June/ July 2004

Articles		Page
PERFECT MITER JOINTS EVERY TIME by Jim Chestnut The trick is to assemble door and window trim with biscuits first, then nail it in place		50
FACTORY-BUILT HOUSES by Scott Gibson Made on assembly lines, modular and panelized houses go up quickly, but aren't necessarily less expensive		56
CUSTOM LOOK FOR A COMMON SINK by Steve Lockhart You can mount an inexpensive sink under a laminate counter if you cast an epoxy rim		64
12-in. COMPOUND MITER SAWS by Rick Arnold and Mike Guertin In a field of powerful and accurate tools, three saws stand out with useful features and large cutting capacities		68
GET YOUR DECK OFF TO A GOOD START by Scott Grice Often overlooked, the critical joint between your house and deck must hold fast and shed water		74
INVISIBLE DRYWALL SEAMS by Myron Ferguson Create perfect walls with minimal mess and effort		76
MAKE THE MOST OF A SMALL ADDITION by Lynn Hopkins A first-floor master suite maintains the scale of the house and creates a courtyard out back		82
CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING: BIGGER ISN'T BETTER by Chris Green Whether it's new or a replacement, a properly sized and installed system affords greater savings and comfort		88
DRAMATIC SKYLIGHT by Mike Guertin A skylight well with splayed sides lets in lots of light to transform a plain ranch		92
Departments		Page
CONTRIBUTORS		6
LETTERS		8
CROSS SECTION Houses built for research, Tools for women		18
TIPS & TECHNIQUES Cantilevered deck step, Routing hinge mortises		24
TOOLS & MATERIALS Framing nailer, Impact driver, Miter-saw protractor		32
BREAKTIME		42
FINISHING TOUCHES Bringing the inside out: outdoor showers		98
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Venting a roof, Firebox repair		102
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE? Outlet boxes, Paintbrushes		110
BUILDING SKILLS Coping moldings		116
DRAWING BOARD Sink choices for small bathrooms		120
MASTER CARPENTER Octagonal porch posts		126
INDEX TO ADVERTISERS		144
GREAT MOMENTS The big gulp		138

Perfect Miter Joints Every Time, Factory-Built Houses, Custom Look for a Common Sink, 12-in. Compound-Miter Saws, Get Your Deck off to a Good Start, Invisible Drywall Seams, Make the Most of a Small Addition, Central Air Conditioning: Bigger Isn't Better, Dramatic Skylight