The Complete Guide to Home Carpentry : Carpentry Skills & Projects for Homeowners (Black & Decker Home Improvement Library)

255 Pages·2000·18.59 MB·English

by  Editors of creative Publishing

7% BLACK S. DECKER.

THE . Ge GUIDE TO ea
‘Anatomy of a House. 102 ‘Adding Shelves.
‘Anatomy Details 108 ‘utang Foe. Celing
‘Shelves, 22
Buidng Unity Sheves 28
Removing Exterior Surfaces... 178 Buding an Underiaes
‘Bung aParion Wal Ferrewing Doors & Work Contr 22
‘AStapby-slep Overvew....110 Windows 180 Butcing Drawers. 240
‘Bulging a Parton Wal 1172 Making Temporary Supports... 182 Fishing Projects 24a
Framing an Opening for an Femoving rerio Was 106
Interior Door 16 ‘Adding Cabinets 48
Sourprooting Wals& Ceiings 120 Framing & Installing Doors Removing Tim &
(Covering Foundation Wal... 122 Franseg an Exterior Door (Old Cabinets 250
Framing Sots & Chases......127 Opening. 193 Proparng for Now Cabinets. 252
Irstatieg an Entey Door 198 Instaing Cabiets 2st
Finishing Walls & Ceilings Instang a Storm Door. m2
Instatig Weatboara. Instatiog a Pato Deer. 201 Choosing Countertops 282
Instang a Suspended Caing. 140 Instating @Postlorm
Paneing an Atte Caling....14& Framing & isaling Windows 210 Courterop 264
Instating a Prenung ‘Bulang a Custom Laminate
Ireror Doce 148 ‘Countecep 28
‘Shertaning an rtrie Door. 150 custom Wood
Instating Door & Window (Countertop Eages 276
‘Casinos, 182
Instaig Baseboard 278
‘&Caling Tim 196
Instating Tongue-snd-groove 260
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Introduction

wf

say

Planning a Carpentry Project 67
Project Safety 89

Workshop Basics 10-11
‘Begin any carpentry project by making pencil drawings ofthe project you have in mind. As you refine the
project idea, aod as much dell as possible fo the Grawing, so you can anticipate issues such a6 what ToOIs
‘3nd materais the project wil require and how the project wil affect your living space

Planning a Carpentry Project

‘A carpentry project can be fun and rewarding, but
‘requires more than just a knack for cutting ium-
ber and pounding nails. n 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 ef-
Cilently 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 your carpentry project wil ig-
rificantly alter your home's condition. You'l proba-
‘bly need a permit for anything more extensive
than replacing a rotted window. Permits are re-
uired for adding o* replacing beams, posts,
nists, rafters; for bulding additions; for converting
{ basement or attic; and for many other projects.
‘Ask your building department for any iterature on
Carpentry projects. Ifa permit is required, yout
need to show an inspector a detailed diagram
{and a list of building materials before you begin.

How will the project atfect 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
‘2 Y00m, 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 | need? Each carpentry project
inthis book includes a ist of tools, including
portable power tools. Some tools, such as a
power drill and circular saw, should be consid-
fred essential. Others, such as a power miter saw
‘or router, simplify the job, but are not essential.
‘Dado cuts for shelves can be made using a circu-
Jar saw, instead of a router. Making miter cuts with
a back saw and miter box is also possible. Using
liferent tools to complete specific tasks usually
takes extra time, Dut you'll be able to enjoy a
sense of craftsmanship that using hand tools,
brings to a project
Tips for Planning a Carpentry Project

Lay out the project using 2" masking tape on the
floor to indicate the boundaries ofthe project. An ac
‘wal-size layout wil help you visualize the end result
land ean often draw your altenton to sues that arent
‘bvious tom a Seale drawing

Examine the areas directly below and above the
project before cutting ino a wall determine the lo-
Cation of water ines, ductwork, and gas pipes. In
‘ost cases. pipes, uty lines, and ductwork run
Trough the wal vercaly between floors. Original
blueprints for your house, avaiable, usualy show
the tocations ofthe uty lines.

Draw cutting diagrams fo help you make etcien
tse of materials. Make scale drawings of sheet
‘goods on graph paper, and sketch cutting tines for
{Sach part of your project. When laying out cuting
lines, remember that he cutting path (ker) of a saw
blade consumes upto of material.

‘Make a list of materials, sng your plan drawings
‘and cuting diagrams as @ guide. Photocopy the ma-
terials list, and use ito organize your work and est
Project Safety

Your personal safety when
working on carpentry projects
depends greatly on what safety
measures you take. The power
tools sold today offer many
safety features, such as blade
‘guards, locks to prevent acc
ental stars, and double insu:
lation to reduce the risk of
shock in the event of a short
Citcuit Its up to you to take ad-
vantage of these safety fea:
tures, For example, never
operate a saw with the blade
‘Quard removed. You tsk injury
from flying debris as well as,
from being cut by the blade

Follow all precautions outlined
in the owner's manuals for your
tools and make sure you pro:
tect yourself with safety
Glasses, ear plugs, and a dust
mask oF respirator to filer out
dust and debris,

Keep your work enviconment
clean. A cluttered work area is
‘more likely to result in acci-
dents. Clean your tools and put
them away at the end of every
work period, and sweep up
dust and debris,

‘Some materials emit dangerous
fumes or particles. Keep such
materials stored away from
heat sources and out of the
reach of children; always use
these products in a wellvent-
lated area

Maintaining safety is an ongo-
Ing project. Take the time to up
date your first-aid kit and
evaluate your work space,
tools, and safety equipment on
a regular basis, To avoid,
‘accidents, repair and replace
(ld and worn-out parts before
they break

