tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-303577472024-03-07T21:52:33.262-05:00the e-unit project blogAn optimist will tell you the glass is half-full; the pessimist, half-empty; and the engineer will tell you the glass is twice the size it needs to be. – Oscar WildeEvan Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07511356635742553711noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30357747.post-50919526329220429312023-12-22T22:54:00.005-05:002023-12-22T22:59:23.760-05:00Permanent Christmas Lights<p>Do you like ladders? How bout digging the ol' Christmas lights out of the crawl space? Not any more my friends. Introducing permanent decorative holiday lighting for your home. </p><p>Cheesy informercial intros aside, I just installed permanent holiday lights and I love them. They are designed to illuminate the siding of a house while tucked, out of view, underneath soffits. They stay up all year long and can be controlled with a smart phone app. Reference the image below for a better idea of what I'm talking about.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUVA1g_Qnb901IcFP2T7pP_unlGJdwVaYT5vtT6NXRPdAdQ7rSYqKrEuD0qKed1opX4cIhVKH0OQDxPrJspwUAQAO2ri2goFRqTvwVQWY_hH2ImZAkY4T3uCXv45lFvU8QnmdUrY1nglHJtGoUS6lOlGnEqCyEk_WAR8iqV9lbTrwDF9_DVtO/s1689/Govee%20Lights%20Front.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="1689" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUVA1g_Qnb901IcFP2T7pP_unlGJdwVaYT5vtT6NXRPdAdQ7rSYqKrEuD0qKed1opX4cIhVKH0OQDxPrJspwUAQAO2ri2goFRqTvwVQWY_hH2ImZAkY4T3uCXv45lFvU8QnmdUrY1nglHJtGoUS6lOlGnEqCyEk_WAR8iqV9lbTrwDF9_DVtO/w640-h276/Govee%20Lights%20Front.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Check out the video.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="359" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uG2vzGL2CwQ" width="642" youtube-src-id="uG2vzGL2CwQ"></iframe></div><br /><p>The product I went with is Govee Permanent Outdoor RGBIC Lights. They are IP67 rated and come with 75 Scene Modes. I purchased from Amazon.</p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDxKvGqx8qfPZbQ2VB9-0QrX0DHKTSBiw9g3fDF09tPQisNZYTToRq8B4i02DmXF2klcW3u64EwVtWUgFEozuTkSkTvbhGeypEyNUkZRZTBjlCxHjGbq6sUXGKjAHOu1lK4aYu_42f6SffwBO-DLRt-lt6tHWxX869oVdQSahPGGpOk2hccl0/s1500/713d2JxpfrL._AC_SL1500_.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1449" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDxKvGqx8qfPZbQ2VB9-0QrX0DHKTSBiw9g3fDF09tPQisNZYTToRq8B4i02DmXF2klcW3u64EwVtWUgFEozuTkSkTvbhGeypEyNUkZRZTBjlCxHjGbq6sUXGKjAHOu1lK4aYu_42f6SffwBO-DLRt-lt6tHWxX869oVdQSahPGGpOk2hccl0/s320/713d2JxpfrL._AC_SL1500_.jpg" width="309" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Every light has a 3M VHB (Very High Bond) adhesive backing that is meant to form a semi-permanent connection with suitable material like plastic, vinyl, or wood. Time will tell whether they hold up but so far, they are bonding well. The light modules are 16.75 inches apart (on center). The distance from the illuminated surface dictates the shape of the light cone you get. Below is a close up image of the front porch.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhct-rmcLX117qpg0NqOfcQJYHD9ouD0Jt1BrehfX_qicva3jYPi3dAcZ3akrzm0bxJp83AIzymyVNLDMAzgx7H5SP0-IxkTOEAp4F5dvIYapnHbn1fZq3QDs_or7WZSr7cV4zumCVA5lyweBmB4bAfIK1XfAUsRsnaWde-VdIqlKKup6X12O2X/s640/Govee%20Lights%20Porch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhct-rmcLX117qpg0NqOfcQJYHD9ouD0Jt1BrehfX_qicva3jYPi3dAcZ3akrzm0bxJp83AIzymyVNLDMAzgx7H5SP0-IxkTOEAp4F5dvIYapnHbn1fZq3QDs_or7WZSr7cV4zumCVA5lyweBmB4bAfIK1XfAUsRsnaWde-VdIqlKKup6X12O2X/w480-h640/Govee%20Lights%20Porch.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>The Govee phone app allows you to schedule the lights in very high detail. You can have a different scene every night of the year. You can even make your own animations. I have the house light up in Kelly Green whenever the Philadelphia Eagles play a night game. </p><p>"But what if I don't have a white house?" Don't worry, YouTube had plenty of examples of installs on light and dark colored siding/brick. </p><p>DIYing this is not trivial, however. Much planning is necessary. The 100' kit does come with two extension cables but you'll likely need to cut the strand mid-run if you come to the end of a roof section. Good news, cutting a strand is possible but you'll need the proper tools like a soldering iron if you want to properly extend a run. Not a big deal if you know me and live reasonably close. If not, time to learn a new skill ;)</p><p>This product only comes in white but the pro version can be purchased in black. Would be nice if you could get it to better match your house color but I'm sure there are ways around that. Color matched cable raceways perhaps. And they only work with Alexa, and Google Assistant at the moment. The app is good enough where that's not even an issue though. </p><p>Overall, I'm pretty happy with what this brings to my lighting scheme. And I'll be even happier when I don't have to take down the lights in wintery January weather. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Evan Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07511356635742553711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30357747.post-18333430238164106352021-06-01T22:00:00.001-05:002021-06-01T22:02:22.677-05:00Curb Appeal<p> </p><div style="text-align: center;">This is the post I have been waiting 7 years to write. The front of the house is finally done!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtUTuNFChwa8BOJ5AL6X6_SfHRSSXOBfJnDNGyhjlOBtGBmLfG51UdYWLZlfulaHYM_TiFtpaNWZ_es-TYFXyQTq9SzcOpMHAEhEXx4l5bssZ6Vbt178O7UIivGIJjxbjUr_p/s2016/House+Front.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1011" data-original-width="2016" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtUTuNFChwa8BOJ5AL6X6_SfHRSSXOBfJnDNGyhjlOBtGBmLfG51UdYWLZlfulaHYM_TiFtpaNWZ_es-TYFXyQTq9SzcOpMHAEhEXx4l5bssZ6Vbt178O7UIivGIJjxbjUr_p/w518-h259/House+Front.jpg" width="518" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNy3qBZI6lRYlMlruIOwJk438-naR4caG39pKjRP1TAvg6XSTJVQX2UNuNz3IaD9TYT5hJRCCjy4sptaZECOCNWZiwhfwvN40yLDj2dNXAOsumEob9pxFSCjf5tb7YYB-i06o8/s750/FX8268164_0.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNy3qBZI6lRYlMlruIOwJk438-naR4caG39pKjRP1TAvg6XSTJVQX2UNuNz3IaD9TYT5hJRCCjy4sptaZECOCNWZiwhfwvN40yLDj2dNXAOsumEob9pxFSCjf5tb7YYB-i06o8/w519-h344/FX8268164_0.jpg" width="519" /></a></div><p>Ok, we cheated a little with our before and after shots. The before picture was taken in late fall while we opted for early spring to capture the after picture. But look how green the grass is! Actually, as I will discuss in detail later, the before picture is probably as good as the house was going to look considering how many weeds were lurking just below the surface waiting to pounce and completely lay waste to every inch of exposed dirt. It was painful.</p><p>You may want to grab some coffee, there is a lot to unpack here. When we first moved in, we didn't think the state of the front façade and yard were that bad. The inside was our first priority so we threw Band-Aids on some of the outside trouble spots and got to work. This wasn't the wisest decision because almost everything started to deteriorate quickly. We moved in around early April and that's just about when everything green started to explode. Mostly weeds and English Ivy. Oh, some Poison Ivy too. Be careful around that stuff kids. Prior to moving into this house my wife and I had lived our adult lives in apartments or townhouses. Our combined experience with greenery was minimal. During our first summer, I took a run at clearing and cleaning some of the property. Pro tip here, if you attempt to wrestle mother nature into submission, you will lose. And I did. I think this experience ultimately guided our design decisions for the exterior of the house. Simple, clean and classic is what needed to happen to heal our battered minds and bodies.</p><p>During the interior renovations, my wife and I would constantly be on the lookout for houses in the neighborhood with color schemes we liked. The siding definitely needed to be painted and due to the builder quality brickwork, it was going to be included in our palette decision as well. I'll say it again, the hardest part of renovations is picking out colors. Going with black on white may seem like a punt, but it was unique among houses on our street and kept showing up on our list of favorite example homes. </p><p>I'll bet that you can't think of a single garage door near you that isn't a shade of white. You wouldn't think it when shopping for them though. Seems like only high end houses really consider the design of garage doors. Ok, they are a bit more expensive but can have a significant impact on how your home looks and feels. With that said, we went with regular ol' Clopay white doors. That's actually what we wanted. I'll talk more about the doors in an upcoming garage post. That should be a good one.<br /></p><p>It's hard to see in the "before" shot but the large window on the main level is a mid century honeycomb bow window. It created a magical draft that would appear as if from nowhere. Under a certain exterior temperature, it was like the window wasn't even there. It had to go. I explored hiring this job out but happened upon a couple of windows off Nextdoor.com that were a perfect fit. I ended up buying a set of four and selling two that put my end cost at $0. Not a bad deal. <br /></p><p>Getting a new concrete driveway was definitely something we were going to splurge on. We hired Maico Gomez with MVK Construction for the heavy lifting. Couldn't have been happier with the work he did. He's done a bunch of work for us over the years and our neighbors too. If you ever need concrete, pavers, painting, you name it... he's your man.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvPimCcp1sXA4QYmwXLMHMWmIm_zaakYlCgVbZrZCw50CQEBC5qTXTbdCM3foCquXOfijnk6mrMhsxJ_P41q6Y6dZmO86249mfh7UHm6OoWGHYTkg4LrSFwWopQV7rjRIqtlJ/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvPimCcp1sXA4QYmwXLMHMWmIm_zaakYlCgVbZrZCw50CQEBC5qTXTbdCM3foCquXOfijnk6mrMhsxJ_P41q6Y6dZmO86249mfh7UHm6OoWGHYTkg4LrSFwWopQV7rjRIqtlJ/w490-h326/IMG_4964.JPG" width="490" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyj84tS2fj7413uO3wFhFo86qIrgHeCCdGHgeIQ_5h1h61mTipRdTyeNEO_CB6lVmd3EZ1o693-mkqpfr25qFSjmdjW0E_Di0KBGlBI7XtTMuVxmmK11HOT3jc3WCSROHNRUu/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyj84tS2fj7413uO3wFhFo86qIrgHeCCdGHgeIQ_5h1h61mTipRdTyeNEO_CB6lVmd3EZ1o693-mkqpfr25qFSjmdjW0E_Di0KBGlBI7XtTMuVxmmK11HOT3jc3WCSROHNRUu/w491-h368/2016-04-09+08.29.30.jpg" width="491" /></a></div><p>I learned a lot about door installation when replacing our front door. Unless your house if perfectly level and plum, you are going to have problems. Our house is neither, which is to be expected from over 50 years of settling. It's not so much the door as it's the trim that becomes an issue. I had to get creative a number of times. Measure once, cut lots of times was the rule in this case. In addition, and at the risk of covering up such a beautiful entry way, we decided to install a black storm door to get some extra light into the house on nice days. This was an even harder install because the door had little to no rigidity. It had to go in perfectly or it wouldn't seal well. This was a must have and took way more than the advertised afternoon to install. Well worth it though. <br /></p><p>The first thing you should do when moving into a new house is address the landscaping and lawn. It took years to tackle the weeds. The grass has to win and win often to outlast the competition. And if all else fails....sod. It's pricy but you get an instant lawn. I even did some of it myself. And it's still going strong a few years later. Win. The tree on the left in the pictures below died a couple years ago so we had it taken out. I was sad to see it go but now the lawn gets soooo much more sun. I heard that's what plants need.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvpghS0WS7cMdvr7QS7YSFforSQ0aqJ9SiCWt3Eqw0SrRu-zcjP0LnUz-3OHv09Mk3wuM2nofu9k_oD0-sRdoPiIdIqeFYMGiN_JtI9yy-nHn1RjkXvD8ove2Hhd2Y5nbhqp4/s2048/yard+before+and+after.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvpghS0WS7cMdvr7QS7YSFforSQ0aqJ9SiCWt3Eqw0SrRu-zcjP0LnUz-3OHv09Mk3wuM2nofu9k_oD0-sRdoPiIdIqeFYMGiN_JtI9yy-nHn1RjkXvD8ove2Hhd2Y5nbhqp4/w487-h487/yard+before+and+after.jpg" width="487" /></a></div><p>The brick and siding was sprayed with Benjamin Moore Brilliant White. Maico did this for us too. I tell ya, he does everything. Painting is only as good as the prep though. I tackled this part of the job for a couple reasons. Mostly, I just wanted it done right. I really took my time and made sure all of the scraped areas were filled in and sanded perfectly. It's the front of the house and would have been obvious if not. I'm sure the pros would have been good but it turned out to be an iterative process that I'm not sure would have been compatible with their timelines. And then there was cost. Conservatively, I saved about 8K doing this myself. That money came in handy in other areas of the house that my lower back begged me to skip. The back yard post is coming soon. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ffFsntgvxPkIUckzAU5DQsf6qGU9bgO-Yw7Sr6WV016QD_gbgsHHJaU1ZfFm8W0M1AujbDs47PhpuUT11ZL4q0zbR8dEWkzSJEzEzq-9jiUs5iqjaMkxEs95Jlx8qNwnU2XZ/s2016/House+Prep.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="591" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ffFsntgvxPkIUckzAU5DQsf6qGU9bgO-Yw7Sr6WV016QD_gbgsHHJaU1ZfFm8W0M1AujbDs47PhpuUT11ZL4q0zbR8dEWkzSJEzEzq-9jiUs5iqjaMkxEs95Jlx8qNwnU2XZ/w444-h591/House+Prep.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><p>Maico Gomez to the rescue again on the front steps. A lot of people said we didn't have to get it done. I had another opinion on the matter. The slate found a new home and good riddance. I'm not opposed to the style but it was poorly conceived and built. I mean, it sloped TOWARDS the house! I think the long continuous bluestone steps are clean and really tidy up the space. I'm happy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk29EyNxk_hHvIviQ8eD8HKhUZxQ7DcrLEM3Bye25E_Ma1nhjVqJddo9t6iDOvPjn-PzzAfTCgwyjapmFXyBijeqf7mRQW0MhGtb03o3TtHWfB6PuFaz_FSmDCUgrOyjMiloYZ/s2016/Front+Steps+After.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk29EyNxk_hHvIviQ8eD8HKhUZxQ7DcrLEM3Bye25E_Ma1nhjVqJddo9t6iDOvPjn-PzzAfTCgwyjapmFXyBijeqf7mRQW0MhGtb03o3TtHWfB6PuFaz_FSmDCUgrOyjMiloYZ/w458-h344/Front+Steps+After.jpg" width="458" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29nJ3XcfhZo-bw1USsoqWF252J_2Us8HyzSKfsSFLggXeZ0sAJsjg2jCyQ4zG1QO2YxJgixh_W_-MPY3ay4goU8iULIi7rqJS_2j8BUhCSOM5QezA7kbKPQU58yezBTwHTjCE/s2016/Front+Steps+Before.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29nJ3XcfhZo-bw1USsoqWF252J_2Us8HyzSKfsSFLggXeZ0sAJsjg2jCyQ4zG1QO2YxJgixh_W_-MPY3ay4goU8iULIi7rqJS_2j8BUhCSOM5QezA7kbKPQU58yezBTwHTjCE/w459-h344/Front+Steps+Before.jpg" width="459" /></a></div><p></p><p>Up lights, down lights, porch lights, path lights; we have it all. And they are all low voltage LED adding up to less than 70 watts. That's about one incandescent bulb. I wanted our house to be open and inviting even at night without running up the electric bill. Mission accomplished. Home depot has whole sets that go on sale periodically for almost nothing. You should see what I did in the back yard. That's for another post though.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOpgpSTpIaE_e9crGyQ-oaQZRXUbW3rmdpq98ncz7khUwLVkYzWZeiSDiZ6HEkoleHLvrkIwuW0-Iry-phJE3JFtZR9RvFyLo0Wy8eX1TjpSngWDXn2qfXgdiZR3GXcud8CTa/s2016/Front+Lights.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="2016" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOpgpSTpIaE_e9crGyQ-oaQZRXUbW3rmdpq98ncz7khUwLVkYzWZeiSDiZ6HEkoleHLvrkIwuW0-Iry-phJE3JFtZR9RvFyLo0Wy8eX1TjpSngWDXn2qfXgdiZR3GXcud8CTa/w469-h204/Front+Lights.jpg" width="469" /></a></div><p>And for the cherry on top, a home built planter box made out of wood scraps from the shed. I spent more money on the plants. I really have to grow my own next year. We'll see how it fills in and I'll make tweaks for a real planting next season. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVk14WC4A9mn_Sz3jkH20HM-KmjVf9YMO5c-W0aWdBUr1iqVfRK2fp7UZZZLFpRXmDZTOshwLTmklzvYFSMM3aHKyE1LMftHankD69oM4MONE_420wSriASVntRyDLiOgeWYy/s2016/Planter+Box.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVk14WC4A9mn_Sz3jkH20HM-KmjVf9YMO5c-W0aWdBUr1iqVfRK2fp7UZZZLFpRXmDZTOshwLTmklzvYFSMM3aHKyE1LMftHankD69oM4MONE_420wSriASVntRyDLiOgeWYy/w473-h354/Planter+Box.jpg" width="473" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Evan Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07511356635742553711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30357747.post-87910216487831107132019-04-02T09:09:00.001-05:002019-04-02T09:09:18.207-05:003D Printed Toothbrush Shelf<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNG7ImqEyZXX7-XLXq8euJULeg8wX1y7Aut9a9syRcbVjoc5DUjjH4Y0c_eIffrtV84SAsERyMlPNsG2BevjYav6Ba9pGr5LuXQGE47zbkuOpJj83Q11YVM0G23Z402OG8mEoC/s1600/Toothbrush+Shelf.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNG7ImqEyZXX7-XLXq8euJULeg8wX1y7Aut9a9syRcbVjoc5DUjjH4Y0c_eIffrtV84SAsERyMlPNsG2BevjYav6Ba9pGr5LuXQGE47zbkuOpJj83Q11YVM0G23Z402OG8mEoC/s400/Toothbrush+Shelf.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
