Improving field first aid...

"Stops bleeding instantly. This is a must for any 1st aid kit. QuikClot is a topical blood clotting agent for scrapes, cuts and wounds (they claim some even very serious). You basically apply this stuff to an open cut, and it instantly clots to stop bleeding. Tested by the US military. This stuff works great for those scrapes, cuts and wounds encountered on the road. I've been using it in the bathroom for shaving cuts, too. QuikClot $25 From here or here among other places. Manufacturered by:Z-Medica.

Tubular finger bandages by Surgitube can come in handy... One roll of 5/8" by 10 yards costs about $7 to $10.

Moist Burn Pads. Similar to 2nd Skin Dressing but sterile. Non-stick moist hydrogel pad eases pain and protects burn site better than standard dressings. And it's clear so you can monitor the wound without disturbing it.

Blinkless eyedropper. This $20 gizmo fits around most eye dropper bottles. It has flexible panels on the side which you squeeze to obtain a controlled release of the eyedrops. The eyepiece helps position the dropper over your eye, and because it is black you cannot see the drop coming. So you do not blink. The eye remains open to receive the medication."

The strongest non-prescription numbing substance you can apply around a scrape, wound, or burn is Lidocaine. You can get topical anesthetic pads with 2.5% Lidocaine, better than the 2% sold in drugstores, from Chinooks. Good for bee-stings, too.

Liquid stitches, dermabond forms a strong, flexible bond and protective barrier for your incision that seals out most common infection-causing bacteria, including certain staph, pseudomonas and e.coli. Doctors can use in place of stitches or staples to close wounds and incisions. Talk about Ouch!. Costs over $40. Link again from cooltools."

Jobsite telephone headset

kk.org/cooltools: "The Boom uses noise cancellation technology to allow you to clearly communicate even if you are calling from the noisiest of places. For example, this headset is now widely used on rambunctious stock market trading floors. I was blown away when I tested this with a friend. His voice came through clearly even though he was in a room with the stereo and television blasting away so loudly he couldn't hear his own voice. The clarity of his voice on my side was perfect. About $150."

Stronger duct tape

If you think duct tape is useful, try Gaffer's tape.

The brand is Permacel (P-665). It's the standard film industry tape. Easy to rip with your hands yet very strong. The adhesive is designed to not rip off paint. Another tape, P-672, is about double the price of P-665 but is weatherproof, twice as thick, and the adhesive is designed for low temperatures. It's the real Gaffer's tape.

Kevin Kelly -- Cool Tools
also posts Gorilla Tape which, say Stephen Young, will stick to brick.

"Gorilla Tape is duct tape raised to a higher power. It is both stronger and stickier; you can use it on rough surfaces where duct tape won't stick. I have used a variety of similar tapes, from the Army's green 200 mph tape to the fabled Electric Boat tape that Submariners are familiar with. Gorilla Tape sticks better and holds longer than the best quality duct tape in everything I have used it for. It is also waterproof (once applied) and because of the thicker adhesive, less prone to peeling."

Improving the tie-down...

Are you aware that bungee cords are the leading cause of eye loss each year? Tiegrrr Straps may be a superior alternative -- even at $4.00 and up. These webbed polypropylene straps are extremely strong (the working load limit is 200 pounds, but the typical breaking strength is more than 1,200 pounds). They're more durable and cost-effective than bungees. And unlike bungees, they don't stretch like a rubber band when tightened. Slip, zip - you're done! The patented locking grip lock tightly and release safely without chewing up the strap.


"Griptwists offer also several advantages over bungees . With bungee cords, there's always a certain amount of 'give,' unless you stretch them to their maximum, which isn't always practical; bungeed objects will often move a bit more than you want them to, and when stretched to their maximum, they exert great pressure. A Griptwist will remain as tight (but only as tight) as you tie them. 17", $10 for 4 : 34", $10 for 2 : 68" for $10. Link from kk.org/cooltools."

