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Thread: Hello all
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27th May 2009, 11:25 AM #1New Member
- Join Date
- May 2009
- Location
- Melbourne
- Posts
- 3
Hello all
Hi everyone.
I'm relatively new to the forums, although I've posted a few times to the renovating section. I'm throwing myself in the deep end a bit - trying to renovate a 60's flat on my own. The first challenge will be customising a flatpack kitchen, and altering kitchen cabinets to make a wall hung vanity in the bathroom. Space and money is tight, and I've had fun designing a hopefully efficient, spacious and storage filled kitchen and bathroom.
Obviously the tradies get called in when there are plumbing or electrical jobs, or anything else with legal or technical implications. I've also had to get someone in to put in a new sub floor and render and skim the walls. But I'm watching everything closely, and reading up as much as I can so I can ask questions and try it myself next time. And there will be a next time!
I'm a bit sick of the blokes I've hired insisting they do jobs as simple as installing a peep hole in my door, as I couldn't possibly be capable of wielding a drill! (I'm doing that today while they're not there.) But I'm watching everything closely so hopefully next time I can try it myself, taking my time, making mistakes and learning from them so I can do it better and faster next time. I probably won't ever be as fast and good as an apprenticed tradesperson, but with time and experience, I can be good enough.
Sorry about the long intro, but this forum (all of it, but especially www) seems like the only place I'll get any encouragement (apart from my partner) and the best place for advice, and I wanted to say hi!
Cheers,
marlowe
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27th May 2009 11:25 AM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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- Always
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- Advertising world
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27th May 2009, 11:38 AM #2
Hi Marlowe
Welcome to the Forum
Love the long intro Don't let the tradies get you down. Just keep smiling and keep asking your questions or telling them what you are paying them to do.
As for support and ideas - you'll get heaps here and plenty of stories and fun as well.
Cheers
WendyBox Challenge 2011 - Check out the amazing Boxes!
Twist One - Wooden Hinge/Latch/Catch/Handle
Twist Two - Found Object
Twist Three - Anything Goes
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27th May 2009, 12:32 PM #3Novice
- Join Date
- May 2009
- Location
- ohio
- Posts
- 12
I am new as well, long time lurker though - maybe we can stick together
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27th May 2009, 01:28 PM #4
Welcome to you RoyGrady too
Box Challenge 2011 - Check out the amazing Boxes!
Twist One - Wooden Hinge/Latch/Catch/Handle
Twist Two - Found Object
Twist Three - Anything Goes
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27th May 2009, 02:20 PM #5
Hi and welcome Marlowe!
I started off the same way, learning by watching the tradesmen (back in 1984 they were ALWAYS tradesMEN). My first project was a row house in Melbourne and now I'm living in renovation number 7, and I've also assisted with rebuilding projects undertaken by friends.
One of the things I have found really helpful is (this is going to sound mad!) to wear overalls and offer to work as "the apprentice" to the tradesperson. It is surprising how often their attitude to me has changed when I've been wearing the fluoro polo, work pants and boots!!!! Instead of looking like "the customer" I look like "the pupil" and it's always worked for me.
Anyway, don't worry about their attitude, only about your's!! Doing small jobs on your own is a great way to build your skills and confidence. And you get the bragging rights (very important) when friends/family call to visit. You'll just have to practice saying "no" when they ask for your help with their projects.
One word of warning..... Start planning for a workshop now because you might start with just a cordless drill and a few spanners but owning tools is like smoking.....before you know it, you're addicted!____________________________________________
My chisels are sharper than my mind......
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27th May 2009, 04:49 PM #6SENIOR MEMBER
- Join Date
- Jul 2006
- Location
- Durong Qld
- Age
- 63
- Posts
- 849
Hi, welcome. :
Keep watching, and looking at how things go together. Read books and research on the net.
