Nathaniel Perkins Ski Lodge Project

Today we showed up at the ski area to find the boards applied urethane on the day prior to be dry. This means that we were able to get an another coat on them and put up three more strips in the morning. We then went to lunch and when we got back we put up the remaining strips. This signifies our last day down at the ski area. I will miss doing this every day. Hours: 6:00 Total: 73:30 Midway! All Done!

Today was a good day down at the ski area. We began the day by staining the pieces that would soon cover the beam. After that we began putting them up this took time to get them perfect. However, soon we were on to trim we got up the first row and soon realized we were short pieces. We went to the lumber yard to get more. We stained and applied the first coat of urethane to these boards.  They go up tomorrow. Time: 6:00 Total: 67:30 Trim up! Boards to case in beam! First board up!

This week we learned a lot due to our time spent on this project. We started out by sanding the second half of the ceiling which was something we had done the week prior as well. This gives us a good idea of how hard it is to get a ceiling perfectly flat. After that, we painted which gave us good knowledge on this part of the construction and just how hard it is. Then putting up trim boards which was a really good learning experience for us. We were able to learn how hard it is to get these pieces right and make sure not to ding them because everyone sees the trim. This work was also fun for us to do. The trim was really fun because it is instant gratification. Getting these pieces up made an instant difference to the project. The paint was the same way it went up fast and looked good. The sanding is hard work and may have not been as much fun as the rest of the project. This week was just to finish up the work from the week prior. So whether that was painting or sanding we just ne...

It was a great day today. Kevin got a text this morning from Adam the guy down at the ski area asking if we wished to help him pick up some boards. These boards will be used to box in the central beam. We are not sure yet if we will be involved in that part of the project. It all depends on when the work commences on that part of the project. As I said earlier we were not supposed to do this part but we are always willing to help them out. Hours:1:00 Total: 61:30 The factory we went to pick up the wood! Adam securing the boards!

Today was a day of research for us. We began the day by going down to the local home improvement center. While there we began to learn about the different types of sheetrock that they sell. We did this to learn more about the materials that were used and how they all differ. We opted for a lightweight board that is sag resistant when doing our ceiling. We learned this is popular fo ceilings but many people use a different wall board. We compared the differences and learned about the boards. Tomorrow, we plan to go to another project that is happening in town outside of Proctor. The ceiling on this project has not yet been put up. Due to that, we will have the opportunity to see the differences in how this job was done when compared to ours. Time: 0:30  Total: 60:30 All the different types of sheetrock!

Today was an interesting day. The lumber has not come in and they are not sure when it will. Due to that today was a short day for us. We showed up at 8:15 am and worked cleaning the lodge. We completed this job and were done for the day. We are done with the majority of our project due to the fact putting up these pieces on the beam was not in our original plan for the project. Tomorrow we will be sourcing and doing some research. Time: 1:00 Total:60:00 The beam they are looking for lumber for!

Today we were surprised to find that the road had dried up down to the ski area. When we arrived the paint was dry and it was time for the trim. However, first, we had to clean up the mess from all the sanding and painting. So we did that and took the trash to the dumpster. Once we returned we began putting up some trim. However, we can't do it all and that is due to the fact we don't have the wood to put on in the beam yet. Due to that the rest of the trim must wait for that to arrive. So in the afternoon we continued cleaning all the cubies and had an early quitting time (1:30) due to that. Hopefully, the lumber will come in tomorrow. Hours: 4:00 Total 59:00 The trim going up! One side! And the other!

Today was another productive day down at the ski area. We showed up in the morning to find that the road had become flooded over the weekend. We had to hike into the lodge the back way. Once there the first thing to do today was to sand the second half that had joint compound on it. Once that was done was brushed off the dust and begun painting. We got the first coat on and broke for lunch. Once back we began on the second coat and completed it by the end of the day. Tomorrow we will begin on trim. Hours: 5:00 Total: 55:00 All sanded! First coat of paint! Final coat!

After this week our project is really starting to take shape. We were able to get up all the sheetrock, apply joint compound, and paint one side. By doing these things we were able to learn a lot about construction (mostly sheetrocking). We learned how to put up large 12-foot pieces of sheetrock with a drywall lift (the easy way). The key is to ensure that the first sheet it cut square because if it is not you will need to cut all the remaining pieces at an angle to line up with the first. When applying joint compound we were able to learn the importance of sanding and applying multiple coats. To ensure a perfectly smooth finish. When painting we learned you must have long and consistent strokes with little pressure. This ensures that the finished product is as consistent as possible. It was a fun week and one I truly enjoyed. The sheetrocking was really fun due to the fact it went quite fast and left a really good looking consistent. I really like how that went. We then moved on to a...

