John Spier

The Paslode CF-325 is a newly-released cordless framing nailer that features a redesigned nosepiece

Clean lines and durable details depend on careful framing and a systematic installation sequence

If you start with a full-scale layout on the subfloor and plan for the finished details, the framing is relatively painless

Engineered floor joists are straighter, faster, and flatter, but they aren't installed the same way as dimensional lumber

Prehung double doors demand galvanized nails, a good eye for gaps, and as little moving around as possible

Great moments in building history: A construction worker reflects on what coworkers can teach us about ourselves

Site-built shear walls help a building with large openings to stand up to high winds

MCN 150 StrapShot

Four brands, five reviewers, and 25,000 nails shed some light on the pros and cons of unplugging from the air compressor

Forget about packing the web; fasten wood to the top, and hang the floor framing with top-mount joist hangers

Framing exterior openings precisely will make installing the windows and doors a breeze

Laminated-veneer lumber lets you assemble big beams without a big crew

Smart details for ledgers, posts, and joists create a solid, attractive frame that should last as long as the house

It might seem counter-intuitive, but keep the horses close together

Whether it's four steps or four flights, the framing basics for safe, comfortable stairs are the same

34 steps to building cut-stringer stairs

One carpenter's favorite sawhorses, made in 15 minutes

Everything from rafters to kitchen cabinets fits better when you get the walls square and the studs in the right places

Tips from a custom framer make the engineered-lumber learning curve easier to negotiate

If doghouse dormers or shed dormers aren't dressy enough, A-dormers can add an exciting design note, and they're easier to seal against the elements

One builder's take on installing this fundamental trim element

Rafters are the most basic element to a gable roof, so measure and lay them out carefully to make your roof look like it grew there

We turned a professional crew loose with eight of the toughest sidewinders on the market, and here's what they found out

Flanking a shed dormer with a pair of gable dormers adds light and space inside while jazzing up the roofline

Framing the entire gable while it's flat on the deck is fast and easy. Raising it is a challenge and a danger.

A sidewinder is the most important tool on the job site, but did anybody ever teach you how to use one safely and effectively?