Podcast Episode 661: Clever Shop Storage, Breaking in to Construction, Connector Nails
Listeners write in about shop storage, getting construction jobs, and the right connector nails.
Welcome to the Fine Homebuilding podcast, our weekly discussion of building, remodeling, and design topics aimed at anybody who cares deeply about the craft and science of working on houses. This is senior editor Patrick McCombe. I’m joined by Fine Homebuilding contributing editor and production manager for TDS Custom Construction Ian Schwandt, Fine Homebuilding editorial advisor Mike Guertin, and producer Andres Samaniego. Please email us your questions to [email protected].
You can find previous podcasts and check out the show notes at finehomebuilding.com/podcast
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Check in:
Mike: Shingling
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Ian: Broadband
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Patrick: Discussion of energy audits Episode 660 (Matt buying a house on the Ohio Lake shore):
I forgot to mention another good reason for getting one—combustion safety.
Listener Feedback 1:
Richard from Midland, Mich., writes:
Hello Podcast friends,
Thank you for your excellent podcasts. I enjoy listening and learning every week. The FHB project guides and articles have given me the confidence to take on a series of home improvement projects.
In the last episode, you requested that listeners send in pictures of their shops. I am really proud of the tool cabinets in my basement shop. The glass doors let me see all my tools but prevent the cabinets from filling with sawdust. The beveled glass is quite thick in the middle, making the doors fairly impact resistant. In six years of daily use, I have yet to break one.
There is also a picture of a mobile workbench currently situated in our living room. The bench is really light and breaks down very quickly. The ability to move my bench to the work really improves my efficiency.
My current project is to install some paneling in the first floor of our home. I am trying to incorporate some Greene & Greene type details.
Great show, and thank you for helping me with my projects.
Richard
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RELATED STORIES:
Question 1: How do you bend flashing and coil-stock metal without a brake?
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RELATED STORIES:
- Tip: Bending Flashing without a Brake
- There’s a Better Way Video Tip: Bending Sheet Metal Without a Brake
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Question 2: Do you have any advice for changing careers and moving into construction?
Mike writes:
Hello FHB,
I’m a owner builder in North Carolina. Come January, I’ll have been working on my house for two years. (Yes, my wife is over it now.) I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, since I am prepping for interior insulation now.
I work for a fire department, so I have a ton of days off each month to put toward the house build (but they usually get taken up by family events).
Long story short, I’ve been interested in houses for a long time—before college—and figured building my own house would help me start a new career in construction. Not exactly the case. I have been looking for assistant superintendent positions, but in my area there aren’t many builders with multiple full-time roles, so it has been tough without documented experience.
I’ve known people to break into construction in similar positions with no experience at all, so I figured I would have greater odds. Currently I’m going test to get my GC license next month, with hopes that’ll help land a job. If not I might try my hand at doing something for myself.
Any suggestions?
Mike
RELATED STORIES
- Landing a Job in Construction
- How to Hire and Retain Good Tradespeople
- Second Careers for Aging Knees
Question 3: What’s the right size connector nail?
“Contractor” writes:
Hey Podcast Crew,
I was recently flipping through a Simpson hardware catalog looking for a problem-solving hanger. I can’t remember what I was looking for at the time, but I found their Installer’s Pocket Guide for carpenters, and I was surprised to see that they almost always call out #10 nails and not #9. They also almost always call out the longest nail that would fit into the structure behind it.
I was sent into the field with a pile of hangers or hurricane ties and a positive-placement nailer, which only shoots 1-1/2-in. nails. I think hurricane ties call for 2-in. nails, and every one of them has to be driven by hand or with a palm nailer. In my quick skim through that guide I don’t remember more than a couple pieces of hardware out of hundreds that call for a 1-1/2-in. nail.
Additionally, the big box stores sell #8 screws and 9d nails, but they have no place in any of the Simpson hardware. I might be exaggerating just a bit, but I’d wager that 90% of the Simpson hardware that people install is done with the wrong fastener. It’s also fairly easy to check the fastener because they’re all stamped on the head for inspection purposes.
Thanks for all you do
RELATED STORIES:
Don’t Forget to Subscribe to Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Unfortunately that is all the time we have for today. Thanks to Mike, Ian, and Andres for joining me and thanks to all of you for listening. Remember to send us your questions and suggestions to [email protected] and please like, comment, or review us no matter how you’re listening–it helps other folks find our podcast.
Happy Building!
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