My Studio: A WIP [Archive]

BlueBetween

2007-02-11, 5:08pm

Slight change of plans... We couldn't fit it diagonal in the corner without having to cut down an old lovely rhody tree - so it's going to sit square in the corner facing west. And I decided to change the dimensions to 9X13 or 117 square feet - I loose 3 square feet but it fits better in the space and my stainless table top will fit better at the one end of it. And the contractor doesn't know it yet, but I'm getting two 2x2 skylights for him to install - one on the east side, one on the south side.

site - way in the back, roped off:

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And the new view with some of the bushes and trees and plants cleared... I'm glad it's been sunny and warmish these past two days!

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debkauz

2007-02-11, 8:12pm

Pam!!! Hi girl, how are you! Is this at your new house? I haven't been to wearables for a long, long time so I don't know what's been happening with everyone. I can't wait to see your studio! Kisses to Luke

BlueBetween

2007-02-12, 10:30am

Hi Deb! I can't wait to see it either! I'm waiting for the construction guys to show up - they should be here any time to lay down the footings/foundation/whatevers.

Yes, this is at the new house - I've been here almost a year and almost a year without melting glass! Except for a weekend I tried to set it all up outside on my porch last summer, but it didn't work out - too windy, too sunny... It was good for a couple of hours though. I can't wait to get back to it - so many ideas... Oh I've got a house blog if you want to see the house - it's.... well, lots more work than we thought it would be... so much to do here, it may never get all done. http://cottage-by-the-sea.blogspot.com/

What the heck are you up to???

Crazy Woman

2007-02-12, 1:45pm

Ohhhh...... how exciting. I know just how you are feeling. Congratulations! Keep us posted!

Beast Master

2007-02-12, 1:59pm

Here is my my plan, it will be 10X12 (from a Sunset Garages and Sheds book):
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Let's just hope that it sits a little more straight than that ;-) I'd get sea-sick working in that building :lol:

BlueBetween

2007-02-12, 3:05pm

Let's just hope that it sits a little more straight than that ;-) I'd get sea-sick working in that building :lol:

OMG let's hope! Still waiting for the foundation part - he's late late late.

BlueBetween

2007-02-12, 6:40pm

Not much progress to report. He ran out of concrete - I guess the holes had to be deeper than he thought, once he saw the spot we were putting it on, it's got a little bit of a slope. Tomorrow the holes get filled up and then sit to dry. I think actual building/construction will start on Wednesday. I hope so anyway!

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BlueBetween

2007-02-12, 6:46pm

gnimelf, is this better?! LOL - I just got an add from Summerwood and there was my studio! My sunset book must have gotten the design from them. And we are having it built for half the cost of the Summerwood kit. Yay!

http://www.summerwood.com/products/sheds/sonoma/L/1/detail.html

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Crazy Woman

2007-02-12, 8:13pm

Hang in there.... it will all work out! I

BlueBetween

2007-02-14, 9:48am

Of course we've hit a snag. Old pipes in the ground and no one knows if they are live or not. So now we have to wait for a "locator" to come and give his opinion.

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Maybe some progress in a week or so...

Crazy Woman

2007-02-14, 10:32am

Dagnabit!!! Hang in there!

BlueBetween

2007-02-20, 6:28pm

It's ok, we are back on track! Sort of. Well we are. Just the windows I wanted couldn't be found so I decided to go with double doors. The ones I ordered (NICE!) were so expensive hubby almost choked and keeled over when I told him, so I cancelled that and ordered some slightly less expensive, mucho less attractive glass doors instead... and the guys came today and started building. And OMG it's way higher off the ground than I thought, but then I hadn't realized the land sloped as much as it did... and now it will need a porch. I can't see it yet... yikes, not going the way I thought at all.

Here's a shot, more tomorrow:

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Donna T.

2007-02-20, 6:33pm

Ohh, a porch would be great! When you need a break from beading you could go out and sit in a rocker and think about that next great bead! Yeah, a porch! Two rockers, in case a friend wants to join you.

McDuck

2007-02-20, 10:56pm

Hi PAM! its so good to see you. I bet you cant wait to get into that baby can you? I hope you dont have anymore glitches in building it. I sure miss seeing your beautiful eyecandy!

huggs ,mary

BlueBetween

2007-02-21, 9:15pm

hiya Mary!!! No, I just can't wait! And the progress is SLOW. Today he put the floor down and some 2x4's.... and then left. Maybe more tomorrow, I HOPE!

Donna, that's a great idea, a porch for friends - I'm going to wait til it's done to figure out the porch part. I'm thinking bricks right now... but I can't picture anything really (yet).

Here's today's tiny bit of progress:

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BlueBetween

2007-02-22, 5:50pm

a floor, 4 walls, a space for the door and the start of the roof. Good day! It's so BIG though... here I was thinking cute "little" garden shed. Not really. It's going to be perfect though :)

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Crazy Woman

2007-02-22, 5:52pm

Looking good! Naaaa....... not too big... if you build it ~ you will fill it! Once it's all done it will fit right in.

BlueBetween

2007-02-22, 5:55pm

yeah, I'm thinking... maybe there's room for all of my crafty stuff and I can get all that out of the house and have a guest room again. Maybe!

e. mort

2007-02-24, 9:55am

Too big? No way! Before you know it you will be adding on a bathroom so you never have to leave. :lol: What a little dream studio.

e. mort

2007-02-24, 9:57am

Is this a kit, or are you just building from a set of plans? It looks very well done.

BlueBetween

2007-02-24, 11:10am

Is this a kit, or are you just building from a set of plans? It looks very well done.

Thanks Eric - we have builders building it. hey did our house remodel (old house) several years ago and do a great job. The plans are not very good - they came out of the Sunset Sheds and Garages book - and the buildiner is just kind of doing it his way to make it look my way. More or less. It's taller than the book because the doors are taller, and in the book it was 8x10 and ours is 9x13. This thing is going to be super sturdy - not a home depot shed at all, but pretty close to the same price (except for my glass doors which cost a fortune). They are just doing the outside and then we will insulate and sheetrock it and put a floor in ourselves. Yes, if it only had a bathroom, I could live in it! :) I'm so excited... but no progress yesterday. The doors come monday and I suspect they will finish the roof monday too. I hope!

LAG

2007-02-25, 7:21am

swanseafarm

2007-02-25, 7:24am

Lookin' good, Pam!
:)

BlueBetween

2007-02-25, 10:15am

It is fun to watch the process. Wish we had someone doing my shop. We are doing it all ourselves but it will be rewarding when done. The cabinets are the next step....
I adore your design. You will love having some sort of patio or porch. I had a picnic table near the door of my other shop and it was so handy. Trust me.... your shop will fill up fast. What are your plans for oxy/propane tanks and ventilation??

Yes, I need to think about cabinets too - my old storage system is being used in the basement, so I'll have to come up with something new. We are going to build a 2x4 workbench to put my stainless top on... and then I was thinking of just an ikea armior to store my glass in.

I have an oxycon and everything I need from my old studio except the ventillation - I had to leave it at the old house - but that's ok because it was so loud I didn't love it. This one I'm doing something funky - I have a blower on order from grainger and I bought a $20 galvanized tub to use as my hood rather than gutting out a kitchen hood. Will have to hook all of that up, not sure how it's all going to work out but I thought it would fit the whole garden studio theme ;)

LAG

2007-02-25, 6:08pm

ah ha! my fan is a Grainger also...but I am going to use an $10 range hood over the station not only to trap bad air but I love having the light above my torch.. we put in some type of halogen high power light bulb (I dunno) because of the boro that I do. I really like your idea of the tub.. great idea.

We did get in most of the cabinets today.. Looking so cool.. Even managed to put some stuffs in some already..

I am enjoying watching your progress on that cute shop.. keep showing us..

and where is "near" Seattle? I used to live in Monroe till last September...

BlueBetween

2007-02-25, 10:36pm

Near Seattle is Edmonds, we were in Carnation before that (last year).

Congrats on getting your cabs in! We got some plumbing in today (not too much) have major remodel going on inside the house too. So much to do....

LAG

2007-02-26, 8:45am

What were the results of the pipes you discovered by accident??

