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I ordered these pulls on Wed afternoon, they shipped the same day and I received them Fri morning 900 miles away. Quickest standard shipping I've ever seen!
When it comes to upgrading the look of your cabinets, one of the simplest and most cost-effective solutions is to install new cabinet hardware. However, even the most beautiful hardware can look shoddy if it’s installed poorly. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you install cabinet hardware like a pro.
Why Cabinet Hardware is Important
Cabinet hardware serves two main purposes: functionality and aesthetics. The right hardware can make it easier to open and close your cabinets, while also enhancing their visual appeal. Choosing the right hardware can help tie together the overall style of your kitchen or bathroom, whether you prefer a modern, minimalist look or a more traditional, ornate style.
Tools Needed for Installation
Before you begin, it’s important to gather the necessary tools and materials. You’ll need a drill, a 3/16″ drill bit, a tape measure, a pencil, a screwdriver, and of course, the hardware itself. Make sure you have all the necessary components and that they’re the correct size for your cabinets.
Selecting the Right Cabinet Hardware
The first step in installing cabinet hardware is to choose the right pieces for your cabinets. You’ll want to consider the style of your cabinets, as well as the overall aesthetic of your kitchen or bathroom. Choose hardware that complements the style and finish of your cabinets, whether you prefer sleek stainless steel handles or ornate brass knobs. Measure the distance between the screw holes on your hardware and mark this on your cabinet to ensure accurate placement.
Preparing for Installation
Now that you’ve chosen the perfect hardware, it’s time to prepare your cabinets for installation. Remove any old hardware and fill any holes with wood filler. Clean the cabinet surface with soap and water, and dry thoroughly. Measure and mark where you want to place your new hardware, ensuring that they’re level and in line with each other.
Installing Cabinet Knobs
If you’re installing cabinet knobs, you’ll need to drill pilot holes in the marked spots. Use a drill bit that’s slightly smaller than the screws that came with your hardware. Insert the screws through the back of the cabinet and into the knob, tightening with a screwdriver. Make sure the knobs are straight and level before tightening completely.
Installing Cabinet Pulls
If you’re installing cabinet pulls, you’ll need to drill holes in the marked spots. Use a drill bit that’s the same size as the screws that came with your hardware. Insert the screws through the front of the cabinet and into the pull, tightening with a screwdriver. Make sure the pulls are straight and level before tightening completely.
Finishing Touches
Once you’ve installed all your hardware, step back and admire your handiwork. Make sure everything is level and straight, and tighten any loose screws. Clean up any dust or debris and enjoy your newly updated cabinets!
With this guide, you’ll be able to install cabinet hardware like a pro, enhancing the overall look and functionality of your cabinets. Remember to choose hardware that complements your existing cabinetry, and take the time to measure and mark your placement before drilling any holes. With a little patience and attention to detail, you’ll have beautiful new cabinets in no time.
Are you looking to add some rustic charm to your home? Look no further than a custom hanging barn door! I recently had the pleasure of building a beautiful barn door for a co-worker using red oak and some top-notch barn door hardware.
First things first: I carefully selected the perfect pieces of red oak. Red oak is a hardwood that’s known for its durability and gorgeous grain patterns, making it an ideal choice for a door that will get a lot of use. I picked out the best boards I could find, making sure they had a nice, straight grain to minimize warping over time.
Next up: size matters! I wanted the door to cover the opening while still fitting snugly within the space provided. So, I designed the door to be 34 inches wide by 89 inches tall and 1.5 inches thick – a standard-ish size for interior barn doors. The height was chosen to fit the opening perfectly, while the width allowed for 1″ overlay on either side.
Now for the fun part: the finish! I opted for a waterborne finish, which is not only environmentally friendly but also super durable. It dries quickly and is easy to clean up, making it a favorite among woodworkers. I applied several coats, making sure to let each one dry completely before moving on to the next.
Last but not least: the hardware. I got my hands on some top-of-the-line barn door hardware from WoodworkerExpress.com, including a sliding rail, rollers, and a door guide. I mounted the sliding rail above the opening, attached the rollers to the top of the door, and installed the door guide at the bottom to keep it from swinging back and forth.
