Rework on loft railing- it failed the quality check

After a quick trip to Lowe's to get more spindles this morning, a return trip to the cabin to continue the loft rail work. It was 55 degrees inside which was pretty warm since it was only 45 outside and had got down to 40 during the night. Beulah must have had it pretty warm most of the night to hold the heat.

Upon arrival, there were 4 squirrels enjoying the re-filled feeders. Big Ninja squirrel wasn't with them. He was probably curled up in a fetal position sleeping off yesterday's feast. Won't take these guys long to go through 50 lb of food; everyone is inviting friends over to dine.

The big guy wasn't happy with the spindles installed yesterday so we had to take them back down and replace them. This time, custom cut the new ones and drilled counter-sink holes to conceal the wood screws with oak button caps. Finished installing all the spindles on the 12' side of the loft. Well, with 6 feet reserved for the metal art; actually only installed 10 to fill the 3 foot sections on each end. The biggest challenge was cutting the angles and fitting the railing and toe board beside the ladder. After a few mistakes, finally cut precision pieces that fit exactly  between the post and the ceiling. Legs gave out from going up and down the ladder so unfortunately didn't get the spindles cut/installed in this section. Each spindle has to be custom cut due to the ascending run and ceiling angle.

Beulah was good and hot so she made a pot of coffee and cooked clam chowder for lunch. Maybe tomorrow we'll finish the last of the spindles and apply the final coat of stain before sealing it all with semi-gloss poly seal.

Reloading Firewood

With rain and colder weather in the forecast, I spent time on the west side of the farm in the forest cutting firewood for Beulah. Its amazing how many white oaks have died and are either dropping limbs or falling over. At least there is an abundance of seasoned wood available. With the front end loader filled, I returned to the cabin and off loaded it all on the porch to air dry for a future day.

Continuing work on the loft railings and trim. Its a slow progress due to having to cut, stain and then cure before installing. With the hand and foot rails up, I'm now installing the spindles while also cutting, staining and installing quarter-round trim around the loft flooring.

Cleaned out ashes in the fireplace and installed a new cast iron grate. Also installed a solar spot light out near some pines off the porch to shine on them after dark. Lastly, after seeing Ninja Squirrel searching the empty feeders, I picked up 50# of squirrel food to keep him and his little buddies, the chipmunks (that are still awake) fed over the next week.

Unexpected visitor

I made it to Krogers today and stocked up on groceries for the cabin. The cabinets are now full and there are 5 liters of Merlot in the fridge.

While staining the cabin loft railings (again), Nic showed up for a visit in the woods. He rummaged around in the kitchen cabinets, stoked Beulah with a hot wood fire and before I knew it we were sitting together at the dinner table eating home made cream of potato, bean and bacon soup. So nice having a culinary arts major in the family. I didn't even know we had the ingredients to make what he put together; it was really good! Always a treat when one of the kids comes out to check on the cabin progress.

Loft progress Report

The cabin just keeps me coming back. I'm obsessed with trying to get it finished and don't know why. Once it's done, I'll just kick back and hang out and occasionally have guests. Kuma d.o.g. is really depressed that I haven't been taking her with me on work details. She doesn't understand that it is so muddy, I can't even drive the 4x4 vehicles and have to use a 4WD tractor to get back to the site. Yesterday I drove Maximus, Nic's 4WD Ranger to drop off the loft railing posts. As I was leaving, the truck slid sideways down the pasture hill in the muddy soil. Thank goodness for anti-lock brakes as they finally stopped me before sliding down into a grove of trees.

Today I finished installation of all 5 loft posts. They were mounted by counter sinking lag bolts into the 4x4 timbers that supports the loft and are behind the paneling. After the bolts were tightened down, I glued wooden plugs in the holes to conceal the bolts. All the posts have now been stained Early American. The posts will need one more coat before putting a clear finish coat on top. I also cut trim, the handrails and foot rails and stained most of the lumber before calling it a day. A recent review of My Ohio Cabin on the Small Cabin Forum said they couldn't believe its only 16'x24' as it seems much larger. I can't wait to post pictures of the finished loft railing with the black bears running through the forest. It may be a small cabin but it really takes my breath away when I open the front door as it looks more like a lodge than a cabin. Returning to continue this project tomorrow.

Working during the rain

So enjoyed the cabin today with all the rain. Such a peaceful sound hearing the rain on the roof while watching squirrels and birds out at the feeders. Beulah was all I needed to warm the cabin to a balmy 70 degrees while working on the sleeping loft. Finished the loft access ladder today and move on to mounting the railing posts. Had to shim 2 so they would be plum  but otherwise, an uneventful task. Returned to base home and cut one of the 4x4" posts in halves so I could mount a half post as the terminal post at the wall. Next up is staining them before adding the handrails and toe boards. 

Didn't want to leave. Sat in the rocker and just melted into the peacefulness of a rainy, cold December day.

Loft Work

Today I began building the loft ladder. Using (2) 2"x4"x10' studs and 2"x4"x17" rungs, attached with (2) 5" lag bolts counter-sunk through each end with a little liquid nails, we now have a loft ladder that will pass the 300 lb load test :). Had to go back to Lowe's to pick up more wooden plugs to conceal the heads of the lag bolts before its stained. Its really nothing fancy but is quit functional. What more do you need to climb 8 feet up on the loft than a basic ladder? The primary objective is to make it functional, not too big and keep with the rustic, Early American stain theme. Now that I've decided to install it on the corner of the red wall, I will need to move the carbon monoxide detector and re-position the artwork on the wall to maintain balance.

