Abandoned Industrial Building Demolition and Renovation

[@HabitualButtonPusher]

Say what you want but that was some significant progress. I still think you could toss all that wood into a pile and have the Fire Department do a controlled burn right out back. Open that garage door and start a big pile.

[@brickandsole]

yeah I have had that suggested a couple of times. I know a few connected people. I need to look into it.

[@patchadams4me]

My building is a fraction of yours and there are days I have felt defeated by the never ending demolition, construction and repairs. Hang in there.

[@brickandsole]

Thanks, do you have a KZbin channel?

[@kevinstewart8]

Your demolition ones are becoming my favorite!

[@brickandsole]

Well thats great because I have several more to post! Thanks Kevin.

[@Hope-fv3kf]

The rooms that are cleaned out look great. You are moving forward. We can see the work that has been done.

[@brickandsole]

Thank you Hope! when I walk through those rooms it give me a bump in motivation to keep going.

[@billfolsom4203]

Keep at it, Chris. Like the old cliché, you're eating the elephant one bite at a time.

[@terismith3279]

So much progress being made! Keep up the good work!

[@brickandsole]

Thanks. They are exciting times.

[@MrPuckchaser]

I think it would be beneficial for you since most the time you’re by yourself to invest in the body camera so you can use both your hands while working.

[@brickandsole]

yeah I should experiment with that. I am sure it would be better to watch instead of me juggling the camera.

[@stevehar883]

Great progress but you really should have a mask on while working on that stuff!

[@stevehar883]

You can see the stuff floating in the air. Just be safe!!

[@seasons7510]

@@stevehar883 and gloves

[@stevehar883]

@@seasons7510 yes!!

[@brickandsole]

I definitely need to get better at that. it is a character flaw of mine. Going to double my effort and commitment to it.

[@melindalovell3199]

I’m screaming “ MASK”😊

[@alanhorne5911]

same 'DUST MASK'😷

[@brickandsole]

I know I know. I am the worst at that. I do have one now with filters. But it won't show up for a bit til the filmed videos are posted.

[@kevin_delgado]

One thing to keep in mind as a potential source of monetization: the framing lumber in the rooms you're demo-ing. There's a very good chance that there's some nice, tight-grained old Douglas Fir, and it looks like you have some boards of 8 or more feet in length. A number of people seek out that kind of stuff - nail holes and all - because you really can't find tight grain wood like that now, and the aged wood has a very different look and feel to it, even after you plane it. So, I don't recommend just cutting it up willy nilly, but instead try to preserve as much of the long boards as you can, but even the shorter stuff, too. Sell it in bundles based on lengths (eg under 4', 4-6', 6-8', 8'+). Heck, if I were close by, I'd happily trade labor for lumber! 😄

[@brickandsole]

Yeah, I think there is some on the 3rd floor. at least three or 4 long planks. not wide enough or id use them to replace some of the joists in my building.

[@thomasan4888]

If I had ur building n ur neighboring area has a demand for it. I would open an architectural salvage repurpose store.

[@brickandsole]

that would be AMAZING. There are some in Chicago that do that, then rent for wedding receptions surrounded by beautiful salvage items.

[@mauriced9335]

Chris you would give Thor a run for his money wielding that hammer. 😁 Stay safe.

[@brickandsole]

haha, thanks, tell that to my sore muscles. haha.

[@jodirauth8847]

Man you are a machine

[@MrJeep75]

Love these demo videos

[@brickandsole]

Thanks, as the place gets cleaner and free of all of the trash, I will be able to do more vids about my experience learning as I go with actual projects.

[@johnkranz4004]

Coming along nicely

[@brickandsole]

Thanks! and thanks for taking the time to comment! Cheers.

[@douglas5923]

You should hire kids from the town looking for a summer job for landscaping and trash removal. Only issue is liability. This would help get the word around to other kids that this is an operational site and the ones that worked there can influence the other kids to respect it. Plus, perhaps one of the kids has some dam work gloves you can borrow!

[@brickandsole]

Yeah, they could do stuff outside. But they would step on a nail inside for sure. and no company would insure this place so it would be on me. I am hoping to phase in more help moving forward.

