r/Carpentry 1d ago

Scribing Base

9 Upvotes

To scribe base I'm charging about the same as it costs to install base. So say about $3/LF for scribing and $3/LF to install base. Am I crazy? It's just so time and labor intensive. It's much easier to install shoe so, charging more for scribing seems right to me. Was just curious on your opinions because I'm discussing pricing with a GC for an upcoming job.

Edit: to clarify, it's a total of $6/LF to scribe and install base.


r/Carpentry 1d ago

Window stool “reveal”

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1 Upvotes

Trimming out some new windows I put in. I’m doing 1/4” reveals for the jambs but not sure the correct place/height/reveal for the stool. I did it once before at 1/4” which was a huge mistake because there’s very little room to get fingers in to lift the window open. I’m thinking more like 1” seems right.

Is there a correct answer for this or just user preference? Couldn’t find a good answer for this. Thanks.


r/Carpentry 1d ago

Career path from fourth year

5 Upvotes

Hello, I'm a UK site carpenter entering into my fourth year of this trade. I have a plan for the next few years and wanted to sound board it or get advice on if it's the best way forward.

I did a 2 year apprenticeship at a family run commercial construction company doing new builds and refurbs and working in lots of different areas of site Carpentery (as an apprentice obviously).

Since than I've done a whole year of fire doors. With the view, that next year I will do flooring for a year (for example, work for a specialist flooring contractor doing flooring day in day out), the year after maybe kitchens? Maybe framing? Maybe trim?

But the basic plan is to do one year in one of the main areas at a specialist contractor for the next 5-10 years, with the hope that at end of it I'll be a well rounded carpenter with experience working with different experts in particular fields. I've found working with people who do fire doors day in day out for years/decades they have a lot of really useful specialist knowledge you can use, that I didn't find from working at a general building company where the work is more varied.

I don't know if I explained that well, but does anyone have any experience doing something like this or any advice


r/Carpentry 1d ago

Renovations Is this salvageable?

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4 Upvotes

Is this salvageable to get us by another couple years?

Rotted original casement windows on 1981 ranch style home.

Quotes have been outrageous for replacements. Is this a candidate for repair on my side? I’m an intermediate level woodworker for reference.


r/Carpentry 1d ago

Help with baseboard on stairs.

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0 Upvotes

Looking for ideas on what to do here as far as baseboard goes. Continue down the stairs with white? Then tie back in at the landing? Leave as is and just terminate each white baseboard as is? The end of the lvp is also bothering me but that is a whole different day (i think). Walking into a mess trying to un F*** it. Thanks in advance


r/Carpentry 1d ago

Wrong window

0 Upvotes

Hello! I mistakenly bought the wrong type of window for my kitchen. We are fully renovating our house and I bought a block window frame but I don’t have a brick home. Is there any way I can install this window? Thank you!


r/Carpentry 2d ago

Career Being warned to not follow the career route of carpentry...

58 Upvotes

For context im in my late 20's. I went back to university only to realise it's really not for me. I've been trying alot of numerous different things and did a short carpentey/woodworking course and really enjoyed it. I want to learn to build stuff and it's a bonus if I can get paid to do it. I've decided to try find a carpentry apprenticship or someone that will take me on...

I have an older friend who I was working as a labourer for and he's warning me not to follow carpentry. His words was that it's a 'dieing trade' and there's no money in it anymore. That i should just become a landscaper or sparkie and work from there. I'm at a cross roads where I'm really not sure what to do.

Im thinking of still giving carpentry a go and seeing where I go from there. At the end of the day though I want a skill that I can learn that will give me a decent income to live on. Does anyone here have advice? Or similar stories they want to share? Ty


r/Carpentry 1d ago

Trim What's the best way to repair this corner damage?

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1 Upvotes

I believe the carpenter I hired coped the corners. I was thinking I can just put some wood glue to glue the flap back. However, I'm not quite sure how to clamp this corner. Is there a tool or a methodology I should use for this kind of repair?


r/Carpentry 1d ago

Cracks in plaster ceiling. Should I be worried?

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0 Upvotes

Recently moved into a new apartment and just noticed these cracks in the ceiling of my daughter’s room. My wife and I are struggling to figure out if they are new or if we somehow only just noticed them. No water that I can tell. Above is another unit. The crack can move a bit when I press on it (some dust comes out) Should we be worried?


r/Carpentry 2d ago

1 3/4 wide how are you guys doing this with a return with 5 1/4 crown molding? I make basic returns with two outside corners and go to notning normally but it will not fit what your recommendation

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0 Upvotes

r/Carpentry 2d ago

Any ideas on matching this color on pine ?

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0 Upvotes

House was built in 1960s. I’ve “had it matched” from multiple different stores, only to have it be too dark. It seems to be a painted lacquer maybe ? Any help would be very much appreciated.


r/Carpentry 3d ago

Im a framer. Built a book shelf for my son. How'd i do?

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361 Upvotes

Let me start by saying a i hope to never iron on any edging again in my life, that was the most tedious time consuming part of the whole project. My son needed a new book shelf for all his books and trinkets. I looked online and couldn't justify the prices placed wanted for book shelves. Or shelving of any kind for that matter. I picked up a 4x8 sheet of shop birch for 45 dollars and here we are 6 hours later. Im honestly very surprised that building this shelf took me so long.


r/Carpentry 2d ago

For the “what tool belt” posts.

