floating shelves

Send it with the Bend (crown) Up!! Trim Carpenter - try included ......... All aspects:

Wood, boards, lumber IE. have a natural arc, curve, warp ..... You choose! A.k.a. known in the Construction Industry, CROWN; It's the Crown of that particular piece that may work for You or ...

..... So wheather it's a 1x, 2x, 3x? ..... all the way to large ceiling beams etc.. IOW always Fasten the Bent-Side up, the To the Sky!

    Understand, All proper usage of this natural feature in each piece it typically allows the finishes on every constructed plain to stay flat or straight for most of Our existences.

        Keep it Up!!! Lol, the theory is it'll wind up someday (maybe) sag downward to a straightened piece, rather than sagging even lower too cause a bump in the group it's planing with.

 (2 examples here below)

Or

no the FOHC it Remains straight for a mighty long time. FOHC is the industries acronym of Free of Heart Center. 

When possible Hand select Your projects supply and avoid that 1st years growth on the end grain.

You'll be glad You knew that!!   

Shelves DIY

Craigs Clout ; tip "o" the Week: My neighborhood Woodshop does it Again! Clout's about this, We all understand space saving or utilizing that space is a preciouse commodity. And how Mother Nature is of the Utmost importance in regards to saving the planet with any material that can be Recycled , Repurposed or Re-Used in every possible aspect . The idea to create a busted up bedframe into strategically placed storage Rack/ Shelves with some very high quality pre finished hardwood , to be taken with You to your next place or Woodshop, saved that "Precious Space" as well and can be built to size of any place in the house or shop , You wish ! More info 3106972829 Enjoy the Read and the rest of Your Week ....

we frame

Demising Wall for Tennant's 

water damage repair

My Buddy Google wants Me to post about My Clients ability to avoid future Water Damage on Wood Structures.

If H2O has an exit it cannot destroy much of anything. Always Slope away any post pore! An Out (for standing H20) is a gift for Wood.(Carpenters) This precious commodity will not be lived without. Whereas when drying on things it destroys!

- trowel away (pictured above)

* This towns Woodshop, never builds without a slope in mine. Flat or level allows standing puddles, so, this Carpenter knows how to furnish Wood it's avoidances where properly needed. 

!! Clout about Always !!

Craigs Clout ; Tip "o" the Week So , a few weeks ago , phone rings early in the a.m. Sunday morn and a panicked voiced Woman say's .... Blah blah blah can you please " hurry " . So woodshop to the road and I see my chore!

      So, After matching parts , leak's fixed , while cleaning up I see signs of mixed metal electrolysis (not-good) some metals mixed aren't for long compitable . When asking for water the inertia cause's slight jumping in the conduits which will cause slight friction and end-up breaking down . So after removing steel clamps on copper pipe I made new ones but incorporated insulated barrier's . So on the pipes there will have NO further problems . Alot can be avoided thru " Open Eye's " . Happy Holidays !!!

Bosch DEMO Hammer (DIY)

DIY your way to a New Years start. All those home improvement projects that you wish to accomplish are within arms reach. The Bosch chipping hammer is paramount in helping get rid of the old and begin to realize your dreams. This little workhorse has saved us tons of time and sweat by doing the jackhammers job tenfold!

The Bosch 10 Amp Spline Rotary Hammer features a spline/round hex bit system that provides tool-free bit changes and automatic bit locking. A combination dual mode selector offers 2 modes of operation, rotary hammer and hammer-only. The Vario-Lock positioning system rotates and locks the hammer chisel in 12 different positions to optimize the working angle.

