I am a 5th generation carpenter/contractor. I've had a very reputable business for over 40 years. I am the son of a structural engineer that primarily works with live loads. With that being said, I think you did a fantastic job

I live in central TX and I know working in a shop without AC in the summer is impossible. Awesome install!

I have to say, this was an EXCELLENT video! When you started cutting into the wall I was thinking "oh, great- she's going to just hack out a hole and stick that big air conditioner in", but I was wrong. You took the time to do it right with a proper header and framing. But the best part was, you took us along on your learning process! It may have been more of a construction project than a woodworking project, but I think it was the best video you've made yet!

I'm sure it cools great As a appliance dealer for over 20 yrs I might point out that the unit is a window unit, designed to hang inside the building. Those holes you didn't like represent where the screws should attach to the studs. This assures the weight and balance point is somewhat supported by the sill. Sometimes if you look, there may be a notch on the other side of the AC unit to allow the cord to exit the other side. Finally I don't know if you addressed evaporated water, but don't allow unit to tilt inward. Rain on the outside should be able to run off...Most newer units don't utilize a drain like we used to do. The tray pan will have a depression near the rear fan to capture water..the fan will have a outer ring around the perimeter of the blades that have small scoops. This allows water to be thrown at the back condenser coil to remove heat and make the unit efficient. Sorry if this sounds like criticism , but you don't need water running down the inside of your walls. With your skills you will be able to frame around cabinet shell. FYI true wall units come with a special cabinet that may include structure to support more weight on the outside.. Enjoy your vids,my wife does too,,,thanks for sharing.🌹👍

I was very impressed that you choose to do everything the right way , rather than take shortcuts, like many people do...Bill,, retired carpenter

So cool to see you dig in this project ! thank you !

Hi April, you asked for suggestions on how to make the project look better ... Here are my (very humble) two cents : I would have let the AC come out the wall by an inch or two, and would definitely install a simple trim .... Thanks for your videos, I enjoyed this one and always learn something new , I guess that's why we like to watch !!! I hope "you all" feel cooler in the shop !!! :-)

How to pretty it up? Traditionally in construction, we just put the beer fridge in front of it and artfully stack empty cans to cover the seams.

I like that you aren't just making videos about stuff you do. You are obviously learning the right way and then sharing what you learn with your audience. I too was afraid you might just hack through framing members and hang the AC in there (most guys I've seen would do that). Thanks for clearly explaining exactly why and how to rebuild the structure properly...that's VERY important! Did you support the unit on the outside as well? Great job!!!

Great job April!

Good job, nice to see you are wanting to take on these tasks. The material on the outside of the shed after the 1/2'plywood is a product called "Hardie Board Siding'' . It maybe called differently in the USA. It is resistant to insects, fire, rot, and harsh weather.

You did a excellent job. I have seen builders not take the time to support the header properly. If you want a smooth wall again without having to replace the wood. You can fill and sand the seams then paint. Like you would for drywall. But it is a shop! Your choice on what you want to spend your time on.. Thanks for sharing.

April, you did a terrific job! I am a 30+ year renovations specialists and would hire you in a heartbeat! BTW my wife used to work on my jobs with me years ago. I love seeing women getting in the carpentry trade. Women are easier to teach, remember better, are more focused on the details and in most cases much better finishers than men. Great job!!

I'm sure you've probably already, as you said, prettied up your A/C unit, but just in case you didn't, here's an idea. In my shop I put in a 8,000 btu unit, and I cut a hole in the wall, just like you. On the inside, I picture framed it, but I used all scrap wood. Not one piece was the same kind of wood. As long as it was a 3/4" board,and I had 4" in width, I used it. If I recall, one piece was pine, one birch, one maple, and one was oak. I let my daughter experiment with paint for the first time, and she had a ball. Not one piece looked the same, but I didn't care. She was 10 at the time, and she was so proud of her work how could I say no. With just some old latex paints I had, she mixed every color I had, on every strip of wood. It looks really good, believe it or not. All the materials used, were pretty much free, but time spent with your kids is priceless. Take Care!!

Nice Job April. As a victim of having my garage broken into by way of shoving the AC unit into the garage, I agree with the other person's comment about bolting the AC to the frame. Fortunately, my security system worked and I just had to replace the unit.....and that sucker won't budge.