Affordable drum sander??

azwoodman.com: "Performax [by Jet Tools] Model 10-20 Plus: A powerful 1 HP TEFC motor with an infinitely variable feed rate of 0-12 ft./min. and a drum speed of 1700 RPM gives you all the power you need to sand furniture stock, musical instrument pieces, craft or scrolling saw projects to an ultra smooth finish without taking up a lot of space in your shop. You can sand a maximum width of 20' (two passes) and a minimum length of 2-1/4', maximum thickness is 3' and you can sand down to a minimum of 1/32'. This compact unit has all the same features as the bigger Performax sanders: 4' dust port, easy-to-read depth gauge, convenient large adjustment handle and easy to get to upfront safety switch with overload protection... About $500."

Forum for painters

PaintersChatRoom.com: "This site is dedicated to the professional painter and is a link to just about every resource available on the Internet for painters."

Hot-Melt adhesive applicators

adhesivetech.com: There are good recommendations floating about for Adhesive Tech's Portasol patented technology, the CB900 Cordless Bonder incorporating an innovative temperature control system, reinvented ergonomics and a new ignition for a lightning-fast 5-minute warm-up. Uses standard 1/2' round high temp glue sticks which can be found around the country and at gluguru. 3M's hot melt systems are here.

Franklin's Hi-Performance hot melt gun is specifically designed for woodworking and gap-filling; (WW30 offers a 30-second set time vs. a 60-second time for WW60).

Comments about this tool are not very good although here is a site that discusses a few usage tips. One Amazon comment says: "The concept of the tool and the strength of the glue are good, but the glue delivery is flawed.... "

Trim Techniques: Fast-Acting Glue

garymkatz.com:
Fastcap recently introduced a revolutionary new fast-acting glue that sets in about 10-15 seconds. and is virtually unbreakable. I cut miters on the ends of several pieces of baseboard about 4' long and no one's been able to break one yet, at least not without stomping them on the floor.

Unlike Gorilla glue, shelf life is guaranteed two years.

Other Fastcap innovations: sumostrap
A $20 belt holder for any object --

tapes,
phones,
bottles,
tools,
gear

YOU adjust it
for YOUR needs.


Check out the Hooker for help with countertop sink cutouts. Check out SpeedTape to eliminate slow and messy contact cement. Check out the dripless glue bottle, Glü-Bot, plus the applicator time-savers.

I think this company is thinking.

Deck injuries continue...

jlconline.com: "The only ones we hear about are these two: the deck ledger and the handrails. A Virginia Tech task force examining the critical structural details for residential decks and balconies released detailed data and conclusions about deck-to-house attachments this spring (see Load-Tested Deck Ledger Connections). Now the team is shifting its focus to the other end of the deck. "When ledgers fail, it's because a lot of fasteners let go at once. With railings and rail posts, a catastrophic failure can occur when only one or two fasteners fail. A couple of people lean over, and they fall."

Construction Defects

jlconline.com: "A recent article in the ASHI Reporter, the monthly magazine of the American Society of Home Inspectors, describes an ongoing effort by ASHI and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) to share the results of a survey of members who inspected new construction.

** Almost a third reported flashing was often not installed.
** 73% report poor downspouts.
** 64% mention improper backfilling.
** Errors in valleys that terminate at walls.
** Downspouts that empty onto lower roofs.
** Improper nailing of shingle roofs.
** Lack of vents and vents blocked by insulation or paint.
** Compromised structural members.

"The most dangerous of all is a plumber with a Sawzall."

3m Topcoat Rubbing Kit

woodworker.com

3M's Top Coat Rubbing System

Uses 3M Wetordry Sandpaper plus Scotch-Brite Flexible Pads and Finesse-it Compounding Material removes scratches produced by 600 grit abrasives. Leaves wood smooth, uniform and glossy. Costs about $150 for a start-up kit.

Hold crown molding in position...

woodworker.com: Mitermaster holds crown molding for faster cuts. With the jig you can accurately cut inside or outside corners of crown molding with fewer mistakes. Slide molding into holder, place the back of holder against fence and cut. 11-7/8" long aluminum holder keeps molding in proper cutting position and helps prevent slipping or shifting. Three holders to accommodate 2-1/4', 3-1/4' or 4-1/4' wide crown molding cost about $22.

