Remodeling a Kitchen A-Z - Part 5: Building a Pony Wall for the Kitchen Island

Hey gang, today we're doing quite a bit in this episode. If you have any questions be sure to ask in the comments below and we'll do our best to answer! Please consider liking and subscribing to the channel! See ya in the next one!

[@scotthuff2793]

I'm a retired contractor and I love nothing more than watching construction videos and you're one of the few channels I run across that actually go through step-by-step. To me this is better than any Hollywood movie. by the way excellent idea on holding the drywall up , in all my years I never thought of that

[@StudPack]

Thanks Scott! We appreciate that very much👍👍

[@kenmore01]

Same on the kudos, brilliant!!

[@eddiecabrera1408]

Mr Scott Huff I totally agree with you on that idea with the sheetrock helpers on the ceiling I do that now but I don't lift 12-ft sheets by myself I can do eight but I can't do 10 to 12 by myself

[@udalimb384]

Screws are brittle. These are the gems that teach weekend DIYers. Who knew?

[@keithscofield4583]

I'm in the remodeling and restoration business. These guys are for real. Much pride and dedication. No stone unturned type of business. I was once told that it's not easy to find someone that can do it all but if you do never them go. It's great to find someone that works with passion no matter what they do. This makes it easier for each step. If you contract a good carpenter but crappy drywallers then the drywall finisher will not be happy. When you do it all yourself you make everything just right so you're not screwing yourself on the next step.

[@StudPack]

Thx Keith 👍

[@edgundlach2811]

I thought you were doing your own home, but read one of the other comments you replied to and discovered you were not. That impressed me more. Because moving those vents was a real good idea. Really appreciate your attention to detail on things like that. Keep up the good work.

[@StudPack]

Thanks Ed!!👍

[@bobsmith8228]

Your videos are fantastic! Dad is a GREAT teacher and explains all the details. Loved the drywall brackets for the ceiling!

[@StudPack]

You saw those huh?? We need to do a video on just that😊

[@dirkg7062]

Paul, You're a true professional. Your attention to detail is phenomenal. All of your projects turn out great. You and your son do great work.

[@StudPack]

Thanks Dirk 👊👍

[@paulsingletary7869]

WOW!! Such a clever idea using those swivel blocks to hold the 12' sheets of drywall.

[@KaraBaker-ux3wr]

I love your channel. Please show as much as possible. I love watching all steps of the process.

[@jimreitenbach6023]

Love the attention to detail. Liked the drywall hanging helpers too. 👍

[@mickfalvey6045]

Oh man those blocks to help hold the ceiling sheetrock! I wish i knew about that lil trick when i did my project. Thanks guys your videos are awesome 👏

[@StudPack]

Thanks Mick!

[@juniorscarpentry4982]

Best youtube Chanel for home improvement, my hat is off for you Sir , your do great work and very knowledgeable . Thank you for all the videos JunioR

[@FriscoBossFriscoBoss]

Thanks for your attention to detail and explaining how things are leveled and measured got me thinking outside of the box I love your videos keep it up 👍

[@victornicasio5260]

You guys make a good team, very good insight and easy to listen and understand. Keep it up.

[@luisamezcua1504]

Great work , it is great to see your Dad teaching you all of his knowledge,and you young man are very respectful of you Dad is great to see you do great work ,Learning a lot thank you

[@StudPack]

Much appreciated Luis thx 👍💪

[@jessicahites871]

Your extra attention to detail is top notch!!

[@lesleyhiddins2067]

Mock up: thank you for mentioning that! Just saved me a ton of frustration

[@StudPack]

Happy to help! Thanks Lesley

[@curbee3991]

I enjoy the the step-by-step and explanation of why it's done like that... keep it up... Thx

[@samvoyles2096]

I absolutely love watching the two of you. Nothing better than the strong relationship/bond of a father and son. Well Done dad!!!!

[@StudPack]

Thanks Sam! We appreciate that:)

[@BWIL2515]

Professional integrity applied your son is learning alot The RIGHT way impressed

[@StudPack]

Thx Bart!