Great job April !!! It's all about learning new things, making a plan and then pulling the trigger. Great video! Let us know how hot it is outside versus how cool it is in your woodshop :)

I just bought a 24,500 and planning on mounting it in a stud wall. Two things I would suggest, as anything larger than a 12, k unit can get heavy and due to vibration can over time weaken construction. Double up jack studs, using gorilla glue, apply liberally to joined surfaces. Double up sill and double up crippling at outside points where they meet jacks. Flashing the stud, sill and header faces with easily formed aluminum. Trimming the exterior with Azak, caulking and if applicable, j molding. By not inserting the a/c sleeve as far, would enable trimming the interior with room appropriate clam, colonial or plain 1 x trim. Otherwise, your video was extremely well executed and helpful.

Thanks for your video. I installed an a/c in my garage recently and had a good idea of how to go about it, but wanted to see a few videos for pointers before I started. Your was the only video that was helpful.

April, I did the same thing in my shop. Trimmed it out with standard window/door casing mitred in the corners. Don't forget to add a filter. I just cutdown a similar sized house a/c filter closing and stiffening the cut sides with foil a/c tape. You can then hold the filter in place with almost any type of tape. I actually fabricated a aluminum frame using 3/4" "u" channel. The cut down filter just a slides in from the top. The cooling coil is a sawdust magnet so use a good filter, not the cheaper blue fiberglass ones. I use 3M filtrete style filters. Good luck. Best addition to the shop I ever made.

For what its worth, so proud and happy to see your growth during this past few years! Highly inspirational, a true example of what America offers to those that work , versus those that blame and feel entitled to what that haven`t earned. Very best to you, and EVERYONE else who likes to EARN their supper... as my granddad used to say.

Very thorough instal! It's always nice to have a window unit in a wall rather than rendering an existing window useless. It's also much more insulated this way.

Great job! I wouldn't worry about the look of it. It might bug you for awhile, but that will pass when you dig into another project. My only comment is it never hurts to use some construction adhesive on framing projects... between layers of header, between king & jack studs, etc.

Excellent build. For prettying up, I'd suggest taking off the osb first and using expanding foam in the cavity to seal around the cage to stop any extra drafts from the outside, then put the osb back up and make a frame with a tight fitting removable shutter on it. That way in the winter you can seal yourself back in. You could also have your French cleat system on or across the shutter so you don't lose all the wall space. Of course that could turn in to a P.I.T.A. if you had to take it on and off every time!! Wish we could get AC in my shed in the UK sometimes. Very envious.

Thank You April! I was looking for a simple video to explain the process of framing out a hole for a new window in my chicken coop. Now after watching your video I feel reasonably knowledgeable to begin the job! TY

great little video, a little tip on screwing 2 pieces of lumber together, always drill a clearance hole before screwing together, i build bowling centers around the world and you know how well those stand up

Good job! Especially with the tools. Some people can't even plug up a TV without stressing out.

True handy woman! Love your work and drive to do so. Keep it up!!

Wow! I was so impressed April. I've never seen a girl know how to do those type of things. You did a great job. To make it look a little better, you might could put some pine boards around the air conditioner as trim. Great job!

As an EE the National Electric Code says the wall and the attic are plenums so you can run the cord inside the wall you just can't have the outlet or plug in the wall. Go to a garage sale and cover the AC up with a large picture of a snow scene cutting the AC opening out. And watch one of my videos to see how I hang tools behind me would love to see you do that project you'll probably do something I never thought of. Very impressed with your work BTW and keep going!!! Cheers Dave

I did almost the same thing at my vacation home, only you did a much better job than I did. I used some door casing material and cut them at 45 angles and built like a picture frame around the AC. Also make sure it tilts a little bit away from your house so the condensation runs away from the wood. It will make a lot of condensation in the summer in Texas. Just found your channel and am new subscriber. thanks, rob.

You go girl! Don't worry about PRETTY. It's a shop. This job is more professional than most men do it. Kudos.

Great job, April and good skills with the circular saw!

April, if you wanted to " Pretty it up" maybe you could make a louvered cover to go over it. You might be able to make louvers from ripping them from a 2x4. Then make a frame for them with 2x2s.. Maybe? You do great work!

Very well done April !!! Like Stumpy Nubs below me, I thought you were just going to cut a hold in the wall .... You did a great job.

Nice April, COOL woodworker!

Keep up the great work! I appreciate the time you have put in to making these videos.

another great project and video! thanks for sharing! I was glad to see that you took your time and went step by step rather than just go full bore with the sawzall like you see so many times

Very proper... I think to hide it, you should putty, paint, reinstall shelving and then frame that unit like a work of art. Great vid...

You totally taught me what I needed to know! THANKS SO MUCH. your newest fan, Randy!

Nice install April, I'm sure you will like the cool air.

it is wonderful job. the frame work you did for the support is great.

