Woodworking

An old, beaten up piece of furniture isn't necessarily destined for the dumpster just because its finish is worn. Many thrift-store junkies revel in taking these pieces and transforming them using…

Sure, building stairs looks complicated, but appearances are deceiving. Stairs are formed with stringers -- generally 2-by-10 or 2-by-12-inch boards -- cut to accommodate specific measurements. Called…

Old-fashioned straw dispensers perform a double function as dining room decor and functional accessory -- not only do they keep your straws on display, but also they make them easily accessible and…

Attaching a changing table to the top of a crib provides a convenient location for changing your baby while saving you space in the nursery that would otherwise be taken up by a freestanding table.…

The ways to cut a wood spindle are as varied as the types of wood available from which to carve. The basics require any wood blank to be chiseled into cylindrical form on a turning lathe, but once you…

Balau decking is chosen for its rich hue and minimal knotting. This wood can stand up to heavy use, allowing it to survive the years of trampling it will receive as part of your deck. There are some…

Cedar is prized for its durability, stability and scent, which is pleasant to people but not so much so for insects that like to pester this wood. Cedar is used in many projects ranging from closets…

Marble mosaic tiles usually have unsanded grout in the tile joints, because standard sanded grout can scratch the marble surface during application. Unsanded grout is also preferred for joints with a…

Arborite table tops offer an alternative to softer and more vulnerable wood table tops. Arborite is a laminate wood finish that is hard and resistant to scratching and other forms of damage. Although…

During construction of a home, the homebuilder typically creates spaces for each appliance in the kitchen. Often, cabinets installed to the walls frame out these spaces and appliances slide right in…

You can use the layer modes and filters in Adobe Illustrator to alter an existing image to give it a wood cut style. For the best quality prints, start with a high-quality image of at least 300 dpi,…

You can fix your Grado headphones by finding the short in the wiring and repairing the broken connection. The wires start at the headphone jack and travel up to the "Y" where they split off…

Patio tables need to be durable enough to withstand exposure to the elements. A tile-topped table is a good option for keeping on the patio because the tile is waterproof. Incorporating shells into…

Turned-wood lamps are a beautiful accent lighting piece for any style of home. If you have a turned-wood lamp or find one that can be reclaimed, you may want to redo it to match your decor. Wood is…

When you make a shallow cut in a wooden wall, the cut won't penetrate through to the other side. A shallow cut can be any depth as long as it does not reach the opposite side of the material. You may…

An unseen trickle from a window or a leak in a drain can quietly saturate your home’s wood structure, causing damage before you even know there is a problem. Subflooring usually suffers before…

Installing inlay into a piece of furniture is a way to add that personal, customized touch. Inlay consists of a contrasting material imbedded into the surface of the wood. The contrasting material can…

Long before anyone used the term "upcycling," people turned discarded wooden wire spools into attractive tables, chairs and footstools. These tables and their accompanying…

Many elementary and middle school age children build balsa wood planes for science class. Constructing a plane teaches children about physics and engineering principles. In fact, a basic balsa wood…

Prefabricated porch swings are widely available as both complete units and as kits for self-assembly. In some situations, however, they may not fit a potential purchaser’s size or design…

A polyurethane finish brings out the natural beauty of wood grain and protects the wood from moisture and scarring. Although not as durable as lacquer or shellac finishes, polyurethane is the most…

Framing wooden walls properly gives a structure a solid skeleton on which to place the finishing materials of the home. Although wall framing is not a complex carpentry job, accuracy is essential. A…

Properly stained and sealed oak wood retains shades of its original color. Red oak takes on a pinkish hue, while white oak appears blond. Discoloration, however, occurs for a variety of reasons.…

Oak exterior moulding and trim requires periodic sanding and stain reapplication to look its best and to help the wood resist rot. Pressure-treated oak provides a more durable outdoor option because…

Though wood is a time-honored choice for home exteriors, stucco has several advantages. It requires no painting since color can be integrated into the material. It is non-combustible since it is made…

