http://daveosborne.com/dave/index.php We have articles and plans for the do it yourself person on home renovations, home improvement and home repair from a construction expert. en-us Mon, 12 May 2008 02:22:08 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/powertools.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/powertools.php dave/articles The first article on the basics series discusses how to operate power tools safely and how to keep them maintained. Sat, 31 Mar 2007 07:18:06 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/lumber.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/lumber.php dave/articles The second article on the basics series discusses the following topics: From Logs to Lumber, Grades of Lumber, Plywood, Plywood Grades for Cabinetry and Other Engineered Woods. Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:09 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/tapemeasure.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/tapemeasure.php dave/articles The third article in the basics series discusses reading a tape measure and includes a drawing showing the breakdown of the fractions of one inch. The importance of accuracy is discussed. Sat, 31 Mar 2007 07:18:02 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/straightcuts.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/straightcuts.php dave/articles The fourth article on the basics series discusses the correct way to use a circular saw. It includes a drawing of the detail of the set of the blade, as well as a drawing of the saw cut in relation to your cut line. Sat, 31 Mar 2007 07:18:03 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/eurocabinets.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/eurocabinets.php dave/articles This is the first article on the cabinet series of articles. This article discusses the framing of modern cabinets with their European design. It mentions the different fiberboards common in the cabinet industry. The article includes the ... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:14 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/faceframecabinets.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/faceframecabinets.php dave/articles This is the second article on the cabinet series of articles. This article discusses the framing of modern cabinets with their European design which incorporates the best of the Euro look with the 70s design of the wider face frame. The a... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:13 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/cabinetdoors.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/cabinetdoors.php dave/articles This is the third article on the cabinet series of articles. This article discusses how to make your own doors for a modern cabinet. The article includes the following drawings: MDF profile doors; an elevation and section of a home made p... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:19 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/countertops.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/countertops.php dave/articles This is the fourth article on the cabinet series of articles and discusses the counter top finished with plastic laminate. The article includes the following drawings: choices of laminate counter top edge profile; introducing oak or othe... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:17 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/elevateddeck.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/elevateddeck.php dave/articles This is the first article on the deck series of articles and discusses the deck off the main floor. The article includes the following drawings: elevated deck or balcony floor plan and deck support. The following subjects are discussed: a... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:14 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/deckrailing.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/deckrailing.php dave/articles This is the second article on the deck series of articles and discusses the handrails for deck. The article includes the following drawings: securing handrail posts; the 2x2 baluster handrail; an alternate 2x2 baluster handrail and a deta... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:16 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/deckstairs.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/deckstairs.php dave/articles This is the third article on the deck series of articles and discusses the stairs for a deck. The article includes the following drawings: an elevation of deck stairs; tapered steps; extended treads; a floor plan of stair returns; an elev... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:15 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/deckstairsreturn.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/deckstairsreturn.php dave/articles This is the fourth article on the deck series of articles and discusses in more detail the stairs with returns that was mentioned in the previous article. The article includes the following drawings: an artist conception of stair returnin... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:15 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/electricalsafety.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/electricalsafety.php dave/articles This is the first article on electrical work in the home, focusing on the safety factors involved. I discuss the safety concerns I have for homeowners dealing with their own electrical wiring and suggest ways to incorporate backup checks.... Sat, 31 Mar 2007 07:18:13 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/electrical3wayswitch.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/electrical3wayswitch.php dave/articles This is the second article on electrical work in the home. I suggest you read the first one which discusses my safety concerns for the inexperienced doing their own wiring. The article includes two drawings of how to wire a three way swit... Sat, 31 Mar 2007 07:18:13 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/lot.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/lot.php dave/articles This is the first article on how to build a house series of articles and focuses on the lot and plan. The following subjects are discussed: the lot and plan as a unit; the set of plans and their various views; a plan's scale; the common d... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:09 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/foundation.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/foundation.php dave/articles This is the second article in the how to build a house series of articles and focuses on the foundation and excavation. The following drawings are included: excavation with batter boards; forms for the footings and wall; a detail of a con... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:12 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/slab.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/slab.php dave/articles This is our third article in the How to Build a House series which will discuss the procedures required to waterproof the foundation, install the piping used to drain away surface water around the foundation and roof of our house, prepar... Sat, 26 Jan 2008 21:24:14 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/alumsoffits.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/alumsoffits.php dave/articles This is the third article on the house series of articles and discusses in detail how to install aluminum or vinyl soffits with drawings and photos to make the instructions clear. This article includes two drawings: the first on the thre... Sat, 26 Jan 2008 21:24:16 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/how-to-install-vinyl-siding.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/how-to-install-vinyl-siding.php dave/articles This article discusses vinyl siding with cedar trim as I installed on my own house. It comes with actual pictures of the steps to install the vinyl J-molding around the windows. Sat, 26 Jan 2008 21:24:15 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/featherboard.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/featherboard.php dave/articles This is the first article in the jigs series of articles and focuses on the feather board. The following drawings are included: the feather board in relation to the saw blade on a table saw. In this article I explain how to make a feathe... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:13 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/pushstick.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/pushstick.php dave/articles A full size template is included with this article on how to make a push stick. Instructions are given to print the full size template on your home computer. Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:06 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/routerjig.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/routerjig.php dave/articles Rather than using dado blades on a table saw, a router can be used with a jig to cut dadoes for shelves, as well. This article shows a drawing of this jig as well as instruction on how to make it. Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:04 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/featherjig.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/featherjig.php dave/articles Sometimes we need a small feather wedge to lift a cabinet or shim something. Here is a quick way to make up some thin wedges. This article contains two drawings. One is the dimensions of the jig itself and the other is an example of usin... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:13 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/taperjig.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/taperjig.php dave/articles A fence is used on a table saw to make cuts exactly parallel to an edge of the material being cut. When we want to make a cut that is not parallel with an edge, one way to do it is with a jig. We could make a simple jig with the exact ang... Sat, 31 Mar 2007 07:18:02 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/skilsawguide.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/skilsawguide.php dave/articles In the good ole days before the time of fancy power miter and cutoff saws, when framing a house, we would use nothing but our trusty old circular saw, Skilsaw, we called them, for cutting and ripping our lumber. We used plywood, so I'm no... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:03 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/compass.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/compass.php dave/articles In my construction career there have been numerous times I needed to scribe an arc or a complete circle, usually full size. For example, scribing the trim for a 6' wide circle head window with a 3' radius or making a template for roundin... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:18 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/cuttingjig.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/cuttingjig.php dave/articles When you find it necessary to cut or rip large pieces with a circular saw, a handy guide helps keep the cuts straight. I use mine mostly for cutting gable ends for cabinets to length, as well as, trimming doors, etc. This article shows tw... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:16 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/mould.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/mould.php dave/articles While answering a question from a member on the subject of mould in her home, I came upon this article written in March 2001 by the Workplace Safety and Health Division, Manitoba Department of Labour & Immigration, Canada. This articl... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:08 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/spring.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/spring.php dave/articles Your home's worst enemies are dampness, high humidity and lack of ventilation. I live on the West coast of British Columbia, the banana belt of Canada, or so we boast. With the warmest winter climate in Canada comes the problem of moistur... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:02 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/renos.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/renos.php dave/articles I describe some of the ideas I got when I built my house and share them with you. Each idea comes with a picture. I discuss the following topics: window curtains; window sills; window seats; mantle piece; ceramic hearth; hardwood steps; o... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:05 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/framing.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/framing.php dave/articles Framing a wall is not that complicated, if one learns a few basic principles. In this article, I explain the terminology of the parts of a wall, framing in doors and windows, headers, laying out the walls, studs for an intersecting wall a... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:11 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/window.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/window.php dave/articles This article goes into the details of installing a window in an existing wall. It discusses what is on the outside and inside of a wall with a drawing showing the various parts. I discuss the stocks sizes of windows, as well. Sat, 31 Mar 2007 07:18:01 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/ceiling.