Many features that the Bosch 11247 excels in :

• Delivers 3,000 BPM
• Powerful 10 Amp motor
• Spline/round hex bit system for tool-free bit changes with automatic bit locking
• Integral clutch helps minimize torque reaction
• 360 Degree auxiliary handle provides a wide range of movement and comfortable use
• Dual mode selector supports rotary hammer and hammer-only operation
• Vario-Lock rotates and locks the chisel into 12 different positions to optimize working angle
• Carrying case included
• MFG Brand Name : Bosch
• MFG Model # : 11247
• MFG Part # : 11247

Small enough to throw behind your truck seat but big enough to remove patio slabs in a cinch! When push comes to shove the Bosch Jack Hammer is worth its weight in gold to my team. Light and powerful for all the small to medium sized jackhammering demolish work we have encountered. DIY your way thru 2012 for all the home improvement desires you have on that list. Tools make any


JOB easier or harder, make the choice that can improve your projects! Have a great 2012 everyone!!

Copper / Galvanized ... Electrolosis

Electrolysis is an often misused term when applied to copper plumbing tubing. True electrolysis, or electrolytic corrosion, as it is more properly designated with regard to piping, is caused by an imposed (external) stray DC current and happens when 2 or more different metals touch IE., copper and steel plumbing components. In many cases, it is also thought that grounding of a building’s electrical system to the copper piping can cause this phenomenon, but there is no statistical data to support this, nor is it recommended that the piping system be used as the main electrical ground for a building or dwelling.

Usually, what people are really referring to when they say electrolysis is galvanic or dissimilar metal corrosion. Galvanic corrosion is caused by self-induced current created by electrical potential of two dissimilar metals in contact with an electrolyte. It can occur when two dissimilar metals (such as copper tube and steel pipe) are connected in the presence of an electrolyte.

Stainless steel , Brass and Copper, all common metal piping materials and how they react to each other, it is rarely the copper tube that fails because of galvanic corrosion. Black steel and Galvanized steel when connected to the other metals above , will start an eating away by corrosion until sooner than later a leak in your plumbing pipes will occur. Do it right the first time!

Termite Damage Control

Termites are a group of eusocial insects that, until recently, were classified at the taxonomic rank of order Isoptera , but are now accepted as the epifamily Termitoidae, of the cockroach order Blattodea. While termites are commonly known, especially in Australia, as "white ants," they are only distantly related to the ants. They will feed around and in moistened wood and lumber as well, gates - doors and windows - siding - eaves and fascia boards , that get wet during rain , plumbing leaks or everyday home watering. Building anything that rids of moisture will aid in your fight against the elements of nature.

There are products for protecting against termite infestation on the market including local sprays , orange oil. These can lower the termite control costs and help you DIY the termite treatment(s) around your home.

Like ants, some bees, and wasps—which are all placed in the separate order termites divide labour among castes, produce overlapping generations and take care of young collectively. Termites mostly feed on dead plant material, generally in the form of wood, leaf litter, soil, or animal dung, and about 10 percent of the estimated 4,000 species are economically significant as pests that can cause serious structural damage to buildings, crops or plantation forests. Termites are major detritivores, particularly in the subtropical and tropical regions, and their recycling of wood and other plant matter is of considerable ecological importance.

DIY a DOOR A DAY

Saving dollars make more sense than anything these days, so by weatherstripping an exterior door correctly, indeed you will save money by keeping the cold air out in the winter time, as well as during the hot summer months, not "trying to cool off the whole neighborhood". Mother knows best perhaps, and will often remind us of this.

From door bottoms or door shoe applications, all will effectively seal the interior from the exterior. But before installing either of these there hes to be a threshold on the floor first. Tools required for door weather stripping can be as simple as a hacksaw and a reversible drill/driver and a tape measure. Buying the right one is important to note here, typically an interior door will be 1 3/8" thick and exterior doors are thicker at 1 3/4". The anodized aluminum comes in several finishes so you can choose a match per the rest of the doors hardware.

It's possible you may have to cut the door down a little, depending on the existing conditions. An accurate measurement is required to get the most out of your DIY Door sealing efforts, but on a scale of difficult being a 10, this door weather strip installation is rated at a 3. All products bought can vary so be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions first. Entry doors have that sweet closing sound with shutting and you will know the difference after your done. Snug as a bug...... Save money and our resources by doing it right the first time!

