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July 2, 2010

I took the day off so I could start the trailer project over a four day weekend. Seemed like a reasonable thing to do. I got up early, hitched up the trailer and drove off to Lowes in New Castle for lumber. I like hardware stores a little too much, but that's a different story.

I picked out my lumber after much mulling over in the aisles and loaded up the trailer. I was working under the theory that if the trailer could haul the lumber home successfully, then it would support the finished shower house.

It doesn't look like a whole lot of lumber but keep in mind that I got 24 2x2s, 12 2x4s, 3 2x6s and 8 sheets of plywood in assorted thickness. It only doesn't look like a lot because it's flat and the trailer is pretty wide

What I had forgotten to take into consideration is that the tires were both fairly flat. Thank goodness the gas station on the corner of 224 and Scotland Lane has an air pump or I probably would have destroyed the tires getting home.

Tires filled, the drive home was uneventful and pleasant.

I unloaded the lumber and started setting up my outside shop when Constance showed up. We proceeded to take a couple of hammers to the floor of the trailer. The floor had rotted through. I knew this because when I got it home last week, I stepped up in it and promptly fell through. Thankfully, no Cetachs or Daschunds were harmed in the process.

With the floor now a pile of nasty-rotty-wood, we could finally see just how good or bad a condition the frame was in. There were a few of the cross beams that were rusted through in places and the end of the right side beam was rusted off but for the most part it really wasn't that bad.

Short non-sequitur but still related - I just now had to take a quick break to remove the splinter from the nuckle on my right hand. Couldn't figure out earlier why my nuckly was bloody since I was wearing gloves. It must have got me right through the stupid glove. Bah, damn splinters!

Anyway, where was I?

O yeah, the question became whether to save the metal sides or remove them. Deciding that actually took less time than trying to determine where to cut. I love my saws-all. The real trick was getting the sides off of the base without tearing the easy-up I had put up for shade.

Metal sides removed, we jumped in the Van in search of a good rust sealing paint to prevent further damage. Paint and wire brushes were acquired and home we went to continue the task. I don't really have the patience for brushing the rust off of a trailer. Thank goodness Constance was there or it would probably still be rusty. While we were brushing, Misa came home from work and made us sandwiches and Misa's brother, Tim, stopped in long enough to help me set it up on its side so we could paint the bottom.

After a good coat of anti-rust paint, it was starting to look a lot better.

Also, we painted the floor plywood with white outdoor barn paint hoping to discourage rot.

The sun was headed down and Constance was headed home. However, I'm not one to be discouraged by a little less light so I worked a little longer on the new floor platform.

I notched out three 2x6s to fit over the existing frame. I plan to attach them to the metal with some angle iron. I suppose this would be easier if I knew how to weld. A saw, a hammer and some nails are more to my liking.

I laid out the frame to see how it would look. Tomorrow, they'll get a coat of paint and then screwed together. If anyone wants to help, I'll probably work on it all day and I've got burgers and dogs for the grill.

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