Copyright (c) 2013 FineHomebuilding.com en-us Fine Homebuilding - "Building Skills" blog entries http://www.finehomebuilding.com/blog/building-skills Wed, 22 May 2013 00:14:39 -0500 Fine Homebuilding - "Building Skills" blog entries http://www.finehomebuilding.com/assets/images/cs_logo_sm.jpg http://www.finehomebuilding.com/blog/building-skills Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:58:04 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/28190/how-to-sharpen-a-block-plane http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/28190/how-to-sharpen-a-block-plane Posted by patrick_mccombe
Associate editor Patrick McCombe shows how he tunes up an old plane or preps a new plane for its first use ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/28190/how-to-sharpen-a-block-plane Wed, 14 Nov 2012 11:27:13 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/25771/how-to-bend-copper-chimney-flashing http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/25771/how-to-bend-copper-chimney-flashing Posted by FHBdotcom
Roofing project manager Dyami Plotke demonstrates how to fabricate complex pieces of flashing with a sheet-metal brake and describes the various pieces needed to make a chimney-to-roof connection watertight ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/25771/how-to-bend-copper-chimney-flashing Wed, 17 Oct 2012 08:22:24 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/25480/how-to-install-an-exterior-doorknob-in-a-new-door http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/25480/how-to-install-an-exterior-doorknob-in-a-new-door Posted by patrick_mccombe
You may be nervous about drilling the proper holes for that new lock set or door handle, but it's not as difficult as it looks ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/25480/how-to-install-an-exterior-doorknob-in-a-new-door Wed, 12 Sep 2012 15:08:55 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/25213/how-to-air-seal-doors-and-windows-with-a-spray-foam-gun http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/25213/how-to-air-seal-doors-and-windows-with-a-spray-foam-gun Posted by FHBdotcom
Remodeling contractor Mike Sloggatt demonstrates how to use a professional spray-sealant gun to make this patio door (or any door) more energy efficient ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/25213/how-to-air-seal-doors-and-windows-with-a-spray-foam-gun Wed, 15 Aug 2012 09:53:26 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/25069/how-to-remove-an-old-bathroom-sink http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/25069/how-to-remove-an-old-bathroom-sink Posted by FHBdotcom
Veteran plumber Mike Lombardi makes quick work of disconnecting this sink's water and drain pipes as part of our Project House bathroom remodel ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/25069/how-to-remove-an-old-bathroom-sink Fri, 06 Jul 2012 13:02:34 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/24063/how-to-remove-an-old-bathtub http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/24063/how-to-remove-an-old-bathtub Posted by rwotzak
Get that cast-iron tub out of your bathroom with nothing more than a reciprocating saw, a screwdriver, and a moving blanket ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/24063/how-to-remove-an-old-bathtub Fri, 22 Jun 2012 08:40:55 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/23842/how-to-remove-a-toilet http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/23842/how-to-remove-a-toilet Posted by rwotzak
Plumber Mike Lombardi demonstrates how to make this dirty remodeling job a little easier ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/23842/how-to-remove-a-toilet Wed, 16 May 2012 15:40:09 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/23505/how-to-choose-a-replacement-window http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/23505/how-to-choose-a-replacement-window Posted by FHBdotcom
Should you order a custom-sized insert or a full-frame replacement window? Veteran remodeler Mike Sloggatt shares the info you need to make the best decision for your project ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/23505/how-to-choose-a-replacement-window Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:37:44 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22221/how-to-choose-and-mix-setting-type-joint-compound http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22221/how-to-choose-and-mix-setting-type-joint-compound Posted by patrick_mccombe
If you need to get a drywall-taping job done quickly, this is the compound for you ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22221/how-to-choose-and-mix-setting-type-joint-compound Wed, 29 Feb 2012 09:51:23 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22213/how-to-choose-and-mix-ready-mix-joint-compound http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22213/how-to-choose-and-mix-ready-mix-joint-compound Posted by patrick_mccombe
