Finally starting an addition on our shed

EddieWalker · Feb 5, 2018

Those are pretty cool. Be sure to get a lot of extra roto zip blades. They have a way of snapping off fairly easily.

STx · Feb 5, 2018

We're ready for drywall. Unfortunately, I've got to do some work to refill the bank account this week so it'll be a few days before that gets started.

/pine · Feb 5, 2018

Not meaning to get off the topic...this has been an excellent thread to follow...But here is a tip for DIY'ers that have sheetrock ceiling projects...and you have a lot of recessed can lighting fixtures...

Use "old work" can fixtures rather than new work cans...that way you do not have to measure and precut the holes in the lid rock...just rough in the elec. with a wire...when the lid is secure cut the holes where they are designed to be...reach up, grab and connect the wire...then snap he old work can in place...

Now back to the addition that overwhelms the shed...:thumbsup::thumbsup:

STx · Feb 5, 2018

I've used the old work cans before. There isn't really any reason why I didn't go that route, I guess it just seemed easier to use the new work fixtures and it's a little less weight on the drywall. The Panasonic can/fan lights in the bathroom only come with a new work rail installation so we were going to have to drill a few holes regardless. We installed the Panasonic fixtures in our Houston house when we redid our master bath, I really like them even though they are a little pricey. They're super quiet and pull a lot of air out of the room, the shower never steamed the mirror and gastrointestinal distress was quickly removed. Speaking of which, we put the switch for the fan over the toilet right next to the toilet. Kind of a funny/gross thing to talk about but, I think it was a genius move and it should be standard for all residential restrooms.

/pine · Feb 5, 2018

STx said:
I've used the old work cans before. There isn't really any reason why I didn't go that route, I guess it just seemed easier to use the new work fixtures and it's a little less weight on the drywall. The Panasonic can/fan lights in the bathroom only come with a new work rail installation so we were going to have to drill a few holes regardless. We installed the Panasonic fixtures in our Houston house when we redid our master bath, I really like them even though they are a little pricey. They're super quiet and pull a lot of air out of the room, the shower never steamed the mirror and gastrointestinal distress was quickly removed. Speaking of which, we put the switch for the fan over the toilet right next to the toilet. Kind of a funny/gross thing to talk about but, I think it was a genius move and it should be standard for all residential restrooms.

Everything you have posted pics of has looked professional in every way your idea for the switch is a gas (pun intended)...It is truly a great thread...
I only mentioned the can light thing because the posts about ceilings made me think about it...Most of the pros that do nothing but hang sheetrock don't precut holes for anything...they just make one mark and a use a zip cutter to go around whatever after a board is hung be it on a lid or a wall...

STx · Feb 5, 2018

/pine said:
Everything you have posted pics of has looked professional in every way your idea for the switch is a gas (pun intended)...It is truly a great thread...
I only mentioned the can light thing because the posts about ceilings made me think about it...Most of the pros that do nothing but hang sheetrock don't precut holes for anything...they just make one mark and a use a zip cutter to go around whatever after a board is hung be it on a lid or a wall...

That's definitely how I'm doing all the wall electrical, windows and doors. I'm not sure about the ceiling yet though, if I can get away with doing it that way, I will.

Thanks for the compliments, we've tried to do the best we can. There are some things that will definitely be done differently when we do the kitchen, it's been a learning process and I'm always open to the suggestions of others. Like I said early in the thread, I prefer to learn from the mistakes of others, I don't have time to make them all myself.

buckeyefarmer · Feb 5, 2018

I put a Panasonic bath fan in last yr. You can do from below. Very nice fan.

GLyford · Feb 6, 2018

What I did on the ceiling around existing original "new work" cans and a mix of old and new boxes was get the panel lifted and lined up, and fastened enough away from the box/can that it would stay in place, but let the box/can hold it away a bit. Zip, push up the last 1/2", then fasten next to the box. Then go ahead and finish fastening the panel. Easy-peasy with the drywall lift, as long as the arms aren't in the way of where you need to cut.

Another tip: very flat white ceiling paint hides a lot of sins, since there is no change in the shine to give them away.

STx · Feb 6, 2018

buckeyefarmer said:
I put a Panasonic bath fan in last yr. You can do from below. Very nice fan.

We're using this can light / fan combo unit, there's no way to install this box through a 6" finish hole. The current version is an LED lamp instead of the CFL shown.

Panasonic WhisperRecessed Bathroom Fans | Sylvane

STx · Feb 6, 2018

GLyford said:
What I did on the ceiling around existing original "new work" cans and a mix of old and new boxes was get the panel lifted and lined up, and fastened enough away from the box/can that it would stay in place, but let the box/can hold it away a bit. Zip, push up the last 1/2", then fasten next to the box. Then go ahead and finish fastening the panel. Easy-peasy with the drywall lift, as long as the arms aren't in the way of where you need to cut.

