Build-It-Yourself: June 2006 Monthly archive
If the weather keeps you inside this weekend why not turn towards your neglected desk space, if you can find it beneath the piles of paper and magazines. If you aren't into buying the ready built but cheap desk solutions at Staples of Office Depot, why not try building your own.
Build a Home Office [Family Handyman]
June 30, 2006 | Comments ()
Matt Haughey, a contributer to Lifehacker, has put together a step-by-step for building your own deck. He includes great photos, sources for inspiration, and a tools list. As great tip for DIY newbies he suggests first building a practice deck as a test for new tools and materials. If you've already got the hang of your miter saw and power drill then go to work and you'll save time and money and may even have a deck to enjoy the fireworks from this weekend.
How to build your own backyard deck [Lifehacker]
Tags: build a deck, deck
June 29, 2006 | Comments ()
Similar to a porch swing, this glider provides a great place to relax on your deck or in your summer garden. Unlike a swing this porch glider doesn't require a permanent location and can even be moved inside. To a seasoned woodworker this project shouldn't take long, but if you're new to furniture building the materials list alone can be daunting. As with any project, start with the right tools and don't skimp on materials and you'll be swinging in no time.
Build a Classic Porch Glider [Popular Mechanics]
Tags: porch glider, swing
June 24, 2006 | Comments ()
From a great interactive DIY site called instructables, we've found a build-it-yourself aquarium that also serves as a coffee table. No need to turn-on the tv, just let your Archers, Oscars, or Angels, entertain you.
June 24, 2006 | Comments ()
In keeping with the summer theme this week and the need to cool down - if you find yourself in desperate need of cool air but your AC is on the fritz then you can do what this guy did and create your own air conditioner from a fan, garbage can, and some copper and vinyl tubing. But we recommend not waiting until it gets this bad and giving your AC a tune-up.
June 23, 2006 | Comments ()
Be the envy of your neighbors this summer by building your own high-definition outdoor home theater. Popular Science has a great step-by-step for creating a mobile home theater system that will allow you to take the movies outside.
Build a Backyard Theater [Popular Science]
Tags: backyard, home theater
June 22, 2006 | Comments ()
When using lumber remember to be aware that the "nominal size" that is typically referred to is different from the "actual size". For example a 2x4 is actually 1 1/2 x 3 1/2.
You can also refer to different grades and types of lumber here.
June 19, 2006 | Comments (1)
The folks at Inhabitat have found a prefab cabana that has a 10x10 footprint and comes pre-built and only requires common tools to fully assemble. They start at $12,500 and you'll have to wire or plumb as necessary. You can change the siding, roofing, and windows to match your home.
A few commenters have mentioned a similar and more cost-effective solution from Readymade as well as making a visit to Home Depot in the true DIY spirit. But the redwood siding and cedar shingles that are available would be costly to replicate from a big box.
Modern Cabana [Inhabitat]
Tags: construction, prefab
June 14, 2006 | Comments ()
When pulling longer nails such as framing nails or spikes, a standard sized hammer won't have the proper fulcrum length to pull the nail completely out and you may not have access to a cat's paw. But you can still remove a nail in one motion by inserting a block of wood beneath the head which raises the fulcrum point and allows the hammer to work more effectively and pull a nail straight out. We like to use a basic wooden meat tenderizer which has a handle and it is easier to place.
Another tip to protect your walls or flooring when pulling nails is to insert a sponge beneath the head of your hammer before pullilng.
When it's hammer time make sure you do it right.
June 3, 2006 | Comments ()