BlueBetween

2007-02-26, 12:20pm

oh, we had a locator out and they painted all kinds of lines all over our property and the neighbors (neighbors not too happy) and planted little yellow flags all over... and nothing lead to the pipes so we were good to go. I suspect the pipes were from the original property - there was a main house, a summer house (ours) and a log cabin and these pipes come from the direction of the old main house - so I think that's what it was. No longer in use, as suspected. But we had to make sure before we poured concrete over them.

BlueBetween

2007-02-26, 3:37pm

The doors arrived this morning and the guys are up on the roof now - it's starting to get cute!

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Crazy Woman

2007-02-26, 3:46pm

How exciting for you! Can't wait to see tomorrow's photos.

BlueBetween

2007-02-26, 6:59pm

Oh, but you don't have to wait til tomorrow ;) Though they aren't coming tomorrow so there will be no progress for a few days.

Roof is framed:

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Skylights are framed:

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Sooooo close... but still nothing I can do yet.

BlueBetween

2007-03-05, 4:40pm

the guys are up on the roof hammering shingles! Here's how it looked at their lunch break:

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My skylight holes, these make me happy :)

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And I'm working on putting my vent system together. I got my blower this weekend, it's the grainger 495 CFM blower/fan. This will be my hood, once I cut a hole in it and hang it upside down:

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And these garden brackets are what will hold it up:

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Getting there... maybe this weekend I'll be able to insulate and sheetrock and stuff :)

Dia-T

2007-03-05, 4:44pm

Glad to see they are finally back at it! Love the Bracket idea.
Dia

Dia-T

2007-03-05, 4:45pm

By the way, how loud is that blower? I was looking at it last night online.

BlueBetween

2007-03-05, 4:49pm

I have no idea how loud it is. I'm planning on mounting it in a box outside the building... and am hoping that it won't be too loud from inside... and then maybe painting the box to look like a birdhouse so the neighbors don't have to look at an ugly box sticking out of the wall, though they may object more to the noise. I'll let you know when it's all set up, that was my biggest complaint about my last system - a dual fan kitchen hood - it was LOUD.

BlueBetween

2007-03-05, 6:08pm

And now there are some shingles on! I'm so happy!

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Solana

2007-03-05, 6:23pm

Looking good!!! :)

FlameDancer

2007-03-05, 7:44pm

That is going to be absolutely adorable when you get it finished!!! What are you putting on the outside? Home away from home.,....ahhhhh. Congrats:)

BlueBetween

2007-03-05, 7:53pm

thanks guys :) It's going to have siding to match the house. And maybe a trellis with some flowering vine growing up and over the door... and some sort of porch. I had not been planning a porch - I thought it was going to be right off the ground. So I need to figure out steps and landing. I want brick and am thinking a half circle... but hubby is thinking that sounds complicated. We will see!

e. mort

2007-03-18, 4:43pm

Any updates? I am looking forward to seeing the next step. :)

BlueBetween

2007-03-18, 5:37pm

I am looking forward to seeing the next step. :)

So am I Eric, so am I. They didn't show up at all last week :(

But they said they would be here tomorrow. We also have the electrician coming tomorrow and I'm hoping he can fit my studio in with the rest of the stuff he's doing (rewiring part of the house, we have the old knob and tube stuff and while the bathroom remodel is going on we decided to update that portion of the house since half the walls are open anyway.)

Crossing fingers much progress is made this week. If things aren't up and running by April 1st... well I don't want to even think about it!

BlueBetween

2007-03-20, 1:40pm

the guys are on the roof now finishing up the shingles and putting on the skylights. They haven't started on installing the the door yet though.

I just got back from the hardware store. I picked up door handles, a light for out side (that turns on at dusk) and track lights for inside.

These are my new track lights, only in silver, to hang from the cross support things - one set to direct toward the torch area, another to direct to the other side, the jewelry area.
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The electricains are coming tomorrow to install a wall heater, outlets, lights, switches for the lights and exhaust fan...

And I picked up all the ducting I need to get the exhaust fan hooked up...

it's coming together... slowly, but surely :)

BlueBetween

2007-03-20, 4:34pm

I got my end-cap on the blower:

Step 1:
Gather together blower, 8 inch end cap and a screwdriver. I bought this one from grainger:

Blower,495 CFM,115 V
Shaded Pole Blower, Air Flow @ 0.000 Inch Static Pressure 495 CFM, Speed 1570 , Voltage Rating 115 Volts, Power Rating 225 Watts, Current Rating 3.25 Amps, Frequency 60/50 Hertz, Thermal Protection Auto, Wheel Diameter 6 1/4 Inches, Wheel Width 4 1/4 Inches, Air Flow @ 0.100 Inch Static Pressure 476 CFM
Grainger Item # 4C445

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Step 2:
Unscrew the 4 screws off the round part. Take that piece and trace around it on the top of the end cap. Mark the screw holes.

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Step 3:
Notice there is a lip that bends in and make another circle in between there so that it will fit back in once the hole is cut. Hammer holes into the screw holes with whatever - I used a pointy screw and a screw driver to make my holes. Then I turned it over and hammered it all flat.

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Step 4:
Start a bit of a hole by hammering in that screw a few times and then hammering in a flat screwdriver. Then take the tinsnips and cut away the hole.

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Step 5:
Put the end cap and lip ring thing together and screw back on blower.

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Angela Schoonen

2007-03-20, 4:52pm

Hey Pam;
It's good to see you here. I used to be over on Wet Canvas years ago under a different name and used to admire your jewelry all the while. Glad you're here now!
Make sure to post those pretties you make in the jewelry section here.
Great studio, btw!

BlueBetween

2007-03-20, 5:00pm

Hi Angela, thanks! I haven't made anything in awhile - kinda swamped with the studio thing and the new house remodeling projects... but I can't wait to get back into it!

BlueBetween

2007-03-20, 5:03pm

Some more progress - it's almost ready to stain/paint/put porch on. There is something wrong with the door and I got the wrong kind of handles... so not quite "done" the way I'd hoped it would be, yet.

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Skylights are installed, it will start to dry out now!

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Electrician comes tomorrow :)

Litsayn

2007-03-20, 5:50pm

When your space is done, it is going to be stunning! I am so green with envy!

Solana

2007-03-20, 8:41pm

Woo hoo! Looks great!

swanseafarm

2007-03-21, 7:03am

Pam...I can just imagine how excited you are!
It looks fabulous.

W00t!!
:D

LAG

2007-03-21, 7:24am

fun to watch this happening. good of you to share your excitement....

Dia-T

2007-03-21, 8:11am

Which direction does the air flow on those blowers? In the round out the square or visa-versa?

Love the way your studio is coming together!

BlueBetween

2007-03-21, 8:31am

Thanks everyone - this is SO exciting. But stressfull too - my eye has developed a stress twitch - not good! This needs to finish up soon.

Dia, the round part sucks the air in, the rectangle blows the air out.

This is my "Plan" for it... but I'll share the reality as I go along - I think it will make life easier for so many people down the road just to see it step-by-step - just reading about it is SO confusing, especially if you're like me and you and had no clue which end was what! LOL.

My plan (more or less in this order):

Blower goes outside of building:

1. Cut hole in end cap, unscrew the thingy from the blower fan, stick end cap in between thingy in blower and screw it back on so that I now have something to attach the fan to the duct with. (DONE!)

2. Build a base shelf to hold blower with a rectangle hole in bottom of it for blower to blow air through. Put screen over hole (to keep birds/rodents out), screw blower to shelf, so it goes blower, screen, shelf.

3. Attach round duct to end cap on fan, tape up good and tight.

4. Stick duct through hole in wall, attach blower shelf to wall. Put that expanding foam stuff all around hole/duct to seal up good and tight.

5. Build a wooden box to over the blower and attaches to shelf... to protect blower from weather. Decorate to look like a birdhouse maybe. Or not.

Outside part done... somewhere in between here the electrician will hook up blower to on/off switch?)

