Just as important as good design is proper construction techniques--most non-working circuits are the results of bad solder joints and improper wiring connections.  These articles can get you started with tried and true techniques to make your projects a success.

• The Art of Soldering
  QST February 2001, p.72
  Some "tips" for good soldering.
• Collecting a Ham's Tools of the Trade
  QST April 1978, pp. 17-19
  Use your knowledge, test gear and calculator as ham "tools." But don't forget that a good set of hand tools is also necessary.
• Screws -- Nuts -- and Things 
  QST June 1961, pp. 30-34
  How to use them in ham equipment
• How to Solder
  QST August 1973, pp. 16-18
• The Joy of Building
  QST September 1993, pp. 64-66
  Put some extra pizzazz into Amateur Radio by building your own equipment!
• Building Your Own Station Accessories 
  QST February 1994, pp. 61-64
  Sure, you can buy your own accessories, but why not build them instead? There are plenty of easy kits available.
• Try Building Your Own Equipment
  QST March 1995, pp. 39-42
  You can turn those QST articles into nice-looking pieces of equipment -- and you can learn by building them.
• Homebrew Your Own Inductors!
  QST August 1997, pp. 33-35
  Can't find the inductor you need for an antenna, a tuner or amplifier? Build your own -- it's easy!
  Feedback: QST October 1997, p. 83. In the second column of the sidebar, the multiplication sign under the radical is in error; that should be a plus sign (for addition).
  
• Wrinkle Finish Paint
• Ironing Out Your Own Printed-Circuit Boards 
  QST July 1993, pp. 42-44
  Here's how you can make professional-looking PC boards with little trouble and minimal cost.
• Designing and Bending Metal Enclosures
  QST October 1980, pp.32-33
  Do you get all bent out of shape when bending metal? Do lids that don't fit give you fits? This article will help you gain an understanding of metal bending -- without fatigue!
• A Homebrew. Light-Duty Metal Brake
  QST October 1996, pp. 41-43
  Tired of bending sheet metal over your knee? Try this!
• Rewinding Transformers
  QST October 1980, pp. 34-37
  Turned off by the high cost of power supplies? Wouldn't you like to turn a junked transformer into a custom-wound unit in less than two hours? It is easy; here's how.
• Build it Yourself from QST
  Part 1  -- QST April 1992, pp. 31-36
  Part 2  -- QST May 1992, pp. 35-39
  Part 3  -- QST June 1992, pp. 42-45
  Feedback, QST June 1993, p. 73
  Part 4  -- QST July 1992, pp. 31-34
  Thinking about starting to build some of your own gear? Here's how to turn a QST project into reality.  Bruce Hale, KB1MW/7, describes how to build a 1 watt 20M VXO controlled transmitter.
  
• Substituting Parts
  QST August 1992, Lab Notes, pp. 66-67
• Attaching Connectors to Coaxial Cable
  The ARRL Handbook, 1999, pp. 22.7-22.9
• Some Tools and Tricks of the Hobby
  QST April 2000, pp. 78-79
  Technical Correspondence
• How To Read Circuit Diagrams - Part 1
  QST August 1963, pp. 39-43
• How To Read Circuit Diagrams - Part 2
  QST September 1963, pp. 37-41
• Schematics at Your Fingertips
  QST October 1993, pp. 39-40
  Create good looking schematics with Microsoft Windows Paint.
  Also see Schematic Drawing Software, Hints & Kinks, QST December 2000
  (Schemat.zip) mentioned in the above H&K)
• Connectors for (Almost) All Occasions--Part 1
  QST April 1991, pp. 35-38
  How to properly install popular ham shack connectors
• Connectors for (Almost) All Occasions--Part 2
  QST May 1991, pp. 34-40

• Build a Custom-Printed Circuit Board,
  by James Turner, originally published in the IEEE Spectrum.
• Kester Solder Alloy Temperature Chart
  (as a TIS courtesy, a key to the abbreviations in the table)
  Sn - Tin, Pb - Lead, Ag - Silver, Sb - Antimony
  (also the periodic table with element names)