A Backyard Fire Pit - Do It Yourself Today

If you've been looking at buying a fire pit, then you're probably already aware that you can buy ready-made models that only require some simple assembly. But wouldn't it be nice to create your own fire pit? One that's uniquely yours? You don't need a complicated set of blueprints to build your own fire pit - you just need to have an idea in your head of what you're trying to create. It doesn't take a lot to build a fire pit for barbequing or an outdoor campfire. A DIY fire pit can cost next to nothing to construct, apart from some time and hard work, and is even cheaper if you already have some materials such as bricks or rocks on hand.

The first step is to choose a safe location for your fire pit. Make sure it's nowhere near any structures that could catch fire, and locate it away from any backyard traffic zones. It's also worth talking to your local fire department in case you need to know any particular rules or information before starting. Organize to have some stones or bricks ready for lining the inside of your fire pit. Then all you need to do is dig the hole. This might take a few hours of hard work with a shovel, but that's all.

Lowes Build

Once your hole is deep enough, use the stones or bricks to line the perimeter of the hole, and continue these materials above the ground. You need the stones around the top to form a windbreak and to stop soil falling into the fire. If you want something a little fancier, you can build a stucco pit above the ground. Use magazines and the Internet to help give you lots of great ideas for your fire pit design. Think about your existing home and outdoor furniture, and design your fire pit to complement these existing elements in your backyard. If you're really stuck for ideas or want to create something a little more complicated, it's possible to order plans online that include a list of materials, and it's generally not very expensive.

Now you have a fire pit, safety is always important. Remember, this is a big hole in the ground, and you don't want any accidents. So it might be a good idea to cover the pit when it's not being used. You can just use a piece of scrap metal or wooden board and cut it to fit. You can also choose to buy a basic fire pit, which will generally include the basics such as a cover, log grill and spark screen, and then build a brick or stone wall around that. This will help stop pets or children from running into the fire pit by accident.

For a gas fire pit, you will need to buy either gas fire logs or a simple metal fire ring. Then you simply need to design and build the housing.

Whatever you decided, it's great to do it yourself and have a fire pit that will be the envy of all your neighbors.

A Backyard Fire Pit - Do It Yourself Today

Lowes Build

Considering a Do It Yourself Solar Power System for Your Home?

Evaluating a do it yourself solar power system on your home? Imagine converting freely available solar power into electricity that can be used to power your home. The amount of electricity that will be generated depends on the number and wattage of the solar panels and the number of direct sun light the solar panels receive.

If the solar panels are producing more electricity that what is needed to run your home the excess solar power can be sold to the electric company. This is a great situation to be in, be selling electricity back to the utility district.

Lowes Build

There are a few things that you need to consider before deciding on installing a solar power system on your house.

In order to recoup the initial investment you need to determine how long it will take. You don't want to move out of the house before having recouped your investment.

Do you have a large enough space on your roof where the solar panels can be installed on that receives at least six hours of direct sun light each day? Solar cells work best in direct sunlight. If most of the south facing roof space is covered by nice large trees a photovoltaic system is not going to produce much electricity.

Pitch of your roof. Are you comfortable walking on your roof? Is it too steep for you? When installing a do it yourself solar power system you will be spending some time on the roof installing the solar panels and wiring them together. If you are not comfortable working on the roof for a day or two you might want to consider hiring someone to install the solar panels for you.

How to find do it yourself solar power retailers that you can work with. Start with the yellow pages and contact the local solar retailers in your area. Check out each retailer with the local BBB.

Another option is to search for solar retailer sites with the search phrase 'do it yourself solar power system'. Check out the result sites. Be sure to verify that the site is reputable and secure.

Before purchasing a do it yourself solar power system from a retailer be they local or online there are a few questions you should ask them. Will they help you determine the load of your home and size the solar power system to your home's electrical needs?

Will they allow you to review the installation instructions before purchasing the solar power system? Since this is a

Do they offer telephone technical support?

How long is the warranty on the equipment?

Who do you contact for warranty work?

