AsktheBuilder.com #1285 - 🆕 New Columns & 🔨 Son's Basement Remodel Update

Published: Sun, 06/09/24

Updated: Sun, 06/09/24

Save Time and Money | Newsletter & Tips | Do it Right. Not Over.

AsktheBuilder.com Issue #1285 (I think)

June 9, 2024

Dear ,

Are you a new subscriber? It's possible this is the quirkiest newsletter you've ever received. Only time will tell, but it ain't talkin. Famous words by Kenny Chesney. Here's a great Kenny song.

Are You a Sleuth?

Do you enjoy looking for things online? If so, I could use your help.

I'm trying to locate some Libbey drinking glasses. Kathy, my beautiful and loving wife, uses this specific one we've had for years. But as time has passed, they get broken. We're down to just three now. Well, seven if I break into our last remaining box of them.

Here's what they look like. Yes, the glass in the photo is a hot mess. The etching is from the dishwasher crap detergent. READ ABOUT THAT HERE.

Note the slight flared shape from bottom to top.

The original NAME of this glass is COSMOS. Libbey discontinued this line perhaps eight years ago.

DO NOT confuse this with their Cosmo product.

We have an unopened box we got before they became unavailable. Look at the box:

I've done an exhaustive online treasure hunt and come up with nothing. I've been to ebay. Nothing.

Let's see if you can find them. I'll buy them used and in decent shape.

Basement Remodeling

Yesterday I completed my fourth day working at my son's house. Last year I spent weekends installing his stunning brick paver patio with his help. This year it's an ambitious basement remodeling project. You can see the plan here.

Day one had us setting up, loading 200+ studs and plates into the basement, and bringing in tools. Once all that was finished, we could only frame for two hours before I had to scoot to be the telegrapher at the Ashland RR Station.

The photo below shows what we accomplished in those two hours. Click the photo to read about how I approach basement remodeling.

Days two and three allowed me to work a total of twelve more hours. We decided to work at a relaxed pace to build fun memories.

On day two, my son's neighbor, Jude, was with us for two hours discovering how to frame walls, get them plumb, and fasten them to the concrete floor. He's a mechanical engineer that works for Amazon designing robotic machines.

Jude's house is a mirror image of my son's house as they were built in tandem by the same builder three years ago. He plans to finish his basement and I decided I wanted to inspire him to tackle the project himself.

Jude was in awe of my Paslode framing nail gun. He loved using it. Jude was astonished at how I secure the treated bottom wall plates to the concrete floor.

two 16d sinker nails being nailed into a treated 2x4

I recorded a video 25 years ago showing how to do this. WATCH IT HERE.

Day three of the job saw us frame quite a bit more. We were interrupted after lunch with a delightful phone call from my oldest daughter. She was wishing her brother a belated happy birthday.

That call disrupted our work rhythm and prevented us from achieving our goal for the day. I'm not complaining as I'd much rather hear my daughter's and granddaughter's voices than the explosive pop of the Paslode gun anyday anytime.

Consulting Calls and Visits

How would you like to save $5,000? Would you be happy to save $10,000 or more? Did you know I can help you do that?

I'm sharing the following to inspire you to think about getting me involved in your next project BEFORE you start to drown in the turbid waters of building or remodeling.

Two days ago I was on the phone for an hour with a man and his wife. They're about to start a huge master bath remodeling project.

This couple did a very wise thing.

They decided to hire me to think through the project with them BEFORE the work starts. I

This job has a very complex component where an unused Jacuzzi tub is going to be transformed into a delightful shower space.

The challenge is the shower will not have a curb to contain the water. I offered up a few ways to solve this problem. We talked about many other things during the hour-long conversation.

Here's what you need to know: You must know the SOLUTIONS to problem BEFORE you talk with contractors. Do you understand that?

If you start discussions with contractors extracting from them what THEY THINK is the way to solve a problem, you could very well end up losing THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.

How do I know this?

Each week I get NO LESS THAN TEN emails from homeowners like you who are SCREECHING FOR HELP to get them out of a PREVENTABLE MESS.

Tim the Traveler 🛻 🧭

A week from now I'll be traveling an hour away to do an in-person consult for a woman. She owns a house here in NH and is flying in from the Midwest to meet with me.

She's got a laundry list of things she wants me to look at. I'm looking forward to meeting her. She even wants to discuss ham radio!

Yes, I can TRAVEL to your home. I even do long-distance trips.

Finally there's a wonderful woman from the East Coast. She's embarking on building her dream home in central Kentucky. I'm working with her on the planning process.

Yes, I'm helping her make sure her dreams COME TRUE. I'm helping her to make sure her dreams don't become NIGHTMARES.

What can I help you with? What projects are you attempting to DIY or hire out?

I urge you to get on an exploratory phone call with me.

Here's my promise:

If you're not happy with my advice, the call is FREE. Just email me after the call saying you want a refund. I'll give it to you NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

New Columns!!!!

I've loaded FIVE NEW COLUMNS to the website.

CLICK HERE and start to scroll down the list from the top to the bottom.

I've got one about blacktop drive restoration, hot attics and garages, small retaining wall tips, decorative EXTERIOR tile, and exterior painting SECRETS.

"Yeah, right. That's the way it is. It's down there and I'm in here. I guess it comes down to a simple choice, really. Get busy livin' or get busy dyin'.

Andy Dufresne just before he escapes from Shawshank prison.

CLICK HERE to see this classic movie scene.

#DoNotComply

Once bitten, twice shy...

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel

The BEST Love Story of all time - well, maybe a close second.

That's enough for a Sunday morning.

Peace out.

Tim Carter (PhD, FullyAwakeology)

Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com

Electromagnetic Adventures: www.W3ATB.com

My Pronouns: Told/You/So

Do It Right, Not Over!

P.S. While I'm able to fix lots of things, alas I can't repair your broken heart or shattered ego.

FacistBook

800+ Videos!

No tweets in 10 yrs!

Tim Carter - Building and Remodeling Alchemist
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com
Do it Right, Not Over!

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Meredith NH 03253
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