Sawdust Girl®

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Sandra December 12, 2015

Pergo – Installation Laminate Flooring

Installing Pergo Laminate Flooring

I'm installing Pergo in my loft craft room.  It took about an hour to remove the old carpeting. Then it took about four hours to complete installing laminate flooring. Pergo is easy to clean and resists scratches.  It is a floating floor so you don't need a flooring nailer to install it.  The tongue Continue Reading

Filed Under: All Posts, Craft Room, Flooring, Loft Tagged With: flooring, installation, installing, laminate, pergo, Tips 14 Comments
Sandra October 21, 2015

How to Install Cabinet Drawer Fronts

How to install Drawer Fronts

You can install drawer fronts in as many different ways as there are stars in the sky.  Well, maybe not THAT many -- but there are a lot.  I've played around with (e'hem) a few different methods. Today I'm going to show what I've found to be the easiest way to get perfectly placed drawer fronts.  I Continue Reading

Filed Under: All Posts, Cabinet Making 101, Drawers, Pantry Tagged With: adjusting screws, blum, cabinet, Cabinetry, drawer, drawer fronts, Drawers, false fronts, fronts, install, installing, Tips, washer head 6 Comments
Sandra July 24, 2015

Remove Baseboard with the Trim Puller

Easily remove baseboards without damaging your walls

Hi guys!  I have an update to a tip post from two years ago where I demonstrated how to remove baseboards without damaging your walls or trim.  Well that became my OLD way. Now I remove baseboard with the Trim Puller! This post and giveaway is sponsored by Trim Puller. Remove baseboards Continue Reading

Filed Under: All Posts, Baseboard and Trim, Demolition, Door and Window Casings Tagged With: Demolition, remove baseboard, remove baseboard trim, remove baseboard trim without damage, Remove Baseboard with the Trim Puller, Tips, Tools, trim puller 205 Comments
Sandra June 1, 2015

Trimming the ends of a plank wall — in place!

Hi guys!  Remember when I built the barn door and planked the wall in my BIG hallway?  A lot of you asked what I was going to do with those ugly corners?  I said I'd deal with those later?   Well it's later!  Since I just framed in my new office and need to finish that wall, it's time to decide Continue Reading

Filed Under: All Posts, Hallway Tagged With: Hallway, Multi-Tool, Tips, Tools 5 Comments
Sandra May 17, 2015

How to use a Drill (And my NEW Video series!)

Hi guys!  If you are a fan of my quirky videos, make sure to subscribe to my NEW YouTube Channel! This weeks DIY Skills video covers how to use the most used tool in the shop, the Drill/Driver.   Most of you may already know how to use a drill...or think you do.  ;-)  You might learn something Continue Reading

Filed Under: All Posts Tagged With: Drill, Tips, Tools Leave a Comment
Sandra May 5, 2015

How to patch subfloor

How to patch a hole in your subfloor

So remember how I moved the floor vent when I built my new pantry?  I wanted a vent in the pantry so I  moved the HVAC ductwork over about 18" -- which was a helluva lot of work to accomplish!  But I got it done and now have a nice cool pantry... At least now I can show you how to patch Continue Reading

Filed Under: All Posts, Flooring, Remodeling 101 Tagged With: Patching Subfloor, Remodeling, Tips Leave a Comment
Sandra April 17, 2015

How to cut tile in a backsplash

How to cut a hole in the center of tile.

I'm making all kinds of small progress in the kitchen.  :-)  After I installed the tile backsplash I had to cut tile out for junction boxes because I decided to install undercabinet lights.  It was so long ago that I can't remember why I didn't install the junction boxes before I Continue Reading

Filed Under: All Posts, Kitchen, My Home, Tennessee House, Tile Tagged With: How to cut tile, Tile, Tips 10 Comments
Sandra April 14, 2015

Best wood patch ever!

Best wood patch/putty in the history of ever! - https://sawdustgirl.com.