You are now ready to find the right retail outlet that will provide you with the best do it yourself solar power system and great customer service. Even if you decide not to install a solar power system yourself, consider hiring a local company that specializes in installing solar power systems in homes. It will be more expensive, but in the long run the cost savings will be well worth it.

Considering a Do It Yourself Solar Power System for Your Home?

Lowes Build

Invest in Yourself

Invest in Yourself is one of the most important Golden Rules of Productivity.

Investing in yourself will yield the highest returns of any investment you have ever made. If you want to stay competitive or be at your most effective you need to keep learning and growing on a regular basis. In today's world with the constantly changing technology, concepts and guidelines if you aren't improving your knowledge and skills, you will be out-of-date in mere months. You have to stay current if you want to be the best - and I am assuming that you do or you would not be reading this blog.

Grow Calendar 2011

What does investing in yourself look like? It does not mean that you need to be perpetually enrolled in higher education, though that is an option if it appeals you. Learning and growing can take many forms. It may be as simple as having subscriptions to trade publications - either in print or online - to stay up on new trends. The caveat there is that you must actually read them! You may attend conferences, workshops or other forms of training, take online webinars or read current books in your area of expertise. You may work towards an advanced degree or certification. Any knowledge or skills that you can acquire can help you grow.

This is not just limited to your business skills either. If you want to take a writing course at the local college or learn photography that's fine. Maybe you want to hone your musical skills or become a gourmet cook. All of these skills help you to stretch and grow as a person and can be easily transferable no matter what you do in your "business" life. Your mind stays sharp, your comprehension of current trends and conversations increases, your confidence rises and your proficiency in areas such as analysis and problem-solving also improve. Knowledge and growth will help you become a more valuable commodity in any area.

Invest in Yourself

Grow Calendar 2011

Look For Plans to Build a Doghouse and Do it Yourself

Are you looking for Plans To Build a Doghouse?

As a Do It Yourself-er I was totally up for the challenge of building my dog a new comfortable house for her to stay in while outdoor. I have to admit visions of a little, almost dollhouse, type of structure for her was what came to mind but, I know that would almost be ridiculous so I decided to just look for some basic plans that I could dress up a bit.

Lowes Build

While deciding which plans to purchase, I took a lot of factors into mind. The overall size, the color, the location. I wanted it to look like it went with our landscaping because I wanted it close to the house. I really didn't need any type of run because my dog, Cocoa, that is her name, just stays on the property and doesn't tend to run off.

The simple plans to build a doghouse I found were very easy to understand. Even for the most newest of DIY person, these instructions were very easy to follow. Included was a list of all the things I would need to build the frame and what lumber would be the best to use. A cut chart showing exactly the sizes to cut the wood. Whether you cut it yourself or have it cut for you, all the measurements are there. If you have a local big 'Depot' they will cut your wood and usually at no charge.

Insulation and a leak proof roof are some other things to consider. If your dog just uses the house during warm months to get out of the sun than you may not have to insulate. You will just want to use a lighter color for the roofing to reflect as much of the suns rays and heat as possible. Also some sort of cross ventilation is important. The only door I used is just a cut out area for her to go in and out as she wills. There is an overhang to help shade the doorway and keep the rain from going into the doghouse.

I also have to keep in mind that since I have little children, it will most surely become a little hiding place or fort, so making it free of protruding screws, nails or sharp edges was important.

The doghouse came out better than I had expected and with a lot of personal touches, it is very original considering it was constructed with a set of 'doghouse plans'.

I think I may just make a couple more and sell them to make some extra money. I have gotten a lot of compliments on the doghouse I built and even some offers. It really didn't take too much time and my oldest son enjoys building things so this is time we can spend together.

Look For Plans to Build a Doghouse and Do it Yourself

Lowes Build

Installing Ceramic Tile for Yourself

The Kitchen Back Splash. Do it yourself. Hi My name is Bill and I have taught ceramic tile installation to the local community college for several years. I will attempt to do this again with my only tool being words. First preparation is the biggest part of the project. Laying out where the tile will go. This is a process of measuring what is available. Measure the available wall space. Then set 4 tile side by side like they will look on the wall. Measure the total amount of linear distance they will take up. Why? Well how you transition back to the wall from the tile is one of the most critical parts to how it looks. A full piece out at the counter or breakfast nook is preferable to a very thin piece with a cut edge right next to the dinner's eye level. Also you will need to plan one inch for the Bull nose tile. This is the tile that has a glazed transition back to the wall surface. Go into Lowes and ask some questions or visit Home despot online for some video trainings.

