Trim Carpentry Tips and Tricks

Want to improve your trim carpentry skills? Look no further than our handy guide which contains trim handyman Little Rock tips from the pros. These tips will help you to get the job right the first time, and some of them will even save you time and money.

Use a Jack Miter

You must be asking yourself, what on earth is a jack miter? Well, a jack miter is created by combining a miter joint with a butt joint. The resulting tool will give you the needed strength to keep the wood in place while you’re working, which actually helps to minimize the creation of gaps. Using a jack miter also means that you’ll have a much thinner and less perceptible glue line, so it’s a really versatile tool!

Build a Large Assembly Table

Any handyman Little Rock AR job that you do will probably require that you start by assembling things like a large casing or a jamb. Having a large assembly table will make it much easier for you, because then you’ll have a nice flat surface to work on, enabling you to finish jobs faster.

Mark Casing Reveal

One of the best ways to get consistent reveals is to mark the casings right on the edge. All you need to do is mark it on both ends and in the middle so that you won’t have to guess. We recommend using a combo square for this purpose.

Record it on a Pitch Block

Use your pitch block to record the angle of the stairs you’ll be working on, including the rise and run. The pitch block can then be used as a template for your handrails and skirts, or you can use it to modify a miter saw. Just make sure to ‘back up’ what you’ve recorded by taking a snapshot of the pitch block with your phone, just in case you lose it by accident.  

Trim Clamps

It’s important to ensure that your miter fits tightly and accurately before the glue dries, which is why you need to apply pressure to it before it gets fastened. One of the best ways to do this is to cut 45-degree notches, and then screw them onto the trim. Alternatively, you can keep them in place using two extra clamps, get the clamp hooked onto the notches, and then tighten.

Weave Instead of Miter

Woven intersections on the ceiling can really add interest to a space. While popular, standard miters look pretty plain when compared to a woven intersection, and the latter typically withstands moisture and temperature changes much better than the miter.

Pocket Screws

Pocket screws are a versatile way to fasten things, and you can use them for a variety of Little Rock handyman applications. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the holes because you can cover them up with base molding afterward.

Measure from the 1-inch Mark

Oftentimes, getting your tape hooked up onto a piece of trim can be quite difficult. One way to simplify the process is to line the edge of the trim with the 1-inch mark. Then, subtract the extra inch once your tape has been hooked on to avoid itching it onto your saw.

Secrets Your House Locksmith Won’t Tell You

Ever wondered what interesting secrets your locksmith may be hiding from you about their profession? Neither did we, but that was until we came across these interesting facts from handyman services Peoria IL, which could potentially help you to bump up your security while saving a ton in locksmith fees.

Contractors Are Not Good at Installing Deadbolts

The deadbolts installed by contractors almost always come up with problems that require the help of a locksmith, whereas the problem could have been easily avoided if the thing was installed right in the first place.

Use a Double Cylinder Lock

While you may feel safe with your thumb-turn lock, consider the fact that a burglar won’t need a key in order to unlock it. They can easily access it by breaking the window glass and reaching for it. On the other hand, a cylinder lock requires a key which makes it safer for you and difficult for burglars to mess with.

Buy Your Safe from a Reputable Seller

Try not to purchase your safe from an auction, flea market or estate sale. Not only will it cost hundreds of dollars for you to open the safe after you’ve purchased it, but it’ll probably be dirty as well.

Rekey the Locks When You Buy a New House

When moving into a new house, make sure to rekey all the locks so that there’s no chance of the previous tenants gaining access to your new home.

Don’t Buy Cheap Locks

Most of the locks available at big-box stores are produced en-masse and are really low-end, which doesn’t make them very safe. However, if you must purchase a key from one of the big chain stores, make sure that’s it’s a grade 2 at least, which means it’s a little rare.

Don’t Feel Bad if You Have to Call the Locksmith Twice

Most handyman Peoria IL are used to being called out multiple times per day because it is their work after all. So, don’t beat yourself up about calling out the locksmith regularly. They may even give you some tips to help you avoid or fix the problem yourself next time.

Call Only One Locksmith

While most locksmiths can appreciate the level of anxiety you feel when you’ve locked yourself out of your house or car, it would be inconsiderate of you to call more than one at a time. Rather be patient and make sure that the one locksmith that you do call understands the level of urgency in your situation.

After Hours Rates Are More Expensive

handyman Peoria charge considerably higher rates for late night call outs than they do for normal hours. A job that would usually cost you $50 during the day can hike up to $100 at 1 A.M.

Try the Door

Sometimes when you think you’re locked out, it might just be a slight glitch in the door, and giving it another try may just open it without the need to call a locksmith.