Handywork
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Photo gallery of
computers I've built. [9.8mb]
- See Jane Drill - Good starting point to learning handywork.
- Make Build Modify
- Next Level Carpentry - Precision, attention to detail.
- Larry Haun - humble and fun.
- FMW Fasteners - Fasteners in bulk
- SupplyHouse - Most plumbing supplies/fittings
- Floreat Picture Hangers - The best picture hangers.
- MBS Standoffs
- Willow & Stone - Beautiful hardware supplier.
- Tap Plastics - Plastics/Acrylic products of all kinds
Some good YouTube resources to learn handywork:
HANDYWORK PHOTO GALLERIES
![[ image ]](img/bowpaint-02.jpg "Filling the gaps (before)")
![[ image ]](img/bowpaint-03.jpg "Filling the gaps (after)")
![[ image ]](img/bowpaint-05.jpg "Caulking the laminate gap (before)")
![[ image ]](img/bowpaint-06.jpg "Caulking the laminate gap (after)")
![[ image ]](img/bowpaint-01.jpg "Use foam and acrylic caulk to fill the gap (before)")
![[ image ]](img/bowpaint-07.jpg "Use foam and acrylic caulk to fill the gap (after)")
![[ image ]](img/bowpaint-08.jpg "All done!")
![[ image ]](img/mirrortint1.jpg "Applying mirror tint film on clear glass doors")
![[ image ]](img/mirrortint2.jpg "Applying mirror tint film on clear glass doors")
![[ image ]](img/mirrortint3.jpg "Applying mirror tint film on clear glass doors")
![[ image ]](img/paint-1.jpg "Before")
![[ image ]](img/paint-2.jpg "After")
![[ image ]](img/paint-3.jpg "Before")
![[ image ]](img/paint-4.jpg "After")
![[ image ]](img/paint-5.jpg "Before")
![[ image ]](img/paint-6.jpg "After")
![[ image ]](img/shelves-01.jpg)
![[ image ]](img/shelves-02.jpg)
![[ image ]](img/shelves-03.jpg "Brackets mounted")
![[ image ]](img/shelves-04.jpg "Finished!")
![[ image ]](img/paint11.jpg "Before")
![[ image ]](img/paint12.jpg "After")
![[ image ]](img/paint9.jpg "Before")
![[ image ]](img/paint10.jpg "After")
![[ image ]](img/paint7.jpg "Before")
![[ image ]](img/paint8.jpg "After")
![[ image ]](img/floorrejuv1.jpg "In progress using Rejuvenate")
![[ image ]](img/floorrejuv2.jpg "Good product to regloss dull floors. But be careful of streaks during application!")
![[ image ]](img/sw1.jpg "Painting in progress")
![[ image ]](img/sw2.jpg "Photos mounted")
![[ image ]](img/sw3.jpg "Another corner, mounted photos")
![[ image ]](img/wv-22.jpg "Wallpapered shelves back, then painted wallpaper mounted chandelier")
![[ image ]](img/wv-23.jpg "Mounted utensils and photos")
![[ image ]](img/wv-24.jpg "Changed old light fixtures for hanging globes")
![[ image ]](img/soundproof1.jpg "Installed sound absorbing foam to reduce meeting room echo")
![[ image ]](img/soundproof2.jpg "More foam, also mounted TV")
![[ image ]](img/mount1.jpg "Mount music posters for record label conference room")
![[ image ]](img/mount2.jpg "Deciding on a layout before mounting")
![[ image ]](img/mount3.jpg "Mounted!")
![[ image ]](img/mount4.jpg "Preparing to mount TV")
![[ image ]](img/moun5.jpg "Mounted!")
![[ image ]](img/mount-6.jpg "I love symmetry!")
Mounting 200 of these door closers for a hotel. I got it down to a routine after the first 50.
![[ image ]](img/mount-7.jpg "Mounted about a dozen of these people-sized stickers.")