I will assume the breakfast nook is on our left. 1st. 1 inch bull nose tile then next 12 3/8 inches is 4 tiles you can multiply how many to cover behind the stove and the remainder of the wall. Cut pieces in the corner For simplicity your cuts should leave a tile 1 inch or larger. Note: Other tile sizes will work 6x6 are not really 6 inches that's why we measure. But each change here makes a difference in the final look. 4x by 4's can make a long wall look busy with grout seams. Choose wisely. Most people use graph paper to lay out where all the tile go. This is especially important if you plan a decorative tile over the stove in that larger space before the hood.

Lowes Build

Installation time: take off all the switch and plug covers pull the boxes out if you can or unscrew the plugs and switches to leave ½ inch behind them. When all tile are dry you can screw them back down for a tight fit. Draw on the wall where any key pieces will go with magic marker or pencil but you will cover it. Using the trowel, comb the mastic/adhesive. Note: Types of adhesive. In order of strength.
Pre mixed Mastic Dry power cement Dry power cement with acrylic additive High pressure special use cement with dry or wet additive (strongest)

Now we will not go into detail but say your front porch would need first a rubber backer cemented down them the tile set in the high pressure special use cement. For our purposed the Pre mixed Mastic will work fine. Comb out the adhesive to leave rows with valleys like combing a child's hair you want even rows no places with a big blob. Then set your edge with the bull nose tile, and start moving across the wall with the full tiles. Cutting tile is done with a diamond saw you can rent these. If you have multiple projects you might buy an inexpensive one from Harbor Freight. But consider finding a friend and borough one. You only need to rent one for the really big tile like 12 inch cut on a diagonal because this makes an 18 inch cut across the diagonal of the tile.

Now use a grease pencil and mark tile to be cut. If you only have a few cuts you can even take them to Lowes and have the tech cut alone your lines but you better be good. Now let this all dry if you have any areas where you did not install the tile do to it is not cut yet, use a putty knife and scrape the wall clean. It is much easier to clean now while wet than after it dry's clean all your tools. And let it sit for 24 hours. Come back and mix your grout, modern grout's have dry acrylic in them already but manufacturers vary so check read the label you might have to add wet additive. Now the trowel that puts grout on the wall is a hard rubber bottom that is real smooth.

Don't mix things too wet but push the grout in it needs to go in and behind the tile to form a tee behind the tile that keeps it from coming out. This takes practice, do a 2x2 area at a time and clean up with a sponge right away. Then allow it to dry with a small film on the tile for about 1 hour and clean up again. Lastly let it set over night and clean with a dry towel. Note: how you clean up is the finished look, don't allow the family to distract you or interrupt this process with comments. Send them away.

The more you wipe with the sponge the more narrow the grout seam gets until you only have the seam. This is the biggest factor is the finished look besides your choice of tile. Clean your sponge often. Big buckets of fresh clean water are essential. Lastly stand back and admire. Before you start splashing. Seal the grout seams. Modern grout's no longer use lye and other dangerous chemicals. So they need sealed to keep out the grape juice stains. You can purchase a small bottle at your local tile store or home despot. Lucky for you there are a whole lot of online resources I hope this helps with practice you can get very good at this. It is a lot about the wrist action.

Installing Ceramic Tile for Yourself

Lowes Build

Do it Yourself - Build a Swing Set

If you should think about your childhood years then you may have known what the experience feels like to use a swing set. A swing set is a device that allows children to sway back and forth from a rope connecting from a cross beam. Swing sets are great for keeping children active. In this piece we will show step by step method on how to construct a wooden swing set from beginning to end. Wooden models are suggested because they last much longer perform a better job at complimenting your background better than a metallic one. Metal swings are prone to getting rusty and falling apart after being exposed external elements like the changing climate.

