Hi Guys,
I bought a house in the last 10 years that needed a considerable amount of work. I started out with the knowledge that I gained from my father when I was about 9. Through this forum and you tube I have gained the knowledge of how to do this work as well as learning to use a number of tools.
How I got myself in this situation is a long story. The short version is my father gave me a broken car and a manual when I was 17 and told me if I fixed the car it was mine. I read that entire repair manual and fixed the car. Changed my life--gave me the confidence to try to do things even if I had no idea what I was doing. And now I am here. I still believe I can do this.
I should also say here that I had a head injury when I was little and it left me with spacial issues; in other words problems seeing how shapes fit together. Wood working is a great choice for a hobby. LOL. It probably is excellent cognitive rehab.
I have replaced almost every window in the house. I have 8 left. I have replaced 2 of the 3 exterior doors. I have jacked up sections of the house and replaced sill boards and repaired and replaced joists. Where I am stuck is with the trim. I am not a finish carpenter--not even a real carpenter. All the windows and doors have proud drywall. I am not sure why. The drywall is significantly proud 1/2" in most places. I have put the trim off for a long, embarrassing long time. When I have tried to do the trim I have not been able to get the trim to lay appropriately. I originally tried to use shims but I could not get it to look right because the drywall is not consistent in the 1/2". I watched a lot of you tube videos where they recommended crushing the drywall or removing it. I am worried if I do that then will the outside trim and wall will look weird? If the trim boards (using poplar) are 3/4" and I remove 1/2" then they are only 1/4" proud of the drywall. Or am I just not understanding? DO I use thicker boards 5/4 to compensate. Or am I just over thinking all of this like my wife keeps telling me--and I think she is right--if I keep thinking about it then I do not have to do it and screw it up and be super frustrated. Anyway, I need to figure this out and do it. I have thought about paying someone but I really do not want to admit defeat here.
I have seen some people are pre-assembling the trim frame so that it is square and plumb and then fitting the wall to fit the trim. Is that the way to do it? If so, any suggestions on the best way to fit the wall to the trim?
Other ways to do it that I am woefully unaware of?
If I am going to pre-assemble the trim to fit the wall, I have been thinking of using a biscuit jointer; but after reading so many bad things about them, I looked at Festool Domino for about 2 seconds--great idea but I am not paying that much. That is always my view of Festool wow that is amazing--OMG they want what--hello Bosch, Dewalt, Milwaukee.... This time I looked at Dowelmax and Jessem. Both systems look excellent. They would be very useful in other situations. I am looking for the dowels to strengthen the joint but mostly for alignment in glue up. Does this make sense? Advise on the buying decision of Dowelmax or Jessem. I am leaning towards Jessem.
Any advise here I will truly appreciate. Thanks
Happy Holidays!
I bought a house in the last 10 years that needed a considerable amount of work. I started out with the knowledge that I gained from my father when I was about 9. Through this forum and you tube I have gained the knowledge of how to do this work as well as learning to use a number of tools.
How I got myself in this situation is a long story. The short version is my father gave me a broken car and a manual when I was 17 and told me if I fixed the car it was mine. I read that entire repair manual and fixed the car. Changed my life--gave me the confidence to try to do things even if I had no idea what I was doing. And now I am here. I still believe I can do this.
I should also say here that I had a head injury when I was little and it left me with spacial issues; in other words problems seeing how shapes fit together. Wood working is a great choice for a hobby. LOL. It probably is excellent cognitive rehab.
I have replaced almost every window in the house. I have 8 left. I have replaced 2 of the 3 exterior doors. I have jacked up sections of the house and replaced sill boards and repaired and replaced joists. Where I am stuck is with the trim. I am not a finish carpenter--not even a real carpenter. All the windows and doors have proud drywall. I am not sure why. The drywall is significantly proud 1/2" in most places. I have put the trim off for a long, embarrassing long time. When I have tried to do the trim I have not been able to get the trim to lay appropriately. I originally tried to use shims but I could not get it to look right because the drywall is not consistent in the 1/2". I watched a lot of you tube videos where they recommended crushing the drywall or removing it. I am worried if I do that then will the outside trim and wall will look weird? If the trim boards (using poplar) are 3/4" and I remove 1/2" then they are only 1/4" proud of the drywall. Or am I just not understanding? DO I use thicker boards 5/4 to compensate. Or am I just over thinking all of this like my wife keeps telling me--and I think she is right--if I keep thinking about it then I do not have to do it and screw it up and be super frustrated. Anyway, I need to figure this out and do it. I have thought about paying someone but I really do not want to admit defeat here.
I have seen some people are pre-assembling the trim frame so that it is square and plumb and then fitting the wall to fit the trim. Is that the way to do it? If so, any suggestions on the best way to fit the wall to the trim?
Other ways to do it that I am woefully unaware of?
If I am going to pre-assemble the trim to fit the wall, I have been thinking of using a biscuit jointer; but after reading so many bad things about them, I looked at Festool Domino for about 2 seconds--great idea but I am not paying that much. That is always my view of Festool wow that is amazing--OMG they want what--hello Bosch, Dewalt, Milwaukee.... This time I looked at Dowelmax and Jessem. Both systems look excellent. They would be very useful in other situations. I am looking for the dowels to strengthen the joint but mostly for alignment in glue up. Does this make sense? Advise on the buying decision of Dowelmax or Jessem. I am leaning towards Jessem.
Any advise here I will truly appreciate. Thanks
Happy Holidays!