My wife and I both use an electric toothbrush and they used to reside on the vanity along with their oddly long cords. It really wasn't a big problem until I got into one of my de-cluttering moods and decided something had to be done. I had some space between the mirrors and above the outlets so proceeded to search for a suitable shelf on Amazon and Google. Hiding the cord was a must have and the main reason why I didn't find what I was looking for. There were some interesting takes on the problem but ultimately, I went in a different direction. Why buy something when you can make it fast and free?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXiAh4BzBynEVQd7orlU1NXSvo5LucFIw8kID4w7pQPzEj-0Y1RgrwYppP8ISMlfwMV0PrzlzXesRCIAslboF4TMjgxOyZA4TGeomb5V8g15DM-WOL0CHelAr7XvZ7WJdBin7/s1600/toothbrush+holder.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="1257" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXiAh4BzBynEVQd7orlU1NXSvo5LucFIw8kID4w7pQPzEj-0Y1RgrwYppP8ISMlfwMV0PrzlzXesRCIAslboF4TMjgxOyZA4TGeomb5V8g15DM-WOL0CHelAr7XvZ7WJdBin7/s320/toothbrush+holder.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Heard of 3D printing? I've designed a few nick-knacks in the past so the tool chain was already in place to make short work of this project. To the uninitiated, a three dimensional object can be created using a machine that builds up material (usually plastic) in layers until the desired shape is formed. I use the free online version of SketchUp to model my objects. A quick YouTube tutorial can get you up and running in no time. Getting access to a 3D printer is a bit trickier. If you live in Fairfax Virginia, like I do, the public library system has pretty good machines that you can use for free. You upload your model file (STL format) via their website, wait about 10 days, then pick up your creation at the closest available location. Maybe your town has something similar.<br />
<br />
<br />
I've printed adapters to help install sliding kitchen cabinet drawers, bookshelf pegs, a sliding barn door guide, and many other useful little objects. And you can too. You don't have to be an engineer to think up something useful and bring it to life. You just need a PC and an idea.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Evan Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07511356635742553711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30357747.post-85243899519502043792018-11-19T13:55:00.002-05:002018-11-19T13:55:46.834-05:00Master Bedroom Remodel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtq6NwKebbZsFFdvrqp2tpxKcsODD_bKjFt1yKZ0VxOvc4N3uAQefAus90hSx14GplddmXlBTQPBrIt76W7r76CvwWDimjuKxbRYzjTA_t_Y70_4admusMOo4swiRPh8RrtX4p/s1600/Master.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="1600" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtq6NwKebbZsFFdvrqp2tpxKcsODD_bKjFt1yKZ0VxOvc4N3uAQefAus90hSx14GplddmXlBTQPBrIt76W7r76CvwWDimjuKxbRYzjTA_t_Y70_4admusMOo4swiRPh8RrtX4p/s400/Master.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Our house used to have four bedrooms upstairs. Now it has three. Let me tell you why. We knew going in that the master bathroom (en suite) required a fair amount of work to function properly. Seeing as it was undersized by modern standards, I made plans to enlarge it. I'll leave those details for another post, but for now I will tell you that the best solution was to enlist the area of the walk in closet for the extra space required. I was not sad to see the closet go. Normally walk-ins are great but ours was maddeningly inefficient from a geometric standpoint. And for some reason, it got wickedly cold in there. It needed to be gutted. For a little while I thought I could add closets to the existing master bedroom without knocking down a wall but it became obvious that the sledge hammer would soon be necessary.<br />
<br />
In the "before" picture above, a wall once stood where you can see a break in the floorboards. Nothing is ever easy when you want to take out a wall. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Electrical, plumbing or HVAC, you will have at least two of these in every interior wall that you don't want. Transitioning wall registers to floor registers took a little magic but not much work. Reconnecting the broken electrical was another story. Large swaths of drywall had to be removed to make new wiring runs and much time was spent in the attic crawl space trying to make sense of the lighting. This was two rooms, after all, so there were two light switches which controlled two circuits of switched outlets and two switches that controlled two ceiling fans. It's a good that I like this sort of thing.<br />
<br />
I waffled for a while about what to do with the flooring. Do I stick with the hardwood or carpet the whole level? There is no easy answer. One thing was for certain though, I was going to have a pro do whatever I decided. I refinished the main level hardwood and vowed to never do that again. We flipped a coin and went with the wood but did set ourselves up if we ever wanted carpet in the future. I installed the baseboards 1/2" off the base of the floor so carpet could get tucked underneath saving whomever did the install the trouble of ripping out and reapplying the baseboards. Quarter round hid the gap nicely and made up for any inconsistencies in the floor level.<br />
<br />
Like any bedroom, the space being absorbed into the master had a closet and entryway. Those doors would need to be removed and the openings covered with Sheetrock. With years of cumulative paint, the new drywall did not match the existing drywall width so I used some foam tape to "shim" the new panel. I made the mistake of not including the tape on the lower level and the mudding was a nightmare. <br />
<br />
To spiffy up the room a bit, I finished it by installing new windows, crown molding, window and door casings, paint, lights, and curtains. I also replaced the dated ceiling fan. Did I mentions closets?<br /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kqZn6caSgX5_C5UtDdB9ME2XMJKTeQWshINR_WRfnFf9igVuvOEUjDczBqB-576EzNE9K3bM0Oi0KNdCb7QG0EHNvnx3vLQf2ZzPSzyLPUDGmebyb4fm2wHhKr3AZiEl6MUW/s1600/FX8268164_16_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kqZn6caSgX5_C5UtDdB9ME2XMJKTeQWshINR_WRfnFf9igVuvOEUjDczBqB-576EzNE9K3bM0Oi0KNdCb7QG0EHNvnx3vLQf2ZzPSzyLPUDGmebyb4fm2wHhKr3AZiEl6MUW/s320/FX8268164_16_0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I've worked with the PAX closet system from IKEA before and I really like it. I installed three 49" units for a total of 12 and a quarter linear feet of clothes storage. Since they truly go floor to ceiling, they pack a surprisingly large amount of space. My little son Malcolm loves dancing in front of the mirrored doors on the single unit. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierJLKG_O5jScbfHGFDuKM2SZ-iPp8gK_UCjrAfLQ9kiEwTHmbKXYL_cycZIzZmjrjIKOACAJ3BlG0zD-3fQImLdMTmGGtEp2Xs5psDf9QqxYvHWbb4iyZx-trud1-jElk57Wi/s1600/master+closets+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierJLKG_O5jScbfHGFDuKM2SZ-iPp8gK_UCjrAfLQ9kiEwTHmbKXYL_cycZIzZmjrjIKOACAJ3BlG0zD-3fQImLdMTmGGtEp2Xs5psDf9QqxYvHWbb4iyZx-trud1-jElk57Wi/s320/master+closets+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Losing a bedroom upstairs was a hard decision. We don't regret it though. The boys still have their own bedrooms and there is an extra bedroom downstairs for guests. Having the extra space in the master is really key. It's were the boys get ready in the morning and at night after baths. It's were they like to read books and do their gymnastics.We spend a lot of time as a family in the extra space which makes all the effort to combine the two rooms totally worth it.<br />
<br />Evan Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07511356635742553711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30357747.post-91399755277819854632018-08-16T09:03:00.002-05:002018-08-16T09:03:44.679-05:00Hallway Renovation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHxVBh4lUtWXj8BhoGSwILj1lof9fBIo6WNTJMxf5kX_UpyHZygHgLZ5vJdlhGAHJWj7cYRl9hWR1aUu7RW1zc0BTwz8WUvPNcVXPsI75YqMN9R_F58OTS7FJ5kOQsLSzqfke/s1600/Hallway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHxVBh4lUtWXj8BhoGSwILj1lof9fBIo6WNTJMxf5kX_UpyHZygHgLZ5vJdlhGAHJWj7cYRl9hWR1aUu7RW1zc0BTwz8WUvPNcVXPsI75YqMN9R_F58OTS7FJ5kOQsLSzqfke/s400/Hallway.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Seven steps up from the main level and you're in the hallway that connects to three upstairs bedrooms and a guest bathroom. All of which were completed before the hallway took shape. They had to be. The paint, the floors, the trim, the electric, the doors...it was all connected in one way or another. There were efficiencies to be had by combining some of the jobs together and completing the hallway piecemeal.<br />
<br />
Have you ever heard of a whole house fan. We had one. It didn't work. I'm not sure how it ever worked. Here's the gist. You open the main level windows and the fan pulls air from outside through the house and exhausts it into the attic where it presumably exits via the roof ridge vent. If you want a dusty house, this is how you get a dusty house. I took this monster out and loved every second of it.<br />
<br />
There were three main goals for the hallway. Lighting, lighting, lighting. The original fixture housed a single bulb that was woefully inadequate for the space. Cable lights to the rescue. They fill the void with light without flooding it. They create all the right kinds of shadows that make the room feel bigger than it really is. That was a welcome and unintended consequence of the install.<br />
<br />
I'm not entirely sure why I put chair rail in the hallway and did a two tone paint job but I did and we love it. Here's a top tip with molding of any kind. Buy all you need plus 10%. If you have to get more a month or even a couple weeks later, the profiles are often a hair off. The store probably received another shipment, and for some reason, the suppliers can change and there is no standard. I was short about six inches after a miss-cut and had to scour the area for a section that would fit. That was not fun.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJ1vWSHWysCdg1-oE47c3Ih0FXpGHZrSvapf44RqbvgaO3M4T-CdZS7D_ZKk_Spc1-VfFki38xZMozB7xR392rYuSWXck3Nl-rOQy_y2J9nZ88uKeQ_MZ05RuioC4-P0RwdvA/s1600/IMG_1344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJ1vWSHWysCdg1-oE47c3Ih0FXpGHZrSvapf44RqbvgaO3M4T-CdZS7D_ZKk_Spc1-VfFki38xZMozB7xR392rYuSWXck3Nl-rOQy_y2J9nZ88uKeQ_MZ05RuioC4-P0RwdvA/s320/IMG_1344.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Most of the top level has crown molding but I had to think for a bit about how I was going to apply it to the hallway because of how the walls transition into the stairs. I think the above picture is a decent solution. This is a detail I hardly notice but appreciate it when I do.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Evan Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07511356635742553711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30357747.post-19869152821654720192018-08-03T13:31:00.000-05:002018-08-03T13:31:14.125-05:00Utility Room Renovation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtHHEG1tE8IaWVP6Ar0cgiGaw_jJRfHsu4Ur6z1CG5vjzGRclWNFr-IgTuN9RcCYy-PHBrRQYaRXS5ZUBh_tRLA1Vg68ytziS5_cXiQL6sHlKoNdhgTMbGC_3W653x2gewEky/s1600/2018-01-23+23.30.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtHHEG1tE8IaWVP6Ar0cgiGaw_jJRfHsu4Ur6z1CG5vjzGRclWNFr-IgTuN9RcCYy-PHBrRQYaRXS5ZUBh_tRLA1Vg68ytziS5_cXiQL6sHlKoNdhgTMbGC_3W653x2gewEky/s400/2018-01-23+23.30.54.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Our utility room was pretty beat up. We didn't take people down there. It's on the lower level at the rear of the house and was generally avoided. It would have been nice to tackle this room first but there were too many issues with the design to justify beginning the project until many of those questions were answered. Leaving the room unfinished for a while worked out in our favor though. Having a climate controlled space that you don't mind getting a little nicked up can be very useful. Many things were painted, cut, nailed, and glued down there during the hot and cold months.<br />
<br />
Pretty much everything down there was replaced. I started by replacing the exterior door and window. A run of the mill steal door at one of the big box stores can be very reasonable. You pay a little more for the glass but it hardly breaks the budget. The exterior of the house at the door opening is brick and the door would be inset which means that there would be no wiggle room for the attached trim if it ran a little big at the factory. It couldn't have fit more perfectly. It brings a smile to my face every time I walk through it. The window fit just as well but I had to get a little creative. My regular outlets didn't stock a replacement window with the rough opening that I needed so I bought a "new construction" window that was a little smaller but had nailing flanges. Again, the exterior of the house at the window opening was brick and the window would be inset. There was one continuous flange around the outside of the window so I cut the corners effectively making four flaps. I used masonry screws to attach wooden stops to the inside of the brick and cinder block rough opening where I wanted the window to sit. Using a heat gun, I softened up up the flanges so they would easily bend and slid the window in from the outside. When the flanges cooled, they locked the window in place. They also provided a good caulking surface. Result!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglH8NrLGziRdTLEkXRT4dnzbP53kjTJIYMNANU8M34PGx5PA_R4aGN-37TMwfLsXUFkOnO5NwKepvxlVUSil6oKcPU_vPmPabDY_TP-5XwVKC4O_Y-KU1pEWv8waee5KrYty8b/s1600/Utility+Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1101" data-original-width="771" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglH8NrLGziRdTLEkXRT4dnzbP53kjTJIYMNANU8M34PGx5PA_R4aGN-37TMwfLsXUFkOnO5NwKepvxlVUSil6oKcPU_vPmPabDY_TP-5XwVKC4O_Y-KU1pEWv8waee5KrYty8b/s400/Utility+Room.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
<br />
I bought a paint sprayer a while back anticipating that I was going to paint the exterior of the house. I didn't consider spraying any of the inside until it came to resurfacing the cinder block walls of this room. I wasn't looking forward to rolling the paint in this room because of all the exposed pipe and uneven surfaces. Spraying would take care of all of this but prep is crucial. I spent a couple nights taping up everything. The floor wasn't down yet so I wasn't terrible worried about over-spray but I ended up brown-papering the ground anyway. I am a huge fan of the sprayer now. It was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be. I'm actually looking forward to spraying the outside of the house now.<br />
<br />
I was back and forth a lot over what flooring to put down. I ended up going with the $1 per square foot cheep self adhesive vinyl stuff you buy at Home Depot. I know a lot of people aren't fans but I think it turned out great. Clean up is easy, it's super affordable and it's a breeze to put down. I'll go high dollar in our livable spaces but willing to save a few bucks where I can. It's been months and I haven't had an issue with it. I'm happy.<br />