Another tip: very flat white ceiling paint hides a lot of sins, since there is no change in the shine to give them away.

My wife has kind of an off tan color in satin already picked out. We've used it before and she really likes it, it gives the ceiling a little more depth. The part I'm really worried about is the ceiling texture. What we had before that she likes is kind of a cross between a rosebud and a trowel texture. I watched the guys put it on, I have some idea of how to do it but, I'm worried about it coming out badly. I'll probably let her do that part. That texture is kind of heavy in mud use so it'll do a good job of hiding drywall flaws, as long as it doesn't look like crap itself.

plowhog · Feb 6, 2018

STx said:
It's taken a LOT longer than I would've liked ....

I understand that so well. I keep expanding my time estimates for projects but everything still takes longer anyway. Very nice work and nice progress ... great to see!

buckeyefarmer · Feb 6, 2018

STx said:
We're using this can light / fan combo unit, there's no way to install this box through a 6" finish hole. The current version is an LED lamp instead of the CFL shown.

Panasonic WhisperRecessed Bathroom Fans | Sylvane

Mine had detachable plate you could install from below, then the fan box slid up on the plate.
I did get in attic to remove the old fan, and tape the pipe joint on the new fan.

EddieWalker · Feb 6, 2018

Once you get your lift, just put the sheetrock on it, then measure what you need to cut out. You can either mark it on the lift by punching a hole in the middle of where it is and cutting it out with your roto zip, or you can measure it all out and cut it out before installing it. I usually cut out ceiling before installing them so I'm not getting everything in my face while cutting over my head.

I usually install 3 and 4 inch can lights after the sheetrock is installed, but I also have all my measurements written down before hanging the sheetrock so I know exactly where I need to put the lights so they all line up. Most of what I do is bathroom remodels, so it's all quick and easy.

STx · Feb 8, 2018

So, as part of this whole addition, I'm having to upgrade the electric panel. When we first started finishing out the shed, this was supposed to just be a deer camp and weekend place so I only ran 100A service and installed a 16 space box. It was more than enough for the shed, not nearly enough for the completed additions and an all electric house. Today I installed a 42 space box, this weekend or next week I'll run a new underground wire and upgrade it to 200A service. The meter is 200A but, I'm going to have to replace the breaker in the panel at the meter, it's a pass through box that also run the well and gate opener.

Lesson learned, from now on I will always install 200A service and a 30 or 42 space box, it would've only cost a little more to do it originally and saved a lot of time and money now.

STx · Feb 9, 2018

Woohoo!

EddieWalker · Feb 9, 2018

Your new best friend!!!!

STx · Feb 13, 2018

Buried the new power line yesterday, 4/0-4/0-2/0 URD. I still have to fish it into the panels, connect it and then call the PoCo to come pull the meter so I can upgrade the main breaker in the outside panel. This has been a $500 lesson to always run 200a to begin with, it would have only cost me about $150 more to do it originally, plus all the time I've spent redoing it.

I've been threatening to sell this mini-ex and replace it with a skid steer, I'm glad I haven't followed through yet. Most likely I'll end up just keeping it and adding a skid steer, I don't need the mini-ex that often and a lot of what I use it for could be done better with a skid steer and trencher attachment but, it sure is nice to have it for stuff like this where I've got to be careful of other buried utilities.

STx · Feb 14, 2018

Hauled the 5/8 drywall upstairs and started on the ceiling today. We didn't get started hanging until 4:30 so we only got a few sheets. It's exciting to.see it going up.

Eddie, you're right, rotocutting overhead sucks. It is a lot faster than measuring everything out though. It's my first time hanging drywall with a rotocutter, I'm really going to like it when we get to the walls.

The drywall gun with magazine and the lift make things a lot easier also.

EddieWalker · Feb 15, 2018

Fun times for sure. Once that sheetrock gets hunt, everything changes and it starts to look like home for the first time!!!

STx · Feb 16, 2018

It took me a little while to really wrap my head around how I wanted to run my drain lines so I've been putting it off. I finally came up with a plan that both my wife and I are happy with so I got some poop pipe run today. It's not the most glamorous part of construction but, it's definitely one of the most appreciated features when it's all done.

What was really bothering me was going through the joists where the AC ducts are, I really didn't want to compress them any more than they already are. We decided instead to just run the pipe up the back corner of a linen closet and put a little bulkhead in the back of the alcove where the printer will be. The next room is for the water heater and we're already dropping g the ceiling a foot or so in there so the pipe will be minimally invasive into the space.

My wife is working on getting the window trim painted so we can return the rented scaffolding. We need it down in front anyway so I can forklift the drywall up to the death door. Pulling a few sheets up for the ceiling is one thing but pulling up 50+ sheets for walls is altogether different.

I feel like we're gaining on it. I'm caught up on paying work so next week I'll be able to focus on the house.