Hump Day

Good Morning.
It's been a good one so far at least. I have been avoiding sugar and caffeine for the past few days. Going moderately on the stuff at least. I've been doing well. I am feeling the tired effects of not having caffeine. It's been rainy, cloudy and generally just gloomy outside - compound this with a lack of caffeine and sugar and you get me. Just a strange and moody shell of a man.

Record Rainfall They Say.
With the threat of weather lately, I've been pretty lethargic and inactive. I haven't been in the mood to get on any of my projects that I have piling up. Yes, they are piling up regrettably but in my defense I have my valid excuses and reasons for them. I am enjoying life at the moment and I am enjoying the rain. I'm relaxing as much as I can before a storm of work- for I have been going hard for the past few months and I think I am due for a break. The rain is resulting from a series of hurricanes redirecting rains in the south up north towards us here in Austin/Bastrop. Anything is better than 100 degree weather I say. This is typically a desert climate here in Central Texas so water of any amounts is appreciated.

Tuesday

Halloween.
It's almost the end of June and it's safe to say that it has been an okay month. A few more months of Summer to go till the fall is upon us. We've still got a ways to go to start thinking about the Fall and Halloween. I've always been big into Halloween and so are a few other people at my job. It's a good holiday to stretch the old imagination and decorating talents. Moving to Bastrop and to the type of neighborhood we are living in currently, we haven't much neighbors with kids - so we are really unsure about decorating for Halloween this year or even Christmas for that matter. Our former neighborhood was really into it and we had lots of trick-or-treaters and lots of Christmas decorations. Every year was big for us for decorating. I think I'll still decorate for those few kids to come around anyway. If no kids come around then that's okay. Either way, I'll still be decorating my office as usual. I usually start thinking about my Halloween Haunt about this time of year - I begin to put together a few projects in my ideas book for this coming season. It's never too early. I'm really wanting to put together a graveyard with old scraps of wood that I have laying around. A few crosses made of two pieces of old weathered wood that have been half-lapped together would be a perfect effect. A few funny messages routed into them would add to the hilarity of them. I'm also thinking about a few old tombstones made of stone spray painted plywood - weathered to look realistic. I am so excited about these ideas! A few lights and fog effects and it'll be golden!!


Back to the reality of it being June and the Summer. I have found another project that I'd like to try my hand at constructing out of wood: the Giant Yard Chicken. Yes, this is traditionally a chicken that is made of metal but I like the challenge of seeing possibly the first yard chicken to be made completely out of plywood. The plywood would have to be sealed very tightly from the elements and painted with bright and vibrant colors. I'm adding this to the list of projects:
- bird feeder
- Two person Hobby desk
- Table saw cabinet on wheels
- Halloween Crosses and Tombstones
- Yard Chicken

Weekend Recap.

3 Day weekend.
I took off Friday of last weekend, I managed to knock out going for a checkup with my doctor as well as a cleaning with my Dentist all in one day. As usual it was only good for one thing - both telling you that there is something wrong with you. The pleasantries of medical and dental conditions aside - a few key Big Z Mini shop projects were started. Given the deadly heat, we weren't able to do as much as I would like - this is the way with most things I try to get done this time of year.

Electrical.
I finished what I believed to be the hardest and most labor intensive part of the installation of the electrical components for the mini shop: the 40 foot 6" trench I had to dig for the PVC conduit pipe. What remained for me was to purchase the strip socket, breaker box, the 20 & 15 amp breakers, the new work switch and socket boxes, a 20A A/C window unit socket, a fluorescent shop light and a light switch. All of the items were successfully purchased and lay ready and eager for installation. I am excited and hoping that this will all be ready soon, I will begin preliminary wiring of my light and socket fixtures with the romex wiring that I currently have on hand.

Insulation.
In the effort to make this shop more climate controlled, I'll be adding insulation and a vapor barrier on top of that. This will further ensure that the A/C Window unit that I will later install will maintain a consistently cool climate inside. Installing insulation is a gruelling task but it'll be worth it.

Electricity.

