Q: How can I dry wood quickly? And more specifically, is there any way I can get freshly cut birch lumber dry enough for woodworking within two months? My daughter’s getting married this fall, and in July I cut 3/4”-thick […]
Continue ReadingHOW TO BUILD A DECK: Avoid the #1 Deck Construction Mistake
Q: What should I do about a deck that’s bolted to my house without provisions waterproofing? The edge of the floor frame is attached to the house frame, but with no flashing for waterproofing the connection. If I lift the […]
Continue ReadingQ&A: “What Should I Do About Conflicting Deck Stain Advice?”
Q: What should I do with conflicting advice I’m getting about deck finishing? I just built a new staircase out of cedar for my deck and the measured moisture content of the wood is less than 10%. Some brands of […]
Continue ReadingQ&A of the Week: “How Should I Re-Strip a Deck for Refinishing?”
Q: What’s the best way to strip back to bare wood on a deck that I started to finish with a stain that I don’t like? I’ve covered two-thirds of the deck, but the opaque results are not what I want. […]
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How to Remove Tree Sap from Wood, Clothes & Vehicles
Q: How can I stop sap from oozing out of several new Douglas fir benches I had made and how can I remove it? I’m getting sap all over my clothes, so I need to remove sap from cloth, too. […]
Continue ReadingQ&A OF THE WEEK: “Can Asphalt Shingles Be Installed From The Top Down?”
UPDATED 6Jun2019 Q: How can I install asphalt shingles on a roof from the top down? I’ve heard this is better since you never walk on the shingles as they’re being installed, but how is this possible? Shingles need to […]
Continue ReadingQ&A OF THE WEEK: “Should I Finish Cedar Sidewall Shingles?”
UPDATED 24May2019 – Video Below Q: What are the pros and cons of leaving cedar sidewall shingles unfinished? We’re planning to cover the walls of our house in western red cedar, but don’t know what to do after that. […]
Continue ReadingQ&A OF THE WEEK: “What’s the Best Way to DIY Autobody Work?”
A reader asks . . . Q: What’s the best way to fix rust holes in the cab of my pickup truck? I’m handy around the house, so I figure I can learn to do decent autobody work in my […]
Continue ReadingQ&A OF THE WEEK: “Should I Change My Tank-Style Heater for Tankless?”
Q: Should I replace my large, gas-fired tank-style water heater with a tankless model? My wife and I are seniors living in our 2 storey, 4 bedroom home and we intend to stay here for at least another 10 years. […]
Continue ReadingQ&A OF THE WEEK: “How Can I Insulate My Cottage For Year-Round Living?”
Q: What’s the best way to insulate a cottage? I’m converting the place into a four-season home, but I want to preserve the interior wooden wall finishes. Paper-covered batt insulation is in the 2×4 wall frames now, but I’m concerned […]
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