When did they quit making square nails?

about 1830 Square-head nails were made from the late 1700s until about 1830. Most were machine-cut and finished off by a blacksmith who squared the heads. From 1830 to 1890, cabinetmakers used headless, machine-cut nails that are a tapered, rectangular shape. Modern wire, brad or penny nails were introduced around 1890.

columbiatribune.com - Hardware helps peg an antique's age - Columbia Daily Tribune

What is a little bigger than a tiny house?

Micro homes are the “next step up” from tiny houses; they range from 400 to approximately 800 sq. ft. Apr 19, 2021

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How do you tell if a burglar is watching your house?

Signs a burglar is watching your house Unfamiliar vehicles. ... Suspicious people. ... Get to know your neighbors. ... Get a video doorbell. ......

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Nancy Russell

One of the most important things an antique collector can learn is how to make an “educated guess.” I’m asked, “How old is it?” But even after 40 years in the antique business, I’m still trying to learn how to answer that question. Antique furniture has been my interest for longer than any other kind of antique, so I’ll share some of the basic techniques I use to determine age. First, I look at the width and thickness of the boards that were used to build the piece. Early furniture makers used single boards that were as wide as the tree. In later times, to save money and wood, narrow, uniform boards were glued together. Inspect the piece for evidence of gapping between boards, cracking and protruding pegs. Remember that wood shrinks in a direction opposite of the grain. The amount of shrinkage is determined by the softness of the wood and the age. Early circular tabletops will sometimes become oval or longer in the direction of the grain. They might tend to cup or warp. Study the nails, pegs or screws that were used to hold the boards in place. Furniture predating 1790 will include “rose-head” nails identified by their irregular, rose-shaped heads. They were made individually by blacksmiths. Square-head nails were made from the late 1700s until about 1830. Most were machine-cut and finished off by a blacksmith who squared the heads. From 1830 to 1890, cabinetmakers used headless, machine-cut nails that are a tapered, rectangular shape. Modern wire, brad or penny nails were introduced around 1890. Screws were occasionally used in early furniture, too. Thin and slightly off-center slots and off-round heads can identify blacksmith-forged examples. The threads will be slightly uneven. Nails and screws were expensive and hard to obtain, so many cabinetmakers used small wooden pins or pegs when building furniture. Newer machine-era pins will be perfectly circular and flush to the surface of the boards. Early handmade pegs are not round and protrude slightly from the surface because of shrinkage in the wood. Don’t forget to look on the underside of the boards for visible saw marks. The circular saw wasn’t widely used until after 1830, but if you see straight saw marks on the boards, these might have been cut with vertical motion ripsaws that were used before that time. Finally, look at the patina, or aging, that has occurred on the wood. Ideally, your piece is in original condition, but even if it has been stripped and refinished, you might see signs of the original surface by looking inside the doors or on the edges of drawers. Look for signs of old paint, as many country pieces were originally painted instead of varnished. If you see signs of the original finish, it should appear on all parts of the furniture. Look at the feet, top and sides to determine whether any part has been replaced. Don’t fall in love with the “look” of a piece of furniture before determining its age, condition and value. Try to use your eyes and brain without letting your heart get in the way. This will help you to not make an expensive mistake. Nancy Russell is co-owner of Boone’s Lick Trail Antiques at 4038 E. Broadway in Columbia. If you have an item for “What is It?” or something about which you would like information, please send a photo and brief description to n.russell@mac.com or to Antiques, Columbia Daily Tribune, P.O. Box 798, Columbia, Mo., 65205.

How much does a large metal shed weigh?

Metal sheds can weigh as little as 70 pounds, and larger metal sheds don't usually weigh more than 200 pounds.

Last updated Nov 8, 2020

How do I prepare my ground for a new shed?

If you're planning to install a storage shed on your property, you'll need to level and prepare the site before the day of delivery. ... Stake the...

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Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

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What is the best thickness of shelves?

Use 3/4-inch thick materials for shelves and bookcase structure. If you're using hardwood solids, it's OK to boost the thickness to 1 1/4 inch for almost unlimited support.

homeguides.sfgate.com - Building Bookshelves That Will Not Sag - Home Guides

Bookcase shelves can sag if the fasteners or joints fail. For single, rectangular free-standing bookcases with two sides and a top, it's best to dado the shelves into the vertical jambs on either side. Dadoes are small channels cut on a table saw to receive the ends of the shelves on both sides. It's necessary to cut them into the sides before assembly. It's acceptable to skip the dado process if you fasten the shelves securely with nails or screws. Finish nails work fine, but screws work better. If you're in doubt about the integrity of the shelves on any bookcase, add 3/4-inch by 3/4-inch screw cleats or blocks to the bottom of the shelves, suggests Better Homes & Gardens. Screw them to the sides of the bookcase under the shelf. Screw the shelf to the cleats from the top. Another way to add strength to bookcases is by adding a back. For economy and efficiency, use either 1/4-inch hardboard or 1/4-inch hardwood plywood for the back. Apply glue around the perimeter of the bookcase unit and the back of the shelves. Place the back on, and staple it to the backs of the shelves and around the perimeter using a staple gun and 1-inch staples.

How do I keep my wooden shed from rotting?

The place where your shed's floor system meets the ground is at the greatest risk of rotting. Your storage building should be slightly elevated to...

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As a general rule of thumb, fencing in your back garden should be no taller than 2 metres high (or about 6.5 feet tall). But how high can a front...

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Does a metal garage add value to your home?

Not only have homeowners utilized a steel building for residential purposes, but builders have also made additions to their existing property. No...

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Is a two story cheaper to build?

Two-story homes are more cost-efficient to build because they offer more space without adding more foundation or roof costs, so the cost per square...

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