There's more to nailing than just ready-aim-swing. Face nailing is what we all learn how to do first. Drive the nail straight through one piece into the other. This is the quickest and easiest way but not really the strongest. For added strength try toe-nailing. Drive a pair of nails at opposing forty-five degree angles. This is the method carpenters use to frame a house.

Take extra care when nailing your deck. Instead of driving the nails completely in with a hammer. Use a nail set to finish off the job and avoid damaging the wood. Also, use 16 penny common nails as spacers and pull the boards tight to correct any natural curve they might have.

Here are some basic things to remember when building your own deck. Attach the joist hangers 16 inches apart on center to the side rails. Assemble all floor joists and side rails before nailing. Then, nail all at once, using galvanizd nails. Overhang the first floor board by half an inch using galvanized finish nails. If you have an enclosed deck or a screened porch you can use tongue and groove flooring.

Here's how to install window casings. After the window stool and apron are in place, start with the top casing and nail with brads. Glue the joints of the side casings and tack nail the miters. Pipe clamp the molding to get a tight fit (on the joints). Finish nailing the casing with brads to the premarked reveal line. Then use finish nails to secure the casing to the studs.

…from the inside of the door jamb to the tops of the hinges. Subtract 1/8 inch from the measurement to account for the clearance…
…measure from the inside of the jamb to the top of the hinge and subtract 1/8 inch for door clearance. Step 4: Transfer hinge…

… Some jobs will have spaces that require a narrower shingle piece. Measure the width of the last space to be filled and subtract 1/2 inch to allow for 1/4 inch on either side of the replacement shingle. Transfer the measurements to the prepared shingle…

…Littlefield says. The night before, block your driveway so the doorbell doesn t wake you. But be realistic: Mentally subtract at least 30 minutes from your advertised start time so you re ready for early birds. If they show up while I m setting up…

…opening Use a tape measure to measure the height and width of the opening. Make sure the opening is square. Remember to subtract an eighth of an inch from both the height and width of the opening when ordering the new glass. Measure the height and…