getting there that is gonna be a bit tricky..

I guess what I am saying is, its only gonna get better.

Around The House, Life, Money, Tech

Jan 19, 2014 Wires and Bit Tricks

January 14, 2014 dillysadv Leave a comment

Wow, what a week.. started out with a lot of wires, big thick ones, well, and one little one that loved to get tangled on everything.. we finally pulled the last of the wires out of the house toward the garage.. I learned a cool trick though, for a long time I have always just used a simple speedbor bit do drill out the holes for my wire such as this:

but, the problem I ran into, was that I had to go through a diagonal board and then through four 2×4’s stacked to get the wires from the ceiling to the wall

I did look at getting an auger bit to do it but they tend to be really expensive and in the end they do not last as long and cannot be sharpened.

but I came across one of these nifty little cheaters.

I was surprised that they were as cheap as they are, and make a cheap bit do so much more. now, there are limitations such as the clearence. The hole that you need to drill needs to be slightly larger than the fitting for the bit.. in my case I opted for the quick release but that means that it is a bit bigger connector but well worth the time saving and for my applications it will work greatly.

That being said, it was pulled out side and now are strung across the yard and I hope to get the wires buried in the next few weeks but it will all depend on work schedules and equipment availability.

We were also able to finish out the closet framing and putting in nailers where one wall connected to another (vital to Sheetrock working as it should and not cracking) and also put some expanding foam into the areas that we wont be able to fit regular fiberglass insulation (that was a fun process and it ooses out the holes before drying)

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I am now looking forward to a productive week of installing the remaining insulation in the walls and getting the Sheetrock started.. There is one catch to the process though, I still have to put in the attic access in the closet…. new tools required to complete… of coarse…

That is one thing that I am hoping to get ordered

Around The House, Energy, Life

Jan 12, 2014 Slow but steady progress

January 12, 2014 dillysadv Leave a comment

Wow, what a week. The progress on projects appears to have been slow although, it is starting to become more apparent with the progress, which always makes projects more fun.
Wiring in a 4 way switch was a frustration like no other, I had looked up several diagrams that showed how it should be wired in but in the end nothing works better than the noodle up stairs and figuring it out on your own.. I ended up pulling out a multi-meter and figuring out how it is suppose to work and vuwala it works! (if you have questions on this let me know and I will put together a vid snowing how to do it and why it works) I know it is a simple thing but it is something, none the less. As of Saturday morning I had worked just shy of 50 hours this week and we were ready for insulation before Saturday. Although Saturday was planned to be fairly busy, we were able to get the ceiling insulated. But, before I show you what it looks like, I have to tell you I bought one of these and it was worth every penny!

Although the reviews are mixed, I shot 1250 staples through this in the first day and it was flawless. (click pic to see where you can get it) I have a feeling I will be using this a fair amount between odds and ends, re-upholstering seats on the bikes and much more.

in the end we got 6mil plastic and a ton of insulation

and went at it. slowly working our way from one side to the other putting the insulation up and then stapling it up.

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now that the lights are wired up and the ceiling insulation is complete, it is on to the walls. I also have a cheap trick I will show you next week for the wiring. I have a little more to do for the garage stuff.

be sure to sub to stay up to date on what projects and tricks I have to show you.

Around The House, Life

Jan 5, 2014 A whole new Year

January 5, 2014 dillysadv Leave a comment

Well people, it is officially 2014 although, in the automotive profession it seems like it has been 2014 for some time. It is interesting to me to hear many of the people I know having such high hopes for the new year. I know that 2014 is not going to be a great year, yes, good will happen but so will a lot of bad. Maybe it is too realistic of me but I know much of what the year holds and for what I don’t know, well, I can only hope it will be good. I wish I could say good riddins to 2013. It was a really hard year, between loosing my job, moving in with family, attempting to start my own business, getting a new job, having my father in law diagnosed with Terminal cancer and so many other things but, I can also say with all honesty, it was a good year. I learned a lot about who I am, what I like and felt The Spirit very profoundly as a comforter and guide. That said, Life will go on and it is really what we make of it and who/what we turn to when it is not all sugar coated the way we claimed it would be in our new years celebrations.

