Questions tagged [carpentry]
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207
questions
1
vote
1answer
35 views
reinforcing existing header
My house has an existing header, which I believe is somewhat undersized. For context, it's two-ply 2x10s, 12ft long (but I don't want to get into the sizing calculation here).
I would like to ...
2
votes
4answers
493 views
Trying to mitre a finished panel but results are not great
I have a kitchen cabinet that I need to [install a finished corner piece on][1]. I am planning on using the Ikea finished cover panels.
(for this I used a piece of scrap cover panel)
I used a ...
0
votes
0answers
54 views
Is it normal for an experienced Finish Carpenter to put so many blemishes on walls during a kitchen cabinet install?
I recently hired a Finish Carpenter with “30+ years of experience” to install my white finish, plywood cabinets. I paid $1400 for him to mount 10 boxes (he only mounted 9 but still charged $1400 plus ...
3
votes
2answers
687 views
What is a butcher block?
I had so far gathered that for a block to be called a "butcher block," the grain must be perpendicular to the surface.
I guessed that this orientation of the grain is meant for beauty. A table made ...
2
votes
2answers
54 views
Will a 72 x 24 x 1 3/4" Maple tabletop sag if supported by only four legs?
My current working desk is a 1" thick table.
Even though there is not much weight on top of the desk (screen, keyboard, laptop ), the table's own weight, given its top dimensions, 60" x 30" ( 150cm ...
0
votes
1answer
59 views
Installing cabinet hinges backwards?
I have a frameless cabinet hinge like this that I bought for a closet-like piece I am building. However, I quickly realized there was a problem; the hinge is designed so that the door lays flat in ...
0
votes
1answer
46 views
How can I get eave rafters cut flush?
This may seem like a silly question, but I removed two old facia boards. The beams butted against them are all uneven. I've tried an orbital sander but can't seem to get it to sand evenly to flush. ...
4
votes
2answers
69 views
Will a door rubbing on the carpet cause excessive wear?
We recently had carpet installed in our master bedroom.
We love it! My husband trimmed the door, it opens & closes well for me.
The door is touching or rubbing the carpet when opening & ...
0
votes
0answers
50 views
Cam lock & dowel alternatives
I have a chest of small chest of drawers held together by metal cam lock & dowel pegs. The cam lock & dowel regularly come loose. I am looking for suggestions for alternatives?
the cam lock ...
0
votes
1answer
56 views
Help identifying the type of shelf support
please could someone help me identify the type of shelf support in the pic below. This is from a kitchen cabinet shelf, need to order some spares, but can't find anything that resembles it online.
...
1
vote
0answers
27 views
Best option for replacing rotting redwood exterior trim
I have 12” painted redwood fascia boards rotting in places, and I'm looking for a smooth board to replace it with. Exterior kiln dried treated and primed pine has been suggested but would have to be ...
1
vote
3answers
62 views
How to cut many shallow grooves on the side of a square aluminium tube?
I would like to craft a slatted ventilation panel/grill like this:
The frame will be made of square aluminium tubes (25 mm side, 3 mm thick). The slanting panes will be cut of 4 mm thick aluminium ...
0
votes
1answer
23 views
does “clear opening” on rafter loading tables mean horizontal projection?
I am looking at some tables of allowable roof loads for southern yellow pine: http://www.southernpine.com/app/uploads/AL_27-32L.pdf
Rafters are typically at an angle to horizontal. I'm wondering if ...
4
votes
6answers
1k views
Cutting a 4.5m long 2x6 in half with a circular saw
My question is about cutting 2x6 boards in half with a circular saw ("Skil"-saw). Now, I've looked around, and there are many sites describing how to cut off a small piece from a larger piece, the ...
1
vote
2answers
371 views
Advice on supporting a sagging bay window
We have bay window that has sagged enough that that windows are out of square and no longer open or align properly to get a good seal. As such, they are drafty in the winter and we can't open them in ...
2
votes
4answers
138 views
Nails sticking out of balusters
Recently purchased a house and noticed some nails sticking out of the balusters on a staircase. They are pretty sharp so I'm worried about someone stepping up brushing their foot up against it.
What ...
1
vote
3answers
68 views
Base for refrigerator wine shelf
I have a wine refrigerator that has shelves for wine bottles - image on this question.
