Carpentry
You’d be surprised how easy it is to build this simple desk. For about $75 (even less if you use recycled materials), you get more than 15 square feet of desktop space plus an optional shelf underneath for computer equipment or extra books.
To mark a continuous straight line around a pipe (or other cylinder) in order to make a square cut, wrap a large piece of square paper around it so that the edges line up. Make sure the paper wraps over itself and in line to ensure a square mark. Watch this video to find out more.
One way to easily layout screws for keyhole slots on the back of power strips (or anything else) is to lay a sheet of paper over the holes and sketch back and forth with a pencil. The holes will show up in relief. Now use the paper as a template for installing the screws and they will be spaced perfectly.
In situations where two pieces of wood need to be tightly connected at right angles (for example constructing a wooden gate) a half-lap joint is ideal. Here are a few tips to make an easy half-lap joint.
Here’s a simple solution to organizing the dirty laundry in your laundry room. Construct a custom shelf unit sized to hold three to five laundry hampers so clothes can be sorted upon arrival in the laundry room.
It helps to pre-dill a hole, but to prevent splitting wood and to make screws go in easier try rubbing the threads over a piece of wax or soap before driving them in.