Hey guys!  I get asked for my favorite products all the time and for the most part my favorites don't change that often.  I can't say that I've had a special love affair with any particular wood patch or putty in the past...but that has changed!  I shared my love of ZAR wood stain with my Stain Continue Reading

Filed Under: All Posts, Products Tagged With: Tips, wood filler, wood patch, wood putty, woodworking 12 Comments
Sandra April 1, 2015

Sanding on a Shelf Liner to keep wood from moving

Use a Shelf Liner for Sanding - https://sawdustgirl.com.

I don't like my workpiece moving around while I'm sanding it or having to clamp it down to the table; moving the clamps to access and sand the area that had the clamp.  I've been using a tool box liner for quite a few months as a base for my sanding projects and it works great so I wanted to share Continue Reading

Filed Under: All Posts, Woodworking Tagged With: Sanding, Tips, Workshop 5 Comments
Sandra March 24, 2015

Awesome Glue tools for application

Favorite glue application tools from https://sawdustgirl.com.

Today I'm sharing some of my favorite products for glue application.  These awesome, glue tools are inexpensive products that make glue-ups a breeze!  These products were made specifically for applying and spreading glue. This post includes affiliate links. Awesome Glue tools for Continue Reading

Filed Under: All Posts, Products Tagged With: Favorites, Glue Application, glue tools, Products, Tips, woodworking 4 Comments
Sandra March 12, 2015

Installing Drawers with Blum Tandem plus Blumotion drawer slides

Installing cabinet drawers with Blum Tandem plus Blumotion drawer slides.

Installing Drawers with Blum Tandem plus Blumotion drawer slides on my china hutch. I'm a big fan of drawers for storage.  I find them 100 times more efficient than shelves so I definitely wanted drawers on the lower section.  In an effort not to take 500 years to finish this kitchen remodel, I Continue Reading

Filed Under: All Posts, Cabinet Making 101, Drawers Tagged With: Cabinet Buiding, China Hutch, Drawers, Tips 9 Comments
Sandra February 26, 2015

Over Glasses Safety Glasses

Safety glasses that go over regular glasses. Uber important! I thought my regular glasses protected my eyes but I was oh, so, wrong!

I got new glasses the other day and while trying on 200 different pairs, I made a comment about glasses having polycarbonate lenses like safety glasses, so my regular glasses should be adequate protection.  Au Contraire!  The associate helping me find the proper fitting specks informed me that... Continue Reading

Filed Under: All Posts, Safety Tagged With: safety, Safety Gear, Safety Glasses, Tips 12 Comments
Sandra February 25, 2015

How to get paint off wood floors

Sometimes, despite all your best efforts to apply paint where and only where you want it, it finds a way to end up where you don't want it...like on the floor.  I don't sweat it when this happens anymore though.  I have found how to get paint off wood using a steamer.  It works great for getting Continue Reading

Filed Under: All Posts, Painting Tagged With: Home Improvement, Paint removal, Steam, Tips 8 Comments
Sandra October 29, 2014

How to sand projects to get a professional finish.

Kellyn here to share tips on how to sand like a pro!  You may have seen my posts on The Sawdust Diaries.  And I am so excited and honored that Sandra asked me to contribute some of my building knowledge here on her Sawdust Girl blog.  Sanding 101 - sanding basics I always have on hand the Continue Reading

Filed Under: All Posts, Wood Finishing, Woodworking Tagged With: DIY, Sanding, Tips, Tool Basics, woodworking 7 Comments
Sandra October 4, 2014

Third hand for installing trim molding

Useful tip for installing trim moulding.