I want to use this refrigerator and its shelves as a regular refrigerator. So I need to put something on the ...
1
vote
2answers
128 views
Buckling notched jack studs - how to remedy?
Some past "plumber" decided it was OK to cut a notch for a 1-1/2" PVC pipe directly through all the 2x4 studs on one end of a window header. The result, shown in the photos, is a buckling wall.
The ...
0
votes
1answer
47 views
Do I need to replace the foundation under porch posts when replacing them?
I need to rebuild my porch this summer. I think its circa 1970 and the flooring is starting to rot through. The only part of the job that is really throwing me is replacing the load bearing columns (I ...
2
votes
2answers
86 views
Mitering an outside crown molding?
I need to miter a new crown molding to an existing outside crown molding.
Similar to this stock photo:
My old school crown molding looks like this:
Can I assume the angle is 45 degrees?
Is this a ...
0
votes
3answers
68 views
Attaching swing bolts to sistered 2x10’s
I have 2x10’s that I will be sandwiching together to make a big stiff beam for an adult swing set.
I’m about to put it together, but then I thought “how do you drill the screws for swings into a ...
1
vote
1answer
58 views
how to repair bi-fold door with fallen slats?
A piece of this bi-fold closet door has warped, and as a result many of the slats have pulled out of one or both of their end-points. It seems like it should be possible to repair this with clamps, ...
0
votes
2answers
49 views
Joist hangers “droop” when installed?
Whenever I use hangers I end up with something that looks wrong.
Hangers have two sets of screws. One, the "flat" screws, drive into the wood your hanging onto. The others, the "diagonals" drive into ...
15
votes
9answers
3k views
Basic power tool set for Home repair and simple projects
I have a feeling this has been asked before, but I didn't find it here. I've read a number of websites and there always seem to be a little fluff and maybe this favorite tool or that.
I'm thinking ...
0
votes
0answers
196 views
Untreated pine wood - do I really need to treat it? (indoor usage)
I have a piece of furniture which is made from raw pine wood. It has relatively fine
sanded surface and I like that it is not sealed or stained.
What if I just leave it so, i.e. do not apply any seal ...
21
votes
6answers
8k views
How can I fix this gap between bookcases I made?
I just built two bookcases to line the wall of a room in my house and apparently didn't build them square enough so, when I put them next to each other, I get this giant gap. (I think the one on the ...
0
votes
2answers
23 views
noise reduction from a wooden ball wall
My husband and sons built a wooden wall in our backyard to use as a ball wall for soccer and lacrosse. Our boys bounce the ball off the wall to practice. It is about 10X10 frame with plywood affixed ...
0
votes
2answers
96 views
Identify this plaster cornice coving from the UK
I am in the UK and need to replace some coving, and am not sure how to track it down. It's probably 20 years old now, but I'm not sure if it's a generic size?
Thanks!
0
votes
2answers
95 views
Toe Nailing Studs to Plates
Perpendicular set studs sometimes shift during toe nailing to flat plates, top and bottom. Is there a way or a tool to clamp 2x4 perpendicular?
-1
votes
1answer
32 views
carpentry: base for a media shelf [closed]
I want to build a DVD/blueray/CD shelf of 7 feet high x 6.5 inches depth x 32 inches width. The dimensions are right and have to be respected. When I make a rectangular framework, it's quite unstable, ...
1
vote
1answer
562 views
Split/broken rafters a concern?
I'm buying a home and had a building inspection yesterday. The only major defect the inspector found was two split/broken rafters inside the roof. Can anyone tell me if these are a major conern?
...
1
vote
1answer
215 views
Framing corners
Is there a prefered method to framing an interior wall corner?
I am re-finishing my basement and in the process of framing my small bathroom, hallway, small bedroom and living area.
Just trying to ...
0
votes
1answer
130 views
I tightened a Titus Minifix Cam too hard and now I have to take it apart. Is that OK?
I put together this TV stand, and used a cam/bolt dowel for the first time when I got to the step of attaching the top of the TV stand (A) to the two stand panels (E). Since I assumed the cam had to ...
1
vote
1answer
148 views
3" perfect wooden round hole in cabinet
I need to make good round 3 inches hole in the wooden cabinet (see blue circle) to pass feed and load wires to a subpanel I'll put outside the cabinet.