I havent been on here for a while, been too busy trying to build our house. We have our rafters up and are in the middle of building the dormers, interesting angles there. Slow going because I am lucky to get a day off work these days. Our building approval lapses in October, so want to try and get most done by then. I think we are dreaming, but we will push on with it anyway.
Donna
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27th May 2009, 08:18 PM #7
Great advice Kerry! Reno number 7 - Wow!
I can only second what Kerry said about getting your own Shed or work area. I finally got mine two years and haven't looked back.
Hi Donna, glad to see you are well even if very busy. Good luck with the house. I look forward to hearing some tales and stories, those dormer angles sound interesting
Cheers
WendyBox Challenge 2011 - Check out the amazing Boxes!
Twist One - Wooden Hinge/Latch/Catch/Handle
Twist Two - Found Object
Twist Three - Anything Goes
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28th May 2009, 12:14 AM #8
Hey Girls. Dressing the part is good advice. At least wear the jeans and Blunstons. Looking forward to hearing of your progress. (And they don't seem to mind blond questions here. )
anne-maria.
Tea Lady
(White with none)
Follow my little workshop/gallery on facebook. things of clay and wood.
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28th May 2009, 12:19 AM #9Awaiting Email Confirmation
- Join Date
- May 2009
- Location
- kuala Lumpur
- Posts
- 1
How to build a garage
Hi,
We are Malaysian living with 2 kids in 2 1/2 storey link house. I'm kind of interested in carpenter works. I have build a wooden garage door, shoe rack..etc. I have about 13 ft unused land (Backyard). Planing to extend the kitchen and ad the same time thinking of building a Workdhop for my handy works. Would appreciate any suggestion from your guys.
Thank you.
Linges
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30th May 2009, 11:38 PM #10New Member
- Join Date
- May 2009
- Location
- Melbourne
- Posts
- 3
Thanks for the welcome and advice everyone.
I've been off work injured, so I've been able to spend a bit of time watching and learning, if not doing... and correcting mistakes resulting from misread plans (aah, I love graph paper!). Kept smiling though, and have saved all the moaning 'til I get home to the bloke.
If I was able to spend more time there (and could stand the racist, sexist drivel that comes out of the builder's mouth ), I'd absolutely offer myself as the unofficial apprentice. Next year hopefully I'll be working less, have more time to do that, with a different builder hopefully. I keep saying how much fun I'm having learning and building and designing, and the builder keeps telling me to talk to him when I get to the labouring part. He's not convinced, but I am!
I'd love to plan for the workshop now, but it might just have to be a time share at my partner's place for the minute. Already cramming a printmaking studio into the second bedroom/study. And as for wearing jeans and boots... there are other types of clothes? What is this fashion of which you speak?! Sounds like my day job uniform!
Eventually I might get around to posting progress or before and after shots somewhere. Need to show off the furniture I'm making to go with the mid-century-meets-modern reno!
Cheers,
marlowe
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31st May 2009, 01:32 AM #11anne-maria.
Tea Lady
(White with none)
Follow my little workshop/gallery on facebook. things of clay and wood.
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31st May 2009, 07:08 PM #12New Member
- Join Date
- May 2009
- Location
- Melbourne
- Posts
- 3
So what print making do you do? Would love to see some of that too.
I might post some stuff here. One day. It seems like forever since I've done one, and hey, wood cuts must count on this forum!
My subjects are usually to do with the home. Landscapes of suburbia, still-lifes (lives?) in lounge rooms, that sort of thing. And I always wanted to design and print fabric to reupholster my furniture. If I get really enthusiastic, I guess I'll make the furniture too, instead of salvaging it (hard rubbish day, anyone? Tip shop?).
I like to make things. I just suffer from a chronic lack of time, time-management, space, money and motivation! But I'm trying to reorganise my life/excuses so all of these things get a look-in. One step at a time...
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31st May 2009, 11:49 PM #13anne-maria.
Tea Lady
(White with none)
Follow my little workshop/gallery on facebook. things of clay and wood.