Ok that said, here is the update. Most of this week (outside of work) has been spent doing construction on the back room in a desperate attempt to get to where the insulation can go back in.. as of now we have the ceiling is supported, and receptacles are connected.. Lights and garage wiring will be next and then we should be able to install the insulation at that point. I should have some good pics and vids for next week but here is a little vid for everyone to get up to speed if you have not already (this was more for you tube followers but here goes.)

Around The House, Energy, Life

Dec 29, 2013 Quit waiting, Just Get Er’ done!

December 29, 2013 dillysadv Leave a comment

(JUST A QUICK NOTE: SUBSCRIBE TO GET UPDATES)

Well, as I hope you know, this last week was Christmas.. YEA! right?.. well not so much.. it was a rough week.. if you did not know, I am a VERY introverted person and can only handle being around a lot of people for a short amount of time. Christmas day there was A LOT! of people at the house and my usual escapes has not been an option.. – Garage, well no power and thus no heat and no light.

-Office, My bed has been nominated the baby sleeping room and bed. and thus no escape

I did attempt on Christmas day to spend some time working on the Zuki but I could only look at it because it was soo cold I could not even hold the tool for more than a second. Now with a little back story. We have decided to buy this house from my parents (although they will still be living here with us) but that gives us the ability to make certain decisions.. Upon buying this house there are several things that we wanted to get done right away such as: finishing the back bedroom for our kids, running power to the garage, installing a water softener so that we don’t have to chew on our water just to get it down.

All of these projects seem like they would just be easier in the spring when it is not soo cold, but, what do we do until then?—— get er done!

Thanks to some help of some friends, just before Christmas they came and helped us route a heater vent to the back room ( that was a project by its self)

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Creating the motivation to get that project done/going.. Yesterday we decided to dig in and get really going but there was soo much insulation in the way of re-supporting the saggy ceiling so, it had to all come out! we went and got full body hazmat style suits and started pulling. unfortunately we did not get pictures of the mess but this is what it looks like now

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Because the wiring for the garage has to go through this roof area we decided we needed to run the power to the garage at the same time. Now everything I do I want done RIGHT not something I will have to come back and fix later so we will be using a trencher and putting these lines 3-4 feet below the surface of the ground ( that way when we install sprinklers and driveways, it will not get hit and make a big mess. this is the area the ditch will be in.

Also, I have been looking to heat the shop and have found a way to make a used oil burner.. stay tuned for more details on these and many more projects

Life

Dec 23, 2013 More changes. hoping they are good!

December 23, 2013 dillysadv Leave a comment

Ok, it is Monday and things have gone through another change.. I am still debating how much I like it. Up until now, my full time job has had me working from 8AM until we are done.. as of this week, we are now doing shifts and I am working 2pm to 11pm. it has made my morning feel weird. This week will not be a good trial run since all of the holiday stuff messes it up but next month will tale the tale and determine wither or not I will like it..

I need your input. Doing a daily post seems like a bit much to get good content.. How does everyone feel about a weekly post?

Around The House, Autos, Life

Dec 20, 2013 Finally some resolve

December 20, 2013 dillysadv Leave a comment

Only 5 more days until Christmas, Not sure if we are ready but it is what it is.. I will tell you this, we are for sure going to look at Christmas differently this year.

As for updates, Blazer is home and fixed, it was the fuel pump so that has been resolved.. that also means that the snow blower is home as well 😉 I am hoping to get it out and use it tomorrow.

Roof is no longer leaking and tomorrow I will be moving the rest of the ice off so that I can finish attaching the heater cord to the roof and permanently resolve that issue..

Oh and one more but GOOD things just so you all don’t think of me as Mr Negativity.. THANK YOU ALL that came to the house today to help out with the room.. it is always appreciated!

Around The House, Autos, Life

Dec 19, 2013 Seeking resolution

December 19, 2013 dillysadv Leave a comment

OK so I don’t know if there is anyone that really reads all these posts and maybe daily is a bit much but.. OH WELL! There is a lot going on and so I have a lot to share.

