DIY - do it yourself's topics - tribe.net

Cleaning slate?

Tanemon — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:15:40 GMT

I laid black slate tile as a floor surface in our rural "boot room". At the time, after the grout dried, I gave it two coats of the recommended sealer.

There is a swath of the floor though in the house that contitutes the high-traffic area, with the boot room being at the beginning of it. Most of the year, sweeping or vacuuming - sometimes followed by a swish or two of a damp sponge mop - is enough to keep the slate reasonably clean. But when the season changes and it gets muddier outside, more dirt and mud naturally get tracked onto the floor. During fall and early winter, my habit results in a floor that's sorta cleaner, but a bit of a dirty film still tends to show after the floor dries.

Just wondering if anyone here knows a good floor-wash product or mixture to use after the vacuuming. I would probably seep every couple days, but mop the floor once a week. I asked this question about a year ago. Someone said 'DON'T use a Windex product', and someone else said 'use Murphy's soap' - well I took this advice to heart, but could not find the Murphy's product.

I'm here again asking: what would you use?

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 16 replies

Removing Window Tint. . .

lorenzo — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 12:48:45 GMT

a young friend got a beater, which I think will serve nicely, but someone botched a homemade window tint. the film inside the window is badly scuffed and needs to removed. i told her i would look into it.

can you recommend something appropriate that will do the job?

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 10 replies

Leather Masks

Dances with self — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:46:52 GMT

Any one got opinions on home made leather conditioners and hardeners for making masks?

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 7 replies

Fixing my bra

sharon — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 03:07:04 GMT

I bought a new bra and on the straps there was a plastic ring on each one. One of them broke and I didn't want to throw it away, so I went to the hardware store to see if they had plastic rings that I could use. I showed my bra to a man who worked there and he couldn't find any plastic rings, but he did find key rings. He gave me two of them and I repaired my bra. Yippie, the girls are where they should be!

Innovation is the key. :)

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 7 replies

Black goop clogging sink

MickD — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:39:07 GMT

About once a year I have to take apart the bathroom sink trap and flush a "clog" of slimy, black, gelatinous goop out of it. This only happens in my bathroom sink, and there is no hair in it, which leads me to think the gelatinous mess has something to do with listerine or mentadent, or some combination thereon. The blockage does not build up in the trap, but in the straight-pipe above it, just underneath the sink. The drainage-slowdown is indeed a long-building process, hence the need to clear the blockage only about once a year, which is (of course) a dirty, smelly affair.

1) If you're a listerine user, do you notice anything like this?

2) Is there any other way to remove this clog? Can I pour boiling water down the pipe in an attempt to melt it away?

3) If I leave it long enough, will it turn into some kind of Japanese monster that Godzilla will have to come kill?

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 8 replies

making moccasins

fae — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:25:28 GMT

Hello.

I am experimenting with making moccasins from various recycled materials. I am particularly interested in constructing a simple pattern for some slipper boots. Do you have any patterns, web/book sources or suggestions to help me along my way?

Also, do you know of a good discount leather supplier in the NorCal region?

Much appreciated.

DIY
Tamaura

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 5 replies

double flush

MickD — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 05:03:34 GMT

I flush the toilet, and it cycles down, looks like it's refilling properly, then cycles down again. What is happening to cause this?

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 6 replies

fitting rocks together

Leon — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 02:52:48 GMT

Whats an easy way to make rock veneer around a fireplace fit together perfectly like a jig saw puzzle?

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 17 replies

Repairing a plastic zipper on a sweater

Azeeza — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:08:51 GMT

Does anyone know how to repair a plastic zipper in which the teeth do not interlock with each other?

I unzipped a sweater (it has a two way zip, top to bottom and bottom to top and it's not a wide zipper) and the teeth were un even and I pulled it through to make it even and now the teeth do not interconnect.

Any suggestions short of replacing it, which I think is impossible.

It's new!

Thanks,

Azeeza

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 2 replies

Power Screwdriver recommendations?

lorenzo — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 04:54:39 GMT

I am designing and will be making some furniture over the holidays.

Does anyone have any recommendations about brands of power screwdrivers, techniques, etc?

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 15 replies

removing battery acid from wood?