Rockler has a crown moulding jig for $20. Jig holds molding at correct angle to eliminate complex compound angles. All you need to do is make a 45º cut.

Power chisel...

woodworker.com Arbortech Power Chisel yields 11,000 strokes per minute for powerful, smooth cutting:

Precision joints, recesses, corners and other material removal operations, such as texturing and lettering. High quality woodcarvers chisels only activate when pressed into wood and change out in seconds with "snap lock" fittings. Extended head provides better visibility and access to tight spaces.
Includes 20mm (3/4") flat sweep chisel and #7-20mm gouge, plus a 25ml bottle of cam oil for $170."

Radial arm saw mortise attachment...

woodworker.com: "Woodworker's Supply radial arm saw mortising attachment costs about $200 to set up:

In addition to making precise 90 degree cuts, angled mortises are as easy as using your saw's controls - just as you would to make a miter cut. Designed primarily for timber framers, this versatile tool can be used in furniture making as well. Guard retracts when it contacts workpiece; adjustable depth gauge for consistent and accurate cuts.


** 6-7/8' maximum cut depth.
** 1/4' thick x 2-3/8' wide bar with chain.
** 2,150 FPM chain speed.
** 9' square maximum timber size.
** 1-3/16' radius in bottom cut.
** 1/2' minimum cut distance from table surface; 4-1/2' maximum.
Fits DEWALT, Craftsman and later model DELTA 10' and 12' radial arm saws only."

Rotary chisels may replace grinding burr...

woodworker.com: "Solid carbide will provide years of top performance. Designed for high speed rotary tools (DREMEL®, etc.) or die grinders with larger profiles. Work equally well on wood, marble, limestone, steatite, alabaster, bronze, aluminum - even stainless steel. Unique triangular shape lets you see where you are cutting, plus it dissipates heat rapidly. $Over $25 each with 1/8 inch or 1/4 inch shanks."

Contour paint scraper

woodworker.com: "Six double edged reversible blades equals twelve different profiles. The Allway CS6 contour scraper has an ergonomically correct, soft grip handle for less fatigue and each blade is heat treated, cutlery stainless steel. About $20."

Forum for windows

replacement-windows.com It's tough to find information that truly delves into the details of windows. Most sites merely spill plagiarism from industry brochures, copy from the yellow pages or 19th Century repair sequences with a little epoxy filler thrown in. Although this is not a deeply comprehensive site, there is an active discussion board that can reveal problems and details about manufacturers and various window types.

Uncracking your pottery

If you crack a piece of pottery, simmer some whole milk and submerge the item for 45 minutes. It often completely mends the piece. [Vicki Peel, James MN]

Breathe Easy

Bathroom ventilation helps prevent mold and other pollutants. Reducing mold, mildew, and other pollutants in the bathroom is a top priority, but it won't happen unless the fan is quiet.

Exhaust fans should provide 1 cfm per square foot of space for bathrooms up to 100 square feet in area (based on 8-foot ceilings). For bathrooms more than 100 square feet, ventilation is based on the number and type of fixtures present (toilets, showers, baths, and whirlpools). Each fixture requires 50 cfm of power except whirlpools, which require 100 cfm. Enclosed toilets must have operable windows or separate fans.

A stronger landscape...

Stepping stone cement mix formula calculator

More stepping stone tips here.

Point list for reducing cracks

reducing cracks: "

Tip 1: A large source of cracking in stucco is the movement, warping and expansion of plywood or OSB sheathing. The American Plywood Association recommends spacing of 1/8' at ends and sides of plywood and OSB panels. If this wasn't important, the plywood manufacturers wouldn't waste the money on stamping every sheet.

Tip 2: Don't retemper the mortar, also known as "shaking up" is adding water after mortar starts to set. This weakens the mix every time. Stronger mortar means more crack resistance. When mortar is set to the point that it is "chunky", it should be pitched.