Inside part:

1. Cut hole in washtub, insert "duct starter ring", figure out how to attach.

2. Insert 90 degree elbow and tape up good and tight.

3. Screw plant hanger thingys on to washtub for brackets.

4. Attach elbow to duct in wall, tape up good and tight.

5. Screw Brackets to wall.

6. Turn Fan on and See if It Works. :D

BlueBetween

2007-03-21, 4:06pm

The electricians did their rough-in today. My studio has it's own circuit box, outlet boxes, light boxes, an in-wall heater (it will be right at my feet when I'm at the torch!) and switch boxes for the lights and blower. And a light for outside.

This is the corner with the circuit box:
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This is where my workbench will be - the 4 plug box is for the kiln and is on it's own dedicated circut. I'm not sure that was necessary, but that's what the electrician thought was a good idea. One plug above the bench, one below for my oxycon (can't you just see it now?!).

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And my lightboxes for my track lights:
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Kind of boring, huh? But exciting all the same. None of this is powered up though - we need to dig a ditch so they can connect it all to the house power. Soon, I hope.

Litsayn

2007-03-21, 5:43pm

I plan on putting my kiln on its own circut, basically cause it uses amost 15amps all on its own. So I am thinking that is why your electrition did it.
ps my spelling is off tonight.

BlueBetween

2007-03-21, 5:48pm

I'm sure that's why too - I'm glad he was smart enough to think of it - though I don't remember having a problem with my kiln in my last studio and there was nothing special with the wiring there.
And my spelling is always off ;)

Solana

2007-03-21, 5:56pm

It looks like you have the same circuit breaker box I have! My dad ran four 20 amp circuits to my shed. One for the kiln, one for the heater/AC, and the rest for whatever I want! :)

Don't stress out about your new shed! It'll come together soon! Just enjoy watching your new home be built!

We started on mine in October, and I'm just to the mudding and taping stage of the drywall!!! I'm at the mercy of other peoples' schedules though. Whenever my dad and/or mom is free. I do what I can on my own...which is why my goal is May! LOL! :lol:

BlueBetween

2007-03-22, 10:19am

Thanks Karla - I think it's just that they said they would build it in two days... and here it is a month and half later - I thought I'd be melting glass by now! LOL, Impatient IS my middle name.

Today I think I'll (try to) cut a hole in my washtub/hood. And maybe start insulating the walls.

Crazy Woman

2007-03-22, 5:04pm

Looking good! We put most of our outlets up higher like I see some of yours because most of the thingys that use them are placed on cabinets. DH is so smart sometimes :grin:

Today I got my jewelry/silversmithing area so I can at least walk into the room :roll: Progress is always slow, but totally worth it.

Thanks for sharing progress as it goes along.... hang in there... you will love it when it is done!!!!

BlueBetween

2007-03-23, 11:39am

thanks Leslie - isn't it good to have a smart DH! I'm looking forward to getting all this "stuff" out of the house and into the studio - it will be nice to have it out.

The door will get fixed this weekend, we will dig the ditch for the electric line if it's not rainy out, and maybe get started insulating and sheetrocking. All depending on life of course ;)

I've been working on my washtub vent hood. Here's a picture of it so far:

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If you want to see how I put it together (not that interesting or complicated, really, it's here on my site under today's date, March 23rd: http://www.bluebetween.com/studio.htm)

BlueBetween

2007-03-25, 4:35pm

Inside construction began today. Hubby and I built my workbench - the base of it - which will eventually be covered with my stainless steel top. I insulated part of it (extra thick insulation that will hopefully keep the fan noise out of the studio), and he worked on making the support beams "prettier" for me. I'm loving it already :)

http://bluebetween.com/graphics/2007/studio/march25-07.jpg

swanseafarm

2007-03-25, 5:03pm

Pam...you are so clever!

Gotta love your hubby....what a guy!
:love:

:D

AvenueBeads

2007-03-25, 5:37pm

Its looking great! Love watching the progress.

~Joe~

Vicki B.

2007-03-26, 7:32am

Really am enjoying your progress. One of these days........

BlueBetween

2007-03-30, 9:04pm

Thanks Bonnie - yes what a guy! He took the day off today from work to help me :)

Thanks Vicki & Joe!

So, not too much happened all week, but today we made some big progress. I finished insulating and Frank finished the support/cross beam things in the roof and then prepped the ceiling for sheetrocking. Not a very interesting BUT then we got into some good stuff. At the last minute as we were about to cut the holes in the wall for the return-air vents, I got a bright idea. Frank isn't calling it that, but I am. He's more along the lines of "pain in the butt idea", if you get my drift.

Anyway, my idea was this: instead of having the make up air come from the wall behind me while I torch, blowing cool damp air past my head on the way back out of the vent hood, why not have it right under the vent hood itself and duct it under the studio so that it's clean air coming in? Why not? Well, other than the pain-in-the-butt factor, and the more-money factor and the more-work factor... it sounds like a great idea. And so off to Home Debit I went and got all the materials needed. And Frank started cutting holes and putting it together. It's too dark to get a good photo, so I'll share a boring insulated wall one instead. I'm really excited, (when it ever gets done...) it's going to be so GREAT!

http://bluebetween.com/graphics/2007/studio/insulation.jpg

BlueBetween

2007-03-31, 5:02pm

anne071974

2007-03-31, 6:21pm

This is looking brilliant! I've been drooling over every photo you're posting lol

Great idea with the make up air ducts! Glad you mentioned the screening for the little beasties too, wouldn't be fun to be at the torch and see a little face staring at you lmao

BlueBetween

2007-03-31, 7:12pm

That would be wild, hu? LOL. It will also have little louvered vent covers when it's all finished.

Here's a photo looking under. Doesn't it look like a rocket ship? Ready to blast off... :D

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e. mort

2007-03-31, 9:38pm

Things are coming together! Frank has been working hard all day on this and it's almost done. After I built some of the components (cut duct, pieced things together and taped up), I mostly stood around handing things to the poor guy on his back under the studio. Here is how it's looking on the inside so far - these two ducts are the make up air ducts. The hood/fan will be centered between them. Under the studio, they run about 10 feet and have mesh to keep the rodents out.

http://bluebetween.com/graphics/2007/studio/march31-07.jpg

I may be wrong, but I would bring those ducts under the table so that the make up air came up on either side of your torch, that way it would carry it away from your face. You could put little grills in your table top to keep stuff from falling into them.

BlueBetween

2007-03-31, 9:44pm

I may be wrong, but I would bring those ducts under the table so that the make up air came up on either side of your torch, that way it would carry it away from your face. You could put little grills in your table top to keep stuff from falling into them.

Thanks Eric - I *hope* you are wrong - I've found mention of doing this in some of the old safety threads so I think it will be ok. I decided against putting them through the benchtop because I have a huge super-thick stainless top and I didn't want to cut holes in it.

BlueBetween

2007-04-01, 3:04pm

Attached the brackets to my hood - I added the galvanized bars to give it a little more support since I can only get one hole of the hangers to fit... It should work because it's not too heavy, crossing fingers.

Eric, I've got a call into a friend who is in HVAC, because now you have me nervous. Though I still think it *should* work. In one of the safety threads Dale tells someone not to put it on the side of their bench as it will make their flame blow funny... rather to put it behind the flame and under the hood. And in a thread I started, Mike's been offering some good advice and hasn't said it wouldn't work yet... SO... again, crossing fingers.

Anyway, here's my hood so far:

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e. mort

2007-04-03, 1:42pm

BlueBetween

2007-04-03, 2:44pm

Well, my HVAC guy seems to think it will work fine too... but I think the true test will be when we turn it all on. Sure hope it works right!

I didn't like my first hood either - I had a dual fan kitchen hood last time and it was LOUD. This time around the fan is going outside my studio and I hope the loudest thing in there will be my oxycon. I'd like to hear my radio without having to blast it. Still crossing fingers this all works the way I want it to...

BlueBetween

2007-04-08, 6:29pm

Sheetrock going up!

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Solana

2007-04-08, 6:41pm

Woo hoo! Isn't it exciting to see how much it starts to look like a house once the sheetrock is installed!? Can't wait to see more pictures!

LAG

2007-04-08, 7:12pm

I hate taping and mud work. Sure hope you hired it out! But have to admit when we got an estimate, we figured we could buy a lot of extras by doing all the sheetrock, taping and mud work ourselves....

BlueBetween

2007-04-08, 8:05pm

It really is Karla - I can picture how it's all going to look now!

