Why are Kreg square drive bits manufactured from soft cheese?

Had to run out and buy a replacement driver bit in the middle of a pocket-hole project because the original rounded over. Now the replacement driver bit is already feeling dicey after just a few dozen screws.

Is there a “buy once, cry once” #2 square-drive bit from another brand? Or can I switch to pocket-hole-compatible star-drive screws?

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u/icysandstone — 8 days ago

How did they do this trim?

Is this simply a small ogee/cyma panel moulding applied to the edge of the bookcase stile? Or is the stile typically milled with this detail? (3 photos attached)

u/icysandstone — 25 days ago

Trying to learn about grain. Got this 1/2” walnut ply for some built-in shelves and a desktop. Side A or B? Why?

Would love to know how to think about this. Straighter grain = better?

u/icysandstone — 1 month ago

I’m building a desktop and bookshelves for a built-in using 1/2” walnut plywood. I want them thicker, so I’m considering a 3/4” birch-ply core sandwiched between walnut ply, for ~1-3/4” overall. For the exposed front edge, should I do a three-sided miter wrap or use 4/4 solid walnut nosing?

u/icysandstone — 1 month ago

Bespoke millwork, would you use this type of v-shaped recess for *uplighting* a shelf? (5 pics)

Obviously the pics are for downlighting, but you get the idea. Imagine the shelves flipped so the light is on the top side.

(I am posting this as a follow-up to an earlier thread about shelf lighting. I found this elegant solution from swisswoodworkinginc on IG, while researching the topic.)

If one’s goal is uplighting a bookshelf, would this be the ideal custom solution for embedding/recessing the LED tape into the millwork?

u/icysandstone — 1 month ago

Bespoke desk alcove lighting. Should LED tape go the top of the shelves, too? Pick which letters you’d choose.

My current plan is cut dadoes in the bottom of the shelves only, A, C, E. Would B, C, E be a better combo? Or A, B, C, E? Or something else?

u/icysandstone — 1 month ago

How would you fasten this desk alcove to the wall in the least conspicuous way?

This desk alcove is basically a tall refrigerator-sized cabinet made with 3/4” ply, but without a bottom panel. Important to know: the Desktop and shelves are captured in dadoes. What’s the best way to fasten it to the wall so it’s aesthetically pleasing?

u/icysandstone — 2 months ago

What’s a proper architectural control for CCT if I’m using tunable LEDs? (Want control at the wall switch)

Figured I’d use an Emitever driver and BTF’s tunable CCT tape.

I want the wall switch to control both the dimming and CCT tuning.

It’s incredible how little information there is on this topic anywhere. It’s almost as if nobody ever does CCT tuning! 🤷‍♂️

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u/icysandstone — 2 months ago

Full wall face frame with inset doors…… sequencing question.

Quick cabinet question for this monolithic wall system I’m building: Murphy bed is now done and I just finished all the carcasses for the left desk alcove and the upper cabs.

WHAT I NOW NEED TO FINISH: 1) build a full-wall face frame and 2) build/install inset upper doors.

Would you build and fit the face frame first, then measure and build the doors to the finished openings? Or use a different order?

(Pic attached is an earlier draft, 95% accurate, but you get the idea. Some small quirks with the details.)

u/icysandstone — 2 months ago

I KNOW you guys have a clever solution for this. How would you hardwire bespoke 120V under-cabinet LEDs without removing the cabinets or touching the 2’ tile backsplash? Electrical Reddit was no help. Diagram shows my best idea but I’m betting there’s a better way.

ANY HELP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION IS APPRECIATED, big or small! I know there’s got to be a straightforward best practice for this.

The plan I hatched myself: mount the LED drivers on top of the cabinets (Emitever—they’re metal and have 120V and 24V knockouts).

P.S. One caveat: there is a basement, BUT this is an exterior wall, so dropping cable down a stud bay isn’t so easy—the wall sits on the concrete foundation.

u/icysandstone — 2 months ago

Can you please please please recommend me a fabric for this Murphy bed “headboard”? How much should I expect to pay/yard?

Would appreciate any ideas!!! (I’m new to this.) Can I get something in beige/oatmeal that would look nice for $10/yard?? Or am I going to need to spend $30+/yard? Grateful for any advice, obviously I’m new here!

u/icysandstone — 2 months ago

Is HITLIGHTS a legit brand? Asking because I want LED and CCT dimming without all the smart device fuss and stumbled upon this product. Looks like just a dumb switch at the wall that controls dimming and color temps. Just what I want. Is there a better option?