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/ceiling.php dave/articles Usually a ceiling is just a nice covering of the bottom of the next floor up. A drop ceiling, however, is lower than the bottom of the upper floor. There are different reasons for making a drop ceiling. Some people put one in the basemen... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:19 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/skylights.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/skylights.php dave/articles 'Location, location, location!', is what they say in real estate, but it's just as important with skylights. In this article, we will talk about a 2'x4' skylight, so if you have a larger one, just adjust the numbers. I go on to discuss lo... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:03 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/hardwoodfloor.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/hardwoodfloor.php dave/articles This article explains how to get started, laying out the boards, the doorway and the stair nosing when installing hardwood floors. Details covered include which direction to lay the grain of the wood, how to start the layout, how to secur... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:10 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/tiles.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/tiles.php dave/articles This article explains how to install ceramic tile over wood and concrete. I go on to discuss the layout of floor tiles and wall tiles, adhesive or mortar, grouting and cleaning up. A drawing is included showing the layout of floor tiles.... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:38:59 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/plumbingrough.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/plumbingrough.php dave/articles In this article I give you the usual heights for fixture drains, vents, cleanouts and supply lines for rough-in for the following fixtures: toilets, countertop or drop-in lavatory, pedestal lav, tub/shower and kitchen sink. I also includ... Sat, 31 Mar 2007 07:18:07 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/plumbing.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/plumbing.php dave/articles There are times when the homeowner must replace a plumbing fixture or at least remove it. I'm referring to the toilet, tub and sink faucets or just removing a valve stem to replace its washer. In this article I explain how to do this. Sat, 31 Mar 2007 07:18:07 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/baseboard.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/baseboard.php dave/articles COPE: To cut or shape the end of a base or crown molding so it will cover and fit the contour of an adjoining piece of base or crown molding. In this article I explain how to install crown molding by coping the joint with a drawing and a ... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:19 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/crownmolding.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/crownmolding.php dave/articles The days of the back saw and miter box, I think, are things of the past. Today, we use compound power miter saws, also commonly called cutoff saws. Our discussion on cutting inside and outside corners for crown molding will be based on us... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:17 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/widecrownmolding.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/widecrownmolding.php dave/articles When installing crown molding wider than 3 1/2", we find that when cutting the crown molding to length, we have to lay it face down rather than upright on the turn base of a slide compound saw. I explain how to do this in simple lang... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:38:58 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/corners.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/corners.php dave/articles This article explains how to start with a square opening to end up with a rounded one with a drawing to help. The focus is on a drywalled wall. Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:18 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/door.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/door.php dave/articles You're planning on building a shop or backyard shed and would like to build your own door a little wider or taller than a conventional door. You can go to the Door Shop and order a custom door and pay through the nose or build it yourself... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:15 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/prehungdoor.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/prehungdoor.php dave/articles In this article I give the rough openings for pre-hung doors. A drawing explains the details of how to hang the door and where to shim and fasten it to the door framing. Step by step instructions walk you through the procedure. Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:07 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/pocketdoor.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/pocketdoor.php dave/articles A pocket door is so named because the door slides into a pocket in the wall and disappears, leaving only its leading edge visible with a little hooked pull showing to close it. The framing of a pocket door is a bit more involved than a re... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:07 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/patiodoor.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/patiodoor.php dave/articles In conversing with a member of our site, recently, I was shocked to hear that he was quoted $900 for labor to remove an existing patio door and replace it with a new unit. I sent him these instructions, hopefully they will help you too. H... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:07 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/drywall.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/drywall.php dave/articles Drywall, also known as gyproc, Sheetrock®, plaster board, gypsum board, to name a few, is a very popular method of applying a wall or ceiling finish. It is quite inexpensive and is easy to install and paint. Its only draw back, for t... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:14 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/wheelchair-ramp.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/wheelchair-ramp.php dave/articles In this article, I have translated the Building Code into simple layman's terms for building residential ramps for the disabled in wheelchairs. I have given the desired slope and width, as well as height of handrails and curbs. Sat, 1 Sep 2007 23:16:31 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/renosfaqs.