Carpentry

Sometimes small children like to show their artistic abilities by marking up the walls with markers and ink pens. These markings on the wall don't necessarily mean that the wall will need to be...

When building a roof over outside stairs, there are several areas of construction that must be addressed, such as structural concerns for the roof: will you need 4 by 4 posts, 6 by 6 posts or will...

Corrugated fasteners are metal fasteners that are made from sheet metal and have alternating ridges and grooves. The fastener is common in woodworking projects and ideal for use with miter joints....

Most commercially available portable speakers use minimal paper speaker cones, small amplifiers, and plastic housings with a predictable listening result--they sound strained when they get turned...

Soffit vents are designed to allow cool air to enter into your attic and heated air to escape. Your attic can become extremely hot especially in the summer months. If the hot air is not allowed to...

Corner shelves are a unique and creative way to display your knickknacks, candles, plants or other items. Installing a corner shelf does not have to be expensive and you can build one in less than...

A mortise hinge is commonly used in doors in order to create a close fit between the door and its frame. If the hinge in not mortised, a gap between the door and door frame equal to the thickness...

You're all set to get started on a home or business remodeling, expansion or building project, and with the checklist in hand, you head off to your local hardware store or Lowe's or Home Depot to...

If you are replacing a hot tub frame, then your old one is likely damaged, either from water, termites or some other force--be it natural or human. When you replace your hot tub frame, ensure that...

Chainsaws are versatile and useful tools. They can help you fell trees, cut up logs and clear land around your property. They also are extremely dangerous and must be used with the utmost care. ...

Wood screws and lag bolts have a lot in common. In fact, a lag bolt is often, and more accurately, called a lag screw, and it behaves much more like a wood screw than any type of standard bolt.

Do-it-yourself wood decks and balconies are some of the most popular home projects throughout the United States. With a little preparation, the average do-it-yourself homeowner can tackle simple...

You can make a simple miter box from hardwood with some glue and a few nails. A miter box is handy for cutting joints for wood or plastic trim, molding and corners of boxes--anywhere you need an...

Towel bars have eliminated the phenomenon of towels hanging over shower curtain rods and flopped on the side of bathtubs. They have evolved from simple metal bars to a large variety of styles not...

Wood is wonderful surface to have in any home or office, but it not properly stained or protected when it is installed, it will wear down or rot, depending on how it is used. However, treating and...

Bamboo flooring is a sturdy type of flooring material commonly manufactured all over the world. The majority of the bamboo used to create flooring is taken from various parts of Asia. Bamboo is...

A wooden garage must always be built with longevity in mind. Putting extra care into the process will ensure that your project will last as long as you do. Spend extra time on the foundation and...

The flush-mount hinge is typically used to install cabinet doors so that they are flush with the face of the cabinet. Flush mounting will create an even look between the cabinets and their doors,...

Cedar siding is one of the thinnest sidings available for a home, but, as paradoxical as this seems, it is more resilient than other materials, as well. Because of its thin construction, though,...

Delta and Craftsman make a wide variety of saws, including several miter saws. Of these, the Delta MS250 10-inch Compound Miter and the Craftsman 10-inch Compound Miter Saw are representative of...

Bamboo, one of the most sustainable natural resources, is increasingly being used for flooring. Growing bamboo is not difficult either. It simply requires planting seeds in a moist area. Bamboo...

Stone fireplaces add beauty to any room and are built to last. Due to the heat that a fireplace gives off and the natural wear of stone, they are in need of repair from time to time. Most...

Miter saws are table saws that cut wood at angles. Both Hitachi and Makita make a variety of miter saws with different blade sizes and components. The two most basic models are the 10" Compound...

Everyone loves the lighting and overall ambiance of candles - but now you've spilled the wax or it's dripped all over your carpet. What to do? This article will show you how simple it is to remove...

Basements are a traditional place to store excess household goods. Dampness and unfinished walls are the biggest obstacles to hanging shelves in basements. Dampness is a problem because high...