<br />
We rounded off the renovation with a new stainless bench, utility sink and a sweet washer and dryer from Samsung. Gotta thank my neighbor Pete for suggesting the stacked corner install. Love it. Although I did have to change the plumbing a little to make that work. Working with PEX made that easy though. That stuff is the real winner here.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Evan Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07511356635742553711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30357747.post-71014436300972831642018-07-19T22:02:00.002-05:002018-07-19T22:04:19.043-05:00Office Remodel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzxJxBqd6kCRZ0_HhLwvrtC-EPNNuK8m8IVK2DpmR1oNtgH7OJfq6k-lmC96JRxSk3xtEgTQuJXIUW8KHsbGikvTJL5z90sIjBSPI_FkrxA2Eo1OWJR42c7R0S6qin1jteQ_w/s1600/Office.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="774" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzxJxBqd6kCRZ0_HhLwvrtC-EPNNuK8m8IVK2DpmR1oNtgH7OJfq6k-lmC96JRxSk3xtEgTQuJXIUW8KHsbGikvTJL5z90sIjBSPI_FkrxA2Eo1OWJR42c7R0S6qin1jteQ_w/s640/Office.jpg" width="449" /></a></div>
<br />
This is our guest room/office. It's in our lower level and right next to the rec room that I wrote about recently. I lot more work went into this room than you might think. I wanted to maximize the livable area so I knocked out the wall that formed the closet and claiming about 2 feet of space from the utility room. I'll write about how that worked in the next post. I addition to increasing its size, we wanted to add a lot more light to this cave. Four recessed fixtures should do the trick. Wiring them up was a breeze because I had access to the ceiling joists from the utility room and the rec room which both have Ceilume (removable ceiling tiles) installed. Oddly, my track record hasn't been good in the lighting department so far on this build but this room ended up being lit perfectly... in my opinion. The bamboo flooring was continued on from the rec room and half bath. BTW, nothing in this house is either square or plumb. Decisions and calculations had to be made before even the first plank was placed in the rec room to ensure that the angles between floor boars and walls in the office didn't look too weird. I guess my trig teacher was right, I would end up using that stuff in the real world after all. The room was buttoned up with a couple of brand new windows, some paint and wider baseboards. And there is one more thing... Ya know what, I think the muphy bed deserves its own post.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdug63-MPwWEokhLsRO99CuDbE1ejG5KWbRXLbaDa42z0DSfk4RY8YGQ4R2eI5b_MAW5iEiK0IwX2RnBESRUeI27vW-vqI33MfGHtdXp8jw7ErSPDlZRc-hVJiHbxcVtQ0y66/s1600/IMG_3831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdug63-MPwWEokhLsRO99CuDbE1ejG5KWbRXLbaDa42z0DSfk4RY8YGQ4R2eI5b_MAW5iEiK0IwX2RnBESRUeI27vW-vqI33MfGHtdXp8jw7ErSPDlZRc-hVJiHbxcVtQ0y66/s400/IMG_3831.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Some people ask me about when I get the time to do work. It's usually late and very dark ;)Evan Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07511356635742553711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30357747.post-90872760691045594782018-07-16T21:11:00.000-05:002018-07-16T21:11:05.920-05:00Half Bath Remodel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjQQTTo77xL2XZjN5FIJqukrNNXkqr6uiMEICIJ7l5BjQlW0r3Mc_5Uxa-6rO5GNFn40kCyPVVIFC4lI-yQNuOwwTSyvhdCB-z6KNpv5dxaGBj3RKmFGz2nwV1jUjnwcaT11G/s1600/guest+bath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="1600" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjQQTTo77xL2XZjN5FIJqukrNNXkqr6uiMEICIJ7l5BjQlW0r3Mc_5Uxa-6rO5GNFn40kCyPVVIFC4lI-yQNuOwwTSyvhdCB-z6KNpv5dxaGBj3RKmFGz2nwV1jUjnwcaT11G/s400/guest+bath.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This is a half bath that hangs off the rec room in the lower level. Silly me thought that this part of the renovation was going to be easy. Just a little paint I thought. Maybe change some fixtures. How hard could that be? I'd be in and out in a couple days. You think I would have learned by now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFcyHZOA8fWjr5Ucq22hdRSwF_S4RvxOVz53JH6cHv1kaknl0uRU1mMIqL8yfkQ-AXHVIq-reJN8y8iC2ImGbxRL1CiTZ49dCCknkQYGUmiYB7pAjxIhIeXnozKmt416CENS6/s1600/FX8268164_13_0.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFcyHZOA8fWjr5Ucq22hdRSwF_S4RvxOVz53JH6cHv1kaknl0uRU1mMIqL8yfkQ-AXHVIq-reJN8y8iC2ImGbxRL1CiTZ49dCCknkQYGUmiYB7pAjxIhIeXnozKmt416CENS6/s400/FX8268164_13_0.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Ok, the before and after was for dramatic effect. This is what the bathroom looked like when I started. It was pretty clean and integral to the rest of the renovation effort because for a short time, it served as our only toilet. Problems arose when I began removing everything to strip the wallpaper. I now know why they put the paper up, the wall was in terrible condition. There was even a hole behind the mirror. Presumably it was the access the pipes or wiring. I enlarged it to do just that. The sconces on either side of the hole worked but didn't have gang boxes. They were screwed into a piece of wood behind the drywall. Top tip, don't do that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0oTgbTIjr7Y70b1fxx6ZQ1AY6fwa3lJd62IUN90P-zc4zl9ODOsb1p0hYNbvM7LSD2E-B7HnXovWvVlo8nYpzCKFIdQGjq5kBla9F9nnSN4jMzV8bh7Okw3QlqrZ7_ZPWONu6/s1600/2015-06-07+21.18.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0oTgbTIjr7Y70b1fxx6ZQ1AY6fwa3lJd62IUN90P-zc4zl9ODOsb1p0hYNbvM7LSD2E-B7HnXovWvVlo8nYpzCKFIdQGjq5kBla9F9nnSN4jMzV8bh7Okw3QlqrZ7_ZPWONu6/s400/2015-06-07+21.18.22.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm glad I decided to explore the wiring further. I'm really not sure what to make of this. There was a metal receptical box in the wall but it was only loosely screwed into a stud and didn't have a cover. I think it was installed to so a wiring connection could be made within the box. Two splices were made but neither were in the box and they both involved a section of lamp cord. Again kids, this is something to avoid. At this point, I decided to rip the whole thing down and start from scratch.<br />
<br />
I fixed the wiring, freshened up the plumbing with new copper pipe and valves and patched up the walls. Instead of replacing all the drywall, I skim-coated the top half of the room with mud and spent wayyyyyy too much time sanding. The bottom half of the room is covered in beadboard and trimmed out with chair rail molding. I found the design on Pinterest. Why re-invent the wheel. A keen observed would notice that I re-used the pedestal sink and toilet. They were both in really good shape so I lucked out there. I did change out the faucet on the sink though. It was my goal to remove every piece of gold colored hardware in this house. It wasn't easy.<br />
<br />
The exhaust fan worked but was in desperate need of updating. I think the installer though this thing would last the life of the house because it was NOT easy to take out. Nails must have been on sale that week. And .... AND the ceiling drywall overlapped the nailing flanges so I had to cut out a bunch of drywall just to get a hammer claw on this thing. Yikes.<br />
<br />
My favorite part of the bathroom is the mirror. I must have stared at that thing for an hour trying to get the perfect amount overlap with the chair molding. There's no math here, just what feels right. Ya gotta shimmy and nudge until it snaps into just the right position. Then you sneeze and start over.Evan Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07511356635742553711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30357747.post-72686666296996386202018-07-05T14:25:00.001-05:002018-07-05T14:25:22.423-05:00Rec Room Remodel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCqPtTjYc8pDS8QljaSaRlC1yqHebEo_HcZhcvrOdXwGvN22nxFiOefTejLPV18fgLGVUjQtzhTLo-DS8kNsEJ_Lm7MOuBxgq6rgdWS4yVNEc_DXyeVOu35Gm1gsfaUb6IqEa/s1600/Rec+Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="1271" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCqPtTjYc8pDS8QljaSaRlC1yqHebEo_HcZhcvrOdXwGvN22nxFiOefTejLPV18fgLGVUjQtzhTLo-DS8kNsEJ_Lm7MOuBxgq6rgdWS4yVNEc_DXyeVOu35Gm1gsfaUb6IqEa/s400/Rec+Room.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Despite the transformation, it still feels a little weird spending time in the Rec Room based on what it was before. Our house is a split level and this room is part of the lower level which is partly below grade. The plus side is that we don't pay property taxes on square footage below grade, the negative is that we don't get much nature light down there. There was a dungeon feel for sure. This fact coupled with six inches less of ceiling height compared to the rest of the house made for some design challenges. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VHY6mSXsTg70krZ5_2TF-vfc3BsJVW4XzXgZeAkDhOpG5QtPs_Te7v7uazQGGYgX3lYR1Kg3xVZQnprDzdnBDOean-0i9JwDrm3W_LBcs6t98xCFLdl-vCDvy1DcPpPZe32_/s1600/2014-11-24+22.38.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VHY6mSXsTg70krZ5_2TF-vfc3BsJVW4XzXgZeAkDhOpG5QtPs_Te7v7uazQGGYgX3lYR1Kg3xVZQnprDzdnBDOean-0i9JwDrm3W_LBcs6t98xCFLdl-vCDvy1DcPpPZe32_/s320/2014-11-24+22.38.37.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This room was demoed on day one. My friend Nick was visiting the DC area from the middle east and requested to come over and break something. We sent him downstairs with only one instruction... destroy. I think he enjoyed himself.<br />
<br />
As you can see, everything was taken out. The carpet was removed, the wood paneling was removed, the shelves were removed and even the ceiling was ripped down. It was all necessary, I'll explain why. The carpet was showing many years of pet and water staining. This was a no-brainer. I was hoping that the wood paneling was hiding a stud wall but I wouldn't be so lucky. Under closer inspection, the wood paneling was nailed into furring strips and the electric receptacles were recessed into the cinder block. I probably could have gotten away with putting drywall on the existing strips but adding sconces would have been a real pain. And framing up a wall would give me extra insulating power for an already chilly basement.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpK8Ty_OssEgnvhmr-6vS4lb7cQ3GrU8HYRnN4I_de8AJK3NIh8kxeoGOg5iJ399mrZSphcYzQVQflzctcs3EpBs9fx6rmLArvERE-Sg6ELkKOBtg4ytvuwBlpT-M-AssaiMO/s1600/IMG_3673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpK8Ty_OssEgnvhmr-6vS4lb7cQ3GrU8HYRnN4I_de8AJK3NIh8kxeoGOg5iJ399mrZSphcYzQVQflzctcs3EpBs9fx6rmLArvERE-Sg6ELkKOBtg4ytvuwBlpT-M-AssaiMO/s320/IMG_3673.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Replacing the windows wasn't in the original budget but I figured I'd look into it while the wall was open. Apparently Home Depot has been doing their homework because they actively stock windows with the required rough openings for houses in my neighborhood. Every window is basically a custom job so they make a huge order and shelve up windows that they know people in the immediate area will need. Brilliant. Installing replacement windows was far easier than I thought it would be. And cheaper too!<br />
<br />
I love it so much, I really should do a whole post on <a href="https://www.ceilume.com/index.cfm" target="_blank">Ceilume</a>. The existing ceiling had to come down for a number of reasons but the main reason by far was that it gave me an excuse to put these beautiful tiles up. The main advantage is accessibility. Now I have access to plumbing, electric, HVAC, entertainment wiring, and network wiring. All of which I have worked with. I even put in sound deadening insulation so I can watch Game of Thrones without waking the kids. That stuff is great. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgCOPiRWNnUdYWPzYbfwC9hwnyRzxNh75wR9jjP9KJWm8MJL2kkvw0eX3f1wx-ajrpisZqVZcD5TEPSJpSxAmeKWhExb5JfiwULUJE_E7U-seL6LlDR_1XNXy8vGmZ9mJGDHND/s1600/IMG_1647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgCOPiRWNnUdYWPzYbfwC9hwnyRzxNh75wR9jjP9KJWm8MJL2kkvw0eX3f1wx-ajrpisZqVZcD5TEPSJpSxAmeKWhExb5JfiwULUJE_E7U-seL6LlDR_1XNXy8vGmZ9mJGDHND/s320/IMG_1647.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I waffled on what to do with the fireplace brick for a very long time. Months I think. There are those that think painting brick is a sin. I didn't go quite that far but paint did factor into the solution. I applied a white wash faux finish and down-lit it with MR12 recessed lights. I applied the finish by brushing on a 50/50 mix of white paint and water. After applying approximately 4 square feet of paint, I took a rag and gently rubbed off the excess. It was a painstaking process but worth it.<br />
<br />
We chose 5" carbonized bamboo interlocking planks to lay down the floor. Since it's going over concrete, the boards are floating. If you value your back, don't put down hardwood flooring by yourself. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcXS-TXVwOlk84EfqDr_qLyyESuRbodP8LjCwNSq0ZFh2StVK0J-m-xscSUIaEtqK1YPQlaaP8GOQiFeSkDXtaBfN5Fi6w9IizczmVxqfPbKato8TvHEuzAmBVMprix9HNWx2/s1600/IMG_1277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcXS-TXVwOlk84EfqDr_qLyyESuRbodP8LjCwNSq0ZFh2StVK0J-m-xscSUIaEtqK1YPQlaaP8GOQiFeSkDXtaBfN5Fi6w9IizczmVxqfPbKato8TvHEuzAmBVMprix9HNWx2/s320/IMG_1277.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Now we're getting to the good part. No house is complete without a HD projector and 100" retractable screen ;) And ya gotta have the in-wall speakers. The look is so clean. I've actually wanted to have a home theater set up like this for a long time. It's not in the perfect space by far but it still delivers on the theater experience in a big way. I am pleased with the way it turned out.<br />
<br />Evan Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07511356635742553711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30357747.post-3562437055032963962018-06-12T10:20:00.001-05:002018-06-12T10:27:27.500-05:00Foyer Remodel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptVftk9FytB1RS8dQNQjCqXFPOaY9HDjHL5pb1fwhwDMoznxlalk7viwEXNfiM7DMFZEswYbPmi_pvOHXjAdms5pi9-PpvBdfsNbsn9m3m5M3YY7ghMKyYGX7RL42g_thk0x_/s1600/Foyer+BandA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptVftk9FytB1RS8dQNQjCqXFPOaY9HDjHL5pb1fwhwDMoznxlalk7viwEXNfiM7DMFZEswYbPmi_pvOHXjAdms5pi9-PpvBdfsNbsn9m3m5M3YY7ghMKyYGX7RL42g_thk0x_/s400/Foyer+BandA.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We are a shoes off household so I thought the original entry way was lacking a couple key features to accommodate said lifestyle. How does one maintain closet functionality whist adding a sitting area, shoe storage and a splash of color? The classic mudroom look lends itself more to the utility room or secondary point of entry but I think it works here. It opens up the area a little and makes it a lot more usable. The closet area is a 19 3/4" PAX system from IKEA. We set it up with a hanger rod for coats, and shelves for miscellaneous stuff. I'll probably add a couple of drawers later for gloves and hats. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cx_azBsM6cM63kUizbn0_ySQDYEWqL9zAxymBd95-ieAHRdk7KGzPyIDwq5-5Nu-7mkRdgbsyaoPjulNwl_dRYtqSfcgOZNA3Xg0Fc-TtKDCz1TVc_PEQz0wNZH2ODHpM-l_/s1600/2016-04-09+17.46.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cx_azBsM6cM63kUizbn0_ySQDYEWqL9zAxymBd95-ieAHRdk7KGzPyIDwq5-5Nu-7mkRdgbsyaoPjulNwl_dRYtqSfcgOZNA3Xg0Fc-TtKDCz1TVc_PEQz0wNZH2ODHpM-l_/s320/2016-04-09+17.46.10.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Probably the biggest issue with the original closet was the flooring. The previous owner stapled down a rather large welcome rug/mat and when it was removed, the hardwood was forever stained. The wood had to be replaced and with it, the closet.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwBk0yygUBWuaPY5BV7FxTolh4tTgcKhq-E19fip71oWLAkRRq6KpUVj02TzA-kGB4BgG6ETFfv8vHFKfz-w2JpoGeRErOFbvjIRam8LGfORVOql64YOQu7S2uZL42dtbXPRk/s1600/Foyer+Floor+BandA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="1600" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwBk0yygUBWuaPY5BV7FxTolh4tTgcKhq-E19fip71oWLAkRRq6KpUVj02TzA-kGB4BgG6ETFfv8vHFKfz-w2JpoGeRErOFbvjIRam8LGfORVOql64YOQu7S2uZL42dtbXPRk/s320/Foyer+Floor+BandA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Wow, two "before and after" pictures in the same blog post, what did you do to get so lucky. For the foyer area, we decided to lay down the same flooring we used in the kitchen. We liked the look, I already had the tools and knowledge, and it tied the room together nicely. Excavating the floor was the tricky part. Getting a clean cut and making it perfectly square were key here. I taped off the area and dry fitted the tiles just to make sure everything was going to look the way I wanted. To make the cuts, I screwed down a guide board and used a circular saw for most of it. The ends near the baseboards were completed using an <a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/TOOL-OSCILLATING-MULTI-PURPOSE/15167197?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=1148&adid=22222222227041063833&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=89275785290&wl4=pla-209911169330&wl5=9007585&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=112562587&wl11=online&wl12=15167197&wl13=&veh=sem" target="_blank">oscillating multi-purpose</a> tool. This thing has gotten me out of quite a few jams. The 50 year old baseboards didn't give up their nails willingly. The screeching sound that was generated when prying up the boards was deafening. I actually has to wear earplugs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdFtM4tjlT1ZNm5xUUYt0vQ9L3RhfR5QRRfKIFMFvmdHdZyWSP72XkcPz6lSEEwyR4zf74raQ8vfbC18dfu9X_nDdaDFu3vlGLtrDsA9iLuElKXYNQWb1zHuHpy5DYUnsY6ze/s1600/2016-06-24+07.41.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdFtM4tjlT1ZNm5xUUYt0vQ9L3RhfR5QRRfKIFMFvmdHdZyWSP72XkcPz6lSEEwyR4zf74raQ8vfbC18dfu9X_nDdaDFu3vlGLtrDsA9iLuElKXYNQWb1zHuHpy5DYUnsY6ze/s320/2016-06-24+07.41.06.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