Tip 3: Reinforcing fibers made for concrete work for stucco as well. Try using Fiberstrand made by Euclid chemicals. Fibers reduce the cracks and have other benefits. Hairy mortar bonds better to successive coats. Also, flexural strength is improved. For years, animal hair was used in plaster, as well as lime basecoats, and portland basecoats. The use of reinforcing fibers dates back to the ancient Egyptians. Up until the early fifties, hair was bought by plasterers at farmer's markets and building supplies. Modern fibers are made from polypropylene, Mixing ratio is 6 bags of portland with a two lb. bag of fibers. The expensive part of using the fibers is they must be dry mixed in the mortar by hand. In a mortar mixer they clump up.

Tip 4: Let it cure between coats. Let your brown coat cure at least a week before applying the finish. Probably the largest single reason for excessive cracking in stucco is not allowing the brown coat cure long enough. These cracks usually look like the cracks of a shattered mirror. Each layer of cement forms it's own separate slab. Only a slight amount of cracking in the brown coat will shatter the finish coat. As the brown coat cures, and dries, it shrinks and cracks. In California, the building code requires the brown coat sit for 30 days before the finish is applied.(Correct me if I am wrong). This seems like an expensive delay in hot, desert areas where 2 or 3 days may be fine.

Tip 5: Gradation of sand in the finish coat. Another secret shared by Don Miles- using several grades of sand in the finish coat. This not only dramatically increases strength in the mortar, but adds crack resistent properties. One large reason for excessive cracking in the finish coat is the sand is too fine. Your western style stucco finishes are sold in a variation of two grits, such as 40-60, or 16-20, for example. These means the ratio of coarse sand to fine sand. I met someone in Seattle that used to plaster boats. The formula they used for boats was 7 bags of 7 grits of sand, for 2 bags of portland. He had to guarantee the boats would withstand 8,000 psi, which is incredibly strong. Sometimes the samples would break at 12,000 psi or more. To put this into perspective, the footers under your house are probably required tp withstand 2,500 psi. The sharper and more jagged grains are better for retaining water in the mix through setting and curing. Believe it or not, this fact is one of the largest improvements we have made to crack resistence. In other uses of portland cement mortar such as mud base floors or laying block, the strength of the mortar can be more than doubled, simply by using various grits of sand.

Tip 6: Mortar applied too thin; less than 3/4". The standard thickness of cement stucco is 3/4"-7/8". True, there are places tha the mortar thickness is more or less, to make up for irregularities in the framing. 3/4" should be still considered a nominal thickness. Thickness equals strength. Thin mortar equals weakness.

Well-- tha's all...

Info on stucco and plaster

"Stucco News -- Info on cement stucco and plastering. Monthly newsletter with tips and questions from all over the world about cement plaster (stucco), as well as plastering. "

Gingerbread millwork

vintage woodworks

"The largest manufacturer of solid wood traditional millwork for sale directly to the public.

Victorian gingerbread house trim, fretwork millwork, porches, screen doors..."

Paint Making

rfpaints.com: "We are often asked what distinguishes the handmade product from its mass produced counterpart. Handmade does not mean that we grind our paint with slab and muller and shape it with our hands. What makes our products handmade is the intensive labor involved in making a paint solely from its base ingredients of pigment and medium. This means using no additives whatsoever."

Cabinet product line for Home Depot

homeexpo.comHome Depot's cabinet supplier directory list.

Stickly the craftsman

gabeanderson.com: "'(M)ake clear the pathway for all of those among us who are honestly interested in readjusting life on a plane of greater usefulness and higher beauty.' -Gustav Stickley writes in the first chapter of his 1909 book Craftsman Homes: Architecture and Furnishings of the American Arts and Crafts Movement"

Construction news and views

rawblogXport: "union news / workers rights / softwood tariffs / construction / safety / bushwhacks / irony..."

Affordable laser level...

zircon.com: "LaserVision Qube Systems consist of an auto-leveling or manual-leveling base,and modular laser 'qubes' that are only 1-1/2 inches square. Accessories are available to handle practically any remodeling or layout project. The qubes snap magnetically to the base and to each other at perfect square angles so they can be rotated and positioned in practically infinite arrangements. For example, each line qube can be used to project a precise horizontal line on the wall to install cabinets or shelves, or it can be rotated 90 degrees to project a vertical line for perfect tile or wallpaper alignment. Visibility 50 feet to 100 feet, depending on Qube type ... [??].

