For questions involving wood as a construction material, either as lumber or finished features of a home.
5
votes
1answer
195 views
Am I doing something wrong with this sanding job?
I'm trying to finish a finishing job on a dresser; I abandoned the project (long story) a while ago after getting a few drawers done, and I've since lost the exact instructions I was following. After ...
5
votes
2answers
4k views
Plans for building a simple swing set out of wood
I would like to build a simple A-frame style swing set, which obviously has to be safe while also accommodating up to two swings.
Where can I find plans for building such a swing set?
5
votes
4answers
404 views
How can I find *very* old door/window trim?
Our house is around 100 years old, and during the course of a bathroom demo, the contractor irreparably broke part of the window trim.
Of course, the big box and local lumber stores are completely ...
5
votes
1answer
2k views
How can I join 2x6 pressure treated wood for a shed base?
I am creating a wood frame for my Suncast Sierra shed. I already weighed the pros and cons of each option for a base and came out with a wood frame as the most economical with all factors considered. ...
5
votes
2answers
349 views
Building a Work Area in the Basement - Requesting Feedback
I am a new homeowner of about 2 months now. I have not done much in the way of home repair before now, but I do find that I am quite capable so far. My largest project so far was the re-tiling of my ...
5
votes
4answers
441 views
How can I protect my hardwood floors from water damage?
I just bought a home with hardwood floors everywhere, including the bathrooms. While this is nice, I worry that they will be damaged by constant exposure to water. Is there anything I can do to ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
What materials do I need to install pantry shelving?
I'm installing shelving in my 5x5 kitchen pantry. My plan is to run 1x2 strapping on the back edge and left/right sides of each shelf, then use 1x12 boards as shelves. I'm considering poplar for the ...
5
votes
3answers
1k views
Wood for boarding a loft?
I want to board out my loft - just for easy storage of things like tools, boxes, old clothes, suitcases, small unused furtniture etc (i.e. nothing too heavy). I am wondering what kind of boards to buy ...
5
votes
3answers
723 views
What can be done to fix a squeak in stairs?
This might be better suited as a community wiki, what do you think?
My parents house has very squeaky stairs. The house is over 100 years old, so it's to be expected. What can be done to fix a squeak ...
5
votes
1answer
145 views
Should I apply termite preventative products to pressure treated wood?
There are pressure treated (4"x4") fence posts (set in concrete) nearby to a house. In that area there were previously termites (professionally treated in-ground). This is in a humid region, along the ...
5
votes
2answers
652 views
How can I remove wax from a wooden counter so I can resurface it with Danish oil?
A wooden (beech) kitchen counter has been treated with cheap wax in the past, and is now discolouring because of food preparation and constant splashing. I've decided to make a better job using Danish ...
5
votes
1answer
2k views
What size expansion gap should I leave between my wall a hardwood floating floor?
How much space to leave between wall and hardwood floating floor? This is a unique floor. Each board is solid bamboo (never thought I'd say that) but they snap together the same way that an engineered ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views
Wood Fence Designs
I plan on building a wooden fence out of pressure treated lumber this spring. I like the idea of 4x4's as posts and 2x2's for spindles. My wife and I do not like privacy fences. The function of this ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views
How do I vertically connect two 4x4s on a deck to build a roof?
I have a deck I am going to put a roof over. It has 4x4s for vertical supports that I need to extend upward to attach my trusses to. What is the best way to connect two vertical 4x4s?
5
votes
1answer
149 views
Should I use water-resistant lumber for siding?
Our house has a frame exterior, and rests on a pier-and-beam foundation with a brick chainwall around the sides.
We recently had the house leveled, and that resulted in a gap of several inches ...
5
votes
1answer
136 views
How can I extend existing 8 x 8 pilings?
I am converting a deck to a boat lift. I have 8x8 sqaure pilings built at deck height, 2.5 ft above water. I knew it might get converted into a boat lift so they are all in the correct location. But ...
4
votes
4answers
1k views
How do I get started with dovetail joints?
