Seems like its wood, and more wood, 24/7 at FB. What’s the difference between Fine Woodworking and FB at this point.? I am finding out about new building “things” in other magazines. I came across this in Time magazine while waiting in a doctor’s office:
http://www.nest.com/?gclid=CKCBw5Gd36wCFQQbQgodnh0-2w
Everything is geared towards designing with ridiculous amounts of wood. I don’t know where to begin with the rest of the mag, its such a mess.
Thinking of bailing-so sad,
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Replies
Here is an example of what is happening in construction that you won't see in FB:
http://www.dwell.com/slideshows/building-a-prefab-house.html?slide=5&c=y
This is what is happening in home construction, but you wouldn't know if from reading FB.
Don't know. I quit reading it when they trashed this site..................
Wow, I can't disagree more!
I thought the latest issue had alot of good info in it.
For example, it was the fist time I'd EVER seen how roof drip flashing should be done. I know it sounds ridiculous to everyone where it's commonly done right, but I've never seen those details before OUT HERE. Folding over synthetic underlayment to meet the lap with peel & stick - brilliant! All sorts of details in that article I'd not seen before.
As for those products, like the Nest thermostat (pretty cool looking BTW), that is one of the reasons why I like getting the paper magazine... I really do like seeing the ads! There I can be introduced to all sorts of new things.
JLC has a new product section and it's pretty hit and miss. Half the time the products are available and usefull, half the time the products aren't or are useless.
As far as the prefab building - well, a rag can't be everything to everyone. There is certainly a heavy NE influence on this magazine. But, it certainly addresses that market well. That makes sense anyway, considering how many home there are there, and how historic they can be. There is a real depth of subject matter there.
I see another article on how to put a window in an existing hole in a wood framed wall again. How many times do they need to run that story? And another article on how to finish drywall. Another article on how to do wainscoting on stairs. The article on cap fasteners, it's not like they're new or anything, but the point about staples being not approved is appreciated.
I'm not a subscriber so I didn't read the roofing article, that would be the only thing I would like to read in the issue, because I'm not a roofer.
It just seems they are in a rut anymore. to me.
I think a big part of their problem is that they depend on "contributors" to be their contributors. Ie, rather than contracting in advance for custom-made articles they buy (no doubt at relatively cheap rates) whatever comes in over the transom. You don't get the desired variety that way.
...How to put a window in an existing hole in a wood framed wall... It's the same topic, but it's covered in different ways every time. Is the wall Stucco, or Cementboard, or is it lead painted wood siding? How exactly is the new super duper flashing technique (they all have slightly different tricks and use different flashing materials) intersect with the existing... or NON existant air or vapor barrier?
...another article on how to finish drywall... this is one subject that I don't care what your specialty is, you need to know. Plumbing, Electrical, Glazing, Carpentry , (heck - even Roofing if you miss a ceiling joist) all usually need to demolish or alter some aspect of the interior surface plane of a home, which is predominatly drywall. ANY good advice there can be helpfull.
Myron, who is already a master at his craft, is always evaluating new tools and techniques as well. If HE'S using a new tool, you can be sure it's because there is a darned good reason for it - case in point, the round sanding pads you see in the article.
...it's not like they're new or anything... you'd be surprised. While my local yard carries the reloads for the Senco and Passload (in an out of the way high shelf), they only carry the Senco tool... and the tool guy doesn't know anything about it. Lowes and HD don't carry the tools or the reloads. I'M IN SO FREAKING CAL AND I CAN'T FIND THE TOOLS IN A LOCAL STORE. You'tre telling me these tools aren't new? Maybe in your area, here no one knows what I'm talking about.
That is one nice thing I see in a national magazine like FHB and JLC. Construction is so location specific, you may not get to see details in your area that are developed elsewhere in the nation.
Hey, I hear it doesn't rain in Southern California, you guys probably dont even need underlayment. Here where it does rain pretty frequently, you have to cover up the roof pretty quickly. My cap stapler is a Grip Rite, and is discontinued already. It is incredibly fast, and I work alone most of the time, so it makes it easy to one handed apply felt fasteners. And on sidewalls, hanging underlayment is difficult by yourself, especially if it's windy.
I watch the roofers though, and they seem to usually use the preloaded caps and a hammer normally. I suspect it is because the cap guns are sometimes a pain, and somewhat expensive. Mine will dmp all the staples in an instant if you accidently touch the release lever. Some of the caps that are on cardboard (of all the dumb ideas) wont work if they get wet. Actually I bet the cap guns are prone to issues with moisture like RUST. And they are not the most durable looking contraptions, with a lot of plastic parts. So maybe they aren't available where you are is they don't sell very well.
My guess is there are not many "fine Homebuilders" left to contribute. Everything is pretty much slapped together nowadays.
But, they at Fine Homebuilding, seem to keep on publishing a stream of similar articles.
I think FHB is still an excellent magazine. I have enjoyed each issue and have been a subscriber for years. I recently bought the DVD and will add the yearly update. Now I have a great reference library with no space wasted.
I get This Old House passed along to me and subscribe to Mike Holmes magazine and The Family Handyman. FHB fits just right with these other publications. I was a subscriber to JLC but dropped that when I became less active in my work schedule.
Mike Holmes
I've only read a few of Holme's magazines, but I have found several things that contradict what I have learned here. How do you like it?
I have only received two issues so far, but I like it. I can't say I like everything but I use it as a resource as I do other types of media.