And there you have it – a beautiful, functional barn door that’s sure to impress. Building it was a ton of fun, and I love knowing that I created something with my own two hands. If you’re looking to add some rustic charm to your home, consider building a barn door of your own – it’s easier than you think!
When it comes to woodworking, choosing the right the type of wood can have a big impact on the finished product. From the appearance and durability of the piece to the tools and techniques required for the job, selecting the right wood is an important step. Here are five tips to help you choose the right wood for your next woodworking project.
Consider the intended use and location of your woodworking project.
Will the piece be used for functional purposes, such as a table or chair, or for decorative purposes, such as a wall art or a mantelpiece? Will it be used indoors or outdoors? Different types of wood have different properties, such as resistance to moisture, rot, and wear, that make them better suited for certain uses and locations. For example, hardwoods like oak and cherry are durable and resistant to wear, making them good choices for functional pieces, while softer woods like pine and poplar are more suitable for decorative pieces.
Think about the desired appearance of the finished piece.
Different types of wood have different colors, grain patterns, and textures, so it’s important to consider the look you want to achieve. If you want a clean, modern look, you may want to opt for woods with a uniform appearance, such as maple, beech or walnut. If you want a more rustic or vintage look, you may want to consider woods with more character and variation, such as oak, alder or pine.
Consider the cost and availability of the wood.
The cost and availability of different types of wood can vary greatly. Some woods, such as oak and cherry, are more expensive due to their popularity and limited supply, while others, like pine and poplar, are more affordable. Keep your budget and availability of the wood in mind when making your selection.
Take the necessary precautions when working with certain types of wood.
Some types of wood, such as exotic or tropical hardwoods, can be more challenging to work with due to their density and hardness. These types of woods may require specialized tools and techniques, and they may also generate more dust and cause allergic reactions in some individuals. Be sure to take the necessary precautions when working with these woods, such as wearing a dust mask and gloves.
Use wood that has been sustainably harvested and sourced.
Using sustainably harvested and sourced wood is important for both environmental and ethical reasons. Look for wood that has been certified by organizations like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which promotes responsible forestry practices.
In Conclusion:
Choosing the right wood for your woodworking project can be a daunting task. By considering the intended use, desired appearance, cost and availability, necessary precautions, and sustainability of the wood, you can make an informed decision that will help you achieve the best possible results.
When selecting the right broom for your shop or home use, it’s important to understand what applications you plan use it for and then select the right broom for the job based on those requirements.
It’s good to know upfront that all brooms are not created equal.
Brooms from Fine to Course bristles….broom heads and hand sweepers
There are several factors that go into selecting the right broom:
Bristle stiffness
Flagged vs Unflagged
Type of bristles
Bristle Stiffness
Bristle stiffness is one of the main attributes of a broom you need to understand to select the right broom for your needs.
Fine or soft bristles tend to be longer and thinner which make them good for sweeping small, fine particles such as flour or dust.
Medium bristles – Used for sweeping larger particles such as wood shavings. Used in wet and dry applications.
Coarse or stiff bristles are short and thicker which gives them more strength for sweeping away large particles or for scrubbing. Use them wet with a cleaning agent to scrub the most difficult dirt away.
Flagged Bristles vs. Unflagged
Flagged bristles – frayed at the ends which help the bristles collect small particles more easily.
Unflagged bristles – straight and stiff which help with collecting larger particles and debris and also for your scrubbing applications.
Types of Bristles
There are many different types of bristles available but we’ll be focusing this article on just three:
Tampico – Made from the stem of the Mexican agave plant and have a medium texture and are ideal for dry sweeping on semi-smooth surfaces. They are also resistant to heat, alkali, and acids.
Horsehair – As the name implies, these bristles come from the manes and tails of horses. They are softer and more gentle on floors yet durable for long-lasting use. The material used in most Fine bristle brooms is Horsehair but Horsehair is also combined with other types of bristle material to make combination bristles for other applications.
Synthetic – Very durable man-made bristles that are highly resistant to acids and oils. These bristles are flexible and won’t scratch floor surfaces and are used in wet or dry applications.
