Carpentry for beginners
To begin with, the direction on the circle of an old-fashioned clock's face in which the hour and minute hands travel over time is called "clockwise." If something were to travel in the other direction, it would be said to be turning "counter-clockwise."
If you take your time checks on your smart phone, you may have go find a courthouse to see what a real clock looks like.
Nails are slim shafts of steel that are hammered into wood by a heavy metal object called, appropriately, a hammer. One end is pointed, the other flat. The flat end is called the nail's head. The hammer has a handle, usually of wood, sometimes of titanium, about 14 inches long. The hammer's hand should be applied at the end farthest from the hammer's metal end, or head. The head of the hammer should be applied to the head of the nail.
Nails (and screws) enter the wood or other soft material pointy-end first, like boats. Both function because they cut and spread the fiber of the wood just enough for entry, forcing the cut ends downward. This resists the nail from slipping out.
The nail is held by a finger and the thumb of one hand. The hammer is swung at the head of the nail by the other hand. Practice usually is necessary to learn this skill. This is said to be one of the rare times the name of Jesus Christ is invoked in a Unitarian Universalist church.
An early Sesame Street skid had two moronic carpenters about to fasten two boards together. The dialogue:
"You hold the hammer and I'll hold the nail and when I nod my head you hit it."
"I'll hold the hammer and you'll hold the nail and when you nod your head I'm to hit it?"
"Right. When I nod my head, you hit it."
"Okaaaaaay!"
Nails come in various lengths and thicknesses, according to their use. Generally, the heavier the boards, the longer and sturdier the nails. Nails sizes are referred to as "pennies," represented by the letter "d". The smallest we may see in church is a 6d, or 6-penny nail, about 2 inches long. Most will be out of sight, finishing nails in the wooden molding on door or window frames.
(Unlike flat-head
nails, finishing nails have a slim head that is hammered beneath the
wood's surface with a pointed steel tool called a nail set. This
leaves a shallow hole that can be filled with a fast-drying material.
When painted over, the nail is invisible. If you don't see any finishing nails on your door frame, that's where they are.)
Six-penny nails also are common in wooden fences, holding vertical slats to the horizontal boards that link the fence posts. Those boards, usually 2x4s, often are held to the posts with 10-penny nails. Eight-penny nails are handy for small repairs and making, say, dog houses. Tens are the minimum for pounding into garage studs for handing garden tools. Twelves are better.
There are 20-penny nails but their use is restricted to carpenters who know what the heck they're doing, and who can afford $300 titanium hammers. The real lumber stores have nails that come only one to the dozen, they're so big.
Screws are designed with a slightly tapered shaft with a spiral flute that cuts into the wood, spreading its fibers. To cause a
screw to enter the wood, you must turn it clockwise. This screw is said
to have "a right-hand thread." That is because the direction of the
screw at the top of its circle, or 12 o'clock, is to the right.
(If
you are a carpenter and changing the blade on your electric, circular
saw, sometimes you will encounter a bolt with a left-hand thread, or one
that turns counter-clockwise. Real bicyclists know that one of the foot
pedals also has a left-hand thread, to keep it from unwinding itself
while the bike is in motion. Since we don't sanction the use of
electric saws in church, and you don't ride a bicycle, this need not
concern us further.)
Since olden times, the head of screws had a rectangular slot cut into it. This is called a standard screw. Into the slot is inserted the flat blade of a screwdriver. A screwdriver is a foot-long shaft of metal with one end flattened into the "blade" and at the other a wooden or plastic cylinder, often fluted, called the handle. You hold the handle with one end and the screw with the thumb and fingers of the other. Nobody likes screws with standard heads. You'll soon learn why. "Mother of God" is a common prayer in these moments.
More common in our modern times is the Philips-head screw. This has--no coincidence--a cross imprinted into the head. Inserted into this is, appropriately, a Philips-head screwdriver. These may be handheld, like the standard, flat-bladed screwdriver. Some screws have both a flat and Philips head, combined. Blessed be.
Increasing in use is the cordless screwdriver, powered by a rechargeable battery. The driver, as it is commonly called, has a switch, usually of three positions, near the trigger. Pushed one way, the motor drives the driver clockwise, for inserting the screw; the other way, counterclockwise, to extract it from the wood. Often, there is a middle position, for "Off," so that the screwdriver is not accidentally turned on, say when it is tossed in a box with other tools.