Thursday.
It's another sunny and warm summer day here in Austin & Bastrop. What a great time to go to work at my desk job! LOL. I'll try not to sound excited about sitting for 4 hours at a time. Like I've told many of my friends - humans were not meant to sit for a total of 8 hours out of the day. WE were meant to move, to hunch over while standing over a work bench, to bend, to hammer, to drill, to block sand, to hand plane, to screw, to staple, to glue, to mortise & tenon, to box joint, to rabbet, to dowel joint, to pocket hole, to cross cut, to miter cut, to stain, to paint, to seal... It's another beautiful day to build and to create - What are you going to build today?

Power!
I've been working on what I think to be the most exciting and defining attribute of my Mini-shop. I believe it to be the Nervous System of the shop itself, the power house, the mitochondria of the cell: Electricity. Without it, I won't have a very comfortable climate as I won't be able to work without the necessary air conditioning and or heater to work comfortably in this crazy Texas climate. Most importantly, I won't have the means by which to safely and effectively use my power tools and table saw. Lastly, although I have perfect eyesight, proper lighting is also another important aspect of any safe woodworking shop. To ensure appropriate lighting, I'll be installing a low energy but bright fluorescent shop light fixture.

Phase 1.
Yesterday was Phase 1 of adding power to the Mini-Shop. I purchased 1" PVC conduit piping to run the electrical cable from my meter's drop box on over to my shop. I began the gruelling and very tiring task of digging a nearly 40' trench for this piping - I was so tired at the end of digging just 32' that I've put off the rest for this evening.

Heavy Metal

I thought it would be neat to showcase a piece from fellow craftsman by the name of Spain. Spain is a talented Austin Metal Artist and friend of mine that I have the privilege of also working with. She designed and handcrafted a lovely custom barbecue fork for her Father as a Father's Day Gift. I am most impressed with the curved animal-like tail - it's reminiscent of a European sword from days past. I would most love for her to build a decorative piece of armor someday. I hope that you enjoy viewing this piece as much as I have. I look forward to seeing more of her work and am encouraging her to start a blog of her own. She is much like me in that she'd rather be building that blogging.

Smile! Picture Day!

Where the magic happens - Not Really.
Here's a stream of pics from inside the Big Z Creations Mini-Shop. I have a 120sq. ft. of work space and it's a pretty comfortable workspace - well... for now at least. In the summer, I find it best to work at night and or early in the morning. Whatever I can fit into my schedule. The summer heat is now bearable with the installed vents and shop fans. I'm working to improve the electrical conditions and lighting as well as int. insulation, finishing board, ext. painting, primer and shelving / tool organization bays.
As you can see, I share the space with a few other storage items. I have yet to shuffle them around to maximize floor space. The bikes will be moved into a spare bedroom in the house which will free up a lot of space in itself. I have a few light duty plastic saw horses that are practically worthless, I'm thinking I should dump them on the curb as I have two real saw horses outside my shop currently. I have a few plastic rubber made bins of tools and etc. that need to be put up to free up floor space. I'll later use the plastic bins for wood scraps and cut off material to be reused for future projects such as my tool board.



Above are a few shots of my tool shelf - a former bookcase made of sturdy wood. Once I have constructed my tool organization board these hand tools and etc. will be hung above my tool bench for easy access, use and return. A hanging tool board will not only organize my shop but also maximize efficiency.



I have a few pics detailing the work bench that I've constructed, I have left the open space in the workbench exposed in order to someday fill that void with a built - in removable router table work station. I'll later integrate that into the design of my work bench. I have a pre-design in my head to make a cabinet space below the router in order to conveniently catch saw dust. This will also be the same for the table saw cabinet I'll construct.

Here are photos of a primered workshop. I still have the roof supports to primer. I'll be putting up the 1x4 trim board after they are purchased, I've been dragging my feet to buy them. You can see my louvered vents on either side - they have been doing a very, very good job keeping the shop cool.

Leave a Comment! :)

Father's Day Weekend Recap.

Photos of my Shop Cat, dead Shop Cat, an Agave growing in my yard, and Titan. Enjoy!




Great Things.
Alot was accomplished this weekend in the mini-shop. I felt it was a very productive weekend, alot of steps in the right direction. All in all, it was a great weekend, it was a hot one too. Summer is said to officially start Monday.

