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Issue 273 – Feb/Mar 2018

On the Cover

Digital Exclusives for Issue 273

Videos, a slide show, articles, and more goodies to supplement your magazine experience.

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Features

  • Easy, Elegant Mantel

    Build a fireplace surround from one sheet of MDF and some stock moldings.

  • Scribing Made Simple

    Learn and practice the basic techniques, then move up to the more difficult versions.

  • Master Class in Moldings

    An illustrated guide to the profiles and proper proportions of baseboard, crown, and casing.

  • Make the Most of Moldings

    A look at the role of baseboard, casing, crown, and other moldings in today’s homes

  • Restore a Wood Window Sash

    When repairs are in order, a steam box, an easel, and two-part epoxy are your best friends.

  • How to Protect a Window Opening During Sash Restoration

    If you don't have storms, you'll need to close off the windows while repairing the sash. Here's an easy and secure system.

    Article

  • window sash

    How to Glaze a Wood Window

    Follow this process for a smooth, watertight seal when adding new putty around panes in an old wood sash.

  • Use a Steam Box for Window Restoration

    To soften glazing and remove the glass from an old window, a homemade steam box is priceless.

  • Installing a Wall-Hung Toilet

    These fixtures save space and make your bathroom easier to clean, but installation demands a different workflow.

  • How to Install a Wall-Hung Toilet

    Remodeler Andrew Grace explains the ins and outs of installing a wall-hung toilet.

  • A Better Wall for Production Builders

    Designing a better wall system isn’t particularly hard. Designing one with a chance of being accepted by production builders, on the other hand, has proven difficult...and that’s a problem.

  • Flawless Wiped Finish

    For great results with wipe-on polyurethane, you have to go beyond the instructions on the back of the can.

  • Secret to a Fast, Flawless Finish

    Use this method of sanding and applying polyurethane to create a furniture finish that's smooth as glass.

  • Get the Right Rigid Foam

    Foam-board insulation can boost R-value, slow thermal bridging, and control condensation—but you better choose the right type.

  • Choosing the Right Thickness of Exterior Foam

    Rigid foam must be thick enough to prevent condensation on the roof sheathing.

  • The Secret to the ZipWall System

    Improving the self-adhesive zipper opening.

  • Should Your Next Dryer Be Ventless?

    Condenser dryers don’t make sense for every house, but are a great solution when venting isn’t an option.

  • Magnificent Mountain Cabin

    Designed to tread lightly on the land and with minimal amenities, this family retreat is still built to last.

  • A Luxury Lean-To

    A challenging site and complex design give way to easy outdoor living.

  • Crash Course in Conduit

    An ­electrician shares the ­basics of ­bending, ­fastening, and ­connecting electrical ­metallic tubing.

  • Video Series: Electrical Retrofit With Surface-Mounted Conduit

    Electrical metallic tubing provides an easy way add boxes without opening walls.

  • Electrical Retrofit — Working with Old Wires

    Start clean and work safe when expanding off of existing circuits.

  • Surface-Mount Electrical Box and Conduit Layout

    Installing electrical boxes plumb and level, and carefully laying out and measuring bend locations for conduit, makes for clean installations.

  • How to Bend and Mount EMT Conduit

    Making bends with a manual EMT bender requires a little math and measuring for consistent results.

  • EMT Conduit — Run Wires and Install Devices

    If you’ve only worked with flush-mount electrical boxes, surface-mount boxes may hold some surprises.

    Commentary

  • In Praise of Carpenters

    At a time when fewer and fewer humans make anything of physical value, carpenters engage in a profoundly creative process.

    Tools & Materials

  • makita cordless saw for framing

    Cordless Saw Fit For a Framer

    Makita's XSR01 cordless, rear-handle, blade-left circular saw is an excellent full-time framing saw.

  • Perfect Pencil Sharpener

    Tool Review: Kum Long Point Pencil Sharpener is a definite step up from a standard sharpener.

  • Soffit-Vent Solution

    This polypropylene vent has a smooth shape for maximum airflow, and it is installed at the same time as the fan.

    Project Gallery

  • Project Gallery: Walk-Ins That Wow

    These inspirational examples of well-designed closets offer remarkable features for every need.

    Musings of an Energy Nerd

  • 10 Common Mistakes Made by New Home Builders

    Getting these framing, insulation, air-sealing, and mechanical details right could make your home more comfortable and more affordable to live in.

    Design/Build

  • Fireplace Surrounds

    Design/Build: These mantels illustrate not only the range of independent design options, but also the plug-and-play aspect of fireplace-surround composition.

    Building Skills

  • Cutting and Joining Plastic Pipe

    9 steps to install quiet, well-connected ABS and PVC piping.

  • The Right Way to Join Plastic Pipe

    Both PVC and ABS plastic pipe are so easy to work with that they're often slapped together without much thought. Are you sure you're joining them correctly?

    Keep Craft Alive

  • Keep Craft Alive: Ben Brunick, Woodworker

    “If you can make a board flat, straight, and square, you can do just about anything.”

More? View Past Issues

    Ask the Experts

  • Pilot Holes in a Deck Ledger

  • Small Moldings Solution

  • Shutoff That Won’t Shut Off

    Readers Tips

  • Hold-Down Bolts Prepped Right

  • Banding Helps Lay Out Log Rail

  • The Secret to the ZipWall System

  • Painting Rack

  • Vinyl Tape and PVC Cement

  • Carry Carpet Tack Strips Safely

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 297 - February/March 2021

    • Foundations for Success
    • Staircase Renovation
    • Ditch the Hose
  • Issue 296 - Dec 2020/Jan 2021

    • Insulating Glass Keeps Getting Better
    • Simple Way to Make Old Walls Straight and Plumb
    • Making Sense of Minisplits
  • Issue 295 - Kitchens & Baths

    • Condo Kitchen Reimagined
    • Row-House Remodel
    • Rise of the IAQ Monitor
  • Issue 294 - Oct/Nov 2020

    • Schoolhouse Reimagined
    • Tool Test: Folding Sawhorses
    • A Better Way to Build Tall Walls
  • Issue 293 - Aug/Sept 2020

    • A Practical Guide to Fall Protection
    • Installing Frameless Cabinets
    • Make Any Tablesaw Safer

Fine Homebuilding

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