Chili_Bonbons — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 01:31:05 GMT

a battery exploded into an unstained/unoiled wooden box that I really like - the battery acid spread to an area about 8" across, on three sides of the box.

I am wondering - does anyone know how to safely remove/clean the battery acid so that handling the box wouldn't be an irritant, and so that things stored in the box wouldn't be ruined in the future?

I'm envisioning baking soda or something equally alkaline...?
thanks~!

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 14 replies

tent zipper repair

amazonika — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 21:28:44 GMT

Is there any hope in fixing a broken tent zipper?
I'm pretty sure the tent is not under warranty anymore.

The two parts of the zipper keep separating, creating an open gap in the middle, which then opens along the whole length of the zipper, making it impossible to zip up the tent door.

I can't seem to find any reason why it would do this...no damage that I can see.

It's too bad if I can't fix this -- it's the only thing wrong with the tent, but now I really can't use it anymore.
I usually camp in places where it rains and there are mosquitos, so a working zipper is essential!

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 14 replies

Spinning Wheel Plans.

John — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:08:53 GMT

I'm interested in making a spinning wheel. Does anyone have or know where to find plans for one?

MP & BB
John
))0((

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 2 replies

Scratch on expensive pair of sunglasses lens

Azeeza — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:49:07 GMT

Yesterday I scratched the lens on my expensive sunglasses while hugging a friend.

Does anyone have a remedy for repairing the scratch? It feels a little deep because I can run my fingernail across it and it catches in the scratch.

I recall seeing some eyeglass lens repair kit on television, but I don't know if they would work. The lens on my sunglasses are plastic and I paid over $125.00 for them and I'm totally heartbroken.

Any suggestions?

Azeeza

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 18 replies

Painting a stove top

dan10things — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:17:26 GMT

My white electric stove top isn't looking so white anymore and I'm interested in repainting it red or black. Any recommendations? I'm thinking the rattle can appliance paint ALA Trading Spaces isn't the best move for looking good and lasting durability. It needs to be able to take the high temps.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 14 replies

A DIY answer to latest Nor'easter

enigmahare — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 15:37:50 GMT

http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/photos/6f640da8-ed23-477c-8a47-aedbb5d71c9e

Google "kai grundt" for info

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 1 reply

Stinky Smoke Smell

Azeeza — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:59:33 GMT

Is there a way to get stinky stale old smoke smell out of an acrylic fiber coat? It reeks!

I tried Febreeze on it and it worked for a few hours, but afterwards the smell came back and the fur is a little messed where I sprayed it.

Any suggestions?

Azeeza

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 20 replies

Best whole house humidifier? (gas furnace and well water)

Megan — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:35:14 GMT

We're looking at whole-house humidifier options. We have a very old gas furnace that's surprisingly still running quite efficiently, so we probably won't replace it until that changes.

From the research I've done, it seems that bypass systems like Aprilaire use the least power and do okay. Energy efficiency is a big factor for us. We have hard well water, so that's another consideration. I'm assuming that means we'll need to be diligent with vinegar cleaning of parts a few times per year. We don't need perfection- just to make the air a bit moister for our comfort and for a cat with respiratory issues.

Experience? Opinions?

Thanks in advance.
Megan

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 4 replies

120v AC to REGULATED 9v DC converter

Cody — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:32:58 GMT

I am a musician on a serious budget. I am building my own pedal board to house all of my guitar effects pedals. I want to save a little money by adding my own 9v power supply already on the pedal board. (most people buy these and just plug them up, but I dont have the money) What I need is someone to tell me what a circuit must consist of in order to convert a wall outlet (120V AC) to a "9v battery" (9v DC REGULATED). I have a little less than basic circuitry knowledge but any help will be appreciated... Please and thank you...

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 22 replies

Filling a mail slot

Mon, 13 Jun 2005 18:50:20 GMT

Hi,
We currently have a mail slot in our front door, but will be purchasing a real mailbox. Aside from replacing the front door, does anyone have any ideas on how to fill or what to do with the hole from the old mail slot?
Thanks,
Scott

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 29 replies

Hacking a Fridge's Thermal control ?