![[ image ]](img/pictureframe.jpg "Made from a recycled picture frame")
![[ image ]](img/vs-01.jpg "Remove the old bathroom vanity and light fixture")
![[ image ]](img/vs-02.jpg "Replacing the light fixture and patched wall")
![[ image ]](img/vs-03.jpg "Install new vanity")
![[ image ]](img/vs-04.jpg "Finish patching wall")
![[ image ]](img/vs-05.jpg "Prep new sink")
![[ image ]](img/vs-06.jpg "Install new cabinet")
![[ image ]](img/vs-07.jpg "Almost there!")
![[ image ]](img/vs-08.jpg "Installed sink and plumbing")
![[ image ]](img/oven-01.jpg "This oven wouldn't start, the igniter went bad. Pretty easy fix, once the part came in (ordered on ebay)")
![[ image ]](img/oven-02.jpg "Old ignitor. Replacement was quite easy, with the help of YouTube")
![[ image ]](img/repair1.jpg "An overactive dog chewed this molding raw and the owners asked if I could repair it without having to source the original moldings and tear the whole thing apart.")
![[ image ]](img/repair2.jpg "I used Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty which worked very well.")
![[ image ]](img/repair3.jpg "After painting. Honestly, could have been even better, but its always a matter of time vs cost vs perfection. And it was good enough for them, without being overly costly.")
![[ image ]](img/roof1.jpg "Had this crack where the last repair was done poorly and roofing cement was used rather than replacing the roof and adding proper flashing.")
![[ image ]](img/roof2.jpg "Another view of the opening through which water was leaking into the room below.")
![[ image ]](img/roof3.jpg "And another a closer view as I started to add compound to make another temporary fix for the owner.")
![[ image ]](img/roof4.jpg "Finished on this side. Not the right way to do it, but it will last a few years.")
![[ image ]](img/roof5.jpg "This corner was also leaking. Same fix was applied here.")
![[ image ]](img/roof6.jpg "Another angle, zoomed out.")
![[ image ]](img/tr-32.jpg "Cable management for an oddly placed cable box and dvd player.")
![[ image ]](img/tr-33.jpg "Cleaned up the wire underneath going into the wall.")
![[ image ]](img/tr-34.jpg "Close up.")
![[ image ]](img/tr-35.jpg "This is the back of the TV pivoting arm wall mount.")
![[ image ]](img/tr-36.jpg "Dvd and cable box after.")
![[ image ]](img/wp1.jpg "Sealing drafty window with folded paper towels.")
![[ image ]](img/wp2.jpg "Taped with Frost King Weather Seal Tape.")
![[ image ]](img/wp3.jpg "For other gaps and spaces I use Mortite Weatherstrip and Caulking Cord. Its basically clay that presses into the spaces. It conforms better when warmed.")
![[ image ]](img/wp4.jpg "Caulking cord filling gaps.")
![[ image ]](img/wp5.jpg "And also the space between window sash and side jamb.")
![[ image ]](img/wp6.jpg "Best to wait for a chilly day and feel around the window for air drafts.")
![[ image ]](img/wp8.jpg "I generally leave window a/c in place, but I seal it with plastic. I tape the vents down separately because drafts will push through these vents and cause a 'breathing' effect. Taping them down separately and securely will minimize this.")
![[ image ]](img/wp9.jpg "Don't forget to fill in gaps like this where cold air will seep in..")
![[ image ]](img/wp10.jpg "This is how the A/C looks after its taped down with plastic sheeting.")
![[ image ]](img/wp11.jpg "Another view.")
![[ image ]](img/wp12.jpg "This heater runs too hot. Some tin foil wrapped over the vent helps to shut it earlier and keep the temperature bearable, without having to open any windows.")
![[ image ]](img/brick1.jpg "This brick broke loose after a crack developed where the railing went in. After many years of freeze-thaw cycles where water seeped in, expanded as it froze, which allowed more water in, which expanded the gap further, the whole corner finally gave in.")
![[ image ]](img/brick2.jpg "Removed the bricks, chiseled off the old mortar, cleaned the bricks and mixed a fresh batch of mortar and reassembled. Its important to fill cracks, as they appear, before they get worse.")
![[ image ]](img/build1.jpg "Unpacking some metal tool cabinets for assembly.")
