Man Cave Mk2

[b33fy]

Another week on the cladding and roof. Not much to show for the efforts really. Rain and a trip to Edinburgh ate into the working time. Started on the front section of roof, image below taken prior to starting. Hopefully it’ll progress quickly. Did a ready reckoner of the materials. Looks like we might have a couple of pallets over, which hopefully can be returned and exchanged for some expensive cast iron guttering. We also need to cut another 700 bullets.The plasterer is popping in Monday to size up the external rendering hopefully to start soon.

[b33fy]

An odd week or so, progress has felt slow. Long story short.. cladding is now complete except some trim to be done when the new door is fitted. This will be done at a later stage to avoid damage with materials, tools etc coming in and out.

The plasterer popped by last Monday. Happy to start the rendering in a couple of weeks or so. Just gotta juggle his work around and will let us know when firmed up. In the meantime we are going to focus on the living area and try and get it ready for plastering whilst he’s here doing the outside.

The roof has come to a bit of an interlude. Unfortunately the slater has been diagnosed with cancer and will be undergoing treatment. He is expecting to continue to work and wants to finish the roof. Happy to support him between treatments in whatever way possible. Just gonna take a little longer I guess. We need to cut another 600 bullets, might make a “how to” video as so many people have asked and the “B&Q mate” response is wearing a bit thin.

The tour of Britain cycle race started in Kelso Tuesday, with a rolling start right outside the lodge. Sadly the camera helicopter was grounded due to bad weather so no decent shots. Swmbos here so we bailed and went to Cragside in Northumberland to avoid the Chaos tbh. Grabbed a £15 breakie on the way! A few shots below including a posh crocheted dishcloth. The windows have a film applied to protect the interiors from uv/sun damage.

Got a set of wheels in great condition for the Yeti, off the bay, £37.50 each. A lot cheaper than refurbing as they are diamond cut. Old ones are corroded with one loosing pressure. Sorted the leaky one today. Looks odd so will have to sort the others soon.

[DJ.]

Nice photos, I like that breakfast, but I would ditch the sausages

[b33fy]

Some roofing progress punctuated by a family funeral in Ireland. James has been working with the Slater to move things forward whilst he undergoes treatment. I’ve been mostly inside noggin out for the kitchen and prepping for plasterboard.

Shot across to Ireland wednessday night for a close cousin’s funeral. All happens so quickly over there, just a few days between death and burial. Couldn’t get a flight to Limerick so flew into Dublin and had a bit of a road trip. Couldn’t find a hotel either so the plan was to live in the hire car for 24 hours returning Thursday night. Got myself a big Volvo XC90 fully loaded, pretty new T8 version. Over 400bhp so got up there quick until it bottomed out at 112 in old money and a 20mpg kicker.

Back to it now with a short interlude on the roof for a while as the slater goes for a treatment and break.

[b33fy]

Busy week finishing the section of roof with Stewart. He’s starting his cancer treatment and having a holiday for a week. Hopefully see him back next week. We’ve been progressing the lounge/kitchen/diner area. So far about 300 metres of wiring gone in. Nothing fancy. Two ring mains, A separate ring for the appliances. Two lighting circuits, a couple of Cat 6 runs and a bit of HDMI cable. Lighting circuits include 20 plaster in down lights on three switches, plinth lighting, breakfast bar pendant lighting and a lounge main light.

Using larger junction boxes and longer cable runs to keep the number of connections down. Trying a few new bits like modular switches for the appliances which will eliminate multiple switched fused spurs along the worktops. Wago connectors throughout, which arguably are supposed to be a quicker install, though I find them fiddly.

Plasterboard is turning up Tuesday so hoping to get the ceiling in by the end of the week. We’ve got a plasterboard lift which hopefully will go to 2.7 metres high. I’m also awaiting delivery of a collated screw gun which are super quick and allow one handed operation.

[DJ.]

I must admit, I underestimated how much work you still have to do!

[b33fy]

I must admit, I underestimated how much work you still have to do!

Easy done Duncan, we’re guilty as well. We keep reminding ourselves it’s just an idiot and boy on the job doing a conversion, renovation and extension on a difficult Victorian building. We just keep chipping away and hopefully we’ll get there one day

The roof has taken considerable time, turning into a labour of love. We’ve been working on it for about a year now. It’s very labour intensive with the cutting, stripping labouring etc taking us away from other jobs. Stewart is back from his break and James and I are helping him more or less full time. One last push should see it done. Progress as of yesterday below. We get very positive comments throughout the day about the roof and extension as a whole, which is great to hear.

We’ve also managed to complete the wiring in the open plan living space and get some plasterboard up on the ceiling. Still a way to go with that. Spoke to the architect regarding the walls and insulation. Got a workable and affordable plan for that now so we can get that sorted once materials are sourced. Managed to find a 1000mm long 12mm drill bit for running cable through the stone wall. This has to be done before we close up the ceiling and walls any further. Cables are for the alarm and smart doorbell.

A flying visit to Kent and a pit stop at Snodhurst. Massive thanks to Jay, Simon and Kelly for sorting the long list of jobs on the car, including the driveshafts and brakes.

[DJ.]

It's going to be amazing when finished, and a tribute to your determination.

Looks like I will be coming up to Scotland in the Seven next May, so if you are around, I'd really like to come and have a look around.

[b33fy]

It's going to be amazing when finished, and a tribute to your determination.

Looks like I will be coming up to Scotland in the Seven next May, so if you are around, I'd really like to come and have a look around.

Thanks Duncan, it’s slowly starting to come together. I’m more in my comfort zone with the work, though there is still a lot to do.

It would be great to see you and catch up, you are most welcome anytime. I hope it lives up to your expectations!

[b33fy]

Finished the wiring in the open plan living area. Managed to get the holes through the wall no problem. A bit tricky using a metre long drill bit in a SDS drill on a ladder though! Cracking on with the plaster boarding, doing one half of the space first. Using a foil bubble wrap breathable membrane on top of the foam insulation to bring the values up. By all accounts it’s a waste of time but if it suffices for building regs that’s ok by me.

Fitted the plaster in trims for the Downlighters, nice bits of kit, should look good once completed.

Cutting more bullets for the roof and assisting Stewart where we can with the stripping and slate moving. We estimate another 300 to cut then we should be there. Might knock the, out over the weekend so we can concentrate on the inside next week and leave Stewart to it, assisting when needed.

Got another viewing happening on Saturday, first time buyer, finances approved. Not holding my breath though up til now viewing have been very positive though with no one in a position to put an offer in. Thankfully the estate agent does the accompanying at the viewings so it’s up to them to sift out the time wasters.