April/ May 2007

Articles	Page
DOGHOUSE DORMERS: FRAMING FROM THE GROUND UP by Rick Arnold Assembling parts on the ground and cutting the roof at the last minute provide a low-stress route to a high-value project Read this article online	52
PROBLEM-SOLVING ELECTRICAL BOXES by George Socaris Cleverly designed boxes can get you out of trouble quickly during rough-ins and retrofits Read this article online	60
A FAST, FOOLPROOF METHOD FOR FITTED DOORS by Chris Green With plywood strips and hot-melt glue, you can make a template that guarantees a perfect fit Read this article online	64
THE KITCHEN-DECK CONNECTION by Lynn Hopkins A small addition and sunny deck build a bridge to the backyard Read this article online	66
23-ga. PIN NAILERS CHANGE EVERYTHING by Gary Striegler These pneumatic trim guns are compact and lightweight, and fire nails so small that they barely leave a trace Read this article online	71
A BEAUTIFUL FLOOR FROM WOOD SCRAPS by Charles Peterson Achieving the geometry of a parquet floor doesn't require much more than a tablesaw, kraft paper, and wallpaper paste Read this article online	74
AN ENERGY-SMART FOUNDATION IN TWO DAYS by Tim Robinson A compacted gravel footing is the only prep work required, and you don't have to wait for the weather Read this article online	78
RECONSIDERING ROT-RESISTANT FRAMING MATERIAL by Scott Gibson Copper- and borate-based preservative treatments have proven effectiveness, but structural plastics are more durable Read this article online	82
A TV COMPLICATES THE MANTELPIECE by Gary M. Katz Tips on trim details and new design tools from a big project Read this article online	86
BOOK EXCERPT: UNBUILDING by Bob Falk and Brad Guy Salvaging the architectural treasures of unwanted houses	98A
Departments	Page
CONTRIBUTORS	8
LETTERS	10
CROSS SECTION	20
TIPS & TECHNIQUES	30
TOOLS & MATERIALS	40
FINISHING TOUCHES Doing different things with dormers Read this article online	92
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS	96
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?	104
BUILDING SKILLS Mix concrete by the bag Read this article online	110
DRAWING BOARD Planning a small master bath Read this article online	116
MASTER CARPENTER Interlocking-weatherstripping techniques Read this article online	124
INDEX TO ADVERTISERS	132
GREAT MOMENTS Mrs. Fremont's Special Beeswax Formula Read this article online	134

Doghouse Dormers; Problem-Solving Electrical Boxes; A Fast, Foolproof Method for Fitting Doors; The Kitchen-Deck Connection; 23-ga. Pin Nailers Change Everything; A Beautiful Floor from Wood Scraps; An Energy-Smart Foundation in Two Days; Reconsidering Rot-Resistant Framing Material; A TV Complicates the Mantelpiece; Book Excerpt: Unbuilding