I’ve sheathed before, but working on Joe’s house is special to me because (for the first time) I have the opportunity to see the process from beginning to end. I’m a little touchy about this – what I noticed about volunteers who come to work here, is that no matter who they represent, or how skillful they are in construction, they immediately “take ownership” of this home. It’s a beautiful thing when a complete stranger from some law firm walks into the house and strikes up a friendly argument about using screws in the drywall instead of nails (not that we disagree with your suggestion, but imagine 20 volunteers with automatic screwdrivers – I don’t think this is under the Habitat budget or insurance coverage). I can’t help but feel pride and joy, much like 100s of volunteers who have helped with the house since day 1 framing. Please feel free to view and download Images from December 2009:

I would like to pass some helpful information to future participants and eager do-it-yourself enthusiasts when it comes to power tools on the site. Specifically, I would like to share some basic knowledge and protocol for using the handsaw:

1. WEAR GOGGLES (or glasses, or sunglasses). It’s very important to protect your eyes. Trust me, though the OSB (oriented strand board) does not spray a ton of fine dust in your face, you are going to get hit with plenty of seizable pieces of wood chunks (see next point).
2. OSB is different from other types of wood – beware. It is manufactured from sustainable, fast-growing trees such as aspen poplar, southern yellow pine, mixed hardwoods, and other suitable species. The strands are dried, sorted, and mixed with wax and a waterproof binder and formed into large continuous mats. These mats are oriented in cross directional layers for increased strength, then pressed at a high temperature and pressure to form panels. Because OSB is manufactured in this way, you will find that you have to take your time when you begin cutting so that you may get accustomed to the consistency of different types of wood.
3. Set up a sturdy base where you will make all of your cuts – take two sawhorses, two 2X4s, and a sheet of plywood to set up as a table. Generally, when you arrive at the site, all of the OSB will be stacked in one neat pile. DO NOT use the stack as your table to make cuts. This seems like a no-brainer, but I’ve seen too many people do this anyway, so I would like to bring it up. I realize that the stack of OSB provides a good support and ultimately makes the process more efficient for the cutter (that is, you don’t have to carry the boards anywhere, and you already have a nice sturdy base to make cuts). However, you should remember, that 60% of sheathing is done with full, uncut boards, and you will just be in the way of the teams working on the roof, sides and attic of the house.
4. Measure twice (and then measure again). Repeat cut requests from team member out loud (it gets loud and busy – you will get several requests at a time), and write them down on your “table.” Use an orange chalk line reel to “snap” even and straight lines. The way that the real works is that it allows you mark a straight line between two points by releasing chalk on the string by a snapping action. Make sure that you hold the string very tight (you want to avoid making a multitude of faint lines, a result of weak tension on the string).
5. Remember the 1/8th rule. You will lose about 1/8-inch of wood with the cut due to the width of the blade, so cut on the outside of the line.

If you want to use a power tool during your build-day, don’t be shy (ask the site supervisor). Happy volunteering!

PledgeForMoms.org participated in many other Habitat for Humanity events:
Critical Home Repair
Habitat for Humanity July Build Event
Painting
Habitat for Humanity June Build Event
Drywall
Habitat for Humanity May Build Event
Sheathing
Habitat for Humanity April Build Even
Shingling
Helping Habitat for Humanity

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