Tips & Techniques

I've been installing a lot of nonwood sidings over the past few years, such as cement-based and hardboard lap sidings. To complement the clean look of these sidings, I've taken…

I frequently drill holes in concrete foundations for seismic anchors, such as all-thread bolts. The bolts are bonded to the concrete with epoxy, which means the holes that I drill…

I use logs and site-milled timbers in my work, and as I search for which logs to use where, I study the logs for twist. A log or timber with…

When we need to mix 60-lb. bags of ready-mix concrete, we make it easy on ourselves with the following procedure. We begin with a 5-gal. joint-compound bucket with about 3…

Like many other contractors, I've had to run electrical wires through existing walls from a basement to a second story or attic. Whether you are in the basement looking up…

Tired of throwing out half-full buckets of joint compound? When you finish a job, level off what's left in the bucket, put the circular vinyl disc on top of the…

One things that annoys me about buying tools and supplies these days is scraping off  the UPC sticker. Scraping results only in removing the paper portion of the sticker with…

After painting, I clean my hands quickly by using granulated sugar. I wet my hands and rub 1 tablespoon of sugar between them. The grime and grease wash off, and…

I've seen a number of tips for cutting outside corners on shingled walls, but none is as simple or foolproof as the method shown in the drawing. As illustrated, I…

Recently, I had to install some short balusters between a finished stair and a finished ceiling. Aesthetics and space limitations precluded nailing, and the contorted geometry of the situation eliminated…