Ready mix Joint Compound comes in a variety of formulas including all purpose, lightweight and with dust control.In this Building Skill we're going to talk about ready mix mud and I'll show you how... ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22213/how-to-choose-and-mix-ready-mix-joint-compound Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:00:00 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21849/how-to-paint-fiber-cement-siding http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21849/how-to-paint-fiber-cement-siding Posted by patrick_mccombe
Painter Jim Lacey shares some tips for caulking and painting fiber-cement siding. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21849/how-to-paint-fiber-cement-siding Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:52:37 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21514/how-to-fill-nail-holes-and-paint-pvc-trim http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21514/how-to-fill-nail-holes-and-paint-pvc-trim Posted by patrick_mccombe
Painter Jim Lacey shares some tips for filling nail holes and painting exterior PVC trim. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21514/how-to-fill-nail-holes-and-paint-pvc-trim Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:45:30 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21323/video-how-to-prime-cedar-siding-to-control-bleeding-tannins-and-other-staining-problems http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21323/video-how-to-prime-cedar-siding-to-control-bleeding-tannins-and-other-staining-problems Posted by FHBdotcom
Painter Jim Lacey shares some tips for covering the inevitable blemishes on cedar shingles ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/21323/video-how-to-prime-cedar-siding-to-control-bleeding-tannins-and-other-staining-problems Mon, 07 Nov 2011 01:35:54 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/20878/how-to-use-a-japanese-style-pull-saw http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/20878/how-to-use-a-japanese-style-pull-saw Posted by FHBdotcom
An extrathin blade makes this saw great for any time you need to make a precise, easily guided cut in a piece of wood. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/20878/how-to-use-a-japanese-style-pull-saw Sun, 18 Sep 2011 07:33:18 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/20395/how-to-trim-a-hollow-core-door-to-height http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/20395/how-to-trim-a-hollow-core-door-to-height Posted by RArnold
Builder Rick Arnold demonstrates how to make a clean cut and how to add blocking to fill the hole you've just made in the bottom of the hollow door. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/20395/how-to-trim-a-hollow-core-door-to-height Fri, 19 Aug 2011 15:39:54 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/18352/framing-rough-openings-for-prehung-doors http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/18352/framing-rough-openings-for-prehung-doors Posted by redwing44
Shims are unecessary by employing these simple tips while setting trimmers. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/18352/framing-rough-openings-for-prehung-doors Fri, 22 Jul 2011 16:01:48 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/18345/framing-basics-3-simple-tips-for-framing-a-wall http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/18345/framing-basics-3-simple-tips-for-framing-a-wall Posted by FHBdotcom
Learn a few quick tips to frame any wall perfectly and quickly. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/18345/framing-basics-3-simple-tips-for-framing-a-wall Fri, 08 Jul 2011 15:55:45 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/18261/simple-steps-for-window-and-door-framing-layout http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/18261/simple-steps-for-window-and-door-framing-layout Posted by FHBdotcom
Learn a few measuring shortcuts that make accurate rough-opening layouts a snap ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/18261/simple-steps-for-window-and-door-framing-layout Fri, 24 Jun 2011 09:22:53 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/17950/framing-basics-3-tips-for-laying-out-wall-plates http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/17950/framing-basics-3-tips-for-laying-out-wall-plates Posted by FHBdotcom
Larry Haun and Scott Grice share some basic techniques and show off some unique tools in the latest edition of our framing-skills miniseries ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/17950/framing-basics-3-tips-for-laying-out-wall-plates Thu, 09 Jun 2011 12:12:47 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/17720/framing-basics-6-tips-for-spreading-wall-plates-on-a-subfloor http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/17720/framing-basics-6-tips-for-spreading-wall-plates-on-a-subfloor Posted by FHBdotcom
Framers Larry Haun and Scott Grice demonstrate how to efficiently lay down, cut to length, and tack down wall plates before assembling new walls ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/17720/framing-basics-6-tips-for-spreading-wall-plates-on-a-subfloor