You're living the good life! You have a shop with AC and half naked men all over :P

Did a good job on the install. I have AC in my shop and I love it. A tip to make the AC last longer in a woodworking shop environment is get a furnace filter that wil cover the air intake, this way the fine dust don't get into the cooling fins.

Great install. Most people would be afraid to even tear into a wall. Your excessive planning and attention to detail made the install that much better.

Anytime you cut out a section of a wall try and go back with a full piece of board with just the cut out you need. In you're case the replacement board would just have the A/C opening. Great job and video!

First let me say "What Stumpy Said" As to dressing it up. You can take the cut up OSB back down and go back with a new sheet with just the hole for the AC unit. Then just some simple 1"x to your taste for a picture trim around the unit. As for the front of the AC unit I am guessing is gone but not forgotten. That my dear could be a real wood working project. Directional vents and a moving grid so you can clean the saw dust from the AC filter. Can't wait to watch that one. Love your work. Keep it up. Can't wait for you to tell us this is your full time job.

Great job! Really secure build and a good methodical way of working.

picture frame around ,simple and beautiful

Thanks for the video. I appreciate seeing how you did it before I attempt this.

Love that little arm thing at the end! AWESOME video!

You did a great job April. I have been following your channel for awhile now and i am just catching up on your older videos. XOXO

To pretty the a/c unit up: If you plan to either paint or sheet rock over the ply board , I would say to buy one sheet of FRP panel which is used basically in a kitchen / bathroom on the walls and comes in 4 x 8 sheets you can stand one up cut out for the A/C unit and glue it to the ply board use the trim pieces they make for FRP panels and nicely trim out the A/C unit as well as the outer edges of the FRP panel which will do very nicely for making that one area lok amazing ( pretty) as well as easy to clean as it just wipes off with damp rag and also if the a/c unit leaks or drips water it will shed the water and just cleans up so nice. Looking good no matter what you decide.

April That was a very helpful video! Thanks

I really like the way you took the time to do a proper install. I have seen too many people just cut a hole in the wall and shove the air-conditioner in place. Nice professional job April.

Awesome! Love it. I'm building a business in my shed (shed-to-office space) so I need to add an extra small a.c. window unit in the attic area and I am just about to cut through the wall since there are no windows up there. Thank you so much for the info. I had no idea how to even start to make a cut. I have a paddle bit and everything else you used, so let's do this. These videos are timeless...

Great Job!.....I did the same thing, (installed a window AC unit), in the wall of my old shop, (was very hot in summer also), and what a difference it made finally nice and cool!....I also added a 220 volt electric heater, (hung from the ceiling), for heat in the winter, that worked great also...(my old shop was also fully insulated and Drywall on the inside to, which helped a lot also).....Enjoy your now cooler shop!...later, Tim....

To "Finish it". you could remove the boards from the left hand seem over and replace with a whole sheet of OBS with a hole cut to fit the AC unit. Trim the unit with 1"x3"s. It's a matter of budget vs. "How much does it bother you". Great stuff.

I'm planning to do the same thing in my garage next summer ($$$ permitting), and like you I was planning in my brain to go the surgical method with my cuts. After watching this I now realize I'll need to open the wall like you did. Thanks for sharing!

First off...your channel is great! I found it a few months back. Finally subscribed! I've never subscribed to a channel before but too many ideas on here to not subscribe! I'm putting in a tinker shop this spring and have loads of ideas from your channel. I hope as you build your new shop you cover heating and cooling it so I can get some more great ideas!

definitely the super proper way to do it, great job. I would have been tempted to do a sill / cripple on the bottom and just skipped the jackstuds. But your way is 100%. Respect!

Yay no more swamp butt in the shop... Good job, will be very helpful to what I'm doing right now.

just ran across your channel by accident lol, the only thing i would have done different is got a new sheet of osb and cut a hole the right size for the A/C and put the whole piece up instead of all the small pieces on the inside, then trimmed around with window trim. awesome to see a lady doing stuff like this!

You did a great job. Also you're very funny. Keep up the good work. I'm looking forward for your next project.

Gotta put an ac in my shop wall, too. My window is just a bit too small for any window unit, so I'm gonna do basically what you just did. Thanks for the tips.

April, Nice job! I love your ENTHUSIASM for everything you do. Keep up the good work and keep making the vids.

Fantastic job. I enjoyed it

If it hasn't already been said, theres two studs together because that's where two sections of the wall are joined. Nice job with the bracing.

WoManville ... I'm still laughing, that was good humor! Always great to watch a woman working in the shop, not too many out there! Subbed, and am going to enjoy watching more of your videos in the future. :)

Man your cute ! Your husband is a lucky man . I love your video's nice job - Your very good when it comes to detail . It's very nice to see lady's that are really in to to wood working - I lovebyour shop nice set up .

