For questions involving wood as a construction material, either as lumber or finished features of a home.
1
vote
1answer
633 views
How do I attach a shelf to a plaster wall invisibly?
Following this question: How can I attach two pieces of wood in an invisible way?
I have another - what would be a good way to attach a shelf to a plaster wall, if it is completely supported (i.e. ...
6
votes
2answers
220 views
How do I repair a split in trim boards?
I removed the quarter round and two trim boards to install a new hardwood floor. I partially split one of the larger (lower) trim boards. The split is about 24" long. The wood is 12" wide birdseye ...
11
votes
3answers
2k views
How can I attach two pieces of wood in an invisible way?
I would like to attach a thin tree trunk to a flat smooth piece of wood, in order to create support for a very heavy shelf. Any suggestions on how to do it, while leaving a minimal outside marks?
...
3
votes
2answers
375 views
Can I use different brands of Polyurethane on a single project?
I was applying Polyurethane to a wood bookshelf that I made yesterday evening. Unfortunately I ran out before I was finished. There is a small area that has not been covered at all and I need to ...
2
votes
3answers
709 views
What to keep on the wooden table to make the surface heat resistant? [closed]
Oven manual says - keep it on a heat resistant surface.
I have a wooden table. What should I keep on the wooden table to make the surface heat resistant, so that the oven can placed on the top of ...
1
vote
1answer
898 views
What is a heavy, dense wood for a soundproof door assembly I am putting together?
I am going to attempt to create my own door assembly (frame, door, etc) for my soundproofing project and am looking for very dense, heavy wood. The first wood that comes to mind is oak, but I suspect ...
3
votes
1answer
521 views
How can I make my woodworking project square?
I understand how one checks for square. But, what do you do when it's not square?
I put together four boards to begin forming a cabinet. I checked for square and nudged it into place. Then I ...
0
votes
1answer
162 views
Drill through a broomstick handle [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How can I drill a hole in a small stick of wood?
How could I drill right the way through a lenth of wood,like a broomstick,without cutting it in sections ?
6
votes
1answer
529 views
Can cutting pressure treated wood harm my saw blade?
Should I take time to clean my circular saw blade after cutting pressure treated lumber? Since fasteners other than stainless steel or galvanized can corrode when used in pressure treated wood, is it ...
7
votes
1answer
260 views
Table with 45 degree corner groove
I'm not a carpenter, so forgive me if this is obvious. Also, I'm Brazilian so forgive my English.
I want to build a table with only 3 MDF plates, but I want the corners to have "45 degree grooves", ...
14
votes
2answers
1k views
What is causing/caused these brown circular stains in my cabinetry?
Recently moved into a 1950s-built home and have unearthed a number of brown, circular stains on the wood inside various closets. These rings don't appear on the plaster walls, but rather on the wood ...
1
vote
1answer
141 views
Wood heating - Problems with power failures. Need some advice
My sister uses wood heating in here house.
Her heating system has temperature control but of course does not work without electricity.
If electricity goes off the temperature can grow ...
3
votes
1answer
349 views
How can I fill old screw holes in wood on the exterior of a house?
The exterior of my house is stucco, but there are some spots that have vertical wood planks. I think this was considered "in style" when my house was built (1950s).
Anyway, over the years previous ...
7
votes
2answers
291 views
How can I get a stain to match on two different species of wood?
I have a plank of hardwood poplar, and I want to have a piece of decorative trim along the edge made of a different wood (probably just pine, or maybe balsam). Is there anything I can do to get a ...
7
votes
3answers
271 views
Do Old Houses Have a Pre-determined Lifespan?
Taking into consideration the building supplies that were available in that time period for that particular geographic area (say, a major metropolitan city in the mid-western United States), do homes ...
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
654 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
580 views
Clean (food) oil stain from wooden floor
My question is pretty related to:
How to diminish the appearance of a stain on hardwood floor? & How do I remove (food) oil stain from a wood table?
But not exactly the same. The problem is I've ...
1
vote
1answer
184 views
How to make my box liftable
I have this big wooden box in my garage:
The current position makes it a bit cumbersome to park the car.
Is there a way to make the box easily "liftable" or "raisable" up to the ceiling (or as high ...
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
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 ...
3
votes
4answers
2k views
Can I connect an outdoor wood stove to my current HVAC system?
How to install a wood stove as an auxiliary heat source? (Main is electric furnace with forced air)
I've read this question, it doesn't really answer what I need to know. What I would like to do is ...
7
votes
1answer
1k views
What kind of wood should be used to replace a sub floor?
I live in a British late 1900s semi detached house that I assume would have had floorboards originally. However it seems that these have been replaced by Chipboard. This doesnt seem very sturdy and I ...
6
votes
3answers
590 views
How can I drill a hole in a small stick of wood?
I need to make a few arrow shafts hollow, they're about 1/2" thick.