[@lllmmm3572]

This is a fantastic video. Every detail is there. As soon as I saw you decide to line up the vents, I knew you are the type of guys whose advice I can rely on, because I would do (and have done) the exact same thing! I hit "like" and "subscribe" right then. Someday someone else will own our houses, and they'll have no idea how lucky they are that everything was done to such a high standard!

[@StudPack]

Thank you very much!

[@ncooty]

@7:46: It warms my heart to hear someone use the subjunctive tense correctly. Paul is well educated.

[@andypreston6899]

I love that your son is getting involved, and learning a great work ethic.

[@barronlee5361]

I listen to you guys while I'm working love the the wood to hold the drywall

[@ironchefw]

Thank you. Your video revealed some clues as to how I can take care of an issue with my kitchen island.

[@StudPack]

Cool thx Frederick 👊👍

[@john.french]

Amazing work on the HVAC vents and drywall supports to help with install. It's awesome to see how your videos content and skills have progressed!

[@scflooring8658]

You guys are the best how to construction on you tube. 2 👍 👍 up way up!!!!

[@TheAxecutioner]

I would like to see you guys do a video of both hanging and finishing drywall

[@dr.haroldweinstein5157]

Took them a year but it’s finally out!

[@JCC56]

Quality work moving the vents to make everything asthetic and aligned.

[@adriaan7627]

Love how you vacuum with this sturdy hose extension while working

[@jesussilva7706]

Good job sir, seeing how you work, makes me do better. Thanks keep up the good work.

[@StudPack]

I appreciate that Jesus! Thanks!!

[@rsmith7292]

Thanks for the drywall hanging tip -- plywood swivel supports.

[@StudPack]

You bet!

[@mattwilliamson1714]

Another great video! 2x6 pony walls are always better (if you can do them) & even tho it was extra work, moving those vents was a fantastic touch! I wish more tradesmen took as much pride in their finished product as you. Have been fixing other people's sub-par work for years... and trying to explain to my kids how to do things right. Now, when we walk into someone's house that has "quality problems," my kids won't say anything, but they'll look at me and do the "eye-point" thing to make sure I know they noticed things not done right. (Made me proud 2 years ago when my then-10-year-old daughter and I walked up onto a deck built by a "professional" company. She just stopped dead... with mouth-agape, looked at me, and asked what idiot lined up all the seams on a deck job.) 🤣🤣 Doesn't always work, but have done a few galley kitchens (all 16" center studs & no windows) in 5/8" drywall and was able to dado 3/4" plywood (to fit over the studs) right around the top 8" (only behind the cabinets). Tite-Bonded 2x8s to the back bottom edges of the plywood, primed the faces with flat, toe-screwed the 2x8s to the studs, then taped & mudded the plywood to the drywall. Made it super easy to hang 42" cabinets... just put all my screws anywhere I wanted. Was my dad's idea, seemed like a lot of extra work & I thought he was nuts... until I did the first one. Wouldn't do it for smaller cabinets, but for long runs of the big heavy 42" baltic birch monsters, it was worth the extra effort. (Also use a laser, scribe the walls, and screw uni-strut into the studs to catch the bottom back edges of the cabinets... holds all the weight, saves the back, and makes for much less effort on exact adjustments.)

[@eddiecabrera1408]

That's straight up good information don't do what somebody else did know what you're doing and make it all look consistent good job Stud Pack crew on changing those two vents making them look all the same that's what you call taking pride of your work good job gentlemen💪👍🇺🇲💯💯💯

[@T.E.P.]

so happy to find your channel .. you guys are doin a great job with these vids.

[@micuzzu]

Great stuff sir! You're a great dad!

[@papiwe1]

Good energy between the two of you.

[@edzachary8657]

Nice job, i do this work for a living and I know it's not easy but it is satisfying when done correctly, keep up the great work

[@Andy-zv6hs]

Thanks for the videos, i had a water leak in my Kitchen and i am now going to blow a wall out and do a remodel, watching your videos is giving me many ideas...

