December 2009 Table of Contents

Four technology trends that will change how you build and remodel. Read more

By combining trusses with stick framing, the author was able to frame a new roof without damaging the finished rooms below. Read more

Assessing the moisture content and surface condition of the slab was the critical first step. Read more

Floated mortar walls provide a flat, plumb setting bed over irregular wall framing. Read more

Truss-style construction simplified the framing of this serpentine roofline. Read more

Remodeling opportunities abound; weatherization wages too low; in defense of vinyl siding; more Read more

Who's liable for defective Chinese drywall?; top 10 OSHA violations for 2009; Texas requires water-saving toilets; more Read more

Q: We ordered preprimed HardiePlank lap siding to finish a project, but when it was delivered, we discovered that the backs were left unprimed. Normally, we back-prime wood clapboards, but I'm not sure this step is needed with fiber-cement siding, and the manufacturer's Web site is mute on the subject. Is back-priming necessary? Read more

Q: Can stainless steel tie wire be used with standard rebar? Read more

When converting a deck to a 4-season addition, consider removing the decking prior to installing the OSB (or plywood) subfloor. Read more

If you use nails to attach drywall, be sure that they are up to code. Read more

Has it ever occurred to you that dropping your prices to stay in business could put you out of business? Many contractors tell me they’ve had to drop their prices to remain competitive in today’s market. They just know they’re losing jobs because the “other guy” is cheaper. Read more

Snow-melting stair mats; modulating gas fireplace; efficient heat-pump water heater; permeable pavement; sump pump; more Read more

When Bosch introduced its first line of pneumatic nailers last spring, it claimed that the tools were 20 percent smaller and 10 percent more powerful than the competition. Read more

When Bosch introduced its first line of pneumatic nailers last spring, it claimed that the tools were 20 percent smaller and 10 percent more powerful than the competition. Read more

SawStop has introduced a new 3-hp 230-volt Professional Cabinet Saw aimed at low-volume shops. Read more

Carbide Wood Flooring Router Bit Sets let you mill tongue-and-groove flooring from solid or engineered wood. Read more

The concept behind Kubinec Strapping Kits is simple: You wrap polyester straps around a load and tighten them with a ratcheting tensioner. Read more

The HD 5687 — Skil's attempt to re-enter the pro sidewinder market — has some promising features and a great price. Read more

Rather than using a ratchet to wrap a cable around a spindle, as conventional come-alongs do, the Tirfor Griphoist has a pair of jaws that pull the cable straight through the housing with a hand-over-hand motion. Read more

Makita's new portable table saw (2705/2705X1) meets new UL specs requiring that no tools be needed to change the blade guard. Read more

Trying to straighten and fasten bent deck boards is no fun, especially when you're working with hardwood decking. Read more

The SpeedCope costs way less than the $2,000 coping machines you find in a production wood shop — but it does a better job than a $35 handheld plastic template that fits only one type of molding and angle. Read more

Renovations are a vital part of the routine at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Va., estate, which is open to the public 365 days a year. Recently, Steve Ritter’s company, Cedar Shakes and Shingles, was called upon to install decorative red cedar shingles on the bell-shaped roof of a reproduction outbuilding. Read more