Toys, Toys, Toys!
So in every old house restoration there is demolition and there is reconstruction. and with that comes lots of TOYS, TOYS, TOYS!! Oops! I meant TOOLS, TOOLS, TOOLS! Sometimes it feels like a UPS dropoff or an Amazon delivery comes every day? Don't know what it's like for other folks, but every project needs special equipment!
The Best Tools for the Job
My husband spends lots of time researching the best tools for the job. And then we get them delivered!! Sometimes it seems like a UPS or Amazon delivery every day! Isn't that great!
During our demo, there was rotten or damaged siding to be replaced. The question was where to go for the best quality material at the best price. The big box store or the local seller? We chose the local Harleyville Builders Supply for 2x4's, joists, and subfloor.
The Best Cypress for the Job
But at LMV, the exterior siding that has endured time is cypress. The one that is rotting away is pine. So while working on all the other projects, my resourceful husband chose to research and find sources for the new cypress. He ordered 3000 linear board feet of beautiful rough cut cypress 1x10's from Denmark Lumber Company. Back in May he brought it home and with our grandson's help, unloaded it and stacked it under our shed to dry. Periodically he went out to check the moisture level with his new General MMD4E moisture reader. It started at 18-20% and was ready for planing in late October with a reading of 11-12%. Once it reached the required level he started preparing the boards for the North front repair.
Next came the NEED for the Dewalt planer and the new Hitachi C10FL table saw. So the cypress was ripped to 7 3/4" wide, then planed to 3/4" thick. Then came the dado blade. Each board was edged with the dado blade to create the ship lap siding for the North front face. We sealed the backs and edges of the lumber with primer. Finally, the North front porch boards were installed using...our NEW nail gun.
So exciting to see the North front taking shape! Can't wait to see what new toys we NEED for our next project!