Author Archives: admin

Cheapest way to custom build an efficiency apartment sized home?

Posted on by
3

Rather than paying high interest on a mortgage, buying a not-so-maintanance-free wooden home or cheaply built manufactured home, or paying rent on an apartment that doesn’t translate into owned equity…
I would like to know the best options for building an efficiency apartment-sized home for under 000 (not including land cost) on my own land.

How would I get the materials (IE, cement/bricks/steel) to the land and how much of it can I learn to assemble myself (and, when I can, where can I find guides on how to do it)?

Also, what are the shipping costs and where can I find suppliers? Is building a stronger/purely cement house tricker and, if so, how (also, how does it differ from, say, building a cement pool)?

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , ,

Nix a house purchase due to polybutylene plumbing?

Posted on by
2

My mother-in-law is looking to buy a house built in 1985 with some polybutylene. The owner of 9 years states "I have not had any leaks or problems with the pipes myself. I believe all the overhead water pipes in the house are steel so maybe the house is already partially retrofitted. I do know that at least the pipes under the sinks are poly". The house is otherwise perfect – much better than others in the price range. The house is on a slab in New Mexico. Is this that major an issue?

Technorati Tags: , , , , , ,

cost of a 100×50 foot steel frame building?

Posted on by
1

i am thinking of building a 100×50 or a 70×80 foot steal frame building on my 8 acres i have done a lot of research but cant get a clear idea of the cost mostly how mush it would cost to construction and pored slab if any one has ever done anything like this. any information would be great

also i plan to build a free standing house in the rear of the building making it a shop/house combination if any one can send me a link to any blue prints of any thing like this i would really appreciate it

thank you

Technorati Tags: , ,

Building an Outdoor Gas Fireplace?

Posted on by
2

I want to build an outdoor gas fireplace but the ring kits they sell are very expensive. I understand that to connect to natural gas I would have a shut off valve then a regulating orrifice then it gets dispursed thru the rings. My question is can I solder this up in copper and drill holes in the copper to save money or would the heat melt the solder? I guess the BTU’s are around 70,000.

http://www.woodlanddirect.com/Outdoor/DIY-Firepits/Round-Match-Lit-Fire-Pit-Kit-Stainless-Steel;jsessionid=0a0104451f43750eb458e14f47f48338b91e63bd5395.e3eSbNmQaheLe3aMb40

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Need Beam size to Span 35Ft Steel or Wood Laminate?

Posted on by
2

I’m doing some preliminary planning on a building a house on a lot I just bought. It’s an open perfect rectangular 70×30 floor plan 1 story home with a basement. I will be using an engineer later but I’m just trying to figure out if my basic plan is feasable. I really only want 1 load bearing wall in the house right in the middle of the 70 ft. I was thinking to run 2 large Beams (35ft each) down the center of the 70 ft Length of the house to be supported on each end and in the middle and then run 15ft joists from that beam to the sides of the house.
So, this would be possible.. If so, would what hieght of the beam would that work out to? Trying to figure out how much hieght I would need to add to the base and main level.

Any thought on beam hieght with Wood laminte vs. steel..??
Also, on cost price with wood Vs. Steel?

Thanks

The house is in Maryland.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , ,

How know gas fireplace exhaust safe?

Posted on by
5

I have a craftsman installing replacement gas pipe for a gas fireplace and also a gas firplace kit from Lowe’s; we are basically replacing the gas fireplace. The house was built in 1958 and at some point had a gas fireplace but it has not been used in years. The chimney is intact and goes up to an opening. I had it inspected by a chimney sweep and he said does not meet code for wood burning as it is just a brick chimney, with no steel insert. I am wondering how do I know the exhaust from this new gas fireplace will all go up the chimney and none will go back into the house? How do I know it is safe. Could I have my gas company test it? Or is there another way to insure it is safe? Is this a valid concern?

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , ,

Building a cage for ball python.?

Posted on by
1

Hi, I am trying to build a cage for my ball python.
I looked some materials for it and I was wondering if I can use steel screens instead of glass pannels. And all the home made cage i looked up was usually opened from a front. Does it have to be opened from the front of can i build on where i can open it from the top?

It will be better if someone could provide me with a plan for building the enclosure with cost. I am considering to build a cage size of 48x20x20. Thank you.

Technorati Tags: , ,

where can i find strong-cost effective stepper motors?

Posted on by
1

im building a 5 axis cnc machine and im looking to 5 of the same stepper motors (one for each axis), they must be strong because 2 of them will be for the head (the 4th/5th axes, no rotating tables here!!).

i intend to be able to machine complex shapes out of high quality steel (not tool steel, but good quality forged steel).

where would be a good site for such motors/what motors would you recommend?

Technorati Tags: , , , , ,