[@colleenvarlow8764]

Hi Chris, ahh, the highs and lows of demolition. Looking great.

[@brickandsole]

Thank you! so much. I like the videos that make a visual impact.

[@bearhardcorepicker]

Congrats on some significant progress!

[@brickandsole]

Thanks Bear. Sorry I have been out of touch. incredibly busy. Need to catch up on your vids. after this week I'll have some time to binge.

[@82ndairbornevet]

Chris! Mask up!! OMG…I worked a lot of construction over the years that I wasn’t in the military and ppe wasn’t a thing at that time, now I have COPD and I can definitely blame it on not having a mask on while I was doing so many jobs where there was particles in the air.

[@brickandsole]

That is horrible. I wanted to apologize I haven't been responding lately. when I come to the states to work there is so much backlog of stuff to do I come home at dark ready to collapse. But it rained today an I stayed home in the afternoon finally getting to it. And I hear you. I do have some safety gear now. hard hat, mask with filters and other stuff. Will take a bit before it makes it into he videos as I post a bit later than I film.

[@momtrips6783]

I can feel your exhaustion through the screen! As someone who has worked on much smaller clean-out projects alone, I know it's much harder when you're a one man band on the project. Have you ever considered having a work day for subscribers once a month during decent weather just to get a bunch of stuff done at one time? What is your city's policy about hauling away some of the debris on a regular basis? Can you purchase a commercial sized receptacle that they will haul away weekly? In my own experience I've found that getting the debris out and gone helps tremendously psychologically. These are just some random thoughts. I would be willing to drive in for a work day, but I'm only one person. Maybe as an incentive for volunteers you could offer them to help themselves to the stuff you're looking to get rid of. Even some of the plumbing and electrical stuff might be a good incentive to get volunteers -- might be more worth your while than going to auction with it to get the help as a trade off.

[@brickandsole]

Yeah, I know that the first/next piece of equipment will be a dump trailer. at the moment my nephew is helping me clear out. and I am going room by room on the first floor. It is a catch 22. Need to clean it before people can come in for liability purposes, but need the help at the same time.

[@suzylarry1]

Watch your fire load , if kids get in there, not just kids and they decide to put a match to that pile...well ....you know . The fire department had a concern in the beginning of this task , so be aware.

[@brickandsole]

the brown shoe in Salem Illinois was lot to arson, and the had someone light the bathrooms on fire right after we bought the building.

[@justnana2256]

I think your style of going back to the original interior is slower but preserves so much more of the history of the building while doing it faster would destroy so much.

[@brickandsole]

Yeah, I love that old brick! can't wait to have a few spaces fully done.

[@joeschulz7997]

You're doing a great job. Dont burn yourself out. Sometimes, you need to take a break. So sit back and enjoy your accomplishments. The walls & stuff didn't get there overnight, and either will the demolition. For health reasons, you should have some PPE (respirator, gloves, safety glasses) , and get yourself an exhaust fan to pull the dust away from the area you're working in. 👍🏻

[@brickandsole]

I actually have some now. but it will be a bit before they show up in videos. As I am filiming in advance.

[@grandmasfavorites]

Hang in there, it will be worth it. It is so big that maybe you could put a small living space for yourself. Man cave? 😉👍👍

[@brickandsole]

Still want to do the break room. Hopefully by the fall it will be done.

[@terrydebord5105]

🔨🔨🔨 Chris the name for what you call "a floting ceiling" in the construction trade is """"T-Bar ceiling---- It is nasty to work around when doing demo. I know why so many people are telling you to wear a mask and eye/face protection. Its the dust, trash, and possibly items left by trades guy that can cause bloody injuries, or E.R. visits. I enjoy all your videos as a trades person, and historical advocate to save these buildings. Keep up the great SALVAGE project of the great Buster Brown building. 👍👍🔨🔨😎

[@brickandsole]

you must be screaming at the screen as I try to figure my way through this stuff. haha. And thank you for educting me. I'll remember that "T-bar"

[@terrydebord5105]

Chris, I would enjoy being there side by side with you, to share the experience, teach you tricks and see this building come back to life as an asset to the community.

