Carpentry
The Basic Toolkit: Choosing the Right Pliers
I never really thought about it until now, but there are so many different types of pliers. Here is a rundown of some of the more common types:
Tongue and Groove Pliers (the first pair pictured)- These pliers have an adjustable joint that allows the pliers to be resized for various applications. [...]
The Basic Toolkit: Selecting a Tape Measure
A tape measure is another obvious addition to a basic toolkit. In fact, I keep at least one on each floor of my house so that they are always close at hand. However, let's assume that we are selecting only one tape measure and therefore, need to choose a good general purpose [...]
The Basic Toolkit: Choosing a Hammer
Ahh, the hammer- used for everything from hanging pictures to home defense. This tool is one of the MVPs of the basic toolkit. Back in the day, all hammers pretty much all looked the same. They had handles made of wood and heads made of steel. Nowadays, the hammer section at the [...]
How to Fill Nail Holes in Wood or Drywall
After installing molding, the wood is riddled with small holes (if it's not, you didn't set your nails deep enough). Touching up the nail holes is easy, but can be tedious. This same technique can be used to fill nail holes in drywall- these holes may be visible if you move [...]
How to Apply Caulk
If you do any type of paint-grade woodwork installation (e.g. window/door casings, molding, built-in shelving), you will likely need to apply caulk. Luckily, the application is not difficult.
I highly recommend that you purchase a caulking gun. It is more cost effective and it is easier to control the application of the caulk than if [...]
