September 1997 Table of Contents

Features
Patching Stucco

Making durable patches in stucco finishes is as much art as science. A veteran stucco contractor shows how to use dry dusting, fog coats, and trowel mix plastering both to repair damaged stucco and to blend new stucco work with old. Read more

Radiant Walls and Ceilings for the Bath

In small bathrooms, there may not be enough floor area for adequate radiant heating. An experienced hvac sub describes the products and techniques that can turn the walls and ceilings — and even some fixtures — into radiant heat sources. Read more

Setting Up QuickBooks Pro for Construction

Should you use Items or Classes? Accrual or cash-based accounting? Budgets or estimates? This tour of the QuickBooks Pro setup procedure will steer you through the maze of options and help you make the right choices. Read more

Stacking Supported Valleys

A roof with intersecting hips and valleys will test the mettle of many a seasoned framer. Using examples from a recent project, a roof framing specialist explains the foolproof method he uses to lay out, cut, and install three complex configurations: valley-to-hip, valley-to-valley, and a “disappearing” valley. Read more

Tying Down the House Tying Down the House

Properly installed, metal framing connectors provide good protection from earthquakes and hurricane damage. A field supervisor for a California construction company takes a step-by-step look at how to lay out and install common types of hold-down hardware. Read more

Letters
Letters

Deck details, nailing metal hangers, vinyl siding Read more

News
Notebook

Making the most of the construction boom, new joist bracing system, lumber price update, local codes limited in Florida Read more

Q&A
Q&A: Wide Ridge Vent Q&A: Wide Ridge Vent

Q: I have a job with a ridge beam built-up out of four pieces of LVL. Is there a ridge vent available that will span the wide opening this requires in the roof? Read more

Q&A: Removing Old Grout Q&A: Removing Old Grout

Q: Is there an easy way to remove old grout from a tub surround without working by hand with a grout saw? Read more

Business
Strictly Business: Site Rules for Subs

Site rules for subcontractors Read more

Legal
Legal Advisor: Avoiding Sexual Harassment Lawsuits

Precautions against sexual harassment complaints Read more

Engineering
Practical Engineering: Simple King Truss for Ridge Beam Support

Simple truss for supporting structural ridge Read more

Products
Products

Double-bevel compound miter saw, graded glulams, all-in-one surge protector for the panel, versatile cable stripper Read more

Toolbox
Toolbox: Orbital Recip Saws

Three new orbital reciprocating saws Read more

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