DIY wood flooring

The basic idea behind the packaged flooring that needs to be unwrapped after the room placement is this, wood will continue to want to breathe always. It's likely to expand and contract within the new environment, therefore it is a must to allow this procedure a few days prior to installing wood flooring.

Another very important phase of getting this correct, is to remove the base boards first. After establishing the starting point, leave a minimum 1/4" gap at the wall(s) that the base boards will eventually cover again. The material will then be able to move and acclimate to the ever changing room temp and moisture, as little as this may be, it affects the wood just enough for minor shifting and settling. Have fun every chance you get. Cheers!

How to fix a toilet DIY

When a toilet begins to leak it can cause other problems within your bathroom including damage to your flooring or even the sub flooring depending how long the water has sat there. It can even destroy the ceiling and the frame work you have. Most times these sneaky leaks come from the fill valve or flush valve, but on a very rare case though it starts with cracks in the hairline tank.

These Challenges you could face with the toilet might have you replace the tank or in a worst case scenario replace the toilet all together. The Toilet Repair you might have to do depends on the leaks that I mentioned earlier. If its worst case scenario it might cost you some money to either replace the whole toilet or have somebody come out and fix the problem at hand.

Plumbing Fittings Shark Bite

How to fix a leaky pipe has never been easier since the Shark bite fittings hit the piping repair industry. Every homeowner in the world can now address their plumbing pipes as if they just got a plumbers license from the state or country they own their own house or rental property in. It's no secret or magic pill to be ingested, truth be known these relatively new and inexpensive little gems are just like snapping Lego's together, just as you did when you were a kid.

The best thing about Shark bite fittings, is they will help you stop any leak in any pipe, in any area of the world. Whether it be Pex tubing or copper tubing or even PVC plumbing with 2 quick cuts and 2 even quicker snaps together , can stop any plumbing leak anywhere.

Pex tubing is not used in the west like copper tubing because of the warmer climates, but these non sweat , no plumbing experience needed, DIY tools are applied, all things are possible. It does not matter where in the wall the water line repair is necessary , It won't make a difference if they are leaking in the concrete or under the slab, plumbing pipes can be fixed, Sharkbite plumbing fittings can stop the steady drip drip drip of water wasting usage and or water damage that can be avoided.

The water heater needs a supply water line to heat and distribute hot water to any bathroom or kitchen in every home across the world. Many of these water supply lines are buried and not seen until, there is a sign of water damage. These water supply pipes are easily repairable. Once You have the knowledge and lose the fear of believing "I Can't" ..... until you have done your homework , the fear exits faster than How can I Repair a plumbing pipe! As the thought turns to "I easily CAN!" Have a fantastic and healthy Thanksgiving Day !!

What is Scribe Molding?

Typically known as scribe molding every cabinet or trim molding needs to find it's place of application. Every cabinet is set in place, shimmed, spaced , leveled and then fastened. When we have our cabinets where we want them then we must cut and , pin nailed usually with a finish nail gun , another type of trim finish molding that will take up the rest of the space that needs to be hidden or finished off so to speak.
Often times we have to cut , notch or scribe around the other parts of a room that get in the way. Moldings are the very product that when executed correctly will make or break a "Job well Done" . The image to the left here shows, after furring out a door jamb with a jamb extension in a bathroom, the cabinet and door casing moldings meet up exactly in the same place! In another instance there is always ways to apply moldings for different looks or decorating. Such as with crown molding, base and case moldings or a common used edge molding trim piece called actual scribe mold.


Where ever these specific moldings wrap around, cover up a gap or create a cap finished look like an plant on oak Ogee arch molding. With the right miter saw and or jigsaw, you can show off your skills that pay the bills faster than you can say "Instant equity"..... why call the guy ? When YOU CAN DIY!!

Black Mold [How to rid of IT]

Action is needed to remedy anything. The everyday bath fan has many upsides, when the ductwork is done correctly all else will follow. Mold has proved to be unhealthful for a lot of us, but to avoid mold and mildew in our very frequently used bathrooms has never been easier. Any diy'er has the ability to execute change, and we here at My-DIY.net aim to give back a solution that is inexpensive and simple.