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/renosfaqs.php dave/articles Here's a list of Dave's answers about home improvement and renovations you might find of help: Building an Entertainment Center; Concrete House; Connecting Wall to Foundation; Cutting crown molding; Determining the Swing of a Door; Founda... Sat, 1 Sep 2007 23:16:36 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/steelsquare.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/steelsquare.php dave/articles For the purpose of this discussion we will only be interested in the rafter table and how we determine the length and cut of a common rafter. I go on to explain the terminology of the rafter square, the pitch of a roof, the parts of the r... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:00 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/roofpitch.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/roofpitch.php dave/articles Carpenters don't refer to the angle of a roof, such as 30° or 45°, but to the pitch of the roof, which is just the ratio of vertical to horizontal measurements. A drawing is included showing the relationship between the rafter a... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:04 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/framehiproof.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/framehiproof.php dave/articles In this article I discuss how to frame a roof as well as the terminology of the hip roof. I include three drawings to help explain: the common rafters in a hip roof, dropping a hip, the layout of an intersecting hip and valley roof. I als... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:11 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/trusses.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/trusses.php dave/articles In this article I explain what to look for when the trusses arrive, how to start erecting them and bracing them up temporally and permanently, hurricane clips and final inspection. Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:38:58 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/soffits.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/soffits.php dave/articles This article discusses estimating and installing fibreglass batt insulation. It mentions caulking and vapor barrier, as well Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:02 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/roofsfaqs.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/roofsfaqs.php dave/articles This article discusses some questions asked about roofs; Angle of a Roof, Framing a Gable End Overhang and Number of Shingles to a Roof. In my answer in Angle of a Roof I give a table of angles for different pitches. In my answer in Frami... Sat, 31 Mar 2007 07:17:51 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/fall.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/fall.php dave/articles This article gives six points that a homeowner should follow when preparing his or her house for Fall. Sat, 31 Mar 2007 07:17:59 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/winter.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/winter.php dave/articles This article includes a list of seven points to remind the homeowner to do before Winter. Sat, 31 Mar 2007 07:17:59 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/christmas.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/christmas.php dave/articles Let's keep this happy season happy by learning a few safety tips and suggestions. Sat, 31 Mar 2007 07:17:59 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/stairs.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/stairs.php dave/articles The first article is entitled How to Build Stairs. The following drawings are included in this article: Correct and Incorrect Steps; Total Rise; Parts of a Step; Slope of a Stair; Headroom; Deck Stairs showing pickets, post and beam suppo... Wed, 4 Jul 2007 21:20:29 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/stringer.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/stringer.php dave/articles Our second article, How to Layout Stair Stringers, discusses choosing the size of the stringer; the layout using the steel framing square; the bottom riser and installing the stringer. The following drawings are included in this article: ... Wed, 4 Jul 2007 21:20:28 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/staircalc.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/staircalc.php dave/articles This third series is a Stair Calculator a popular tool on our website. This calculator is downloadable to a laptop or home computer to run independent of the Internet. The builder types in his total rise into the calculator and clicks on ... Wed, 4 Jul 2007 21:52:26 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/landing.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/landing.php dave/articles The fourth article in our Stairs series discusses installing a landing in a set of stairs. The following drawings are included in this article: the stringer on the landing and the landing framing. The article discusses changing the direct... Wed, 4 Jul 2007 21:20:30 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/handrail.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/handrail.php dave/articles This fifth article is about installing an inside handrail on a set of stairs including around a landing and the floor opening. Spindles and newel posts are also discussed. The diagrams in this article include: Spindles and Newels; Stair p... Wed, 4 Jul 2007 21:20:31 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/hardwoodstairs.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/hardwoodstairs.php dave/articles The fifth article is entitled: Installing Hardwood on Stairs. Its topics include: Top and Bottom Risers; Inspect Your Stringers; Install Risers Before Treads; Installation Details. Wed, 4 Jul 2007 21:20:30 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/concretestairs.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/concretestairs.php dave/articles The seventh article in the How to Build Stairs series is How to Build Concrete Stairs. Drawings included are: Concrete Stairs Forms with a riser detail. The article relates to a story of my first job forming concrete stairs and how I di... Wed, 4 Jul 2007 21:20:30 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/lapeyrestairs.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/lapeyrestairs.php dave/articles Our eighth article discusses lapeyre or alternating tread stairs used for lofts and areas with limited room for conventional stairs. Two pictures are included of finished lapeyre stairs, one of wood and one of steel. The following drawing... Wed, 4 Jul 2007 21:20:29 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/stairsfaqs.