With a good understanding of how you will be using a broom combined with the the knowledge of what are the different types of broom materials, bristle types, and whether you need flagged or unflagged, you can select the right broom for your needs.
When barrel-aging homebrewed beverages at home, it’s always important to be able to move your barrel around once it’s filled. Whether your beverage is beer, wine, cider, or mead, once you fill the barrel, it’s heavy stuff and not easy to move. Building a Rolling Barrel Stand can make your life easier by putting your filled barrel on wheels.
Finished Rolling Barrel Stand with 15-Gallon Barrel
Building a Rolling Barrel Stand doesn’t have to be a difficult project and, with the right parts and tools, you can build it quickly and make it strong enough to support the extra weight that comes from a filled barrel.
The Rolling Barrel Stand in this Do-It-Yourself project keeps your barrel fairly low to the ground but high enough to make it easier to move and work with the contents. It also sits on wheels facing upwards so you can gently roll the barrel contents whenever you need to mix things up a bit.
Our project is designed to hold a 15-gallon barrel and the project is constructed on top of a rolling dolly that supports up to 1000 lbs. (The 1000 lb. capacity is overkill for this project but efficient in that the dolly half of the project comes already assembled when you purchase it). We attach additional supports to raise the barrel up and provide more stability. The intention of our additional supports is to provide added stability and focus the weight of the barrel straight down through the center, and strongest part, of our rolling barrel stand.
Getting Technical: Barrel and Fluid Weight Math
Before we start a project like this, we need to make sure the parts we are putting together can support the weight of the materials we are putting on top of it. Our finished Rolling Barrel Stand needs to support the 15-gallon barrel and its contents without falling apart.
We know from picking up an empty 15-gallon wooden barrel that it can weigh roughly 30 – 40 lbs. (this is purely a guestimate from me picking up a barrel from my last project. While my guesstimate may be off, the structure we’ll build here should be more than enough to support our filled barrel. This number is provided to support the math below. Weigh your own empty barrel to get a more precise measurement.)
Water, by itself, weighs 8.33 lbs. per gallon and brewed beverages are made up mostly of water.
A 15-gallon barrel holds about 15 gallons of volume but some can hold as much as 16-17 gallons depending on the barrel maker. If we take the worst case scenario and say our barrel holds 17 gallons, we can then say, roughly, that…
17 gallons of fluid in the barrel x 8.33 lbs. / gal = 141.6 lbs of liquid will be stored in the barrel
Note: I used 2-1/2″ casters for this project. If you change the casters size, make sure to adjust your measurements in or out depending on the size of the casters. For example, if you use a 3″ caster instead of the 2-1/2″ caster, that is 1/2″ more in size times 2 casters giving you 1″ to adjust. Therefore, you would have to adjust your main support pieces to be 1″ larger to accommodate the extra inch… 21-1/2″ L instead of 20-1/2′ L and vice versa if your casters were smaller than 2-1/2″.
(optional) Scrap piece of wood for support in assembly step
(optional) Step drill bit or countersink drill bit for more finished look when attaching angled blocks
Materials Preparation
Note: I have built this Rolling Barrel Stand project two different ways and modeled the measurements and calculations for this project from those projects. You may adjust these measurements for your own design but, my measurements are provided now as a guide and starting point.
Our 15-gallon barrel is about 16″ wide at the point it makes contact with the rollers of the finished project. We want our barrel raised a bit higher to make it easy to roll and support strongly.
Cut two (2) 20-1/2″ L main support pieces from the 4×4 wood
From the same 4×4 piece of wood, cut four (4) 4-1/2″ L pieces that are 3-1/2″ at a 45° angle with an additional inch of length remaining (see illustration below).
Sizing of the end blocks the casters are mounted to
Assembly of the Rolling Barrel Stand
The support pieces, angled blocks, and casters are assembled together to form a cradle for your barrel that allows you to rock your barrel for various mixing functions.