The cordless driver, however, must be periodically recharged in plugged-in, 120-volt receptacle called the charger. Drivers come in various voltages, from tiny and almost useless 5.6-volt "Derringers," to hefty 24-volt hand-helds that will rip your arm out of the socket if the screw binds. Most are between 8 and 18 volts. But at least one spare battery. Recharge a bettery as soon as you take it out of the driver. Keep going with the second battery. Good chargers use an LED light to tell you it's charging, and when it's done. Cheaper ones don't, and they burn up the batteries, luring you to buy more. Replacement batteries often cost more than the driver itself that you bought "On Special."
Screws, like nails, come in numbered sizes. Heads vary in diameter, but nobody really knows what the numbers mean. Length is important. Half-inch screws are useful for mounting tiny, brass hinges on an office mail box, for instance. One-inch Philips-heads are rare, but useful for screwing into plaster walls for hanging lightweight, plastic clocks. One and five-eights-inch Philips-heads are handy for going through plaster walls into wooden studs, for hanging, say, a crucifix, or a bookshelf. Three-inch Philips-heads will join a pair of 2x4s safely.
A word of caution--both screws and nails can split wood beyond the desired entry hole. Especially vulnerable is wood with knots--those resin-heavy spots that indicate where a smaller branch once grew inside the larger log. Wood can also split close to the end of a piece of lumber. And wood hardens with age, so that any lumber in a building as old as hours (60-100 years, considering additions and remodeling) can split, or be almost impenetrable. Play it safe, and pre-drill a hole that is smaller in diameter than the nail or screw to be inserted. This may seem tedious but with fast-chuck hex-head drivers and drills, whatever little job you're going to be doing in our building, this will only save you time and frustration (No use invoking the names of deities you don't even believe in!).
Screws and nails should each be stored separately, according to size and shape. If you don't have the original, labeled box, keep them in labeled margarine tubs Not glass jars, ever!
Don't save bent nails, or screws with stripped or worn heads. If this church can't afford new ones, the treasurer isn't doing his job.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Preparing for snow and ice
When snow is forecast, this is the time to spread ice crystals (actually, anti-ice crystals) on the steps and ramps. Prevention is the theme here.
The white crystals look like rock salt but are not sodium-based. They are stored in a labeled bin in the coat room. If there is no cup in the bin, use one from the kitchen but wash it thoroughly afterward. Cast the crystals in a light pattern over the steps, the porch and the walkway, as well as the entire two ramps.
Once fallen, a light snow may be swept aside with a straw broom or the push broom that is kept in the lower custodial storage room, near the lower ramp door. A snow shovel also is in the storage room. If recently used, it still may be in the coat room. Afterward, spread more crystals.
Plans should be made in advance for applying crystals or for snow removal, especially on Sunday mornings.
If an overnight snowfall is too heavy for safe walking and driving, the parking lot may have to be plowed before Sunday services. An arrangement should be made in advance with a plow operator. This may require at the least a small advance fee so that our site will be high on the plow owner's priority list. If a plow is to be called, the entrances to the parking lot should be blocked to keep all other vehicles out until the lot is cleared. There are yellow traffic barriers and orange cones in the outside storage compound. There is a combination lock whose number may be given over the telephone.
At the very least, able-bodied church-goers should be prepared to assist driver unfamiliar with snow and ice conditions with parking their vehicles--perhaps as a valet system. And once parked, an escort to accompany the less-abled from and to their cars would be prudent as well as thoughtful.
In the event of a severe snowstorm, the church leadership may decide to discourage church attendance, for services or activities. A pre-planned telephone campaign may be instituted to e-mail or call everyone. The Sunday service may be simply postponed until an afternoon period to allow clearing weather and city plows and sanders to make the streets safer to drive upon.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
The North Cascades Cabin Retreat
I imported these postings from another blogger site:
Monday, February 20, 2006
Planning ahead for summer
High water, cold winds and too many things to do down here in Tacoma are keeping me from my winter weekend at our church's Cascade Cabin Retreat.
There always seems to be something "important" to do to keep me from tossing a sleeping bag, a gallon of water and a handful of microwave meals in the van and heading north. Yet afterward, looking out a window as I scratch another line off my Job Jar lists, I wonder who sets my priorities.
The daffodils are a foot high and the buds are showing yellow. It's almost George Washington's real birthday, and that's when I'vealways had my first vegetable seeds in the ground. I want to get a couple of packets of nasturtiums into that rich loam at the cabin, and I don't think I'll make it by George's deadline.
But maybe next week!
High water, cold winds and too many things to do down here in Tacoma are keeping me from my winter weekend at our church's Cascade Cabin Retreat.