Thanks Dad.
Sunday was Father's Day, I am sending so much love to my Dad, Larry. I wanted to take the time to say "Thank you, Dad for always loving and supporting Krystal and I unconditionally, Thank you for stepping up and being a father figure to Krystal at a time she is lacking one, she greatly wanted to express that. Thank you for helping me construct the Mini-shop, without your construction know-how and experience this project would not be possible. Lastly, thank you for being a part of all our crazy family endeavors. " My Dad flew out on a business trip Sunday, so we didn't really get to spend time with him but that's okay, we celebrated earlier. Be safe, Dad - we love ya, come home soon.

Structurally, I added the much needed ventilation as previously discussed. Two vents were added, one to the North facing and another on the South facing to create much needed cross ventilation. The vents are also sealed into place to prevent leaking. After placing the vents, I noticed that the heat build up inside the shop greatly subsided. I plan to later install a thermometer inside the shop to really get an accurate idea of the inside temperature of the shop.

Later, I finished the frame work to the 24" x 55.5" x 40" workbench. The workbench frame is very sturdy and has extra center bracing for the work bench top and bottom shelf. Assembly came easy with the Kreg Jig.

I also managed to complete the construction of a small birdhouse, that I began a while back before starting up Big Z. Using my table saw to make the final components of the birdhouse was a dream. It was a very easy task and make simple, precision work of it. A little bit of wood putty, sanding, paint and shellac and this birdhouse is good to go. This will be the job of my finisher: Krystal.

Don't forget to leave us a comment!

Furniture Friday!

Furniture Friday!
I'm going to doing something different and turn every Friday on the Big Z Creations blog into 'Furniture Friday'. I'll be posting a piece of furniture that I've randomly found on the web and attempt to discuss its design and construction elements. Perhaps we'll learn something together.

Today's piece is a modern outdoor chair and side table made of a honey glazed medium grain teak. The chair design is comfortably modern, with a mitred angle slat seat set and back support with doubled legs and arms. The seat is slightly oversized to accept an optional custom seat and or back cushion. The uni-leg table comes with a matching slat top to compliment the chair. The chair's uni-frame leg and arm construction utilizes clever single dovetails and allows easy bolt together to the seat and back. These construction elements were also carried into the table design. A simple honey glaze was used to bring out the natural elements of the teak, which leaves a modern and natural feel to the pieces. What results is a very modern, comfortable, sturdy, natural outdoor set of furniture that can, if properly taken care of, stand up to the abuses of weathering.

Yesterday.
A lot of progress yesterday! I broke in the table saw, broke out my drill, my Kreg Jig and started my quintessential project to kick start my woodworking in precision. Yesterday I began construction on my workbench/ outfeed table. I began my project by ripping the 2x4's to length for the legs, the length and width for the Horizontal supports. Next using the Kreg Jig, I placed a few of the pocket holes essential for the assembly. I will begin actual assembly tonight hopefully.

Another Tool.
During a lunch break yesterday, I found a 5.5 amp Jig/Scroll/Sabre Saw on Clearence for $53! Yes, you heard me correctly, $53 - Regularly priced at $80. I struck gold. LOL. At 5.5amps, this guy can handle plunge cuts as well.

To the Sea by Jack Johnson.

Bring on your hunters
Let them bring their dogs
It's me that you wanted
I've been right here all along
Right here all along
You better bring your buckets
We've got some dreams to drain
I'll be at the bottom
I've been right here waiting so long
Just waiting so long
Dreams to drain
Put them in a cage
Unlock the pain
And I'll be here waiting
You fell asleep with the key
All your walls
Mean nothing to me
I know you'll come back
To set us free
Run my dear son
Until we get to the trees
And then keep on going all the way
We've got to get right down to the sea
We've got to get to the sea
Oh my dear son
We've got to get to the sea
But don't you touch the water
Don't you barely breathe
And if you see yourself
Looking back at you
You're going to have to leave
You're going to have to leave
I don't want you to go
But you've got to leave
Dreams to drain
Put them in a cage
Unlock the pain
And I'll be here waiting
You fell asleep with the key
All your walls
Mean nothing to me
I know you'll come back
You're going to set us free
I don't want you to go
But you've got to leave
You can always come to me
I'll give you what you need
Run my dear son
We've got to get to the sea

Progress Slowly.

