Posted by Amy

DIY Yard Game-Giant Block Tower Builder

Summertime means loads of fun playing games outside with family and friends. We love to bring out yard games like Kubb, Croquet, and Danish Ball. My kids love to play the traditional Jenga. I thought it would be fun to make a giant sized version for the yard. The traditional Jenga pieces are 1.5 cm thick, 2.5 cm wide and 7.5 cm long, making the Giant Jenga pieces couldn’t be simpler using 2×3 boards.  A ‘2×3’ board that you buy is actually 1.5 inches thick, 2.5 inches wide and we can cut them 7.5 inches long…perfect!

Make your own Giant Block Tower Builder with a carrying crate that doubles as a playing stand. Add colored dice for a fun roll 'n go option to mix things up.

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

To make things interesting, I made the Giant Block Tower Builder with a ‘throw ‘n go’ option (I’m calling it Roll ‘n Go).  The Roll ‘n Go version puts a fun twist on the game, and I kept it simple for my young kids.  Each side of the dice (die) is a different color and there is a corresponding set of blocks in each color.  They will roll and whatever color it lands on, they have to move a block of that color.  Playing tower builder the traditional way is fun too.

I also made a carrying crate that doubles as the Giant Block Tower Builder stand for the yard game. The crate has enough room for the 54 Block Tower pieces and die. This is totally optional to make.

Make your own yard game crate for Giant Block Tower Builder, that doubles as a playing stand. Add colored dice for a fun roll 'n go option to mix things up.

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Fix the Sagging Deck

Fix the Sagging Deck and Tool Review is sponsored by The Home Depot. I have been compensated for my time and provided with product. All ideas and opinions are my own. This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

Check out this view of the deck floor while coming up the stairs.  It sort of reminds me of Galloping Gertie!

Wow that deck sag is something else. How I leveled my deck.

That is my deck waving at you!  When we bought this house, it was unfinished and bank owned.  The contractor had some guys install the deck, it wasn’t level when we moved in. There was definitely a noticeable slope downwards.

However over the last 8 1/2 years it has gotten worse.

The deck guys didn’t install stairs either, so I installed some about 6 years ago. I should’ve fixed the slope then, but didn’t. I installed the stairs level, you can see the deck slope.

Showing major sloping on my deck, the stairs are level.

Now to see how level the deck is. Yep just what I thought, it’s not level, the bubble is over on the far right side.

Fixing an unlevel deck

From what I’ve read, a deck without gaps in the flooring should slope about 1/4″ over 12′ to allow for watershed. Decking with gaps doesn’t require the watershed angle. I guesstimate my deck is sloping a few inches over 12′.

Fix the Sagging Deck – The Game Plan

The plan is to jack up the deck and replace the 6×6 deck posts with posts that are the correct length.

Supplies Needed:

First I used an impact driver to remove the deck wrapping (treks). This Ridgid impact driver is a must have tool.  I love that Ridgid has 3 torque settings on the impact, it makes a huge difference in applications like working with treks!

Fixing a sagging deck, removing the treks wrapping.

Now to set up the jacks.  I decided to have 2 jacks adjacent to each deck post (3 posts x 2 jacks = 6 jacks). I got some 4×4 posts and screwed on some scrap 2×4 to the bottom to make a T and leveled out the ground as needed. To distribute the jack load on the main beam that is laminated, I attached more scrap 2×4. Then I leveled the posts and pumped up the jacks to be taut.

Fixing a sagging deck, leveling the jack support posts.

The jacks lined up and ready to go.

Fixing the sagging deck, bottle jacks to lift up the deck.

Then I cut the bottom of the existing deck posts to be free.  Some of the nails came out easily with a hammer and pry bar, others I used the wood and nail Diablo blades with the Makita reciprocating saw. This recip saw is part of Makita’s sub compact line. I really like the smaller body 12 1/2″ long, but it still has plenty of power!  It’s variable speed too, depending on how far you pull the trigger.

I also detached the stairs from the deck.

