Biggest Home Project Yet

[Basil]

Wish me luck...I am about to embark on the biggest home improvement project I've ever undertaken. I've already re-done the floor in my Study (a small room) and the hallway, but today I start the arduous task of laying down 3/4" Oak Flooring in my living room. I'm a little nervous about this because it is such a big task and the living room will be in disarray until I get it completed!

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Have fun, Boss! I'm sure it will come out fine.

Got your kneepads at the ready?

 

[Basil]

Have fun, Boss! I'm sure it will come out fine.

Got your kneepads at the ready?

Most of the work is done standing up (like using the air-powered nail gun I bought), unlike doing tile where you spend most of your time on your knees. (But I do have them if I need them)

 

[coldplugs]

If my son-in-law can do it, <span style="font-style: italic">anyone</span> can do it.

I'm sure you'll do a fine job.

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Have fun, Boss! I'm sure it will come out fine.

Got your kneepads at the ready?

Most of the work is done standing up (like using the air-powered nail gun I bought), unlike doing tile where you spend most of your time on your knees. (But I do have them if I need them)

Standing up? Man - that must be hard on the back to have to bend over for so long. Unless you're a marksman with that nail gun!

 

[Gliderman8]

Hey, Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel on his back, and he had a hard time getting it off!
Good luck with the project..... I know it will come out Great!

 

[GregW]

I wouldn't worry, you have the experience from doing the other rooms. Last time I did wood flooring was with my dad. Tongue and groove with a hammer and nail set.

 

[Silverghost]

Basil, if memory serves me correctly, you handled that major hole in your front yard in the height of the summer heat with flying colors! You'll be just fine putting down the floor. And if you get REALLY stuck, there's always www.DIYNETWORK.com

 

[Brosky]

The carpenters are starting our new kitchen and dining room hardwood floors later this week as part of a remodeling project. They are fast with those air guns.

I'd never last doing that work. Knees and back are too old for that stuff.

 

[tomshobby]

Wish me luck...I am about to embark on the biggest home improvement project I've ever undertaken. I've already re-done the floor in my Study (a small room) and the hallway, but today I start the arduous task of laying down 3/4" Oak Flooring in my living room. I'm a little nervous about this because it is such a big task and the living room will be in disarray until I get it completed!

Next, the Spitfire dash?

I think you will do just fine and it will turn out great!

 

[apbos]

My mother (69+) just did two bedrooms with a little help from my dad. You will need those knee pads when driving the boards together. A chop-saw and band-saw are also very helpful. Mom did each room in about two days (including base boards). They look stunning and no squeeks! Take your time Boss and use lots of nails and it will look great!

P.S. My Mom is a work-a-holic

 

[Basil]

Standing up? Man - that must be hard on the back to have to bend over for so long. Unless you're a marksman with that nail gun!

A flooring nailgun used for tongue-and-groove flooring is a little different than regular nail guns like framing guns. The handle you see is about 2 feet from the ground, so you stand over it and push down to secure the "foot" against the board being nailed. Then pop that little black button with a mallet and the air pressure drives the nail into the piece of wood and into the 3/4 inch sub-flooring below. The nail gets driven in just above the tongue at a 45 degree angle.

The last time I did this (my study and hallway) I used a rental floor nailer. It looked just like this, but the nail had to be driven in with muscle alone - no air to assist.

 

[Basil]

So far the hardest part has been getting the mastic off of the concrete floor after getting the tiles in the entry way removed. Getting the tiles off was hard - getting the mastic off is harder!

 

[aerog]

I undertook a massive home improvement project today myself. I vacuumed. Don't laugh, my black cat must be the worst shedding cat in the world. White sofa and carpet doesn't help. :laugh:

 

[bgbassplyr]

So far the hardest part has been getting the mastic off of the concrete floor after getting the tiles in the entry way removed. Getting the tiles off was hard - getting the mastic off is harder!

Try heat; heat gun or propane torch and a putty knife.

 

[DrEntropy]

...White sofa and carpet doesn't help. :laugh:

Who's fault is THAT?!?!? Th' <span style="font-weight: bold">CAT</span> didn't choose th' decor!

Quit whinin' and rub th' cat's fur. Much more important than worry over some loose fur onna furniture.

And redecorate!. We suggest a "Calico" theme. Cover ALL yer bases. :wink:

..them "cat" thingies tend to show up no matter WHAT.

 

[aerog]

Yeah - NO KIDDING! I didn't choose the decor either, well, not really. The white carpet came with the house, I can't stand the stuff. When it starts turning gray I know it's time to vacuum :wink:

I pulled the sofa out to get behind it, that's when I found the corner where the cat runs around it (I haven't figured out why, but he runs laps around the house, staying in shape I guess). I pulled enough hair off that sucker to make another cat :laugh:

Meow.

 

[texas_bugeye]

Those are amazing nailers you can cover a lot ground in a big hurry.Find yourself a deadblow - sandcast hammer and things will go quick and painless. It keeps you going in a nice straight line by by using the same amount of force over and over and over ... you get the idea.

 

[Basil]

I finally grew a brain! The air chisel is your friend!

 

[Basil]

Oh Lordy! It's 10:30PM and I just finished for the night and took a quick shower. I feel like someone beat me with a stick! A big stick!