Example:
There would have to be enough space in the middle to put iron wire in it (the thickness of an old coat hanger)
0
votes
1answer
98 views
Philco 90 - What do the four dials do? [closed]
I'm posting this here hoping that other DIY'ers might be able to help - not sure if Home Improvement is the right place, but this seems the closest on Stack Exchange.
I'm constructing an antique ...
3
votes
2answers
159 views
How should I secure the inner ring of bearing race to a wooden frame?
I have a fairly small ball bearing and am wanting to secure the inner ring to a wooden frame. The inner ring has a diameter of 5mm, although I'm unsure the best way to secure this. I could glue a ...
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 ...
20
votes
4answers
1k views
What is the best tool for cutting up scrap wood?
I have some wood left over from building a patio, mainly some planks. Normally when I'm creating firewood, I just use an axe a split the wood, but these are too long for that. I really don't want to ...
15
votes
5answers
4k views
What's the best way to account for saw blade width (kerf) when cutting boards?
In theory, to cut a 350mm piece out of a longer board, I would have to mark the line at 350mm + half of blade width. So if I have a 2mm hand saw, the line would be drawn at 351mm. How does that work ...
8
votes
3answers
192 views
How can I tell if wood is properly dried?
I guess measuring it's weight would be one of the answers, but it doesn't seem practical because wood of a same type can probably fluctuate in it's density enough to make measurement unreliable in ...
4
votes
3answers
426 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.
2
votes
1answer
477 views
Does pickling wood with steel wool and vinegar harm the wood?
I love the look produced from pickling wood with steel wool and vinegar. See this example for details.
I am hesitating to actually do this on a raw ready-to-finish table because I fear the steel ...
1
vote
1answer
99 views
Using an induction hob through a wooden surface
I'm going to be getting a couple of induction hobs, but I am wanting them mounted underneath a thin (approx 5mm) piece of wood. Is this possible from the safety point of view and would I have a major ...
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 ...
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 ...
1
vote
1answer
283 views
Do I need to do any maintenance for a wood retaining wall?
What do you do to protect your wood retaining wall to stand for extreme weather condition (hot and cold)? I just look at mine and thought that before winter arrive do I need to do something. Is it ...
7
votes
1answer
85 views
What tools and techniques are available for sanding without machinery?
I am planning on creating a table made out of recycled wood planks and I am wondering if it is too ambitious to hand sand the wood planks without the use of machinery. I am on a budget and am ...
4
votes
3answers
700 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?
7
votes
2answers
3k views
What size dowels to use for joints?
I'm comfortable with the process of creating and joining wood with dowels, but I'm not sure what size dowels to use in which cases? Specifically, I'm working with 1" thick stock (3/4" actual), what ...
2
votes
1answer
162 views
How can I reduce squeaks in wood floors when no felt paper was installed between floor and plywood?
I've purchased a home where the previous owner installed 3/4" wide plank pine over a 5/8" plywood subfloor. The plywood is glued to a concrete slab but there is no felt paper between the 2 woods. ...
1
vote
2answers
132 views
Would it be safe to leave charred wood on a deck until repairs can be made?
Had a small fire incident outside on our wood deck. There didn't appear to be any structural damage to any of the supporting material, just a few surface boards which need to be replaced.
Can the ...
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 ...
3
votes
2answers
2k views
What primer and paint should I used for a solid-core wooden front door?
I recently purchased a new pre-hung exterior door for my house. We opted for a solid-core Douglas Fir instead of the fiberglass models as the wooden door was substantially cheaper. We want to paint ...
3
votes
2answers
205 views
Rip old door in half?
I've got a 26.5"x79" rough opening for a storage space under my staircase. I'd like to install a double door where each door is about a foot wide an hinges out. A ball latch in the top casing could ...
0
votes
2answers
623 views
Does cedar turn gray if it's sealed?
I'm building a cedar fence and I want it to turn gray, but we also want it to be sealed so it will last longer. If I seal the cedar, will it age to the gray color? If not, how can we get a gray ...
6
votes
1answer
385 views
Is it OK to build a deck with OSB?
I have left over 2x4s and OSB from a project a few months back (lean-to shed). It is just enough to make a 12'x8' deck, and I was wondering if this would be "OK" to use for decking? The main purpose ...
3
votes
2answers
137 views
Is caulk a good temporary fix for a gash in fascia board?
I was helping a friend with her house, and it turns out there is a pretty sizable gash in her fascia board right above where the gutter is nailed on. It's oval-ish, about 6 to 8 inches wide by 2 to 4 ...
0
votes
1answer
135 views
Preparing a deck & playset for re-staining
The question asked here is pretty much similar to mine except that there are few splinters and chipped wood on the deck. How to smooth those out? Also there is a kid's play structure (with steps and a ...
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" ...
12
votes
2answers
441 views
What are some tips for finishing wood?
I'm kind of embarrassed to ask, but I'm looking for a good how-to guide for finishing pine furniture. (Could also apply to baseboards and trim, so I'm hoping for an on-topic pass here.) I watched my ...