My son Lucas put together the rest of the sitting area. He basically combined a bunch of varied width 1 bys from Home Depot with a sprinkle of plywood to make a bench and a few cubbies for decoration. I think he did a great job. He says he wants to be a construction guy when he grows up just like his daddy. He may already be there.<br />
<br />
<br />Evan Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07511356635742553711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30357747.post-34063773037990928802018-06-06T21:54:00.001-05:002018-06-06T21:55:05.349-05:00Dining Room Renovation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7aSoJN8Y2SYqgX_P6fqv3N8Vt1fjymHsRrNNoaG9iQWNjxrK3LmsQ9Cu5SpfyDHvn-b2grS7pMnLlI1B1IAUGLcy3QMfWPoQhCglYo6AfESlnKwOB5HUlt_DpYwp464uMH5_/s1600/dining+room+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="1381" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7aSoJN8Y2SYqgX_P6fqv3N8Vt1fjymHsRrNNoaG9iQWNjxrK3LmsQ9Cu5SpfyDHvn-b2grS7pMnLlI1B1IAUGLcy3QMfWPoQhCglYo6AfESlnKwOB5HUlt_DpYwp464uMH5_/s400/dining+room+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I built a pantry cabinet into the kitchen mostly because it was the only thing that looked right next to the fridge. It was briefly used as food storage, but the plan all along was to store room temp food and some small appliances in another place. We though about the living room cabinets, mentioned in a previous post, but decided they would be inadequate for that purpose. Hey, we had a dining room wall just standing around being lazy. Maybe we could build something there. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb22S1JN5T6qswWnQl7U3Fa0gjfc5u2gIH9DV73Ic1U9u6qdpXcDgf4916SnG0oyNNyct-QeZmy27h1NxpVZcnl3TZcK89owzKk04lQWeewqDoMcVnSyuu-963egSkBjLoSBEt/s1600/2016-02-11+13.42.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb22S1JN5T6qswWnQl7U3Fa0gjfc5u2gIH9DV73Ic1U9u6qdpXcDgf4916SnG0oyNNyct-QeZmy27h1NxpVZcnl3TZcK89owzKk04lQWeewqDoMcVnSyuu-963egSkBjLoSBEt/s320/2016-02-11+13.42.40.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
There were challenges, of course. Why is there always an HVAC register where I don't want it? Looks like I would have to do a little duct trickery to coerce said register under the new pantry. And<br />
how hard could it possibly be to find a right angle piece of duct-work that fit the geometry of my current system. Turns out, I'd have to wait three months to source the proper part. After having a very good experience finding replacement windows that fit the rough openings in my house, I was slightly over confident about the availability of finding material for my other projects. This was one of those cases. Luckily there were plenty of other tasks I could work on while I waited. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xE7qDYi_y9XOUt9cheZq2T2HqTECWlgSMOlpJoGHEYdXP0WI4sxAv99pbNpubZszSl5L8kSecchUVLYoj4PvXc7R3d3Pyw4lNngruyOtJ6Vx710fHLe0cS24-p-6W0ffXeKC/s1600/2016-02-11+16.22.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xE7qDYi_y9XOUt9cheZq2T2HqTECWlgSMOlpJoGHEYdXP0WI4sxAv99pbNpubZszSl5L8kSecchUVLYoj4PvXc7R3d3Pyw4lNngruyOtJ6Vx710fHLe0cS24-p-6W0ffXeKC/s320/2016-02-11+16.22.55.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Billy bookcases from IKEA gave us approximately 56sqft. of pantry space. We like to eat. They fit the space perfectly and take nicely to being modified. Toss in some trim and crown molding and wallah, it looks built in. I'll admit, there is more function than form going on here but the costs were supper low and it provides such an invaluable service to our daily lives. Part of the barrier to entry for cooking is assembling the equipment and ingredients in a timely manner. Having everything you need at your fingertips is key.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Evan Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07511356635742553711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30357747.post-90802956128815903992018-05-31T13:35:00.001-05:002018-07-10T12:44:48.991-05:00Living Room Bookshelf and Entertainment Center<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWrkPxQmk9dbHoW99RmPfIvLip54CtdiwkKc-1_J8FylYA65pU5fhLu16PjW7lZPpU_9w44k8YEYzqGztCztNX_X6FTUJFQQ3dqlaZWu0vDpZAsiy2p9Hs4gcIPTHkeRci-qH/s1600/bookcase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWrkPxQmk9dbHoW99RmPfIvLip54CtdiwkKc-1_J8FylYA65pU5fhLu16PjW7lZPpU_9w44k8YEYzqGztCztNX_X6FTUJFQQ3dqlaZWu0vDpZAsiy2p9Hs4gcIPTHkeRci-qH/s400/bookcase.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
My wife collects cookbooks and until now, we didn't have a place to put them where they could be accessed quickly. One of the living rooms walls adjacent to the kitchen wasn't doing too much so we decided to put up some shelves to accommodate said books. This is what we built. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7tFvMM6CycwRqhVc2-Vnqvgx3egVuY9cvQ6833g5_t50oF7AfS5_0dZNuyKnLSUrBwxJamPRv0-hn_jeVrz6AFGuWmTdFHuzLmeoHrM329xuvQY1aaXxYTfvSMsypp1_CSBb/s1600/2017-01-08+12.12.04.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7tFvMM6CycwRqhVc2-Vnqvgx3egVuY9cvQ6833g5_t50oF7AfS5_0dZNuyKnLSUrBwxJamPRv0-hn_jeVrz6AFGuWmTdFHuzLmeoHrM329xuvQY1aaXxYTfvSMsypp1_CSBb/s320/2017-01-08+12.12.04.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
There are about a billion different ways you can install shelves so we sat down and put together a list of must haves. In addition to book storage, we wanted a wine rack, decorative lighting, space for a monitor, cabinets for kitchen overflow, and a coffee bar. Oh, and it has to look built in. I think we checked all those boxes. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVItZJMsSPmXf1-vJNBvmvkNzAx4rFyPiQZGvJaTrpBK6tuyKscLAUWN3Bzk4chqIEItPPaf3I83D_IcyDGZmmXJvExPJ2vfEpUhMQSpz7kmYtpf-8svcSfGB0xag44M9CnFqG/s1600/2014-10-18+17.12.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVItZJMsSPmXf1-vJNBvmvkNzAx4rFyPiQZGvJaTrpBK6tuyKscLAUWN3Bzk4chqIEItPPaf3I83D_IcyDGZmmXJvExPJ2vfEpUhMQSpz7kmYtpf-8svcSfGB0xag44M9CnFqG/s320/2014-10-18+17.12.45.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I was really happy that I got to re-purposed some old kitchen cabinets. A couple of the doors were missing but I wanted to follow the kitchen aesthetic and go with Shaker style doors anyway so no big loss there. Screwing, Sanding, spackling, sanding, priming, sanding, painting...ugh! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJ4yB_Byh6dQGJtFweHwbBNVsqVy2W29mEG6eLUJNcfOEAmmyNy448WHGgYpCkbIOShSRbBH-eB7Gu75HraZJdwsx3COmYOoQ3e9auL7k2_ASrFdYG3Eafr7Ynx-MN4JTiSTr/s1600/2015-01-30+22.16.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJ4yB_Byh6dQGJtFweHwbBNVsqVy2W29mEG6eLUJNcfOEAmmyNy448WHGgYpCkbIOShSRbBH-eB7Gu75HraZJdwsx3COmYOoQ3e9auL7k2_ASrFdYG3Eafr7Ynx-MN4JTiSTr/s320/2015-01-30+22.16.10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The shelves had to be custom built since I couldn't find something off the shelf to suit my needs. This is about the extent of my finish carpentry skills. Measure two times, think about cutting the wood, then measure one more time. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdW_ZGHVTgsxnb_pYQkO5l0vzH-hS4it6FFkpqiDPdjfE7Sae7mrVq0YjsfrfalsPSn77WIfK12d1uJQi3jD96FNxyftnKsZzxAytQbUZDLHmfSIFnkbPW-wL8swCRFocwR6d_/s1600/2014-11-30+11.23.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdW_ZGHVTgsxnb_pYQkO5l0vzH-hS4it6FFkpqiDPdjfE7Sae7mrVq0YjsfrfalsPSn77WIfK12d1uJQi3jD96FNxyftnKsZzxAytQbUZDLHmfSIFnkbPW-wL8swCRFocwR6d_/s320/2014-11-30+11.23.40.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The built in look was accomplished by propping up the base cabinets on a frame of 2x4's so the baseboards could run around the unit. I also tied the shelves into the ceiling with crown molding. I stained a piece of furniture grade plywood for the countertop and added new hardware to the doors to finish things off.<br />
<br />
We love our mini cookbook library.<br />
<br />Evan Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07511356635742553711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30357747.post-60304454437452751322018-05-22T14:47:00.002-05:002018-05-22T14:54:41.400-05:00DIY Kitchen Overhaul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEJ7K994s0aNp4q_8WwkOAWmnehfv7PnblXvZf4qjsRYL4jS4uXUWeDnFTZfS5a7QF3Y4j6dLpFo1DzO4eJGTuTmA1noIcUCa5Ahm1695-9y3hEMksHexQdnDFBbmnVWtLdaN/s1600/kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="1600" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEJ7K994s0aNp4q_8WwkOAWmnehfv7PnblXvZf4qjsRYL4jS4uXUWeDnFTZfS5a7QF3Y4j6dLpFo1DzO4eJGTuTmA1noIcUCa5Ahm1695-9y3hEMksHexQdnDFBbmnVWtLdaN/s400/kitchen.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen Renovation Before and After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Technically I rehabbed the oak flooring before I tackled the kitchen but this post is coming first because ya gotta start with the good stuff. Yikes, thinking about what to write and staring at the picture above is starting to make my back ache. I'm going to take a quick break and eat some ice cream.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGeShFLfVi1T7a2kqVyzFfbUChAhNnWFGez7lgXV6-dnKv-po-tzykDp-ngJ7Poa6UnNsOEqf0xiH3WYC6Y46uIh8fwwZlhz7humGasD5XVZpsVffE3QVBS50ky4VD5OJUoE1/s1600/FX8268164_9_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGeShFLfVi1T7a2kqVyzFfbUChAhNnWFGez7lgXV6-dnKv-po-tzykDp-ngJ7Poa6UnNsOEqf0xiH3WYC6Y46uIh8fwwZlhz7humGasD5XVZpsVffE3QVBS50ky4VD5OJUoE1/s320/FX8268164_9_0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This is the original kitchen. I considered rehabbing the cabinets with new doors and a fresh coat of paint but structurally most of them were too far gone to save. I was able to recycle a few of the uppers in another project though. That was mostly enough to satisfy my desire for reuse. I quickly discovered, and would have to accept, that many of the features in this house did not stand up successfully against the rigor of time and the elements. Want another "after" picture?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDnSnWrqYMLBVYLpqHY8-whHk0ZjcDsvPmzlObc2RJ8kgIEHPcy-L_NdwL9J2HYjaCK8RS65CvRPf_zB5-O3z1o_25bJGFTMB87xR8MvbDMqGqkneWZMWVDfxezySkb_rcpet/s1600/2017-01-08+12.12.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDnSnWrqYMLBVYLpqHY8-whHk0ZjcDsvPmzlObc2RJ8kgIEHPcy-L_NdwL9J2HYjaCK8RS65CvRPf_zB5-O3z1o_25bJGFTMB87xR8MvbDMqGqkneWZMWVDfxezySkb_rcpet/s320/2017-01-08+12.12.34.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
This is the view from the dining area. knocking down most of the longer wall and widening the main entry way really opened up the space. And now you can see out the front window from the kitchen. I kept the walls to delineate the kitchen area but added arches to soften the transitions. They were a bear to construct but by far my favorite part of the kitchen. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBokpcTpD4kNY8bDlTDxvxRP9CqUy43IS71tkyevAEYfWGC6oK8ICxrz2LxZJtURVHyNgEip1rfNPjvZ9Li8CHDs-1Vf2Y2_VjuHunTz9te4TVfSltsnkfHBWOL_ACtKt3t-qK/s1600/2014-05-21+22.22.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBokpcTpD4kNY8bDlTDxvxRP9CqUy43IS71tkyevAEYfWGC6oK8ICxrz2LxZJtURVHyNgEip1rfNPjvZ9Li8CHDs-1Vf2Y2_VjuHunTz9te4TVfSltsnkfHBWOL_ACtKt3t-qK/s320/2014-05-21+22.22.52.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
After relieving the exterior walls of their tile, it was apparent that they were in really bad shape. I came to the painful realization that I needed to tear this thing down to studs to learn what I was really working with. Everything needed to be fixed... electrical, plumbing, HVAC, insulation, and a little framing. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnHBwrhZWKh7357x9Xp2NQmlUBT16D-5pe60IKrnd4yeSzbQm_xZYcIpqaGcgoAU9rQja36vfupF-jLkdwTKgrg0DXXezqoW251rsf4Yyo_6_JCRsz57XWmL-K7F3HCSx1W7D/s1600/2014-06-10+18.47.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnHBwrhZWKh7357x9Xp2NQmlUBT16D-5pe60IKrnd4yeSzbQm_xZYcIpqaGcgoAU9rQja36vfupF-jLkdwTKgrg0DXXezqoW251rsf4Yyo_6_JCRsz57XWmL-K7F3HCSx1W7D/s320/2014-06-10+18.47.53.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I really hate drywall. I know hate is a strong word and I try to avoid using it but I really hate drywall. Sheetrock, drywall, Satan's wall board... it doesn't matter what you call it, I hate working with it. Cutting, mudding, sanding, priming, just not something I enjoy. However, I can do it and DIYing it saves a bunch of money so I reluctantly dive in every time. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3zteIUE8M-BmLsEJJQpg_HvVXGo2UFOe0RoBtfX68kX4wuVCYchg8sizk1RoILYI0fgra-JBeJkGoXITfHP73F6X9LGTSCAiJ2rATKTJxlfVPAjcprfjvrebysCnq7MI5c2t/s1600/2014-07-20+22.52.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3zteIUE8M-BmLsEJJQpg_HvVXGo2UFOe0RoBtfX68kX4wuVCYchg8sizk1RoILYI0fgra-JBeJkGoXITfHP73F6X9LGTSCAiJ2rATKTJxlfVPAjcprfjvrebysCnq7MI5c2t/s320/2014-07-20+22.52.22.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
RTA (ready to assemble) cabinets have been on my radar for a while. They are all over the renovation tv shows I frequent. We went with the Cognac Shaker style from <span class="rpHighlightAllClass rpHighlightSubjectClass" role="heading" title=""><span class="highlight" id="0.46341362829036703" name="searchHitInReadingPane">RTACabinetStore</span>.com. Whomever came up with the term "sweat equity" was probably putting together their cabinets at the time. There was definitely a learning curve but by the time I got to the last cabinet, I was almost good at it. It was hard work but worth it, we saved a thousands over going with a contractor and buying prefab cabinets of similar quality. I'd do it again. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkY1pxV5ItThrBFE5HRjGT_kYn4j2s21m7AjT-IKozCSmryiuKNROlKVA4EBDDeoJ4s0zA1QeTNFdqOAAO5GtNlc74UX5voDwFJO3O6naGDPJ6eT0l3Pr9GpWyQVW1FQcK-WCj/s1600/2014-08-08+12.06.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkY1pxV5ItThrBFE5HRjGT_kYn4j2s21m7AjT-IKozCSmryiuKNROlKVA4EBDDeoJ4s0zA1QeTNFdqOAAO5GtNlc74UX5voDwFJO3O6naGDPJ6eT0l3Pr9GpWyQVW1FQcK-WCj/s320/2014-08-08+12.06.09.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
