I have tung oil in my kitchen floor which is continuous with the rest of the parlor.
Its great because I have been able to touch up areas without re-sanding the whole floor. High traffic is more of an issue than water. I have been able to even out scratches from wear,stools, etc. with a refinisher/solvent.
I have used water-base and do not like it. Not as strong. Flooring companies swear by it because it dries faster ( i.e two coats in 1 day = better pay)
Poly will work, but if you are using the old boards you should consider long term patina.

As to belt sander, do your self a favor and rent a machine and an edger. You will save time and money. I tried using a belt sander in a small vestibule/ hallway and it took forever, used more paper and did not come out as even.
You reinstalled old boards, you will need to take off at least 1/16" to even things out.
Good advise on countersinking nails.

Posted by: chas at November 16, 2007 12:44 PM in response to An Open Question: Finishing a Wood Floor

I have seen famous people buy with a trust
That will hide identity (as will LLC) but not price

Posted by: chas at November 21, 2007 1:25 PM in response to I don't want friends and family knowing how much I paid for my condo

Putting the bedrooms at either end (as 3:59 suggested)will cut off any light and air in the center for living and or kitchen which brings up code issues. You need an architect.
Since the apt will be on the garden level you can move plumbing around inexpensively in the basement. You should consider the classic: two bedrooms in rear(1 large, 1jr), living in front and bathroom and kitchen in the middle (where it is darkest).
Your biggest questions would be: basement access, entry, rear garden access.
As for flexibility, why would you have shares by choice? Just make a nice functional apt

Posted by: chas at November 27, 2007 12:49 PM in response to Architect for a 2 Bdrm Floorplan

oops. do not know why I thought it was garden.

Posted by: chas at November 27, 2007 5:05 PM in response to Architect for a 2 Bdrm Floorplan

There is a commercial kitchen supplier just off the BQE in Williamsburg on the right side as you get off Metropolitan Ave exit. I think its American Circle. Its industrial in finish (get an orbital finish for counter) but the price is right.

Posted by: chas at November 30, 2007 3:53 PM in response to Stainless steel kitchen counter tops

If you have ever experienced radiant you know its great. Its a lux product.
What would be your use for basement? what kind of floor finish?
I would be more concerned with air quality. I would consider air handler with fresh air intake. You could condition air (hot/cold)and control humidity. This is how below grade spaces are handled commercially to avoid basement staleness.

Posted by: chas at December 6, 2007 11:55 AM in response to Radiant Floor vs. Radiators

Is this an add???
WTF??? ask the broker.

Posted by: chas at December 10, 2007 2:21 PM in response to Brooklyn Heights Beauty

If the boiler room is separate sealed space, crudely venting basement with holes in hatch will not work.
Duct to exterior would not need to be too big. I think that free air rather than mech closure is easier and fail-proof.

Posted by: chas at December 13, 2007 9:52 AM in response to Getting oxygen into a boiler room

If the boiler room is separate sealed space, crudely venting basement with holes in hatch will not work.
Duct to exterior would not need to be too big. I think that free air rather than mech closure is easier and fail-proof.

Posted by: chas at December 13, 2007 11:02 AM in response to Getting oxygen into a boiler room

4 mil vapor barrior over permeable fill (gravel typ.)

Posted by: chas at December 14, 2007 4:15 PM in response to basement

Also, the gift cap is $12,000 per person. So if your relative has a partner and you have a partner, the allowable gift is actually more like $48,000.

Posted by: serpentor at July 30, 2008 10:36 PM in response to How to pay back family investor for downpayment contribution in 20 years?

I had both lally and screwjack columns littering my basement to compensate for a cracked center support beam. The obstructions made the basement almost useless for a shop so I replaced the wood beam with a steel I-beam, which got rid of almost all those columns. That's one option to consider.

Posted by: Steve at August 18, 2008 7:05 PM in response to Jack Post Column replacement

Anyone have engineer and contractor recs for people who specialize in this kind of work? Our tired old frame house has a bunch of jacks, and some big sags and some older sistered joists, and some time soon we need to address all of it.

Posted by: Park Place at August 18, 2008 10:56 PM in response to Jack Post Column replacement

A jack post is against code for a reason -- occasionally those codes are there for good sense. Jack posts are much thinner metal than pipe, and the joints are perforated to allow adjustment in height, so a sharp impact right at the weak midpoint of a jack column will snap it apart.

To answer your other questions, a pipe is the same as a lally column (Lally being an Irishman handy with some spare plumbing parts, apparently). Yes to the second question as to whether you need to break your slab -- the average cellar slab won't bear the weight of a point load added to it. The slab should be broken open for a proper foundation.

And in terms of a do-it yourself project, that's a good question. After all, if you're good enough, you can remove a bullet from your stomache yourself without the help of a doctor, right? Do you really want to? I would think that unless you are unusually capable you'd be better off hiring someone for this.

Posted by: Smokychimp at August 18, 2008 11:49 PM in response to Jack Post Column replacement

I have recommended these guys a few times: Mark Hyman @ Wolf Restorations, Inc.., 101 Lake Drive, Hewlett, NY 11557, Tel: 516-374-1294. They specialize in structural work and will provide engineer, architect, expediter, drawings, etc., as needed. They were originally recommended to me by a Manhattan-based architect who used them for work on his own home.

Posted by: vinca at August 19, 2008 12:05 AM in response to Jack Post Column replacement

What are the Sanborn maps?

Posted by: trudylou at August 19, 2008 11:47 AM in response to Sanborn Maps

Steve - who did you use to install the steel beam?

Thanks!

Posted by: 718gila at August 20, 2008 8:00 AM in response to Jack Post Column replacement

In addition to the BPL Central Library's Brooklyn Collection's Digital Sanborn maps (which has limited hours - check their website first!) the Business Library on Cadman Plaza also has the paper versions updated regularly.

Posted by: brookelen at August 20, 2008 10:47 AM in response to Sanborn Maps

I just called Mark Hyman's # and was told they don't do residential work unless its a brownstone. So, does anyone know who will do work like this for one column and how much it will cost for everything?

Posted by: helppls at August 20, 2008 12:58 PM in response to Jack Post Column replacement

trudylou: Sanborn fire insurance maps

Posted by: altervoce at August 20, 2008 4:21 PM in response to Sanborn Maps