For questions involving wood as a construction material, either as lumber or finished features of a home.
1
vote
1answer
51 views
How to solve the problem of sticky Danish oil?
So I ignored the warnings about not getting spray disinfectant on our oak kitchen surface which is finished with Danish oil, and now the surface has become really sticky, attracting dust and crumbs ...
0
votes
0answers
61 views
Is this white powdery substance on a wood shelf caused by flying termites?
There were probably about 100 or 200 so flying termites inside the house two days ago. They were all flying to the ceiling lights, and I placed buckets of water below it and many got in. I also ...
1
vote
1answer
48 views
What should I do about streaks in my finish?
I just stripped, sanded, stained & then applied fast-drying oil-based polyurethane to my hardwood table. All went well until I sanded the second coat of polyurethane with 220 grit sandpaper. The ...
2
votes
1answer
56 views
How to reattach front door rain deflector?
The rain deflector from the bottom of our front door recently fell off when I trod on it by mistake. The door and deflector are both wooden. The deflector was stuck on, not screwed. I'm not quite ...
2
votes
1answer
83 views
How do I remove black rings on a wood kitchen top formed by a tin can?
At our house we have a wood kitchen-top. We had placed on it a tin can (a typical cookies can), and probably because of some water sitting there, a black ring has been formed where the tin touched the ...
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 ...
3
votes
2answers
120 views
How do I take apart a wooden pallet without cracking the wood?
I'm trying to save the wood from some wooden pallets and have been unsuccessful. I have been hammering close to where the nails are and then pry the nails out; however, before the wood comes out far ...
2
votes
1answer
403 views
How can I repair water-damaged hardwood countertops?
Me and my housemate are complete novices when it comes to home improvement/DIY/etc. so when we moved into a recently renovated house with solid wood worktops, we were oblivious to what care they might ...
4
votes
6answers
140 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
52 views
Should you chemically treat wood that is outside and under a roof?
My friend said yesterday that houses that are built with birch don't need to be chemically treated.
The wood what is now 50 years old has dark dots on the surface, but it seems to be strong. The wood ...
1
vote
1answer
53 views
What causes seasonal doors and how do you prevent it?
I understand that wood expands and contracts based on temperature, humidity, and other factors...
However in our house the doors are really subject to seasonal changes. For instance my bedroom door ...
1
vote
0answers
48 views
How do I build an “internal frame” for a reclaimed wood door?
I heard that doors like the one below are made with an internal frame, and then it receives the faces of reclaimed wood.
How is the frame constructed and how are the wood boards fastened to the ...
2
votes
0answers
37 views
What thickness, size, and quality plywood is required for an aviary floor?
12'L x 5'D x8'H size aviary needs what thickness plywood to hold human weight. Aviary floor is slightly elevated from the ground. Also, please specify how many floor joists it needs to hold the weight ...
2
votes
2answers
876 views
How to seal an indoor wood planter box?
I'm planning on building a wood planter box for some edible herbs. (Similar to this; in Maple and a bit more squarish.) I already plan to glue the wood with Tidebond III as it is waterproof. My ...
6
votes
1answer
191 views
How can I repeatedly cut the same pattern using a router?
I'm involved with a project where I need to use a router (or some other tool?) to carve a specific-sized square in the top of a desk. This square will not go all the way through the desk; rather, it ...
2
votes
1answer
56 views
How do I water wood to open the grain?
Does anyone out there have experience with watering wood?
Specifically a new piece of red oak furniture. I want to open the grain to get better color absorption/penetration with stain.
1
vote
1answer
60 views
How do I renovate this wooden furniture?
The furniture aren't very damaged, just a bit worn.
I don't have any knowledge or experience on the subject, I'm just trying to revive them a bit. I'd rather not unscrew it or take it apart.
I found ...
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 ...
3
votes
2answers
67 views
What tool should I use for carving deep shapes in a desk top?
I am starting a DIY project to create a standing desk. Part of this project involves installing some electronics in the wooden desktop itself. I need to make the following cuts / carvings and am ...
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?
15
votes
3answers
3k views
How would I go about turning a tree in to a tabletop?
My father-in-law is about to cut down a large Ash tree (on the insistence of a neighbour). At the same time, we need a dining table, and quite like the idea of a simple wooden slab on legs.
...
1
vote
2answers
103 views
Is it safe to cut throught a 70mm spruce beam with a Metabo jigsaw?
I have this jigsaw: Metabo Ste 90 SCS (610 watts).
So far, I'm using it to cut 1cm to 2cm thick wood, and it's a great tool.
I know that the right tool to cut this beam would probably be a miter ...
2
votes
1answer
1k views
How can I repair water damage under the kitchen sink?
I found out that our kitchen water connection had somehow loosened up and was leaking water on the floor underneath the sink. Now the particle board cabinet floor is warped quite a bit. I was thinking ...
3
votes
4answers
284 views
How can I mount a desk on a wall with L-brackets?
I'm currently planning a new wall-mounted computer desk and intend to use something similar to this as the top:
However, my end goal is for a wall-mounted desk, using L-Bracket mounts. I've never ...
6
votes
7answers
1k views
How do I join 2x4s without mitering?
I asked this question on the Bicycles site:
DIY wooden bike rack — looking for plans
I'm planning to build this rack out of 2x4 pieces of wood. It'll live in my garage. I'm looking to make a rack ...
3
votes
2answers
81 views
Should I paint wood in a roof that is not directly exposed to the outside?