1. Mount the support pieces to the dolly: The two main support pieces are mounted across the dolly inside the carpeted end pieces of the dolly. Center the first support piece across the dolly on the inside of the dolly’s open space pressing the support piece tightly against the carpeted end piece of the dolly. Secure it with clamps or have a friend hold this piece steady. Flip the dolly over, pre-drill 2-3 holes through the dolly and support piece on each side and then drive 3-1/2″ screws through the bottom of the dolly and into the 20-1/2″ support pieces. Repeat with the 2nd support piece on the other side of the dolly against the carpeted end. Flip the dolly back over.
2. Mount the angled blocks: These pieces are mounted to our support pieces and then the upward facing casters are mounted to them. The extra inch of space is added to the blocks to support the screw lengths used in this project. Mount your angled blocks to the support pieces with the angled ends facing inward. Secure blocks with 3-1/2″ screws. Be sure to secure the blocks to the supports along the center lines so as not to interfere with the placement and mounting of the casters in the next step. Also, for a clean look, try to keep the angled pieces flush to the outside of your support pieces when mounting. (I had a friend hold a scrap piece of wood flat against the outside of the support piece while I pushed my angled piece up against that scrap wood and then I secured it.)
We know our support piece is 20-1/2″ L and the angled piece of wood is 4-1/2″ L and we use one angled piece on each side of our support piece… so, 4-1/2″ + 4-1/2″ = 9″ leaving us with 11-1/2″ on the inside from one lower end of the angle to the next. (See Angled Blocks Illustration A)
Be sure to secure the angled blocks on the inside of the support piece and on the outside. Screw through the pieces into the support pieces. Use a step drill bit or countersink drill bit if you want a more finished look. (See Angled Blocks Illustration B)
Angled Blocks Illustration A – Distance between angled blocksAngled Blocks Illustration B – Securing points for angled blocks
3. Mount the casters to the angled blocks: The last step is to mount the casters to the angled blocks. Place a caster on the angled block resting the bottom against the support piece. Mark and pre-drill the four holes for the caster. Then, attach the caster to the angled blocks with the 1″ screws (add washers if you don’t have wide enough heads on your screws to cover the holes). Repeat for all 4 casters.
Mounting the casters
After all of the casters have been secured, your Rolling Barrel Stand is ready to be used to hold your barrel.
Completely Assembled ProjectSide view of Barrel sitting on CastersRolling Barrel Stand project with Full Barrel on top
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Kevin Wojdak has been a homebrewer since 2008 and, like most homebrewers, builds equipment he needs to support the hobby. He is also the Communications Officer for the Urban Knaves of Grain (UKG) Homebrew Club, DuPage County, Illinois and a member of the Technical Team for the Drunk Monk Challenge Homebrew Competition taking place annually in March.
Smart technology is all around us. Innovations are coming fast and furious. So how can you make your home a smart home with just a simple change? Swidget-that’s how!
The Swidget line of products allows you to upgrade your space by simply swapping out an existing switch or outlet with a technology ready Swidget device. Adding Wi-Fi enabled inserts allows you to control functions such as lights, program schedules, automations and more. Or pair it with Amazon Alexa or Google Home to enable voice commands.
Woodworker Express carries several different product applications. You can purchase the Swidget outlet without any insert and simply plug in the insert of your choice, or purchase the outlet with the Wi-Fi insert already included.
Looking for a place to show off your coffee mugs? With a little DIY and by recycling wood from a pallet, we can make a really nice Coffee Mug Holder! Continue reading →
Bathrooms come in all shapes and sizes, but they always have one thing in common—there is never enough storage space. Learning how to install open bathroom shelves is a quick and easy way to squeeze extra storage on the walls of the bathroom. Plus, when chosen correctly, open shelves bring a little charm into an otherwise dull room of the house.
Determine Size and Spacing
Step into your bathroom and choose a wall where you will hang the shelves. Then, measure for width and height and how much space you’ll want in between each shelf. Next, determine how much shelving you will need based on your available space and needs.
A helpful hint is to find the tallest items you want to store to make sure the shelves are distanced apart enough to provide room for them.
Decide What Kind of Shelves to Install
There are multiple options when choosing open shelves: make them; buy them unfinished and stain or paint them yourself; or buy them pre-cut and prefinished. Whichever direction you choose, a visit to your favorite online shop or a trip to the local home improvement store is in order to choose your materials.
