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Archive for the ‘DIY doors’ Category
How to weatherstrip A DOOR [DIY]
Saving dollars make more sense than anything these days, so by weatherstripping an exterior door correctly, indeed you will save money by keeping the cold air out in the winter time, as well as during the hot summer months, not “trying to cool off the whole neighborhood”. Mother knows best perhaps, and will often remind us of this.
From door bottoms or door shoe applications, all will effectively seal the interior from the exterior. But before installing either of these there hes to be a threshold on the floor first. Tools required for door weather stripping can be as simple as a hacksaw and a reversible drill/driver and a tape measure. 
Buying the right one is important to note here, typically an interior door will be 1 3/8″ thick and exterior doors are thicker at 1 3/4″. The anodized aluminum comes in several finishes so you can choose a match per the rest of the doors hardware.
It’s possible you may have to cut the door down a little, depending on the existing conditions. An accurate measurement is required to get the most out of your diy door sealing efforts, but on a scale of difficult being a 10, this door weather strip installation is rated at a 3. All products bought can vary so be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions first. Entry doors have that sweet closing sound with shutting and you will know the difference after your done. Snug as a bug……
Baldwin Lockset installation DIY
| There are two sizes of Baldwin mortise bodies that are commonly used on conventional residential doors as shown below. You determine which one is right for you by how much room you have on your door “lock stile” and which trimset you have selected. General door hardware specs that any DIY’er CAN DO!
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| The illustration below is a Baldwin mortise body with a 2.5″ backset. This means that the CENTER of whatever trimset style you select will be 2.5″ from the edge of your door. This body must be cut into the door’s edge approx 3.75″ deep. You will need to drill approx. 5, 3/4″ holes centered on the doors edge 3 1/2″ deep and remove whats left with a sharp 3/4″ wood chisel. |
The illustration below is a Baldwin mortise body with a 2.75″ backset. This means that the CENTER of whatever trimset style you select will be 2.75″ from the edge of your door. This body must be cut into the door’s edge approx 4.25″ deep. This type requires a 7/8″ bit drilling 4″ deep and removing the rest with a sharp chisel. |
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Pre Paint Prep with BONDO
Thats right folks the same 2 part epoxy mix that autobody shops use on cars. In SOCal where some of the new rich reside is also 
where some of the best professional house painting occurs. Magazine model material, custom multi-million dollar homes with the same home improvement center paints the rest of us buy and use on our biggest investments in our IRA plans, the biggest d
ifference though is the prep work being done to create some of the finest home painting on the prestigious west coast.
I only emphasize this painting prep point, because I see the difference. Bondo or whatever brand you buy will change your homes detail of paint grade finish like night and day. Case and base nail holes, vacuum dents, mars and gouges, offset splices and even some miter joints go from nice job to vavoom. Interior spackling never really can give you that it truly is “all one piece look” but bondo does and does not shrink.
How to DIY laser LeveL
![builders level [common excavation use]](http://www.my-diy-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/thumbnail-5.jpg "builders level [common excavation use]")
Funny thing about this new age gizmo, laser levels are very accurate and can be extremely helpful in many area’s of home improvement projects. Being highly unlikely that any home, such as yours, is perfectly level. From the floor up to the ceilings, you will be surprised at exactly how far out of level most homes end up in the final escrow stages or purchasing ready product. Rather than fret though, the old saying is simply ” close enough”, and not to worry because the off kilter numbers in mention here is within a 1/4″ to 3/4″ of an inch, in eight feet. More importantly, there are some types of finish cabinetry work that better be within an 1/8″ inch for styles and margins to appear and function right.
Stanley makes a great laser level that shoots an awesome beam up to 60′ or so and will aide in many outdoor home improvements like a sweeping deck or masonry block wall, where the ends need to equal the whole by the time you adjoin the opposing sides from a distance. The down side is you have to level the laser in place for it to pivot and do its function’s. Which is said here because it can be a difficult and frustrating process. Every make or model of laser levels has good and not so good points to consider, so pick your poison.