Kay, I wish we were hiring this part out. We are going to try to do it ourselves - calling it good practice for the master bathroom walls that will be going up soon too.

Solana

2007-04-08, 8:10pm

Do it yourselves! :) I did and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Unfortunately, I ran into a little snafu of my corner bead separating from the walls (they were glued down) and cracking the dried mud (it was extremely hot that day and the adhesive alone couldn't hold the bead in place), but it's nothing a few nails and a new coat of spackle can't fix. :)

BlueBetween

2007-04-08, 8:15pm

thanks for the vote of confidence Karla :) Hubby thinks he's going to pick up all the supplies tomorrow and that I'll have the ceiling done before the week is out. I'll be surprised if that happens, but who knows! The ceiling is a real pain with the hip roof and skylights and beams - it's like a crazy quilt up there. But it will be good when it's done.

Solana

2007-04-09, 7:47pm

Can't wait to see your work! :) I'm sure you'll do a great job!

Cat

2007-04-09, 10:08pm

Wow - The washtub "vent hood" is a brilliant idea!!

Litsayn

2007-04-10, 7:25am

Your space is going to be so wonderful!!!! Congrats and thanks for sharing your progress!

Crazy Woman

2007-04-10, 8:32am

Looking good! :smile: We did the first 60 sheets :shock: of drywall and then hired out the other 40 plus mudding, taping and texturizing. For us, it was worth the $$'s because we were spending waaaay too much time and wanted to get it done! Whole garage/studio is 25' x 40' and I think we would still be mudding the drywall instead of working in the studio!

BlueBetween

2007-04-10, 8:45am

Oh my, Leslie - that's a LOT of sheetrock! I don't blame you for hiring out at all - I think that was SMART. We've only gone through 8 sheets for the ceiling and one and a half walls so far. And one wall is mostly all doors so that's good.

Thanks Litsayn - I can't wait! After the walls and ceiling (and picking paint colors) I've got floors (I'm going to do them myself - tile) and then we should be just about ready to go (aside from hanging the vent hood and fan - still have to do that.)

Thanks Cat! LOL, I thought it was pretty clever at the time, I sure hope it works!

Karla, thanks - I would think it would be ok, after all the guys who did our last house (big remodel) all seemed stoned while they were doing it... so how hard can it be? At least it's a pretty small space.

BlueBetween

2007-04-11, 12:42pm

I've decided on my colors for the studio (interior walls/floor) - it all revolves around this necklace. Beach sand floors, seafoamy walls... silver bench top, lights, etc... not sure what color to paint the ceiling though, maybe a lighter shade of seafoamy blue.

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Crazy Woman

2007-04-11, 12:57pm

I like your choice of colors..... My floor (laminate) is a warm brown.... cabinets are seafoam.... walls a creamy off-white! Great minds think alike!

Litsayn

2007-04-11, 1:40pm

If it was MY space... I would go for one the sandy colors. Not too light or too dark, right in the middle....

BlueBetween

2007-04-11, 1:58pm

Leslie, you got so lucky with those seafoam cabinets!

Litsayn, yes, sandy floor, not too light or dark, and those wood beams running overhead... and then to find the right color for the walls - that's hard, I know. I painted my livingroom 4 times in one month until I got just the right shade. My husband thought I'd gone off the deep end for sure. LOL

wendybritt

2007-04-11, 3:20pm

If you are looking at Benjamin Moore colors - let me know the options and I will get professional (8" x 8" or 6" x 9") paint samples sent to you.

BlueBetween

2007-04-11, 6:17pm

oooh thank you Wendy - do you work for Ben Moore? BM is my paint company of choice, except I did the livingroom in Ralph Lauren's Devonshire -their paint is nice too. I'm painting my bedroom soon and have two of the big paint samples - I'm trying to decide between Ben Moore's covington blue and homestead green. I'm thinking the cb for the bedroom and maybe the hg for the studio - but I haven't gotten out there to see what it looks like in that light yet. And then I'll need something lighter for the ceiling. So much to do...

Holaday

2007-04-11, 8:24pm

... so how hard can it be?

Oh, boy!!! Those are some famous last words for sure.

I am checking daily on your progress. Very interested to watch it all come together. Your color choices and the jewelry from which they are drawn are especially interesting. I look forward to seeing the final "product". Truly a work of art so far.

Carol

wendybritt

2007-04-11, 8:33pm

PM'd you about paint samples

BlueBetween

2007-04-19, 1:18pm

Oh, boy!!! Those are some famous last words for sure.

I am checking daily on your progress. Very interested to watch it all come together. Your color choices and the jewelry from which they are drawn are especially interesting. I look forward to seeing the final "product". Truly a work of art so far.

Carol

LOL - I've decided I'm not sanding and I'm going to make the walls look old-world plastered/textured. Call me a wimp, I don't care!

I was supposed to be mudding this week, but I've had major computer issues that have taken all my time. Oh well, maybe next week.

Here's a photo - last piece of sheetrock went up and the hole for the vent pipe got cut in - Yay!!!

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anne071974

2007-04-19, 5:41pm

It's looking great! It's amazing how much bigger it looks with the sheetrock all on!

Crazy Woman

2007-04-19, 6:49pm

Wow! Really coming along. I wanted to post that the color that I used for the wall is Kwal 8240 ~ windrift... wonderful soft.... in semi-gloss. reflects lots of light. Hardly ever need them on.

Love watching the progress.

BlueBetween

2007-04-21, 7:59pm

Leslie, what brand is that? Now I have to go look at your studio again and see what it looks like again :)

Here is the progress we made today - almost all taped and somewhat texturized (more to do, but I can barely move my arm!) It was actually more fun than I thought it would be - I kinda felt like I was prepping a great big canvas to paint - I love to paint textured canvases - so this is turning out like that. Not sure what that means when it comes to painting it though - I'm going to want to glaze it!

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Crazy Woman

2007-04-22, 5:55am

It's KWAL paint. I love the texturized look. I think we might have done that also if we didn't hire it out.

Hope that arm is feeling better today!

lunesse

2007-04-22, 6:40pm

off whites and whites are good for studios, so that your sense of color isn't skewed by the walls. =)

this is going to be great when it is done...it's already great! =)

beadgirl

2007-05-18, 11:47am

Hi Pam,
Wow!! That is a serious studio. Can we see the paint too?
Thanks for the great pictures.
Lol, MarieAnn

BlueBetween

2007-05-18, 12:20pm

hi MarieAnn, yup, I'm still priming. I got sick and it all stopped, but soon, I hope. The deck/steps are almost finished. Maybe some progress will get made this weekend... send some good working vibes ;)

BlueBetween

2007-05-20, 5:28pm

ok, a little progress - steps are almost done, priming is almost done.

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beadgirl

2007-05-21, 6:03am

Nice steps and more than alittle progress. Priming should be easier than the wall texture. Glad you are felling better. MarieAnn

BlueBetween

2007-05-22, 2:41pm

more progress. Priming done. First coat of paint (a light icy color, I'm going to put some darker glazes on next). Bottom step is done. I'm really tired.

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and this is kind of what I'm working towards with my walls, only plaster not wood:

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BlueBetween

2007-05-23, 5:11pm

<sigh>

the glazing thing didn't work out. The blue I then picked is a little... dark. I think it will be ok once the trim is on though, and I may have to paint the ceiling again a lighter shade. Or maybe I'll glaze the ceiling with white. hmn... Anyway, here it is, a foggy ocean blue (aka bluebetween blue) and on the bench are the sand colored tiles I'm going to put in next.

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Crazy Woman

2007-05-23, 5:41pm

Well, I like it!!!! Anything blue can't be bad!!

BlueBetween

2007-05-23, 6:20pm

this one is a little more true to color - it's not at all aqua/turquoise like the above shot.

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Solana

2007-05-26, 7:40pm

Looking good! The blue looks great! I can't wait to see it with the tiles on the desk and the trim!

BlueBetween

2007-05-28, 9:40am

ahhhhh, THIS was satisfying:

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waiting for the cement to dry now, will try to grout tomorrow. :)

BlueBetween

2007-05-28, 7:02pm

hubby has been working all day on my fan box - it's not pretty, but it's almost done! He's putting the three sides on now.