Zippi — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:39:13 GMT

I want to modify a Fridge to make a fermentation chamber for my beer.
This means I need to achieve substantially warmer temperatures than the maximum of about 40 Degrees that most fridge controls allow.
I need a range from 70 down to 40 F.
And I need precise control.

I can get a thermal control module that will let me have very sensitive control form Johnson Controls and Ranco.
The way they operate is by acting as an on/ off switch in response to a microprocessor driven by either a thermocouple or whatever sensing mechanism they use. Install the temp probe, wire the module in the pig tail that drives the fridge and crank the Fridge's internal control to coldest setting. The compressor pump in the fridge will only answer to the thermal control that controls the power in to the Fridge.

It's crude but effective.

I would like to do this VIA the Fridge's internal controls.

Most inexpensive fridges have only one compressor and one expansion coil and one chilling coil. The freezer vents cold air to the fridge VIA a duct and a valve and the fridge control is VIA that air transfer.

I'd like to figure a way to access that interface.

The reason I want to u undertake this is because I'd like to maintain the function of the freezer.
A place to store my hops would be nice.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 4 replies

Torquing lug nuts?

enigmahare — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:25:36 GMT

Upcoming project for weekend is to install winter tires on SO's car. Although car/wheel makers have been specifiying wheel lug torque requirements for as long as I can remember, I've always considered these requirements to be "soft", but now I'm beginning to wonder.

I don't currently own a torque wrench, but I do have a couple of cordless drills with 20 level torque adjustments.

Two questions:

1) How important, really, is torquing lug nuts (aside from following correct torque sequence, trying to keep everything equal, and retightening after break in)?

2) Assuming correct torque of 80 ft.lbs. specified for my car is important, any ideas on how I might get away with using cordless drill to to
torque to spec without going out and buying a torque wrench to calibrate drill settings. (I already have appropriate adapter(s) to drive my 1/2 sockets from cordless drill)?

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 20 replies

murphy bed

kevin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:09:13 GMT

looking for some plans and what hardware would be needed like to put a queen size Murphy bed together in my office

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 2 replies

Altering Jeans

Azeeza — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:57:31 GMT

Hi Everyone:

I have a bit of a dilema here. I lost a lot of weight and I would like to alter some very nice jeans that I have because I like them and they cost a lot of money.

My problem is I need to take them in the waist, hips and thighs. Is there any way to do this?

I've searched the Internet and I've found advice about waistlines and thighs, but not hips. I think because the rivets get in the way on the pockets on the side seam, there is no way.

Any advice?

Thanks,

Azeeza

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 20 replies

gas oven

mainejewel — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:22:05 GMT

the the oven part of my gas range will not heat. I think I need an igniter. Do any of you handy DIYers have a link/s to an exploded view of the oven? I have found one but it was tiny and hard to see..yes I did try and enlarge it. It is a GExl-44 self-cleaning gas. Thanks in advance. After calling around for a repair person I can almost see why we live in a throw away society..

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 4 replies

roofing

J. W. — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:04:17 GMT

This is a repost.... To make it more simple this person put my roof on and i would guess the pitch is no more then
2/12 at best so as you have guessed it leaks....I don't know much about roofs and i can't get him back here to fix it
oh by the way he put on shingles....Now all i want to know is what i need to do to fix it..

Thank You
J.W.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 4 replies

Finished a D-I-Y project

Steamboat_Ed — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:13:59 GMT

--Only took 5 years of part-time work, heh. They started out as Xmas presents but now I'm thinking I'll do something else with 'em.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/steamboat_ed/4071003692/sizes/l/in/set-72157622722319686/

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 28 replies

Wiring a 3 way flashing LED

John — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 21:45:37 GMT

I'm trying to wire up a 3 color flashing LED from Radio Shack. It came with no instructions, and differs from a regular LED in that it has 3 legs. I can get it to light up and cycle through the 3 colors by hooking up 2 of the leads to a 3.2V watch battery, but at the end of the cycle, it stops. Does anyone have experience with one of these? In particular, I need it to cycle through the 3 colors continuously until disconnected from power. Thanks.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 7 replies

Portable electric generators

Douglas — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:33:08 GMT

I'm hoping that someone here can help me with a little advice about portable electric generators.

