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Vol.1
No.4
20
March 2002
Using Foam Core
to Construct a Room Box, Part III:
Questions and Answers
George
Hoffman
Jim has the following questions.
Question
#1:
The ceiling doesn't appear to have pine strapping, yet the side and back
studding rise about 1" above the ceilings. Is this airspace, and
if so how far can Foam Core cover with out support?
Answer: (See
Part III drawing below.)
- Glue
Foam Core ceiling to the top of room box walls.
- Next,
glue square pine rafters to the top surface of ceiling of Foam
Core and to the inside of studs. Construction at this point is
very solid.
- Good
question about air space. Yes this is airspace and it helps reduce
heat build-up.
- In
my experience 1/4" Foam Core for the room box needs support
about every 3'
- The
removable 1/4"exterior finished plywood top allows access
later to wiring and for any maintenance.
Question #2:
Does plywood finished exterior screw into the ends of the pine studs?
This seems like the weakest place to put a screw!
Answer:
- Yes
the finished 1/4" exterior plywood top has screws that attach
it to the tops of the vertical studs with cup washers to allow
for removal for access to the interior ceiling and wiring.
- Actually
this method is very strong and better looking when finished.
Question #3:
I think I understand the side and back exterior finish plywood glued
to the studs and gator board base, but what if wiring pulls loose. How
would you get to the wires feeding down through the sides and to the
switch hub box?
Answer:
- Yes
the side and back finished plywood panels are glued as shown in
the drawing to the studs and base of the room box. You will note
in drawing that there is space between the studs. Perhaps not large
enough for your hand, but you can with a stiff wire guide a replacement
lighting wire to the room.
- If
you are replacing a new bulb with wire already attached, tape the
new bulb and wire to the old wire and pull from outside wall and
up between studs.
- The
switch hub box is cut into finished plywood (see drawing) and held
by screws to studs so it may be removed for greater access to wiring
connections.
Question #4:
Does the bottom of the finished plywood sides glue or screw into the
1/4" Gator Board (or 1/4" plywood) base --- what would it screw
into?
Answer:
- The
outer finished plywood sides and back are glued to the outside
of studs and outside of Gator Board (or Plywood) base. Using screws
in Gator Board would not be advisable. Vinyl glue if applied properly
will hold very well.
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Coming
in the
Next Issue...
- "Choosing
the right paint brush"
- Therese Bahl
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Question
of the Week: Answered by Jack Blackham
Question:
This forum is a great
idea! Could you please explain the difference between a jig and a fixture?
- Thanks, Beth G.
Answer:
Dear Beth:
In response to your question about the difference between a jig and a fixture--they
are essentially the same. A fixture is usually temporary and a fixture is permanent.
For example you might make a jig out of wood if you only wanted to use it 6
times, but if you needed it 100 times, well then you`d make it out of metal
and it would be called a fixture. Hope this answers your question.