In the image here it shows the creative way to use ductwork in a bathroom shower exhaust fan. With the ceiling 2x4 framing disallowing a direct air flow, the 90 degree duct gets us up and out in the shortest distance without constricting the elbow duct or pinching the ducting. Home Depot stocks this exhaust fan in house and it is extremely easy to DIY or Do It Yourself, when we have all the right information to avoid mold and mildew in our families bathrooms for cleaner healthier living.

When searching through the exhaust fans available on line, it is noted here that the volume of air exchanged and the Ultra-quiet motors operate at sone level reading per noisiness factor. But most importantly, moving the wet air up and out as your hot and steamy shower continues. But, in order for a bath fan to be able to perform it's duties it must draw air from someplace?? Be certain there is a significant gap underneath the bathroom door 3/4" or so , and or crack open the bathroom window just enough to aide in the CFM also known as the cubic feet of air per minute. Good luck and DIY , Today!

How to Repair Copper Pipe

Unbelievable is the best way to describe this new age of DIY Plumbing. When the last time about a year ago we got the call for something to do with a leak, in which we discovered although we could not see it, that a copper line some how developed a pin hole mini misting leak. Inside the wall underneath the tub it was there and it was producing moisture all the while black mold with many a little creature making homes nearby. This particular leak would have only been accessible had the tub and tile been demo'ed out of the way or on the other side of the wall in the kitchen, granite top as well as a portion of the lower cabinetry dismantled and installed again, now getting into the $ 2000.00 US range!

After a few calls and an extensive conversation with the home owner at the time, we came upon a newer line of fittings and figured if we can get one hand on the pipe we were able to cut, sand any burrs and push on the product sold to us that could keep this job near $200.00 US , well it would be at least worth a try!

Within minutes we had the water back on and a dry hand testing and testing until we were convinced that this newfangled plumbing fitting has just revolutionized the art of sweating/soldering copper plumbing forever. You CAN DO IT!

DIY [how to] Install Tile

Often times we are working within a budget on remodeling projects or home repairs.
DIY tile reglazing became the answer after a bit of t crossing and i dotting. So in order to get the best bang for our buck, the shower that needed a leak fixed in the wall will get partially rehabbed and then reglazed.
The first task @ hand was to exposed the dripping shower valve and replace with a new single handle mix version by Delta, then raising the shower head higher for less bending while bathing.

But, before we could start setting tile, we had to install a shower valve, lathe the shower wall and scratch and brown coat the type-s mortar base per exact waterproofing and tile adhesion.

The bathroom tile my clients choose for this was bought @ Home Depot and came in 8x8 boxes of 32 count. Smooth faced ceramic bathroom tile that matched the existing 1/8 spaced tile pattern. Thin set tile adhesive with literally no adjustments , because of our exact substrate float, made this bathroom tile remodel project very simple.Any avid DIY'er can do any home improvement project with the right tools and steps. A comprehensive diy tiling job that can be thoroughly enjoyed for many years too come!

WaterProofing a Window (How-To)

When installing windows, new or even replacement windows will apply. No tricks here, Just common sense. Sealing the exterior from getting to the interior is quality done by proper Flashing[s]!

Fibrous materials work wonderfully, but sheet metal flashing is the ACME of getting the job done right the first time.  As things fall from above, it is paramount to start @ the bottom and working to the top or lower 1st and top last , to ensure your window flashing's can overlap correctly. This window image above was cut or kerfed to allow an insertion type seal.
           Now the side window flashing's pieces are set and nailed with a galvanized 3d headed fastener , as these lay on top or over your bottom area.







 As the side sections reach the very top of your window, they need to tuck underneath your exterior wrapping of the home or real estate pertaining to your project! Any DIY'er can easily installing a window or door that will not leak... period!