I have two projects coming up. One project is the restoration of an 1854 house which has been setting boarded up for the past few years. There is no power to this house. The second project is the building of a small cabin in the woods, again off grid. In both cases I will be using my worm drive Skil Saw (13 amps), my Makita Slide Compound Saw (13 amps) and a portable cement mixer (amps unknown at this time). Perhaps I might have a contractor assist me in which case there might be an air compressor in use ((amps unknown at this time). None of these tools would ever be running at the same time.

Can I get by with a 3700 Watts, 206cc gas generator which puts out 2 120 volt - 20 amp circuits?

After these two construction projects I am thinking to use this generator at the cabin for some weekend use like well pumping, charging RV batteries which would light cabin and perhaps a refrigerator on a direct current.

Any assistance or advice is welcomed. Thanks,

Doug

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 22 replies

Kitchen walls project

Sky Angel — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:57:46 GMT

Well, I really didn't want to start this project yet, but fate lend a hand.

I took everything out of the kitchen to do a major cleaning before the holiday cooking. I was wiping down the wall and came across a large bubble under the wall paper. When I started to wipe it down, it fell off. ALL of the layers of paint fell off with the wall paper. Then of course I started ripping at it.

Since this house was built in the 50's, do you believe this old paint has lead in it and should I be wearing a mask?

I was only going to take off the wallpaper, but the many layers of paint is coming off with it, how will I be able to get all the layers of paint off?
I am sure I will have more questions as the project progresses.

Any help or information on how to go about this will be appreciated.

Just wanted to clean the kitchen and wax the floor...ugh!

http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/photos/17b5df78-229a-4d8a-9cbb-8dbd85fc55df

thanks for your help.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 6 replies

roofing

J. W. — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:02:59 GMT

I had a new roof put on my deck the pitch was not nearly enough for shingles so i asked if he was going to put on roll roofing
he said no( shingles) well he is a roofer so i thought it would be ok.....Well after it rained it leaked like real bad when he came to look at it he said I'm surprised it didn't leak more places as flat as it is but he said he would fix it but i have not heard from him again.....Well at any rate he put 16ft. 2x6's that put him 4 ft. up on the roof....Now i am not a roofer so i need somebody to tell me why it leaked and what i can do about it....

Thank You Very Much
J. w.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 1 reply

Rurally located? have you seen this site?

Tanemon — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:26:27 GMT

This site is great if you're a rural, hands-on, DIY, visionary sort...

http://openfarmtech.org/weblog/?paged=1

This is page #1. There are many pages and many, many interesting designs and stimulating ideas.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 7 replies

Cutting Sponge?

Azeeza — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 20:52:53 GMT

I bought a big thick piece of sponge from Joann Fabric years ago and I never learned how to cut it properly. All the edges were ripply when I did cut it.

Can anyone tell me how to cut sponge to fit as a seat cushion or anything to make a nice smooth edge? An electric knife didn't do it.

Thanks,

Azeeza

PS Will try the snake in the drain tonight when I can find the snake :-)

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 13 replies

How do you screw up grout?

Kathryn — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:44:45 GMT

My husband and I are grouting our counter tops. We got the old grout removed now problem with moraitic acid (carbon filter face masks and gloves!) however, we keep screwing up the grout and having to redo it. The first time we both used too much water. The second time we used too little. I just found out that my husband wasn't stirring the grout for 5 minutes like it says on the package (the difference between a chemist and a physicist maybe). Is there anything else we should know so that we don't screw up?

Cheers,
Katy

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 5 replies

Bike Trailer

Mitch — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:08:08 GMT

So I'm hoping to construct a trailer for my bike this fall and was wondering if anyone had any ideas on what to use for an axle to connect two small bike tires I got together. I was thinking a threaded dowel with two couplers connecting the tires to the dowel. Any suggestions?

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 23 replies

Small Inexpensive Jig Recommendation?

Azeeza — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:01:26 GMT

Hi Again, Everyone:

I hope no one is annoyed by my multitude of questions. I like learning new things.

Can anyone recommend an inexpensive jig to hold coins in place for drilling holes in them for a belly dance costume creation? I have no idea what a jig does, but it was mentioned as a good way to hold coins in place to put the holes in the exact same location on each coin, plus it would be able to put holes in the coins more than one at a time.