Is there a better brand that does the same thing as this switch? I’m just a hobbyist and want something easy to adjust on the wall. I stumbled on this product but never heard of this brand before so I wanted to ask you guys if they’re above board. FYI this is the “EZDim Pro CCT” and appears to cost about $130.

u/icysandstone — 2 months ago

Going nuts trying to figure out the cleanest cable routing for my hardwired (120V in, 24V out) under-cabinet tape lights. I’d be TREMENDOUSLY GRATEFUL if just one of you low-voltage wizards could whack me with the clue bat.

u/icysandstone — 2 months ago

Long shot, but I’ll ask anyways… have you ever seen Murphy beds that have applied upholstery to the interior carcass? (Rear, sides, top)

I’m gonna give it a shot, but I’d feel better if I could find some inspiration pics or get advice. Grateful for any thoughts, thanks.

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u/icysandstone — 3 months ago

Where would you put the light switches for this room? PINK, BLUE or RED dots? …or somewhere else?

This is my Sketchup model for a cabinet system I built. Millwork has integrated aluminum LED channels for the shelves/bed (24V class2, driver in cabs). My question… ideally, should ALL lights be controllable at the door?

A switch in the desk alcove seems like a nice intentional detail so you don’t need to get out of bed. Is there a right way for premium homes? 🤷‍♂️ Appreciate any thoughts before I take a router to these painstakingly finished cabinets!

u/icysandstone — 3 months ago

Architectural millwork enjoyers, I have a question for you. Photo 1 or 2, which design is better? Inset cabinets with or without center face-frame stiles?

Assuming all else equal (cost, materials, etc.), from a traditional furniture-making and architectural millwork perspective, which is the “better” design? I’ve developed some opinions, but I still consider myself a novice. Would love to hear if you have any thoughts or strong opinions!

u/icysandstone — 3 months ago

Something of an academic design question on inset cabinet doors… keeping or removing the center face-frame stile between adjacent doors?

Nerd alert. It’s a lazy Thursday and this has something that’s been nagging me for too long. Is the center stile chosen purely on design and not cost? What does having it “say”?

u/icysandstone — 3 months ago

What kind of workflow do you have for cleaning out your sprayer after a spray session? What things should I be doing that really help cut down on the time?

I’m new at this but man, I spend more time cleaning than spraying! I know this is a common newbie thing to say but how can I improve my workflow or cleaning setup so it doesn’t take as much time? Appreciate any advice.

EDIT: Fuji Q5 HVLP sprayer with a gravity cup, and Sherwin Williams Gallery Series for primer and top coat.

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u/icysandstone — 4 months ago

Attention to detail on Murphy beds… these ugly stamped steel brackets have long been a pet peeve of mine. Anyone seen or come up with good solutions for making the hardware situation more… aesthetic?

First things first, yes, this is a 99th percentile detail and I’m treating the Murphy bed with architectural/furniture-grade detailing than cabinet installation. Wondering if some of you have some decent solutions… All Murphy bed kits have ugly, unaesthetic black stamped steel brackets that IMO unnecessarily cheapen the surrounding millwork. I’m thinking of making a removable panel that can conceal most of the hardware while still allowing movement/access. Maybe held on with rare-earth magnets, idk. Ever seen this, or a better solution? I’ve done a TON of research on the socials and haven’t seen ONE example of anyone addressing this ugly albatross.

u/icysandstone — 4 months ago

Just a humble newbie trying to dial in technique/skill… any ideas why I’m seeing “spitting” on cabinet panels (pic 1 & 2) while others are totally fine (pic 3)? (Fuji Q5 HVLP, more details below…)

Painting a bunch of built in cabinet panels. Pasting my nicely formatted deets/context, below. Humbly appreciate any advice from you finishing ninjas!!! 🙏

Cabinet Finishing Notes
Primer: 1 coat SW Gallery Series Primer
Topcoat: 2 coats SW Gallery Series (unthinned)

Equipment
Fuji Q5 HVLP
Gravity cup
1.5 mm tip

Settings
Turbine: 9–10
Fluid: ~50% open
Fan: ~50% wide
Cap: Vertical

Technique
Target distance: 8”
Actual distance: 8–12”+ at times
Overlap target: ~50%
(Idk how much I’m actually hitting my targets, need to pay more attention)

Results After Top Coat #2
Some panels: very smooth/perfect
Some panels: spitting appearance, little dots
Large panels: color/sheen striping (still drying though, only been 90 mins so far)

u/icysandstone — 4 months ago