How To Build A Short Wall

Okay, so the biggest challenge in finishing my basement bedroom and office is that I want the walls to be standard all the way around. That is, 2×4 studs, 16″ on center (meaning 16″ from the center of one to the center of the next one), with enough space to place insulation and run electrical and data wiring. The problem, as you may have seen from yesterday’s pictures, is that where I have concrete basement wall, it only goes up about three feet. From there on up is what is called a “knee wall” that sits on the concrete wall/foundation “above grade” or above the level of the ground. Now, the concrete foundation wall is wider than the knee wall, and I’m left with a little ledge, which is going to help some. You’ll see how after the cut.

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Fastening

Okay, when last we left our intrepid heroes on Sunday morning, they were about to start trying to fasten the half-wall into the floor and, on the top, to a plywood ledge. How well did it work?

Welll… We burned out a masonry bit trying to pre-drill through the pressure-treated base plates and into the concrete floor to prep for our masonry anchors. We got one sunk, and that’s been about it. I just came back from buying a new bit, and tomorrow, when my wrists are feeling better (or… maybe TuesWedThursFriSaturday when my wrists are feeling better) I’ll give the new bit a try. Otherwise I’m going to rent/borrow a hammer drill, which tends to make short work of concrete. But, we did get some stuff done…

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