When a dishwasher is installed in a kitchen, there are usually gaps between the appliance and the side of the cabinets. A trim kit hides the gaps to integrate the dishwasher into the kitchen. Even if…

Mahogany is a hardwood valued for its beauty and durability. Through time and use, however, mahogany table tops may lose a lot of their original color and luster. If you found an old mahogany table at…

Antiquing provides you with a way to add some life to basic wood furniture. Oftentimes, by antiquing and whitewashing furniture yourself instead of purchasing true antique pieces, you can save money.…

Benches provide extra seating in a room, but they can also provide much needed additional storage space. Accordingly, you can make a hinged-lid corner storage bench for your home as a DIY project for…

Glossy surfaces require more preparation than flat surfaces. Walls and wood sometimes have a coat of glossy paint, while the natural surface of plastics and metals is already glossy prior to painting.…

Wood floors can take a real beating when a flood hits; long after the water is gone, you'll find yourself trying to dry out the floors to restore them. When attempting to dry out your floors, you'll…

Building with oak wood requires that the large surface boards be assembled out of thinner boards, which give the wood a high-quality touch and higher level of durability. Closet units, in particular,…

Grass lawns often need amendments once the lawn is established. Sometimes extra nutrients are needed or the soil becomes compacted. If this happens, the soil needs to be amended to increase drainage…

Merillat cabinetry offers wall units to display your plate collection, or show off your everyday or special china in the kitchen or dining room. Merillat sells cabinets fitting various budgets. The…

A fast ride down a set of slick wood stairs can be downright dangerous. Even carpeted stairs can hold dangers. Tacking down loose carpet and replacing thick-pile carpet with rough-surface stair…

Mortar, comprised of cement or lime, sand and water, is used for building, landscaping and binding two objects together. The inclusion of sand in mortar is instrumental to the properties and abilities…

When wood is exposed to the elements, the weathering turns the wood a silvery, gray patina. Weathered wood is often a sought-after finish for crafting projects such as barn-wood picture frames or to…

Diamond saw blades are made with teeth that have been coated in a strong carbon grit mixture. These saw blades are designed to cut through materials that would wear away normal blades, including…

Furniture from the 1930s has a genteel familiarity that is reminiscent of great-grandmother’s parlor and Hollywood’s Golden Era. Cozy, overstuffed sofas and easy chairs offered comfort…

Railings compose fences and create the barriers that section off different parts of your yard or prevent falls from a deck. While you can use many different materials for railings, wood is among the…

The creosote bush (Larrea tridentate) thrives in and helps define the Southwest’s hottest deserts: the Sonoran, Mojave and Chihuahan. The plant's presence fades out along the southern frontier…

Wrought iron and wooden staircases combine natural elements to create an aesthetically pleasing focal point. This upscale, design-savvy look replaces the older staircases with matching wooden…

When choosing cabinets, you have important choices to make regarding style, cost and durability. When you educate yourself on the pros and cons of maple veneer versus solid wood cabinets, you can make…

There comes a time in the lifespan of every wood table when it needs to be stripped down to the bare wood and refinished. If there is noticeable wear and tear on the table's surface, for example,…

Painting the exterior of your home can be an inexpensive way to give it a quick face-lift. Preparing the exterior walls' surface ensures a coat of paint will be durable and have a long-lasting finish.…

When determining the most cost-effective means of heating your home, consider both the price of the various fuels in your geographic region and the cost of the equipment required to burn the fuel. You…

Sand can be an important component for a variety of landscape and gardening applications. The shimmery, hard nature of quartz sand makes it ideal for attractive rock scapes and desert gardens. Quartz…

Don’t let a large tabletop intimidate you from taking on a veneer project. The process is pretty much the same whether you’re veneering a large dining room table or a small end table. The…

Fences control the path of an electric router and ensure straight cuts. Adjustable metal fences attach to the side of the base plate. These simple fences guide the router by sliding along the edge of…

A taper at the ends of a board can render the piece useless for construction activities that require the use of uniform, unwarped lumber. Kiln-dried wood, which is slowly dried in a furnace where heat…