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Cabinetry 101, Carpentry 312

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Home Inspector with Aspect Inspection

Cabinetry 101, Carpentry 312

'cabinets'

Cabinetry 101;

If your woodworking skills are not up to fine millwork...just do this;
Nail wooden boxes to the wall.

The wrinkle now is to find wooden boxes like this not being sold as antiques.

Carpenrtry 312:

The diagonal wall brace seen here is a good example of a 'let-in brace'. There are 6 of these stiffening the walls of this garage.

This was done in the days before the use of skill saws and availability of plywood. If plywood was used as sheathing on the exterior wall, the bracing would not be needed. 

These notches in the studs fit tight, prevent sideways or lateral wracking of the frame and fit leaving a flush surface so interior finishes can be applied.

This is all hand work. Powered saws always leave overcut kerfs in the wood and it's a rare carpenter who fits joints as tight as this using such a saw.


So this is a bit of history, but because the house and garage where built at the same time it shows me how the framing of the house was executed even though I can't see into the house walls.

Posted by

bolg signature 

Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

I first saw the photo and cocked my head, I thought they were boxes on the floor.

It is amazing the detail that the early carpenters were able to do with the tools that they had Robert.

Dec 18, 2012 11:43 AM
Donald Hester
NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA
NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Robert, I have a picture somewhere of a barn my Great grandfather and grandfather built. All tenons and dowels and yes no power tools!

Where would I be without my battery tools?

Dec 18, 2012 01:07 PM
Robert Butler
Aspect Inspection - Montreal West Island, QC
Montreal Home Inspector | Aspect Inspection

There tools were good Tom, and sharp. They were skilled and worked fast and sure.

Hi Don. You can't compete today without power tools. But if you run out of juoce you're out of business.

Dec 18, 2012 09:58 PM