In my article on building a sunburst I described how to find the circumference of a circle given a specific radius. I then divided that circumference in half, because I was working with a half-round arch. This gave me the length measured along the arches curve, otherwise known as the arc length. Finding the arc length of a segmental arch is a little more difficult, but a construction calculator makes it incredibly easy. Read the full article…
It’s not easy to remember every code requirement, especially when you don’t build stairs often! Here’s an easy-to-access and easy-to-understand illustrated version of the 2009 IRC code as it applies to stairs. Read the full article…
Wood is hygroscopic, which means its moisture content (MC) will fluctuate based on the relative humidity (RH) of the surrounding air. As humidity increases, the MC increases, and the wood expands, and as the humidity decreases, MC decreases, and the wood shrinks. This relationship is referred to as equilibrium moisture content (EMC), and can be accurately predicted. Read the full article…
Hinges aren’t made in a mold. They’re bent or formed in a press. That means the swag or bend in a hinge is never identical from one hinge to the next. And that means the gap between the hinge leaves varies just a little, which can have an impact on the fit of your doors. Read the full article…
Joe Fusco taught me how to understand crown molding, especially how to install it on a cathedral ceiling. I’ll always remember him for that. And I’ll always remember the crown chart he prepared and allowed me to publish in my finish carpentry book. Read the full article…
A finished skirt board on a flight of stairs is one of those tasks in finish carpentry that remains in prominent view, always open to critique. It’s critical that the workmanship is of the highest caliber. Read the full article…
Construction calculators solve repetitive problems. They save time. They save frustration. They save money. Read the full article…
How to draw a perpendicular line from a midpoint with just a compass and straight edge. Read the full article…
Step-by-step instructions for drawing a 3-centered arch with known height and width. Read the full article…
Step-by-step instructions for drawing a 3-centered arch with known radii. Read the full article…
Step-by-step instructions for drawing a 4-centered arch with a known height and width. Read the full article…
Step-by-step instructions for drawing a classic 3-centered arch. Read the full article…
Step-by-step instructions for drawing a classic 4-centered arch. Read the full article…
Step-by-step instructions for drawing a pseudo 4-centered arch. Read the full article…