Soliciting suggestions from handyperson types: How can I reinforce my futon to withstand heavier loads?
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posted by blue t-shirt
on May 20, 2012 -
4 answers
I'm looking for plaintext or PDF searchable versions of the New York State and New York City Codes. I'm specifically looking for something within the Building Code, but I would also like to have basically every state and local law, rule, ordinance, regulation, recommendation, and suggestion in an actual searchable format.
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posted by a_girl_irl
on Apr 26, 2012 -
6 answers
What are good resources for seeing sample house plans and construction drawings?
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posted by slidell
on Apr 17, 2012 -
11 answers
Is there a step-by-step tutorial on how to create working construction drawings with Google SketchUp? This must be on the Internet somewhere but after a weekend of searching and watching tutorials, I still haven't found it.
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posted by slidell
on Apr 1, 2012 -
4 answers
What do you call the metal bars that have two flat parts with a 90 degree angle with screw holes on both sides? I'm thinking of getting some and cutting them to the lengths I need but I have no idea what they're called, any other information on Erector Set like prefabricated elements would also be appreciated.
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posted by TheKM
on Jan 23, 2012 -
14 answers
I have decided that I want to start doing some basic woodworking, but I have absolutely no clue what I'm doing. Where to get started?
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posted by synecdoche
on Jan 14, 2012 -
26 answers
I need to get a piece of 1" thick, 48"x24" wood cut to a simple pattern. The supplier should accept credit cards and be able to ship. Where can I email
this pattern to and have the work done?
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posted by lalochezia
on Nov 28, 2011 -
15 answers
Moving to the (north) Bay Area of California: How do I best ensure that I (and my assets) survive The Big One unharmed? Eg. What should I look for in an apartment (and why), in terms of geology, design, construction, location, building codes, corner-cutting, etc. to best handle a massive earthquake?
Expert or engineer advice would be great. (I'm more interested in how to find an earthquake-proof building and area, than in how to earthquake-proof my stuff once it's inside a building.)
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posted by -harlequin-
on Nov 9, 2011 -
9 answers
Looking into building a house near Golden/Boulder CO area. Planning on using ICF's. Looking for suggestions of almost any kind. Would like the house to be about 2000sqft. Am a teacher and worked construction for several summers (but only w/ stick built houses) a few years ago so I will have some time and rudimentary knowledge. Trying to keep the house as simple as possible to keep costs down. Simple rectangular shape and roof and trying to avoid the need to any custom building supplies. If we keep it under $300,000ish we won't need financing. Is it possible?
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posted by no bueno
on Aug 10, 2011 -
4 answers
How was this ceiling constructed? And what are these "lines" running in it for?
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posted by ish__
on May 15, 2011 -
6 answers
Help me design a ramp to fit over a staircase for a dog to go up and down. My parents’ dog has arthritis. My parents house has a hardwood floor staircase that she can’t go down comfortably. She slips and frequently falls down the stairs and it’s obviously painful and stressful for her to go down. I’d like to build her a ramp with some ridges (i.e. pieces of wood set up as crossbars so her feet don’t slip). Two catches inside.
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posted by If only I had a penguin...
on Apr 3, 2011 -
25 answers
Architects, builders, and engineers -- what is the best software for drawing up a basic set of floor plans? What's the most cost-effective way to get a set of working drawings for a basic house rehab?
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posted by slidell
on Dec 30, 2010 -
10 answers
Builders and contractors: is there anything that can be done, after-the-fact, about
very uneven, sloped concrete floors?
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posted by rkent
on Dec 15, 2010 -
17 answers
Do you know any good books or websites on construction and remedial building techniques which might be considered 'achievable best practice' in developing countries and disaster zones, ideally using resources readily available in those areas?
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posted by carnival of animals
on Feb 21, 2010 -
4 answers
How different are "wholesale" vs. "retail" construction cost estimates? Is there a reason that numbers are varying by 100%?
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posted by slidell
on Jan 26, 2010 -
13 answers
Free or cheap or scavenged or used building materials in the GVRD or BC. Where? How?
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posted by Meatbomb
on Jan 17, 2010 -
14 answers
Set designers, cinematographers, hobbyists, LARP people, carpenters, welders, and geeks: I need tips and tricks for building a one-person "space shuttle" out of cheap materials. It's for an independent HD video sci-fi short, and I would like to build it myself. Budget is $600–$1500 for materials and in-store material cutting/processing.
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posted by Khazk
on Jan 5, 2010 -
14 answers
I like the mood and health benefits of exercise, but hate the inherent pointlessness of the activity. Short of going into construction work, what are some activities or hobbies that involve physical exertion, but to some other purposeful end?
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posted by Bardolph
on Jul 24, 2008 -
48 answers
It seems to me that bricklaying would be more efficient if house bricks interlocked like Lego blocks. Why aren't they made like that?
posted by Joe in Australia
on Jun 23, 2008 -
28 answers
CarpentryFilter: What solutions, traditional or otherwise, might I use to fix a problem exposed points of wood screws?
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posted by chefscotticus
on May 29, 2007 -
13 answers
I'm relatively crafty, but inexperienced and largely ignorant of building construction. What are the best tools to learn masonry, preferably stone masonry, first as a hobby but potentially as a career?
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posted by JeremiahBritt
on Jan 17, 2007 -
7 answers
Construction/Surveying: Optical level vs. transit/level. Exactly what is the difference? Level only does horizontal vs. horizontal and vertical? How much advantage (in real use) is a transit/level? If I get a Northwest 500A Standard Level and not a Northwest 500A Transit Level, will I kick myself later? I never expect to do "real surveying". TIA
posted by toucano
on Jan 10, 2007 -
3 answers
Can anyone recommend a good contractor / home builder in the Boston / Metrowest area?
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posted by bondcliff
on Apr 25, 2006 -
6 answers
I want to build a shed-sized cabin, but don't know how to design it, in terms of making it attractively-proportioned and inviting to be inside of. It must be shed-sized (treehouse-sized) in that its floor plan can't exceed 120 sq ft, so we can make it without planning permits or beaurocracy.
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posted by anadem
on Sep 15, 2005 -
16 answers
What the hell is that thing that builders use for checking something is level called? The ones with the yellow liquid, and the bubble that has to be between the lines. I can't for the life of me remember.
posted by Orange Goblin
on Dec 12, 2003 -
21 answers
