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Issue 277 – Aug/Sept 2018

On the Cover

Secrets to Smoother Drywall

Dead-flat walls aren’t just about taping; they start with careful planning, smart staging, and solid installation strategies.

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The Magazine

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Features

  • Drywall Delivery Dos and Don'ts

    Use these tips to protect your crew and the house when loading drywall onto a job site.

  • Pre-Drywall Inspections Prevent Hiccups

    Ask questions and double-check materials to identify issues before they become problems.

  • Elegant Eaves for a Truss Roof
    Elegant Eaves for a Truss Roof

    Cedar rafter tails and trim add a handsome touch to this roofline.

  • Fine Homebuilding Issue #277 Online Highlights

    Digital exclusives: video, modern design, podcasts, and the FHB HOUSES Awards.

  • A man hammering wood for a frame
    Hybrid Timber Frame

    Combine traditional joinery and modern tools to create an authentic outdoor space.

  • timber frame with basic tools
    Timber Frame With Basic Tools

    See how craftsmen create this true timber-frame look without relying completely on timber-frame joinery.

Article

  • Updating Midcentury Modern

    Three remodels evoke the spirit and staying power of modernist design.

  • Midcentury-Modern Minute

    Additional photos of "Updating Midcentury Modern" houses.

  • 5 Iconic Midcentury-Modern Homes

    From architecture to furniture to appliances, midcentury modernism is having an extended “moment” in the spotlight.

  • Thin-Brick Chımney Chase

    Give a metal chimney a historic look with brick veneer.

  • jack miter
    Two Ways to Cut Jack Miters

    Part miter, part butt joint, this hybrid joint for beaded casing is elegant and stable.

  • Gary Katz demontrating joints for beaded casings
    A Better Joint for Beaded Casings

    Jack miters are part butt joint and part miter, and they can be cut by hand or production-style with a router and shop-made jig.

  • The Ultimate Modern Home

    California 2018: High design and high performance in the Sierra foothills.

  • efficient strong framing
    Efficient, Strong Framing

    A powerful emphasis on advanced framing techniques for a passive house.

Tools & Materials

  • Hitachi Framing Nailer
    Hitachi's NR83A5 Framing Nailer

    This battle-tested nailer still nails it.

  • Leviton's First Load Center

    A new take on the electrical panel.

  • 39-in. TMP-1000 CMT Flexible Template, Reviewed

    A router guide for ­serpentine shapes.

  • A Look at the XTR01T7 Cordless Makita Trim Router Kit

    This cord-free router kit is well-balanced and well-made.

  • Beautiful Brad-Point Bits

    I recently bought an 8-piece set of Fisch brad-point bits on a whim. I saw them at a local woodworking store, thought of my dull collection of twist bits back…

  • Masterpiuma Pro-grade Tile Cutter
    A Tile Cutter for the Pros

    This manual score-and-snap tile cutter gives near perfect cuts.

HOUSES by Design

  • 3 Architectural Challenges and Solutions

    HOUSES by Design: A Craftsman home, a small home, and a bungalow upgrade.

Design/Build

  • Create Beautiful Window Seats

    Design/Build: It’s not uncommon to mock up several options before getting the right proportions.

Building Skills

  • Sharpening Chisels

    Building Skills: Stay sharp for under $200 with the right process and materials.

  • Video: Sharpening on the Go

    Building Skills video: Watch this durable, portable, and affordable sharpening method that’s ideal for remodelers.

Keep Craft Alive

  • Keep Craft Alive: Anthony Vitale, Stairbuilder and Finish Carpenter

    "I couldn’t care less about skill set. You hire good people. You hire for passion."

More? View Past Issues

Ask the Experts

  • How to Pour Concrete on a Slope
  • How to Change the Oil in a Worm-Drive Saw
  • Quartersawn Wood and Rift-Sawn Wood, Explained

Readers Tips

  • Simple Sawhorses
  • Temporary Concrete Connections
  • Safety-Glass Lanyards
  • Putty Seals Caulk Tube
  • Cheap Sanding Sponge

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

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