1/15/2019:
Summary: Today I neatened up the inside of Jacobhouse and finished adding frame boards to the closet’s internal structure (fastened more supports to the top and both sides).
Full description:
This morning, after helping move around some more cattle, I began construction activities by obtaining a big red bucket. Originally the large tub had been used to hold a molasses lick for the cows. I, however, am now using it to hold the many little pieces of blocking that have resulted of all the woodcuts I’ve made for Jacobhouse thus far. It took some time for me to collect all the pieces and neaten up the place, but I got it done, and then I was able to continue work on the bathroom closet. Thankfully, the ensuing activities kept me indoors where the heater was, because outside was frigid and breezy.
By way of closet-work, I started out by applying the second lowest and the uppermost 9-inchers to the right side of the frame. These went up quite easily via the system I described yesterday (where I clamped them into place, positioned them with a mallet, and then fastened them). It should be noted, though, that I did decide via Padre’s advice to not put in the lowest shelf because that’s where the toilet vent will protrude. I will still be able to store various miscellania around that protrusion when the time comes, but shelving would only get in the way.
After placing those first two 9-inchers in place, I did the same for the opposite side. For this, I again used the method I utilized yesterday (where I used the dummy-shelf to see where level was across the way and clamped/fastened the 9-inchers accordingly).
Next, I retrieved the top board and set about finding a way to fasten it to the top 2×4. I discovered it would only require a couple more 9″ 2x4s. Fortunately, I already had these on account of not putting in the lowest shelf-holders. As to where I needed to place those supports, I knew the top 2×6 extended all the way from the wall and sat flush on the edge of the right vertical 2×6 (in the picture above). So, after accounting for that ~1.5″ space on the right and the ~5″ space on the left, I fastened the 2 extra 9-inchers in place.
The satisfying part came next. I got to go into the bathroom and use the 6-pound mallet to tap the topboard into place. It was a snug fit, but everything aligned and I didn’t have to take it back down. So, I simply got my screw gun, some screws, and some little washers* Padre got in the other day, and I commenced to fasten the jutting 9-inchers to the original top 2×4 of wall #3. I finished up the morning by putting two self-tapping screws in through the top 2×6 board.
That is one sturdy closet. Tomorrow, I believe I begin measuring / cutting boards that will extend from the outside of the right vertical 2×6 to the western end of wall #2.
*I used washers here because I really needed some pull-strength to straighten the warp in the top of the right vertical 2×6.