Jobsite Know-How
Studies show that “bump nailers” cause twice as many serious injuries compared with sequential-trigger nail guns. Three carpenters we interviewed (Shawn Mahler, Caleb Miller, and Nathan Roberts) described the injuries shown in these photos during video interviews available at the website for the Center for Construction Research and Training.
Three carpenters come clean about their injuries from using “bump nailers”—nail guns with contact triggers
Tips for making a perfect joint where wood meets brick or other irregular surfaces
Built-up deck beams create seams that collect water and inhibit drying. Using spacers between 2-bys creates an airspace that promotes drainage and speeds drying.
There’s more than one way to calculate quantities for curved slabs and tube forms. We review the standard math, add a shortcut, and throw in a cheat sheet for good measure.
Properly overlapping metal flashing, sealing tapes, and peel-and-stick membranes keeps wind-driven water from getting into the house
Adding plywood gussets to short lengths of I-joist makes for easy-to-install blocking in an engineered floor frame
A strip of plywood, some blocks, and a table saw will help you salvage crooked framing lumber by safely ripping a straight edge
Ten tips on how to layout and set tile in a running bond pattern on shower walls
A system of tracks holds large panels off the sheathing, creating a rainscreen while also providing flashing at joints and a finished edge treatment
A woodworker finds out using a homemade test apparatus and peanut butter bait
This double-grooved decking system uses neoprene gaskets that serve as hidden fasteners and prevent water from draining between boards
Dozens of light meter apps are available for IOS and android smartphones and tablets.
More on-site light-meter readings lead to evidence-based recommendations for effective undercabinet lighting
String lines are a simple way to keep things straight. But if the knot isn’t easy to tie and untie, the string keeps getting shorter.
High-density foam injected under a concrete pool patio raised cracked and sinking sections back to flush and level
This exterior stair was formed over the top of an existing concrete stair sandwiched between masonry walls
Shower curbs create several corners close to the floor of the shower, where they get wet from splashing water. Even a small leak can be disastrous because over time it creates an ever-increasing vulnerable area that takes on more and more water.
Most shower leaks occur at curbs, corners and drains. Building redundancy into the system reduces the risk.
For fast, accurate installation, organize and cut trim pieces by window size, then preassemble into frames in the shop
A hole saw and a scrap of drywall make for a strong, invisible patch
Step-by-step instructions on how to display a SketchUp model on top of a photo of the existing space