[@jerrytraub8074]

It's looking so much cleaner and cleared out! Good job! Man, did you ever get a lot of bang for the buck when you bought this place! Especially since it came with a good roof. Not many places in the entire world you could make a purchase like this.

[@brickandsole]

The midwest is full of these buildings. You are right the ones with good roofs are fewer and far between.

[@limelightcinemagroup2148]

Chris I just came up with an idea take that green paneling that you're taking down and put it on that wall by The Doors

[@brickandsole]

yeah, it could be possibly used for that. I ll set some aside.

[@Hope-fv3kf]

The panels removed from the framed walls...why not concentrate on just removing paneling throughout a floor. You might see value in the frames in the future? Possible smaller rental space? The option is ready for small retailer to update the wall.

[@brickandsole]

for the most part that is what I will do with the exception of this room and the next room I will post. after that it is just open giant rooms that only require panel removed.

[@bennetfox]

You are living a dream of mine! I would love to have a building of that era and size filled with junk because I would have such a blast going through all of it and getting rid of all of it by doing exactly what you are doing right now!! Keep at it and please keep posting videos so I can watch!!

[@brickandsole]

THanks, thats awesome. I always wanted to have an industrial apartment like in the cool movies from the 80s

[@inzieoscar]

First off.... 10 demerits for removing the drop ceiling without mask and goggles... gloves also. Second.... Chris, you need to get a cup of coffee... or open a beer... your choice... and look back at your old videos to remind yourself what you started with and just how much you have accomplished.... in only 2 years!!!

[@RogerEbert-vy5pv]

Doing Great

[@brickandsole]

Thank you Roger!

[@limelightcinemagroup2148]

Chris beware of removing tiles to have raccoon poop fall on you been there done that I was just tie a string on to the end and just pull it and rip the whole ceiling down all at once

[@brickandsole]

yeah, its like a raccoon highway up there!

[@1ajs]

the 2x4 frame rooms with the panels and hiden windows is anywhere from the 20's to the 40's the panel board overtop is 60's or 70's they prolly did that to modernize /hide new light switches and such as they upgraded to then new lights ur wood pile suggest seeing if theres any wood pellet manufactures around and see if they want any of the wood for shreading to make pellets for pellet stoves also reach out to hutrie meninite collenies

[@brickandsole]

interesting. I think the addition to the building was in the 40s so that would fit with that.

[@mcgjohn22]

great work!. demo does take it out of a person. Fire up that MKE sawzall and let it do more of the work. I used to do a lot of demo work and that was one of the first tools I would reach for. Just a suggestion but tons and tons of particulates are showing up in the camera images. You may want to consider wearing a particle mask just so you are not inhaling all that crap.

[@brickandsole]

I do have one now. It's a few videos until it shows up though. That sawmill shakes like the devil the last 5% of the studs. am I doing something wrong?

[@mcgjohn22]

@@brickandsole If the studs are loose, then the saw will shake the heck out of you. To reduce the saw shake, keep the blade speed up high (many MKEs have a variable speed trigger, with an additional thumb wheel speed adjustment in the base of the handle) and keep the metal foot of the saw pressed tightly against the work surface being cut or wall panel you are cutting. You can also try cutting sections out closer to the floor, towards the support structure at the top and closer to side walls where the panels or wall being removed is anchored. And make sure the blade is at right angles to the panel being cut. If the saw is not held at 90 deg, then the material being cut starts to bind up on the blade and will shake the heck out of the user. For wood demo and cutting also use a courser tooth blade. There are so many blade options for the sawzall including tree and brush pruning blades since some landscapers found the battery version works well for landscape use.

[@dombutler7685]

Hey Chris, you're in over way your head, with old panelling! But it's progress -as you used to be way over your head with trash as well!! Those rooms you cleaned, look great especially the one with the antiques.

[@brickandsole]

Thanks Dom. I was wondering how many trips with a 14 foot trailer to move that pile alone. I bet it would be over 12 trips. and take a few days.

[@pskully57]

There some good wood floor there protected for decades, will you put a finish on it? The dust in the drop ceiling looks like a snowstorm.

[@brickandsole]

Yeah, I found out the front half is concrete and the far half is wood. I am sure if the floor is moisturized, clean and polished it will look beautiful.