71721

Getting close!!!

BlueBetween

2007-05-28, 8:25pm

and here it is "done":

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Donna T.

2007-06-03, 3:55pm

It's really coming together! It's going to be so cute when finished. I love the picket fence and the flowering tree right next to it. Kinda english cottage style.
I am sooo jealous. Someday......

BlueBetween

2007-06-03, 8:49pm

Thanks Donna :) That's the feeling I'm going for, Pac NW meets English Cottage LOL!

Well this is BIG, we got the outside painted today. And the grout is done, just needs the final cleanup and then sealing...

And next on the list is interior trim, hanging my hood, punching a hole for my propane line and then getting electrical back out to turn it all on and hang some lights and see if it all works. And THEN melting glass. Getting really close, I can almost see it now. I really can :)

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Crazy Woman

2007-06-04, 11:02am

Your studio is adorable. Can't wait to see you in there and melting glass!

BlueBetween

2007-06-04, 1:13pm

Your studio is adorable. Can't wait to see you in there and melting glass!

thanks :) And me too - getting close now! Should be done in time for school vacation and then I'll have no time to myself to get out there. Just kidding, have the kid signed up for summer camp just so I can have time to make beads. Mom needs to play too ;)

cadia

2007-06-04, 4:23pm

Looking really swwwweeeeet !
A great place to "hide out"!!

BlueBetween

2007-06-04, 4:44pm

Thanks Sally! Great news, hubby just called and the electrician is coming out to finish next Tuesday! So in one week.... I COULD BE MELTING GLASS!

Laurie L

2007-06-05, 5:22pm

Looking good !!! I have been following your studio progress. I bet you cant wait to get in there and actually melt some glass.

Enjoy your new studio.

Mike H

2007-06-06, 8:28pm

You're almost there Pam! Its lookin' Great, hope ya get to torch Soon!

BlueBetween

2007-06-07, 10:00am

thanks Mike and Laurie! Yes, so close!

We missed a little thing on the fan box - we have to drill a hole or two and put some screen over the holes so the fan motor can have some air. No biggie.

This weekend we have to dig the ditch for the electrical and hang the hood and drill those holes... that's probably all there will be time for, but if all that gets done... I'll be happy :)

beadgirl

2007-06-10, 4:38am

Dig a ditch for electrical, doe not sound fun! Oh goodie electrical you must be very happy, good luck. Lol, MarieAnn

BlueBetween

2007-06-10, 9:29am

Here's the ditch! Hubby dug it all day yesterday in the pouring rain. What a guy! Today we are going to hang the hood and start the baseboard/trim.

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ChristyPhelps

2007-06-10, 10:07am

Hey wait - I know this is a stupid question, but I just noticed this thread started in February. You are all green leaves and grass there in February? I thought it was a cold, snowy place...

BlueBetween

2007-06-10, 10:50am

Hey wait - I know this is a stupid question, but I just noticed this thread started in February. You are all green leaves and grass there in February? I thought it was a cold, snowy place...

OH no! Not the Seattle area - we might get snow once or twice a winter and everything shuts down because we have no snowplows or anything. It normally doesn't get below freezing and we get lots of rain so things stay pretty green most of the year. The Evergreen State... or something.

BlueBetween

2007-06-10, 9:34pm

ooooh I have a bunch of progress to report - it's so exciting - we are almost done!

The ditch was finished and is ready for the electricians:
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Most of the trim was done, still have to do around the skylights and some quarterround around the beams. And paint the trim. This blue is not true to life:
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I painted the trim outside -the corners of the shed - I think it looks a lot better like this:
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AND THE BEST PART!!! My hood is hung! And this blue is closer to the right color blue. It's lighter in the morning though.
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:grin: so excited, it's been a long time we are almost there!

beadygirl

2007-06-10, 11:04pm

WOW!
=D>

The Pear Door

2007-06-11, 4:20am

Call the Copy Police cause I am stealing your hood idea! Beautiful!

LAG

2007-06-11, 6:24am

BlueBetween

2007-06-11, 6:27am

Call the Copy Police cause I am stealing your hood idea! Beautiful!

Have at it! In fact, I've seen it copied a couple of places since I posted the idea way back - some people get it going faster than I did. (But don't blame me if it doesn't work, I haven't tested it yet! LOL) You will find pictures of it almost step-by-step on my site here: http://www.bluebetween.com/studio.htm

Ace Hardware is where I got mine, if you can't find any at your usual spots - you can order it online from Ace and have it shipped to one of their stores and avoid shipping (if there is one close to you) and HD has some, but different shapes and sizes it looks like. But now is the right time of year to get them because people use them for planters and party drink holders.

BlueBetween

2007-06-11, 6:29am

It is turning out sooo cute. You must be excited. Rain in Seattle? Ha! But you're gonna want a gutter over that porch me thinks...!! I plan to have a little patio on my studio. It is fun to have someone visit and just sit around

Yes, a gutter and a little patio and path up to the porch and some lattice skirting around the bottom and a trellis with honeysuckle growing up the right side :) And a potting bench around the corner!

BlueBetween

2007-06-11, 9:22pm

and now I have propane.... tomorrow I get power!

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BlueBetween

2007-06-12, 11:11am

Have power!!!! The lights are great, the heater is great... the outlets are great... but the fan... SEEMS REALLY WEAK. What could be wrong do you think??? I'm going to set the torch up and see if the flame even moves....

here are my light pictures at least:

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swanseafarm

2007-06-12, 11:50am

Looks fabulous!

Do you think maybe your hood is up too high and that is why the fan seems weak? I'm just guessing from looking at your pictures. Also, I believe the elbow joint slows the pull of air through the ductwork.

BlueBetween

2007-06-12, 12:09pm

well... it's a short run and only one elbow, so I think that should be ok -the fan is right on the other side of the wall. But I don't know - I'm not an expert! And the hood is actually a little lower than what Dale had suggested, but I think I could lower it a little more if I really had to. Yikes. I'm going to go light some incense now and see what happens to the smoke. I wish I wasn't here all by myself and someone could come over and tell me it's fine!

BlueBetween

2007-06-12, 3:37pm

so it failed the incense test. And I added some plastic baffles to test that theory - it didn't help. And the hood is 24 inches from the table top, 18 inches away from the top of my torch...

I'm wondering, especially after a visit from an engineer-type friend, if the pipes should have been 6 inches instead of 8 inches around. If so, I have to completely start over :( So bummed right now. ](*,)

ChristyPhelps

2007-06-12, 3:47pm

Try opening the door a little bit first. Maybe you don't have enough of a draft going... and turn the torch on - remember heat rises... hope, hope, hope it's as simple as that!

BlueBetween

2007-06-12, 3:52pm

Door is WIDE open, it's a nice day out. Plus I've got the two make up vents and I can feel some air being pulled from them, just barely. The incense smoke just wafted around and eventually went up - it just took it's time, sometimes taking a detour out past the hood. But without the fan on, the whole place filled with incense smoke, so it was doing something of a job - just not good enough I don't think.

Judi_B

2007-06-12, 4:03pm

As I recall you put some screen on the exhaust side of the fan box to keep critters out. Any chance the screen is too fine and hindering the exhaust?

beadgirl

2007-06-12, 5:21pm

What about the box that the fan motor is in, is there enough air? Is the motor overheating ? Is anything restricting the fans movement?
Maybe it is something simple.. Good luck Pam.
Have you tried closing one vent or closing both and have make up come in from behind you.
Thinking positive thoughts for you, MarieAnn

BlueBetween

2007-06-12, 8:13pm

Thank you guys for helping brainstorm what the problems might be.

The screen is not that fine - it will keep mice out, but not bugs - the air is gushing out of the exhaust part - no problems there. The fan box has 3 drill holes (about 2.5 inches each) with the same screen over them so that the fan motor has air.

There is way more than enough makeup air. I even tried shutting the door to see if that improved things, it doesn't.

The fan is humming and working and sounds just fine... it's just not enough suction.

There doesn't seem to be any leaks anywhere in the vent pipes. Everything is screwed and taped.

I'm wondering if because the run is so short, maybe the vent size should be smaller? But I have no clue obviously.