We splurged a little on the appliances. The GE Cafe slide-in double gas oven really drove the selections here. It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up. We got the matching fridge but deviated with a Kitchenaid dishwasher. Reviews...yaknow. I wasn't going to fool around with counter tops. The professionals came in to handle this job. We happened upon a sale and got a high grade slab of granite for about half the cost of our original choice of engineered quartz. We liked the idea of quartz but loved the look of our granite and the thousands we saved.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR70ktS8e7NZxJlmvZSEa9LW63_WAGg08uEpNzugNmBh2Ktz8nd6kANziLa_Th-cIvPAoJ5WP9GcVLmiXj3cwUDvwnoZiikn_9YS6LFhR8cW76NK3pxpQImg_WWku9EGhr2cMu/s1600/2014-08-24+18.39.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR70ktS8e7NZxJlmvZSEa9LW63_WAGg08uEpNzugNmBh2Ktz8nd6kANziLa_Th-cIvPAoJ5WP9GcVLmiXj3cwUDvwnoZiikn_9YS6LFhR8cW76NK3pxpQImg_WWku9EGhr2cMu/s320/2014-08-24+18.39.37.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
We installed an <a href="https://www.armstrongflooring.com/residential/en-us/engineered-tile/alterna-engineered-tile.html" target="_blank">Armstrong Alterna</a> product called Light Gray Mesa Stone for our flooring. This provided an interesting alternative over stone, ceramic, or porcelain. Forget what you know about vinyl tiles. This stuff is legit. It costs a little more than the typical stuff but well worth it for the ease of installation and durability. I've seen too many cracked tiles in these older houses with insufficient subfloors. Not a problem with Alterna. And given the applied height is only about 3/8", it sat flush with the hardwood which still makes me happy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitshcDFFDljlFBEeTqbqwMZmPmvVRFwcoCG5fHPYAzYJbDz189V6RZaWqjJ9pSpK43VqTBs6oR41Yrxx_E4ps7J_InoxW0VSeCJcd4QrfTtdpM-ysRrXlTfzv2-5SWTRF9eKFZ/s1600/2014-08-30+16.03.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitshcDFFDljlFBEeTqbqwMZmPmvVRFwcoCG5fHPYAzYJbDz189V6RZaWqjJ9pSpK43VqTBs6oR41Yrxx_E4ps7J_InoxW0VSeCJcd4QrfTtdpM-ysRrXlTfzv2-5SWTRF9eKFZ/s320/2014-08-30+16.03.41.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
We put in a lot of fun little touches along the way. Wainscoting under the breakfast bar, pendant lighting, under-cabinet lighting, over-cabinet lighting, under-counter microwave, slide out refuse bins, oversized sink, range hood... I'm probably missing something. Point is, this kitchen renovation was a ton of work but we made it ours. There were some misshaps along the way and some some wounds, both physical and emotional, that will need healing but the effort was well worth it in our opinion. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Evan Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07511356635742553711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30357747.post-81536135278266350522018-05-01T10:35:00.000-05:002018-05-02T10:24:31.125-05:00Complete Home Rehab<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTtrbUnesgsb3hWmMrF3h8Po3AbDySkgiiNacPh_QD3CpTWcVatiqCroiRYMw3T6rrJ1Zh2TO_Pl7zz8VtlMTSeM3q2n9qdl-emvcgyO5BEkc78N5R_gUbMUrfEFz4mZzn_J8/s1600/FX8268164_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTtrbUnesgsb3hWmMrF3h8Po3AbDySkgiiNacPh_QD3CpTWcVatiqCroiRYMw3T6rrJ1Zh2TO_Pl7zz8VtlMTSeM3q2n9qdl-emvcgyO5BEkc78N5R_gUbMUrfEFz4mZzn_J8/s400/FX8268164_0.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
So I haven't posted on this blog for four years... I've been busy. My wife and I had a little boy, then we bought a house, then we renovated the house ourselves, then we had another little boy. I'm going to clarify that part in the middle. Did I mention that we fixed up the house? We fixed the whole house. That wasn't all together unexpected since we did buy a project house but the full scale didn't reveal itself until we started to dig in a little. This is going to be a long story, a very long story that will likely take many blogs posts to tell. Let's begin.<br />
<br />
I love doing home renovation projects so when it came time to buy a home, purchasing a house in need of some work was definitely an option in my mind. Convincing my wife was easier than expected. Bless her heart. One of my wife's best and worst traits is her willingness to participant
in some of my "brilliant" ideas. I love her for it, but she really
needs to rein me in more often. In hindsight, this was one of those times ;) Here's a secret. Most "affordable" homes need some work. The more affordable, the more work. We chose to live in Northern Virginia which means the housing prices are pretty high. I've had many a conversation that included the phrase "man, housing prices are getting crazy". Yeah, they're high. <br />
<br />
We purchased the house for quite the discount below what comparable houses in the neighborhood were going for. The budget was pretty simple. Spend less than the difference. The goal was to not be under water when this whole thing was done. I think we did a pretty good job keeping costs reasonable when we could, however there's no getting around material expenses. We splurged on professional help a few times but we made sure it was all carefully planned out.<br />
<br />
This house took well be being fixed and renovated. Each living space can be accessed from below and above. This made plumbing, HVAC, and electrical a relative breeze. There are also no load bearing walls within the structure. It's beam and joist on the lower levels and trusses support the roof. I knew I wanted to knock out a few walls right away and it was nice to know our design vision wouldn't be constrained. Not everything went smoothly though. In fact, most things didn't. Every wall hides a secret and every job has a little demon waiting to escape. I found them all!<br />
<br />
Our house has red oak floors in all of the above grade living areas. They would all need to be refinished. This is where we started. Buckle up.<br />
<br />
NOTE: There will be plenty of before and after picture in subsequent posts.Evan Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07511356635742553711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30357747.post-59456274197427617792013-12-15T19:56:00.001-05:002013-12-15T19:56:22.080-05:00Party Sim Rig<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtGRoyCz0-BZKJAfocRkD3d_VA4UlJvw6sZvc_U8dV0-xbFcSxQPoFJtNQ-kqDHUz0ihZdKFJGtbLSen83FJMbZKDm1OF3BeCY0BUSnaIE-wZYocU_apN9Eq0IVG7pXXyNJJ8/s1600/racing+sim.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtGRoyCz0-BZKJAfocRkD3d_VA4UlJvw6sZvc_U8dV0-xbFcSxQPoFJtNQ-kqDHUz0ihZdKFJGtbLSen83FJMbZKDm1OF3BeCY0BUSnaIE-wZYocU_apN9Eq0IVG7pXXyNJJ8/s400/racing+sim.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I've always liked how competitive the guests on Top Gear get while running their lap. It's obviously the show's signature segment and has to play a part in getting stars to appear on the program. For those unfamiliar with the show, it mainly showcases high end vehicles and various producer crafted adventures for the three hosts. It is also part talk show and ends each interview with a discussion about how the guest thinks he or she performed during a lap around the Top Gear test track in a reasonably priced car. It's all in good fun and I thought I could capture a little of that during a party at my place a few months back.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8nW90hcmG__3VAE05sqd5b0lZ2QiMOkjwev1xV7JR_5fgUUHjgg2a15iTFW2wfXKduerT_egldaArAdTkjRayfCF4kuzO2fHPI4Z9H0HRLzFzUC3oLJk9cfScxH6TLcuv6gM/s1600/Leaderboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8nW90hcmG__3VAE05sqd5b0lZ2QiMOkjwev1xV7JR_5fgUUHjgg2a15iTFW2wfXKduerT_egldaArAdTkjRayfCF4kuzO2fHPI4Z9H0HRLzFzUC3oLJk9cfScxH6TLcuv6gM/s320/Leaderboard.jpg" width="90" /></a>Ever since my friend Mark gave me a gaming wheel a couple years ago I've been thinking about building some sort of cockpit to enhance my driving game experience. At the time, I didn't have the room or the time so it got put on the back burner... until now. I was recently brainstorming for fun party activities while watching an episode of Top Gear when I realized I could build a driving rig and have guests run a sim lap to mimic the experience. I'd also made a top ten board to introduce a little competition into the mix. There are relatively inexpensive rigs already on the market but they are still at least a couple hundred and I thought I could do better and on the cheap. And what fun is buying when you can make it yourself.<br />
<br />
I was toying around with a few ideas but decided to concentrate on finding a good seat and build from there. To my surprise, ebay wasn't much help here. There were some acceptable options around the $150 mark but I designated those as a fallback option. What I really wanted was the stock seat out of a junked newer model corvette or f-body. Surely the salvage yards would yield something I could work with. I was incorrect in assuming I could find an inexpensive option. And guess what, the junk yard managers I contacted weren't the most helpful people in the world. This was looking like a dead end until I visited a Pick-and-Pull in Virginia Beach during a trip to the in-laws. After about an hour of ripped leather and stained cloth seats, a ray of light shone from the sky upon a gnarled up baby blue WRX tucked away at the far corner of the lot. It had graphics on the side and after market ground effects. Oh, this had to have a good seat for me. The drivers side seat was beaten into submission but the passenger side throne was definitely something I could save. I little sun and water damage wasn't going to stop me. I unbolted it from its rusting grave and carried it back in 95° heat the quarter mile to the sales office. Sweating and tired, I argued the sales guy down to 50 bucks. Not a great deal but I wasn't going to leave the seat there and he knew it. During the couple hours it took to clean the seat fabric and rebuild the horizontal sliding mechanism, I frequently questioned the wisdom of buying a used seat. However, after finishing, I was glad to have saved the old lounger and given it a new lease on life.<br />
<br />
The chassis took a bit of time to sort out. I'm not sure why I instantly start thinking of PVC pipe when a project like this comes up. I guess it's easy to transport, relatively light weight and somewhat straight forward to cut but looks unrefined and can have sturdiness issues if done incorrectly. I ended up going with MDF, the old standby. I've got the tools that make shaping it effortless but getting a 4'x8' sheet home is daunting to say the least considering I don't know anyone with a pickup truck. I fixed that issue with a slight redesign. I made the rear side panels by halving an 8' x 11" MDF strip and I cut the front panels out of a 4'x4' board which is much easier to negotiate from the car into my house. The frame that holds everything together is fashioned out of 2x4's. What do you think of the paint job? All it took was a couple spray cans of red and white along with a little brushed on black gloss. Amazing what you can do with some painters tape and a lot of patience. I attached the panels to the frame with a bunch of lag bolts, extra large washers and nuts. The wheel and pedal decks added a bunch of rigidity to the structure so cross members weren't necessary. The whole thing actually breaks down rather easily and can be stored in a minimal space. That was something I carefully considered during the design.<br />
<br />
Picking the right game was oddly the hardest part of this project. The wheel I had only worked with PC and Playstation 2/3. Seeing as though I don't own a Playstation of any kind, I started researching PC driving games with emphasis on finding one that included the Top Gear test track. I underestimated the difficulty in finding a PC driving game that would suit my needs. I required something with minimal setup, the ability to race and re-race continually, easy enough for the casual gamer, hard enough to differentiate skill levels, and a menu screen that shows lap times when the race is finished. I also wanted a format where the racer was alone on the track.... again, like Top Gear. Turns out, this wasn't meant to be in the world of PC racing. Most games revolve around free world racing like the Need for Speed series or are geared towards career mode game play like GTR Evolution or rFactor. Oh and BTW, my <a href="http://battlesnake.blogspot.com/2013/11/home-theater-pc-build.html" target="_blank">HTPC with integrated video</a> ran GTR Evolution like a champ. The video settings weren't nearly maxed out but it looked great in 1080 resolution. I decided to broaden my search and after a bit of digging around, Forza 4 for Xbox 360 kept popping up. I already owned a console and the game cost just 16 dollars online so giving it a once over was a no-brainer. Forza almost had everything I wanted. Is it so hard to pick a car, pick a track, go for a quick spin and check your times? Apparently so. You can get out on the track but you can't choose a pre-determined end lap unless you race with other cars. Figuring that Forza was by far my best bet even with it being less than ideal, I endeavored to match it up with a wheel comparable to what I already had.<br />
<br />
There are and were few wheels on the market made specifically for the 360, one of which was made by Microsoft to accompany Forza Motorsport 3 when it debuted a few years ago. A co-worker at the time had some nice things to say about said MS wireless force feedback wheel so I went on ebay looking for a deal and scored one in great condition for a song. The steering wheel is on the smallish side and the whole thing feels a tad plastic like and toyish but the next step up was a couple hundred bucks so the MS wheel would have to do. On the plus side, it does have some feedback on the steering wheel, which when going over bumps and trying to grip turns, feels pretty neat if you pay attention to it. The pedals don't offer much in terms of resistance or realistic feel but again, they would end up serving their purpose nicely. The wheel comes with a large clamping mechanism for temporary attachment to a desk or table. While is was no doubt designed for strength, I had a hard time believing it would weather many hours of rigorous game play in a party environment. I bought an after market adapter and fastened the unit snugly to the wheel deck using yet another adapter I made out of some scrap wood. A lack of mounting holes on the underside of the wheel base is a design flaw in my opinion.<br />
<br />
What's the use of racing for time if you can't show off your skills and post your accomplishment for everyone to see? Yet again, I followed Top Gear's example and put together a metal leader board with magnetic dry erase strips. I made the strips re-writable because I only provided 10 during the party to encourage a little competition. There are more strips in the picture above because the rig still lives on in my office and house guests are invited to take a lap if they are so inclined. I made the strips by combining a 8 1/2" x 11" self adhesive dry erase sheet with a 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of printable magnetic paper. I cut the resulting sheet into strips and whoa-la.<br />
<br />
The party was an afternoon outdoors affair during the summer so guests who wanted to escape the sun for a moment were invited to walk inside and take a turn or two. I deliberated for some time on how to set up Forza for the party. I landed on the following racing conditions:<br />
<br />
Mode: Quick race with medium difficulty competition<br />
Track: Bernese Alps - Festival Circuit (2 laps)<br />
Car: 1988 Lamborghini Countach LP5000 QV (Red)<br />
Gearbox: Automatic<br />
Steering: Standard Steering<br />
Braking: ABS<br />
Suggested Line: Braking Only<br />
<br />
I originally wanted the driver to be alone on the road. However that wasn't a good option because that mode is free run with no way to define a "finish line". I went with quick race mode and set the AI to medium. A decent driver would quickly outpace them anyway. Those not as skilled would still have a good time battling their competition through the curvy ups and downs of the scenic Bernese Alps.<br />
<br />
The rig ended up being a big hit at the party. It had constant use for about 10 hours with there being a line for most of the day. <i> </i>I just wanted people to enjoy themselves and it was quite apparent that I accomplished my goal. Now all I have to do it build another one so I can have head to head race battles. That's taking it to the next level.<br />
