The guys start right off with a comment by a listener named Eric, in response to a conversation in Episode 89, on DIY ductless minisplits. Eric says that his Friedrich Breeze (BR0412W1A) product is working great, both for cooling and to supplement his “prehistoric natural gas boiler” for heating.

By the way, this episode features Fine Homebuilding editor Justin Fink, design editor Brian Pontolillo, and senior editor Patrick McCombe. That’s a new title for Patrick, actually, so congrats to him on the well-earned promotion! If you have not checked out his member-exclusive video tool review series, called Tool Tech, definitely click on that link, and join the site if you are not a member already!

Brian brings up some feedback on Justin’s mantle article. By the way, you can watch a related video here, and the project was mentioned in podcast Episode 85 and Episode 86. For a short while, that article link is free to anyone to read, but soon it will go back behind the paywall for members only. So if you are not a member, click on that now, while you can! Anyway, that point that Brian is making … is that he really likes the tip on using glue-size to make smooth edges with MDF. Go read the article if you want to find out more about that (hint: it’s in the PDF, at the bottom of page 34, or look at the print magazine, the Feb/March 2018 issue, you paper-loving Luddites!)

Speaking of glue projects, Justin also mentions a Hoosier cabinet project he is working on. Check out these links from Justin’s Instagram:

• Project plan.
• Joining up the face frame with pocket screws.
• The first cabinet side being attached.
• Face frame on the lower cabinet box.
• Closeup of the raised cabinet bottom detail.

Patrick is thinking about a new kitchen layout. It’s a small room with a dining table, plus a laundry space, and not enough counter space. So there are challenges there.

Brian brings up cross-bracing between floor joists. Patrick has some guidance based on the building code.

Listener Carl asks for advice on cutting shingles. Here are some tools the guys mentioned for the problem:

Finally, a listener asks about building fencing, pergolas, and so forth out of pressure-treated lumber vs. naturally rot-resistant wood. The guys say white oak, cedar, and redwood are decent choices, depending on your area.

This episode of the podcast is brought to you by Benjamin Obdyke.

Benjamin Obdyke would like to use the special occasion of their 150th anniversary to thank the nuisances that builders and homeowners despise. Their premium products protect from those pesky things like rain, snow, humidity and the neighbor’s sprinkler system. Take HydroGap, a drainable housewrap that eliminates moisture from your wall assembly. Or Cedar Breather, an underlayment for wood roofing that allows continuous airflow behind shingles or shakes. One man’s headache is another man’s successful business. To build better with Benjamin Obdyke, visit benjaminobdyke.com.

We hope you will take advantage of a great offer for our podcast listeners: A special 20% off discounted rate to subscribe to the Fine Homebuilding print magazine. That link goes to finehomebuilding.com/podoffer.

The show is driven by our listeners, so please subscribe and rate us on iTunes or Google Play, and if you have any questions you would like us to dig into for a future show, shoot an email our way: fhbpodcast@taunton.com. Also, be sure to follow Justin Fink, Rob Yagid, and Fine Homebuilding on Instagram — and “like” the magazine on Facebook. Note that you can watch the show above, or on YouTube at the Fine Homebuilding YouTube Channel.

The Fine Homebuilding Podcast embodies Fine Homebuilding magazine’s commitment to the preservation of craftsmanship and the advancement of home performance in residential construction. The show is an informal but vigorous conversation about the techniques and principles that allow listeners to master their design and building challenges.

Here are a few links related to this podcast:

• A Mike Maines article on hiding laundry equipment in a functional way.
• 6 Ways to Stiffen a Bouncy Floor.
• Removing Old Roof Shingles with, Yes, a Backhoe.
  
• All FHB podcast show notes: FineHomebuilding.com/podcast.
• Sales of #KeepCraftAlive tee-shirts support scholarships for building trades students. So go order some shirts at KeepCraftAlive.org.