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Issue 192

On the Cover

Working With Manufactured Stone

Fake rocks can look pretty good if you know what you’re doing.

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The Magazine

Build Your Own Interior Doors

Loose-tenon joinery and applied moldings keep door construction simple and strong.
The New Age of Photovoltaics

Increased efficiency and better incentives are driving builders and homeowners alike to a cleaner source of electricity.
Testing Worm-Drive Saws

Still powerful and durable, the newest models have lost weight and gained some useful features.
Green Appeal, Craftsman Feel

Testing an attainable approach to green practices, an architect designs his own home for a friendly fit in a historic district.
New Life for Old Double-Hung Windows

With new weatherstripping, weights, pulleys, and ropes, you can improve performance without compromising historical authenticity.
What's the Best Multibit Screwdriver?

The $80 one, of course, but you can do pretty well for $10.

Article

Why Add a Tank to a Tankless Water Heater?

Instant water heaters save energy and offer endless hot water, but not without some problems. A small tank and a big pump can fix the flaws.
Ceiling Remodel: From Flat to Cathedral

Reframing exploits unused attic space and helps to open up a cramped ranch house.
Extending a Tablesaw's Work Surface

An infeed support arm and outfeed table improve extra reach and stability.
Fit New Sashes in Old Jambs

A primer on fitting plumb rails into crooked jambs
Boosting Tankless Water Heaters

A solar water heater and radiant-floor heat maximize efficiency
Restoring Montpelier's Exterior

Preserverving a historic home brick-by-brick
Restoring Montpelier's Historic Framing

Another chance for Montpelier's wood beams to shine
Montpelier's Walls Take Shape

A look at the lath walls and ceilings that make up James Madison's home
Support When You Need It

This handy infeed support stores flat when not in use
Build an Outfeed Table

This support for long stock also makes a great working surface
A Custom Hinge Mortising Template

This time-saver helps turn slabs into ready-to-hang doors

Cross Section

James Madison's home is almost finished—again

What started as a simple roof-framing repair turned into years of history lessons and headaches.
California codes improve fire protection

Taking effect in January, California’s updated wildland-urban interface building codes aim to improve fire protection in vulnerable areas where homes encroach grassy brushlands. The codes will address building materials, construction…
A national green-building standard is on the way

With the proliferation of regional and national green-building rating systems, it’s hard to choose the best one. To complicate the situation further, or perhaps to simplify it, the National Association of…

Tools & Materials

New antimold drywall, same green color

Sheetrock Mold Tough
Fuss-free door hanger's jig

Jambmaster
Does "One Coat" House Paint Really Work?

Product Review: Aura paint with colorlock technology
Versatile sink-installation tool

Ridgid introduces a new type of faucet wrench

Letters

Reader Feedback: Issue 192, December 2007/January 2008

Two takes on green-building coverage I want to let you know why after many years I will be dropping my subscription. I am tired of being preached to about green…

Finishing Touches

Framing the flames

A mulititude of fireplace designs can help accentuate the ambience of your home

What is the Difference

What's the Difference: Safety footwear

Decifering the acronyms listed on the labels of shoes and boots
What's the Difference: Phillips-head screwdriver bits

Choosing the right bit helps prevent stripping screws

Building Skills

Hinge Adjustment for a Door's Final Fit

Easy adjustments to screws, mortises, and hinges on interior doors contribute to a perfect fit.

Master Carpenter

Modern Techniques Restore a Historic House

There's no point in living in the past, so use these techniques to bring an old structure into the present

Great Moments

No Sanctuary

Great moments in building history: The importance of aligning the latch mechanism of a lock with its body can never be underestimated

Drawing Board

Designing the right roof rake

Among the important details on a roof is the rake, the sloping edge along the end wall of a gable, shed, or gambrel roof

Video

Video Vault: Cutting Curves with a Circular Saw

Learn how to build like a pro—use a worm-drive saw to make curved, plunge, and drop cuts
Upward Expansion

Adding a third floor doesn't always mean on top of the second story

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