[@StudPack]

Thanks Andy!

[@abdal-haqq1688]

Tip: when I'm taping, I do my stick coat, 1st coat and 2nd coat( immediately after fist). Then my finish coat the next day. Saves an entire day.

[@krehbein]

That attic is luxurious. Plenty of headroom and no engineered trusses. Seems like when I need to work in an attic I’m crawling through truss webs and trying not to hit my head on nails. 😬

[@StudPack]

Wait until you see the attic on our next project. It’s cavernous

[@krehbein]

@@StudPack I'll be on the lookout for it

[@Raygilley10]

I’ve done a lot of construction over the years and your the first one to explain the nail and screw knowledge for the purpose in framing. See your never to old to learn things always be willing to receive! Just a question did you learn the thing about how to remember the names of our Great Lakes?

[@StudPack]

Thanks Raymond! HOMES or SHO ME? Yep, learned them both.

[@jerryf609]

I like your trick to put up little hangers.

[@treeguyable]

That saying, " Well, you can't think of everything". But, you have to , especially in smaller builds,not much room for error. I was amazed at my kitchen remodel, only one slight hiccup, with a light switch, too close under a cabinet, just made a cut out. Tried to account for everything, all new cabinets, appliances, a wraparound counter, bar sink, new floor tile, etc. Couldn't be complacent. Probably fried a few brain cells.

[@batbawls]

14:43 I'm willing to watch anything. Film the lunch breaks if you like, I'll watch those as well. :D

[@Nickporter17]

Hey nice style. I like The Way You Walk The viewer through your whole thought process on a job. Not just specific how to. This video is over your old so I'm sure you may have done it already. But a cheap on camera light that runs off of Sony batteries would do wonders for the video quality and lighting up your scenes.

[@frosty9392]

big

[@StudPack]

Happy to help!

[@johncgonzales4338]

You can see how proud you are on a job in your face. I remember that. (retired)

[@StudPack]

Thx John 💪

[@bradwhite6491]

Nice, that vent would bother me too ! Fix it now, great job!

[@StudPack]

Thanks 👍

[@joseeduardopadillagonzalez3502]

I liked your videos and the way you explain

[@CoorsLight2025]

cheers! i'm here watching in Aug 2024

[@fillowtree5505]

Let’s see your drywall tips. Great content

[@StudPack]

Will do

[@apolosoto5809]

Love what you guys are doing! On the romex cable going into the underground pipe, you’re supposed to use a wire suitable for wet locations , romex has a bare copper in it and is not suitable for underground because of condensation in the pipe

[@scrapenbass493]

Great videos Paul's the man Jordan makes a good tripod😂

[@kalijasin]

AFCI protection is required on all branch circuits supplying outlets or devices installed in dwelling unit kitchens.

[@urimartinez7249]

Yeah! Let’s do this guys👍🏻

[@streamingwithangelo3793]

Dope Vid guys!!

[@Matt-wl3jo]

I giggled about the screw segment. I don't think you have to worry about siesmic loads in south louisiana.

[@drewcama5481]

Little wood tabs to hold your 12 foot ceiling dry wall in place. Humm I usually use my head and screw as fast as possible. I like that. (or I cheep out and use 1/4 inch gyp rock instead) Don't tell the inspector!

[@StudPack]

🤐

[@mikeferro99]

Hi great video very informative. I’m in the process of doing the same thing but in the basement where I have engineered hardwood floors. I’ve seen may recommend installing knee (pony) wall directly over the hardwood making sure it drills into concrete slab and putting cabinets over hardwood as they will be mounted to the knee wall. I noticed you cut out the hardwood floor to mount -what’s your take on the best way to do this?

[@cathyhennig5348]

You are right about screws being brittle but there are special screws call grk that are structural screws

[@scottwinnewisser3255]

What concrete fasteners do you use?

