Canadian Home Workshop Newsletter - September 2008 |
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| On Newsstands Now | ||||||
Green. Everywhere I turn these days, I see that five-letter word promising a resourceful, sustainable, eco-friendly way of doing things. And it’s no different in the world of woodworking and DIY. But we’ve always known that, right? Building heirloom-quality projects, making use of scrap lumber, fixing up rather than trading up—that’s what workshopping is all about. Which brings me to the September issue; brimming with all things green and on newsstands now, here’s what’s in store. Green Projects Who better to build a desk from scratch—even cutting down the tree—than Steve Maxwell? Not only does Steve create a beautiful desk, but he also teaches us a thing or two about sustainable design, lessons applicable to every woodworking project. Other September projects include a stunning keepsake box and picture frames made from old shipping skids that, says woodworker Ryan Shervill, are hotbeds for curly soft maple. Also up this month: an outside recycling centre and reusing hardwood flooring. The House that Holmes Built Faced with a house on the brink of collapse, television home-reno guru Mike Holmes turns an old bungalow into a prototype “for the type of homes we should all be building.” From solar panels to grey-water systems to a green roof—coupled with elegant design—Holmes has created the home of the future. Start Your Engines We put six cordless lawn mowers to the test, seeing how each measures up when it comes to power, charging time, weight, manoeuvrability and, of course, price. Now that gas-powered landscaping is as passé as plastic flamingos, it might be time to trade in your clunker and wrap your hands around a greener blade. Also in September: natural wood treatment, alternative and salvaged lumber sources and sage eco-advice from David Suzuki, plus 12 easy, inexpensive ways to cut back your carbon footprint. You Made It Have you made a project out of reclaimed materials, maybe a coffee table out of an old ship’s wheel? If so, write to us and tell us what you built, how you found the materials and how it turned out. Send us your stories to at letters@canadianhomeworkshop.com (use "Green Projects" in the subject line) or write to: Canadian Home Workshop - You Made It 25 Sheppard Avenue West, suite 100 Toronto, Ont. Project Plans We’re always working on ways to improve our project plans and make them clear and easy to understand. If you see something you like, or something we can do better, let us know. Email comments to letters@canadianhomeworkshop.com or write to: Canadian Home Workshop 25 Sheppard Avenue West Toronto, Ont. |
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| Upcoming Woodworking Shows | ||||||
September 28, 29, 30 - Woodstock Wood Show - (519) 423-6722 For more wood shows, check with your local woodworking clubs. For a full listing of upcoming shows, or to send us a new listing, click here |
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| Here is a recent question from our online Ask a Pro forum: | ||||||
Q: I'm finishing the basement and am at the drywall stage, dreading and the taping, mudding and sanding phase. My question is: should I do the walls with the sheets horizontal or vertical? The bottom half of the wall will be covered with wainscoting, so if done horizontally, the only joint would be every eight feet; if I do it vertically I'd have a joint every four feet. Does this make a big difference?—Chris A: I much prefer to hang my sheets horizontally, and even better, you don't have to end up with a seam every eight feet. The first consideration is the length of the wall. Drywall comes in standard lengths up to 16 feet (although 14 feet is generally the longest at the big-box stores), so if you measure it out and order the longer drywall, you can reduce (or even eliminate) the number of seams. If you do end up having to deal with a butt joint, it's not as difficult as you might think. Space your sheets about one-eighth to one-quarter inch apart, and then fill the seam with a strong compound. Work thin, progressively wider coats out from there until you reach a width of about two feet. After priming and painting, you'll never see it. —Ryan Shervill For more Ask A Pro, please click here. |
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You can also post messages or read what other readers have to say at the Workshop Buzz Forum. While you’re here, check out our new Town Square area. A virtual art gallery and flea market, the Town Square is for viewing and posting project pictures or (very soon) video, and for selling and buying used tools, wood, fixtures and back issues of Canadian Home Workshop—you name it! |
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| Happy woodworking! | ||||||
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| COMING IN OCTOBER |
| Fall’s
chilly breezes mean it’s time to get inside and cook some warm
meals, which is why we’re focusing on the kitchen this month.
Boost your kitchen’s look and performance with three easy projects:
a new faucet, a dishwasher and water filter, plus more. While you’re
at it, we’ve got a piece on DIY plumbing; rather than calling
a plumber for quick fixes, let us show you how it’s done. Also in October: avoiding electrical hazards, a pin nailer buyer’s guide for cabinetmaking, plus project plans for a breakfast table. |
