The cheapest basement wall is a masonry coating rolled straight onto the concrete. The cheapest wall that looks like a real room is usually painted plywood or plain drywall. Which one wins depends on one question: will there be foam insulation behind it? This page ranks eight low-cost wall ideas by relative cost. It covers … Read more
Rockler Woodworking is worth it for three things: specialty hardware, shop jigs and accessories you won’t find at a big-box store, and small batches of hardwood or plywood you want to pick by hand. For big-brand power tools and everyday supplies like sandpaper and glue, compare prices first, because the same items are usually sold … Read more
Marine plywood for transoms is laminated in layers and often starts with two 3/4-inch panels (about 1-1/2 inches of core). The correct finished thickness depends on the boat’s original construction, the engine mounting system and the manufacturer’s specifications. This guide covers choosing the plywood, estimating a layup, laminating the core and sealing it against moisture. … Read more
The best marine plywood for a boat is the panel your boat plans specify, at the thickness they specify. In North America that usually means APA marine grade (Douglas-fir or western larch, B-grade or better veneers throughout, core gaps no wider than 1/8 inch). For lightweight stitch-and-glue boats it usually means BS 1088 okoume. APA … Read more
Purple Heart wood (usually written “purpleheart” in the lumber trade) is one of the few naturally purple woods sold commercially. It is also very hard, heavy, and fairly durable, and it changes color in ways that surprise first-time buyers. This guide covers what it is, how hard it is, how to keep the purple from … Read more