I've never made a dovetail joint before, and I'd like to do things right for my next project. I have the router and table and all that - but I don't have a dovetail jig. The prices vary from $40 to ...
4
votes
3answers
336 views
Easiest way to cut, shave, or chisel bottom 8" of posts to fit footings
I got some 6x6's and deck post brackets that are similar to the picture below, except they're 8" high:
Come to find out, the 6x6 is slightly too large to fit inside this bracket. Now I see how ...
4
votes
6answers
147 views
How do I prevent doors on a media cabinet from sagging?
A friend and I have just built a floor to ceiling media shelf unit for DVDs. It has 9 shelves and is about 3' wide. The frame around it is made up of 2"x8" boards and the shelves (except for one in ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
How can I repair screws in furniture with stripped holes?
I'm trying to repair a piece of furniture from which several screws have pulled out, stripping the wood. It's a lift top coffee table, such as this. (This is NOT the model in question, this just ...
4
votes
2answers
211 views
Rotten wood: to fill or not to fill?
I removed the paint from this wood, the top ring of a raised garden.
While scraping I got to a soft part and easily removed this rotten wood, creating the hole in the pictures: it is 2x2x5"
Should I ...
4
votes
1answer
587 views
What kind of connection is used to attach the legs to this table?
I (a beginner) would like to build a table of this form.
Does anyone know what kind of corners are used to connect the legs, or any other construction tips.
4
votes
2answers
2k views
When is the best time of year to install a fence?
Is there any right time to put the fence up in the backyard considering you have saved enough $$$s? Looking at the winter season we have and snow in coming months, is this the right time or should i ...
4
votes
3answers
975 views
What are the best materials for non-toxic wooden blocks?
I want to make wooden blocks for my baby girl. If successful, I would like to sell wooden block sets online too.
Requirements: (by order of importance)
Non-toxic
Cheap & readily available
...
4
votes
3answers
284 views
What is the most durable wood to use for an outdoor swing set
I'm looking to build an outdoor swing set for my kids in the garden. I'd like to know what is the most durable wood to use that doesn't warp or bend. I've been down to the big department stores to get ...
4
votes
2answers
274 views
What is this technique for matching cabinet veneers called?
Check out this picture of a kitchen cabinet:
Notice how the veneers of the cabinets match up perfectly! What's this technique called? My architect said we should just specify "book-matched veneers" ...
4
votes
5answers
8k views
How do I stain pine without streaks or blotches?
I did some test staining on pine scraps, and I ended up with a cross grain arc that's darker than everything else. Where did I go wrong? (Or is it just the pine?)
(Related to this question, as a ...
4
votes
1answer
196 views
How can I plane the edges of plywood?
I'm working on an 8ft x 12ft climbing wall. I have 3/4 inch ACX plywood attached to a frame. Since the frame isn't perfectly square, the plywood overlaps on the edges (up to about 1cm) so I need to ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
Should I choose MDF or plywood for my false stair treads?
I'm looking to install false stair treads and risers on my basement stairs. Generally, we're talking about a kit like this:
Which is installed with adhesive and finishing nails like this:
The ...
4
votes
4answers
1k views
Is it possible to refinish floors one room at a time?
I live in a small townhouse and would like to refinish the floors in the upstairs of my home.
It is very difficult to do all of the rooms at once, but a friend suggested that unless I do this, the ...
4
votes
1answer
199 views
How should I fill in decorative “gashes” in wood siding?
Our house has old siding with decorative holes:
At first I thought this might be termite damage but a house inspector examined it and confirmed that this is purely decorative style. I'd like to ...
4
votes
1answer
337 views
How to paint a wood house?
I'm looking for good resources for painting a wood house. I'm looking for the proper tools and techniques.
I don't want to hire somebody to do the job, I would like to do it myself. I just need to ...
4
votes
1answer
561 views
What is the difference between various wood sealers?
I've recently become aware of the existence of various seals for wood. I'm lead to believe that they are necessary, but I am unclear on the differences between the types of sealers you can find:
...
4
votes
3answers
591 views
Is there a way to remove the warp in plywood?
