There is always one screw or nut that can't be removed on any project. If there are laws of home repair that is the first one.
MsBubba asked for added shelf's in the hall pantry and like all SO's with a brain the only answer is "yes dear". The first shock was the price of clear Pine, $8 USD a board foot at the local HD. I walked away the first time thinking I could build the shelf's out of Cherry for the same price but ended up returning for the pine to keep from needing to do glue-ups of either Alder or Poplar. By the time I had all the boards, supports, and the Plywood needed there was a new charge on the AmEx of over $400 USD.
After a little butt scratching and a lot of rolling around on the floor the shelf's are installed, sliding doors rehung and the project finished. Hold on Pine breath. As re-installed the outer sliding door has a bow that causes it to hang on the inter door. Not a biggie, take the doors off and re-hang, 15 minutes tops. Wrong again Stripped Screw breath and that is where the project stands. One screw has it stopped until I can find my screw removal kit either in the shop (I know I have one) or at Ace when they open.
I think this sums up the last four years and the coming next four:
https://twitter.com/thetimes/status/1325762537732845581/photo/1
Credit @thetimes
That's pretty pricey for pine. I usually have knots in my shelves because, well, they're shelves. How many shelves does it take to consume $400?
ReplyDeleteI have a local lumberyard that I use and if the cost approaches a box store it is far nicer wood. Sadly the small yards are driven out of business by the boxes and there is nothing for those who need or appreciate the difference.
Steve,
DeleteMy thoughts as well, the common Pine, IIRC, was still around $4 USD a board foot and every board badly warped. Just three shelf's but add in brackets and a sheet of BB ply and it gets there quickly. It was a money vs. time decision.
I have a couple of good wood stores plus a guy for hardwood but our last good lumberyard is now a "trendy" cafe.
It is the way the world is going, soon the Amazon truck will be delivering my wood order :-(.
ken
Amazon will only deliver it if you order.
DeleteMuch as Home Depot killed American production at companies like Stanley, Amazon is taking the next step of killing retail and small business.
Steve,
DeleteI have not been to Europe in 15 or so years, I'm sure there have been many changes during that time but one of the pleasures of life there is not having a "GAP" or "California Cheesecake Factory" on every other corner. The problem with Amazon is the good goes away as does the bad.
ken
Wood prices are going crazy these days. A lot of people either lost their job or are stuck at home and demand for material is high so prices are following the demand. Even simple construction lumber is at least 50% pricier than last year, and this when you can find some as stock is sold fast.
ReplyDeleteLionel,
DeleteIt is the same here, I will not even think of using Walnut, last I looked for 8/4 it was ~$12 USD a board foot. I've been using a lot of Alder because it is still reasonable, at least for now.
ken
Wow expensive prices. I can still buy local hardwoods for cheap, below 5$ BF. Lots and lots of small mill owners around here. We used to have one of the only 8 Wooodmizer sawmills dealers in NA. It petered out after the owner death, but there are lots of mills around, plus all the news mills available and a few older circular sawmills. No shortage of wooden area neither and there are a few exotic woods dealers in the city. Add Lee Valley, Busy Bee and a few specialized tools dealers and we are well covered :-)
ReplyDeleteBob, well situated and safe inside his Corona Atlantic bubble.
Bob,
DeleteNot a lot of sawmills in the desert :-). Some in The White Mountains about 5 hours North. We are lucky to have 3 or 4 wood stores and a couple carry a good selection of stock but it ain't cheap. I had a wood seller who would go back East and bring truck loads back but he discovered making "dope" pipes was more profitable and easier on his back so that source of cheap wood is pretty much gone.
Life in the Desert makes up for expensive wood, yesterday was shorts and t-shirt WX with mid-afternoon temps in the mid 80"s and night temps mostly in the low 50's. It has been a beautiful Fall, we even got a little frontal passage rain the other day.
It is a constant battle to make clients and other instructors wear their masks here in the land of the free and stupid. That's the bad news, the good is the same as it was back in the days of flying the line. You can't go without me and I'm not going into the briefing room or Sim unless everyone is wearing a mask that covers their nose and mouth.
Take care,
ken