Plywood makes the construction of larger items much easier due to the sheer size of plywood sheets (8’ x 4’; or 125 x 250 cm in Europe). Sheets may be cut to appropriate size readily on a table saw or with a skil saw using a straightedge guide clamped to the wood. However, there are … Read more
Woodworkers and home Do-it-Yourselfers (DIY-ers) often took up woodworking as a hobby because of a deep appreciation for the craft and sometimes, for the love of the wood itself. That reverence for the wood makes woodworkers conscious of recycling of the wood they use. While offcuts (> 4” or 10 cm) can often find uses … Read more
In the last half century, drywall (also known as Sheetrock, wallboard or plaster board) has replaced plaster/lath as the material used for interior walls. First developed over a century ago,1 drywall consists of gypsum sandwiched between two external layers of paper. The ease of use and installation of drywall didn’t catch on right away, however, … Read more
Ways to Fill Gaps Fine woodworking requires considerable accuracy and finesse, often as much as that which is produced by a machinist. Yet the woodworker, especially the do-it-yourself woodworker, works with equipment which doesn’t have the inherent accuracy of the metalworking mills and lathes the machinist works with. Rather, the woodworker has to bring that … Read more
Laminate Floors Laminate flooring has surged in popularity during the last two decades as an option for the home DIY type for a variety of reasons. Laminate flooring is tough, durable, reasonably straightforward to install, and visually appealing. However, laminate flooring still pales (aesthetically) as compared with real hardwood flooring and often adds value to … Read more