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Installing Hardwood Flooring

March 31, 2012 Written by Robert Robillard 4 Comments
Installing Hardwood flooring

How To Install Cherry Hardwood Flooring If you’re like most people you probably love the look and charm of a hardwood floor. Hardwood floors never go out of fashion and can add real value to your home. I have hardwood flooring in every room in my house and I love it. Hardwood floors are durable and natural, come in a variety of species, are hypo-allergenic and easy to maintain. When well maintained these floors can last a hundred … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Flooring Tips

Rockler Dust Right Quick Release Kit

March 24, 2012 Written by Robert Robillard 1 Comment
Dust Right™ Multi-Port Quick Release Starter Kit

The folks at Rockler recently sent me their Dust Right Tool Port to review and evaluate.    The Dust Right Port connects nicely to any shop tool with a 2-1/2'' or 4'' dust port, while the Dust Right handle fits perfectly onto the ports. The Dust Right™ Handle is a super convenient way to unplug your dust collector hose from one machine and plug it into another machine, using the same hose.  If you have a small shop or multiple machines … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Dealing With Dust, Rockler, Wood Shop Jigs

How To Clean A Dryer Duct

March 13, 2012 Written by Robert Robillard 4 Comments
How To Clean A Dryer Duct

Learn How To Clean A Dryer Duct:   When you consider that 15,000 fires start in the laundry room every year and that these fires are mostly due to lint build up in the clothes dryer or a clogged dryer duct it makes you wonder why we don't do something about it. When you further consider that these fires result in 10 deaths and 310 injuries per year I just shake my head.    [stats according to the Consumer Product … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Duct Cleaning, Fire Prevention Tips

Installing Chair Rail Trim Question

March 10, 2012 Written by Robert Robillard Leave a Comment
Installing Chair Rail Trim

Chair Rail Molding Installation: Dear Concord Carpenter, I have a question on installing chair rail trim. We have a formal dining room that I would like to install chair rail trim to the walls.  I've been  looking at molding styles and decided on a two piece, painted,  chair rail.  the top will be a 3/4" x 1-2/2"  half round and the bottom a decorative flat window casing molding profile. I have two questions:   1.  How can … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Finish Carpentry, Wainscoting Trim

Installing Trim Around A Plastered Window Well

February 18, 2012 Written by Robert Robillard Leave a Comment
Basement plastered window well

Simple Window Trim Dresses Up Window Opening: Recently I was asked what I could do to dress up a basement recessed window that had no trim and was all plaster walls.  The designer on the project wanted the window to look like the windows upstairs, which had window trim and a traditional window sill. This was an easy fix I so I suggested we add a half round molding to the plaster opening bottom to simulate a window sill and then … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Finish Carpentry, Interior Repairs

Dust Free Sanding

January 20, 2012 Written by Robert Robillard 1 Comment
Dust free sanding

Sanding is probably the least glorious part of any carpentry or woodworking project but also and important part of the process. The biggest problem with sanding is the dust, the mess, and the subsequent contaminating your surface when applying a finish. So whether it's for health reasons of just a kick ass finish on your project, reducing dust in your shop is important. Dust collection, shop air filtration  and collecting sanding … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Dealing With Dust, DeWalt Tools, Jobsite Safety, Lead Paint Dust, Workshop tips

The Benefits Of Dustless Hardwood Floor Sanding

January 18, 2012 Written by Robert Robillard 1 Comment
Dustless floor sanding

The benefits of dustless sanding: by Chris Rivard    Having worked around wood and installing and finishing hardwood flooring for most my life, I had learned quite a few things about it.  For example, I learned that a splinter from Brazilian mahogany or cherry, will become infected by the time I get home.   Also mahogany and oak wood dust from sanding this wood also makes me feel sick.   According to OSHA, "Wood dust … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Dealing With Dust, Dustless hardwood floor sanding

EcoStud® Track & Stud System

December 20, 2011 Written by Robert Robillard 3 Comments
ecostud track

EcoStud Track & Stud Framing System A Green Framing Solution I first saw the EcoStud® Track & Stud System at a trade show.  I was intrigued it's innovative and practical approach to solving  interior, non-load bearing walls or partitions. EcoStud is made from 100% recycled resin (post-consumer and post-industrial content), and is ideal in moisture prone environments like basements and coastal areas.  Installing … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Basement Renovation, Green Initiatives, Mold, recycled materials