June/ July 1993

Articles		Page
SURVEY OF 3/8-IN. VSR DRILLS by Herrick Kimball Cordless drills get a lot of attention, but the serious work is done by drills that get plugged in		36
Electrical grounding and shock prevention		41
FRAMING WALLS by Scott McBride Speed and efficiency are the results of careful, well-thought-out layout		42
DON'T FORGET THE BLOCKS by Larry Haun Blocking stabilizes a house and makes it easier to install drywall, plumbing and siding		48
A COMFORTABLE OUTDOOR BENCH by David Bright This built-in bench is beautiful, weather resistant and a restful place to sit		52
ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS by Rex Cauldwell How to pick the right one, and how to care for the one you've already got		54
Water-heater maintenance and troubleshooting		59
MAKING A BULLNOSE STARTING STEP by Stephen Winchester You don't have to buy this classic detail; kerf-bending oak is easier than it looks		60
Installing a starting newel by Bob Goodfellow		63
A SOUTHWEST ADDITION by Carolyn Robbins Siegel Steel and glass add a new dimension to traditional adobe construction		64
Using steel-trussed joists		67
ROW-HOUSE RENOVATION by Robert Van Vranken Urban owner-builders remove walls and add skylights to open up their inner-city house		69
TAPING AND FINISHING DRYWALL by Charles Wardell How to get a smooth finish with minimum sanding		72
A SMALL HOUSE ON A ROCKY HILLSIDE by Kathleen Kenny An owner-builder overcomes a difficult site by digging her own foundation		78
ADAPTING THE CRAFTSMAN STYLE by Andre Fontaine A Maryland architect captures the Arts & Crafts spirit while controlling costs		82
Departments		Page
LETTERS Recycling revisited, Using poplar outdoors, Three-way switch confusion		4
Q & A Re-siding an old house, Recipe for raised-panel doors, Waterproofing brick piers		14
TIPS AND TECHNIQUES Spacing deck boards, power-cord straps, Drilling sheet metal		26
FINISHING TOUCHES A little Off Course		88
TOOLS AND MATERIALS The Builders' Show, 1993		92
CROSS SECTION Energy efficiency for $45K, Wood prices rise, Sunlight damage to finishes		102
REVIEWS Technics and Architecture, The complete Home Restoration Manual		112
GREAT MOMENTS Testing Grandpa's Patience		122

Survey Of 3/8-in. VSR Drills, Framing Walls, Don't Forget the Blocks, A Comfortable Outdoor Bench, Electric Water Heaters, Making A Bullnose Starting Step, A Southwest Addition, Row-House Renovation, Taping and Finishing Drywall, A Small House on a Rocky Hillside, Adapting the Craftsman Style