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Designing Professional Porch Railings
If you plan to install a professional looking porch railing for the first time you want to ensure you do it right the first time. This requires among other things proper design and proper planning. Properly designed railings require...
Home Improvement DVD
A home improvement DVD is very likely to contain either software
or a film showing you how to carry out major home improvement
challenges. The DVD should state what kind of machine to play it
on whether that is a computer or a DVD player. You can...
Strapping a Ceiling
Prior to hanging sheetrock to ceiling joists it is important that strapping first be installed.
Strapping helps prevent cracks from showing up later in your home’s ceiling, as well as provides more surface area for securing the sheetrock to the...
The Benefits of Wood Closet Organizers -
"A place for everything and everything in its place" -- did you hear that growing up? While it sounds trite, an organized home does contribute to peace of mind. When you instantly know where everything is, it is easier to feel relaxed. In our...
Three Easy Home Improvements For Under $100.00
It seems everyone is applying for loans so that they can make improvements to their home. Major improvements such as new flooring or a deck can require a significant amount of money. However, you don't have to go to those measures to make...
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Secrets of the Screw
I often see friends and fellow home-improvers using screws in their DIY efforts, and it never ceases to amaze me how hard some of these people find it to make a simple screw do what it's designed for. lets take a look at why. Of the two basic types of screw (Phillips cross head and the older 'traditional' slot head) the Phillips is gaining ground rapidly, due mainly to the fact that the extra cross-slot means you can apply more force and thus drive it into denser materials.
You need both types of screwdriver in your toolbox, because believe you me, nothing ruins a screwdriver faster than using it on the wrong type of screw! But what type of screw to use? Let's focus on common plywood for a moment - a material we often use at www.homeimprovementor.com because of its cheapness and versatility. You use number 8 screws for plywood up to 5/8th of an inch thick. Between 1/2 an inch and 3/8ths of an inch, you need a number 6. above that, try a number 4.
To join 2 pieces of wood with a screw, follow these easy steps. Firstly, make a mark where you plan to do the screwing. Position the pieces together and fasten with a clamp or your mighty left hand. Depending on the job, you may be able to use your body weight thru your knee to hold the bits in place. If neither of these methods are
practicable, and you intend to sit several screws, use the first one as an effective 'clamp' by tightening it firm before you start the other screws.
Drill a quick pilot hole thru the bits. This pilot hole should be less than half the diameter of the screw you intend to insert. Handy www.homeimprovementor.com tip - if you want to gauge the depth your have drilled, place a bit of tape on the drill bit.
Countersink on the top piece of wood, so the job will look nice and sit flush. Insert the screw and tighten till the head is flush with the countersunk hole. Don't over-tighten or most modern self-tapping screws will start to 'chew up' the wood, and may even become loose!
To hide the screw head (especially important on jobs where security is an issue!) use a dowel plug. You'll have to drill the countersink a little deeper for this, of course. After inserting the plug, simply sand it down level with the board.
Handy tip to prevent splitting when screwing near the end of a board - drill a larger hole and insert a dowel, then screw into THAT instead of the wood itself. Easy huh? Till next time, happy screwing!
About the Author
Tim is the head DIY expert at www.homeimprovementors.com the free site for tool home improvement tips.
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