![stanley laser [manual pre-leveling]](http://www.my-diy-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/thumbnail-4.jpg "stanley laser [manual pre-leveling]")
The other selection is a 4 AA battery operated laser level tool that is a gem but mostly for indoor usage. The sun tends to supersede the red laser light beam and you cannot make it work past 10 or 12 feet, because you cannot find the laser light to measure or mark, period. But the good feature on some of these is that if placed on a small flt surface [paint bucket] the self leveling adjust before, and then signals when it is ready. When storing from non usage remove the batteries, though.
How to Case and Base a room
Choosing these combination will seem like a no brainer, but fact is few of us tend to know the general rules of the right combo’s that will bring the professional finish carpentry results. Every milled type of moulding’s come with 3 basic dimensions, the thickness of, the width of and of course the length of material needed to complete a room and it’s trim moulding.
A prime example of coordinating a door’s casing and the floor base moulding is we never what the base moulding’s thickness profile to protrude past the door [or cased opening] casing. A 1/2″x 2-1/2″ x 8′ door casing moulding, the first dimension being the thickness, this measurement is from where it sits flat on the door jamb and how far it’s thickest point will come away from the wall or into the room. Where a flooring base moulding thickness being generally the same, should not protrude away from the wall and into the room past the door casing. Rule of metrics here would be to select a baseboard thickness to IE., 3/8″ thick so after the installing of your finish carpentry trim moulding, the baseboard is allowed a place to end and set behind 1/8″ the vertical casing door jamb leg. Now on occasion a plinth block may be incorporated to cancel out this general finish carpentry rule. And that my friends will be for another whole other blog post.
Door knob 2-3/8 ” setback
Unique items for creative DIYer’s involve puzzle pieces at times. However, when you have found that special item on Ebay.com for example, than your next challenge is to find a door lock-set that is compatible with the existing lock-set bore dimensions. Standard lockset bore dimensions are 2-3/8″ and 2-3/4″, with some kits that are adjustable for various locations. Custom door hardware extension kits in the likes of designer brands such as Baldwin or Schlage.
Available too, are keyless entry systems for security.
If needed, when a new lockset is installed there are many boring kits for performing this door related task. 
With a professional door hangers kit, being the most sophisticated and precise. An adjustable clamp holds your exact place while drilling. Simpler kits can get the job done as well for the budget conscience, but take a few practice runs before executing to avoid any maladies.
The setback measurement is from the lock side of the doors edge towards the the hinge side of the doors edge, after the door has been cut and planed to fit. For the real estate investors out there rehabbing, fix and flipping, or long term renting, the front door[s] are what seals the deal.
While browsing for that perfect item your looking for, it is good to know that Home Depot will allow you to purchase online and pick-up in store later from your local store. This allows the convenience not having to stand around and wait for help. Because you just did it yourself, again!
Help us help the victims of the Haiti earthquake debacle, your purchases online here will be going to a charity fund for them in the next 51 days. From Home Depot / Amazon / Ebay / Bestbuy to name a few, 100% commission’s are being directed towards Haiti relief fund. Thank you in advance for any donations.
Rebuilding Haiti
It’s been 24 hrs since i have reached out to Mr Scott Kraft, a Los Angeles times media reporter. My message was very clear and to the point, in that i wish to donate 100% of the commission proceeds for 1 month, starting yesterday. I expect for him to publish our story and return my phone call and e-message tonight, we want to put a little pressure on all of our E-store affiliates IE., Sears.com/ Amazon.com and Home Depot.com, when they meet our challenge of charitable contributions and building supplies as well as energy efficient lighting fixtures and plumbing supplies.
The building codes are questionable at best but that will not stop the masses from any further advancements. We will build a better tomorrow for the people of Haiti and their families, that have suffered long enough. Our vision here at My-DIY.net is for a brighter future in all the world, pull soldiers from the middle east and put soldiers to work on an island that right now is far worse off than any war zone Mr Obama, let us help each other in this world and end the chaos today.
Stand tall you masses and understand how critical a place these Haitians are in at this very moment, tell a friend/coworker/family member about this action that requires all of us to rise above and shout ” WE CAN DO THIS”. Climb on board with that donation and help make a difference today.