But is this accurate: 1 deg. Arc min., 1/4 inch @ 50 feet ???.
Kits starting at $100"

Replace the coping saw

copemaster.com: "The Copemaster is a revolutionary new tool for coping moldings. It works like a key-duplicator: Insert a coped pattern into one side and a length of pre-mitered molding into the other. The stylus follows the pattern and a side-cutting saw blade recreates the cope. It's precise and fast.

Tom McKeon, a trimmer for T&M Construction in North Haven, Conn., was among the first Copemaster users. 'We used Copemaster on a 12-bay coffered ceiling,' he says. 'What would normally take all day -- coping 48 inside corners -- I did in two hours.'

The copes are easy to duplicate allowing an apprentice to take over, freeing up the master carpenter for other work. Cuts copes in seconds, but costs over $2500. CHALLENGER'S AWARD AT THE 2002 INTERNATIONAL WOODWORKER'S FAIR"

Restore cracked walls...

nu-wal.com: "Nu-Wal is a quick and efficient system for repairing damaged plaster substrates of walls and ceilings. The Nu-Wal system covers and reinforces the entire surface with a fine textured fiberglass mat embedded in an elastomeric adhesive. The non-woven fiberglass mat and acrylic binder create a surface that resists impacts and abrasions. Cracks in exterior or interior surfaces do not come back as they do with patching compounds. Although extremely durable (24-year old applications show no defects), Nu-Wal is applied as simply as wallpaper. Restoration is quick, affordable and long-lasting. Restored surfaces are ideal for either painting or wallpapering. No mixing is required and clean-up is with water.

Not cheap: A couple hundred dollars in materials to set up and repair a standard wall."

Faster than biscuits?

hoffmann-usa.com: "The Hoffmann PDS-32 is the first portable machine for dowel construction that is easy to use and precise enough to allow repeat accuracy. For mitered trimsets, for joining material at odd angles. On the jobsite or simply for a quick connection in the shop. The tilting fence allows the machine to be used for simple butt and end-to-end joints, as well as all miter joints from 0 - 90 degrees. Crazy high price over $800 for a starter kit and over $1,000 to be productive on the site."

Infrared paint removal improvement...

silentpaintremover.com: "The hands-free attachment for the Silent Paint Remover makes paint removal very efficient on exterior wood siding, trim etc. With this attachment you do not need to hold the tool, you can move along very quickly. The tool moves effortlessly, every 20 to 30 seconds you can push the Silent Paint Remover forward on to a new area while you are scraping the previously heated surface. The aluminum track can be extended to go the length of the house eliminating work interruption. The rod holding the tool vertically can also be extended to the height of the wall. If you are working restoring trim, doors or other painted or varnished surfaces, this attachment can save you a lot of time. It will allow you to scrape at the same time you are heating the next area. "

Leaks are costly...

Size of Leak:
1/32 inch = gallons lost 4,800
1/16 inch = gallons lost 10,200
1/8 inch = gallons lost 76,900

Hot & cold outdoor faucet...

prier.com Hot Water provides more cleaning power than cold water. Washes pets too. Although this company markets its product as if we were living in the 1930's.

Innovative column footing form...

bigfootsystems.com: "This is an easy to use footing form made of sturdy, lightweight, recycled, high density polyethylene plastic. Provides greater structural stability, safety and convenience. Construction tube and footing poured as one unit which eliminates the hassle of building individual wooden boxes, possible frost heaves and effectively sheds water away from the footing. Attach the required length of construction tube to the footing form with a minimum of four screws. Use extra footing forms turned upside down as a funnel for pouring concrete into the tubes. "

Moldable Epoxy Putty

systemthree.com: "SculpWood is a 2-component, solvent free, kneadable epoxy resin product. It is moldable, carvable, lightweight, strong, and exhibits excellent adhesion to a variety of substrates. It is easily sanded and will accept paint, screws and nails. It is most commonly used in conjunction with System Three RotFix, a low viscosity [very thin] wood sealer and consolidant.

Recommended Uses:
Use SculpWood for replacing missing sections of windowsills, frames and furniture or for adding new sections to existing structures."

