Sheetrock is EVIL!

[Grumbler F.K.A. Harry]

We are in the process of building out a new store. Well actually relocaing the current one, and I have been hanging sheetrock for a week now and I can say with certanty, that if this framing thing does'nt work out, I will not put up sheetrock for a living. Good Lord, that #### is heavy! ...and the mudding compound, forget about it.

But as for the new store... well it is looking sweet! Can't wait to move. Hopefully in about 3 weeks. We are going 1/2 mile down the street and it might as well be a milloion miles away. It is into a far more active shopping district with real access, parking, display windows (litteraly 6 feet off the road NICE!) About 1600 sq/ft all on one level. Ooo that will be nice I am in 1200 sq/ft on 2 floors at the moment. Got a lot of work to do to get this done, but I'm looking forward to it.

Wish me luck... off to Home Depot for more stuff....

....anyone ever put in a drop ceiling? That's next weeks project....I hear it will make the sheetrock look like a dream.... we'll see.

[Jerry Ervin]

Originally posted by Grumbler F.K.A. Harry:
....anyone ever put in a drop ceiling? Yes And I don't advise it.

If you don't know what you are doing it will whip your butt.


Instead, think about painting everything up there flat black. The A/C duct work, wiring, light fixtures, everything black.

The added volume will make 1600 square feet look more like 2000.

You can rent a professional quality spray apparatus at the rental store.

Good Luck on the move.

Post us some pictures please.

[Tim Hayes.]

[framinzfun]

I remember when we renovated our space, I had a list a mile long of things I never want to do for a living... I think the list of things I would do is shorter... luckily framing is still on that list... Good luck with your new shop, and I hope we get to see some photos when it's done!

[Mike Labbe @ GTP]

Drop ceiling isnt too bad. It's all about careful planning to go against the current structure, so you'll be able to attach properly. You can rent a laser device to make it easier.

The new place sounds really nice. GOOD LUCK!!!

Mike

[Jerry Ervin]

Originally posted by Mike Labbe @ GTP:
Drop ceiling isnt too bad. It's all about careful planning to go against the current structure, so you'll be able to attach properly. You can rent a laser device to make it easier.

The logistics of the ceiling is not that hard. What I find difficult is doing any kind of work over my head for long periods of time. My shoulders give out very quickly.

[Jay H]

Here is what I think about drop ceilings.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b370/greatangles/ceilingdetail.jpg

Thats my ceiling. Drop ceilings are booo oooorrrr ing!

Good luck on the move. Mine is almost complete and my back is almost done hurting and I'm starting to get feeling back in my legs again.

[Grumbler F.K.A. Harry]

The building we are moving into has what were at one time beautiful tin ceilings. Unfortunately they are in such disrepair that they cannot be saved. At least not on my budget. I would have loved to keep them but it is just not possible. I'll send some pics soon.

[McPhoto]

Harry -
Check w/ your local Lowe's or Home Depot - I believe that they carry replicas of the old time tin ceilings. It's going to cost more than drop ceilings but will look dramatically better. It's rather easy to install too.
I prefer to sheet-rock the ceilings as well - and after taping & mudding do a swirl pattern w/ the compound to hide any defects in the ceiling.

[Framerguy]

My second gallery location was a 100 year old 3 story home and the walls and ceilings were the old style mud and lath. Compared to those, dry wall or dropped ceilings are a godsend when you are working on a deadline and trying to get your business opened by a certain date.

I will do dropped ceilings anytime and hang drywall all day rather than try to restore a structure that is built out of iron hard full cut oak 2x4's and plaster and lath.

Framerguy

[Grumbler F.K.A. Harry]

Framerguy, I got all that too. This building was a disaster. I have removed 4 different businesses worth of wall coverings (over 2 tons of debris) to expose the original beadboard walls. They too were in such bad shape that they just needed to be covered. Too bad too because the building would have such great charm if I could afford to restore it. The landloard has given me some money, but it needs to go the things like electrical updates, a new bathroom and a new exterior covering. That did not leave much for me to do the rest plus set up the actual store and relocate the business. The last of the sheetrock will be done today. Then a couple of days playing in the mud and then THE CEILING! Fortunately we have a freind that is a carpet installer and he is putting that in at a great price. After working above my head for a few days I won't be able to bend down and get to the floor. Almost there..... If my legs and back hold out and I can get Cliff to come help me I could and might make my scheduled move in dat of May 6th. It does'nt look good at the moment..... We'll see......

Oh and all the while I gotta make frames for these pesky customers....... Thank the good lord for that. I gotta pay for this thing you know.....

[Greg Fremstad]

Sheetrock IS miserable! I have a tip about gallery wall surfaces that might help.
We had our gallery sprayed with that mud stuff but left the bumps bumpy without skip-trowelling it like they usually do.

The bumps came out about 3/16 to1/4 dia. and about 1/6 - 3/32 high. This made for a nice random texture that hid nail holes perfectly.

Just after we hung a show, we would go around and put a fingertip dollop of paint on the old nail holes - presto! Gone!

[Grumbler F.K.A. Harry]

An update 'cause I know your all just anxiously waiting to hear.......

The walls, ceiling, bathroom, electrical, and exterior are done. Carpet and new front doors get installed next week and we move on Saturday 5-20. Signage gets done next week as well. Two weeks later than I had hoped, but the store is looking pretty good and we stayed on budget. My back is kiling me and my wife and kids have forgotten what I look like, but hey, I'm almost done. Then I just gotta set up a new store. That's not that hard right. ARGGGGGGGHHHHH!

I will send pics when it is done.

OH ####! I gotta send post cards..... gotta go!

[Jerry Ervin]

Absolutely do not forget the post cards!

Moving can be an up hill battle, but very rewarding.

[wally pasbrig]

The only thing worse then drywalling your own project is having people (family & friends) know that you can hang and mud drywall. I just got done hanging, taping, and muding a two story house for our son. Semi-retirement means people think you have time to do anything. Think I'll go back to my old vocation for a rest.

[Grumbler F.K.A. Harry]

Well, we have done it. We have moved. My back is killing me and my hands look like ground hamburg, but it's done. We still have a bit of setting up to do and to get our sign up (hopefully today), but we were setting up yesterday, not even open for bussines and had a customer who said he had been waiting for us to open because he couldn't find a framer. I wanted to ask him if he had ever been 1/2 mile up the street before, but I was too tired to be a smart ***. Anyway, he placed his order and was thrilled to know there was a new framer around. (I guess the last 20 months never happened.) See it is true.... LOCATION. LOCATION. LOCATION! My camera got smashed so pictures will be coming soon.

Well, back to putting up my corner samples. God these things SUCK! Does anyone really need a 1/2" gold frames that all look the same from 6 different vendors?

[Jerry Ervin]

Originally posted by Grumbler F.K.A. Harry:
Does anyone really need a 1/2" gold frames that all look the same from 6 different vendors? No you don't. Just pick one from the company you do the most business with.

Congrats on the move. You may quickly discover it was all worth it.