The Complete Guide to Carpentry for Homeowners: Basic Carpentry Skills & Everyday Home Repairs PDF
Preview The Complete Guide to Carpentry for Homeowners: Basic Carpentry Skills & Everyday Home Repairs
BLACK&DECKER The Complete Guide CARPENTRY FOR HOMEOWNERS Basic Carpentry Skills & Everyday Home Repairs CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA www.creativepub.com Contents The Complete Guide to Carpentry for Homeowners Introduction Planning a Carpentry Project Project Safety Workshop Basics Building a Workbench Building a Sawhorse Materials Lumber Transporting Materials Plywood & Sheet Goods Trim Moldings Nails Screws & Other Hardware Glues & Adhesives TOOlS & Skills Prying Tools Measuring & Marking Tools Handsaws Hammers Screwdrivers Clamps & Vises Chisels Planes & Surface Forming Rasps Extension Cords Jigsaws Circular Saws Straightedge Guides Power Miter Saws Table Saws Drills & Bits Sanders Pneumatic Nailers Powder-Actuated Tools Specialty Tools Basic Carpentry Anatomy of a House Preparing the Work Area Building Walls Soundproofing Walls & Ceilings Installing Wallboard Installing Interior Doors Mounting Bifold Doors Installing a Storm Door Installing Door & Window Casings Installing Window Trim Installing Base Molding Paneling an Attic Ceiling Installing Wainscoting Covering Foundation Walls Framing Basement Foundation Walls Trimming Basement Windows Advanced Carpentry Enlarging Openings & Removing Walls Removing Wallboard Removing Plaster Removing Exterior Surfaces Removing Doors & Windows Removing a Non-loadbearing Wall Installing an Attic Access Ladder Framing & Installing Doors Framing & Installing Windows Installing New Window Sashes Installing a Standard Skylight Installing a Bay Window Patching Wood Siding & Stucco Patching Flooring Cabinets & Countertops Removing Trim & Old Cabinets Preparing for New Cabinets Installing Cabinets Installing Countertops Building a Custom Laminate Countertop Glossary Index Introduction Unless you live in a brand-new home that’s built exactly to your specifications, you probably consider your house to be a perpetual work-in- progress. Most homeowners feel this way. It could be that the previous owner didn’t quite take regular repairs and maintenance as seriously as you do. You know those irritating blemishes: the scuffed door molding in the entryway, a ding in the wallboard from a wayward rocker, or the closet door that rubs the carpet and sticks in its opening every time you close it. You’d love to fix them, if only you knew exactly what to do. Or, maybe your home is still stuck in a bygone decade and needs a serious facelift. Those dark, chintzy hollow- core doors really have to go someday, right? More than likely, you also have projects that get perpetually pushed deeper down the “to do” list because they just seem too daunting to start. Oh, how nice it would be to replace the drafty family room windows with a large bay window. Do you dream of a cozy casual space or home theater room in the basement, if only you had the skills to frame the walls and finish it all off without hiring it done? This new book, The Complete Guide to Carpentry for Homeowners, is not written for the do-it-yourselfer who already has a truckload of tools and years of experience. Instead, it’s written for the homeowner who simply needs the confidence and know-how to do the job right. We’ve prepared this book in three major sections to make navigating the material as easy as possible. The first section on tools and materials will give you a shop-class crash course. You’ll learn about essential carpentry tools and how to use them correctly and safely. The second section focuses on basic carpentry skills and projects. Here you’ll learn how your house is fundamentally put together so you can remove and build walls, frame and hang interior doors, install wallboard and finish up with trim and moldings. You could probably check off many of the “gotta do” projects on your list with this section alone. The third part—an advanced projects section—will earn you your black belt in home carpentry. You’ll discover how to enlarge window and door openings, learn how to install windows, exterior doors, and skylights, and flash them properly, just like the pros do. Finally, an extended section will show you how to remove and replace kitchen cabinets, install ready-made countertops, and even build your own custom version from scratch. Here’s how you can create the room you’ve always wanted without hiring an expensive crew to do it. So, read carefully and then start planning your first carpentry project. It’s easier than you think. Be sure to keep this book handy. With this much helpful information, you’ll come back to it again and again. Planning a Carpentry Project A carpentry project can be fun and rewarding, but it requires more than just a knack for cutting lumber and pounding nails. In fact, your natural ability with tools may not affect the finished product as much as your attention to details, materials, costs, and local building codes. Address these issues in the planning stages so you can use your time efficiently once you start to cut. Start any project by asking yourself the questions below. Once you’ve addressed each question, you can feel confident about the project you’re about to start. Is a permit required? Most building departments require a permit if your carpentry project will significantly alter your home’s condition. You’ll probably need a permit for anything more extensive than replacing a rotted window. Permits are required for adding or replacing beams, posts, joists, rafters; for building additions; for converting a basement or attic; and for many other projects. Ask your building department for any literature on carpentry projects. If a permit is required, you’ll need to show an inspector a detailed diagram and a list of building materials before you begin. How will the project affect my living space? Building a wall or installing a new window may drastically change your living environment. Make sure you consider the pros and cons each project will produce before starting. What types of materials will work best for my project? To maintain a common theme throughout a room, choose building materials that match your existing living space. Always choose well-crafted materials that meet the requirements of local building codes. Which tools do I need? Each carpentry project in this book includes a list of tools, including portable power tools. Some tools, such as a power drill and circular saw, should be considered essential. Others—such as a power miter saw—simplify the job, but are not essential. Dado cuts for shelves can be made using a circular saw, instead of a router. Making miter cuts with a hacksaw and miter box is also possible. Using different tools to complete specific tasks usually takes extra time, but you’ll be able to enjoy a sense of craftsmanship that using hand tools brings to a project. Begin any carpentry project by making pencil drawings of the project you have in mind. As you refine the project idea, add as much detail as possible to the drawing, so you can anticipate issues such as what tools and materials the project will require and how the project will affect your living space.
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