Is cement siding back?

jameshardie.com: "Hardiplank lap siding is the most popular brand of siding in America and can be found on millions of U.S. homes. With its strength, beauty and durability, Hardiplank lap siding enhances and protects homes in all kinds of climates. It comes in a variety of looks and textures, all of which include sealer and primer, which provide an excellent painting surface and resist fungus and mildew. Hardiplank lap siding comes with a 50-year transferable limited warranty. "

Protecting wall systems...

Benjamin Obdyke: "Unvented moisture behind cladding systems can also cause premature failure of paints or stains. Home Slicker effectively drains moisture from behind the siding, reducing the chances of premature peeling or blistering of finishes.

Home Slicker's unique three-dimensional Nylon matrix provides a continuous space for drying, channels for drainage, a thermal break, and pressure equalization, allowing moisture to escape quickly before it damages the sidewall materials."

Roofing equipment improvements...

roofmates.com -- excellent variations on common roofing tools, brackets, safety equipment.

Concrete Network

concretenetwork.com: some residential concrete information but primarily a lo-grade referral service..."

building code information...

codeconnection.squarespace.com: "The Code Connection is a BLOG site aimed at providing building code information, tools and a discussion forum for International Code users everywhere. Who is this for?

CodeMakers: Building Officials, Fire Officials, Plans Examiners, Inspectors, Code Consultants and other professionals who are involved in code enforcement and promulgation.

CodeCoaches: AIA Members, Architects, Engineers, Interior Designers and other design professionals who are serving clients and appplying building codes in the design of buildings.

CodeRookies: Interns and other construction professionals who are new or occasional users of building codes. "

Pigment histories & recipes

webexhibits.org/pigments This web exhibit is an insightful look into the world of 'pigments', which are the substance within all paintings and painted objects. The 'substance within the color', pigments can be composed of materials as rudimentary as egg yolk, oil, and fat, or as complex as the highly engineered plastics one often finds on automobiles. The exhibit traces the history of man's creation of pigments from the carbon black used in pre-historic cave paintings all the way to the synthetic iron oxide found in many modern materials.

Water-based wood stain

sylteck.com: "SamaN stains are water-based solutions perfectly stabilized. It is thus possible to mix several colors to obtain an infinity of shades as you would with watercolour paints. "

Woodworking chat board...

canadianwoodworking.com -- Canadian Woodworking Forum - Message Index

Shed and Barn Plans ...

geekbooks.com Shed and Barn Plans Online - Do It Yourself.

Bacteria and Various Cutting Board Materials...

naturalhandyman.com: "interesting research of Dean Cliver from the University of California (Davis), a published expert in food safety and foodborne disease. He published a series of articles on the bacterial dangers inherent in cutting boards and methods of disinfecting them. He was surprised to find that wood, reputed to be more bacteria prone and less easily cleaned than plastic cutting boards, actually proved to be more hygienic! Here is a summary of his findings..."

A guide to Texturing...

artoftexturing.com: "guide to help you produce decorative texturing to compliment your walls and ceilings. Whether you are a professional texturer or Artexer, you fancy having a go yourself or your a householder looking to employ a tradesman you'll find all you need to know to ensure you end up with a quality long lasting finish. There are are plenty of tips on how to prepare, pattern and even repair your texturing"

Understanding wood grain...

archweek.com:
"The term grain is often used erroneously to refer to the distinctive surface appearance of wood, especially that resulting from growth-ring structure. To avoid continued confusion with that already overworked word, we prefer the term "figure" to refer to distinctive or characteristic markings on longitudinal or side-grain surfaces of wood."

LedgerLok -- a 1/4-inch-diameter self-drilling, hex head screw made specifically for connecting deck and porch ledgers -- reportedly has greater shear strength than a 1/2-inch lag, and the new screw's coating is designed to resist the more corrosive ACQ and copper-azole pressure-treating formulas.

Bookstore: Residential Structure and Framing

jlconline.com: "Master the complexities of structural engineering principles and advanced framing techniques with this hands-on guide for builders and remodelers. With simple explanations in plain English, youll learn how to calculate loads, size joists and beams, and tackle many of the common structural problems faced by residential contractors - including cantilevered floors, complex roof structures, tall window walls, and seismic and wind bracing. $30."