Stair railing can be finished with great results if you spend the necessary time to correctly prepare the railing for refinishing. The problem with stair railings is that they are small and hard...

If you recently installed stairs in your home or you simply want to alter your stair handrail design, there are a variety of designs from which you can choose. Two general categories of simple...

Marine and exterior plywood are popular materials for projects that will be exposed to moisture created by the environment or man-made sources. Both types consist of thin wooden layers or plies...

Wood trim is milled from several different wood types, such as pine, poplar and oak, and each type of wood will receive stain differently. Failure to apply stain to your wood trim correctly can...

Faucets regulate the flow, volume and temperature in lavatories. They come in a variety of styles and finishes. Various faucet types are constructed for aesthetic appeal, practicality and...

Painting your wooden house is a relatively inexpensive way to improve "curb appeal," making your house more attractive and easier to sell. Though the process is simple, it's more than a matter of...

Kitchen cabinet hardware not only adds functionality to your cabinets but can add a beautiful design that gives elegance to your kitchen. The knobs, pulls and handles can match your other metals...

Cutting boards are essential in the kitchen. These useful items come as separate tables, as slide outs inside of cabinets, as portable surfaces and in a wide variety of materials. The most...

A wood jig helps to control the movement of a power tool. There are a variety of jig shapes, depending on your woodworking requirements, but there a few basic wood jigs that will assist you in...

Most homeowners who are lucky enough to have vinyl siding find that sooner or later something needs to be attached into the siding or trim. Christmas lights are a great example or maybe a hanging...

A drill press is a stationary drill that is secured by bolts to a workbench, floor or stand. It has five parts, including a base, table, column, spindle and drill head.

Whether it's been pulled out by gravity or a great tug or it's become stripped from too much retightening, repairing a screw that's lost its grip in wood is an easy fix. In most cases the repair...

When performing home renovations, you might give your screws or hinges a once over with a paint brush. Perhaps it is to conceal the screw heads, or maybe you did it accidentally. Once the paint...

A router is a very versatile tool. It can be used for decorating shelf edges, shaping rails and stiles for cabinet doors, cutting dadoes or even jointing wood in a pinch. If you've used one for...

Stair stringers are the backbone of the staircase. Stringers are the part of the staircase that supports the treads and risers. Stair stringers are notched or housed. Notched stringers are...

A bench drill press, also known as a pedestal drill or pillar drill, is a drill that is secured on a stand or workbench, or affixed to the floor for stability.

Exterior storm shutters are installed on hinges and can be open and closed, depending on impending storm conditions. Also called hurricane shutters, they can protect your home's windows from...

Pocket doors allow you to open and close an entry to a room without compromising space. The pocket door slides into and out of a wall -- or pocket -- that is already in place. The average...

The electric wiring in most of today's homes is designed to serve in dry interior environments. While the plastic sheathing around the hot and neutral wires in typical romex wiring does act to...

Many homeowners often assume that they will need a professional paver to reseal and repair their driveway; however, in many cases, homeowners will be able to repair damage on their own. Many...

If you're new to woodworking, using a table saw with one blade may be intimidating enough. The thought of stacking several blades side by side and flipping the switch could be terrifying. It...

Navigating your way through the world of power tools can be a difficult task. For the do-it-yourselfer, choosing the saw that fits your specific needs can be confusing and frustrating. A number of...

As the name indicates, a router is a power tool that routes out patterns in wood. The tool consists of a motor that drives a cutting bit; the bit spins quickly and cuts the wood. The router can be...

Sheet sanders and orbital sanders are tools used by carpenters, craftsmen and people who work with wood as a hobby. These powered sanders speed up the process of creating a smooth wood surface....

When a bamboo colm, or stalk, reaches the height of 35 to 40 feet, it is harvested and inspected for imperfections and presence of pests. It is then cut into slats. The slats are treated with a...