NBN Online for the week of February 5, 2008

(Plain Text Version) for full graphical version, click here.

In This Issue:

Front Page
Congress Gives Housing Some Stimulus, But More Is Needed
Builders Keep No-Growth Proposal Off Florida Ballot
Members, Please Take the Online NAHB Branding Survey
New NAHB TV Spots Help HBAs, Members Promote Home Buying
Nation's Building News Will Not Be Published Feb. 11 or Feb. 18
Coast to Coast
Home Builder Wieland Upbeat Amid Housing Downturn
Politics & Government
'No End in Sight’ to Battle With Growth Opponents
Austin Builders Defeat Fire Sprinkler Mandate
Plan to Attend the 2008 NAHB Legislative Conference
Economics & Finance
Affordability Key for Selling to First-Time Home Buyers
Builders in Connecticut Accentuate Market Positives
Eye on the Economy: Housing Will Improve Later This Year
Useful Links to Monitor Economic and Housing Trends
IBS
Special Builder Panel Looks at Weathering Economic Slump
NAHB Board of Directors and Caucus Meeting Schedule
Strategies for Survival and Success: Special Programs at IBS
Feb. 14 ‘Green Day' Highlight of Builders’ Show
Think Radically About Industry Education at IBS and Win Prizes
IBS Workshops Ready Members for ‘National Designation Month’
BuilderBooks.com Has New Resources Available at IBS
A Few Spots Still Available for 'Spokesperson Training' at IBS
Tips
Builders' Tip: Getting Pinpoint Accuracy in Stair-Rail Joints
Sales
Experts Say Sales Teams Must Learn to Overcome Objections
Business Management
Members, Submit Comments on ‘Performance Guidelines’
50Plus Housing
New Survey Reveals Housing Wants of 45+ Age Group
Duplex Transformed Into Home for a Lifetime
Free Architectural Plan Reviews, Community Ad Reviews at IBS
Deadline Nears for 'Best of 50+ Housing Awards'
Learn How to Build a 50+ Housing Council on Feb. 14 at IBS
Multifamily
Condos an Affordable Alternative for Young Buyers
Pillars of the Industry Award Finalists Announced
Technology
Kitchen Lighting Controls Enhance Buyers’ Lifestyles
Remodelers
Lead Paint Rule in Final Review
Attend NAHB Remodelers Chairman’s Dinner at IBS
Building Systems
Experts to Discuss State of Systems-Built Industry at IBS
Education
Education Calendar
Regulation
Land Development Magazine Celebrates 20th Anniversary
Legal
Discrimination Suit Against Kyle, Texas Goes to Court
Workforce housing
Affordability Upturn Does Little for Low-Wage Workers
Delaware's Rep. Castle Honors Legacy of Leon Weiner
Labor
Students Headed to Orlando for Construction Competitions
Building Products
Whirlpool Contest Offers IBS Attendee Faraway Trip for Two
Dryvit Donates Cladding System to New American Home
Closet Factory Brings Custom Cabinets to New American Home
Timberlake Cabinets Help Make New American Home Green
Honeywell Technology Delivers Emergency Communication
TV
NAHB-Produced Programs on DIY, Fine Living and HGTV
Endowment
Eight Builders to Be Honored at IBS for Community Service
Association News
NAHB Board Meeting Set for Feb. 15 in Orlando
Introducing the Hertz Green Collection. Reserve and Conserve.
UPS Offers Up to 30% Discount to NAHB Members on Shipping
Get Dell Double Discounts This Month
Calendar of Events
NAHB Career Center

Builders' Tip: Getting Pinpoint Accuracy in Stair-Rail Joints

 

 

 

Click for larger image.

In my experience, people really scrutinize the joints in handrails when judging quality workmanship. The joints are easy to see, and if a misaligned joint doesn’t catch your eye, your hand will eventually find it.

Here’s a tip to help keep those joints between handrail sections — such as the intersection between the easing and the rail — aligned properly:

  • As shown in the accompanying illustration, I set two little brads into the rail and then clip off their heads, leaving pointed brad ends above the rail bolt.

  • Now, when I draw the two pieces together by tightening the nut on the rail bolt, the handrail sections won’t twist.


— Stephen R. Tobin, Ridgefield, Conn.

Tips & Techniques provided by Fine Homebuilding.
©2005 The Taunton Press

To request a reprint of this feature, e-mail Christina Glennon at Fine Homebuilding.



Set Yourself Apart With CGB Designation

Join the ranks of the nation’s top building industry professionals with the Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) designation. The “Builder Assessment Review” (BAR) is your first step towards obtaining the CGB.

This comprehensive assessment measures your expertise in the four key areas of the building industry: building technology, business and finance, project management and sales and marketing.

Your results will show the areas where your knowledge is strongest and weakest and will help determine the courses required for you to obtain your CGB.

To learn where the next BAR will be held, visit NAHB’s education listings, or call the Professional Designation Help Line at 800-368-5242 x8154.



BuilderBooks.com Offers More Than 250 Books That Help You Build Your Business

BuilderBooks.com is your source for training and education products for the building industry. The official bookstore for NAHB, BuilderBooks.com offers award-winning publications, software, brochures and more available in both English and Spanish.

To view these publications online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.



Free NAHB Kit Gives Builders Back-to-Basics Tips to Navigate the Slowdown

What was once expected to be a relatively mild housing slump following three years of record new home construction and sales has given way to a significant downturn.

To help members navigate the uncharted waters of this slowdown, NAHB has compiled a comprehensive “Back to Basics” online toolkit — the best of the basics, the tried and true and the truly new. To access the toolkit, click here.

To access the “Back to Basics” toolkit, you must be an NAHB member and have a login to www.nahb.org. To create a login, go to www.nahb.org/login or click on the log-in button on the main menu bar.

For assistance, call the NAHB Member Service Center at 800-368-5242.


 

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