Why Have One Workbench When You Can Have Two?

So the corner in the back of my garage is kind sad. I put up some pegboard and thought that meant I was organized. But the cruddy table I was using wasn't doing it and the new workbench I made (which I LOVE) was not the best place to build certain items because the garage itself is not level.*

I did not have plans, I decided to "wing it". An idea I do not recommend. I measured 20" from the floor so I could slide my shop vac under, but set the top of the bottom shelf at 20"... dumb. It wasn't until I was sweeping up tonight that I realized what I'd done. We really do learn from our mistakes!

It's been raining a lot lately and the wood was wet. I've had it drying in the garage for about four days, but it's still not dry. My circular saw did not like cutting through it. I made it work. The support posts were a bitch to cut, but I think they give it a very sturdy look. There are so many screws in that thing (I love overkill!).

My Kreg Jig worked flawlessly--I love that bad boy! And all my Ryobi tools were perfect!

The red carpeting is from my camping days.**  I used it to kneel on so I didn't destroy my knees any more than they already are.

It's level and that was my biggest concern. I did a little more work after these pictures, with the cross supports

The tops of the shelving go in tomorrow. The big problem will be cutting the wood around all the posts. Now that will involve some very careful planning...

*The structure is level, just the foundation sunk--I'm on a hill and the garage is at the bottom. When the house was remodeled, they also took care of the garage. I'd say it's about 70% new materials, with true walls and a level roof... it's the floor that's been a bother.

**More like glamping: The group I camped with had a full outdoor kitchen (with steam tables, and a butane powered oven), as well as a full bar! We used to feed over 100 guys breakfast and dinne! Since I needed power for my CPAP, I had an Aerobed and an electric blanket. I was also in a 10-man tent for just myself... I had a sitting area AND a dressing area near my sleeping area. We did camping right! 

Click HERE to see how it turned out!

I Love My Sprinklers

Really, I do...

These things are nothing but a pain in the ass! Every time I turn around, someone has stepped on one and broken it. I finally got them fixed last week, but one was barely putting out any water. So, I gave it a little twist... and it started working a little better! So I gave it another twist... and the spray was better. One more... and the damn thing popped off! After my Nth trip to Home Depot (I kept buying the wrong size sprinkler heads: I have 2" high heads and I kept buying 4, 3, and finally 2.5 inch heads), they are all finally working.

Now if I can only get the automated sprinkler system to come on when it's supposed to... 

Dresser Project (Part I): Red*

My family owned a furniture store in San Jose for over 150 years. L. Lion & Sons was started by my Great-Great-Great Grandfather in 1856. My parents always said, "Spend more for good furniture because it will last. You can always repaint, restain, and recover.

Growing up, my parents had a set of oak dressers that were stained black and looked great. Over the course of 50 years, they've been moved to my brother's room, and then to the garage.

Finally, I used them in my bedroom because they are really great and really solid pieces of furniture (and they were FREE!) However, you can clearly see the years of wear and tear upon them have taken their toll. It was time to look for a solution.

I am not that experienced at refinishing furniture and I'm certainly not a patient man, so I was a bit worried I would rush the job, or screw up the job. But I decided two things: 1) I will give it a shot,  2)  start with one so I don't screw up two dressers at the same time, and 3) if I screw it up, I'll sand it down and start over.

Then I found this:

No need for a top coat! It's all sealed in one step. 

So, I pulled off the metal handles and scrubbed them with Bar Keepers Friend liquid cleaner... Holy Moly! That stuff made them sparkle.  50 years of grime will add up--you know they may have been cleaned, but I'm sure they were never really cleaned. Now they have been.

I sanded them down, wiped them off, used a tack cloth and then stained them. I didn't use a pre-stain conditioner, which I'll probably use in the future. A few coats of paint over several days and I think it turned out pretty nice: 

I added the red to the sides of the drawers to punch it up a bit. I'm going to have red accents in the Master Bedroom (ignore the carpet, it's temporary). I really like the look and the shine.

*Since the original post, I've now dubbed this dresser as Red, because the other dresser will have blue sides to match the bedroom where it will be located. 

Lessons learned from this project: 

• Slow down and take my time. 
• Thinner coats are better with stain. 
• Don't be afraid of color!
• Have fun.
• TAKE MORE PICTURES AS THE PROJECT PROGRESSES!!!