<br />Evan Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07511356635742553711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30357747.post-60629544529296282072013-11-17T10:20:00.002-05:002014-01-13T13:54:39.035-05:00Home Theater PC build<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KGzwoKHBfhPKFIkE7VOuR06xrSVMv9t1otrs9nCTLPDOc43WthCKDAPEomsYJlHkeIWRpQf_lMnzwMwvWhAZv3Q1MzQ0AQPN0neJrVDGxUckTWsCPqfdOkI87XlYjAEdB7e6/s1600/HTPC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KGzwoKHBfhPKFIkE7VOuR06xrSVMv9t1otrs9nCTLPDOc43WthCKDAPEomsYJlHkeIWRpQf_lMnzwMwvWhAZv3Q1MzQ0AQPN0neJrVDGxUckTWsCPqfdOkI87XlYjAEdB7e6/s400/HTPC.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
At present there is a dizzying array of options for consuming media in the home. You have to decide what you want, where and how you are going to get it, how and if you are going to store it, if you want to transfer it, how much you are willing to spend, and how you are going to deliver it to your senses. I'll say it again... dizzying.<br />
<br />
I recently built a home theater PC (HTPC) to address some of this. A HTPC can be any computing device capable of video and audio playback.They are built primarily to function as media servers but can be much more than that with the proper hardware and software. They can also be built to function as video recording devices similar to the DVR's that you may currently be using. Before the HTPC, I was renting a DVR from Verizon FIOS and had it hooked up to a flat screen monitor and stereo receiver in the living room. This wasn't a bad setup but it didn't have all the functions I wanted, most notably a data backup solution, more than 2 television tuners, and additional DVR storage. I could have rented another DVR, bought external storage for it and purchased a network attached storage device for my data backup requirements but that seemed a bit kludgy to me so I went with a more elegant system. I'll outline my computer hardware and software below and talk about its capabilities to address what I wanted my living room media experience to be.<br />
<br />
<u><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Computer Hardware</i></span></u><br />
<i>Case: nMEDIAPC 5000B</i><br />
<i>MB:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>ASRock H77M</i><br />
<i>uP: Intel i3-3225</i><br />
<i>RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws DDR3 1600 (8GB)</i><br />
<i>HDD: WD WD10EZEX (1TB) x2</i><br />
<i>Optical Drive: DVD ROM</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><i>Peripherals</i></u></span><br />
<i>Cablecard Tuner: Silicon Dust HDHR3-CC</i><br />
<i>Network: WD My Net Gigabit Switch</i><br />
<i>IR Remote: </i><i>Logitech Harmony 550 </i><br />
<i>IR Receiver: HP OVU400102/71</i><br />
<i>Keyboard/Trackpad: </i><i>Logitech K400</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<u><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Software</i></span></u><br />
<i>Windows 7 home premium 64bit (OEM) with Media Center</i><br />
<i>Shareport4w (airplay support)</i><br />
<i>Remote Potato (remote scheduling/viewing)</i><br />
<i>My Channel Logos (dressing up Media Center)</i><br />
<br />
Many hours were spent researching the hardware that would eventually make up the guts of my rec room rig. A careful balancing act ensued between cost, performance, availability, and compatibility. I wasn't on a budget but I also didn't want to break the bank. My goal for cost was to come in at or near what a decent network attached storage solution would run me. A difficult undertaking for sure but I already had a power supply, dvd drive, and hard disk storage so I was slightly ahead of the game. Various A/V forums around and about the internet were a huge help here. And to my delight, the newegg.com comment section for my targeted hardware gave great insight into what said hardware was actually capable of.<br />
<br />
I heard raves about what Intel was doing with their integrated HD 4000 graphics. I picked up the Intel i3-3225 processor because it was pretty much the cheapest Ivy Bridge processor with that particular tech on chip. The power savings with Ivy Bridge is paramount when you intend on leaving the computer running all day and night. At the end of the day, the main objective for the hardware setup is to play 1080 (full HD) video seamlessly and this is critical because even the slightest glitch would ruin the viewing experience. The i3 and HD 4000 combo did just that and surprised me with its performance. HD video playback seamed like an afterthought and it handled GTR Evolution (very realistic racing game) with ease. I'll explain the reason for installing that game in an upcoming post. Another plus for the HD4000 is its HDCP compliance. Nothing new here since Microsoft's protected video path standard had been around for a while but it's nice to hear it reported that the hardware was drama free. I made sure the motherboard I picked out played ball as well.<br />
<br />
Now that my HTPC was up to the task of serving up all the multimedia I could handle, additional hardware was needed to actually acquire the data I wanted. A good amount of video is available from various streaming sites but sadly most of the programming I enjoy still comes from the good ol cable companies. And yes, I'm including FIOS in the generalization. My distaste for the current availability and cost of content is well known but that's for another post. Enter the HDHomeRun Prime from Silicon Dust. This bad boy houses a cable card and serves up three tuners via your wired Ethernet network. This external network based solution is nice because any computer on the network has the ability to grab a tuner and you don't have to worry about a PCI based card fitting into your computer chassis. This is a problem with the Ceton InfiniTV 4 and some less expensive HTPC cases. The cable card is where you start to save money. It's about an eighth of the rental fee of a single box and less than a tenth the cost of a dual cable box system. We have three monitors in the house which amounts to over $40 a month saved in rental fees. There is a downside to cable cards though. Some cable companies have less than stellar support for the cards and barely willing to work with you on figuring out any problems that may arise. Luckily, setting up my card under FIOS was a breeze and it has worked flawlessly ever since. I was originally going to forego an optical drive but had to put one in to install Windows so I figured I'd keep it in there. Maybe I'll upgrade to a Blueray drive some day but for now I'll stick with the trusty DVD. We don't watch many movies from solid media anyway.<br />
<br />
My home theater setup sits across the room in my media cabinet so any wired peripheral is pretty much out of the question. Heck, I run a wireless keyboard and mouse on my office pc...the set in the picture above. I used them for testing. I already had a Logitech Harmony 550 remote control so I paired that up with a USB IR receiver for Media Center control. I rounded out the human interface with a wireless keyboard/trackpad combo which doesn't get much use but is very handy when it does.<br />
<br />
The software is where the real magic happens. At first, I had my doubts about Widows 7 media center but had to give it a try because it's the only game in town that decodes premium content like HBO and Cinemax. If you don't need those channels, you could always go with XBMC, OpenELEC, MediaPortal or PLEX. I wish HBO would offer ala carte service so I could have gone with XBMC running on a Linux disto, which would have saved me some cash, but alas I'll have to get my Game of Thrones the old fashion way. Another plus of using Media Center is its ability to use XBOX 360's as extenders. The 360 basically operates as a remote desktop to Media Center which solves that pesky "write once flag" problem that premium channels put on their shows. The write once flag stops hardware, other than that which originally recorded the show, from accessing the data. Two add-ons I installed immediately were My Channel Logos and Netflix. My Channel Logos dresses up the TV guide data with nice channel icons and adds a couple guide features that makes it a little more user friendly. The Netflix integration is pretty darn good and appears as if originally included with Media Center. I am soooo hooked on streaming Breaking Bad now. In addition to live and recorded TV, Media Center also serves up your DVD's, ripped movies, videos, music and pictures.<br />
<br />
Outside of Media Center, I've added a couple of programs that take this rig to the next level. I mainly use Remote Potato to schedule my DVR recordings when away from home but it can also stream recorded shows over the internet. You won't get 1080p but VGA on your wifi attached netbook in a hotel room is pretty good. I also loaded up Shareport4W which enables audio only airplay connectivity. It's nice not having to run a separate piece of equipment to get audio streaming from my iPhone and iPad. Airplay makes playing a quick song or a few minutes of Pandora really quick and convenient. <br />
<br />
Now that the media portion of my HTPC is covered, it's time to address storage and backup. At the moment, I have Windows running a weekly backup of all my library directories. That pretty much covers all the pictures, music, movies, recorded TV and videos stored on the PC. This is bare minimum and does a nice job covering my rear in case one of the disks fails but it's not ideal by any means. I plan to purchase additional storage and run RAID 0 on the main disk while creating a full system image to store on the secondary drive. That should cover me against failure and provide an easy and fast way of restoring the PC in case anything major happens.<br />
<br />
I've had a really fun time researching and building my HTPC. And the fun continues because there is always something to add or tweak to make the system more feature rich. Not only does it serve as our portal to live or streaming media content, it has a seemingly infinite amount of storage space for recording said media. It also serves as the central location for all our music and pictures which is helpful because my wife and I previously had it strewn about to more than 6 devices. That was a source of much frustration. My favorite part is the flexibility that running a PC in the living room provides. We can do things like picture slideshows, video conferencing, games, TV, streaming music from Pandora or Songza, surfing the web, writing this blog, youtube, watching movies, email, and much more right on the big screen. There are a few minor downsides though. With a cable card, you lose the ability to do "on demand" programming through your cable provider. This isn't a huge deal because HBO and the like have all their stuff online and there are many other sources for online movies like Netflix, Redbox, iTunes, Amazon streamin, etc. Another downside is the upfront cost. Again, not bad considering what you save on rental fees. We will pocket about $500 a year which was close to what the HTPC cost so that's our break even point. After that, it's gravy. Building a HTPC isn't for everyone but if you like to tinker with computers or know me, you should give it a try.<br />
<br />Evan Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07511356635742553711noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30357747.post-11595743974858270952013-03-11T13:28:00.001-05:002013-03-11T13:30:16.004-05:00The Christmas spirit is strong with these two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEW5zEmnHlI6QiENN-0b8fAn2Va4oqqpzVKh8nXMi_sMSzwMzFofgohMwRQF3kUbs3JajhHCCU10SqSquHf2oLxkRZ_ZTLMtrYVIV-BsIjVLFXIxWFIgSOXfaap1Fjz49xVhYA/s1600/french+palace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEW5zEmnHlI6QiENN-0b8fAn2Va4oqqpzVKh8nXMi_sMSzwMzFofgohMwRQF3kUbs3JajhHCCU10SqSquHf2oLxkRZ_ZTLMtrYVIV-BsIjVLFXIxWFIgSOXfaap1Fjz49xVhYA/s400/french+palace.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
I've always wanted to make a Jedi costume. There, I've said it. Can't fly your geek flag any higher than that. I don't belong to any sort of Star Wars fandom guild, nor do I care to join one, so that pretty much narrows down the opportunity to wear said costume to Halloween. Problem is, I usually wait too long and any involved costume idea is relegated to the following year which then repeats itself unto infinity. This year was no different but at least I was motivated enough to start researching the idea a little. At the time, I was also brainstorming Christmas card and Santa suit bar crawl ideas. That's when a vision of the Santa Jedi hit me. Take the getup Obi Wan wears in the prequels, color it red and that's pretty much what the typical Santa wears minus a little fuzziness. So it was early November and the Santa Suit Bar Crawl was on December 1st. The race was on. Not only was I going to made a Santa Jedi costume for myself, I roped my wife into the idea as well. Her desire to make me happy apparently has no bounds. BTW, The picture above was used in our Christmas card.<br />
<br />
Your basic Obi Wan Jedi get-up has 6 parts. This doesn't include his light saber which I will discuss later.<br />
<ul>
<li>Knee high boots</li>
<li>Thick Utility Belt and Obi combo</li>
<li>Baggy Pants</li>
<li>Under Tunic</li>
<li>Outer Tunic</li>
<li>Tabbards</li>
</ul>
<div>
I sourced the knee high boots and baggy red pants from Amazon. They were surprisingly high in quality for the money. The boots came with a fabric shin guard that was held on by three straps. I liked the way the extra piece looked but not the way it was loosely attached and allowed to shift around. I used black fabric tacks to secure it in place and hot glue on the inside of the boot to make sure the tacks didn't go anywhere. My wife already had some fancy "on the town" boots so that worked out nicely. <br />
<br />
The faux leather belts were not going to be as easy to acquire. I had to make my own but got some great tips from <a href="http://beneluxbase.xintum.be/costuming/jedi/jedi_belt_tutorial.pdf" target="_blank">this tutorial</a> (warning: PDF link). You can get a great idea of what I did from the picture below. An essential tool here was the leather punch kit I picked up from Amazon for about 5 bucks. You're basically hammering a large hollow nail through your desired material. Definitely took a bit of practice on some scrap but once I got the hang of it, smooth sailing. Much of a typical Jedi outfit is borrowed from traditional Samurai attire so with this in mind, the belt is often worn over an Obi or formal waist sash. This was relatively easy to make from a long rectangular swath of fabric.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmz44rlxzT3EqvUGOODRJcZ45tPnjh_0WkvTImIxSsRR-q48sUgmTEPGc3EWUUffSYYLkxUKGepe_ybdLKiEWrHKAmmvBcjXY6spuHenAIg0lvj5yDj-CjFcTgTWhnHfe21nZY/s1600/jedi+belt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmz44rlxzT3EqvUGOODRJcZ45tPnjh_0WkvTImIxSsRR-q48sUgmTEPGc3EWUUffSYYLkxUKGepe_ybdLKiEWrHKAmmvBcjXY6spuHenAIg0lvj5yDj-CjFcTgTWhnHfe21nZY/s320/jedi+belt.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The Jedi tunic is basically a shortened bathrobe so I bought a bathrobe pattern, left off the belt loops and added a little trim to the sleeves and hem. I wanted my wife and I to have slightly differing costumes so I gave her red trim around the collar and lengthened her robe to resemble more of a dress than tunic. I also left off the tabbards to give it a more feminine look. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPqnxgBEbxP0VmCpjoT2fOCpMcZ7X8AjWVpfE028hprP9H8cdevmNGrc1WYWV_8tVag2IeFtIKPFBPKHf2ShAhCB8Zn-vWXExBIhkwO8Dw8siGTzaRe7hkVRYvrHTNe9GrZxS/s1600/saber.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPqnxgBEbxP0VmCpjoT2fOCpMcZ7X8AjWVpfE028hprP9H8cdevmNGrc1WYWV_8tVag2IeFtIKPFBPKHf2ShAhCB8Zn-vWXExBIhkwO8Dw8siGTzaRe7hkVRYvrHTNe9GrZxS/s400/saber.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Ah the lightsaber, an essential part of any good Jedi costume. I already had a rather inexpensive Darth Vader replica hilt with telescoping red saber and was actually playing with it when I got the whole costume idea. Like I said, it was kinda cheep so a little modification was necessary if it was going to be ready for prime time. The main problem was brightness. The stock incandescent bulb and AA batteries weren't cutting it. I needed something with a little more kick. I completely disassembled the saber and gutted the housing. I replaced the battery pack with a 900 mA hour lithium polymer battery and the bulb with a 3 watt white LED. I easily upped the perceived brightness by about tenfold. It may have been slightly overkill considering the large slug of aluminum necessary to help dissipate the heat. I also painted the inside of the hilt white to help channel the light into the saber portion. This new excess of light was also a problem for the fogged plastic window about half the way up the hilt. Too much light was shining through the window so I made a custom PCB that blocks the light and replaces it with six small red LED's that scan back and forth. Definitely adds some cool factor. In a mostly dark room, these bright red fully extended sabers really made the costumes look legit. <br />
