Hello everyone,
After two summers of building both a guest cottage and a larger vacation house on my own, I've been pondering why certain things haven't been invented yet, or alternatively, where they can be found. This ranges from "How hard can it be to find a good standard solution for keeping mineral wool in place between the ceiling beams?" to "Thousands of years of house building and frame screws with diagonal measurement is the best they've come up with... why isn't there a square straight edge to insert into the door frame when installing it?"...
I thought it could be valuable to share both these ridiculous problems and the solutions people have found.
Another aspect is that there are quite a few professional tools that aren't complicated or particularly expensive but don't seem available for private individuals...?
I'll start:
? The above-mentioned issue regarding a foolproof tool to ensure the straightness of door frames... and I don't mean diagonal measurement and a spirit level...
After two summers of building both a guest cottage and a larger vacation house on my own, I've been pondering why certain things haven't been invented yet, or alternatively, where they can be found. This ranges from "How hard can it be to find a good standard solution for keeping mineral wool in place between the ceiling beams?" to "Thousands of years of house building and frame screws with diagonal measurement is the best they've come up with... why isn't there a square straight edge to insert into the door frame when installing it?"...
I thought it could be valuable to share both these ridiculous problems and the solutions people have found.
Another aspect is that there are quite a few professional tools that aren't complicated or particularly expensive but don't seem available for private individuals...?
I'll start:
? The above-mentioned issue regarding a foolproof tool to ensure the straightness of door frames... and I don't mean diagonal measurement and a spirit level...
Well, you're misunderstanding me. I've already installed the doors, but I'm annoyed that after so many millions of door installations worldwide, there's nothing like a smart modern tool, like a flexible inner frame or something similar... I installed my doors with a level and diagonal measurement with two battens in the classic way, and with Adjufix.
I was more wondering if there are other things you think should exist when building but haven't seen on the market?
I was more wondering if there are other things you think should exist when building but haven't seen on the market?
By the way, I had to hang onto the door leaf of the front door while standing on the temporary stairs 2.5 meters above the ground, with a beam underneath supported by a ladder, and with my wife anchoring the door with a rope... the door was way too heavy to get in place with the leaf on, you see.
It should be possible to construct an adjustable brace where both supports are always of equal length. I have some kind of idea in my head, but can't quite get it right in Paint... Place it in the frame, expand it, and the frame is perfectly angled and completely rigid. I guess I'll have to draw it out and sell it to some manufacturer...
Otherwise: The gravity inverter - float plaster walls and ceiling. :wow:
I haven't quite figured that one out yet... :S
Otherwise: The gravity inverter - float plaster walls and ceiling. :wow:
I haven't quite figured that one out yet... :S
If it had been a major problem, there would have been a solution, e.g., door frames are quite simple to install once you've learned how. There are a variety of products that solve all sorts of problems but never really sell because the cost isn't justified; it's mostly a neat thing.
A silly product was an elastic band with markings that you were supposed to stretch out along the facade to avoid calculating the spacing between the cladding boards yourself.
To keep mineral wool in place between the beams, you solve it by stapling up the plastic about 50 cm, pushing in the insulation, stapling up the plastic a bit more, and so forth.
But most mechanical aids seem to have been invented already, so I would rather see smart ideas with mobile applications, e.g., communicating strange dimensions in a hopeless corner or calculating the angle of the saw when mitering a sloping overboard.
A silly product was an elastic band with markings that you were supposed to stretch out along the facade to avoid calculating the spacing between the cladding boards yourself.
To keep mineral wool in place between the beams, you solve it by stapling up the plastic about 50 cm, pushing in the insulation, stapling up the plastic a bit more, and so forth.
But most mechanical aids seem to have been invented already, so I would rather see smart ideas with mobile applications, e.g., communicating strange dimensions in a hopeless corner or calculating the angle of the saw when mitering a sloping overboard.
The problem with diagonal measuring is a problem that doesn't exist. If you install the frame with a level, you don't need to measure the diagonal. Just install the hinge side and the top piece vertically and horizontally. Insulation in the ceiling, stretch mason's string between the studs. The best tool I can recommend is a good laser measurer, invaluable when installing, among other things.