36″ Alder Floating Shelf System from Omega National (SKU # 11315387)
For simple open shelves, all you’ll need are boards to use for shelves and brackets for hanging along with the necessary tools, anchors, and screws. Or, purchase shelving kits such as floating shelves which contain the shelves and your hardware for hanging. Another option is standards and brackets for shelving.
Measure the space in your bathroom where the shelves will go to determine what size shelves you need to purchase or create.
Measure and Mark the Location
After measuring your space and choosing shelves and brackets, it’s time to drill some holes.
To hang your shelves properly and make sure they are stable and safe, you should anchor the shelves to a wall stud. Wall studs are boards within your walls that provide structure within your home, supporting the walls. Studs are spaced 16” or 24” apart within your walls and drywall is mounted to the boards.
Because studs are wood or metal and provide strong support for the walls in your home, they are ideal to provide additional support for your shelves.
Use an electronic stud finder device to determine where the studs are in the wall and mark the location.
Position the brackets on the wall where you are hanging the shelves. If you can position the bracket to mount into the stud, that would be ideal. Mark the spot using a pencil. Measure the distance between the holes on your brackets and transfer the measurements to the wall.
If you are unable to mount your shelves into wall studs, you can use a drywall anchor instead. Drywall anchors provide some support when mounting into drywall directly.
Drill your holes and/or insert your wall anchors and mount your brackets to the wall with screws or fasteners provided with your shelves. Check to make sure everything is level and make adjustments if necessary.
Attach the Shelves to the Brackets
Now that you have marked the wall and mounted the brackets, it’s time to set the shelves in place. Position your shelves and check to be sure everything is still level.
For added stability, screw the shelves directly into the brackets, which usually come with predrilled holes for that purpose.
Use Your New Shelves
Now that you’ve learned how to install open bathroom shelves, enjoy them by adding some items for storage and even a little decoration too. Placing baskets on open shelves creates an attractive look allowing you to still hide items from sight.
Woodworker Express offers bathroom storage solutions and many other bathroom necessities, including bathroom hardware for sale to help you continue improving your bathroom.
Sometimes getting started is the hardest part when we decide on a new hobby or possibly even a business. Woodworking can be relaxing, and the end results of the creativity and hard work are worth the effort. Let’s discuss everything you need to get started with woodworking.
What Will You Create?
When choosing how to begin woodworking, the first step is having a rough idea of what you will be creating.
This may change with time as you progress and expand, but having a pretty good idea of how large your projects is necessary in deciding on the space and tools you need.
Small accessories, toys, and utensils projects don’t take up much space or require a large saw. However, a dresser or table will.
Create a Space
Hobbies that actually get done are the ones with a designated space for doing so.
Check out your garage and basement for any nook you can find to setup shop. An outdoor shed might also work.
Keep in mind, woodworking creates a lot of dust. It isn’t a hobby you can just quickly work on at the kitchen table (unless you enjoy a dusty dinner). Decide on a space that can handle the mess you are about to make.
Work Surfaces
The next step after finding the perfect space is to create areas where wood can be placed while it is being worked with.
A couple of sawhorses with a sheet of plywood on top will usually do the trick.
A workbench is a must for small projects and intricate detailing. The workbench is a permanent fixture you will find yourself using over and over for more than just woodworking.
Keep tools handy near the work bench and hung on pegboard or placed on shelves above it, for quick and easy fixes.
Saws
Woodworking is not going to happen without a variety of saws to cut the wood. They are quite an investment, but you build your collection over time. Here are five great saws to have in your woodworking toolbox.
Hand Saw
A classic staple for every woodworker, the hand saw will forever be needed. The Hand saw, as its name suggests is a manual tool.
Hand saws take on a few different forms, and each one is designed for quick cuts when there is no need to turn on a power tool.
Ripping handsaw — cuts lengthwise with the grain
Crosscut handsaw — cuts across the grain
Combination handsaws — cuts both with and across the grain
Backsaw — rectangular blades for miter cuts
Keyhole handsaw — for interior holes
Dovetail — for dovetail joint work
Jigsaw
Also recommended for beginners, the jigsaw is a hand-held power tool that can make intricate and curved cuts for beautiful detailing on your wood project.