1997 Blazer = poop! not really but that is the feeling I have right now.. I changed the filter (took a shower in gasoline) … no change. Changed the Regulator… still no change so…. it is the fuel pump! After doing this I was listening to it and it was making some weird sounds so.. I guess that does make sense. That, and I had just filled it up.. Fortunately my Bro-in-Law was in town so we used the mighty 00 Pontiac Montana (minivan) to tow it home, well, kinda home, really to a shop that would fix it because I was too lazy and tired.

As for the roof issue, I got the heat cord and laid it across the ice in hopes it will melt a little down and clear a path so I can eventually install it correctly. In the meantime, it is no longer leaking.

I would ask if “IT” is done but I’d rather not temp fate.. in all reality, non of this has been more than we can handle, it was just a trial.. maybe just so we will see Christmas in a new light this year..

Around The House, Autos, Life

Dec 18, 2013 WHAT? More problems!

December 18, 2013 dillysadv Leave a comment

Ok so… for those of you that don’t know what is going on, go back and look at past posts.. If you are up to speed, keep reading.

Last night after getting a chance to relax, calming down about the car problems that decided to take place on top of everything else going on, we went to bed. It could not have been more than just a moment or two of rest before we hear Tap…. tap da da tap tap tap. I thought ” do we have another mouse in our room?” but it kept going even after I turned on the lights.. WE HAD SPRUNG A LEAK! our roof in our room was dripping water.. there was no plumbing in the attic so it had to be the roof.. I did not have time to look at it so I left for work this morning thinking no too much about it.. when I got home, this is what I find in our room. then I made the mistake of looking up…

apparently the roof had formed a thick layer of ice on the roof that as it was melting and backing up under the shingles.. FIGURES!

so tomorrow I am going to head out and get one of them melt cords like this one:

Now, I have never used one so this will be my first time and I am only hoping it will work for what we need, trust me, I’ll keep you posted..

on to a different note, my Blazer, I went and picked up a Fuel pressure guage like so

and gave her a test..

now when I looked up the specs it said that it should have between 55-65 psi.. well that is nothing like what I was getting.. not even close.. it was a measly 12 psi so I had to pick up a fuel filter and a fuel pressure regulator

I am hoping that it will be be just the fuel filter but, I am guessing that it is the regulator.. that is OK with me because I believe it has been going out for some time. the only problem is that its location is horrible.

right underneath all of the upper components of the engine.. I should be able to get to in about an hour replace it and then have it put back together another hour. That is, if I get the time, the weather cooperates, and I don’t freeze in the process.

Oh and by the way, my father in law came home today.. I’ll have to do some catch up on that story another time… Wish me luck!

Around The House, Autos, Life

Dec 17, 2013 I got it but not without problems!

December 18, 2013 dillysadv Leave a comment

Well the day has come and there is a story to tell. So I went to get the said snow blower.. everything looked good, some basic wear and tear but it runs well and in the end they gave it to me for $350.00 instead of $375.00. As I got talking to him I found out he teaches where I went to Junior High so, I got to reminisce a little and then when it was time to go….. the Blazer would not start, Granted the ol’ girl has over 222,###.# miles on it and it has not given me a problem since I got it. After playing with it, I determined that there was spark and some full pressure (no sure how much) so I am guessing it is the infamous Fuel pressure regulator. gives me a need to buy a fuel pressure gauge HEHEHE **as I rub my hands together with an evil look on my face** need less to say one of the guys from work towed me back to the shop and then I carpooled home and will be driving my wife’s van until I get it fixed. Trust me I will film the process and let you know how it goes.. but HEY,, I got a snow blower! That was the point right!?

Dilly's Adventures

Jan 26, 2014 Stalling out! Cannot wait for summer!

Jan 19, 2014 Wires and Bit Tricks

Jan 12, 2014 Slow but steady progress

Jan 5, 2014 A whole new Year

Dec 29, 2013 Quit waiting, Just Get Er’ done!

Dec 23, 2013 More changes. hoping they are good!

Dec 20, 2013 Finally some resolve

Dec 19, 2013 Seeking resolution

Dec 18, 2013 WHAT? More problems!

Dec 17, 2013 I got it but not without problems!

Because Life is an Adventure!