![[ image ]](img/build2.jpg "Midway.")
![[ image ]](img/build3.jpg "Midway.")
![[ image ]](img/build4.jpg "Finished.")
![[ image ]](img/draft1.jpg "Weatherstripping a drafty door, with wide gap caused by uneven floor.")
![[ image ]](img/draft2.jpg "Glass suction cups (200 lb capacity each) to lift and move glass panels.")
![[ image ]](img/glasspart-01.jpg "Much better.")
![[ image ]](img/glasspart-02.jpg "Supplies.")
![[ image ]](img/glasspart-03.jpg "The problem is a 1/2 inch mismeasurement by the original installers. Glass was not set inside the channels at the base..")
![[ image ]](img/glasspart-04.jpg "The panel also barely fit inside the slot at the top. It caused rattling and was a point of concern.")
![[ image ]](img/glasspart-05.jpg "After removal of a hinge which was attached with adhesive to the drywall. Need to patch this later.")
![[ image ]](img/glasspart-06.jpg "Panels and tracks removed.")
![[ image ]](img/glasspart-07.jpg "Another angle.")
![[ image ]](img/glasspart-08.jpg "Patched and drying while we work on bringing the tracks down using 1x3s.")
![[ image ]](img/glasspart-09.jpg "1x3s in place, along with the tracks and glass panels. They now fit comfortable inside the tracks at both top and bottom.")
![[ image ]](img/glasspart-10.jpg "Same done for this glass panel.")
![[ image ]](img/glasspart-11.jpg "And this one.")
Building an indoor golfing simulator.
Golf simulator built in a 2 car garage using the Skytrak launch monitor.
![[ image ]](img/golf-01.jpg "The garage space before we got started.")
![[ image ]](img/golf-02.jpg "Ceiling mountain the blackout curtains. Because of the location of the ceiling mount brackets, as well as the cost-saving measure of using 1 curtain per side and two in the center, the movement of the curtains are limited.")
![[ image ]](img/golf-03.jpg "Close up of the ceiling mount.")
![[ image ]](img/golf-04.jpg "The curtain is set away from the wall due to vent pipes, but also because to match the screens width and not leaving too much gap along either side of the screen.")
![[ image ]](img/golf-06.jpg "First location of screen, this felt too close and dangerous in case of wayward golf ball.")
![[ image ]](img/golf-07.jpg "Trial run of projector.")
![[ image ]](img/golf-08.jpg "Screens not up but we moved rear curtain so we could watch a classic...")
![[ image ]](img/golf-09.jpg "Nacho Libre!")
![[ image ]](img/golf-10.jpg "Impact screen in place. Attached to EMT pipe frame using 6 inch bungees. Also on the ground is a mesh tarp which is going to be mounted above to protect the light and to absorb wayward balls.")
![[ image ]](img/golf-12.jpg "New location for the projector worked out much better. Also closer to power outlet in the ceiling. Wire covers added for cleanliness.")
![[ image ]](img/golf-13.jpg "Zoomed out view, with the Skytrack launch monitor at bottom. Used inexpensive 6x9 imitation golf carpeting from home depot for the base under the screen. As for the hitting surface, it is a heavier, professional mat that was previously used with a golf hitting net.")
Changing chandelier light bulbs and removing curtains.
![[ image ]](img/kcs-07.jpg "This ballroom had been neglected many years, because of the difficulty in getting up to change the bulbs. As you can see, we've got quite a few light bulbs to change...:)")
![[ image ]](img/kcs-08.jpg "These 3 chandeliers are quite high up there. That's a 26' Gorilla ladder extended to about 13'.")
![[ image ]](img/kcs-09.jpg "These side chandeliers also needed quite a few bulbs swapped out.")
![[ image ]](img/kcs-10.jpg "You can really see the difference between this photograph and the previous one.")
![[ image ]](img/kcs-11.jpg "Before I started swapping out light bulbs, I put up scaffold and loaded up some light bulb boxes up top, to minimize the trips up and down.")
![[ image ]](img/kcs-12.jpg "Chandelier #1 in progress.")
