Saturday, December 01, 2018


Looking for help on building a cushion for this Stickley Brothers (Quaint) rocker or simply one that has slats like this one. I have an idea on how to make it, but just want to see if anyone has this type of chair and can offer assistance.

I found DIY Upholstery supply (See links below video) that has much of what I need to make this, but if you have a favorite please let me know.















Monday, November 26, 2018



 The coil spring frame on this Quaint rocker are incorrect. It doesn't go back far enough and the coil springs in the center bend down and touch the wood slats on the bottom. would love to see an original for a chair or rocker with slats so that I can re-create properly. I'll also have to figure out the back, but thinking that's just cotton. If anyone has info. on this chair please let me know. Thanks.






Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Since finding more Quaint furniture, I've been spending time watching upholstery videos and came across a real gem. Buckminster Upholstery. I had no idea just how much craftsmanship went into their work. If you live in Kansas, it looks like he has classes
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZPmM8kQ43b21kSjifg0aQA

http://www.buckminsterupholstery.com/

Sunday, October 07, 2018

Found this beautiful Stickley chair for 15 bucks. Just needs a new leather seat and some fill for cushion. Anyone know of a good leather supplier for this kind of work?





Thursday, August 31, 2017


Cut about 40 hip slates. All bevelled and ready for installation. Installing hip slates is my least favorite thing to do, when it comes to roofing.


Tuesday, July 04, 2017

I'll be doing my hip slates soon and found this great video that explains how to do it properly.

Thanks goes to Slate Roof Contractors Association of North America.

I really like that star ridge, but I'm uncertain what you do with the ends. Just cap it I guess?


Monday, June 26, 2017


Nice that I can use my scaffold for other projects unrelated to my house. Works perfect for bike repair. Heck I can work on 4 bikes at the same time!

Also, one pic of my progress. Very grateful for cloudy days. It gets plenty hot up there.



Thursday, June 22, 2017



 Trying to decide if I should get a copper roof vent or a powered or a powered attic ventilator. 


I'm leaning towards just having the copper roof vent and leaving it at that, since there is a debate as to the effectiveness of a powered attic ventilator.

I thought it would be great to install a whole house fan in my attic (once it's finished) and having it vent through the copper vent, but I'm guessing it wont be enough to vent through even with my circular vents at the eves.


Friday, May 12, 2017

Thursday, March 02, 2017

I've started making slate bird houses as well as copper jewelry.

This birdhouse will be going up for auction tomorrow to benefit a local school sports program.


Friday, December 16, 2016

Just some pics of the front of the drip edge that was completed last week.

Boy, my chimney sure looks a whole lot better from the ground. Looks like I'll be hiring a brick mason when I get to the back (and final) side of the house.






Tuesday, December 06, 2016


Well I took pics with my phone while making my drip edge, but they appear to be gone, so here are some pics of my 8' copper sheets installed and downspout installed. We've had some storms since installing and it's working great.





Sunday, October 16, 2016

Rebuilt my soffit on the left side and installing crown molding.

Since I'm working by myself, I created these crown holder thingies to keep it in place.

The crown molding can be quite long, and can be hard to handle when working alone.

Going to be installing my copper today. I'd like to get it on before winter comes.



Thursday, July 28, 2016



Still a w.i.p but getting there. It was my original intention to put 3/4" wood for the roof and then slate on top, but I think I'm just going to do slate instead, and forgo the wood.

 I also decided not to put a perch. I read that predators like to use it, and just stick there head into the birdhouse. Of course, this bird would have to have a pretty long neck for this birdhouse.

I really don't know much about birds, so if anyone has any comments or suggestions please let me know.


Wednesday, July 27, 2016



I've seen some beautiful thatched roofs before, but I never heard of thatched finials.

The Dodson Brothers create some impressive works of art.





Monday, July 25, 2016

It's a bit too hot for me to work outside, so I've decided to start a project I've been meaning to do for a while. Birdhouses made of slate and some copper. I'll post some pix after I compete this one. I imagine they'll be a bit on the heavy side....lol.

Friday, July 08, 2016



I follow Fine Homebuilding on Facebook, and occasionally come across some good information.

Yesterday, they had a post about Flared Cedar Shingles, which will really come in handy when I redo the shingles on the top half of my house.

I really love the look.


Thursday, July 07, 2016


After having this oak frame in my shed for some 15 years, I finally printed something for it and got the glass for it. I think it turned out pretty nice.

 It was printed on an Epson P9000 using Epson Cold Press Natural paper.

The image was downloaded for free using the New York Public Library Digital Collection.



Wednesday, July 06, 2016

Rounding the corner. The slate on this side was in bad shape due to the sun exposure. The pine decking is hard as a rock, and it looks like I'll be using stainless steel nails instead of the usual copper.

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

In case you haven't seen this yet..... Free images of turn of the century posters (and more)! If you find one you like, you can download a tif version and see how large you can print it.