 The wire lathe can now be stapled here for our future stucco patching. Thanks to all for your continued support, so leave any questions as usual and proceed taking your homes back!! :)

How to DIY drywall repair 5/8" sheetrock

Drywall repairs can be done easy with the right drywall tools. Adding a simple DIY Drywall patch to a radius staircase, was the call! After a quick inspection, this Drywalling project will require some 5/8" sheetrock , a handful of 1 1/4" drywall screws, a small roll of drywall mesh tape and a bag of 5 minute dry powder quick setting patching compound.

The wall surface is rounded or a large radius, so before the demolition of the existing 5/8" sheetrock ... back to the next nearest framing members [studs / header etc. ] with a sharp utility knife. First mark these framing members beforehand, so you can see where it is that you will apply the new screws or fasteners. Now the size of the new 5/8" drywall can be defined, cut and hung. Any DIY'er can perform this type of drywall repair with the correct info and a dust mask!

After the first coat of drywall mud has been applied and locked down the drywall tape in which has been fully covered, you can do a bit of clean-up and prepare for the finish coat. More often than not you can use a 6" drywall knife to mix and apply the rough coat, but a larger knife to smooth out and float the final coat of drywall compound with a 12" putty knife. Rather than mudding up and down though, because of the radius, the taping compound must be slathered on in a left and right motion as to follow the curve of the radius wall!

Concrete Couter-top Finished

This approach to creating counter space is growing daily and will give identical appearance as some of the other more expensive counter top options. Using concrete on top of cabinetry or even a pass through shelve, can certainly change the look in any room or office. Outside of the concrete color or veining techniques, the mixing and pouring is essentially identical.Here in this concrete counter form image with reinforced steel or rebar, we have used 4" lag screws to anchor the #3 rebar, staggered every 24"O.C. The counter or shelve here is formed to 2" in depth and 12" wide with the length being 10' long between the two end points of the adjacent walls. Because it sits atop a 2x4 framed wall, it will cantilever 2" to the kitchen area and roughly 6" pass the other side of the same wall into the living room. The image to the left here shows the importance of protecting the wood framing beneath with flashing paper to act as a moisture barrier and future dry-rotting adherent. The small spacers under our #3 rebar allows the new aggregate pour to completely surround the reinforcement steel for optimum strength.

DIY-Tools & Materials Needed for Your Counter Top Mix:

- plywood or melamine, plus screws to build the mold- bagged counter-top mix (or "scratch" mix below)- dyes or pigment if you're coloring your counter-top- grinder / polisher with water feed (can be rented)- diamond polishing discs of various grit- Tupperware or similar sandwich containers to make concrete samples- concrete mixer- concrete vibrating tool (can be rented)- dusts masks.... Now you are ready for your own Diy Counter-top Job

DIY Flex Molding

We got the call to remodel a fireplace, hearth and full wrap mantle. Unique in many ways, this full wrap fireplace mantle would have a pair of arched recessed panels in the center below the crown top sitting above the columns on both sides of the fire box.
No exotic wood species here though, my clients wanted it painted white. So we built her out of 3/4" MDF [multi-density-fiberboard] with some various El & El moldings to create something extraordinary!

Any above average painter can fau out this resin flex molding too, so even all the real wood lovers can enjoy a radius molding appearance without the extra shop tools and mind bending , wood bending tasks. Whatever the type of molding you are using, IE., baseboards, casings or even a 5 1/2" crown molding , then the flex mold can bend - curve or wrap around to meet up with any other common or custom molding your using.[caption id="attachment_1380" align="alignright" width="225" caption="MDF full wrap mantle with Flex Moulding"]

Underneath the arch , a piece of flat stock was implemented to return and butt into the face of the travertine stone that was used on the wall and hearth areas of this fire place.

This resin pour custom flex mold is highly pliable and very much paintable or stained. Acts like wood when cutting - nailing - sanding or glueing , for any DIY 'er thats ready to make a difference!My-diy.net[caption id="attachment_1382" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Flexible flat stock to aide in the return"]
Why call the guy? When YOU can DIY!!