Using the gift certificate my daughter Natalie gave me for Christmas, I returned to Menard's today, too. I purchased the posts for the deck, also the toe boards and hand rails. Now that I've decided to put the wrought iron artwork between the posts of black bears running through the forest, I'm trying to decide what type of spindles to use. Nic recommends black spindles as the posts, handrails and toe boards will be stained Early American; same as the wall.

Bears in the forest art work on order. 29" x 68". Should look good on the loft rail.

Christmas presents at the cabin

I am so blessed with a wonderful family and good friends so sharing Christmas gift giving is just an added joy. Today, my daughter gave me a $100 Menard's gift certificate that I already have plans for with an upcoming cabin project. My son Brandon and his girlfriend Wendy gave me a new "menu" sign for the kitchen and a beautiful 4 qt cast iron dutch oven for soup beans. I also received a bottle of Crown Royal from some good friends, Misty and Carla after helping them with a Christmas party this weekend.

Even with all that was going on this weekend, I found time to finish putting the flooring down on the sleeping loft.

Beulah has all the essentials for a soup bean dinner

Brandon and Wendy gave me this Wolfgang Puck cast iron dutch oven

Menu posted thanks to Brandon and Wendy

Sleeping loft flooring now completed.

Wishing Everyone a Merry Christmas

Back to Menard's

With the Christmas season upon us,  time is very limited to just relax at the cabin. The transition in life to the big elf in red keeps me almost too busy visiting children to get much done on the project. However, today I arrived at Menard's when the doors opened to take advantage of their Christmas sale on flooring. The loft is not a high traffic area and at only 8'x12', once a full size bed is installed there really won't be much floor space so laminate flooring is going to be installed. I wanted to avoid the really thin laminate as I've heard nothing but bad reviews on it. I picked out the heavier grade with padding already installed on each section. To cover the ~100 square feet, Menard's had a good quality floor for about $80. I'll be installing this and building the loft ladder during the holiday break. Also picked out posts and railing for the loft. I'm planning wrought iron artwork in the center section of black bears running through the forest. After putting the loft ladder rails up, I've decided to hang the ladder at the far end of the loft just around the corner from the bathroom wall. This will allow it to stand offset from the wall without becoming a tripping hazard. It also opens the entire 12' length of the loft for the wrought iron artwork which will be about 68" x 32". Going to look nice and be an eye catcher upon entering.

Cabin Update pictures



Ceiling and ridge beam finished



Dining area. Ready to start on loft ladder and railing

Ceiling looking south over sleeping loft

Christmas fireplace

Ceiling completed.

Santa Claus visits ManCamp

Santa likes the cabin at ManCamp

Finishing touches

The last few visits to the cabin have been focused on finishing all the work related to the high elevation so I can return Ray Rigsby's tall ladder. With the ceiling boards installed and the ridge beam dressed out, the last tasks needing completed were the ones for installing trim. All the trim boards have been stained and have a satin cover coat. All the trim has now been installed around the fireplace and it's gable end. Only 2 more pieces to install tomorrow and the next project will be the sleeping loft flooring and railing.  Pictures soon.

Moving on to trim

With the ceiling paneling project now complete, I've moved on to cutting and installing the ceiling trim. Today I installed the 1"x6" stained hickory finish plate on the underside of the rough pair of 2"x10"s that were used for the ridge beam. This board now makes the cabin look like a lodge with a beautiful ridge beam. I stained it Early American so it is in full contrast with the Antique Oak high gloss ceiling. I'll post pictures after the trim is installed.

Ceiling finished

The last ceiling boards have been installed and for all intent, it is finished. Now moving on to installation of the ridge beam finished cap and trim that needs to go up the gable ends and around the fire place. Difficult finding time to work with Christmas just around the corner. Once I get the trim up, I'll post additional pictures. Pretty proud of how it looks. So glad when a plan comes together; it's just as I dreamed it would be.

Last board stained

The final coat of stain and poly has been applied to the last 10 boards for the ceiling. It's good to know this is behind us. Once cured, we'll get them installed and the ceiling will be finished. A warm fire in the fireplace was just what I needed to motivate me to finish the job. Afterwards, the cold night wind that hit me in the face as I opened the door was laced with wood smoke from the chimney above. What a wonderful smell in cold weather!

As I walked out of the woods and past the old farm house in the dark, the 60 ft pines roared like the ocean waves as the wind rustled through their needles. Who needs a conch shell to hear the ocean when you have the wind and majestic pines?

Moon Rise over ManCamp

The late fall moon always rises in the east above the hill behind the cabin. On days like today, shortly after the sun goes down, an autumn moon wastes no time before eliminating a December evening's darkness. As it rises above the eastern trees, it's so beautiful as it illuminates the hollow below. Although it was 36 degrees out, I sat on the porch enjoying the view and the shadows cast through the trees. A distant coyote in Scioto Trails breaks the silence and reminds me once again that I'm not alone.

A second coat of stain has been applied to the last 10 ceiling boards for the ceiling; only 1 more coat and all will be ready to finish the ceiling project.

Blustery Cabin Day

Not quite winter yet but with the wind whipping and temperatures falling in the low 30s while spitting snow flurries outside, it was clearly knocking on the cabin door. Fires in both Beulah and the fireplace kept the cabin above 70 while I worked some more on the ceiling paneling. With the last trip to Menard's behind me, I hung all the finished boards available and then sanded, vacuumed and stained what will be the final 10. Hopefully I can stay focused and get these boards finished before the weekend so I can wrap this significant project up.