Sealed.
I keep finding places that didn't quite seal right after going over the exterior of the mini shop. I'm being a perfectionist about it being sealed completely. I want my shop weatherproofed, air/water tight and free from invading insect activity. Going over the exterior again last night pretty much sealed up everything. I think the primer made some cracks and holes more visible. I am satisfied that everything is now %100 sealed. The weathering issue is now solved. Other problems that I now have are: 1. The large heat build up 2. lack of safe and adequate amount of electricity for lighting/power 3. lack of Windows for a view / cross ventilation 4. Shelving / Organization for proper wood and tool storage.

Vents, Vents, Vents.
Tonight, I'll first install a few vents to alleviate the heat build up in there. I'll simply mark the rough openings to the size I need them for the vents. Next, I'll cut through the hardieboard and lay down a bead of caulking to seal the vent into position and screw the vent on.

I have a goal of figuring out how to embed videos into my blog posts. I have embedding a video of Jack's new song "You and Your Heart". So be sure to check it out as well.

Here's a ridiculous Redneck song in response to the oil spill. I would rarely post such flaming crap but I found this insultingly funny against BP. This is my mini protest against them. Cue the Banjo music now please... Enjoy

Yesterday.
Despite it being my birthday, I was productive before nightfall and managed to caulk and paint a layer of primer base coat on the shop. The weather was perfect at 7:30pm. I'm really excited as the shop is nearing completion. I have to now just purchase 1x4x8 PT board, cut to dry fit, seal, prime and paint them and the shop ext. should be pretty much done. A few other things I'll be adding to the shop will be a few air vents, AC window unit, a few windows possibly, the electrical components: wiring, socket strips 42" height, fuse box. I haven't posted any photos lately so I guess I better take some tonight and have something to show for all my hard work.

Another year wiser?

Today is my Birthday, thank you to all who has celebrated it with me. I don't feel different, and that's certainly a good thing. I am very thankful for being alive, for being loved, for being healthy, for being strong, for my humility, for my passion, for friends, for family and for the love of my life, Krystal. I am thankful for Mother Ocean - her waves, her beaches, her tides, her animal subjects who rule her domain. Now, on my special day, I am motivated to share the lyrics to a song that really reflect how I feel:

~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Monsoon" by Jack Johnson.

I feel sorrow for the fear
And everything it brings
And wonder if it will ever sleep

I know you understand
Because you briefly look away
Focusing on nothing so now everything is clear

Because there’s no one to blame
You got no place to hide
It’s only in your mind

And I saw you
In amazement stumbling through the day
You told me time never waits
What is that supposed to mean

All of life
Is in one drop of the ocean waiting to go home
Just waiting to go home
And if the moon
Can turn the tides it can pull the tears
And take them from our eyes
Make them into monsoons
Turn them into monsoon-er or later
They’ll weep their way back to the sea
Gonna finally be free
Free for a while
Until they break
Like waves of sorrow always do all in due time
Because time never waits

Daddy don’t daydream again
Just help me to believe and then
Show me that there’s more than the mean time

Sonny do you hear the sound
You will feel it when it breaks
You will know it when it’s gone
How else can I explain

Because it’s only the pain
Coming straight through
Coming to remind

Cross cut to you
in amazement stumbling through the day
You tell me time never waits
That’s okay because I don’t wait for time

When all of life
Is in one drop of the ocean
Waiting to go home
Just waiting to go home
And if the moon
Can turn the tides it can pull the tears
And take them from our eyes
Turn them into monsoons
Make them into monsoon-er or later
They’ll weep their way back to the sea
Gonna finally be free
Free for a while
Until they break
Like waves of sorrow always break

All in due time
Because time never waits

~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To those that have never listened to that song. I hope that by sharing these lyrics with you that you'll be motivated to someday check it out. Jack is a wonderful musician and artist, his music has really shaped my life. I'm sure that I've stated this before - music defines the meaning of my life. It's deeply rooted in me, it eases me, it keeps me going everyday.