And I have no idea what else to check. :(

beadgirl

2007-06-13, 5:38am

Pam,
Can you call the manufacturer or where you purchased the fan from?
What model is it; looks like a Dayton Shaded pole blower.
I know for a fact that www.Grainger.com has engineers to talk to and the web site gives on specific models spec sheets print those out and call them.
I was going to modify the duct size on my fan and was told not to because it would not be efficient. MarieAnn

swanseafarm

2007-06-13, 6:29am

BlueBetween

2007-06-13, 6:53am

MarieAnn, thank you that is exactly what I'll do, go straight to the experts. <<SMOOCHES>>

Bonnie, what do *I* know, I'm a lampworker/jewelry designer, not a ventilation system designer! LOL. I'm calling grainger as soon as I can.

LAG

2007-06-13, 7:07am

I asked my dyi husband about your fan set up and he seems to think that a squirrelfan setup might not be appropriate for your lampworking setup. Ask the "experts" about cubic foot per minute. Mine is 600 cfm, has baffles that close automatically when not in use and cost $120. And I do boro besides softglass. Good luck.. oh and he got the fan at Grainger.... name is Dayton Guard mounted exhaust fan and it is a 10 inch model #4C658A. Larry Brickman says this fan works great.... Now I just have to have it reinstalled in my newest studio. It is what I had in the old studio in Monroe and worked great.... I also had a hood (no fan) above my torch to help trap fumes and guide them into the fan which we place above and in front of my torch....

Elegance_1

2007-06-13, 8:16am

I don't know how you can sleep at night! You must be getting soo excited for all this to be finished so you can start to play!

It looks really nice!

BlueBetween

2007-06-13, 1:47pm

Dale M.

2007-06-14, 7:34am

OK! I just spoke to Grainger technician and HE thinks that 8 inch pipes are too big and that I need 6 inch or maybe even 4 inch to create the static pressure that would give me the cfms the fan is capable of.

So now what to do. I wonder if, since I have the hole in the wall... if I can somehow have a 6 inch pipe go up through my 8 inch pipe and the 8 inch will just be for show and to fill up the hole in my wall... sealing off the bottom in the hood and connecting to the fan... hmn.

Cripes... what to do now.

Odd that Grainger technician would say that.... As static pressure increases, actual CFM flow usually decreases....

73921

Their specs seem to indicate as static pressure goes UP efficiency (CFM) goes DOWN....

Also consider your feeling the pressure of exhaust in about a 6 inch square area (36 sq in).... IF you closed down intake (face opening ) to same 6 inch square opening you will feel equivalent section at face opening...... The further you move away from face opening the volume of air flow decreases .... So at 6 inches away from face opening you will feel about 25% of suction you feel at actual face opening... Since you are feeling at a space of about 3 square feet (full face opening), you will feel a very small percent of the air flow on order of maybe 5 percent (slight draft)... Remember this is intake suction feel compaired to exhaust pressure feel.

You may want to visit this site... Look at "Hoods"paragraph and more specifically descriptions for figure 4...

http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Topics/AtoZ/Ventilation/default.asp#Hoods

Dale

BlueBetween

2007-06-14, 7:58am

Thank you Dale, I know, I'm sitting here getting all kinds of opposite advice from many sources and I don't know what to do.

This is my fan:
Blower,495 CFM,115 V
Shaded Pole Blower, Air Flow @ 0.000 Inch Static Pressure 495 CFM, Speed 1570 , Voltage Rating 115 Volts, Power Rating 225 Watts, Current Rating 3.25 Amps, Frequency 60/50 Hertz, Thermal Protection Auto, Wheel Diameter 6 1/4 Inches, Wheel Width 4 1/4 Inches, Air Flow @ 0.100 Inch Static Pressure 476 CFM
Grainger Item # 4C445

73465

bottom of hood is 24 inches off table, 18 inches off top of torch. The make up air is in those two white vents in the wall under the hood. The door was also wide open.

and the box outside is this, with 3 extra airholes for the motor to breathe - they are not in this photo though.

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BlueBetween

2007-06-14, 8:02am

and I must be reading your chart wrong? It looks (to me, and I don't know this stuff) that 8 inch pipe gives 265 CFM? That can't be right?

BlueBetween

2007-06-14, 8:15am

Their specs seem to indicate as static pressure goes UP efficiency (CFM) goes DOWN....

Also consider your feeling the pressure of exhaust in about a 6 inch square area (36 sq in).... IF you closed down intake (face opening ) to same 6 inch square opening you will feel equivalent section at face opening...... The further you move away from face opening the volume of air flow decreases .... So at 6 inches away from face opening you will feel about 25% of suction you feel at actual face opening... Since you are feeling at a space of about 3 square feet (full face opening), you will feel a very small percent of the air flow on order of maybe 5 percent (slight draft)... Remember this is intake suction feel compaired to exhaust pressure feel.

You may want to visit this site... Look at "Hoods"paragraph and more specifically descriptions for figure 4...

http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Topics/AtoZ/Ventilation/default.asp#Hoods

Dale

OK, I think the fan is working just fine, exhaust is strong and when I did what the tech suggested, which was block part of the hood vent opening to see if the pressure increased... (and he said he had no specs for this type of application, so he was only guessing himself) I used a hard piece of plastic sheet to block it and it sucked the sheet to the top of the hood and held it there all by itself just fine.

So perhaps it's working as it should, but the fact remains that if you light a stick of incense, it just wafts around and eventually goes up the hood, sometimes taking a detour past the side of the hood and beyond.

I can't imagine this is good. And I don't know what to do to fix it.

Dale M.

2007-06-14, 8:25am

and I must be reading your chart wrong? It looks (to me, and I don't know this stuff) that 8 inch pipe gives 265 CFM? That can't be right?

You are reading chart wrong.... The 0.800 in SP number is NOT duct diameter, it is the calculated or measured value of STATIC PRESSURE (measured in inches of water) or "resistance" to flow, in other words as static pressure goes up, (nearer to bottom of chart) air flow efficiency (CFM) is reduced ....

In theory, reducing size of duct will increase static pressure .... Duct size and design (size, length and number of turns) should be inverse to SP numbers, so as duct sizes increases, SP should decrease...

Dale

BlueBetween

2007-06-14, 9:44am

In theory, reducing size of duct will increase static pressure .... Duct size and design (length and number of turns) should be inverse to SP numbers, so as duct sizes increases, SP should decrease...

Dale

Yes, I believe that is what the tech guy at granger said, if I go to 6 inch pipes it will increase static pressure - he made it sound like a good thing. Perhaps he was just anxious to get me off the phone.

My vent pipe run is not long, have only one 90 degree turn, in THEORY this should be working like a charm.

so... any idea at all about what could be wrong?

ChristyPhelps

2007-06-14, 9:58am

Another dumb question, but looking at the pics, could the fact that the vent is exhausting DOWN from the fan restrict the flow?

BlueBetween

2007-06-14, 10:01am

thanks christy, no question is dumb. I don't know the answer, I just didn't want rain to get into it.

Dale M.

2007-06-14, 10:18am

Another dumb question, but looking at the pics, could the fact that the vent is exhausting DOWN from the fan restrict the flow?

Direction of exhaust is not part of problem , any restrictions in system would be same no matter what direction exhaust pointed as long as it is not up against any restrictions (birds nest!!!). Its a non issue...

Dale

BlueBetween

2007-06-14, 10:21am

no bird's nest.

BlueBetween

2007-06-14, 4:05pm

ok, I did this to my hood. The incense smoke now goes straight up, even if not very quickly or strongly, but it doesn't waft around any more at least. So I'm going to give it a try and see if I get a headache or not - I don't know how else to figure out if it's safe or not. How anti-climatic, huh? I'm kinda bummed.

