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Issue 278 – Oct/Nov 2018

On the Cover

6 Reasons Every Carpenter Should Own a Block Plane

Finish carpenter Kit Camp describes several pros of having a block plane in your tool belt, plus offers tips on choosing and maintaining one.

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The Magazine

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Features

  • Shop-Built Housed-Stringer Stairs

    Building in the shop makes assembly easier on the carpenter.

  • drawing of custom range hood
    Build a Custom Range Hood

    Add a distinctive detail to your next kitchen with a curved-hood fan cover.

  • On the Way to Net Zero
    On the Way to Net Zero

    Renewables are part of the strategy to make a house energy-efficient, but conservation comes first.

  • Fine Homebuilding Issue #278 Online Highlights

    Find online articles and videos on houses, the FHB podcast, and more.

  • Roof Vent Retrofit from the Outside In

    Reroofing is the perfect time to lift the hood and make short work of an otherwise awkward venting job.

  • Modified-Framing-Nailer-1200
    Remove Roof Sheathing With a Modified Framing Nailer

    Overdriving nails is faster and cleaner than pulling them out with a cat's paw.

Article

  • Retrofit Intake Vents
    Retrofit Intake Vents

    Bring in fresh air through venting drip edge.

  • A Hybrid Approach to Lime Plaster

    Drywall backing speeds the way to a textured, durable, old-world finish.

  • Lime-Plaster Installation Over Drywall

    This one-coat, environmentally and budget-conscious wall finish has a lot to offer.

  • lime-plaster fireplace
    Lime-Plaster Transformation: A Slideshow

    The hand-sculpted textures of lime plaster bring warmth and depth to a midcentury ranch.

  • A Short Guide to Lime-Plaster Trowels

    A handful of tools smooth the way to a beautiful, custom finish.

  • Add Color to Lime-Plaster Walls

    There’s more than one way to color lime plaster.

  • lime plaster
    From Rock to Dust to Rock Again

    An in-depth look at mixing hydrated lime to create plaster.

Know the Code

  • Tiny Homes Get Big Recognition

    In order for a tiny home to meet code, it has to get some favors from the IRC for provisions like ceiling height, stairway geometry, and use of ladders.

Tools & Materials

  • cordless chainsaws
    3 Cordless 16-in. Chainsaws Reviewed

    We tested 16-in. cordless chainsaws from DeWalt, Makita, and Milwaukee, and the best choice depends on whether light weight or total runtime is more important to you.

  • Labor-Saving Laser

    The PLS 480 and Red System kit is a crew favorite in the field

  • Buzzkilling Recip Saw

    Skilsaw’s 13-amp corded reciprocating saw with vibration-reduction technology

  • No-Wind Chalkline

    This sturdy, self-retracting chalkline is tough to beat.

Design/Build

  • Bay Windows

    Bay windows have many benefits but also the potential for design mishaps; Marianne Cusato explains how to get bays right.

HOUSES by Design

  • Site-Specific Shape and Scale

    See additional photos from HOUSES by Design issue 278: Wade Design Architects responds to the lay of the land for this Napa Valley home.

  • Building With Salvage

    See additional photos from HOUSES by Design issue 278: Taproot Architects uses reclaimed materials to customize a Whidbey Island straw-bale home.

  • Environment for Retirement

    See additional photos from HOUSES by Design issue 278: ZeroEnergy Design revamps a summer cottage to accommodate aging in place.

Building Matters

  • What to Consider When Choosing Black Siding

    If you want to paint your siding a dark color, you have to select the material carefully or it may not perform as well as you expect.

As-Built

  • Of Roof Decks and Duck Boards

    As-Built: The History of Home Building

Keep Craft Alive

  • When You Love What You Do, It’s Not a Job

    Joseph Clayton Castille, Jr. — Draftsman, LaFayette, LA

More? View Past Issues

Ask the Experts

  • What to Consider When Choosing Blown-In Mineral-Wool Insulation
  • How to Safely Pour Concrete Against Siding

Readers Tips

  • Duct Tape Keeps Miters Together
  • Working From a Standing-Seam Roof
  • Carrying Carpet
  • Use Glue to Fasten Blocking For a Drywall Patch
  • Manage Foam Sheathing in High Wind

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 316 - July
    • Timber-Framed Solar Canopies
    • Build a Transom Above a Stock Door
    • Understanding Toilet Design and Efficiency
  • Issue 315 - June 2023
    • How to Craft a Copper Roof
    • 5 Lessons from Building in a Cold Climate
    • The Advantages of Cellular PVC Siding
  • Issue 314 - April/May 2023
    • 7 Options for Countertops
    • Tool Test: Wood-Boring Bits
    • Critical Details for Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 313 - Feb/March 2023
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
    • Fine Homebuilding Issue #313 Online Highlights
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
  • Issue 312 - Dec 2022/Jan 2023
    • Tool Test: Cordless Tablesaws
    • Gray-Water System for a Sustainable Home
    • Insulate a Cape Roof to Avoid Ice Dams

Fine Homebuilding

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