Like all worthy projects, this one just keeps getting layers and layers deeper. The things I learned this week that I should pass on to those of you taking on a project like this:
Buy a small neumatic cutter (grinder) - It will save you hours trying to fight screws that are full of paint or rusted over. Cut right down the middle of the head of the screws and use a fat flat screwdriver to back them out.
Figure how much time each section of your project will take and write it down. Now throw it out, it is useless. So many things will unexpectedly show up that need doing. You will have to decide what level of repair you want to achieve and it always seems to end up " Well you've gone this far, why not do it right". Which translates into - trips to the hardware store, more planning and usually several new projects.
Next, the top step of the ladder is "not a step" - believe it.
Save all the material you are removing and label it. That will help you when you are fabricating the new pieces. I don't know how many times I have looked at a piece of wood and wondered where that came from.
Mark all the pieces that fit together. For example: draw an x that covers all the sections of a multiple junction before you separate them so you will know how they go back together later.
Use a lawn chair. This is critical. You must sit and think through the steps ahead of time. You don't want to make things harder than they have to be.
Get current on your tetanus shots.
No comments:
Post a Comment