[@heatherborowsky9517]

We are planning. Project just like this. I like how you guys show it as a how to. I feel capable to do the labor, but what do you recommend a homeowner do first? Get an engineer? or architect? Because we want to tear down a wall but we dont have the expertise you do to be certain, also we plan to trench for gas also & wasnt sure how you found out about checking the concrete. Any help would be greatly appreciated 🙏

[@StudPack]

Thanks Heather! We work with homeowners on the design and I draw the plans needed to get a permit. Mainly one sheet showing the existing and one sheet showing proposed. It's difficult here to find architects willing to do small projects sometimes. Our permitting office does require a structural engineer to submit drawings for load bearing wall removals/beam installations. I'd start there and any structural engineer would be able to assist you with determining if you have a post tensioned slab. We paid $500.00 for engineering FYI. One site visit crawling around in attic plus drawings. Hope that helps:)

[@heatherborowsky9517]

@@StudPack Awesome! That does help! Thank you so much for the reply. My husband & I love your videos and really motivates us! Thanks :)

[@marknaugle3832]

Just found you guys and really enjoying the content, keep it up!

[@StudPack]

Welcome aboard!

[@deletedaccount5250]

Keep it up guys, good work

[@jamesmchugo9422]

Great video. 👍 About screwing the pony wall to the floor. Why do you not use TapCon screws? Is it just personal preference or are there other reasons?

[@kenmore01]

I have a drywall question. Years ago, I had to put a PEX hot water pipe through the length of my house due to a slab leak. I was concerned about the tape on the edges of the drywall patch which was only 1" x 8', showing; so I took my grinder with 80 grit discs, and sanded the seams down so the tape would be below the surface. It made a huge mess! Do you have any tips on that situation? I couldn't use the built-in flanges drywall edges come with since this was in the middle of sheets, and I didn't want to waste sheets by just using the edges. Thanks! And, keep up the great work and the great videos!! I'm a huge fan! Hope you had a nice Cinco De Mayo 2021.

[@StudPack]

I’ve seen guys cut and remove the drywall paper back about an inch around a patch so the tape lays flatter. Not so much that all the paper comes off though. The brown backing remains. Hope that makes sense 👍

[@kenmore01]

@@StudPack Yes it does, and thank you for the advice!

[@msfatts7162]

Awesome video

[@brianpeterson3752]

That dude REALLY knows his shit

[@dr.haroldweinstein5157]

I was waiting for you to miss the nail and smack the tile 🤣

[@SteveMachado]

I am using my island as my small appliance 2, I am putting two outlets on my island to meet code. Can the outlets be on the back side of my pony wall or do that have to be on the ends of my pony wall?

[@akramalkhallas519]

A question: shall I use dry wall or cement wall for kitchen back splash ?

[@JonpolAnderson]

You ran romex thru conduit under ground which is considered a damp place by NEC. How'd you get away with that during inspection?

[@GreddyReaddy]

As a DIY homeowner, Drywall is probably the most annoying step for me when installing and tapping. So I’ll be looking forward to that video and thanks for avoiding the strobing light effect.

[@ohmygod666]

What kind of line did you use for the gas? I will also need to run gas underground for a kitchen island, I wanted to use conduit also

[@StudPack]

It’s called CSST corrugated stainless steel tubing. Don’t remember the brand

[@JS-mt6wp]

What size of brad nails did you use for framing?

[@fernandoserrano9690]

What type of gas tube are you using because I am doing a similar project and I don't know which flexible tube to use for the gas buried in the cement like you put it.

[@StudPack]

The gas lines are called CSST (corrugated stainless steel tubing). I've done them myself but better to get a plumber nowadays. They're not exactly buried in the concrete. They're in a 3" conduit serving as a sleeve, that's the way to do it.

[@davidtaylor4053]

Desktop staplers can staple like that too.

[@KhalidAli-lb2lc]

Very nice thank you so much

[@teksight3609]

Great videos, I am adding an island to our kitchen and need a pony wall what should the height be if we are filing under the cabinets? 34.5 plus .5 for the tile?

