MJ2.0
Senior Associate
Joined: Jul 24, 2014 10:27:09 GMT -5
Posts: 11,049
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Post by MJ2.0 on Jun 11, 2015 12:08:08 GMT -5
It... was... awesome!  I got to be outside and use power tools!!!  I was the only girl and the youngest by at least 10 years, but the guys were really great and helpful. Fixing the house's siding was the main job of the day, and I helped with other stuff since I have no experience with that. That experience reinforced my decision to learn civil engineering because I can't wait to be back on another job site to learn more about construction. I'm so sad to be back at my boring old desk job!  |
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ArchietheDragon
Junior Associate
Joined: Jul 7, 2014 14:29:23 GMT -5
Posts: 6,380
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Post by ArchietheDragon on Jun 11, 2015 12:12:23 GMT -5
Make sure to snag yourself a construction worker, too.
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mroped
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 17, 2014 17:36:56 GMT -5
Posts: 3,453 
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Post by mroped on Jun 11, 2015 12:36:01 GMT -5
That doesn't fit the "requirements" Archie!
"Up 5, down 2". It seems that all on the job site are out!
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NancysSummerSip
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 19:19:42 GMT -5
Posts: 36,692
Today's Mood: Full of piss and vinegar
Favorite Drink: Anything with ice
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Post by NancysSummerSip on Jun 11, 2015 12:49:46 GMT -5
Next thing you know, MJ will be ragging on us about her hot new acquisition....Six-three, 190, built like the brick house they worked on together....  |
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MJ2.0
Senior Associate
Joined: Jul 24, 2014 10:27:09 GMT -5
Posts: 11,049
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Post by MJ2.0 on Jun 11, 2015 12:54:41 GMT -5
That doesn't fit the "requirements" Archie! "Up 5, down 2". It seems that all on the job site are out! While they were funny and nice, most of the guys on the job site had kids my age - so thanks but no thanks.  and it's "down 5, up 5".  |
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ken a.k.a OMK
Senior Associate
They killed Kenny, the bastards.
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 14:39:20 GMT -5
Posts: 14,238
Location: Maryland
Member is Online
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Post by ken a.k.a OMK on Jun 11, 2015 14:12:57 GMT -5
Good for you MJ.  |
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mroped
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 17, 2014 17:36:56 GMT -5
Posts: 3,453
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Post by mroped on Jun 11, 2015 14:33:28 GMT -5
I did HFH once and when we put the floor joists, we just set the, in place and then about 20 students from the local colleges finished nailing them. At noon on Saturday they left so we had to go back on the floor joists and pull all the nails out and nail them properly. I don't think we found 20 nails properly driven in in all those joists. But we gave them credit for trying!  |
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mroped
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 17, 2014 17:36:56 GMT -5
Posts: 3,453
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Post by mroped on Jun 11, 2015 14:34:07 GMT -5
..set the floor joists in place...
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chiver78
Administrator
Current Events Admin
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 13:04:45 GMT -5
Posts: 39,498 
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Post by chiver78 on Jun 11, 2015 14:35:34 GMT -5
awesome MJ!
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MJ2.0
Senior Associate
Joined: Jul 24, 2014 10:27:09 GMT -5
Posts: 11,049
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Post by MJ2.0 on Jun 11, 2015 15:04:35 GMT -5
I did HFH once and when we put the floor joists, we just set the, in place and then about 20 students from the local colleges finished nailing them. At noon on Saturday they left so we had to go back on the floor joists and pull all the nails out and nail them properly. I don't think we found 20 nails properly driven in in all those joists. But we gave them credit for trying! since I'm somewhat accident-prone and I don't know how to do a lot of handy stuff, I was super careful and was nearly a perfectionist nailing some wood pieces together.... to the point where one of the other guys could have finished nailing 3 of them in the time I nailed one, lol! the demo stuff I did was pretty easy though, except it took me some time to get used to the feeling of using the sawsall!  |
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chiver78
Administrator
Current Events Admin
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Post by chiver78 on Jun 11, 2015 15:06:24 GMT -5
ooh...those are fun!
you are going to learn a ton about being handy if you keep volunteering. I wish there were HFH opportunities near me....not that I really have the time right now though.
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tskeeter
Junior Associate
Joined: Mar 20, 2011 19:37:45 GMT -5
Posts: 6,831
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Post by tskeeter on Jun 11, 2015 15:28:21 GMT -5
Well done MJ! HFH is one of the charities that I really like because it is a hand up rather than a hand out. In addition, they require their future homeowners to participate in programs that prepare them to be homeowners. Personal finacial mangement, home maintenance and repair, etc. To do otherwise would be like giving a 16 year old the keys to a sports car without teaching them how to drive. But many organizations do just that.
And you're right, a person can learn a lot about home construction, repair, and maintenance as a HFH volunteer. From both the construction manager and from other volunteers. Those old guys will take a look at you, see their daughter, and give you the same coaching and guidance they'd give a member of their family.
As you found out, power tools can be fun. Why do you think so many guys keep collecting more and more of them? DW's favorite tool from a garden shed construction project was a pneumatic palm nailer.
Overall, kind of a no lose situation.
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Deleted
Joined: Oct 12, 2024 9:28:55 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2015 17:43:00 GMT -5
Our high school has an active HFH club. It is a great organization!
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Deleted
Joined: Oct 12, 2024 9:28:55 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2015 18:08:12 GMT -5
Way to go! Thanks for doing this - it's a win/win for you and the new homeowners.
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cronewitch
Junior Associate
I identify as a post-menopausal childless cat lady and I vote.
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 21:44:20 GMT -5
Posts: 5,979
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Post by cronewitch on Jun 11, 2015 20:15:25 GMT -5
I did HFH once and when we put the floor joists, we just set the, in place and then about 20 students from the local colleges finished nailing them. At noon on Saturday they left so we had to go back on the floor joists and pull all the nails out and nail them properly. I don't think we found 20 nails properly driven in in all those joists. But we gave them credit for trying! We had a fence building party in my mom's yard where a 3 year old great grandson wanted to help pound nails. His grandpa would nail the top and bottoms of the boards then start the center nails for the boy. He would pound them and then grandpa would give them another hit to check his work. He was much better at drawing snakes on the patio with sidewalk chalk, he liked drawing snakes because they were interesting. This same boy helped grandpa build a tree house when he was two and helped his dad remodel a house at 2 he liked to use the big hammer. |
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andi9899
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 6, 2011 10:22:29 GMT -5
Posts: 31,332
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Post by andi9899 on Jun 11, 2015 20:36:07 GMT -5
Make sure to snag yourself a construction worker, too. Get one for me too. The most metro one you can find. |
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Jaguar
Administrator
Fear does not stop death. It stops life.
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Post by Jaguar on Jun 11, 2015 20:40:45 GMT -5
My sister Peggy loved building houses, she just loved wood working and everything to do with building, she was an accountant, but hated that.
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Artemis Windsong
Senior Associate
The love in me salutes the love in you. M. Williamson
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 19:32:12 GMT -5
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Post by Artemis Windsong on Jun 11, 2015 21:46:14 GMT -5
I have a friend who is dedicated to HFH. Admirable.
The downside is they pressure the electrical, concrete, and HVAC contractors into free labor and materials which can be a hardship on some small business people.
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