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/stairsfaqs.php dave/articles Our final article, Frequently Asked Questions on how to build stairs, consists of 33 questions from members of our site and my answers on the general subject of building stairs. Wed, 4 Jul 2007 21:20:28 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/raftertable.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/raftertable.php dave/articles The rafter table as commonly found on a steel square (carpenter square, rafter square, framing square). This is a handy reference for our members. Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:06 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/joistspantable.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/joistspantable.php dave/articles These joist span tables are taken from the National Building Code of Canada, 1998 BC Edition (still current) and are for reference only. The final authority in building codes, including joist spans, lies with the building inspector in you... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:09 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/rafterspantable.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/rafterspantable.php dave/articles These span tables are taken from the National Building Code of Canada, 1998 BC Edition (current edition) and are for reference only. The final authority in building codes, including rafter spans, lies with the building inspector in your l... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:06 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/conversiontable.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/conversiontable.php dave/articles Here are some of the more common conversions that are used in the building trades, including Centigrade to Fahrenheit, metric to US or Imperial, energy, power and insulation values. Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:18 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/convcalc.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/convcalc.php dave/articles This calculator converts the most commonly used measurements in the building trades, work or school. It differs from the previous table of conversions, in that with this calculator all the math is done for you. Simply plug in your values... Wed, 5 Mar 2008 23:30:09 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/nailtable.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/nailtable.php dave/articles This table gives the length and number of nails recommended for a particular joint in house construction. Sat, 31 Mar 2007 07:17:57 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/pennynailtable.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/pennynailtable.php dave/articles The term 'penny', used with nails, was an English measurement originally meaning price per 100. It now means nail length and is abbreviated 'd'. This table converts the inch length of nail to the penny size. It also includes an estimate o... Sat, 31 Mar 2007 07:17:57 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/mitertable.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/mitertable.php dave/articles This table gives the miter and bevel angle settings of a cutoff saw in degrees for a wall to crown molding angle of 38°/52° and of 45°/45°. Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:08 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/formcalc.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/formcalc.php dave/articles This calculator will do the math for you if you feed it your measurements of the length, width and height of your forms and click on Compute. It will give an answer in cubic yards or feet; meters or liters or number of 80, 60, 55 or 40 po... Thu, 8 May 2008 19:16:35 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/fractiontable.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/fractiontable.php dave/articles These are the common fractions and decimals that are used in the building trades. To convert a decimal to a fraction, find its nearest match in the decimal column and see what the fraction is for that decimal. Decimal equivalents are incl... Sat, 31 Mar 2007 07:17:57 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/decimalfeet.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/decimalfeet.php dave/articles This is a table of conversions from inches to decimal feet, useful for surveying. For simplicity this table starts off with 1 to 12 inch equivalents in decimals of a foot. Included also is the 1/8 inch conversion to decimals of a foot fro... Wed, 5 Mar 2008 23:18:09 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/estimates.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/estimates.php dave/articles This is the checklist I used when estimating a new or renovated building before giving a client a price quote. I found it useful to prevent me from forgetting to charge for a certain material or stage of the construction. I hope it is use... Sat, 31 Mar 2007 07:17:56 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/weights.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/weights.php dave/articles Sat, 31 Mar 2007 07:17:55 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/upholsteryfaqs.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/upholsteryfaqs.php dave/articles Some questions about upholstery people have asked Frances and her answers. Sat, 31 Mar 2007 07:17:49 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/steambox.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/steambox.php dave/articles A steam box is needed to bend wood to rounded shapes without breaking the fibers of the grain. Steaming wood softens the fibers, making them bend around a mold easily. I needed three pieces of molding bent around a staircase when I was bu... Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:39:00 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/cleaning.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/cleaning.php dave/articles Anyone that has been brought up on the coast or around a large lake or humid area knows what mold, mildew and algae is and what it can do to the vinyl siding on your house. Well, here is a mold mildew cleaning solution (notice the pun) t... Sat, 31 Mar 2007 07:17:55 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/tools.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/tools.php dave/articles I've selected the most used woodworking tools in my tool box and found a link for you to look at each one through Amazon.com. This way you'll be familiar with what I'm talking about. Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:38:58 GMT http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/tips.php http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/tips.php dave/articles Here's a random collection of tips for you that I've collected over the last 45 or so years. 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