[@StudPack]

Your counter subtop needs to extend over the pony wall. Best advice is to build the pony wall short and pad it out when you install subtops or build the pony wall after cabinets are in if that's possible.

[@ryanmead1472]

I love your videos man, but when you applying your fasteners with the root hammer why not use a Hilti/ Ramset with concrete nails or technically called powder accurate, saves a bunch of time and you wouldn’t have to worry about where your conduit is at

[@StudPack]

I simply don't do this enough to warrant owning such a specialized tool 👍

[@markg7963]

You can show me drywall all you want, but I’ll never hang my own😂

[@StudPack]

😂

[@Nguyen12121]

Can you lay the tile/hardwood first before placing the cabinet on top? why do cut around the cabinet?

[@matteogomez3678]

Probably don’t need to tell you that most contractors would’ve just left HVAC vents were they were;👍 good job

[@johnbielick2700]

Definitely would have liked to have seen the drywall install. Disappointed that it wasn’t included here.

[@wolfgangbreitenseher358]

You can get rid of most of a strobe effect on a video by changjng the frame rate of the clip in post production a little. You have to try to get the led out of sync with the frame rate. Just as a hint. :)

[@Noez90]

We would like a drywall hanging video 😎

[@Matt-wl3jo]

Never thought I'd say this, but I agree with George Bush on this.

[@mattvanicek4635]

If you happen to make it up to Nebraska, I've got a kitchen that needs remodeling...

[@StudPack]

Would love to come up there someday. I was recently very close in Wyoming.

[@mr.g937]

That didn't look like pressure treated for the bottom plate - was it?

[@StudPack]

Yes

[@mrcryptozoic817]

Late to the party but: Why not use Ardox nails where holding is super important?

[@suburbanhobbyist2752]

1:40 One of you guys should learn Sketchup. It would help you in so many of your projects and it really isn't that hard to learn. Seems like it at first but you'll be off and running before you know it.

[@izzo2018]

I would like to see you guys doing drywall

[@daleravic]

Only question why not do the oven gas as well? Oven is the biggest electric hog.

[@StudPack]

The owner's selected a dual fuel range with a warming drawer. Maybe it's not available as an all gas unit? I'm not sure.

[@daleravic]

Oh ok though you were doing your home. Amazing work.

[@stevensmafield9958]

Electric is desired over gas for baking usually. not efficiency.

[@rdm20fan1]

SO MANY COMMERCIALS

[@adriaan7627]

Could you lower the sound of the music that is played? That makes listening to what you are saying more pleasing and no need to lower the sound when the music comes in. Otherwise, it is a pleasure to learn from you both :-) The son is somewhat exaggerated and to talking quick. Very enthusiastic, but somewhat exhausting. (This is meant as possitive feadback) The calm tone of the father is pleasantly comforting. Both of you are very knowledgeable :-)

[@baliktad8]

Awesome, I see that someone besides me has some OCD when it comes to how things look to the eye.

[@daxmas625]

Dumb question but what is a whip?

[@stevewayne3676]

You should never move a duct. Our duct calculation is very specific on location. Fortunately in this case its clear the installation wasnt done by calculation or the vents would be on a outside wall airflow towards the wall but ive seen carpenters move or add onto systems and destroy the operation.

[@ibrennan]

I don't think it's allowed to run romex in conduit like that, even though it's 2" conduit... technically it's against most codes I'm pretty sure. I would like to hear feedback from others on this.

[@markcknudsen]

Use 5/8" type X drywall not 1/2" especially on an exterior wall. You should have a minimum of 42" around island to adjacent counters.

[@raxorlp9932]

in germany u wouldnt be allowed to run that gasline, u would need ventilation in the wall so gas cant pile up and also u would need to mark the gasline somehow so no one drill in it. surprised ur code sais nothing about that o.o

[@StudPack]

The sleeve for the gas line is open at each end for that reason. Did we show that part?

[@raxorlp9932]

@@StudPack only saw the open end in the cabinet, the rest behind the dry wall idk o.o