The boys work through the best way to tie new construction into old, out-of-whack structures. Other topics include roof rafters, job-site tool transport and storage, and whether to paint trim before installation or after.

Question 1, from Dan: Gents, I’m planning to pop the top on my single-story house. Once the existing roof is off, I’d like add a new floor, then some walls, and then 2x rafters. My concern and my question are that this is an older house, so I’m expecting to run into walls that aren’t dead level along the top. I’m not sure whether to worry about shimming, and if so, where and how to go about doing it. Seems like skipping the shimming is just asking for trouble when it comes to framing the roof. What do you guys recommend?

Question 2, from Barry: Hi guys, My question is about tool and jobsite organization. How do professionals, especially remodelers who need to do work across trades, ensure they come to the site prepared with all the tools and materials they might need for the days work? Modular tool box systems certainly help organize but it seems like they can also lead to inefficiency in space (and OCD). As an example, it would be interesting to hear you discuss what your jobsite setup would look like for a half-bath remodel.

Question 3, from Andy: My wife and I just bought a 1960’s rancher in Tennessee that has not been touched. We are going to be resanding floors, remodeling the bathrooms and kitchen, and updating the trim package to more of a craftsman style.

I’ve thought about spraying my trim with either an airless sprayer (Issue 252) or a HVLP sprayer (Issue 268). I’m leaning towards HVLP because I already have a gun that hooks to my compressor, have done some testing with it, and it looks great. However, I’m trying to figure out that best sequence of painting. Should I spray the trim outside before installing then patch nail holes and touch up paint? Or should I paint it in place? If I do it in place what comes first, painting walls or spraying trim? I’m a little worried about overspray as I’m not sure how far I should mask out from the trim.

Finally, I plan on buying primed wood so technically I would just need to lay down a couple coats of paint, correct?

This episode of the podcast is brought to you by Benjamin Obdyke.

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The Fine Homebuilding Podcast embodies Fine Homebuilding magazine’s commitment to the preservation of craftsmanship and the advancement of home performance in residential construction. The show is an informal but vigorous conversation about the techniques and principles that allow listeners to master their design and building challenges.

Links for this episode:

• Guertin jacking up a huge wall:
• An example of using a material lift to raise heavy objects.
• Patrick’s slideshow.
• Veto ProPac.
• Systainer-style tool box review.
• Justin’s scaffold.
• Tyler Grace’s HVLP setup.
• Waterborne shellac.
• Don’t be afraid to spray.
• All FHB podcast show notes: FineHomebuilding.com/podcast.
• #KeepCraftAlive tee-shirts support scholarships for building trades students. So go order some shirts at KeepCraftAlive.org.
• The direct link to the online store is here.