[@peterholmesgavleman]

Between the door and the PowerPoint to the left-hand side of it in the second room do I see two very large nails sticking through the corridor skin into this room?

[@brickandsole]

Hi Peter. I am not sure I follow, but there are no obvious nails coming through he wall into the room.

[@MK-Farm-Michigan]

Chris get a college intern to film for you when you come to town. Let him or her get college credit.

[@brickandsole]

thats a unique tip. I don't think they have a film program but they do have liberal arts.

[@kevinganje3356]

Those walls were built to last! Until they met you!!

[@brickandsole]

haha, that made me laugh.

[@billybobholcomb8768]

This project WAS bigger than you. I feel you have slain Goliath. Keep moving forward but do not exhaust yourself.

[@brickandsole]

Thanks Billy. Stubborn will power.

[@MrJeep75]

A much better option was ripped out the last 2 rooms, now you might as well rip out the window wall to because it's not going to look right

[@potatoguy]

What is this building going to be when youre finished? I love the idea of fixing old buildings like this

[@brickandsole]

For now plan is to try to get part of it up to code. I would like something to do with antiques, community space, venue rental. not sure yet.

[@bbells8486]

Now you have become "Cold War Mercantile, Destroyer of Walls"

[@brickandsole]

haha, I should use that for a thumbnail with a photoshopped Conan the barbarian with my face on it.

[@thomasan4888]

What is ur plans/intentention for the building? Probably might of missed that episode.

[@brickandsole]

I would love something community based, maybe antiques showroom, venue rental? Not totally sure yet.

[@MrJeep75]

That wall wasn't for the plumbing and heating company it was put in when the rest of the masonite wall were put in

[@MrJeep75]

I would restore it every space back to original 1919 spec

[@brickandsole]

Me too. The panelling has to go!

[@robertbrandt7635]

Time to get a wood chipper. LOL

[@brickandsole]

oh man that would be great, one that can handle nails haha. I bet those big ones wouldn't have any problems.

[@MrJeep75]

Tare those masonite walls out to

[@DarrenBrown-i1s]

Are you aloud to have a fire bin like a skip

[@MrJeep75]

Walls were probably put up in the 40s

[@brickandsole]

Thats would make sense as that addition was built then. Good call.

[@MrJeep75]

@coldwarmercantile it was tell 1938 that masonite was considered alternative building materials

[@pollycurtiss5890]

Please think about asking subscribers or local individuals for help. The work you are currently doing can be done in part by other people without a lot of direction or supervision. I'm sure there are people out there who would love to help!

[@brickandsole]

I would love that in the future when I get all the trash and boards with nails out etc. The building is uninsurable still so there is a lot of liability. but I hope to do that some day.

[@MrJeep75]

None of those paneled walls are original probably put in, in the 40s or 50s

[@brickandsole]

I think 80s. when it became a plumbing and heating shop.

[@friendlybunnie]

Looks very 1920/19-teens

[@brickandsole]

mint green. I wonder if there was a decade that it was popular.

[@MrJeep75]

Rip it that wall out and the last room

[@johnrichardson1949]

Chris, I'll bet 500 of your viewers would show up, sign a release, and help you for a weekend - people would even camp in your yard.... get a local place to sponsor the catering... and just do it.... this is not sustainable... you need help... and if you don't show yourself some real progress you will get frustrated and depressed - I know I would... make a discreet list of the work that needs to be done, and put it out there. Now. Do it.

[@johnrichardson1949]

seriously - make a wall of fame, give them some momentos.... I have lots of ideas if you don't....

[@brickandsole]

that would be great but I have to save that for when the trash is all out because of liability. funny you should mention mementos I have something coming up soon.

[@paullheureux2021]

I know you don't like to but, you should remind viewers to hit the like button. I was not able to give a like at the ending part of your video. It is OK to ask for likes.

[@brickandsole]

Okay, I'll try. my thinking is evolving on that since the channel has brought me so many blessings and new friends through the comments section. Growing the channel can only amplify that.

[@tuck6464]

No such thing as an easy, cheap , big industrial building.

[@brickandsole]

haha, thats right.