Diamond resin polishing pads and disks are used to polish and round off edges of granite, marble and most other stone types used in construction. Diamond resin polishing pads come in a variety of disc sizes that are meant to be used during different stages of the construction process. For instance the larger grit sizes are used during the beginning stages and the smaller and finer ones are used to do the final polishing.

Rent or buy an electronic hand held polishing tool and attach the disc size of your choice. Have a water supply at hand for the wet disc type of polisher and begin polishing the desired surface area wetting the disc throughout the job.
Do not attempt to do a dry job with a wet disc polisher and vice versa as they must be used exactly as the manual guide says. A wet disc type is better than a dry polishing disk.

Pergolas are frameworks of sorts that can be covered with a fabric canopy or plants to create a sitting area or as a little tunnel to connect two areas within a garden. To build your own steel pergola cut four main poles for a box like frame, depending on your measurements.

Cut two slightly smaller lengths and two medium size poles for the top part of the frame. Weld two large size pieces with the two small length pieces to get a square “u” shape. Repeat the procedure for other end of the frame.

Dig out four holes at the predetermined distances and fill them with concrete. Push the legs of the two prepared frames into the concrete holes making sure that they are equal in height on all corners. Cover the top with steel pipes of relevant measurement by welding on both sides of the frame. Wash the whole structure and paint with color of your choice.

A log house can be used as a good retirement home, away from city noise.

Instructions

Preparation

1. A design should be sketched for your log house.

2. The land should be cleared.

3. Your log ends should be shaped into smooth cone shapes and holes should be dug for the house frame.

Building Floors

1. Log posts should be inserted into the holes along with some concrete.

2. Beams and joists should be set for your main floor.

Building Walls and Ceilings

1. Walls should be built by stacking logs horizontally. Notches should be cut to hold the logs together and the log sides should be fit closely against each other. Spaces should be left for doors and windows.

2. Extra logs should be run into the walls. These logs act as a support with the ceiling to brace a second floor.

3. Gables should be built on one side at a time. They should be extended up to the ridge pole.

4. Using lumber a frame should be made for your roof.

5. Using plywood under the roof the ceiling should be made. Tin sheeting should be placed on top of the roof.

A point trowel is very useful tool for performing masonry work.

Instructions

1. The joints of new brickwork should be cleaned with a brush to prepare for the mortar. Enough space should be created from the surface of the brick to the inside for the application of mortar.

2. The joints should be moistened to allow the mortar to “bond” to the intended surface.

3. The point trowel should be grasped with four fingers, and your thumb should be placed on the metal ring of the handle of the trowel. A small amount of the mix should be applied onto a masonry hawk and a sliver is cut with the point trowel. Mortar should be applied to the brick joint with the trowel. This step should be repeated till the joint is flush with the surface of the brick.

4. Pointing the joints should be continued till a 3-by-3-foot section is complete.
The excess mortar should be cleaned and the grout joint is struck to the desired design detail.

The two common types of structural components that bear the weight of floors or columns are steel beams and engineered wood beams. The I-beams are most common with a thin center section and wider flanges on both sides.

Steel Beams

Hot-rolled, cold-rolled or extruded processes produce steel beams as a strong, one-piece structure. A lightweight structural-steel beam is produced by a cold-formed process that has a combination of the strength of traditional beams and the workability of engineered wood beams.

Engineered Wood

Engineered wood beams are made from traditional wood and a laminated material that makes the structure lighter and stronger than a total wood structure. They are engineered to increase wood’s natural strength, and can give support to floors without squeaking.

Steel Properties

Steel can handle heavy loads at longer distances however, it is inappropriate for custom applications due to its weight. The new lightweight steel beams can handle the same capacity as hot-rolled steel.

Pressure Treated Wood

For pressure treated wood, you should wait for six-weeks for treating your wood. During these six weeks, if your deck absorbs to a lot of moisture, you will have to wait more to let the wood dry before you seal it.

Redwood Decks

A sealant should be applied within the first week while sealing your redwood deck. Ensure that there should be no rain in the forecast for at least 48 hours for preventing the sealant from being washed away.

Cedar Decks

Cedar decks need a semi-transparent sealant which is made for cedar. The deck should be cleaned using a scrubbing brush and deck cleaner and the semi-transparent sealer should be applied as early as possible.

Maintenance

Once a year, your deck should be cleaned with a pressure cleaner and a deck cleaning product. Leaves and debris should be cleaned off with a hose and the sealant should be reapplied.

Instructions

1. The length and width of the roof should be measured to calculate how much sheet metal will be needed.

2. The roof should be cleared before installing the sheet metal.

3. The No. 15 felt underlayment should be rolled across the roof starting at the bottom corner. Nails should be hammered around the perimeter from the inside till the entire roof has been covered. Nails should be inserted all the way around the felt to secure it to the sheathing underneath.

4. The metal edging trim should be run around the outside perimeter of the roof and a roofing nail should be inserted every six inches around the perimeter to cover the roof with the trim.

5. The first piece of sheet metal should be allowed two inches of overhang and should be hammered in place with metal roofing nails around the entire piece and the second piece should be lined to overlap.

Instructions

1. Nearby windows should be covered with plywood to protect them from flying pieces of concrete. Plywood sheets should be kept in front of glass windows and doors to protect them.

2. The concrete should be struck with force using a sledgehammer. Starting anywhere on the concrete slab it should be struck repeatedly until the concrete starts breaking up into pieces.

3. The pieces of concrete should be removed and set aside for disposal.

4. The wire mesh should be cut with bolt cutters into pieces. Rebar should be cut with a friction saw with a metal-cutting blade. Rebar or wire mesh is used in concrete slabs for adding strength.

5. The concrete should be struck forcefully with the sledgehammer or masonry hammer till the pieces can be lifted and moved away from the slab. The breaking of the concrete into pieces should be continued till no slab remains.

Instructions

1. The plywood sealer should be poured into the paint pan. If you are sealing the outdoor plywood siding, you shouldn’t do this task on a windy day. As plywood siding is structural sanding the wood is not a must. It is beneficial if you apply the sealant before installation.

2. Your paint roller or brush should be dipped into the pan with the plywood sealer to saturate the roller. The sealant should be applied in up and down motions to give a smooth and even finish. Drop cloths should be used to avoid staining on the floor.

3. At least one to two hours are required for the plywood sealant to dry totally. A second coat should be applied once drying is over. For painting all sides of the plywood, one side should be finished first and then the same process should be repeated after changing the side.