  Useful tip and tidbit #3 is a handy trick I use to help me install trim moulding with close to perfect mitered corners by using painter's tape to hold things in place while I test to make sure all my puzzle pieces fit together before I shoot any nails.   Continue Reading

Filed Under: All Posts, Door and Window Casings, Remodeling 101 Tagged With: Tip and Trick, Tips, tips and tutorials, trim moulding 3 Comments
Sandra October 3, 2014

Speed Shims – Useful Tips and Tidbits

Speed Shims - Useful Tips and Tidbits

I'm SURE this was a ridiculous thought but ... I had the thought that maybe hearing 31 useful tips and tidbits in 31 days from the same person might get a bit mundane.  So I invited my friend, Haviander over share this one about speed shims with you.  Take it away Hav.   Haviander is Continue Reading

Filed Under: All Posts, Door and Window Casings, Remodeling 101 Tagged With: 31 days, Remodeling, Tips, tips and tutorials 2 Comments
Sandra March 24, 2014

How to remove nails – the easy way

Sawdust Girl Tip: nail pulling pliers

I've pulled my share of nails in my life.  I've pulled nails out of trim moulding that I've removed and wanted to reuse.  I've pulled them out of subfloors after ripping out the flooring.  Popped nails, broken nails, miss nails, fail nails... No matter the reason for needing to pulling the nail, Continue Reading

Filed Under: All Posts, Demolition, Tool Reviews and Overviews, Tools and Products Tagged With: DIY, nail puller, Tips, Tools, Workshop Fav 7 Comments
Sandra July 22, 2013

Marking correct location for an electrical outlet in built-ins

Custom built-in dsign at SawdustGirl.com

When Cara told me her technique for marking and cutting the electrical outlets in her built-in cabinet I giggled ...and then asked her to please document it with some pictures to share.  So this "Sawdust Diary" update is also a tutorial for what I think is a smart tip for marking outlet location.  Continue Reading

Filed Under: All Posts, Cabinet Making 101, Remodeling 101 Tagged With: Cabinetry, Tips 11 Comments
Sandra January 31, 2013

Avoid sharp edges on cabinet face-frames

prevent sharp edges on cabinet face frames

Have you ever scraped your knuckles reaching into a cabinet drawer?  I have.  Ouch!  The cabinets in this house have super sharp inside edges on the face-frames.  I've scraped my knuckles too many times to fault anyone buy myself at this point -- I could just grab a sanding sponge and take care of Continue Reading

Filed Under: All Posts, Cabinet Making 101, Remodeling 101 Tagged With: Cabinet Building, DIY, Tips 5 Comments
Sandra August 29, 2012

Selecting the Right Materials for a Project

How-To-Choose-DIY-Materials-

I build a lot of cabinets, built-ins, bookshelves and such.  I often get asked how I select materials for different kinds of projects.  MDF, plywood, solid wood.  What's best for what applications?   I generally buy my lumber from a big box store because it's convenient and available Continue Reading

Filed Under: All Posts, Cabinet Making 101, Remodeling 101, Resources Tagged With: Buiding Stuff, DIY, Tips 15 Comments
Sandra January 24, 2012

How to use curtains to hide an off center window

tricking your eye into thinking a window is centered

I finally got the curtains up in my master closet!   The off-center window has been driving me crazy so I had to get something up -- quick!  There wasn't a chance I was going to rip out the window and move it over so I had to get creative and just trick my eyes with some visual "deception".  Here's Continue Reading

Filed Under: All Posts Tagged With: curtains, How to use curtains to hide an off center window, Tips 20 Comments
Sandra January 3, 2011

Five Easy Painting Tips

Painting is a chore, there are no ifs, ands or buts about it.  Use these five easy painting tips to make life a little easier while you work! 1. When using a paint tray, poke several "drain" holes before you pour your paint out of the can. Use a nail or screw and poke several holes all the way Continue Reading

Filed Under: All Posts, Painting, Remodeling 101 Tagged With: Paint, Tips 6 Comments

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Disclaimer: Although it is my intention to provide accurate plans and clear instructions, not all plans have been tried and tested. Using plans or information found on SawdustGirl.com indicates that you agree with the Terms of Use policy and will accept full responsibility for the process and outcome of any project you attempt. All plans are for private use only. Plans and information published on SawdustGirl.com may not be reproduced, republished or distributed in any manner without written permission from Sandra Powell, Sawdust Girl. Actual projects built using Sawdust Girl plans may be published on your own site without instructions or "tutorial" as long as you provide a link to my original post with full post title or "SawdustGirl.com" as link title.
















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