What's the best way to make that hole? My ...
0
votes
1answer
2k views
Which router bit should I use to recess a door hinge using a template
I've just made my 1st template and used it to rout out a set of hinges . I was very surprised to learn that the usual approach was to use a guide bush and a straight 2 fluted bit. This involved ...
0
votes
1answer
61 views
How to make a 19' bannister sturdy?
There's still about a foot of play in the middle.
I put wood glue and finish nails in the loose spindles but very little improvement made. Both newell post are solid.
3
votes
1answer
1k views
What is the point of this doorway “header”, and can I simply remove it?
We're remodeling a room with a severely undersized doorway - it is much shorter than the standard 6'8", so much so that I hit my head on the jamb if I don't duck when walking through it.
After ...
0
votes
0answers
118 views
fascia compound angles
Alright so hopefully I can explain this properly.
I'm replacing a fascia board where the corner can't be a straight cut. There is one board that spans the "bottom" of the roof and one that goes up ...
2
votes
1answer
1k views
What type of wood is suitable for fascia?
I'm replacing some fascia boards, I am looking for something that is rot-resistant but I am hesitant to use pressure treated lumber due to shrinkage as it dries out and I don't want gaps (project has ...
1
vote
0answers
88 views
Strengthening a Bamboo Ladder (After a Mistake)
I am a newbie to this so please be gentle. I had some dried out bamboo lying around and for some reason, I decided to make a ladder out of it.
I got one of my measurements wrong and cut out a notch ...
0
votes
0answers
33 views
How to install a vinyl fence gate on a pool deck?
I am trying to install a vinyl fence between a deck and the pool in a backyard. The homeowner wants the fence (Wam Bam Vinyl Fence system) to run the width of the backyard until it gets to the deck ...
0
votes
1answer
2k views
Using angle grinder to shave wood?
I have several 4-ft x 4"x4" pieces of wood, and I need to shave off a few millimeters of wood.
Can I use an angle grinder for this? It doesn't have to be perfect, and I would only be shaving the ...
0
votes
1answer
93 views
Which insulation for gap between plasterboard and subfloor?
I have a room built under the roof on top of the garage, so eaves are directly behind the side walls. I removed the skirting boards to install the a new flooring and realized that there is a sizeable ...
1
vote
1answer
47 views
Garage shelf supports splitting and need to be supported. What is best?
The shelves in my garage have some cracks in the wood on two fo the horizontal supports. They haven't grown much, but the cracks are growing slowly. I would like to fix the issue without taking all of ...
0
votes
1answer
374 views
How to secure privacy lattice to top of existing fence gate?
I want to fix some privacy lattice installed along the fences at a property I maintain. Most of the lattice installed along the actual FENCE is solid - I’m assuming because the bottoms of the lattice ...
0
votes
1answer
312 views
What's the proper height above a subfloor, for an exterior inswing door threshold? Carpet? Tile? Hardwood?
I need to build a custom door threshold for an in-swing exterior door where there's no exterior overhang or porch.
At the moment there is only subfloor, no finish floor.
How high above the subfloor ...
2
votes
2answers
528 views
Why do some door locks require the key to be twisted twice? [closed]
This has been nagging me lately. Why 2 twists? I mean one twist seems enough to keep the door essentially locked. If the extra twist is for strength, wouldn't it be a better idea to implement a ...
10
votes
3answers
2k views
How to make a long straight cut in a board at an angle?
I have a board about 1.5" thick and 12" wide and 8 feet long.
I need to cut the board diagonally and want the cut to be as straight as possible. (I am cutting the board diagonally. This does not ...
0
votes
1answer
42 views
Goal: make hardwood slats for a bed thin to flex, w/o degradation
My goal is to make hardwood slats for a 4' wide bed, (center support, so span is 24"), thin enough so my heavier parts flex, adding comfort so I can minimize mattress. (Ideally, pad will be 1 inch ...
2
votes
4answers
5k views
How can I attach things to the inside of a shipping container without compromising the water tightness?
I just got a shipping container for use as storage/workshop and need to figure out how to attach things to the container walls and ceiling, without causing it to leak.
I'd like to hang a garden tool ...