The jigsaw uses a reciprocating blade to cut irregular curves. A reciprocating blade moves up and down. The jig saw is weak in that the lower end of the blade is unsupported. The user guides the saw to cut but has to be careful not to force the direction of the blade too much.
Circular Saw
The handheld circular saw is a power tool that uses different blades which can be interchanged for different types of cuts. Each blade has different teeth for the type of cuts you are making. It is extremely handy for quick, large cuts.
Ripping blade — for cutting lengthwise
Crosscut blade — cut across the grain (width)
Combination blade — ripping and cutting (both with and against the grain)
Table Saw
As a beginning woodworker, a good larger powered saw to invest in is a table saw. It works similarly to the circular saw, but from a different angle.
Rather than the saw coming down on the wood, the blade from the table saw comes up from the table and the wood is placed on top of it. This eliminates a lot of work and makes long precision cuts a bit easier.
Table saws offer different types of blades for different cuts.
They also can be portable or permanent.
Benchtop table saw — Noisiest of all the benchtop table saws, but lightweight, compact and portable.
Cabinet table saw — Heavy and made to stay put, they can handle every project. These make a stately centerpiece to your woodworking shop.
Band Saw
A band saw is a power tool, perfect for intricate, curvy woodworking cuts. It consists of a continuous band of toothed metal stretched between two or more wheels to cut material.
Unlike the jigsaw where you guide the saw to cut the wood, a band saw stands stationary and a wood piece is guided against the cutting blade to make the cuts.
They come in a few sizes and make a great addition when it is time to get detailed beyond using a jigsaw.
Sanding
Filing, sanding, and planes all fall under the same category: to smooth or shape the wood for woodworking projects. There are a few different options for each.
Filing
Files are hand tools used for smoothing and are made of metal, giving them a longer life than sandpaper.
Once dull, they don’t sharpen well, so it is best to replace them.
Sanding
Handheld electric sanders are a time saver and a hand saver. A lot of sanding makes a hand sore.
They come in different sizes and power and can alternate between different grades of sandpaper.
Sanding sponges and sandpaper are necessary to have on hand for quick, small projects or intricate details.
Planes
Planes don’t just smooth the wood, but they actually remove some of the wood by scraping pieces off. It is more of a shaving process than a smoothing one as the blade on the plane shaves thin slices off the surface of the wood.
There are several different types of planes.
Jack plane — removes a lot of wood at once
Block — for intricate, small spaces
Rabbet — for right angle grooves
Scraper — finely scrapes for smooth finishes
Spokeshaves — designed for curves
Measuring Tools
Please don’t “wing it” with woodworking. Taking the time to measure properly from the beginning saves you time from having to fix mistakes later.
There are four measuring tools to keep handy while woodworking. These include:
Retractable steel tape measure — handy in every way with the stiffness of steel and a hook on the end for easy measuring
Yard stick — great for straight edge measuring and line drawing with a pencil
Flexible reel tape — a must when a bendable measure for corners and curves is needed
Folding measure — highly accurate and stiff like a yard stick, these fold into multiple sections for easy storage
Hammer and Mallet
A basic hammer has a double-duty steel head with one end basically designed for hammering in nails and the other for pulling them out. A hammer should be a standard tool in everyone’s home, not only woodworkers.
A mallet is different than a hammer, although they are both used for striking. Rather than a steel head, the head is rubber, leather, or wood. The head is sometimes detachable to accommodate multiple sizes.
A mallet is used when a hard strike is needed but damage needs to be prevented. That is why they are made with a softer material head. The shock to the wood is softer than a steel head hammer.
Power Drill
A power drill will become your right-hand man in woodworking, for drilling quick holes and driving screws.
This is a general idea of everything you need to get started with woodworking. Build your collection slowly and enjoy creating heirlooms you can be proud of.
Woodworker Express offers woodworking tools for sale to provide you with everything you need to get your woodworking shop up and running.