Table Saw.
I was able to correctly install the riving knife to the table saw last night. It was a little difficult but a little patience paid off. I also reviewed the safety features of the saw again just for peace of mind. I powered on the saw for the first time last night, it was loud, hearing protection will be a must. I didn't have the shop vac hose installed either, that could have been the reason why it was a little louder. Anyways it'll be loud which is awesome, ha ha ha. I think I'll start a woodworking project tonight!

B-Day Tomorrow.

Sat. Mini-Shop Recap.
I worked very hard Saturday to completely dry in the mini-shop. My dual prong plan of attack is to caulk all the screw holes and small cracks and gaps between and around the hardieboard and then going around to fill the larger gaps and cracks near the corrugated roof line and between the roof rafters with cans of Great Stuff Expanding foam. For those of you that have never used this stuff before, here is some sound safety advice: Just like WoodShop rules: Always wear protection, in this case specifically in the form of disposable rubber gloves, safety glasses, a hat, shirt with sleeves if possible. This spray foam has literally gotten all over everything: my skin, my ladder, my clothes, my shoes - there is nothing exact about applying this stuff. It hardens very quickly and can be like a hard film of superglue that would stain your skin for days. I still have some on me that I am slowing peeling off daily. This IS Nasty stuff - ALWAYS Wear Protection kids!! I took great care of carefully cleaning up everything and protecting myself.

Results.
I am very happy with the fact that my mini-shop is completely dried-in. I have the utmost confidence that insects and moisture and other elements of weather will no longer be a nuisance or a threat to my tools and or projects. After a few days of allowing the foam and caulking to dry completely, and after doing a final inspection of the seals, I will then proceed to paint a layer of primer using a paint roller. This always gets to be the exciting part of the finishing process to me. I've priced out the cost of 11 - 1x4x8' Pressure treated trim wood - this will come out to $2.97ea or $32.67 before taxes. The trim wood is essential to the overall finished look.

2morrow.
Yes, that's right, tomorrow is my birthday. Another year on this rock for me tomorrow. It's just another day, and I'll be working my desk job as usual. This past weekend was more like my birthday as my wife graciously gave me my birthday present early Sunday. (Thank you, Babe -You are still my favorite birthday present every year!). So what was it you ask? Those who know me well, know that I am a very simple person. You might also know that I am breaking into woodworking and setting up a woodworking shop. My gift was a woodworking power tool of my choosing and so without further ado:

I'm happy to introduce the latest addition to my shop. The Porter Cable 10" Jobsite Table Saw with 5,000 RPMs of power, 24.5" rip capacity, 15amps of solid, portable power. The saw has miter, cross cut, rip, dado, bevel and non-through cut capabilities. I AM VERY EXCITED at the prospect of this new tool. I spent the better half of Sunday relaxing, slowing assembling and carefully calibrating this table saw's blade. This will be my first piece of precision equipment and I literally and figuratively have my work cut out for me with this saw.

Shop Safety.
As of today, I have not powered on the saw as of yet, I guess I am nervous about it's abilities. I am taking my time to safely familiarize myself with all of it's safety features to the point where I'll be confident to know that I am using it as directed. I am a very firm believer of shop safety and at all opportunities - I like to practice safe woodworking. I think being careful has led me to this point in my life in all things that I have undertaken. A power tool of this nature is a great responsibility, reading the safety requisites and adhering to them is only going to lead to quality products and a better quality of woodworking shop time.

Finally Friday.

Blog Revamp.
I'm hoping that everyone will like the new GREENER Big Z Creations Blog layout. I didn't change too much. We're really liking it and hope you do too. Leave us some comments if there is anything you'd like to see added to this blog just let me know. I'll be making modifications here and there from time to time but appreciate feedback.

Roof it.
I have started the re-roofing of the mini-shop last night before being driven off by mosquitoes and lack of light. I've overlapped the main trouble area and laid down some waterproof caulking to create an extra seal. There are weak spots along the roof edge that I'll have to go back and reinforce with a few 2x4 braces. I'll use my Kreg jig to put pocket holes that I'll use to toenail these braces to the roof joists. This is further reinforce the strength of the North and South Faces of the roof. I'll continue on this afternoon and tomorrow morning to get this wrapped up as soon as I can. I'm confident that I'll get this done in a timely manner.

Not Quite Friday.