I just bought some 1/2" plywood from HD for a project, and the best piece I could find was still pretty warped. Is there a way to fix this? Currently, it's sitting flat on my garage floor with a sheet ...
4
votes
1answer
367 views
How Can I Fill Screw Holes In Beam So I Can Move Screws Slightly?
I had a contractor replace a 4x10 beam and two 4x4 posts that supports my deck. He also replaced and enlarged the concrete patio below the deck.
I am in the process of replacing the deck floor so it ...
4
votes
1answer
451 views
Securing house numbers to stucco
We recently had our townhouse complex re-painted (beige stucco, reddish-brown trim.) We took the house numbers down ahead of time, of course, and now I need to put them back up. Previously they were ...
4
votes
3answers
425 views
How should I prepare doors and windows for painting?
I'm mostly interested in what is the best way to protect the wood from bad weather, but any other advice on how to improve overall quality of work would be appreciated.
4
votes
1answer
592 views
What exactly is doorskin?
I've used it in a boat-building workshop, but I'm not clear on what "doorskin" is. Is it just plywood made of a single ply? What is its intended purpose? Is it sold at building supply stores that have ...
4
votes
1answer
227 views
Why does some polyurethane need to be wiped off, and what happens if I don't?
So, I stupidly applied some polyurethane to my project without reading the instructions on the can. After it was dry several hours later, I finally read the instructions, and to my horror, I saw it ...
4
votes
3answers
698 views
What is a good barrier between grout and wood?
A side of a tile flooring project abuts a strip of wood. How should I handle the side where the tile meets the wood so the wood won't absorb all the water from the grout?
4
votes
1answer
414 views
What do I need to do to restore a wooden entry door?
I'm going to give it a try rather then buying a new door.
I have a wooden door (veneer on both sides) with some decorative mouldings. My plan is to use a heat gun to get as much paint off as possible ...
4
votes
1answer
49 views
How can I repair this wood window trim?
A small section of the window frame has rotted away (either that, or a woodpecker went at it)
Here is a picture of it
Click for larger view
What is the best way to fix this? Can I just cut out ...
4
votes
1answer
105 views
How can I repair my floors' finish?
We had our Victorian boards (throughout house and staircase) sanded and varnished a while back. We have recently had builders and painters in our house for a month and they are looking a little worse ...
4
votes
1answer
218 views
How can I protect bathroom wood from mold?
I have bought bamboo fittings in the bathroom (towel holders, dishes etc). I see that as a result of hanging damp towels on the towel holders, a black mold is accumulating on the bottom of the holder ...
4
votes
2answers
195 views
How can I prevent animals from eating my wooden swingset?
I have a Rainbow swingset made of a Chinese wood called Cunninghamia. The squirrels and deer in my backyard have begun to chew the wood relentlessly. Is there anything I can do to prevent them from ...
4
votes
1answer
141 views
Can I attach Trex handrail to wooden balusters?
The steps to my front porch are exposed. The treated and stained handrails have started to rot (one out of 4 rails at this time). I am not prepared to replace all the porch and stair railings right ...
3
votes
2answers
139 views
Identify part underneath chest
I am trying to find the name for the following part.
This is underneath a chest that permits it to be moved effortlessly.
I am trying to find this part to replace as they are pretty worn.
3
votes
3answers
670 views
What do I need to do to fix my door hinge?
The door to my basement broke. The bottom hinge has three screws; the top and bottom one turn endlessly. You can see the pictures here.
I understand that there's a matchstick/toothpick trick, where ...
3
votes
3answers
637 views
How do I remove stickers and residue from a wooden door?
When I was a kid I put a ton of stickers all over my wooden door. In addition, I also taped on posters and pictures.
I tried removing the stickers and with some of them having been there for more ...
3
votes
2answers
161 views
Why do I have spots showing through on stained pine?
I had a chest of drawers made of pine that had crayon marks on it. I sanded it down really well and applied a coat of golden oak stain after puttying the holes. Now there are light and dark spots ...