<br />
The only thing really missing from this ensemble is the full length jedi robe. With a little more effort I could have pulled something together but ultimately decided against it for a couple of reasons. It probably would have been to cumbersome in crowded bars and the rest of the costume looked so good, I didn't want to cover it up. That and the cost. Man, decent fabric can get expensive!</div>
Evan Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07511356635742553711noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30357747.post-77475596771035650752012-12-20T11:36:00.001-05:002012-12-20T11:36:28.853-05:00Sometimes you feel like a nut.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_dArnXh6AFpSsfD5m6hFjLRLP4Kl1nBQ4qvUULrQCDka44oU8UVGARIdKxOpPaFV-LAc37Iu_ftTorwet5ORxq8YhFEAFA-QW-I9Ba7cNI3TI_igCao54fe0mnhkk_5ADb18/s1600/Mounds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_dArnXh6AFpSsfD5m6hFjLRLP4Kl1nBQ4qvUULrQCDka44oU8UVGARIdKxOpPaFV-LAc37Iu_ftTorwet5ORxq8YhFEAFA-QW-I9Ba7cNI3TI_igCao54fe0mnhkk_5ADb18/s400/Mounds.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<br />
This Halloween costume idea wasn't an original creation. The concept came from internet research but I executed the design and construction. The cutting and sewing was pretty straight forward, however I do have a couple tips that seem obvious after the fact. Firstly, where men are usually roundest around the chest and stomach, women are typically laid out in different proportions. Keep this in mind whilst essentially making a fabric tube. Secondly, my initial design called out for cutting the small "Peter Paul" lettering out of fabric. If you want to keep your sanity, do not attempt such a thing. I made a stencil and used white fabric paint. If not pressed for time, I probably would have laser cut some 1/32" acrylic for the stencil but exacto-ing out some card stock did the trick. Here is a bonus tip... hot glue! I tried attaching the larger brown letters with spray adhesive but that basically turned into really weak velcro. Hot glue is your friend. If you don't already have a dispenser, I'd highly recommend picking one up. I personally like the 1/4" sticks the best but I do more fine touch gluing so that makes sense for me.<br />
<br />
I get a kick out of putting together coupley type costumes. The trick is finding something that has most of its impact together but still works well on its own. My favorite part of these costumes was the public discourse they inspired. Almost everyone we passed by had a very strong opinion on what candy they liked more. I brought a bag of Almond Joys with me just in case they didn't see things my way ;)Evan Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07511356635742553711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30357747.post-78873788644038367472012-09-06T09:01:00.002-05:002012-09-06T13:58:39.496-05:00Electropong is going to change everything<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZh1Vf_rc6kGEkgv90GOdFXyb8mMObWLbKp5fU6P0W_VMdkeoIzQLtOqSvxNlD66xAnF1J0UDg7bWx1mPNqKruS6wsDXbkdoND10ha58M88dG3gunj4tc9zQGRdnIOVdVtiOB_/s1600/electropong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZh1Vf_rc6kGEkgv90GOdFXyb8mMObWLbKp5fU6P0W_VMdkeoIzQLtOqSvxNlD66xAnF1J0UDg7bWx1mPNqKruS6wsDXbkdoND10ha58M88dG3gunj4tc9zQGRdnIOVdVtiOB_/s400/electropong.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I've been playing beer pong for the better part of 20 years. During that time, the tried and true setup and rules of the game really haven't changed that much. Why mess with a classic. Sure there have been many variations on the table used, certain house rules that one needs to entertain, and everyone has there own style of toss; but the core essence of the game has stood the test of time. I'm looking to shake that up a bit. Introducing Electropong!<br />
<br />
Feel like playing beer pong during the winter months but your brew freezes before you get a chance to throw. Wanna play inside but your significant other will raise hell if you get beer on the new carpet. Tired of wondering what germs you're passing around drinking out of the same cups everyone else is. Electropong may be just the game you're looking for. <br />
<br />
Alright, I'm not here to give you the sales pitch, I just thought it would be neat to build an electronic beer pong game. It's very much like the electronic darts game machine you might find at a bar. Two teams play on one unit and hit the "swap team" button to cycle their turn. The color of the cups and the LED display keep track of which team is currently throwing. Each of the six cups has a RGB LED embedded inside and a hole at the bottom so a 40mm ping pong ball can pass through it. Under the cup base, the enclosure houses six IR interrupters, a 9V AC/DC power supply, a custom LED driver board (recycled from an old project) and a custom PCB that controls everything. In addition, there are three arcade style buttons on the front face that also have RGB LED's lighting them up. The display in the back is an off the shelf Betabrite scrolling LED matrix and above that are two mini beacons I got from <a href="http://www.woot.com/?utm_expid=31924516-5" target="_blank">Woot!</a> The control board has a PIC18F6622 micro-controller that reads in all the IR interrupter inputs, talks to the LED matrix display, does PWM for the LED drivers, toggles the beacons and keeps track of the game play. I think that pretty much sums up the hardware section.<br />
<br />
The real magic happens in the software. You can play games on Electropong that wouldn't be possible with the traditional setup. For instance, a popular game with my guests has been "king of the hill" where teams go head to head on the same board and try to be the first to light up three cups of their color. This game tends to go faster than regular pong and is a good fit for people who want to play a quick game and get back to the party. I'd still like to add one or two more games so if anyone has an idea, please leave a comment. <br />
<br />
The construction of this game definitely wasn't without it's challenges. An un-tethered <a href="http://www.solocup.com/" target="_blank">Solo Cup</a> with about two ounces of beer in it sitting on a wet surface has some mechanical dampening properties that are difficult to simulate. At first, the cups on Electropong were rigidly fastened to the base with four screws. This caused the ping pong balls thrown at them to ricochet off dramatically. Turns out, the necessary shock absorption system was built right into the cups themselves. About a quarter inch of the outside diameter of the cup base sits squarely on the ground while the rest of the base is raised about an eighth inch. The screws attaching the cups were pressing this raised portion down so backing the screws out a little allowed the cups freedom to pivot a bit. However, in doing so, the imprecise holes I made in the cups allowed too much movement and they ended up not lining up correctly. I fixed this by laser cutting a donut shaped spacer that fits in between the screw heads and the bottom of the cup. This locked the cup in place and still allowed it to pivot, effectively dampening the force of the ball against the cup. The second significant challenge was reigning in the size of the unit, especially the height. If the cups were offset too much from the table top, they would look awkward and the game-play would suffer. However, I still needed to concoct a ball return system. I ended up cutting away some of the base and putting the ball return ramp in its place. Had to go back to my junior high school trig skills to figure out the angles. I was very proud of myself. <br />
<br />
Purists will object to certain aspects of the game that have been taken away like the rush of having to drink from a selected cup but I think I have made up for that with the additional games and the spectacle of lights. I don't want to compete with the traditional game, I want to add to it. But hey, my party guests really seem to like it. I guess that's what matters most.<br />
<br />
Oh, one more thing. There is a reason the cups are black. Aside from the obvious styling advantage, I needed to go with black so the light from the LED wouldn't bleed out through the cup. I initially wanted red cups but any hint of red light would make them glow like a lantern. And I think black makes the game look cooler, what do you think?Evan Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07511356635742553711noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30357747.post-12854278859961860902012-06-04T14:05:00.001-05:002012-06-04T14:05:16.120-05:00Networked Betabrite and a better party music solution<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHJMrh9X_LOun0i0L4qv_tDGFGE_pksS9nM3ncHUeElb5kmBLMeXpCTxBEkMfmhc5zn_xIWtb19Ss98gxfwz5bL6Lp02iwg2pMCGLjk0X1UmLCwZhFr9_p4cCq-edG9-rWtpk/s1600/betabrite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHJMrh9X_LOun0i0L4qv_tDGFGE_pksS9nM3ncHUeElb5kmBLMeXpCTxBEkMfmhc5zn_xIWtb19Ss98gxfwz5bL6Lp02iwg2pMCGLjk0X1UmLCwZhFr9_p4cCq-edG9-rWtpk/s320/betabrite.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home-brew Ethernet to RS-232 converter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
For a recent party, I was looking for a better solution to my current audio setup and happened across a reconditioned <a href="http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/" target="_blank">Apple Airport Express</a> on the web. While it has many features, I primarily wanted it for streaming music via iTunes on the ol laptop to my stereo receiver over the home network. With WiFi enabled I can locate the computer anywhere in the house I want. And I can control the playlist with the remote app on my iPhone. Got it, hooked it up, and everything worked great... but something was missing. <br />
<br />
For the same party, I was planning to set up my <a href="http://www.betabrite.com/" target="_blank">Betabrite</a> scrolling LED sign to display a few generic messages such as the contents of the <a href="http://battlesnake.blogspot.com/2009/06/draft-beer-at-homestead.html" target="_blank">kegerator</a> and a couple birthday wishes. I quickly realized how boring the repetition would be. You really must have continual content updates to keep the public's attention. Hmmm, maybe I should heed my own advice with this blog ;) I've seen other people scroll twitter updates and directed text messages to their betabrites but I don't currently have their programming chops so I opted to gobble up some local data.<br />
<br />
I thought I would be neat to combo the new sound system with the display and scroll the currently playing song title and artist on the betabrite. I had two weeks before the party, plenty of time right? There were challenges.<br />
<br />
Challenge number one, hardware. In a nutshell, I needed an Ethernet to serial (RS-232) converter so I could connect the Betabrite directly to my router. You can buy a quality unit for around a hundred dollars but a quick trip to the spare parts bin yielded a bounty that would get me most of the way there. The heavy lifting is done with a <a href="http://www.lantronix.com/device-networking/embedded-device-servers/xport.html" target="_blank">Lantronix XPORT</a> Embedded Ethernet Device Server. I'm a big fan of these little guys. It has many features but for this project I only utilized its UART (serial) output. On the PC side, you can use vendor provided software to create a virtual com port eliminating the need to fool with setting up a socket connection. The XPORT outputs TTL level signals but the betabrite sign requires +/-15V (RS-232) so I needed to gin up a proto board with a level shifter on it. As luck would have it, I made such a board for a <a href="http://battlesnake.blogspot.com/2011/06/fun-with-sensors.html" target="_blank">previous project</a>. After tossing in a 3.3V linear regulator to power the XPORT, the hardware was complete.<br />
<br />
Challenge number two, software. This was by no means trivial, I dabble in the medium at best. From a past project I already had a little C++ code that talks to the serial port so I decided to start there. The next logical steps were to gather up relevant information from iTunes, format said info, and write it out to the Betabrite. On a Mac, interacting with iTunes is native but Windows plays with iTunes a little differently. It uses the COM object interface to handle the data exchange. Thank goodness for Google and online example code. The only real trick was setting up the Visual C++ dependencies correctly and getting all the various updates and whatnot working. Looking through forums for semi-useful and somewhat relevant information is tedious. I'll provide the code and environment setup instructions upon request. Writing to the Betabrite also proved to be a bit tricky. I had the programming guide along with some sample scripts but I still had to snoop the serial data from the vendor software to figure out the ins and outs of the protocol. You can never underestimate the importance of a good technical writer. <br />
<br />
Having the Betabrite display update with the currently playing song turned out to be a hit with the party goers. I'll have to make it permanent fixture for future gatherings. Maybe I can even get some tweets up there next time. <br />
<br />
<br />Evan Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07511356635742553711noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30357747.post-82304487827267904022012-03-06T10:18:00.000-05:002012-03-06T10:18:39.449-05:00You say potato, I say evil<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndb23ZFxUwKmTjWumC9ZZ3DOBGW8xFZAGNVPVToZptDZ_0VQTowyLle3qpjD_udw-IyQwXYtfu6cu7BdBOnV64tUNUGX63hX_zGYPciu91skXlC9th_IcK6mA93FAqO1hqU34/s1600/evil+potatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndb23ZFxUwKmTjWumC9ZZ3DOBGW8xFZAGNVPVToZptDZ_0VQTowyLle3qpjD_udw-IyQwXYtfu6cu7BdBOnV64tUNUGX63hX_zGYPciu91skXlC9th_IcK6mA93FAqO1hqU34/s320/evil+potatoes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I implored onto my friend, and that day's frymaster, that there was evil in the bag of smiley face potatoes he was preparing to dump into the cauldron of boiling hot peanut oil. "Nonsense" he exhausted as droplets of the oil nipped at his un-gloved hand. He would be sorry...Evan Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07511356635742553711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30357747.post-66488548047626139322011-12-20T10:08:00.000-05:002012-04-13T12:32:06.799-05:00Learning to surf in Barbados<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwwAUwANi-OQp7U7ytEWDw3OWscJ4xCY9SFePspKZo-mfwIUtrtdjwTItdh3_PyaZvtTj6HS3Jn9pbT-ZhlhO22jRxy5DJ4Xopg-a7mbyFYxhuTwU1zOQhhyphenhyphenLR4wiz-IvOGQg/s1600/DSC05441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwwAUwANi-OQp7U7ytEWDw3OWscJ4xCY9SFePspKZo-mfwIUtrtdjwTItdh3_PyaZvtTj6HS3Jn9pbT-ZhlhO22jRxy5DJ4Xopg-a7mbyFYxhuTwU1zOQhhyphenhyphenLR4wiz-IvOGQg/s400/DSC05441.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Surfing has always been an activity I've wanted to try in my adult life. A major stumbling block in this endeavor, up to now, has been opportunity. Unlike skiing, surfing isn't something the novice generally designs a vacation around. At least I've never thought about it. I live reasonably close to the Delaware and Maryland Beaches but body surfing and sun soaking has always been the name of the game out there. That and I have yet to witness people getting any sort of instruction on the beach. Trust me, a good lesson is key.<br />