Early morning laugh.
I was just at Orange (Home Depot) and the Hilti rep. tried to sell me a $300 hammer drill. The sad thing was that this was their lowest and cheapest model. I was too embarrassed to admit to him that I was not going to be able to afford it, nor was I ever going to spend that much money on one tool UNLESS it was a Delta table saw or a jointer table. Hilti is the Porsche of power tools, they make fine tools with fine metal parts - but the price you pay for their quality is up there. $300 could translate into money I could spend for lumber for about 8 or 9 small to medium projects. I am a beginner wood worker, the cheap to moderately priced tools that I have will do just fine. I was shopping for a cordless drill. I figured that since I do not have power fully routed to the mini-shop, a back up cordless drill might be the way to go. I want a drill with an awesome battery and it looks like I'll be paying about $150 to $200. I think I'll put this off for a while.

Rain. Destruction.
The mini-shop had a few puddles of water on the floor and a puddle or two on my tool cabinet when I came home yesterday to inspect it. I was devastated and desperate. I plan to resolve this by re-roofing it this weekend. I have about 7 pieces of zinc and purchased a box of self tapping screws, I'll proceed to put down a bead of water proof caulking on the cracks of the other pieces to further ensure that no water is getting in.
For a temporary fix against any rain that will develop today, I have cover the roof with a waterproof tarp. This will stave off any further water from coming in through the roof.

The rain and re-doing the roof is a big set back for me to set up the mini-shop, but they are essential to getting everything done right and set up correctly. I still have the following to be done:

- sealing and installing more roof panels
- sealing all cracks in the hardieboard
- cutting pieces to cover holes in inside corners of the shed
- installing a front step or ramp into the shop.
- sealing / laying down a floor inside shop.

In related news, the rain has really been hard and strong these past few days. It has left New Braunfels and the Guadalupe River in a devastating state. The flooding has again left much debris and waste everywhere.

Workbench Design

I really liked this design for a secondary workbench idea that I have for purposes of a router table.

Hump Day

Early to bed...
It's a rainy, cloudy and dark Hump Day. My boss thought it'd be cute to adjust my schedule back to 8am-5pm. Getting up earlier to leave Bastrop earlier in the rain was fun this morning. I guess it's okay because I get to leave work earlier. Switching around like this takes a toll on me. It's an adjustment no less.

Rain.
If there was ever something that could put a damper on woodworking for me; It'd be rain. Rain prevents me from getting the 2x6s I need to complete my woodworking bench. Another interesting thing is that I discovered that I have two very small leaks in the mini shop's roof that will need to be sealed up. I'll take care of that next as my next priority. Some Bitterman's Roof Tar should do the trick. Despite roof leaks, I have alot of low spots and water flowing across my property, I also have to really start my french drains and to start distributing the dirt I have piled up.

Here's your Hump Day Funny:

Tuesday Tuesday.

Morning Mellow.
It has been a very mellow morning, I feel rested and at peace... I slept well last night and this morning, and now I'm bumping the easy 311. It's been a 311 morning, just flowing with mellow, I love it. Going to work is kind of a bummer but we're thinking positive today. The weather is cool and cloudy, rain is likely be in the forecast for today. Rain would be nice, water of any sort would be nice.

Kitty.
I didn't do much last night, I was actually really tired from the physical activities of this past weekend. I wanted to just come home and crash on the bed. Krystal brought home a beautiful white kitten that she had found outside of her job yesterday. I don't know what to think of keeping her, I think I was too tired to care really. I am allergic to cats and Krystal knows this. Krystal wants to keep her as an outside cat which is okay by me. I have no idea how to keep them around other than to keep food for her outside. The kitten is a female and her name is She-Ra, she's real tiny and still young. She'll stay inside for now but when she gets older, we'll slowly transition her to live outside. I have two dogs already, mind you, my home is turning into a zoo. Krystal pledges to take care of the cat. I'll sit back to see how that works out. Either way, looks like I have inherited a shop cat.
Project: Workbench
I have decided on using the plans for the Kreg work bench to build my own custom version to suit my own needs. I'm building the base a little lengthier but will have to see how the top (made of 2x6's) will come out. The goal is to come out with as little waste as possible for this project.