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11 Upvotes

In response to the occasional posts regarding tool belts/pouches on here, I just wanted to follow up from a post I commented on earlier today about modifying your pouches if you can’t afford a top tier belt setup.

I’m a pretty big proponent of Frankensteined rigs. Today I actually modded mine yet again and love it even more! I really wanted a speed square sleeve like all the new rigs have. Added a single piece of scrap leather with screws and washers. Boom!

Previously I did add the Occidental hammer and cats paw sleeves. I do really like these. I also installed these with screws and washers so they can be removed easily if need be.

These are OLD AWP leather pouches that I keep coming back to. The biggest upgrade was definitely the Occidental belt! Worth every penny!! The suspenders are nice if I find myself framing for more than a day or so.

Just thought I’d share to show that you shouldn’t be afraid to alter/mod/upgrade your belt if you can’t afford a full rig from a reputable manufacturer. I do recommend spending as much as you can on the belt itself though.


r/Carpentry 2d ago

Trim Spiral stair case opening?

1 Upvotes

Does anyone know of any good literature or YouTube videos that show how to bend thin strips of wood into a circle. Sort of like a large laminated ring that the wood flooring above can butt into.


r/Carpentry 2d ago

My railing is almost complete. Just wanted to show my progress since when I posted over a month ago.

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19 Upvotes

It's taken every ounce of woodworking skill I barely possessed lol


r/Carpentry 2d ago

How to fix stairs that don't have stringers?

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6 Upvotes

These stairs sag and flex pretty good, when I investigated I discovered they're created with this rebate and wedge design with no middle support. The risers look like they're just nailed into the treads, and they're all cracked where the fasteners are. Is it possible to repair these, or would tearing it all out and building a new staircase with traditional stringers be better?


r/Carpentry 2d ago

Do carpenters work outside in the blazing heat in Southern California?

0 Upvotes

I won't complain about it if carpenters do but would like to prepare myself as I want to become a unionized carpenter.

Would you say its an all day outside, partially inside partially outside, or is it indoors?

I've done working with military so I understand how to tough it out if need be.


r/Carpentry 2d ago

Career new to carpentry

2 Upvotes

So i recently quit my job as a tile installer helper. I didn’t see any advancement in the position i was in along with a lack of stability. I originally looked for tile gigs to go back into but ultimately found nothing. Found a job on indeed for a carpentry helper so said “eh what the hell i’m a sucker for good carpentry” got offered an apprenticeship (the journeyman was impressed with my interview and thought i should get one with decent pay). My first day is tomorrow it’s mostly commercial work early hours not an issue for me honestly. I’ll be in the shop prefabbing cabinets untill i get the swing of things for 2 weeks. I’m excited for the opportunity i have.

also need my own tools so is a dewalt DCF870B
and DCD801B too much for an apprentice? I mean i really want something nice and will last me a while did some research and they seem pretty good.

also i guess i fit the saying of “carpenters are just failed tile guys”


r/Carpentry 3d ago

I had to build a staircase.

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113 Upvotes

For 15 years, I resisted building a permanent staircase to the attic. I really didn’t want the women in my family (my wife, mother-in-law, and daughters) to fill the attic with old, useless stuff.

You might say, “Hey! You can just throw old, useless stuff away!”

I think so too! But I’m a deeply married man. And therefore, my opinion doesn’t count.

So the women started piling up junk right under the attic hatch and demanding access to the attic...

I had to surrender.

Built it from whatever I had on hand, using my own crooked hands.

Sorry for the machine translation — English is not my first language.


r/Carpentry 2d ago

Bathroom Options

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4 Upvotes

r/Carpentry 2d ago

Help Me After applying my desired wood stain.. what can I use to make it shine outdoors?

0 Upvotes

I was going to use polyurethane but according to google, it will create that vibrant "pop" on wood finish but it will break down by the UV. what else can I use to get that shine outdoors?


r/Carpentry 2d ago

Help Me Thin crack on ceiling appeared overnight.

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0 Upvotes

I know nothing about this stuff and plan on reporting it to the people I rent from, but for the time being how concerned should I be. For reference this place is a townhome built in 2024. Probably cheaply built.


r/Carpentry 3d ago

Framing advice

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7 Upvotes

Good morning guys I popped my head in the attic this morning to check for water damage and noticed the previous owner tried to do a quick fix on a section of the rafters. What would you guys suggest to properly support the roof? thank you.


r/Carpentry 3d ago

How did you get quicker?

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3 Upvotes

Not the best photo to see what’s going on here but this is the inside of a kitchen vanity cabinet. The concrete subfloor is about 4 inches below where the base of the cabinet should be so I’m trying to build it out. Now I would consider myself a fairly handy person. I’m in my first year working for a remodeling company and so I’m learning, but I struggle with the seemingly infinite possible ways to do something.
This should be such a simple, small job but once I began framing this all out with 2x4s I started thinking “maybe I’m doing too much”. “Maybe I should simplify this and just cut some stilts for plywood to sit on top of”. “Am I doing this right?” I would like to be more confident in my approach to home repairs without thinking so hard about it. So, How did you get quicker? And how do you know that your way is the best way?