Nooksack in Place: Finalizing the Installation

 

In my last post I contemplated how straightforward my checklist of tasks would be. So far, I have been able to deal with potential stumbling blocks by shifting the order of tasks a bit and buying a new tool. In this post, I'll break down the steps I took to finalize the installation of these first sections and craft a plan for the next few steps.

Checking the benchwork for level and the legs for plumb was not only the first step, but also a recurring step. What became the next or second step was to screw the benchwork to the L-girder seen lag screwed to the stud wall in the back of the snapshot to the left. I made sure to label the locations of the drywall screws up through the L-girder with arrows in red Sharpie. I needed to start attaching the 1/8" masonite backdrop as well during this process. In the back, I attached the backdrop to the studs with panel brads. On the other hand, I used drywall screws with finishing washers to screw the backdrop to the back of the benchwork as the backdrop turned the corner. 

At that point I attempted to bolt the legs in place with 1/4" carriage bolts. I had the bolts on hand, but when I started to drill the holes, I found that my drill motor with the bit installed would not fit between the benchwork cross members. A quick trip to the local Harbor Freight, and I had the solution: the ninety-degree angle attachment. So far, it worked quite well. All of the legs of the Nooksack modules were bolted in place with two bolts per leg. 
 

After sanding the seam and applying fiberglass tape, I went ahead and hung two LED fixtures that I had on hand. The one on the left is a 32" light from the Meadville layout, the one on the right is a four foot fluorescent fixture with 5000K LED replacement tubes. The color is obviously different. I also have 4300K LED tubes in a different fixture. I will experiment with replacing one or both of the 5000K with 4300K.

Now that Nooksack is lit, I can start mudding the seam and visible nail heads. With the benchwork installation finalized, I will move the command station and start the process of completing and checking the wiring.