February/ March 2002

Feature Articles		Page
FINISHING HARDWOOD FLOORS by Charles Peterson A professional takes the fear out of sanding and shows how to get great results with waterborne finishes		58
What to look for when renting a sander		62
BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOUSES by Fernando Pagés Ruiz By including his subcontractors in the design process and watching every penny, a Midwestern builder creates attractive starter homes for $45 per sq. ft.		63
CHOOSING A FRAMING NAILER by Rick Arnold and Mike Guertin Whether you prefer coil nailers or stick nailers, it's a buyer's market. Two seasoned builders sort through 30 models and find new favorites.		68
Your first choice: coil nailer or stick nailer?		69
AN ADDITION FOUNDATION by Rick Arnold Grafting the right foundation onto a house that's neither square nor level		76
Shoring up excavated soil		81
AT HOME IN THE FOREST by Gary Bowen Soaring cathedral ceilings and a four-step footprint enable a narrow cottage to fit comfortably between a golf course and a steep ravine		82
Framing cathedral ceilings without cross ties		86
REPLACING A MUDSILL by Bill Phillips Careful bracing inside and out holds a house steady as rot is removed		88
WIRING YOUR HOUSE FOR TODAY -- AND TOMORROW by Jerry Heesen Structured wiring can link the phones, computers and TVs in your house right now, and who knows what else in the future		92
Wireless technology by Walter H. Horowitz		93
A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO FRAME-AND-PANEL DOORS by Gary Striegler A three-layer sandwich takes the place of complicated joinery		98
MAKING A CONCRETE BATHTUB by Dan Rockhill A hands-on architect shows how he built a tub with a two-part form		102
A QUIET HOUSE ON A NOISY STREET by Berry Langford Sitting in the garden on the north side of this house, you'd never know that thousands of cars whiz by on the south side every day		104
Departments		Page
LETTERS		6
BREAKTIME		16
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Shower-pan thresholds, Interior vs. exterior foundation drains		20
TIPS & TECHNIQUES Endless soap dispenser, Pneumatic-assist tub placement, Shingle cut table		30
DRAWING BOARD Designing a window seat		38
CROSS SECTION Hands-on craftsmanship, Skid steer		48
FINISHING TOUCHES Castles in the air		110
TOOLS & MATERIALS Cordless reciprocating saw with folding handle, Color-coded nails		116
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE? Pneumatic nails, Painter's tape		126
REVIEWS Residential Windows, Charles Rennie Mackintosh		134
GREAT MOMENTS Fire!		146

Finishing Hardwood Floors, Building Affordable Houses, Choosing a Framing Nailer, An Addition Foundation, At Home in the Forest, Replacing a Mudsill, Wiring Your House for Today -- and Tomorrow, A Different Approach to Frame-and-Panel Doors, Making a Concrete Bathtub, Quiet House on a Noisy Street