April/ May 2003

Articles		Page
NEW WINDOW IN AN OLD WALL by Rick Arnold Five steps, four hours, one window, zero mess		58
A BOOKCASE THAT BREAKS THE RULES by Gary M. Katz Handsome and affordable, these built-in bookshelves take less than a day with simple methods and no special tools		64
Cutting plywood without a tablesaw		66
A CAPE GROWS UP by Louis DiBerardino Hemmed in by a brook, a septic system and setback requirements, this remodel was forced upward on mostly the same footprint		70
Detaching the garage makes room		71
NAIL GUNS FOR JOIST HANGERS by Mike Guertin Fast and accurate, these pneumatic tools put framing connector nails right where they're needed		75
Do I really need a specialized nailer?		75
A FREESTANDING ADDITION by Paul DeGroot A separate building turned out to be the best place for this small art studio with a nifty screened porch below		80
REPAINTING A HOUSE: DON'T BE AFRAID TO SPRAY by Jon Tobey For each hour spent masking, you'll save eight hours of brushing and get a superior paint job		84
Spray equipment is not complicated		86
MDF IS HEAVY AND DUSTY, SO WHY WOULD ANYONE USE IT? by Jim Blodgett It's stable. It's inexpensive. It looks great painted.		90
SUBPANELS BRING BIG AMPS TO DISTANT SPACES by Clifford A. Popejoy If the kitchen's a long way from the service entrance, a subpanel can add convenience and save energy		96
DISAPPEARING DOORS by Gary M. Katz Just like the doors on your entertainment center, but for your closet		102
BACK TO THE FUTURE by Mark Sutherland In a historic district, a new house uses split levels and large windows to create a spacious feel and sunlit interior		104
Departments		Page
LETTERS		6
BREAKTIME		16
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Dust containment, Tiling over concrete cracks		20
TIPS & TECHNIQUES I-joist cutoff fixture, Paint bucket/funnel, Saving leftover caulk		30
DRAWING BOARD Column proportion: Bigger is usually better		36
CROSS SECTION Toys, Hazardous sawdust, Recalls		48
FINISHING TOUCHES The architect who saved the day, or how details improved stock plans		110
TOOLS & MATERIALS D-handle drill, Heavy plywood, Drill-bit caddy, Flashlight		118
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE? Ground vs. neutral, MDF		128
REVIEWS Wood Handbook, Advanced Framing Methods		140
INDEX TO ADVERTISERS		148
GREAT MOMENTS Always eat your vegetables		150

New Window in an Old Wall, A Bookcase that Breaks the Rules, A Cape Grows Up, Nail Guns for Joist Hangers, A Freestanding Addition, Repainting a House: Don't Be Afraid to Spray, MDF Is Heavy and Dusty, so Why Would Anyone Use It?, Subpanels Bring Big Amps to Distant Spaces, Disappearing Doors, Back to the Future