Are you a handyperson?

I can understand why. OSB would virtually melt in that climate, not to mention its lack of strength in a hurricane.



Another good regional choice. Do most houses there use floor trusses? Is there not much 2X? used for floor joists anymore?

In the 70's and 80's building lots were so cheap that we hardly ever framed a 2-story.
Wisdom had it that we were building for retirees moving down from NY and Boston and they weren't able to get up and down the stairs anymore.

In the 90's I started seeing more 2-story plans; I think because the cost of land started soaring.
We switched to tji's from 2xs, because they spanned farther, you could cut out for wires without losing integrity and they were cheaper to put up(labor).
However, I believe they are about 20% more expensive than 2xs

Of course, silly me, no basements, slab on grade, right?

right, but then...I forgot that where you're at; most houses have basements and floor joists

Very good point 2Packs. I must admit that I have never really looked at the triangles before. Now that you have brought it forward I feel kinda foolish not noticing or paying attention to them.

I understand the "golden rectangle" proportional measurements, and now I can add this information as well.

My tape, a Stanley MaxSteel 26', doesn't have them. I'll have a peek at my other tapes later.

Mine neither. My Stanley English/metric has the 16" diamond, though. Also diamonds at 40cm. Is that metric stud spacing, or something different.

I would suspect, Roger.

40cm/2.54 = 15.748"

I figured you might like that little tid-bit....but no need to feel foolish, I have met guys that were lifetime construction workers, that had never noticed them either....they prob had, but just forgot....as it is one of those things that is often seen....asked about, and whether answered or not {usually not}....forgotten.

And the knowledge...or lack thereof, of the mysterious diamonds, alone, is in no way an indicator of a persons handiness/construction skills....it is only one of many things that can be asked to measure a persons building savvy. I once had a guy, that claimed 15 yrs exp...and to talk to him, he really sounded like he knew his stuff....but it only took me a few min to figure out that he had little to no skills....rookie mistakes right off the bat. Turns out that his son...he was an older man....had been a tile setter {an apprentice} for a few years, and he had picked up on quite a few catch phrases that tile setters use.....one being..."When in doubt, grout"...so his "skills" were achieved vicariously through his sons conversations over dinner.

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I checked four of my tapes today....the two yellow Stanleys had triangles, the Kobalt had little hearts {cute huh, perhaps a play on diamonds, clubs, spades...} and a junker that I bought for my mom....JAP brand, had actual diamonds. I also checked with a carpenter that I ran into....he had a massive 35 footer, Stanley....it had triangles....and my brothers, an older silver case stanley...had diamonds. I also checked my big 100'....it has nothing on it....but those are usually pretty plain to start with. I have more, and will check them if I can find them.

I don't ever remember seeing the dots on a masons rule, which is what I use eh...half the time....cause well, I'm a mason....and we really wouldn't need anything like that...unless somebody hires me to do some repair work on a pyramid.

The carpenter I talked to today, knew they had something to do with bar joists/flat roof decking layouts...and that's the only thing that comes to mind where I have seen them used....besides the new engineered floor trusses...but you guys have mentioned those already. I've asked a few framers about using the dots to get "the" perfect roof angle, but each time that has resulted in an argument....."Oh yeah, well you just bring your buddy Pythagoras over here and I'll show him how to build a roof."

I also asked my sister in law, if she knew what the diamonds were for....she had no idea, and she has worked with my brother, for well over 20 years....I didn't have a chance to ask him, but I kinda doubt he knows either, since he is mainly a marble guy.

see that black dimple just to the right of the Estwing symbol?....anybody guess what that's for ?

To hang your hammer up on a nail???

Umm . . . "Hold this end"?

Hmmm....I smell a joke coming.

Sorry. I'm always that way after eating fresh fruit.

No. Considering I'm a tradesman, I'm pathetic with my hands. I've installed quite a few ceiling fans for friends. When asked, I always reply in the same way. "You attach the fan to the ceiling, and I'll happily do the wiring. Leave the attachment to me, and it's just as likely to come down and take your head off."

It is a wise man who knows his limitations.

- Clint Eastwood

I'm replacing the refrigerant pump on my HVAC as the start capacitor has likely shorted and it's a hermetic unit.

I'll be adjusting valve clearance on my 2004 Honda VFR, to do so it uses bucket/shims.

I changed out the differential and transmission fluids to synthetic recently on my 2002 Mazda Miata.

I tired of residential construction chores a long time ago but I still like mechanical, audio, computer, electronic, automotive......

I must be very wise, as there's not much that I feel confident in tackling!


I'm just about finished painting my basement laundryroom (& etc). Next, I going to be putting some stick-down tiles on over the old stuff that's on the floor.

It should look like a big improvement when it's all done.

So, has anyone been busy with little projects around their home lately?

started painting the old aluminum siding



right side new beige colour, left side original white