Issue 290 – April/May 2020

A Deck Builder's Tool Kit

These specialized products make every phase of deck building easier and more efficient.

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Installing Cedar Shakes

Use these modern methods and materials to create a timeless and durable wood roof.
Choosing the Right Concrete Mix

Learn how to choose the right mix for your small masonry projects from dozens of specialized bagged-concrete options.
Protect Your Outdoor Electrical Outlets

Get the information you need to select the right weatherproof boxes and covers for your exterior power receptacles.
Simple, Elegant Trim for a Shed

Although clean and unadorned, this revival of a Shaker exterior trim package is more complex than it appears.
Books Every Builder Should Own

This essential reading list by carpenter and historic-preservation expert Brent Hull covers history, how-to, design, and more.
Scribing Rails to a Round Column

Carpenter Maria Klemperer-Johnson shows how to make a router jig to create a smooth transition for this tricky porch-railing connection.

Fine Homebuilding Issue #290 Online Highlights

Here are the digital extras from Fine Homebuilding’s March 2020, Issue #290: On page 8 of issue #290, we featured a number of online extras and urged readers to check…

Copying Moldings

Use bamboo skewers and corrugated cardboard to make an improvised contour gauge for moldings of any size.
On-Board Bit Storage

Magnets keep driver bits on the tool so they're accessible when you need them.
Quiet Your Stairs

Get rid of squeaks with construction adhesive and closed-cell foam.
Hole-Saw Hack

If the pilot bit is missing or broken, use screws to control the saw.
Compressor-Tool Keeper

Keeping track of tools is made easier with fuel line and cable ties.

The Complicated Path From Decking to Dirt

Code expert Glenn Mathewson takes a closer look at the evolving code provisions for deck boards, joists, beams, posts, and foundations.

Metabo's Multivolt Slider

This Japanese-made sliding miter saw performs exceptionally well for cutting trim and other general finish-carpentry tasks.
Top-Notch Metal Connector Nailer

MAX's SuperLocator metal-connection nailer uses the nail itself to find the holes in framing connectors.

Hidden in Plain Sight

Masking the garage in this historic-district-adjacent home meant creating a traditional entryway centered on the garage windows rather than the front door.
Protection from Solar Gain

This Pennsylvana farmhouse-style home uses sliding-shade screens to allow in daylight without too much heat.

Streamlined Electronic Entry

The Baldwin Evolved series of keyless door handlesets replaces bulky number pads with a covert, high-tech touch-sensitive lock.
Adaptable Recessed Lighting

Nora Lighting's versatile Iolite line of recessed lights is a step above average can lights with a wide range of designer trim and color options.
Steel Garage Storage

Turn a messy garage into an organized and attractive workshop with NewAge Products' modular cabinets and slatwalls.
Easy-Sipping Faucet

Nasoni's award-winning Fountain Faucet is an elegant way to avoid craning your neck for a sip of water.

Mechanical Advantages

Lifting material into the air requires enormous power from tools such as wall jacks, telehandlers, and giant cranes—but these machines come with limitations and safety restrictions.

Keep Craft Alive: Michael Burrey, Preservation-Carpentry Instructor

Educated in early colonial architecture and period-appropriate design, this instructor of preservation carpentry at the North Bennet Street School is teaching a new generation of craftspeople how to stabilize endangered buildings and recreate historical details.