DIY Beginner Project?
I’m going to start some DIY projects around and wanted to start easy. What would you recommend as a starter project? 1) install crown moulding 2) replace (but not move) bathroom fixtures (sink, toilet, medicine cabinet) 3) replace flooring (take out carpet, install either wood or cork flooring) Thanks for any suggestions!!!
I’m going to start some DIY projects around and wanted to start easy. What would you recommend as a starter project?
1) install crown moulding
2) replace (but not move) bathroom fixtures (sink, toilet, medicine cabinet)
3) replace flooring (take out carpet, install either wood or cork flooring)
Thanks for any suggestions!!!
CG, I’ve got several tools: drill, stud finder w/ electric wire alert, power sander, 7 1/4″ circular saw, and various levels, hammers, mallets, etc.
chicken – thanks, that is fantastic!
dibs – i’m doing it to one low ceilinged area and one floor with regular height so i probably need to keep it simple though now you’re making me curious as to what your parlor floor looks like. heh
Yes, get the polystyrene crown moldings. How high are your ceilings?? Go wild with a very complex & detailed crown…dentil moldings, egg and dart. You’ll be amazed at what it adds to a room
Here’s one place I found online.
http://www.sosimplecrown.com/installing-crown-molding.html
i wonder what my mom is going to say when i ask for a table saw for christmas
Is polystyrene crown moulding available in New York? If so, then that is the easiest stuff in the world to work with:
1) It’s really light so you can hold up lengths of it one-handed
2) It’s really light so even a light adhesive will keep it up
3) It’s really cheap so if you get a cut wrong, you can throw it away and get another piece
4) It’s slightly flexible so easy to accomodate slightly out-of-true walls
5) It’s installed at the highest point of the room so hard to inspect up close. Even then, you can’t tell visually once it’s painted (only by tapping).
For my money, 1 is definitely the easiest job to go for out of the three.
CG_Ups: If buying new tools, bigger is basically better (more amperage, more strokes per minute, etc.). But not always, and especially for new users. Here’s a link to NHS Class: http://www.nhsnyc.org/eastflatbush/services/home-maintenance.htm
thanks kens and vinca. i am definitely going to sign up for the class. looks like both brooklyn locations are already done with beginner level 1 for 2009, so i guess home reno will start 2010. it will be one of my new year’s resolutions. heh
oh snap snappy! i invent a cocktail and it gets named after you?!? though i guess the cg_ups cocktail doesn’t have quite the same ring. 🙂
montrose – thanks for the suggestion. i thought the mantel might be a good “try out your skills” project too.
Nothing like a nice crème brûlée after running the water lines to a new slop sink!