Any suggestions?

Thanks again,

Azeeza

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 20 replies

Halloween - wanted: red toilet water

dan10things — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 02:01:28 GMT

I'm hosting a Halloween party. I'm looking for suggestions on how to make the toilet water red all night long. Probably red food coloring will be my source, but I need a delivery device that will have a constant supply for many hours.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 27 replies

Cutting torch "pop" - Next Generation

Tanemon — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:09:51 GMT

Okay... BIG THANKS to all DIY posters who kindly responded to my first query about my cutting torch popping (and sometimes blowing out) the pre-heat flame). You'll find my revised question, with the new info, by scrolling down a ways...

Among the carefully thought -out replies to my first question on the popping, was this very thorough one from Briggi:

"Going by the numbers, the industry satandard is about 4# at the O2 for welding thin sheet, on up to 20# for welding 4" slab. The fuel pressure is a function of O2 pressure, but roughly 3# up to 18# on the same scale.
For cutting it's about 5# for sheet on up to 60# for 12" slab.

In every case you'll want to achieve a hard light blue inner flame as big as the work requires. Having decided how big a head is required to make that size of flame, adjust pressure accordingly in order to maintain it. And that's where the art comes in. There are so many variables entering the picture that it's easier to make the flame you know you'll want instead of working it out first with a pencil.

A good excercise is to take any size orfice welding head at random, then, once having set the pressures at the regulators, and using the torch adjustments, see
a) how small a flame you can maintain, without sputtering & popping, and then...
b) see how large a flame you can make all with that same head.
You'll find that you can likely get most of your welding done, fine or large, using only one medium sized head, simply by fiddling with pressures at torch and regulator.
Even cutting is possible using that No.10 head simply by squirting in a bunch of O2 once you get your work melting yellow with your other hand at the torch valve knob."

Excellent. But now I figured out a very useful bit of info: My torch is popping in the pre-heat flame only phase with the Victor #2 cutting tip, but NOT with a Victor #1 (smaller) one.

Both the #1 and the #2 appear to be in good shape. The #1 poses no problem. The #2 is actually a few years newer than the #1, but the #2 is actually only a few months old, and shows no dents or nicks, even under magnification.

My acetylene tank is probably about 40% full right now, but still delivers the proper pressure according to the regulator gauge: setting reg pressure at 5-6 psi (with, of course, the torch valve fairly open while setting). The gas in the O2 tank is almost full up, at present.

Does this info shed any light on the popping habit of the larger (but still quite medium-sized) tip?

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 2 replies

Cutting Tempered Glass

enigmahare — Mon, 19 May 2008 19:56:19 GMT

I have a 19" x 52" piece of tempered glass salvaged from an old shower door that I would like to cut down to 47" for a project. the glass has a bit of a pebbled texture to it as well.
I have a good quality glass cutter and breaking pliers for tools, but I've only worked with non-tempered glass previously.

Is breaking tempered glass as simple as "score and break", with the scoring being done on the smoothest side? Any other tricks of the trade I need to know?

In glass breaking, one usually only gets one chance to get it right!

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 35 replies

Question on insulation

Carol — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:34:57 GMT

I'm reinsulating an exterior wall where the interior drywall and original unfaced batts were damaged. The inside surface of the exterior wall appears to be a foil-covered foam board. Should I insulate between the 2x6 studs with unfaced batts again, or would it be better to use faced? I'm a little worried about the insulation not being able to "breathe" between the drywall/kraftpaper on one side and the foil-covered foam board on the other. Thank you!

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 6 replies

Vertical gas-welding technique video clip?

Tanemon — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:30:23 GMT

About a month ago, I found an on-line clip showing o/a & filler-rod vertical welding (& the guy was welding the seam upward). I tried a save to my harddrive, but when I went to rewatch the clip about a week later, the file had corrupted. And I lost track of the original source (YouTube, or elsewehere? dunno). Now I have some good video-clip-capture software, but can't locate the clip on-line. In fact, I can't even find anything similar.

