Hands-On
Trades
Carpentry
Framing a Door's Rough Opening
Framing a rough opening means adding about 1/2 inch clearance between the top and both sides of the door jams and the framed rough opening. This clearance provides you with a little room to fine tune the door position before securing it in place.
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To determine the size of the rough opening, measure the height and width of the pre-hung door, add the clearances mentioned above, and you've got the size of the rough opening.
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During the actual door installation, you will use shims to adjust the door jams and 16d casing nails to hold the pre-hung door in place.
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Building the Header
Using the highlighted 2 x 12 in the above table as an example, the material column refers to two 2 x 12's on edge with pieces of 1/2" plywood spacer sandwiched between. This will make the header 3.5" thick so that if fits flush on both sides of a standard 3.5 inch wall.
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The length and height of the header will vary based on load and size requirements. Secure the parts together with 16d common nails.
Determine the Length of the Header
Using a 3-0 door (3' 0" wide) as an example, you can determine the length of the header by adding 1 inch (the combined spacing of both sides of the door jams), plus 3 more inches. The extra 3" is because the header will rest on the top of the two 1.5 inch trimmer studs (see the Typical Wall Section diagram).
The following table can be used to determine the maximum allowable length for a given header size. For instance, a double 2 x 12 header can be spanned 12' if you are supporting the ceiling and roof of a single story house. The same 2 x 12 header can only span 9' if you are supporting a second floor, plus ceiling and roof.
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Material
Supporting one floor (ceiling and roof)
Supporting only ceiling and roof
2 x 4
3' 0"
3' 6"
2 x 6
5' 0"
6' 0"
2 x 8
7' 0"
8' 0"
2 x 10
8' 0"
10' 0"
2 x 12
9' 0"
12' 0"
Masonry
Masonry and Roofing Repairs
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Walls Waterproofing.
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Lintels Replacement Tuck pointing, concrete, stone and brick repairs.
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Plumbing
Plumbing
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is inspecting and repairing pipes
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is a skilled tradesperson in charge of installing
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knowledge of efficiency codes
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systems to make sure all of a building’s fixtures operate correctly.
Their duties include finding the source of leaks and blockages, fixing or replacing broken parts and testing the plumbing system.
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Automotive
Automotive
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Learn to work under the hood in real auto bays inside fully-equipped shops with computerized
diagnostic equipment and specialty tools.
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Be able to take apart and reassemble gasoline engines; diagnose no-start/fuel problems;
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Work with brake lines, transmissions, transaxles, and much more.
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Electrician
Electrician
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Understand and apply blueprints and technical diagrams
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Inspect electrical components including transformers and circuit breakers
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Use testing devices to identify and report electrical problems
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Use hand and power tools
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Adhere to state and local building regulations
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Set up and test computer systems by running cables and connecting computer jacks and plugs
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Apprentice Iron Worker
Apprentice Iron Worker
An apprentice ironworker earns as he/she learns the trade. Local ironworkers' unions offer apprenticeships that typically last three to four years. They involve 600 to 800 hours of classroom training in addition to job-site training.
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Assignments start wit rudimentary tasks and progress as the apprentice gains skills. During the apprenticeship, the trainee puts in eight-hour days on the job site. His assignment includes reading blueprints, welding, erecting steel structures and using scaffolding. He might also assemble rigging, direct crane operators, set reinforcement bar and unload supplies. The apprentice completes some of the assigned tasks on the ground and others from scaffolding or on steel beams at great heights.