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beadgirl

2007-06-14, 5:53pm

Hey Pam,
Talked with grainger today and they did not want to put the engineer on the phone to answer questions and suggested I find a exhaust company to figure this info out!
So I reworded my question to figure out how this info was gathered. What did the engineers use??
The first item on the tech specks is the fan working without any duct...NONE at all.
They could not tell me what size duct work was used with any of these measurements that are listed.
I have gotten conflicting answers from ywo techs one said one thing and the other said the opposite.
Best wishes; sorry for not helping at all. MarieAnn

BlueBetween

2007-06-14, 8:58pm

Thanks MarieAnn, it's hard because we are not (most of us) at all familiar with any of this equipment and the mechanics behind how it works. I think it's pretty amazing we get as far as we do and thank goodness for husbands who have a clue and want to help. I was so proud of myself for building this thing mostly all by myself (aside from the fan box) but then it didn't work. Oh well. It's working better with the "baffle" and I'm going to try to melt some glass tomorrow and see what happens. I hope it's ok, but if it's not, I guess I'll have to get a more powerful fan. Or something. Once it's done, and done right, I can forget about it and get to work creating - won't that be nice :)

beadgirl

2007-06-15, 7:02am

BlueBetween

2007-06-15, 7:08am

Want to post on your progress with this please.
And by the way there are several people with this same issue, hellow moon glow and a few others that I have read.
Did we get the wrong type of fans??
MarieAnn

It sounds like hellomoonglow has a super powerful fan - it sucks her matches right up the vent! So I don't think that is HER problem.

I'm wondering if it's the washtub. But you aren't doing a washtub design, are you?

There is a question as to whether or not my makeup air vents in front of my torch are causing a problem, but I do think if my fan was stronger that really wouldn't be an issue...

I'm thinking about getting a more powerful fan.

LAG

2007-06-15, 7:19am

BlueBetween

2007-06-15, 8:15am

One thing I have noticed is the location of your fresh air intake vents. The air that is taken in will come from the air that you exhaust out and there is the possibility that you will recycle all this. I have been taught that your recovered air should always be behind you. The metal "house" you put up is a great idea. In lieu of all that you have done already, I think I would have done the same thing.
But in all, your studio is coming along and it looks like you are about ready to "hit it"... Getting it organized is actually the fun part now....

The air intakes run under the shed and away from the contaminated air by about 15 feet. I spent too much money on that idea... but I still think, if that fan was more powerful... it would probably work. (But what do I know?)

And thanks - I'm moving my beading table out there this morning. In the rain, but I don't care ;)

BlueBetween

2007-06-15, 8:17am

My husband is now wondering if we back the hood right up to the wall if that will be better than having that sheet of metal (it would look better, but I don't know if it will work better - then the hood is a few more inches back from my torch.

I think no matter what I'm going to need a more powerful fan.

Deb Hopeful Journeys

2007-06-15, 8:33am

I don't see why your design isn't working. I think you are right that you might need a more powerful fan.

I hope that you figure it out. I'm sure you are at your wits end by now.

Hugs,

Dale M.

2007-06-15, 10:02am

Several random thoughts...... Is there something sucked up into fan, piece of paper or plastic or rag, from construction...

Most fan characteristics are theoretical.... Engineering theory on fan efficiency... Only way to judge efficiency in vent system is actual on-site testing.

Also I think hood and new back baffle (I like the idea) should be closer to wall... I never liked your make up air concept but that was what MIKE seemed to think would work.... I always thought it should have been in bench top, UNDER flame...

Also if you are doing incense test it should not be from bench top.... It should be up higher in area where you are actually working glass in flame or up in actual area of combustion plume...

Dale

BlueBetween

2007-06-15, 2:12pm

Holaday

2007-06-15, 2:27pm

BlueBetween,
I hear your frustration! and I sure can empathize. I faced similar frustration when designing my exhaust system. So much expert advice and much that was contradictory. I was told by several helpful folks to hire a company to design and install the "right" system. Three different "experts" came to my studio (after I first explained on the phone what the size of the project would be) and more or less told me... "you design it, I will build it". How helpful was that? Not! From much reading of the ISGB forum and some direct help from several folks there, I finally settled on the design of my system. It has a 450 cfm fan, and it does pass the smoke and incense test, but if I had it to do over, I would design it differently (now that I know a bit more from direct experience in my own studio). On one of these forums/threads I saw a photo of a system that is so pretty it almost could pass for sculpture. Most important of all, it appears really efficient for the purpose. Your studio is so beautiful.. the colors and design so appealing.. but the wash tub? Not so much.

I am in no way an expert, and you have had plenty of conflicting opinions from real "experts" already, but here is my 2 cents anyway: Before replacing the fan and duct, I would scrap the tub and replace it with something smaller and more streamlined in design. Plus... everything I've read says the make-up air should come from behind you, or from below the flame on your bench. It seems the nice baffle you installed may have improved the capture of the fumes, but perhaps blocks the replacement air flow.

One thing you can do that is safer than waiting to see if you get chest pains or a headache after some time at the torch, is to purchase a carbon monoxide detector for your studio. I think the proper place to install this is at the level you are working ...not the ceiling (as for a smoke detector) or down low (as for a propane leak detector).

I am now facing similar issues with my expensive DSLR camera and the images it produces. Lots of expert opinion, all of it interesting, but no one "right" fix yet. Helpful advice has pointed to everything from sensor problem (very expensive fix), to a lens problem (very expensive lens), to operator problems (so much to learn, this could be it), to "workflow" problems (????), to software issues.... the list goes on and I have been spinning with all the possible "solutions". I just spent a bundle on a new camera body and now I am almost afraid to hook it all up and give it a try. If the problem still exists... lots of time and $ spent and no closer to a solution. Sound familiar?

I watch this thread every day, hoping to see the final results of your project and to hear that you are happily (and safely) making beautiful beads again.

Carol

Dale M.

2007-06-15, 3:16pm

Sorry Dale, thought it was you, but I'm sure it was Mike then. The back baffle thing takes care of any issues with that anyway... so if it turns out that's a problem, at least I've got an easy solution there.

I just spent about an hour and a half out there making beads (Yay!) and did not notice any odors or headache or anything, don't know if that short amount of time would prove anything though. One good thing, I did NOT notice the propane smell when I bleed my propane hose - and that's a good thing - I remember with my old hood I would smell it when I cleared it out.

SO maybe it's working just fine. I think I'd like to move it back closer to the wall though so there is more work space.

Ok... Lets be cautiously optimistic that it seems to be working.... Vague comment, yes, until system is proven....

Also about CO detectors, here is interesting read...

http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=426746

I dont think I want to put a lot of faith in CO detector for immediate warning of impending doom at studio bench. IT seem it is NOT the answer for this particular application... Its better on hallway of house and to protect you while sleeping or when house may be "closed" up during winter weather...

Dale

Holaday

2007-06-16, 9:06am

Dale,
Thank you for the information and the link to the very detailed post on the question of using a CO monitor. Certainly much more specific to our use than any information I could find when I was researching the idea last year.

"Consider using a CO Alarm with a digital readout, positioned in the breathing zone. If there is a ventilation hood, the CO Alarm would be placed where one would then bonk their head on it, if one tries to position their face over the torch body." quote from post by Padre

Interesting that I worked out for myself the right one to buy (digital read-out) and the right place to set it (in my immediate breathing zone). I have never seen it move off "O" so I feel fairly certain my ventilation system is working. Of course it first passed the smoke and incense tests, and I haven't developed any chest pains or headaches after 5 hours of working (about my limit). It is always possible that the CO monitor was a waste of money. It seemed like worthwhile investment given the information I had at the time.

Carol

BlueBetween

2007-06-22, 8:54am

Well, we are just about done. I need some storage, the trim needs painting still, and the walls are too bare, but it's workable. The hood is working, but I no longer like it with the baffle, so when I get around to it, I will probably find something easier on the eyes. Or something. But it seems to be working and that is the most important thing for now.

She even has a skirt:

74868

My lampwork side:

74869

My beading side:

74870

swanseafarm

2007-06-22, 9:01am

Fabulous!
Well done. Thankyou for sharing all your adventures in building a studio from the ground up. It's been wonderful and full of excellent information and ideas.

:)

ChristyPhelps

2007-06-22, 9:53am

Still wondering if there is any reason why you couldn't mount the fan directly to the hole that the vent goes through? Keep the scoop & hood, just eliminate the middle man. Mine goes dirctly to the outside with no vent hose and it works great. I just tried to take a pic for you, but the Nikon is comatose and the Canon is a PIA I haven't really learned yet...

BlueBetween

2007-06-22, 10:10am

Thanks Bonnie!