Fixing the sagging deck, removing old post that is too short.

Time for the excitement, jacking up the deck. I started on one end and gave each jack a pump going down the line, and repeated pumps in order until the deck started to become level. The farthest corner got to level first. It only needed to come up about 2 1/2″ (I put a 2×4 in the gap for comparison).

Fixing the sagging deck, wow that a big gap. I detached the top of the post with the reciprocating saw, cutting through the nails.  Did I mention how much I love the Diablo wood and nail blades, they are fantastic.

Fixing the sagging deck, removing old deck post.

I measured from the saddle to the main deck beam to get the new deck post length, and cut the post to length with a circular saw.

Fixing the sagging deck, cutting new deck posts with circular saw.

I slid the post into place and made sure it was level.  Then attached the strap and footing bracket to the post, also toe nailing a few nails into the deck beam for good measure. After I installed the first post, I moved the jacks down to the other corner of the deck to provide more support.

Fixing the sagging deck, new post installed making the deck level!

The center post was next to get level, the gap on that post and the last corner post was a whopping 4″!  I repeated the same process to replace the center and corner post.

Looky looky we are now level!  You can see a small wave over by the blue bench, I need to adjust a couple of the joists that were mounted a little low.  Overall I’m thrilled though.

Fixing the sagging deck, Yay it's level!

Now to get those stairs reattached!

My deck was sagging so much. How I fixed it to make it level!

Now to add some patio decor. This egg chair swing looks fun.

“I acknowledge that The Home Depot is partnering with me to participate in the Tool Review Program. As a part of the Program, I am receiving compensation in the form of products and services, for the purpose of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are my own words. My post complies with the Word Of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.”

Wood and Mason Jar Solar Lantern

It’s Power Tool Challenge Day and the Theme is Lanterns.  I have an old solar powered light post top that I bought years ago to go on my deck stair posts.  It was only a few dollars, but it didn’t fit because it is made for wood posts and my vinyl posts are a little larger.  I’ve been hanging on to for just the right project.  I thought it would be fun to use that old top and transform a two quart mason jar into a mercury glass solar powered lantern for my porch. The mason jar solar lantern was a fun and simple project and it turned out neat.

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

Solar Powered Post Top

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Scrap Wood 3D Pixel Art

A few weeks ago I participated in a challenge to make something with a summer festival theme. Summer Festivals seem to come in all shapes and sizes. One of my favorite types of festivals are Balloon Festivals. There is something magical seeing the Hot Air Balloons light up and float in the sky.  I also love seeing all the bright colors and clever designs of the balloons. For my Festival Challenge project, I thought it would be fun to make a scrap wood 3D pixel art piece of a Summer Balloon Festival. I think it turned out neat with all the texture and colors! The great thing is that you can turn any photo you want into 3D pixel art, it’s easy but a little tedious!

Hot air balloon unique wood art piece. Pixelate any photo to create 3D pixel wood art.

This 3D pixel art is also a great way to use up some scrap wood.  My scrap pile is way bigger than I’d like to admit, I used up a bunch of small 2×4 pieces, 1×4 pieces along with some longer 1×4 pieces that were in bad shape (the frame).

Speaking of scrap wood, I’m participating in a #scrapwoodchallenge with 18 talented makers hosted by my friend Jen Woodhouse. Check out the list of cool projects at the bottom of the post!

How to Make Scrap Wood 3D Pixel Art from a Photo

Hot air balloon unique wood art piece. Pixelate any photo to create 3D pixel wood art.

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Weather Guard Saddle Truck Box – Tool Review

Truck Box Tool Review is sponsored by The Home Depot. I have been compensated for my time and provided with product. All ideas and opinions are my own. This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

Growing up on a farm we were always fixing or maintaining something.  We worked in the fields and there were a number of barns spread out around the farm, so all the tools needed to be mobile. My Dad had a little silver Mitsubishi Mighty Max truck with a truck box in it. Most of the tools were in the truck box or bed of the truck. As long as you could find Dad’s truck (this was long before cellphones), then you had a pretty good chance of finding the right tool for the job.