There always seems to be something "important" to do to keep me from tossing a sleeping bag, a gallon of water and a handful of microwave meals in the van and heading north. Yet afterward, looking out a window as I scratch another line off my Job Jar lists, I wonder who sets my priorities.
The daffodils are a foot high and the buds are showing yellow. It's almost George Washington's real birthday, and that's when I'vealways had my first vegetable seeds in the ground. I want to get a couple of packets of nasturtiums into that rich loam at the cabin, and I don't think I'll make it by George's deadline.
But maybe next week!
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
The Cabin in the Cascades
Once a fisherman's cabin in the heart of the Sauk River steelhead capital of the North Cascades, the Cascade Cabin Retreat is owned by the congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Tacoma.
The Deed of Gift specifies that the cabin is to be used solely as a spiritual retreat, in accordance
with the mission and values of the church.
Fortunately, those values include a oneness with the natural world, and an appreciation of its geographical location amid some of the finest scenery and recreational opportunities of the Pacific Northwest.
The cabin setting is not idyllic. Its lot abuts the Rockport-Darryington Road. During weekdays, logging trucks rumble past. Other days, caravans of motorcyles zoom up the highway, and down the highway. Saturday-night traffic may include a few loud pickup trucks. But like urban noises, with familiarity they fade to the background. The cabin once was a part of a sports-fishing community. Now our cabin is the only one on the east side of Rustic Lane not lived in 24/7. The neighbors all are nice--but still, this now is a residential neighborhood.
Two short blocks west of Rustic Lane the Sauk River rolls north down to the Skagit, and into Puget Sound. For most of the summer, the east shore of the Sauk is a sandy beach. When the rains begin (or the snowmelt) the river fills its banks. During a Pineapple Express, upstream outflow can bring the water over the banks and into the trees. In 2003, it left a woodshed roof amid the laurel and fir, and a line of litter at the end of Park Lane, above the fenceposts.
Year-around, the Sauk is a salmon-fisherman's playground. Kayakers, canoeists and rafters uses it for guided tours and personal adventures. In the winter, eagles from as far away as Alaska converge on the Sauk to harvest the spawning salmon. Trumpeter swans migrate through the Sauk drainage, blanketing newly harvested fields with their gleaning.
Once a fisherman's cabin in the heart of the Sauk River steelhead capital of the North Cascades, the Cascade Cabin Retreat is owned by the congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Tacoma.
The Deed of Gift specifies that the cabin is to be used solely as a spiritual retreat, in accordance
with the mission and values of the church.Fortunately, those values include a oneness with the natural world, and an appreciation of its geographical location amid some of the finest scenery and recreational opportunities of the Pacific Northwest.
The cabin setting is not idyllic. Its lot abuts the Rockport-Darryington Road. During weekdays, logging trucks rumble past. Other days, caravans of motorcyles zoom up the highway, and down the highway. Saturday-night traffic may include a few loud pickup trucks. But like urban noises, with familiarity they fade to the background. The cabin once was a part of a sports-fishing community. Now our cabin is the only one on the east side of Rustic Lane not lived in 24/7. The neighbors all are nice--but still, this now is a residential neighborhood.
Two short blocks west of Rustic Lane the Sauk River rolls north down to the Skagit, and into Puget Sound. For most of the summer, the east shore of the Sauk is a sandy beach. When the rains begin (or the snowmelt) the river fills its banks. During a Pineapple Express, upstream outflow can bring the water over the banks and into the trees. In 2003, it left a woodshed roof amid the laurel and fir, and a line of litter at the end of Park Lane, above the fenceposts.
Year-around, the Sauk is a salmon-fisherman's playground. Kayakers, canoeists and rafters uses it for guided tours and personal adventures. In the winter, eagles from as far away as Alaska converge on the Sauk to harvest the spawning salmon. Trumpeter swans migrate through the Sauk drainage, blanketing newly harvested fields with their gleaning.
In memory of Dick Kohler
A fireside bench made of recycled materials was dedicated October 22, 2005, at the Cascades Cabin Retreat.The bench honors our memories of Dick Kohler, a revered elder of the Unitarian Association of Tacoma. Dick and his wife, Edna, and their daughter, Esther, spent countless days at the cabin, in the heart of Washington State's North Cascades mountain range.
Rugged cliffs tower above the canopy of maple and fir that shades the rustic cabin. Not far away, the Sauk River rolls swiftly down to the Skagit and Puget Sound.
Fire Extinguishers
This was posted, as you can see, in 2010. I will update it soon, to include information gleaned from the technician during her October visit.