Tires replace gravel in septic trenches...

jlconline.com: "One idea with big potential is substituting tire chips for gravel in the treatment trenches of onsite sewage disposal systems. It's a win all around, reports Caigan MacKenzie in the fall 2003 Small Flows Quarterly: It cuts costs, it works well in service, and it uses up a lot of old tires. "A job requiring 75 tons of gravel can be done with 25 tons of tire chips..." Systems eight years old or older were found to support "healthy and diverse ecosystems" that could break down waste as well as a gravel system or better."

Paint performs well or poorly...

jlconline.com: "Whether paint performs well or poorly, said Gilley, can depend on things that the builder, not the painter, controls.

Q. When you prep an existing house for repainting, should you power-wash before you scrape and sand, or power-wash to remove dust after sanding?

A. Always wash first, then scrape and sand. And wash just to clean off the surface dirt, not to remove paint — blasting hard enough to remove paint with a power-washer typically tears up the wood, and it also can blow water into the walls under the siding. A thorough job of scraping takes off any paint that no longer has good adhesion to the wood, but it leaves sharp edges where the remaining areas of well-attached old paint meet the newly exposed wood. We sand after scraping in order to feather those edges into the bare wood and create the smoother surface required for fresh paint to go on at a consistent thickness. Power-washing after you sand would get water under the feathered edges and lift them up, so you wouldn't have a sound surface. And then you'd have to wait for the wet wall to dry, when it really is preferable to prime the newly exposed wood as soon as possible.

All the popular paint brands have been reformulated with antifreeze and coalescing agents, so the fresh paint resists freezing and can cure in cold weather. Just a few years ago, the minimum application temperature for most latex coatings was 50°F, but now we can use most exterior paints in temperatures down to 35°F. So we've lost our excuse — like the ad for one paint said, the good news is we can paint when it's almost freezing outside, and the bad news is, we can paint when it's almost freezing outside, keeping in mind whether cold or warm, that paints cure best when they dry gradually over five or six hours.

Q. Is oil or latex primer better for old houses?

A. Oil-based primers usually work better for repainting jobs, because they cut through any residual dust and penetrate into old wood. Dust repels water, so water-based primers tend to bead up on a dusty surface. However, oil-based formulas won't be an option in the future, because new environmental rules will start to prohibit them in 2005. So down the road, we'll just have to prep and dust more thoroughly.

Q. How long can you leave bare wood exposed before applying primer, and how long can you leave primer exposed before painting?

A. The sooner you get bare wood primed, or fresh primer painted, the better (provided the wood is below 15% moisture content, or the primer has dried). If you leave wood out in the sun and air for more than two weeks, the wood fibers deteriorate and the surface begins to lose its integrity. If wood has been exposed for a month, that degraded surface should be sanded off to expose sound wood fibers before primer is applied. Use 80-grit or 100-grit sandpaper — sanding with any finer grit can actually seal the wood. Primers also suffer if they're left exposed for too long — 30 days is about the limit, and some suppliers will tell you to paint within 7 to 15 days of priming.

Sanding Do-Nut

woodcraft.com: "Almost every random orbit sander has the same problem -- after very little use the pad becomes dome shaped, high in the center and sloping outward to the edge. This forces you to angle your sander and use only the outside edge to sand. It quickly wears out the first 1/2' of abrasive on the disc, and increases the possibility of leaving an uneven surface, or gouging out soft areas of the grain. Our new system features a donut shaped Velcro adapter that attaches directly to your sanding pad. It raises the outside of the pad so that it sits flat on your work, utilizing the entire surface of the abrasive disk. You'll sand faster, leaving a smoother surface, and find a dramatic increase in the life of the abrasive disks. $11.00 each"

Glossary of Wood Words...

woodmagazine.com Sharing woodworking expertise hinges on our ability to use terminology understood by your fellow hobbyists. To help with this, we've created WOOD Words, a list of commonly used woodworking terms. Also a Glossary from the Journal of Light Construction.