📖 DIY Knowledge Base
Common Terms
- Stud
- Vertical framing member in walls, typically 2x4 or 2x6 lumber spaced 16 or 24 inches apart.
- Joist
- Horizontal structural member supporting floors or ceilings.
- Miter Cut
- An angled cut, typically 45 degrees, used to create corners.
- Plumb
- Perfectly vertical; checked with a plumb bob or level.
- Level
- Perfectly horizontal; checked with a level tool.
- Square
- A 90-degree angle; essential for proper assembly.
- Kerf
- The width of material removed by a saw blade.
- Load Bearing
- A wall or structural element that supports weight above it.
Tool Terminology
- Chuck
- The part of a drill that holds the bit.
- Torque
- Rotational force; important for driving screws without stripping.
- Pilot Hole
- A small hole drilled before inserting a screw to prevent splitting.
- Counter-sink
- A hole drilled to allow a screw head to sit flush or below the surface.
Material Types
- Softwood: Pine, fir, cedar - easy to work, common framing material
- Hardwood: Oak, maple, cherry - durable, used for finish work
- MDF: Medium Density Fiberboard - smooth surface, good for painting
- Plywood: Layered wood sheets - strong, stable, versatile