Haitian Relief [proposal]
Good evening world. As we can all sit back in the comfort of our homes tonight, there are many out there that have not been quite as fortunate. But my vision and beliefs are that we all can do something to aide those in need. I just left a message for Scott Kraft of the LosAngeles Times news paper, asking him to help circulate our story. Me here, on this world exposed blog, am offering 100% of the affiliate marketing proceeds as a charitable contribution. All of the purchases staring at 7:30 pm pst will be going towards a lump sum dollar amount to the people in dire straights of Haiti. The catastrophic events of the 7.0 earthquake that tore down this place nearly 2 weeks ago has many children and their families literally upside down.
Any of us that want to help, can and will by using anyone of many E-stores via here on this blog site or at MY-DIY.net. When enough of us pitch in we are able to give back a little bit to help make a difference. From Home Depot / Amazon / Bestbuy / Commission Junction or Ebay all of which are my affiliates. I am also asking that everyone of those mentioned here and now stand up and meet us with our purchase power. If Home Depot / Amazon.com / Bestbuy.com / Commission Junction or Ebay.com can hear us roar, they will hear loud and clear that this is a challenge. That’s right, we are calling them to the mat for a no holds barred bout of matching the funds and or materials to donate.
Not only will this be of great service, the 2009 tax benefits can be of credit for all of our next filings on april 15. Lets create a better avenue of building services and appliances. I expect that Mr Kraft will help us with the broader publishing efforts involved but email this to as many friends as possible and lets start today by making a grander difference in this life.
Sincerely,
Craig E. president
MY-DIY.net and MY-DIY-BLOG.com
WESTERN EAVE DEMO
When 1×6 ship-lap pine starter board has been used for the exposed end of your roofs overhang eave’s, often these get water damaged over time and require removing and replacing, along with the fascia board section. Termites are lazy by nature and will go after the moist, wet [weathered] areas first. In often cases the 2x fascia boards take the worst of this because of the bogus or lack of proper metal drip edge flashing, or applied incorrectly. If the drip edge roof metal flashing is tight against the fascia board, then the moisture from rain and damp nights cannot drip free to the ground or into the rain gutter. This causes the wooden eave to absorb the moisture and start the water damage process of ill effects and termite nesting.
Tools needed to begin the repairs include an electric reciprocating saw, prybar, hammer and a good exterior paint primer. Cut back to the next roof tail rafter on either end and remove fascia board. Raise any roofing materials for access to the exposed eave starter sheathing. The Sawzall with a 12″ blade can aide your reach here for the other required cuts needed. When and if the drip edge metal is in your way, take a pair of sheet metal snips and cut this flashing back. A thorough inspection of the 30lb felt roofing paper is very important and any nail holes need to be patched in the felt paper before this has been completed. Once you have matched the cuts for any replacement fascia board, starter board etc., back primer all new and old cuts and parts you will be installing. Give Amazon a few days on your orders or purchase and print your receipt for your quicker trip to any home improvements depots in your area. Don’t forget those safety goggle’s!
Entry Ways
The front doors are a focal point of your home, and your home is the largest investment in your portfolios. The ability to leverage any equity will consist of where it is that you best allocate the budget dollars for a real estate appraisal, or the resale value that also is known as ROI [return on investment]. Kitchen and baths pretty much are the most scrutinized of these barometers. A simple but exciting tile floor pattern at the front walkway is very effective too.![entry foyer [8 ft rule] tops on ROI](http://www.my-diy-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/thumbnail4.jpg "entry foyer [8 ft rule] tops on ROI")
But unlike any DIY kitchen and bath locals, those return on investment strategies for the professional real estate investors, their viewpoints on this subject go straight to the front doors. It’s dubbed the 8 foot rule, or anything in close eyeball range. Theory is grab them from the get go, and wow your potential real estate buyer or renter when your realtor is at the entry door unlocking the lockbox. When your remodel dollar can get the best ROI, likely, knowing where to place the call will give you an educated advantage.