Christy, do you mean mount the fan right on top of the washtub? I wanted the fan outside to eliminate noise and also I think the fan is ugly and I don't want to look at it. And it is less than 2 feet away from my hood as it is, it really SHOULD work fine outside (I think). And with the baffle, it IS working. I just don't like the baffle - the way it looks or how it takes up so much space on my work top or how it makes it all feel closed in. Hope you figure out your camera soon or that your other one wakes up ;)

ChristyPhelps

2007-06-22, 10:53am

no, I mean keep the fan outside, but mount it directly to the wall. Mine's a diffeerent kind, but you'll get the drift: (can't guarantee how the pics will show and I didn't clean up the mess)

LAG

2007-06-23, 7:39am

no, I mean keep the fan outside, but mount it directly to the wall. Mine's a diffeerent kind, but you'll get the drift: (can't guarantee how the pics will show and I didn't clean up the mess)

This is an awesome setup!! It is what I had in my first studio, and am striving for in the new one. And as long as I had a window open behind me, it work extremely well!!! Even with the boro.... There is a baffle on the fan to shut out the air when not in use.....

And that light setup is to die for!!! Yup Yup Yup.....

BlueBetween

2007-06-23, 8:31am

If I were to do that, I'd need a non-curved tub/hood that can go right up against the wall. Thanks for posting - it looks like a good idea.

kentaymom

2007-06-24, 7:14am

If you really like the look of the washtub (which I do!) and want to try that setup you could cut the tub in half and mount it to the wall. It might not be deep enough though.

Ventilation problems aside, I love love love your studio!!! It looks like such a happy place to be. Mine is all particle board walls and concrete floors. Not very inspirational! LOL! Someday I'll get around to making it Pretty, but right now I'm sharing with my DH.

BlueBetween

2007-06-24, 9:27pm

That's a good idea Staci - if I find a bigger washtub, it could work. And thank you, I love it too - I got to spend some time in there today making beads and it was SO nice, worth the wait even :)

Diane (clarus)

2007-06-27, 10:52am

You know, I thought the idea for the washtub was a good one, but apparently it does have some challenges. What if you were to fabricate out of sheet metal a piece that would attach to the back side of the hood and fold down so it covers the back wall (therefore sealing all areas of the upper back part), and then use plexiglass on the sides coming as far forward as possible. That way the hood would still stick out plenty far enough from the wall to be effective for proper ventilation, but you'd actually have more work room and it would look more open with the plexiglass. I fabricated my hood out of sheet metal and found it wasn't that hard to cut and bend. Then I attached the pieces that couldn't be folded together with foil tape.

Good luck - your studio is wonderful; I've enjoyed following the progress!

Fritter

2007-07-02, 3:20pm

Hi!

I've been reading your thread with great interest, as I'm new to beadmaking and looking to configure a safe space to work in. :) I really like your studio space!

My dad is a professional engineer who designs a lot of HVAC systems (laboratories, hospitals,... toothpaste factories!). Anyway, I recently picked his brain about ventilation for a workspace, figuring he would have a vested interest in making sure no harm came to his daughter and grandkids. :) He told me that for his laboratory fume hoods, he calculates 100cfm per foot of hood perimeter (or circumference since yours is round).

Therefore, if you want to have a freestanding hood like your washtub, you will want to measure the circumference of the opening in feet; multiply by 100, and that will give you the size fan needed. You can get by with a weaker fan if you have one or more sides closed off (e.g., baffles).

So for example, if you have a 2'X3' rectangular hood, this will be 10' perimeter if it is freestanding like your washtub when you first set it up (2'+3'+3'+2'=10')... or 1000cfm fan needed. If there is a baffle on the back and one side, you can subtract those feet (2'open side+3'open front=5' or 500 cfm fan... other 2'side and 3'back is closed).

Hope this makes sense... and better yet, helps! Still learning about all this stuff...

Kim

Holaday

2007-07-05, 9:19am

Kim,
That is one of most easily understandable explanations I have seen for how to calculate the cfm of the exhaust fan. I'd really like to hear what your dad has to say about the size and length of the duct hose (if used), ideal placement of fan, best type of fan, ideal shape of hood, distance of hood opening from end of flame. These are additional issues that folks setting up a safe working space are dealing with.

I'll bet you will have the "perfect" ventilation system and I hope you will post photos and more information for it when it is done.

Carol

Diane (clarus)

2007-07-05, 12:08pm

Kim - I've been reading a lot about ventilation in the last year, and this is the first time I've heard about calculating the CFM based on circumference. According to Mike's tutorial:

http://www.artglassforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1918

he has you calculate the square footage area by measuring width x depth x 100 (minimum required cubic feet per minute of airflow). Therefore, if you have a 3' wide by 2' deep hood, you would need a minimum of 600 CFM fan. For the washtub, you'd need to calculate a little differently since it's a little smaller than using the rectangular calculation; calculating for an oval would be better. If I recall correctly, it's the same as calculating the area of a circle, which is pi x radius squared. In this case, to get the radius, you'd add the length and width and divide by 2. Then do the area calc.

If you want to see my system I just posted pictures here in the Studio section under "My Studio".

-Diane

Dale M.

2007-07-05, 8:59pm

Hi!

So for example, if you have a 2'X3' rectangular hood, this will be 10' perimeter if it is freestanding like your washtub when you first set it up (2'+3'+3'+2'=10')... or 1000cfm fan needed. If there is a baffle on the back and one side, you can subtract those feet (2'open side+3'open front=5' or 500 cfm fan... other 2'side and 3'back is closed).

Kim

I dont think so....... By adding baffles you have just change the "plane" of the opening from horizontal to vertical.... You still have to measure the lengths of the baffles and include then into "opening" perimeter calculations....

So if front width of hood is 3 feet, and hood is 2 feet off bench top, and you extend baffles down to bench top, that is 4 feet (each side at 2 feet) and distance across bench top is same 3 feet as hood front edge, your perimeter opening is still 10 feet and still requires 1000cfm by your method...

Another aspect of the perimeter theory is as opening gets bigger (larger perimeter) actual volume of air becomes less in total CFM pulled through system . Where the square feet of open time 125 cfm theory actual increases volume (cfm) of air flow through hood/vent system as perimeter increases.

Bottom line is perimeter system will flow less air as hood get bigger and square foot theory will flow more air as hood gets bigger.....

Dale

BlueBetween

2007-08-24, 6:40am

Just adding some pictures of my new glass storage - I'm loving my space and counting down the days til school starts so I can be out there more :)

The rack/shelving came from Storables - you can customize them any number of ways.

83060

83061

LAG

2007-08-24, 7:42am

now that is a cool rod storage rack!!

ccrye

2007-08-24, 9:54am

Wow that is so cool. I have been lamenting on what to do for storage and I think that is just what I neeed. I have a small wire rack like that I think it would work great. I can see why you are anxious for schol to get under way.
BTY: I love love love your studio and it has inspired me to do this w/ my little bldg. It looks so cute already like it has been there for a longtime.
Thanks for sharing.
Carol

BlueBetween

2007-08-27, 8:52am

thanks guys!

Carol, your place looks great!

And FYI, the shelves are 10X36 in case anyone is trying to figure out what to get to build one. The storables website doesn't seem to have the "rack" things that the store had, but maybe they can be ordered somehow from a retail location.

BlueBetween

2007-10-09, 9:32am

I cleaned up a little, here are some new shots with my new creation station and all my glass finally put away, and my little photo box and my wired busty lady on top of it.

I keep debating moving my kiln to the other side so my tools can be on the right side... too bad I didn't have them put an outlet on that side :(

http://bluebetween.com/graphics/2007/studio/studio1.jpg

http://bluebetween.com/graphics/2007/studio/studio2.jpg

BlueBetween

2007-10-10, 10:27am

last shot until I figure out something clever to do with the jewelry making side of things... here's the front all ready for fall, with dog posing oh-so-perfectly even :)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2177/1525669217_d8601dae6f_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2268/1525669431_21da8402b3_o.jpg

Some exciting news - someone in England asked me to send him some photos of my studio to be included in a book he's writing about shedworking - how cool is that?! Here's the link: http://www.shedworking.co.uk/search/label/Shedworking%20-%20the%20book