Understanding Lumber sizes
Easy projects - easy language! This section contains DIY woodworking and building projects or articles with simple, easy-to-follow instructions and explanations. About lumber sizes First a timber ...
Information
How to read and understand Plans
Instructions SO... You're ready to start that addition, you have received the plans from your architect or draughtsman but you can't make head nor tail of them. Maybe this section can help to ...
How to establish a building Profile
Ensure Your Project is Square and Leveluseful for square or oblong projectsStep 1: measure and stake the four outside corners of your project (fig.1). The stakes can be any timber, as they will be ...
A bit about safety
It's a good idea to get into good safety practices at an early age. General If you do not know how to use a tool properly, ask someone for help. This isn't just for safety; using tools properly can ...
A bit about wood
Wood used for building is referred to differently from place to place. In North America the wood used for building is referred to as lumber, where as in Australasia it is referred to as timber. So in ...
Handy tips
A few handy tips and hints that might help make the task just that little bit safer and easier. Tool tips Using adult good quality tools makes the task easierUse a sharp 8 point (8 teeth per ...
A bit about measurements and dimensions
Wood used for building is referred to differently from place to place. In North America the wood used for building is referred to as lumber, where as in Australasia it is referred to as timber. So in ...
A bit about nails and bolts
This page covers some basic information about nails and bolts. The terminology for different types of nails and bolts varies from place to place but generally, the same nails and bolts are used for ...
Creating a Ragged Paint Effect
Materials Needed Dulux Acrylic Sealer Undercoat Dulux acrylic base colour of your choice Dulux top coat paint, colour of your choice A collection of dry, lint free cloths sized about ...
Creating a Marbled Paint Effect
Materials Needed Dulux Acrylic Sealer UndercoatDulux acrylic base paint, colour of your choice.Dulux acrylic top coat, colour of your choice.Standard roller (10mm sleeve)SpongeGoose or swan ...
Types of Timber Stains and Finishes
There are a variety of surface finishes on the market that offer protection and enhancement to timber while preserving its natural look. Interior StainsDye Stains give a beautiful result on pine ...
Painting Exteriors
Which Paint, Where?PreparationApplying the PaintChecklist If you're painting a large exterior area, a little psychology helps. Identify sections and then prepare and paint one section at a time. ...
Painting Walls and Ceilings
Which Paint, Where?Selecting Tools for the JobPreparationPaintingCleaning UpChecklist 1. Which Paint, Where? There are two types of paint available for interior surfaces: water based or ...
Paint Brushes, Paint Rollers and Paint Pads
Even as we work and play our way through the high tech world of the 21st century, the good old fashioned paint brush is still the most preferred tool for applying paint in and around the home. 1. ...
Pebble Path
This project explains how to make a pebble path using 100x75 (3"x4") treated lumber for the edgings, 20mm (3/4") graded base course metal and a choice of a number of topings (pebbles, bark, shell, ...
Handrail Anatomy
One example Note: All lumber must be suitable for exterior use. a) Decking b) Joists c) Boundary joist: The boundary joist is fixed to the perimeter of the deck to give a neat finish ...
Deck Anatomy
Note: These plans and/or instructions are to be used expressly as a guide only. If contemplating doing any building work inquire at your local building department to find out what specific needs ...
Water level
How to make and use a bucket and hose water level Materials You will need a standard plastic bucket and 12 meters (40ft) of 6 mm (1/4") nylex clear plastic tube or similar. Both items can be ...
Making a straight deck
A method of laying decking boards straight Assuming the joists are fixed in place. If not go to How to Build a Deck This is an ideal method of how to lay decking boards straight and is most ...
How to set-out a building
Building Profiles How to establish the building line (profile, perimeter of a building) and ensure it is square and level. Suitable for square or rectangular buildings. Peg the four outside ...
Inch centimeter conversion calculator
Simply enter a centimeter, inch, or foot amount into the appropriate box below, click on the submit button and presto, all the conversions done. cm feet inch A very simple to ...
? Steel reinforcing in concrete
Related topics: About steel reinforcing in concrete Sometimes steel reinforcing in concrete is put there to strengthen it, help hold the concrete together and limit ...
How to make a concrete slab floor
A step-by-step example of how to make a concrete slab floor This article explains how to prepare the ground, pour and finish the concrete. Example: A small shed floor: A step-by-step example of ...
How to mix concrete
Safety Tip: Be careful when you mix concrete as prolonged contact with fresh concrete will burn your skin. Wear safety goggles, gloves, rubber boots and long sleeves when working with concrete. Ways ...
What is concrete
Concrete is a mixture of cement, water, sand and gravel (stones, crushed rock). The mixture eventually hardens into a stone-like material. Cement and water are the two ingredients that do all the ...
? What is cement and how is it made?
Cement is a fine, soft, powdery-type substance. It is made from a mixture of elements that are found in natural materials such as limestone, clay, sand and/or shale. When cement is mixed with ...
How to make a concrete Post Cap
Making the formwork profile Introduction When the concrete gate posts were first made we didn't give too much thought as to what sort of cap would adorn the tops.Then, while on a ...
How to make a concrete gate post
Introduction, digging the hole and the plan drawing Introduction Not only does a concrete gate post look good and have a bit of a stately feel about it, but unlike its lumber counterpart it is not ...