As of tonight, I have completed 50 hours of senior project work (the requirement). However, even though our hours have been completed we still have tons of work ahead of us. Today we began by sanding the other half of the sheetrock. This is a physically exhausting job and is never that much fun but must get done. After that, we put the first coat of paint on the first side. It looked pretty good after. Then we broke for lunch. After lunch, to our surprise, the paint had dried enough for a second coat. On Monday we will continue to sand the second side. Hours: 6:00 Total: 50:00 One side sanded and one painted!  Sanded side! Painted side!

When we showed up today the project was looking really good with all the lights cut out. I began by applying joint compound (mud) the second half of the ceiling while Kevin sanded. We also cleaned up the work space. Then Garry came by and told us to clean the surrounding walls to get the room ready to begin paint. We did that and then broke for lunch. After lunch, we continued to clean and prep for paint. We also cleaned the shop floor of urethane. Today was a good day. Hours: 5:30 Total: 44:00 Second half with joint compound! The first half sanded! The first half when we left!

Today we started out by sheetrocking and got one more piece in. Then while Adam was cutting the next piece Kevin and I began scraping the mud off the first row. We finished that as the electrition showed up to cut out the first two lights in the first row. While he was doing that we began to apply the second coat of mud to the first row. After that, we broke for lunch. I was unable to make it back due to a race but Kevin and Adam got the rest of the sheets up this afternoon. Tomorrow we will begin mudding. Hours: 3:10 Total: 38:30 The mud all smoothed out! First two lights cut out!

Today was one of those days that we got a lot done. We began the day finishing off the insulation on either side of the ceiling. Then put up the final sheet in the third row. After that, we put hopefully the final coat of urethane on the boards. Soon after that we began and completed mudding the screw holes in the first row. After lunch Mike (the school's electrition) came by to finish up some work on the second row and get it ready for sheetrock. He also helped put up the first piece to ensure it was square. Tomorrow we will continue on the second row of sheet rock. Today was a busy day! Hours: 6:00 Total: 35:20 The final piece on the first row in! The screw holes filled!  Kevin screwing in the first piece! 

Today was the first day of sheetrock for us down at the ski area. When we got down there the first piece had already been cut to ensure it was straight. However, we first had to insulate the space behind the recessed lighting. After that, we began on the rest of the sheetrock. Midway through we broke for lunch but started up again soon. Then we put yet another layer urethane on the boards. Tomorrow we will continue with putting up sheetrock. We just have one piece left on the first row. Then will begin on the back row. Time: 6:30 Total: 29:20 Kevin doing the morning insulation.  Adam getting the first piece square.  Kevin screwing in a piece. View at the end of the day. 

This week we learned a lot about the right way to do things. On Monday when we began work we learned that many contractors don't put up strapping prior to sheetrock. This is due to the extra cost of putting it up. However by putting up the strapping it just adds more rigidity to the ceiling and should help stop it from sagging. However, when contractors do put up strapping they then according to the schools electrician run the wiring in between it. He says this is not good due to the fact that if some screws through the sheetrock later they could hit a wire. Due to this he instead drills through the joists to make a path for the wire up and out of the way. This will lead to a safer space down the road. We also learned about staining and applying urethane to the trim boards. This is a longer processes then many would think due to the time it takes to apply all the coats. These are important things to know just incase we do anything like this again. One other thing we learned is the ...

Today when we showed up we began by sanding the boards that had urethane on them from the day prior. After that we began to apply the third coat of urethane. While waiting for them to dry we did other work around the ski area like filling in some damage from the winter. After that we broke for lunch. After lunch we put on yet another layer of urethane to make sure it was fully covered after this morning.  Tomorrow we will begin the same way with sanding because we need to make sure that the boards are really smooth and ready for a final coat. Hours: 5:00  Total: 22:50 Filling holes. Boards after urethane and sanding.

Today I began the day by finishing up the job from yesterday. After that, I cleaned up the job site and got it looking organized. While I was doing this Adam and Kevin had begun applying urethane on the boards we stained the other day. So I jumped in and helped them with that. After that, we went to Belletetes for materials and broke for lunch. After lunch, we kept applying urethane and will continue work on that tomorrow. Hours: 5:00 Total: 17:50 The boards that were urethaned.  The project as it stands. 

Today we showed up to an already half done insulation job. Adam had started earlier so by the time we got out which was 8:10, half was already done. Due to that we were able to complete the job in one day. The job was straight forward but tedious to string the insulation under all the strapping and to do this we had to where full body suits due to the hazards of fiberglass. However, we finished in just 3 hours which was quite fast. As I said yesterday this was planned to take 2 days or more. It was a fun day and tomorrow we will begin on varnishing boards. Hours:3:00 Insulation in.  All suited up.  Other half done. 

Today when we showed up we started out by putting up strapping on the other half. After that, we cleaned up the job site and broke for lunch. For the afternoon session, we began staining wood. This wood will be used as trim once the sheetrock for the ceiling is up. The lights for the second half of the project also were being put in by the electrician. Tomorrow seems to be a day for insulation. The insulation will be the biggest part of the project and take many days.  Hours: 4:40 The project as it now stands.  The stained wood.  Kevin Nailing.