Required Tools:

Lowes Build

Line level
Pencil
Tape measure
Circular saw
Power drill and screwdriver attachment
Speed square
Framing square
Carpenter's level
10' step ladder
Protective clothing including safety glasses, dust mask and work gloves,

Required Materials:

(4) Metal A-frame brackets for 4" x 4"
(2) Metal angle brackets for 2" x 4"
(4) 1" x 4" x 8' common boards for holding the a-frames during assembly or a couple extra people to help you
(1) 2" x 4" x 12' pressure treated board for a-frame cross member braces
(1) 2" x 4" x 8' pressure treated board
(4) 4" x 4" x 8' pressure treated boards
(1) 4" x 4" x 16' pressure treated board
1 box of Galvanized screws 3 inch
1 box of Galvanized lag bolts 4 inch
1 box of Galvanized eye bolts, washers and nuts 5 inch
1 gallon of redwood paint or varnish
3 plastic swing seats with chains
2 trapeze bars with chains

Instructions are as follows:

1. Select a proper location in your residence where the swing set can be placed. The spot should be safe and secure from elements that can result in injury. If an appropriate section is not already prepared then you might need to develop an area with dirt or gravel to level off a area.

2. The first phase of the construction process consists of creating the frame sides. You have to utilize the 4"x4"x8", 2"x4"x12" and the 2"x4"x8" parts of lumber to create the layout. Then sever the 2"x4"x12" into two and use both part for the lower support system of the a-frame. The 8" piece will be used as the top support system and angle support from the a-frame to the crossbeam but first you need to separate it into four singular pieces, two should be 3" cuts and two should be 1" cuts these will be the angle support from the a-frame to the crossbeam and the 1" pieces should be at the top a-fame braces.

3. Now put the 8"x4"x4" boards into a shape by using the other cut boards and connecting them together with the lag bolts. The top a-frame brace will go through the a-frame and the lower brace will go on the outside of the frame. So you will be connected by the lower brace into the upright a-frame supports and attached by the upright a-frame supports into the top support.

4. After assembling the a-frame, stand it up and use the screw to attach every piece of board to every section of the frame heading into the opposite direction. Then position the a-frame so that it is balanced and put in another screw into the braces so it is erected on its own. Now reiterate this procedure for the next a-frame and arrange the a-frames around 9 feet apart so the crossbeam lengthens out to each side by 2½".

5. Use the 4" x 4" x 16' pressure treated lumber as the top cross section and raise it up to so that it sits on top of the frames and go to the other side. Cautiously put up the top cross section so that it sits on the other a-frame and use the a-frame brackets to connect the crossbeam to the a-frames.

6. Use the other set of angle braces and place them on the other sides of the crossbeam positioned down to fasten to the top brace of the a-frame. Now employ the angle brackets to fasten the braces and double check all your fasteners are firmly installed.

7. Now fasten the swing and trapeze eye bolts onto the swing. Just drill a hole on each end around two inches away from the end and then make a next hole 18 inches from there for the trapeze bars. Drill a hole on each end of the angle brace around six inches from the brace and drill the other two holes 18 inches in from there. Now utilize the tape measure to calculate the length and make two more holes 18 inches. wide in the center of the other two. This will give the space for three swings and two trapeze bars.

8. Now put in the eye bolts and hang the swings and trapeze bars. Establish the height of the swing depending on the age of your children. If you want to add better security you can also use a few anchor rods sunk into the earth to secure the swing set into the ground.

Tips and Warnings

* Since the swing will be always exposed to exterior elements like weather and climate conditions It is recommended that you constantly use pressure treated and galvanized wood at all times. Pressure treated wood is specially manufactured to fight off moisture, insects, infestation and rotting so the wood can uphold for centuries to come.

* Because the pressure treated lumber is protected with very potent chemical preservatives you should constantly have on protective gears while using paint or vanish when the job is complete.

* A grown up should always be present to supervise the kids when they are using the swing set. Unforeseen problems may occur.

* Try inviting over a couple friends to assist you on your building project, this will make the work load much less demanding so you can complete the job quicker.

Do it Yourself - Build a Swing Set

Lowes Build