![[ image ]](img/kcs-13.jpg "Chandelier #1 finished! Now for the other two.")
![[ image ]](img/kcs-14.jpg "All the lights are finished. Next, curtain removal.")
![[ image ]](img/kcs-01.jpg "The curtains look ancient, supported by 3/16 inch cable and weighted with 2.5 inch diameter lead balls and 5-16 inch chain.")
![[ image ]](img/kcs-02.jpg "Also, these stage curtains need to go. These are pretty easy to reach and to remove.")
![[ image ]](img/kcs-03.jpg "Stage curtains came off easily with a ladder, but the other ones will require a scissor lift. I wont even go into the drama of getting this scissor lift into the building. Let me just say, do not drive these scissor lifts across grass. :(")
![[ image ]](img/kcs-04.jpg "Another day's labor and the ballroom ceiling curtains are all down.")
![[ image ]](img/kcs-05.jpg "The stage looks much cleaner.")
![[ image ]](img/kcs-06.jpg "One last thing is to get the these packed up and out to the dumpster.")
![[ image ]](img/kcs-15.jpg "Celebration photo. Yay!")
Updating an old NYC apartment. Kitchen update.
![[ image ]](img/mm-01.jpg "Before changing the removing the sink and changing countertop. Paint color testing on the cabinets, which will get a new coat along with new hardware.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-02.jpg "Here, the sink has been detached and removed. It will go back into place after a new countertop is installed and an opening for the sink is cut.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-03.jpg "New countertop from Ikea, similar to the Karlby model")
![[ image ]](img/mm-04.jpg "I put a primer coat on the cabinets and also began prepping the walls for subway tile. Also reinstalled the sink and faucets.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-05.jpg "Here I am almost finished putting up the subway tile. I also removed the cabinet doors to replace the hinges and paint the hinge-side edges cleanly.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-06.jpg "Tile detail around the stove, unfortunately didn't get to use Schluter strips here. I just love that word--Schuluter, the way it rolls off the tongue...Shh-lyoo-ter. Hehehe.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-07.jpg "Here's a closer look at the tile-work. Luckily, the tiles fit perfectly between the counter top and bottom of the cabinets.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-08.jpg "A shot of the sink in its new countertop. Looks 1000x better than the formica countertop from the 60s.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-09.jpg "Laying tile is just like taking a test in high school. You answer all the questions you know, and skip the ones you're not sure of. Then, go back and finish them at the end")
![[ image ]](img/mm-10.jpg "Detail above the fridge. The tile didn't quite make it to the top here, but the homeowner was okay with gap. Time was more of a factor than perfection.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-11.jpg "Another view.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-12.jpg "Another view.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-13.jpg "Another view.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-14.jpg "These are the new cabinet hinges. They made a huge difference. The old painted, rusted ones just made the cabinets look dingy. Even with the same doors and cabinet frame, the cabinets looked fresh with the new hardware.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-15.jpg "Removed all the tile spacers and started grouting.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-16.jpg "More grouting.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-17.jpg "Finishing up the cabinet doors and drying them before I left for the evening.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-18.jpg "The cabinet doors are installed! Tremendous difference from photo #1.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-19.jpg "Another view.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-20.jpg "Another view.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-21.jpg "Another view.")
Updating an old NYC apartment. New entry light fixture and wallpaper.
![[ image ]](img/mm-25.jpg "This is the entry wall getting a facelift. New wallpaper and a modern light fixture. This photo is before.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-27.jpg "My first time using wallpaper, let alone self-paste wallpaper. It wasn't incredible difficult but I could definitely have used a second pair of hands.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-29.jpg "Another angle, and the light fixture has been changed.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-35.jpg "Finished the wallpaper, installed all the bulbs and put the furniture back.")
Updating an old NYC apartment. Painting fireplace, new tile hearth, install shelves and mount television.