I have fond memories of that little silver mobile tool box and was excited to be able to review a truck box as part of THDprospective program.  I chose the Weather Guard Full-Size Aluminum Extra Wide saddle truck box for my 2008 Ford F-150.  My truck is an extended cab with a standard length truck bed.  IMHO the black looks pretty slick with charcoal gray paint.

Picking a truck box that fits your truck

The Home Depot has a handy tool to help you narrow the selection of truck boxes that will fit your truck. www.mytruckbox.com

Input Truck:

  • Make and model
  • Year
  • Bed Size
  • Bed Style – if needed

Then you can filter by features:

  • Box Style
  • Box Profile
  • Color
  • Security features
  • Warranty

The truck box selector works really slick and helps narrow down the selection quickly.

What’s in the Box

The truck box arrived from a freight delivery company in a large box on a large pallet (the pallet is removed in this pic.)

The keys to the truck box lock were attached to the weather guard sign.  Simply turn the lock to unlock.

Push the button to open it. The truck box has 1-touch opening (1 button) and has automotive rotary latches and hydraulic pistons to make the lid open smoothly.

Inside the truck box is the instructions, mounting hardware, accessories and sliding tray.

Inside the accessories box.

The inside storage area of the truck box is huge (this is the extra wide).  My kids wanted to see if they could fit! Yep with room to spare.

Truck box dimensions:

  • Height – 18 1/2″
  • Width – 71 1/2″
  • Depth – 27 1/2″ (extra wide)

Truck Box Installation

The truck box is pretty easy to install. For as big as the truck box is, it isn’t that heavy (101 lbs). Two people can lift it easily.

Step 1 – Put Truck Box in Place

Place rubber mounting pads on truck sides.

Lift and put truck box on truck sides.

Center the truck box on the bed and open the lid to make sure you have enough clearance from the cab.

Step 2 – Secure Truck Box to Truck Bed

To secure the truck box to the truck, there are 4 sets of installation hardware: bolt, washer and nut plate clamp.  The truck box has slots, so it can clamp onto various truck dimensions.  The nut and washer go down though the top, and thread into the lock nut underneath.

The hardest thing about this whole installation is tightening the clamp, because you have to hold it from underneath to make sure it doesn’t spin while tightening. It does help to put a little grease on the lock nut threads.  It also helped to put some wood or a spacer between the clamp and the truck box to keep it from spinning while you tightened the bolt.

Step 3 – Add Accessories – optional

Using a 3/8″ socket, loosen 2 of the nuts and install the level hanger clips. Reinstall and tighten the nuts.

There’s a perfect spot for a 4′ level max. It fits within a channel, so it’s out of the way.

The heavy duty tray just pops onto the upper channel. You may have to flex out the truck box a little to fit it in the first time.

One thing I was concerned about, was whether or not I could still put lumber and sheet goods in my truck with the tailgate up.  I’m happy to say that, I can!

Overall I’m really happy with the Weather Guard Saddle Truck Box, the quality is really nice, it’s smooth to open the lid and closing from one side of the truck is really easy too.  The truck box is very spacious and it has a weather seal to keep out rain and snow.

You can even put 5 gallon buckets in it.  Besides hauling tools and equipment around, I’m excited to have this for camping and traveling.  It’s a great place to securely store stuff, and it has tie down hooks in the back.

Did you know Home Depot has an automotive department? It’s nice to be able to pick up supplies for the vehicles while picking up project supplies, and their prices are competitive.  All of my vehicles are at the very mature stage of life, so we’ve switched over to full synthetic oil to hopefully squeeze as much out of their life as possible. 🙂

Perfect way to haul smaller things around securely. Weather Guard black truck box (extra wide) tool review.

“I acknowledge that The Home Depot is partnering with me to participate in the Tool Review Program. As a part of the Program, I am receiving compensation in the form of products and services, for the purpose of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are my own words. My post complies with the Word Of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.”