Sound Off.
I'm really happy with the fact that I've been able to update this blog with all the projects and things that Big Z Creations has got going on. I'm not the best writer and the worst at keeping a journal of any sort. So this blog has been an awesome thing for me especially. Thanks to those great friends who have sounded off already on my blog with their words of encouragement and praise. I am motivated by all this feedback - Please remember to click on "Comments" to drop a line and please let me know what you think.

Big Z Mini-Shop 95% Finished!!!

Mini-shop.
I'm wrapping up a very productive weekend. Boy am I tired... Seriously, I am beat up with all the screwing, lifting, positioning, hammering, sawing... But it was all worth it. After much hard work, sweat, tears, thankfully very minimal blood loss and injury, the mini shop is preliminarily finished. It's still in the rough but soon it'll be 100% finished. I am very pleased with the craftsmanship and how it turned out overall. It is quite a marvel to be inside something that you designed and built yourself and with the generous help of my family. I really want to thank my mom, my dad and my wife Krystal for all their hard work on the construction of this project. I couldn't have completed or have even started without their help. Thank you all again. I am very happy to have a level, dry, self contained place for which to store things and to set up the Big Z Creations wood shop however small of a space I am given. The 10 by 12 space is actually spacious enough to set up my wood working area and still be able to store a few things. Finishing remains of this project is the very simple task of caulking/sealing, applying a primer base coat, applying paint and trim is all that remains. A few custom additions will be made down the line will include installing a few windows on the western wall and possibly on the eastern wall to allow for cross ventilation. I'm also debating whether or not to install vents near the roof lines in order to improve air circulation and to reduce the build up of hot air inside. I think this would be a great idea now that I am reflecting upon it.

What's next?
Upon completing the mini-shop, the next project I'll begin should be the next most important for my cause. A workbench. The workbench is the quintessential tool for all woodworkers. I was blessed with some extra 2x4's that I'll dedicate to making a simple but sturdy workbench. A few 2x4's and a few 2x6's for the bench top and I'll be in business. This bench will be built with the Kreg Jig. Here's an example of that bench.

Finally Friday

It's a beautiful day.
Just like the U2 song, It's friday again kiddos - that means after 6pm, my desk job turns back into manual labor job, he he. Not too unlike the Carriage turning back into the Pumpkin at midnight for Cinderella. It's a bright sunny friday too, big relief from the rainy cloudy past two days we've been getting.

CAPPED.
GREAT NEWS!! They have finally successfully capped the leaking oil well in the Gulf!! That is just awesome!
We have hopefully put a stop to the leak but now begins the grueling task of skimming and cleaning up the oil heading towards our beaches and reefs. God only knows how long it will take. I am trying to remain optimistic about the entire thing despite how upset and sad I am about it's effect on our environment. I think we will work hard to bounce back from this. Hopefully, we've all learned something about how we can prevent environmental catastrophes like this from happening in the future.

Projects.
As mentioned above - where the desk job ends - the physical work begins for me. The rains have gone away leaving a hot and sticky, humid environment perfect to resume work on the Mini Shop. I am stoked to get back to finishing the preliminary plans for this project. The weather should not be even a factor for this weekend at all other than it may be too hot. Better to be too hot than rain, I say.

Music Review

Music. Who am I?
Those who know me well know how much music impacts my life. Music has influenced me since as long as I can remember. From a very early age, several artists and genres of music have gone in and out of fashion for me throughout the years. For the past 7 years, I have looked to musicians for longevity, purpose, and quality of life. I sought out music that conformed to who I was, my belief system, my roots - and in some way to help me define who I was. I have been a soul searcher all my life, I have always looked inward for answers about my life.

Banana Onion.
All seriousness must be garnished with a little side of humor. I have been told that I am a banana with onion layers - ha ha ha. Simply Conflicted. Complex layers underneath yet very simple and gentle outward disposition. Slow to react, yet slippery and often too quick to think. When I want to, I can go very deep. So I meditated on what kind of man I was becoming, who I wanted to become, and through trial and error I discovered the most important things in life. Other times, I ebb just like the tides, one moment calm, another there's waves. Like most people, as I matured, I learned to ride those waves and not fight them. Being a waverider, I turned to fellow waveriders for help to stay afloat in my life. This is when I discovered Jack...

