Volume 11 Issue 10 ISSN 1923-7162 |
Welcome to Dave's Shop Talk's Home Improvement Newsletter of questions from our members on their construction projects, a Tip of the Month and a home remodeling article, both from our website at http://daveosborne.com.
Always miter the cap in the corner of the deck railing for a nice looking fit. Galvanized nails or screws should be used in any outdoor finishing work, such as backyard decks and deck railing. Ref: Remodeling 20: How to Build a Wheelchair Ramp.
And a Bonus Tip:
When plumbing or framing a house always make the grade stamps on the pipe or lumber you're using visible to the building inspector. Ref: Roof 3: How to Build a Hip Roof.
Hi Ron,
Probably the best natural woods to use is teak (used on boat decks) and cedar (for house decks). Both these species of wood have natural oils in them to act as a preservative. Most species of wood (fir, pine, spruce) are good for outdoor exposure if they are treated with a good quality penetrating stain. I was told by an experienced painter that the best primer for exposed wood trim, etc. is oil based stain. Let it weather for a couple of years, then cover it with a good quality acrylic latex exterior paint. I did this for my own wood trim around our house—doors, windows, corners—and it has worked well. Before painting, I went over any cracks or holes with a good silicone/latex paintable caulk, such as Dap Alex Plus.
Dave
I prefer to have the risers flush with the stringers, but the treads overhang the stringer. On a 3' wide set of deck stairs, I overhang the stringers by 6", giving a span of 24" for two 2x6 treads. I would overhang the treads by 1 1/2" minimum on the ends and about 1" on the front.
Dave
Yes, that's the way to go.
This is the way I show members how to secure a stair stringer:
I like to notch out for the 2x4 rather than having the stringers sit on top as your email shows. For outside stairs, I put a pressure treated board embedded into the ground so the stringer can fasten to it, as well.
Dave
Hi Pancho,
Have you thought about parquet flooring? There are many combinations to do with oak parquet, as well as strip flooring. Google parquet flooring and click on images.
Dave
Thanks for this, Nick.
Dan and I are glad we were able to help out. Thanks for the pics, also.
All the best,
Dave
You're welcome, Bill, thanks for the email.
Dave
Here is a link to a small business that sells over the internet such things as ceiling tiles and moldings. Have a look at these tiles: drop in, glue-up, nail-up, in metal, leather, styrofoam for any room in the house. They also give you instructions for installation.
(taken from our website: DaveOsborne.com
The table saw push stick is a very useful tool for the table saw where the ripping is too small to safely use your fingers to push the piece through. The table saw push stick is simply a stick with a 90 degree notch out of it. This notch is rotated about 45 degrees so the push stick is held at an angle. You can fancy it up with... Read more at Jigs 2: Table Saw Push Stick
Thank you for the emails this month. We got a few that were not questions but thank you notes. Thanks for them, as well. We always appreciate a thank you note.
A bit of Website NEWS: DaveOsborne.com has moved to a new hosting service which offers Dan full control of our server. He is in the process of upgrading our site. He has asked me to go through our site, test things out and do a general revue. I'm passing this request on to you as well. As members of our site, please go through our site and if you can think of articles or plans that would be helpful to you individually, please mention them to us.
If you need advice on your projects at work or home, please become a member of our website, then send me an email. Check out our website! http://daveosborne.com
Hi, I'm Dave Osborne. With over 50 years experience as a journeyman carpenter, foreman and contractor in heavy construction I enjoyed working with apprentices and sharing the tricks of the trade that others shared with me. Now I get emails from Members all over the world and we include many of my answers in our Free Monthly Newsletters. Some of my answers include drawings and instructions specific to a project, but may also answer your questions. I use correct construction terminology, so you can confidently inform your building supply dealers or contractors exactly what you need.
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