Author Archives: fitz

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About fitz

Woodworker, writer, editor, teacher, ailurophile, Shakespearean. Will write for air-dried walnut.

Ray Davies is So Right

Posted on June 13, 2017 by fitz

The basement ablutions are beginning to wear. But hey – I have a basket – all I need is to put some lotion in it and I’m ready for a remake of “Silence of the Lambs.” Yes, I could clean … Continue reading →

Posted in Baths, Renovation/Restoration | 8 Comments

Half of a Sink (or, The Wussy Remodeler)

Posted on May 27, 2017 by fitz

I want my friends to remain my friends (I also want my new tub to survive the move). So I’ve hired a piano moving company to shift the 335-lb. cast iron behemoth from my front hallway to the guest bath … Continue reading →

Posted in Baths, Renovation/Restoration | 7 Comments

Hurry Up & Wait

Posted on May 7, 2017 by fitz

You know what you can’t just pick up at the home center? Any of the supplies or products I need to finish the guest bathroom floor. So thanks to the Internet, I’ve stuff coming from around the country. Because naturally, … Continue reading →

Posted in Baths, Renovation/Restoration | 8 Comments

Call me ‘Pig-Pen’

Posted on April 23, 2017 by fitz

I don’t think Charles Schulz every revealed “Pig-Pen’s” given name; henceforth, let’s assume it’s Megan. Faced with a drain leak in my only working tub/shower, I called my plumber. I thought the junction from the P-bend-straight bit to the angled … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal Favorites | 23 Comments

Bringing Down the House, Possibly

Posted on April 15, 2017 by fitz

Load-bearing or not – that is the question. The studs are toenailed directly to the 3/4″ pine floorboards; there’s no plate, and they don’t sit atop a joist. Above is the wall between my bedroom and the bathroom – and … Continue reading →

Posted in Baths, Renovation/Restoration | 9 Comments

Banner Reuse/Restore Day

Posted on April 1, 2017 by fitz

This morning, I picked up my moulding from Quick Strip – and he did a great job. For $80 and a week of patience, four fluted window casings, three cornices and one sill have been stripped of many layers of … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal Favorites | 5 Comments

Multiple Thicknesses – Who’d Have Thunk?

Posted on March 26, 2017 by fitz

Yesterday, I dropped off with a local furniture stripper the original window casings, sills and cornices – which I think came out of the very room into which they’re going back – that I unearthed in the garage. By next … Continue reading →

Posted in Baths, Renovation/Restoration | 3 Comments

I Need Professional Help

Posted on March 7, 2017 by fitz

I realize posting here is a long shot, but what the hell. See that empty cubicle in the photo above? I need an excellent copy editor/line editor/details-oriented person – who knows woodworking or is eager to learn the craft – … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 21 Comments

A Series of Renovation Mysteries

Posted on February 26, 2017 by fitz

“The Case of the Disappearing Tape Measure” “The Mysterious Meow: The Cat That Got Trapped Under the Floor” “Out of Square: The House That Shifted in Six Dimensions” “Wedged for Eternity: The Case of the Immovable Cut Nail” “Plastered: The … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal Favorites, Renovation/Restoration | 14 Comments

Lignin-laced Water

Posted on February 18, 2017 by fitz

With a 3-day weekend ahead, I thought: Perfect time to frame out the shower walls and put in a proper sub floor. Heck – I might then even be able to get the underlayment for the tile walls hung! I … Continue reading →

Posted in Baths, Renovation/Restoration | 11 Comments