To The Sea.
This is yet another powerful and awesome album by a master artist. It's easy for anyone to identify that this will be a very biased album review from a fan of nearly seven years. Listening to the album, Jack has produced another organic album with surprising improvements including the brave additions of backup vocalists and additional instruments. Jack can do no wrong by me obviously with this move, I really think fans of Jack anywhere will also like that about his new album. Every album of his is portrayed in my mind like fruit hanging from the tree; a nugget, a jewel in their own respects. To The Sea is a braver, experimental roots based album. Favorite songs include the brave "Red Wine, Mistakes, Mythology", "Only the Ocean", "From the Clouds" and "You and Your Heart". I think it's going to be the anthem of this summer easily. I feel that with each new release from Jack, I sense that we are all coming a little closer to home. I'm looking forward to his next decade of albums. Find out what Jack is all about including music and news on his latest album at: http://jackjohnsonmusic.com/home

Memorial Day Weekend

One Big Step.
It was a very hot weekend temperature wise, I am sweating just thinking about it right now. I must have changed shirts about 7 times in order to keep a shirt on that was dry. So much hard work was performed this weekend and with great results. We took our time and ensured that each step of the project was completed to standards. Precautions were also taken to ensure that none of us would suffer heatstroke, so we rested and consumed plenty of liquids. So much water and rootbeer? was consumed, yes rootbeer. Lol. I really have to thank my very dedicated and beautiful wife, Krystal and my very dedicated and still very healthy 60 year old parents. It makes me so happy to have these bonding moments where we all get to work together on projects like these and without killing each other. Great things were accomplished this weekend, great things:

-moved the railroad ties
-installed new kitchen faucet.
-planted 3 new oak trees in the backyard

and saving the best for last.
-began the construction of a storage shed/mini shop!!

Railroad ties.
We must have moved about 16 very heavy railroad ties. Eight we're given to my parents for the construction of their raised garden bed and eight were kept for the purposes of mine. The raised garden bed will be a project saved for sometime in the fall. I'd love to get the garden underway as soon as possible but this heat will probably only allow the completion of the shed/ mini shop.

Kitchen Faucet.
I was really wanting to update the kitchen area. Krystal and Mom found a really nice Delta faucet from Home Depot. The old kitchen faucet came off without a hitch, I discovered that the old faucet was connected to a nine year old water filter. The dated water filter had to be disposed of and the trickiest part of the install of the new faucet was the conversion of 1/2" into the newer 3/8" compression. Getting the proper hoses and union pieces was key to the success of this sink install. For this I thank the plumbing professionals at Home Depot.

Shed/Mini Shop.
This is the largest construction job that I have undertaken in years. I was apart of building a 30x32 two car garage and workshop back in 2003 for the second half of my construction techniques class at Texas State. Upon completion, the shed/mini shop will be 21' x 12', that's 252 sq. ft. of over all covered space of which 120 of that will be completely enclosed. The other remaining 132 sq. ft. will be covered by an awning and a deck will be added. I'll be including plans on this project shortly.

Foundation.
The piece of land that we built upon is just slightly uneven, excavation was necessary in order to ensure the proper placement of the foundation concrete block. We place 12 concrete block in a 4 x 3 pattern. After the concrete block was measured and squared up in equal distance apart and level, construction of the East and West walls and subfloor was completed.

Walls/ Floor.
The East and West walls are constructed from PT 4x4's and regular 2x4 studs every 16" OC. The subfloor is 5/8" waterproof OSB secured on PT 2x4's spanned from the concrete block and secured to the PT 4x4's.

Conclusion.
This is as far as we have gotten on it. This is all very exciting and awesome. It's a big step in the right direction as far as I am concerned. Like I said before, I believe that we will be using this roomy building and covered extension for storage of items such as our surfboards, bicycles, BBQ grill, tools, finishing paraphernalia, garden tools/implements, covered parking for a future tractor mower. Projects that will follow will include but not limited to: my future woodworking bench, a future built in lumber material storage, installing electrical utilities to the side of the building and wiring the inside for outlets and lighting. I forecast wrapping the main portion of this project up this next weekend. As we progress, I'll be cutting the rough openings to add windows and doors and the framing for them.

Enjoy the pics....