That was a cool project. also super nice shop.

Good job April , do not let hesitation get in the way tackle the job at hand, I bet your happy working in a cool shop in that hot Texas heat. as far as prettying the a/c unit up, I would paint it black at least the face, and build a frame with louvers, just a thought.

Wow. Way to go April. Just so happens I installed my window unit today also. Upgraded bedroom and moved other to shop. Took advantage of this strange "cool front" we had this week in the metroplex just in time for our regular heat to return around here next week. Very impressed with how far you have come with your skills. Like how you tackle anything. So cool. Stay cool! Troy

Great video April. I enjoyed watching because I remember doing something similar not too long ago. You also threw a little educational material out there which was a great touch. I look forward to your next video. You get better with each video and take on more challenges. And you have a great can do attitude,

Cool build (sorry for the pun). You are so knowledgeable, I was impressed with this video. Your other video have been wonderful, but this is your best one yet. Thank you for sharing your time and skills. No need to reply. Just make more saw dust.

Very nicely done,great job,girl

Thank you so much for showing the video of how to do the framing and really helpful to know what jack stud is.

Great job, April!!!

April, you are my hero. I grew up with a very assertive mother . Unfortunately, in as much as I tried, I have not been able to pass this independence to my two daughters (grand ma was in another state and not part of their upbringing). I will surely show them this video so at least they know that it is up to them to do something, not the World. Thanks.

You´re awesome April, thank you!!!

good job April. To pretty it up I'd trim around the AC unit and give look of AC unit displayed in a picture frame, not to mention go nutz with some funky or classic color. Sky is the limit ;)

It will be fine once you start putting things back on the wall. Great job, Thanks

Great video. Very informative.

Well done April. Looks very stable. The next thing may be to paint all the walls white so it will feel much more comfortable to work in.

Good Job, April👏

To pretty it back up, get a sheet of osb and cut the hole for the ac in it, that way it will match the wall better and won't be a bunch of small pieces. Other than that it would be trimmed if it was in the house. Out there it looks fine. I'd just trim it out with the French cleats. Use long ones and you can hide all the smaller pieces, add rigidity back, and cover most with the tools that will hang there.

This video inspired me to get out and do mine. I got it installed recently. Great video. Keep it up.

good job! keep making good videos. easy to understand and good use of tools and what u have. on a budget. when i did my ac that was similar situation, i built a little awning above it to keep the sun and rain off of it. the sun heats it up too much.

I would cut out a large piece of particle board the same size as the hole, then cut another hole for the unit. You will still have a couple seams, but it would look a lot better having one large board to fill that gap than 6 various sized boards.

You Go Girl!!! That was a Excellent Video on cooling off "Womanville!" Great Prep work!

Great video! Putting a unit in my shop soon.

April, you should be able to pull the air conditioner into the shop a couple of inches or so, so you can trim around the housing, but leave the cover proud of the trim so the cover can be easily removed to change and or clean the filter. which will need doing a lot, and make sure the unit won't drain into the wall cavity. It should be slanted back and down so water drips from as far as possible away from the shop siding. I would have used ice and water shield on the sill at least. Good job!

Nicely done, Trim it out on the inside like a picture frame. If you had some trim coil, ( painted flashing ) you could make a 3/4 bend on a 24" x 4 1/2" and line the rough opening before unit is installed. This seals the outside. Short bends 16" and 24" can be done on the bench with clamps. and mitered 1 x 4.

Texas in summer? Yeah, you NEED an AC. Nice job. You're pretty handy with a sidewinder.

I am going to install an a/c in my cabin wall. This is exactly the instructional video I was looking for. God, I love youtube. Haha

excellent job April. I like that you have the ability and the want-to to research how to do something that you are unfamiliar with and then the guts to jump right in there. I have many employees that call themselves "carpenters" that couldn't do what you did, and did so well... best wishes Ken :-)

Just make a small frame with some black metal screening over the larger vent on the bottom. It's not the worse install for an A/C window I ever seen. Good job on the King stud. I've seen people skip that step on a load bearing wall, lol.

Great Job April, Great Woman!!!

Looks good. Nice job. Thanks for sharing. Roy

Great video. I love that not all your videos are woodworking but things you are learning to do and you want to share. Keep up the great work and keep the videos going. Oh yeah, glad you didn't run that wire in the wall. Had to say that seeing that I'm an electrocution. (that's from the conversation on what to do with the wire) :)

wow what a great job it does get hot in texas! thanks for sharing!