8

Read the owner's manual before operating any power tool Your tools
‘may afer in many ways from those described i his Book. so is Dest to
‘amilarize yoursel with the features and capabites of the to's you own,
‘Always wear eye and a protection when operating a pawer tool Wear &
‘dust mask when the project wil produce dust

Some walls may contain asbestos. Many homes bul o remodeles
between 1920 and 1950 have older varieties of insulation tat included
asbestos, Consult a protessional for removal of hazardous pollutanis Ike
fsbestos, and i you find asbestos of materials hat may contain as
bests, do not attempt ta remove them on yout own. Even f you deter-
‘ming that no asbestos is present, is a good idea to weat a parvele,
‘ask and other safety gear when doing demolition.
Tips for Project Safety

‘Assemble a first-aid kit. Cuts
from a hand or power tol can be
Serious and requie prompt and
thoughtul atention. Be prepared
foe such situations with a well
‘equipped it aia Ki thats easy
tofind. Record any emergency
telephone numbers on the frst aid
itor by the nearest phone so they
fre avalabie an emergency

Equip your kt with a varity of
items (photo righ), incluging ben-
‘ages, neecies, tweezers, at
Septic ointment. cotton swabs,
Cotton balls, eye drops, a frst.aid
handbook, a chemical iled cola
pack, elastic bandages. frst aid
fape, and sterie gauze

For puncture wounds, cuts, burns
‘and other serious injuries, alvays
‘seek medical atlenton as soon as

‘s—such as washing and
rapping of cu's—has been
provide,

J.
)
i

‘Koop your tools sharp andclean. Use a GFCI receptacle, adapter, Check with aneon circuit tester

Accidents ae mote kaly when of extension cord to reduce the tomake sure the power is olf be
blades are dull and tools are tiled risk of shock while operating a _fore removing cover plates, expoe-

wth Sawdust and cit power tool outdoors or in wet Ing wires, or ariling or cuting
ontions, walls that contain wieng.
|

‘Acarpenter’s workshop sould be a wel-ighted
‘space that's large enough to keep common too,
hardware, and equipment easily accessibie and well
‘organized, A workbench is convenient for various

Workshop Basics

Whether your workshop is ina basement utlity
room, a shed, or a garage, it should be a cor:
fortable place to work and should provide con-
venient space for organizing your tools and
equipment. Your workshop should include a
‘generous benchtop at a comfortable height,
Plenty of weil-drected lighting, and ample floor
‘Space fo operate a table saw or other stationary
Power tools. if you plan to store paints or sol-
vents, make sute the room has plenty of ventila
tion and is equipped with a smoke detector and
fire extinguisher

‘Your workshop should have enough electrical
Circuits to supply power tothe lights and several
pieces of equipment without overloading a cir
‘cuit. Calculate your shop's circuit capacity (op-
posite page) and contact an electrician if you
‘need to add a circuit,

10

tasks. To operate a table saw or ther large power
‘equipment, youl need plenty of space for nanding
large lumber and sheet goods

‘There are many devices for hanging tools on
workshop walls, bu the most versatile is still a

‘sheet of pegboard with too! hooks hung from it
(opposite page). Pegboard allows you to o«ga-
nize the hooks to sult your needs.

Deep, sturdy shelves provide a great place to
store fool boxes, buckels, and portable power
tools. Ready-to-assemble shelf units are avail
able at home centers. Or, you can build your
‘own adjustable-height utility shelves

(pages 228 to 231),

I your workshop is in the house, you may want
to'2dd hollow-core tiles to the inside of the work
‘shop door to reduce sound transmission and a
door sweep to block noise and keep dust from
traveling under the door.
Workshop Options.

L

Mount a sturdy bench vise with a
‘shel base on the end of your
‘workbench (pages 94 0 97) to
brace materals for euting, of fo
use as a clamp when gluing or as
sembling parts, Select a vise that
adjusts easly and has aminimumn
Jaw opening of about,

Use a wetiry shop vacuum for
quick clean up: Many power tools
fave attachments that alow you to
Connect the vacuums hose fo the
took so most debris is sucked
reetly in the canister Buy a
Vacuum with durable parts and a
ower moter.

How To Assess Your Workshop's Electricity Supply

To know whetner your workshop
ceculty is sufictent to run your
power tools and ether equipment
Say, frst determine the circus
safe capaciy—the maximum
oad. or wattage that can han-
dle wihout overheating, Locale
the correct crcut on your service
panel and check the amperage
rating (nght. top), Mutiply that
umber by 120 vols, then sub
tvact 20% to find the sale capac
ity. Ne, ina the wattage of each
tool or appliance that wil use that
cut Al ools and appiances
are labeled with thor amperage
and vatage ratings (ght bot
tom) Calculate wattage by malt-
plying the amperage by the
Voltage. Add together the
\wattages o al ofthe tools and
‘Sppliances you tkely fo use sk
‘muitaneously to find out whether
they are winin the circus sale

‘capacity, The chart shows,
wattages for some common
‘power tools and appliances
the cicuits safe capacity isnot
igh enough o handle the load,
yyoumay need another circuit in
the workshop, Ask an electrician
ta inspect yout service panel.
You can probably add a circuit
tothe service panol and adc
tional receptacies to your
workshop.

‘Typical Wattage Ratings

Appliance Amps Watts
Grovorsaw 10112 190010 160

ba Bod MOI
Faniporabo) 2 0

Hest (porabie) 71012. Bw 440
outer 26s 2080

Srp wicum — GibtT 72000 10

Hang @ pegboard too! rack on a
‘masonry wall by list ataching

12s tthe wall o provide a gap
for inserting tool hooks. Attach the

‘Vx 2s with masonry nails, hen a
tach the pegboard tothe 1 x25,
using 1 Screws and washers,

a