![[ image ]](img/mm-30.jpg "Unfortunately, I did not get a photo of before the fireplace got painted. It wasn't in horrible condition, but needed a good cleaning with water and TSP before priming and paint.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-32.jpg "Putting in the new tile hearth. Previously, there was a red, brick-like tile on the hearth that was cracking and coming up. The removal was very easy.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-34.jpg "Finished photo.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-33.jpg "Another angle, before mounting TV and shelves.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-39.jpg "Finished mounting the television and the plumbing pipe shelving. Photo of the finished product!")
![[ image ]](img/mm-36.jpg "This is a photo of the curtain rods I installed and the lamp with swag chain.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-37.jpg "Another angle.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-38.jpg "Another angle.")
Skylight water damage repair
![[ image ]](img/mm-41.jpg "This is a work-in-progress photo. Putting on an undercoat before trying smooth out the surface. Sorry the photos are bad, this was over a staircase and also the light from the skylight made adjusting the camera exposure difficult.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-42.jpg "Day 2.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-43.jpg "Day 3.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-46.jpg "Day 4. Painting.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-48.jpg "All finished.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-44.jpg "Rough corners, smoothed and painted.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-45.jpg "In progress.")
![[ image ]](img/mm-49.jpg "Finished.")
My first time making a radiator cover
![[ image ]](img/radcover-01.jpg "Taking measurements and estimating cuts, parts and style.")
![[ image ]](img/radcover-02.jpg "I went with this style.")
![[ image ]](img/radcover-03.jpg "A typical NYC workspace.")
![[ image ]](img/radcover-04.jpg "Ready to go. Had to use a flooring saw, since I don't have a table saw.")
![[ image ]](img/radcover-05.jpg "These are the rails for the front of the cover.")
![[ image ]](img/radcover-06.jpg "They aren't the prettiest cuts. :/")
![[ image ]](img/radcover-07.jpg "Dry assembling the parts before drilling the Kreg Pocket Screw holes.")
![[ image ]](img/radcover-08.jpg "Testing the jig before drilling the actual pieces. This was my first time using the pocket hole screw system.")
![[ image ]](img/radcover-09.jpg "Looking good.")
![[ image ]](img/radcover-10.jpg "I glued and screwed the parts together. I would have clamped, but I didn't have any pipe clamps at the time.")
![[ image ]](img/radcover-11.jpg "Finished front.")
![[ image ]](img/radcover-12.jpg "Starting glue and nail in the front rails.")
![[ image ]](img/radcover-13.jpg "Another angle.")
![[ image ]](img/radcover-14.jpg "Another angle.")
![[ image ]](img/radcover-15.jpg "Got the sides and top prepared and sanded the the front flat. Almost ready for paint.")
![[ image ]](img/radcover-16.jpg "I wish taken a moment to get a photo of the cabinet in place, with its cover on. Totally forgot in the busy-ness. Here's the radiator cover finished, sans top.")
Building industrial-style clothing racks for a pop-up shop
![[ image ]](img/tt-01.jpg "Sketch from building the parts list for the freestanding clothing racks.")
![[ image ]](img/tt-02.jpg "This is a parts sketch for the wall mounted clothing racks.")
![[ image ]](img/tt-03.jpg "All the parts getting ready for paint. Masked the floor because we didn't have a space outdoors or 'industrial' to paint in.")
![[ image ]](img/tt-04.jpg "Safety first, getting dressed up (with respirator) to spray.")
![[ image ]](img/tt-05.jpg "Coat 1.")
![[ image ]](img/tt-06.jpg "Coat 2.")
![[ image ]](img/tt-07.jpg "Coat 3.")
![[ image ]](img/tt-10.jpg "Finished free standing racks.")
![[ image ]](img/tt-15.jpg "You can see the racks on the right side here.")
![[ image ]](img/tt-11.jpg "Painting the floors and prepping this room as a dressing showroom.")
![[ image ]](img/tt-16.jpg "Color is nice.")
![[ image ]](img/tt-17.jpg "This is the finished room. Also built the couches and mirrors here and in the other photos.")
![[ image ]](img/tt-12.jpg "Mounting photos to be seen from the first floor. Kind of an awkward location.")
![[ image ]](img/tt-13.jpg "The paper templates are to make sure they are level and spaced properly")
![[ image ]](img/tt-14.jpg "Finished look.")