For questions involving wood as a construction material, either as lumber or finished features of a home.
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 ...
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 ...
3
votes
2answers
158 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 ...
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 ...
2
votes
1answer
476 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 ...
6
votes
2answers
3k views
Can you rout plywood?
I have some applewood 13 ply 3/4" plywood that I'm using for a desk top. I was wondering if I took a router to the edges if it would turnout ok.
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 ...
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
693 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?
1
vote
1answer
281 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 ...
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 ...
3
votes
4answers
1k views
How can I block or fill out a letterbox hole in my door?
I have a letterbox in my front door that is never used, so I would like to remove it and fill the hole, preferably so it doesn't look like there was ever one there.
Or insert something that fills the ...
11
votes
3answers
15k views
What is the best drill bit to pre-drill holes for screws of a certain size?
Total noob question here:
This can apply in general, but for a specific case, suppose I have a 5/16 bolt for which I want to drill a hole. What's the best drill bit to use to make the hole big ...
4
votes
1answer
411 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 ...
16
votes
5answers
13k views
Should I use steel or wood studs for basement exterior walls?
Related: When should you use metal studs?
I'm planning on finishing my basement. (assuming all water issues are resolved)
I'll be putting up a water barrier (tar paper) on all exterior walls, ...
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 ...
6
votes
2answers
409 views
How can I cheaply refresh parquet in an apartment?
We've recently rented an apartment with seriously damaged parquet. Since the deal is "take it or leave it", we've decided to "mend" the parquet ourselves.
Dictionary :) Sorry for my bad english, I ...
0
votes
2answers
619 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 ...
15
votes
7answers
6k views
How much load can a (wood) board support, if it is supported only at the ends?
How much load can a board support, if it is supported only at the ends?
At the moment my specific problem is hanging a tire swing between two trees, and depending on which trees I choose they could ...
3
votes
3answers
3k views
Desk still tacky 2 weeks after finishing it with a polyurethane clear coat
I've recently built a standing desk out of sandply with a mahogany veneer.
I have stained it, and 2 weeks ago added a polyurethane clear coat to protect the stain. However, after doing this, the desk ...
6
votes
1answer
383 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
132 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" ...
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 ...
4
votes
2answers
209 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 ...
1
vote
2answers
211 views
Stain vs paint maintenance
I am removing paint form a wood fence door (paint was not primed it seems). The paint was peeling and I wanted to get this door done. Very painful (process of removing paint).
I thought stain is ...
2
votes
1answer
170 views
Used wood stain on a coffee table and it dried with spots?
I read the instructions on the can and it said to let it sit for at least 8 hours. I stained it last night and when I checked this morning it was looking great. But I just checked now and it appears ...
6
votes
1answer
528 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
69 views
What should I do with this bare spot on the step?
The bare spot you see below used to be covered by a gnarly patch of carpet, but I removed it when I laid that tile down. My intent was to put the same tile design over that spot, but I never got ...
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?
1
vote
1answer
881 views
What adhesive/glue is best to join PVC pipe to MDF?
I'm running a piece of 90mm diameter PVC pipe through a sheet of 20mm thick MDF. I've cut a hole the right diamater in the wood to fit the pipe through, and I'm wondering what the best glue would be ...
7
votes
2answers
284 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 ...
2
votes
2answers
416 views
real dimensions of 2 by 4 in inches/centimeters [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Why are 2“x4”'s really 1.5“x3.5”?
Just by looking at a 2 by 4 plank I can tell that it is neither 2in × 4in or 2cm × 4cm. What are its real ...
4
votes
1answer
333 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
63 views
Small chunks from brush in paint
So I took it upon myself to paint some wood endcaps (very small, about 8 inches long) from their sealed wood color to white. I sanded down the wood, wiped with a damp cloth, then applied a coat of ...
12
votes
1answer
3k views
Which is better for deck flooring: 2x6 or 1x6 deck boards?
My current deck flooring is done with 2x6x10' boards, however they have degraded to the point now where they need to be replaced.
I'm wondering if there are any specific pros or cons for using the ...
4
votes
1answer
449 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 ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Possible to refinish pressed-wood cabinets?
I've got some kitchen cabinets. The wood is very lightweight and the cross-section is pressed wood with what looks like a durable paper-like surface layer. I'm not sure what they're called. They were ...
7
votes
4answers
482 views
What wood to build a bath-tub tray?
I'm new to wood working and I want to build my wife a bathtub tray that can hold a laptop (for Hulu watching) and a glass. It doesn't need to hold anything else really. But I don't know what type of ...
4
votes
1answer
555 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:
...
3
votes
2answers
168 views
Door Repair - 2x6 bolted together
I am purchasing a log cabin built in 1915 with an entry door that appears to be 2x6 boards assembled together. It does have three lights, so I expect it was professionally made, not a homemade item. ...
1
vote
1answer
367 views
Exterior entry door repair
I have a 20 year old flat wood entry door (without mouldings or embellishment). I was going to sand and paint it, but when I sanded, I realized that the wood must have been just a veneer (plywood, ...
4
votes
3answers
586 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 ...
8
votes
2answers
9k views
What are the pros and cons of medium-density fibreboard (MDF)?
I heard mixed opinions about making cupboards and beds from MDF. Some said it doesn't matter, MDF is as durable as whole tree or sandwich boards. Some said that MDF is weak, and will not last for ...
6
votes
4answers
213 views
How can I cut wood in a very awkward location?
I recently installed a new kitchen sink and faucet. It was one of those with the spot for a dish detergent pump.
After getting everything in, I come to find out there just isn't enough room to fit ...
3
votes
2answers
168 views
OK to use fallen branch in garden without treatment?
Recently a large branch fell off of one of our trees (a gum tree, ie hard wood). The branch is about thigh thick and parts of it would make a good garden-bed liner or similar as it is quite straight ...
14
votes
13answers
24k views
What are cheap ways to build strong shelves with a large span?
I have removed several old and moisture damaged built in storage units from my house. I would like to replace them with shelving. There are a number of different sized gaps (width and depth to fill).
...
