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Dowels: 2X walnut Miller dowels; Miller Dowel Company Stain: Jacobean; Minwax How to Build a Storage Chest Day-to-day timeline SATURDAY Cut the lumber and build the panels (Steps 1-5). SUNDAY Assemble the box and attach the base and lid (Steps 6–14). CUT LIST 1x4 box front- and back-panel long pieces: six @ 36 inches 1x4 box front- and back-panel short pieces: four @ 34½ inches 1x4 side-panel long pieces: four @ 20 inches 1x4 side-panel short pieces: six @ 18½ inches 1x6 lid pieces: four @ 40 inches....

The difference between them is the gauge nail that they shoot. The most common and readily available types are 15 gauge, 16 gauge, 18 gauge, and 23 gauge. The higher the number, the thinner the nail and the smaller the hole. So, do you need them all, and which one should you choose if you can only buy one? What Are 15-Gauge Nailers Used For? 15-gauge nailers shoot a thick nail between 1-1/4” to 2-1/2” long....

The seat with a potty training seat built in is the NextStep Children’s Toilet Seat, manufactured by Bemis Manufacturing Company. The elevated seat with grab bars is manufactured by Glacier Bay and is available at home centers. The artistic seats that Richard showed are available in many styles and can be found at online retailers. The high-tech toilet seat with the bidet that Richard demonstrated is the Advanced Clean AC 2....

Think about it: Water comes through the shower head every day, sometimes several times a day, which can lead to the buildup of mineral deposits commonly found in water, such as calcium and magnesium. Why Does a Shower Head Need to be Cleaned? In addition to mineral deposits, the shower head can be prone to mildew since it’s consistently wet. This is especially true if the bathroom isn’t well ventilated....

Set the dado blade in the table saw to just slightly above the thickness of the board. Hold the board on its long side and eyeball the desired thickness of the rabbet cut. Slide the rip fence against the board and lock it down when the gap between the rip fence and the blade are at the desired thickness. With the board still standing upright, run it through the table saw....

How to Fix a Chipped Bathtub Note: The glossiness of the repair might not match the tub’s sheen perfectly. Continued sanding will help blend the repair, but it may still be possible to see a difference between the sheens. Step 1: Match the tub’s color The first step in fixing a chipped bathtub is to find a repair compound that matches the tub’s color. Bright white, off-white, black, and shades of almond and gray are standard....

Whether interior or exterior, corners are a multitasking part of the wall. They form the connection between two right- (and sometimes oblique-) angled walls; they help support the structure above and provide sheer strength for exterior walls. They also offer nailing surfaces or backing, for drywall, exterior sheathing, and trim boards. Corner Framing Methods Traditional framing (3- or 4-stud corner) In traditional framing, the corner was made from three or four studs and blocking made from scrap 2x lumber....

Steps for Hanging a Curtain Rod Follow these steps to learn how to properly hang a curtain rod. Scroll down for the list of tools and materials needed for this project. Step 1: Measure the window To add drapes that partially cover the window, I’d add 2-5 inches to each side of the frame. To position the curtains completely to the sides of the window, which is always my preference to let in the most light, I’ll add 8-15 inches to each side of the window....

How Does a Steam Thermostatic Radiator Valve Work? The head of the thermostatic radiator valve senses the temperature that it is in the room. The radiator pushes the steam through the supply pipe into the valve. When the temperature of the room and the air is the same, it doesn’t vent to prevent the room from over heating. Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey demonstrates how this works in the video above....

Steps: Use a white cotton cloth to rub silicone impregnator into stone surface.Treat limestone and marble four times annually and granite twice per year; engineered stone doesn’t require sealing.2. Wipe up spills and drips immediately to prevent staining.3. If stains do occur, remove them with limestone poultice.Spread thick layer of poultice over stain using a plastic putty knife.Wait 48 to 72 hours for the poultice to absorb the stain, then wipe the area clean....

Overview for Making a Hypertufa Table CUT LIST: 1x2 legs: 4 @ 14 inches 1x2 upper support blocks: 4 @ 11 inches 1x2 lower support blocks: 4 @ 3 inches 1x4 form frame, short sides (scrap): 2 @ 28 inches 1x4 form frame, long sides (scrap): 2 @ 30 inches 1x4 reinforcement blocks: 4 @ 3 inches ¾-inch rigid-foam insulation: 1@ 20 by 30 inches ¾-inch rigid-foam insulation: 2 @ 7 by 14 inches 1x4 lower crosspieces: 2 @ 10 inches 1x4 upper crosspieces: 2 @ 21 inches* 1x4 lower stretcher: 1 @ 31 inches* 1x4 upper stretchers 2 @ 31 inches* *After they’re cut to length, miter the ends of the upper crosspieces and all three stretchers at opposing 45-degree angles, and clip 1 inch off the long points of the ends....

Removing Grout Manually If you’d rather not purchase a power tool, the pointed metal tip of a traditional, lever-type can opener (also called a church key opener) works just as well, albeit with more time and effort. Draw the point repeatedly along the joint to scrape out the hardened grout. If the tool becomes dull, clamp it in a vise and resharpen the tip with a file. How to Choose the Right Grout for Any Tile Job Alternatively, you can fasten a 6d (2-inch) finishing nail to a short wood dowel for a handy DIY grout-removing tool....

Richard goes through the step-by-step process of installing a new sink. Starting with disconnecting the plumbing and drain connections, he then removes the old basin. Afterward, Richard installs the new sink and faucet, demonstrating how it can be a homeowner-friendly job. As long as you find a sink with the same dimensions as your original basin, with the right tools, you can complete this project on your own. How to Install the Plumbing for a Kitchen Sink Steps for Replacing a Kitchen Sink: Step 1: Disconnect the plumbing and drain connections Turn off both hot and cold water supply valves....

Steps: Use a trowel to apply thin-set mortar to the rear of the stone-veneer pieces. Press the stone pieces to the concrete-block wall, then use a margin trowel to scrape away any excess mortar. At the wall corners, install pre-cut 3x3-inch stone corner pieces. After the mortar is fully cured, use a stiff-bristle brush to apply clear sealant to the stone.

For most of the team at Ask This Old House, contracting was always the goal. They grew up in the trades, or they simply loved working with their hands, and contracting was the obvious choice. But, for fun, we asked each crew member what they would do if they weren’t a contractor. Here’s what they said: Tom Silva: Teaching General contractor Tom Silva believes that if his life didn’t take him down the road of contracting, he’d be a teacher....

How Do You Put a Laundry Chute In? Adding a laundry chute to a house can be like threading a needle in the dark. Ideally, one should have an X ray—in the form of a blueprint—to plot a course through the house’s frame and mechanicals. Even with blueprints, however, finding a straight drop from hamper to washer can be difficult, especially after remodeling, and often requires sacrificing a closet or nook....

Before beginning, make sure your piece of furniture is genuine leather. Genuine leather is the whole skin of an animal. Bonded leather is created by bonding together scraps of leather to form a seamless piece of material. These repair techniques won’t work on bonded leather. How to tell if your furniture is genuine leather: To fix a full-thickness hole or cut, gather the following materials (or purchase a complete leather repair kit):...