I'm currently in the process of replacing the roof of a room. This room was originally a balcony, so has never been part of the main house. The roof that was removed had wood beams with wood ...
2
votes
2answers
226 views
When can I seal the picnic table I made from pressure treated lumber?
I have just built my very first picnic table (really, my very first anything). I used pressure treated lumber and galvanized hardware.
I would like to seal the table before I put it outside, but I'm ...
4
votes
3answers
279 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 ...
0
votes
2answers
87 views
How can I preserve 2“ x 9” wood slabs in the Florida climate?
I am using wood slabs ( 2" X 9") for wedding centerpieces. I have a friend who will cut them 6 months early. He says that unless I wax them that they will all crack badly. What would I use to preserve ...
3
votes
3answers
217 views
Can I use engineered I joists as studs in a wall?
Project: 3m by 6m weekend house, roof 3m high, walls 20cm insulation.
Question: I want build it from lighter/thinner materials, and i want to calculate from how thick materials i can build this I ...
1
vote
3answers
85 views
What can I do about this gap between a wooden board and the sink?
The board already started to rot from below, so I need to replace it. How can I seal this small gap without having a permanent seal? The problem is that the boad is attached to the wall and I still ...
2
votes
1answer
301 views
Can I use two 2x4's to replace 4x4 posts in a loft bed?
I'm building a loft bed for a queen size bed. I planned to build a platform and support it with 4x4s, but I'm having trouble finding untreated 4x4s. I plan to loft the bed 5' or so. The platform will ...
1
vote
2answers
133 views
How to repair a small hardwood crack?
I have a maple bench that recently decide to crack. I'm not sure what's the cause. I'm guessing wood expansion due to humidity changes. Anyway, I've decided to look around for solutions on fixing the ...
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 ...
3
votes
2answers
97 views
What kind of wood is around this fireplace?
Take a look at this picture:
Could any one tell me what kind of wood that is around the fireplace? Is that just skirting board, or Dado rail or what? I don't know what to look for. Judging by the ...
3
votes
2answers
113 views
What type of cleaner should be used to remove “hand sludge” from a varnished wood railing?
You know what I'm talking about, right? That dark grey sludge that builds up on hand rails over the years? I inherited a case of sludgy hand-rails when I bought my first house and I'd like to clean ...
2
votes
1answer
179 views
How can I make a park bench more sturdy?
I purchased a park bench for my patio
But it's a little on the flimsy side and I'm afraid someone is going to throw themselves down on it and it's going to break. In what way can I strengthen the ...
1
vote
1answer
122 views
What type of lattice should I use for a privacy screen?
I'm building a privacy screen for a terrace. I'm using 3/4 mahogany for the frame. I've made grooves (dado cuts?) in which I am going to place the lattice. The depth of the grooves is about a half an ...
2
votes
2answers
201 views
Can I store unused hardwood floor and base trim in a shed (or garage)?
I have installed engineered hardwood all throughout my house, in addition wood base trim (which comes pre-primed). Now that my projects are done, I dont want to throw away the wood, incase I can use ...
2
votes
2answers
236 views
Which technique of wood joining is the best for joining these boards of a small table?
I want to join these four 1.8 cm thick beechwood boards as one can see on the picture. My idea is to join at the B points with biscuits but I’m not sure what to do about the A points. It needs to be a ...
3
votes
2answers
161 views
Is this water damage, dry rot, or just old age?
I purchased a 60 year old house last year and a few months ago I noticed an odd wavy pattern in the paint just above the floor trim. The wood floor was also noticeably darker in that area, so I ...
2
votes
4answers
125 views
How do I sharpen wood lathe tools?
I've had a lathe for about a year now (I have the JET 1442 with variable speed) and love it but noticed that I really suck at keeping a nice sharp edge on my tools. I have a small bench grinder I use ...
0
votes
3answers
1k views
How can I remove the old wood smell from furniture?
My wife just bought an old cabinet from a consignment store. The inside has a strong old wood smell that we are afraid will infuse whatever we put inside.
How do get rid of the smell so we can use it ...
6
votes
4answers
214 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 ...
1
vote
3answers
128 views
What wood should I use on a garage door?
I have a garage door that has wood on the door itself.
The wood has not aged very well. It is about 6 years old and has paint coming off of it as well as is starting to fall off of the door. There ...
10
votes
5answers
24k views
What grit sandpaper should I use between coats of polyurethane?
I'm planning on applying polyurethane to a pine bench I've finished staining. I decided on foam brushes for application, but I wasn't sure what grit sandpaper I should use between coats. Is 400 good ...
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, ...
2
votes
2answers
202 views
How can I affix this wood transition piece?
I made a perfect looking transition to go from wood floating floor to tile for a bathroom. Problem is that this is where the old marble transition was. Can I set the transition with mortar? If not ...
3
votes
2answers
198 views
How can I remove a burn mark on finished wood without replacing the piece entirely?
Our new home has a wooden bathroom vanity with an obvious blackened burn mark on it below the mirror, perhaps from a candle burning too close for too long. What are some ways I can remove the mark? I ...
0
votes
1answer
137 views
How can I fill a hole in wood so that it can be redrilled? [duplicate]
The original strike plate for the deadbolt is mounted with 2 screws on top and 2 screws on bottom. I'm replacing the whole deadbolt and the new strike plate only has 1 screw on top and 1 screw on ...