Fire extinguishers
December 22, 2010
Things I learned today about fire extinguishers:
–Building codes require one no more than 75 feet from everywhere. Each extinguisher must be inspected “by a fire extinguisher company” at least one each year. This costs $12.50 per extinguisher.
–Those 2 1/2-pound extinguishers (about $14 each) are for one-time use, and they “blow out” quickly. Five-pounders are better (and are required in kitchens).
–Codes require that extinguishers be “rebuilt” by a commercial firm every six years. Labels show the date of manufacture. When rebuilt, they will be re-dated, and bear a green collar.
–Rebuilding is costing us about $25 each unit. New five-pounders cost about $50, so there is a savings.
–CO2-filled cans are not useful for structure fires.
–Water-filled cans are too heavy to be practical, and hazardous at an electrical fire.
–Upgrading our current extinguishers, including two from our shelves and one new one, is costing the church about $250.
–It better be worth it, because the fire inspectors are due back this weekend.
–I “retired” a dozen extinguishers, including two water cans, one CO2 can and about 10 small units. The water cans and small units might be used when we have a ceremonial bonfire at the Property (required); a few of the others might go to the Cabin Retreat; the others can be used for sexton safety training.
–Today’s lesson was courtesy of Fire and Safety Equipment Co., Fire Prevention Specialists, 7022 S. Prospect St., Tacoma WA 98409. (253) 468-0212. dechambers@comcast.net. Don Chambers, owner. Dustin, his rep.
–Building codes require one no more than 75 feet from everywhere. Each extinguisher must be inspected “by a fire extinguisher company” at least one each year. This costs $12.50 per extinguisher.
–Those 2 1/2-pound extinguishers (about $14 each) are for one-time use, and they “blow out” quickly. Five-pounders are better (and are required in kitchens).
–Codes require that extinguishers be “rebuilt” by a commercial firm every six years. Labels show the date of manufacture. When rebuilt, they will be re-dated, and bear a green collar.
–Rebuilding is costing us about $25 each unit. New five-pounders cost about $50, so there is a savings.
–CO2-filled cans are not useful for structure fires.
–Water-filled cans are too heavy to be practical, and hazardous at an electrical fire.
–Upgrading our current extinguishers, including two from our shelves and one new one, is costing the church about $250.
–It better be worth it, because the fire inspectors are due back this weekend.
–I “retired” a dozen extinguishers, including two water cans, one CO2 can and about 10 small units. The water cans and small units might be used when we have a ceremonial bonfire at the Property (required); a few of the others might go to the Cabin Retreat; the others can be used for sexton safety training.
–Today’s lesson was courtesy of Fire and Safety Equipment Co., Fire Prevention Specialists, 7022 S. Prospect St., Tacoma WA 98409. (253) 468-0212. dechambers@comcast.net. Don Chambers, owner. Dustin, his rep.
The new Buildings & Grounds Committee
The Board of Trustees of the Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation, meeting in regular session November 19, 2013, established a new standing committee for Buildings & Grounds.
Its tentative charter is to advise the new full-time church administrator on issues regarding church properties, both immediate and long-range.
A six-member committee is envisioned, with rotating terms. Its founding members likely will include trustees Bob Hays and John Rieber, Maintenance Committee chair Felice Davis, maintenance member Haven Silver and Building Superintendent Bob Lane. Lane will serve until his position expires Jan. 1, 2014. The Rev. Mike Quayle will convene an initial meeting in December.
Lane has begun preparing a maintenance manual to aid the administrator's transition into the new position.
Suggestions may be addressed to him at boblane@harbornet.com.
Its tentative charter is to advise the new full-time church administrator on issues regarding church properties, both immediate and long-range.
A six-member committee is envisioned, with rotating terms. Its founding members likely will include trustees Bob Hays and John Rieber, Maintenance Committee chair Felice Davis, maintenance member Haven Silver and Building Superintendent Bob Lane. Lane will serve until his position expires Jan. 1, 2014. The Rev. Mike Quayle will convene an initial meeting in December.
Lane has begun preparing a maintenance manual to aid the administrator's transition into the new position.
Suggestions may be addressed to him at boblane@harbornet.com.
A look at past Maintenance postings . . .
In 2010, I had begun a blog devoted to news of T.U.U.C. maintenance projects. I used WebPress, which is highly rated. Now I prefer Blogger. But for a look at what I had done back then, go to:
http://tacomachalice.wordpress.com/
http://tacomachalice.wordpress.com/
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