June/ July 2001

Articles		Page
PNEUMATIC FINISH NAILING by Jim Britton A production finish carpenter explains how to use and maintain these indispensable tools		58
KEEPING A BASEMENT DRY by Larry Janesky Waterproofing the foundation walls is only the first step; you also need a system of drains around the foundation that silt won't render useless		64
A STAIR IN THE AIR by Glen Stewart Southern yellow-pine treads hide welded-steel brackets that make these stairs appear to float in space		70
- Open-tread stairs and building codes		71
FRAMING WITH A CRANE by Jim Anderson For lifting beams, walls or material, cranes can save your wallet and back		74
- Crane safety is mostly common sense		77
BUILDING A CROSSCUT SLED FOR A TABLE SAW by Rex Alexander Making square cuts on wide stock is quick, safe and easy with this simple jig that you can build in a day		80
RUSTIC BUT REFINED by David Sellers Hunkered down on a Vermont mountainside, this house was built from the rocks and trees it displaced		82
SOLO DRYWALL HANGING by Pat Carrasco Get help when you can, but if you have to install these unwieldy sheets by yourself, it pays to rent a lift		88
- Standing sheets up		93
A BUILDER'S GUIDE TO AVOIDING SKIN PROBLEMS by Art Papier From cracked fingertips and contact allergies to cement burns and skin cancer, the prevention is better than the cure		94
AN OPEN, MODERN HOUSE by Glen Irani An architect balances glass walls and privacy on a small urban lot		98
WORKING WITH FIBER-CEMENT SIDING by John La Torre, Jr. Impervious to bugs and water, fiber-cement lap siding requires some special tools and techniques to be installed properly		104
Departments		Page
LETTERS		6
BREAKTIME		16
Q & A Rafter ties vs. collar ties, Shutting down a house for winter		20
TIPS AND TECHNIQUES Double-duty miter-saw bench, Bending PVC without kinks		30
DRAWING BOARD Designing a mail-sorting place		38
CROSS SECTION Adopting old houses, Ladder safety		50
FINISHING TOUCHES An artful addition		110
TOOLS AND MATERIALS Random-orbit floor sander, electronic protractor, Central vacuum		116
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE Respirators, Rigid-foam insulation		126
REVIEWS 6,000 Years of Housing, Straw Bale Housing		132
GREAT MOMENTS Hang ten		146

Pneumatic Finish Nailing, Keeping a Basement Dry, A Stair in the Air, Framing with a Crane, Building a Crosscut Sled for a Table Saw, Rustic but Refined, Solo Drywall Hanging, A Builder's Guide to Avoiding Skin Problems, An Open Modern House, Working with Fiber-Cement Siding