Duane McGuire Blog

I got out to the shop early this morning to work on wiring. But it was about 37 degrees, and hmmm, my priorities shifted. I got to work on installing the woodstove. I first had to do some work on the manufactured chimney. I’d placed it temporarily for the roofer, but hadn’t installed the ceiling flange. The chimney needed to drop down 6″ into the flange, and unfortunately the roofer — absent my direction sealed the chimney into the roof flashing. I had to undo that, and to seat the chimney pipe in the ceiling flange.

Then it was off to Lowes for another section of chimney, cinder blocks, stove pipe etc. So now the bill for chimney, etc is about $400, but I got the stove for $50. Hah!

By 3 pm, I had the inaugural fire going, and tomorrow morning the temperature will be right for wiring. I don’t know about you, but without a woodstove … well it didn’t feel like a woodshop. Now it does!

Well, the door is hung, and winter can come. I just need to do the weather stripping, and we really are ready.

Next up is the gas line for the radiant floor heat. I’m digging the trench for the gas line right now. Should have the gas supply done in a couple of weeks. Then we can do the 4-way inspection and start installing insulation. After the door was up — even without insulation — I noticed the building was warmer than the garage. The south windows are providing good solar gain.

I figured that the new shop should have a fine door that speaks to what goes on inside. Sometime around 1992, I acquired some walnut from an old woodworker in Pleasant Grove, UT. The walnut had grown in his yard, and he’d had it sawn into 12-quarter planks. Well it’s 2008, and that walnut was still waiting for a project so it has found its new purpose. It’s been a rewarding project. I haven’t applied woodworking skills at this level of fussiness for quite some time.

I like to make a connection to the wood I am working. That connection is always special when the wood has both a story from the inside and from the outside. Wood, of course, is a contankerous medium. It always has a story to tell from the inside, and sometimes it expresses itself at the worst possible moment … almost always when you ask it to do something it didn’t want to do! But on the other hand the wood may also have a story from the outside. And that’s the case here. I wish I could remember Stan’s last name, but after 16 years, it does escape me. He was a member of my barbershop chorus, and about 80 at the time. He’d reached the point that he realized his stash of walnut was probably not going to be used by him. He was pleased to pass it on to me (and accept whatever cash was involved at the time). But more than the cash, he was happy to see that precious walnut go to a fellow who would appreciate it. Some of it went into bench top for an organ bench at the ML Bigelow organ shop where I was working as a craftsman at the time. Stan — the musician — was excited to hear about that. I have a feeling he’d also be mighty happy to see his walnut in this woodshop door.

Here’s the door after the first coat of finish:

To complete the exterior, we just need the overhead and entry door. I’m working on the entry door today, and the overhead door will be installed Wednesday. I’m really pleased with the way the building integrates with the site. When we’re done it will definitely look “original”.

Well, it’s not done, but the space definitely exists now! Todd Thurgood was the framer. Who could ask for more? Perfect work. What you see here above grade was a 4 day effort for a three man crew.

The permit was issued, and last week, the site was excavated and footings where poured. The coordination between excavator, footings contractor, and foundation contractor has been great. We have made quick progress at the start! Currently the foundation forms and steel are set. We anticipate pouring the foundation walls tomorrow.

I had once dreamed of building a timber-framed woodshop, but time and locale prevent it. Design for a residential class framed shop are complete, and plans have been submitted for building permit approval. Yes, this will be my largest building project to date! Features:

• 30X28 work space
• 14X28 storage space
• Lots of south window light
• Exterior complements existing house
• Radiant floor heat
• dust collection system
• 11′ ceiling height
• Usable attic space above