Household Fixes

When it comes time to finish your project you need to know that for wood treatments it is either stain, paints or finish. They are each providing a different outcome. To tint the wood you would use wood stains. Paints sit on the wood and protect it. Some finishes are pretty much paint without any color added to it. They are the ones that give that clear protection.

Probably one of the most well known finishes is varnish. It?s a great finish because the more layers you use the stronger the finish. The major problem with varnish is it dries slowly which increases the chance for dust to get into the finish. If possible, try to do your finishing work in an area where there is the least amount of dust.

A mixture of resins and synthetics boiled together is what makes varnish. If you are using polyurethane?s then you are simply using a varnish that has had a polyurethane resin added to it. When you are using a varnish that contains a higher quantity of oil, it makes the product more flexible and this is known as Spar varnish, which makes it perfect for outdoor use because of it flexing properties.

If you are going to use varnish as your finishing product then you need to know how to apply it properly. Working in a dust free room is a priority. Then using a tack cloth wipe down your project as it must be perfectly clean. Put some of your varnish into a container that you can work out of .That way if it becomes contaminated with dust you can just discard that amount. Apply the varnish using long steady strokes with a brush working in the grain direction. Tip off your brush strokes. Wed sand in between coats with fine sandpaper.

There is also wiping varnish but read the labels carefully before using this product to be sure that it is varnish and not tung oil.

Then there are oil and varnish blends. They work similar to an oil finish but have a bit more protection to them but they are not for building layers.

Shellac is a natural resin but not is as durable as the others are. It?s not good for items such as kitchen counter or cabinets for example. It is a fast drying product though and you can get it in various colors.

Lacquer is usually applied with a spray gun but the fumes can be dangerous and the dry dust is explosive.

There are some really good what are labeled as water based finishes but they all have a certain amount of solvent in them. Their two weaknesses is they show brush marks and they bubble when you are applying them so use a synthetic brush for this.

Proper sanding between coats of your finish is one of your most important steps. Be sure to use fine sandpaper. The sanding removes bumps and uneven spots. Especially made sandpaper for wet sanding is ideal. Really, take the time to research the various finishes you are going to use to get the best application and intended use from them.

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There are many aspects about building a storage or garden shed that you have to be conscious of but one of the most fundamental is the materials it is made from. Years ago, just a simple steel shed is basically all that was accessible and really required. They were sort of tucked away at the back of the yard where they weren’t all that noticeable.

Over the last few years backyard architecture has become very prominent. The new fad is to extend the indoors out. This means that some patios actually look like an extension of the living room. This has created the need for garden sheds that are more esthetically attractive. Not only are these sheds available in much more attractive looking metal but you can now get them in vinyl and wood as well. There are a couple of things you are going to want to think about when making you choice of materials.

The wooden sheds or as some call them timber are probably one of the most pleasing esthetically and often the favorite choice. They are not the cheapest material though and are perhaps a little pricier than the rest; this is most certainly the case if you are purchasing quality wooden sheds. Some of these actually may be twice the price of a steel shed for example. They are durable and long lasting if treated properly. They are also treated for insects so that’s not a problem. They certainly are not inferior to the other types of sheds and it’s a certainty that what you are paying for is the esthetics of the shed. They certainly do accent the landscape when put in the right place and are the right size and style for the area.

Another popular material for sheds is the vinyl siding. At first they were not all that accepted but since vinyl, siding has been so popular in house siding it has removed the stigma of the garden sheds in vinyl not being durable enough. They certainly are cheaper than the wood and actually are quite attractive as well. They have some great benefits in that they do remain cooler in the summer months compared to some of the other materials. Being that they are vinyl there is no concern about rusting as there is with the metal or steel sheds. These vinyl sheds handle the cold weather as well. An added bonus is they are lightweight yet durable and very easy to install.

Steel sheds are probably the least expensive but very close in price with the vinyl. They are probably better suited for hard items such as bikes and tools. They are durable and if esthetics is not a big issue then you do get value for your money. These sheds themselves have come a long way in becoming more attractive over the years as well but still don?t really compete well with the other materials when it comes to looks.

So knowing the basic materials now allows you to make an informed choice as to what best suits your needs as well as your budget.

Tags: diy, garden, general, hobbies, home and family, Home Improvement, landscaping, outdoor, recreation, remodel, shed, shed plans, woodworking
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Having great materials to work with is every woodworkers dream. Wood is part of nature though and needless to say unpredictable. The key to good craftsmanship is working with what you have. This means taking that imperfect piece of work and doing something with it.

You may discover that the piece of wood you have picked out as a blue gray tinge to it. This is most often seen in pine, or sycamore and sometimes holly. It?s caused by a mold where it may have been stored that was too warm or not enough ventilation. The only solution is to use that piece of wood where it?s not likely to be seen, perhaps on the bottom of your project. If you are going to be using a dark stain then it?s not going to be a problem for you.

It seems no matter how hard you inspected your wood, that when you go it home you still notice a bow in it. This is often the result of poor storage where moisture evaporation was evident. It?s difficult to work with pieces like this. You can cut it into smaller pieces or if worse comes to worse then nail or screw into place but make sure the bulge is facing out.

Usually if you are going to detect any splits or crack in the wood you are going to see it at the end and it will run along the grains. Drying the wood too fast has created this problem. If the cracks are too bad not only will it affect the look of the finished project, it could weaken it as well. The only solution here is to work around the cracks, or if possible cut that section off and discard it.

If wood is not dried correctly and stored properly than its going to warp and be difficult to work with. You will often find that this wood was cut from the center of the tree. You can cut the high spots away with your table saw if necessary.

Another type of warping is along the face of the board edge to edge. It means that one face dried faster than the other did. It?s difficult to work with wood like this. You could try adding some pressure and letting it dry that way.

A dark knot in the wood can enhance its overall look unless it?s loose. This is as a result of a surface dead branch. Ideally, you will want to glue it in place, and then apply putty to it.

Excessive sap residue evident on the board was caused when the tree was injured in some way prior to cutting. Either cut it off or scrape it and fill the indent where it was.

Dark streaks normally caused by dull planer blades. Either sand it or cut it down. Other minor problems may be breaks, a tight knot, and twisted ends from warping. A good lesson is to learn about the various types of woods and imperfections and this will guide you in what to look for how to avoid the problem or at the very least perhaps correct it.

Tags: diy, garden, general, hobbies, home and family, Home Improvement, landscaping, outdoor, recreation, shed, shed plans, woodworking
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