<br />
Deb and I took a trip out to Barbados recently to visit a friend and stumbled upon a little free time during our last day there. Actually we had the whole day to ourselves and I pushed for surfing lessons pretty hard. My wife was quite nervous about the idea partly because she didn't know whether she could do it or not. I'll give you one guess who the better surfer turned out to be. It must be because she's shorter. By the way, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_BndvlHqPU&feature=related" target="_blank">this video</a> is pretty much all you need to know about Barbados. Remember what I told you about a good lesson. Well, the instructor is a big part of that. I can't imagine a better guide than Jonathan (Jona) from Barry's Surf Barbados Surf School. He had us up on the board almost immediately. It was apparent after watching other instructors on the beach that we lucked out. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/cevek8a4aF8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
I picked this video because I think it best captures the proper technique to successfully stand up on a long board. That and it's the only video I had. The hardest part for me was remembering to look up toward the beach. Your tendency is the check out your feet placement after standing up but that will almost assuredly put you in the ocean. I'm a little wobbly there at the end but to my defense, it was my third time out that day and the sea was rough my friends. Well, rough for a land lover. Definitely something everyone should try at least once.<br />
<br />Evan Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07511356635742553711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30357747.post-16747244317352397812011-10-19T12:34:00.003-05:002011-10-19T12:34:43.480-05:00My first foray into the modern cooking movement<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfUGZLGcrKyaIUB-thQjpHfmb_l-VSzQg8GnJSI4cS_AU3O4Nu8PIslRXeU6JN9wzaO4YSYgLrCz6RHCD4H6SepT7dC9XiSI3EK2l3Wa8PEeH5I5aGNc-JBoPrq2BCnaf5_Jc/s1600/Sous+Vide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfUGZLGcrKyaIUB-thQjpHfmb_l-VSzQg8GnJSI4cS_AU3O4Nu8PIslRXeU6JN9wzaO4YSYgLrCz6RHCD4H6SepT7dC9XiSI3EK2l3Wa8PEeH5I5aGNc-JBoPrq2BCnaf5_Jc/s400/Sous+Vide.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holding steady at 140° F</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I started cooking a lot more when I met my wife. And by that I mean I helped her when she cooked. I was still a relative novice but wanted to learn. The really tricky part was figuring out where to start. We realized early on that our styles where quite different which led to a few clashes in the kitchen. Mostly because I asked way too many questions. Deb cooks more on taste and feel and I want to know what's going on under the hood. I discovered a book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cooking-Geeks-Science-Great-Hacks/dp/0596805888/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318880314&sr=8-1">Cooking for Geeks</a> which, as you can probably tell, spoke to me immediately. It dives into the chemistry and physics of cooking right away and delivers it in an easily understood manner. I was particularly enthralled with the chapter on Sous Vide cooking. Not only was the science noteworthy but the hardware involved was also of particular interest to me. Unfortunately the cheapest commercially available unit costs in the range of $400. Okay, I was gonna build one before I even knew the price tag.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sous_vide">Sous Vide</a>, pronounced "Sue Veed", is a way of cooking food by submerging it in a very accurate temperature controlled water bath. The food is vacuum sealed in a plastic bag to keep the water out and keep the moisture and aromas in. This method eliminates any chance of overcooking the meal and ensures that it is heated evenly throughout. You get a perfectly done steak or piece of fish every time. More about that later though.<br />
<br />
With pretty much all of my projects, I like to start off by scouring the internet to get a good idea of what's already out there. I found <a href="http://makeprojects.com/Project/Sous-Vide-Immersion-Cooker/471/1">this little gem</a> on <a href="http://makeprojects.com/">Make</a> and figured it was a great place to begin. The design revolves around a PID controller which continually reads in the water bath temperature with a k type thermocouple and cycles three heating elements either on or off based on the current temperature, rate of temperature change and distance from desired temperature. Normally it would be a lot cooler if I made my own controller but for $30, it was hard to beat the off the shelf unit they spec'd. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDQxvUAV9u0kW4tarybN4fpNfMgwT2s5B8ERrn0fPTLDKbJRx8WZAtVMTCpYlWiQtGDiENiZAyMOQnZRpIIkZyihv7rMEexHqbV6k3WbxJQfrr6ZdmFG8429mei7hJxOPBwEJ/s1600/Sheet+Metal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDQxvUAV9u0kW4tarybN4fpNfMgwT2s5B8ERrn0fPTLDKbJRx8WZAtVMTCpYlWiQtGDiENiZAyMOQnZRpIIkZyihv7rMEexHqbV6k3WbxJQfrr6ZdmFG8429mei7hJxOPBwEJ/s400/Sheet+Metal.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheet Metal Work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was't a fan of the enclosure they used so I leveraged my meager metal working skills and made my own. Making cut outs in 1/8" aluminum is not fun. After cutting a series of smaller holes on the drill press, I filed down the inner edges to make them flat and smooth. To make the box, I bent all the side walls toward each other and used epoxy where they met on the inside to secure them in place. More grinding was necessary to round off the joints. This was the most time consuming portion of the project. Took a few iterations of sanding and priming to get the edges just right. I was quite please with how they turned out. Like the paint job? Gotta thank my pal Tommy S. for the inspiration. How better to paint a slow cooker than with racing stripes. Check out the nod to the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pitlanepass/178270370/">French racing blue Renault Clio 182</a>. <br />
<br />
I think it's time to talk performance and results. The controller and associated thermocouple kept the water bath temperature within two tenths of a degree of the set temp. That's more than accurate enough for the purpose of this machine. And when heating up room temp water, it can add enough energy to increase the temp of about two gallons of water approximately 2°F per minute. That's not great but considering the water coming out of the tap can reach about 130°F, you really don't have to wait too long. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTT7RSmXn0y2L7f0uL65fTxif3uUU-bagR9zAtdZ52VitqGYhnlqvaoIraSdbE6XfLz2lcGUYiUTBNKhyphenhyphenq2pYX-M_2EhtF1KU9RmMaUxcAmRfHeyvo2EMYS4z23ynYz-A1Ccj1/s1600/steak.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTT7RSmXn0y2L7f0uL65fTxif3uUU-bagR9zAtdZ52VitqGYhnlqvaoIraSdbE6XfLz2lcGUYiUTBNKhyphenhyphenq2pYX-M_2EhtF1KU9RmMaUxcAmRfHeyvo2EMYS4z23ynYz-A1Ccj1/s320/steak.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect medium rare steak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I decided to start the real testing with something easy, a couple of 5oz filet mignon steaks. Flanked the meal with some roasted yukon golds and sauteed broccoli. I set the immersion cooker at 140°F, vacuum sealed up the meat (covered in a little garlic, thyme, olive oil, salt and pepper) and let it cook for an hour and fifteen minutes. As a result of cooking at a relatively low temperature, the browning reactions normally associated with a steak will not take place. This is easily overcome with some quick searing action on a smoking hot cast iron skillet. Around 45 seconds a side should do it. As you can see in the picture above, the steak is cooked evenly throughout. I also verified with a thermometer that the meat was a perfect 140°F. A little moisture was left over in the bag but not enough to really matter. The resultant steak was extremely tender and juicy. <br />
<br />
The obvious drawback to this style of cooking is the long cook times necessary to neutralize any bacteria present in the food. Bacteria will die within minutes at 160°F but it takes considerable longer at lower temperatures. There are many guides available to aide you with these calculations. I don't mind the long lead. My thinking is, where's the fire baby? Life is to be simmered and enjoyed. Sous Vide isn't for every meal but it does add another interesting preparation option in the kitchen and a good one at that. I'm looking forward to further experimentation and more delicious food. <br />
<br /></div>Evan Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07511356635742553711noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30357747.post-87986809598527599032011-08-30T09:54:00.002-05:002011-08-30T10:02:39.919-05:00Watermelon Gin Jalapeno Limeade Spritzer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsv9KMyGfPLZ2goCEe2z1zLgnpldsYzrIQhWigzgvV0suwVU5-of_cofKSBP9nDDvGGxkx4ry4Q7AFSpDRs5AGxJ0rgl6J6I3x-Eo8CqkaviAAcfrb62kAzm_O63w6-eOc-9A/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsv9KMyGfPLZ2goCEe2z1zLgnpldsYzrIQhWigzgvV0suwVU5-of_cofKSBP9nDDvGGxkx4ry4Q7AFSpDRs5AGxJ0rgl6J6I3x-Eo8CqkaviAAcfrb62kAzm_O63w6-eOc-9A/s320/photo.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>On a trip out to <a href="http://www.getcosi.com/">Cosi</a> a little while back, I sampled their Watermelon Habanero Lemonade and was thoroughly impressed. Sweet, spicy and very refreshing. I really needed to make this into a cocktail. On a recent sunny Sunday afternoon I sequestered myself in the kitchen endeavoring to do just that. I was going to start with store bought lemonade but my wife suggested that I take a look at Emeril's Watermelon Limeade recipe before I do. Always with a good idea up her sleeve, I listened and whipped up a batch. Start with 8 cups of loosely packed watermelon (seeds removed) and blend until liquefied. Strain until all the pulp is removed. You should be left with about a quart (4 cups) of juice. Add one cup of fresh lime juice along with a half cup of sugar and you're done. This in itself is very tasty but it's not a cocktail just yet. Cosi used Habanero peppers in it's drink but I'm a huge fan of Jalapenos so I went that route. Cut the peppers in half lengthwise and scrape all the seeds and pulp out with a spoon. That's where most of the heat is and I'm looking for taste not bite. Slice the pepper into 1/8" pieces and set aside. A little pepper goes a long way so when building your drink, start with about 4 half moon slices and add to taste. I associate Gin with summertime cocktails so that was a no brainer. I prefer Hendricks but that can be a bit pricey so Beefeater is just fine. To finish things off I added an equal amount of Club Soda for that carbonated kick. Tasty drink and fun to make. Though I think I need a better name. Suggestions?<br />
<br />
<b>Watermelon Gin Jalapeno Limeade Spritzer</b><br />
<br />
- 1 oz. Gin<br />
- 1 oz. Club Soda<br />
- 5 oz. Watermelon Limeade<br />
- 4 slices Jalapeno halves (1/8" thick, seeds and pulp removed)<br />
<br />
Add Gin, Club Soda and Jalapeno to rocks glass, let sit for about a minute. Add ice till about 3/4 full. Top with Watermelon Limeade and stir. Enjoy!Evan Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07511356635742553711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30357747.post-71797807292563570622011-08-15T09:28:00.003-05:002011-08-16T12:11:34.094-05:00Undercounter iPad dock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvXKpEtzQqRluDD-XO2h-7Lr9_qbCJo8G5YQ_Nv9TJB2Y9YDVcPYUrVe4Hc9LR7uw4SiVYxOCNZX0SynKq8aV2peNnQps6Y4D3WoOjk2JJ6qJEV5TRpx3XvUx_2m2T1goUU_J/s1600/Dock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvXKpEtzQqRluDD-XO2h-7Lr9_qbCJo8G5YQ_Nv9TJB2Y9YDVcPYUrVe4Hc9LR7uw4SiVYxOCNZX0SynKq8aV2peNnQps6Y4D3WoOjk2JJ6qJEV5TRpx3XvUx_2m2T1goUU_J/s400/Dock.jpg" width="170" /></a></div>My wife and I own many cookbooks but more often than not we look to the interwebs for recipes. I got my wife an iPad for her birthday when I finally got tired of scrolling through verbose assembly instructions on an iPhone. Prior to purchasing the wonder tablet I knew that our lack of counter space left few options for placing the iPad out of the way yet accessible at the same time. I would have to go vertical.<br />
<br />
At first I thought about modifying a COTS (consumer off the shelf) iPad case and mounting it to the face of a cabinet but I didn't feel comfortable swinging the thing around every time we wanted to get a plate. After hitting a slight creative block, I was inspired by a couple drawer slides I found whilst fumbling around my spare parts box. I could mount the dock to the underside of a cabinet and slide it out and over the sink when it's needed. However, in this configuration, I would only have 1 and 1/8 inches of clearance to work with. Subtracting the width of the iPad (1/2"), the iPad holder (1/4") and the logically minimal width of a sturdy base (1/4")... I was running out of room quickly. I would have to lay the iPad holder flat against the base and somehow conjure up enough space to fashion some sort of kickstand mechanism.<br />
<br />
Knowing that I had no height to work with, I envisioned an opening in the base where the hinged portion of the dock would reside. I also thought up notches in that opening that would later accept a couple of saw tooth sections to act as adjustable stops for a kickstand. Luckily I have access to a laser cutting table. Otherwise, cutting out the design below would have been impossible with a Dremel.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GX7prghOqq-GY8b6xIOkOCOwZVaBA5UAFb5s2q5inhcyged-oLjK44n8zEyQU9TCZBtiwObC8xxxsiIaU9ODzV76DLdxejPjZzSKOfxNznwCvOSUDJB7pgNdljUy35VCXho2/s1600/librecad+iPad+dock+%2528Medium%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GX7prghOqq-GY8b6xIOkOCOwZVaBA5UAFb5s2q5inhcyged-oLjK44n8zEyQU9TCZBtiwObC8xxxsiIaU9ODzV76DLdxejPjZzSKOfxNznwCvOSUDJB7pgNdljUy35VCXho2/s320/librecad+iPad+dock+%2528Medium%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Figure 1: CAD drawing for laser cutting table</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The kickstand affixes to the underside of the hinged section with a couple of brackets that were also cut out using the drawing in Figure 1. Love that laser. I made the kickstand by bending up a piece of 1/8" tubular aluminum on a vice. There was as little trial and error involved here. I had to get the leg sections the exact same length or else they wouldn't sit on the stops properly. I wouldn't want the iPad to wobble around now would I.<br />
<br />
I made the iPad holder out of 1/16" sheet aluminum which I painted a shiny black with a couple coats of clear acrylic for protection. This is also the case where having the right tools really makes the job easy. Having a good sheet metal cutter and bender makes all the difference. I left a little slack around the iPad to put a thin felt pad to minimize scratching but turns out the current finish is soft enough and any additional material may not be necessary.<br />
<br />
There are a couple things I would have done differently had I owned the house. First off, building the drawer slides into the cabinet so it's totally hidden when not in use would have been really neat. I'll shelf that idea until I put up some custom cabinets of my own. Next, having the whole thing motorized would bring this to the next level. Completely unnecessary but cool none the less. I had that notion from the very beginning so I designed it with that potential upgrade in mind. Though I have many more projects in mind so that will have to wait for another day.Evan Flinthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07511356635742553711noreply@blogger.com5