I've got basic gas welding safety training, plus experience with soldering, brazing, basic welding, cutting, etc. There's a certain finesse that goes with vertical welding, though, and I want to acquire that.

Does someone know of a source for a free, good vid clip of this process? Can you give the name of the clip and the site, or - better yet - a link? Thanks for any help.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 10 replies

Cutting rocks with a wood saw...

sturmeyarcher — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:55:47 GMT

I'd like to convert a wood cutting saw to a rock cutting saw, if it's possible.

Why? Because I can get a used table saw for around $50, which is pretty cheap.

Or I could get a used chop saw for around the same price. (rock saws, by comparison, seem rarer and way more expensive.)

I would have to buy a rock sawing blade and figure out a way to keep it wet without getting the motor wet...I'm aware of just that much, but not to clear on specifics.

Has anybody ever done something like this? Or seen any plans online?

I could buy a tile saw , which is affordable, but the maximum size blade on the affordable models would only allow me to cut maybe two inches of material, and I'd like to get up to a 3.5" cut if I could.

I'm just strategizing here, so any suggestions are appreciated.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 3 replies

Caulking a tub?

Mary — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:55:03 GMT

Okay, the white stuff between the tub edge and the edge of the tile is caulk, right? If a bathtub is caulked correctly then how long should it go before peeling and getting gross and having bits break off and having to be re-caulked?

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 17 replies

Old basement window replacement

sojourning_crow — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:34:30 GMT

Hi All,

I live in a house that was built around 1952. It has the old-style windows, cemented in place and not very energy efficient. Recently the wife and I got locked out and had to break through the basement window to get in. We were thinking of replacing it with something more energy efficient.

Here are pics of the window and the frame.

http://holloweyesphoto.blogspot.com/2009/10/window-and-frame.html

If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.

Thanks.

Regards,

Chris

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 4 replies

Skunk Spray Deoderizer

Zippi — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:16:56 GMT

"mix one quart of hydrogen peroxide with a quarter-cup of baking soda and a teaspoon of liquid soap. Apply the mixture to the sprayed area and it will neutralize the skunk’s musky odor."
Taken from this site:
http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=458&q=160709&pp=12&n=1

I have used bleach in the past and it works but it's harsh on the skin and wrecks things.

Tomato juice and vinegar don't work.
I mean they really don't work.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 4 replies

Time capsule

TomatoTom — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 02:57:52 GMT

I am doing a large public Art piece...

as part of it I am sneaking a time capsule into it...

seriously... suggest things to put in it. I am making the box but it will probably be around 6 to 8 cubic feet.

so the things we are already putting in:
- 2009 currrency ($20, $10, $5, $1 - and change - maybe all 50 state coins).
- Time magazine for that week.
- LA Times.
- NY Times.
- Literary rag (the star or National Enquirer).
- postage stamps.
- welding rods (the type used to weld it).

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 5 replies

Electronics question

Zippi — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:48:29 GMT

Here:
http://electronichobbyist.tribe.net/thread/0ea761db-37d5-4911-bc98-d1a08b195731

I have never been an electronics guy. The math made my eyes go off in different directions.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 6 replies

Porta potty

Timster — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:59:03 GMT

I have never dealt with these. Looking for what features to get, helpful hints, and so on.
It will be used outdoors possibly inside a shower- potty combo tent structure. Just 2 people not more than 5 days at a time. Thanks.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 41 replies

Remote Repair?

Azeeza — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:17:29 GMT

Has anyone had any success with repairing a remote control?

I found this website: http://www.keypadrepair.com/

In the past, I bought a printer cleaning/repair kit and I ended up ruining the whole printer.

I guess I'm a bit gun shy since the remote in question works well except I can't seem to turn the boom box on with it. The remote shuts off the boom box and all the other functions work properly.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Azeeza

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 5 replies

Vinegar and Citric Acid for Weed control

Zippi — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:01:13 GMT

This topic has come up in the past ranging from localized weed control to wiping all the vegetation over a larger area.
One poster suggested nitrogen or Urea ( fertilizer) as a preferable method for large area weed and vegetation killer .

Recently a friend mentioned that his wife uses these two for organic gardening weed control.
I'd never heard of that before

I have no experience with this but, you can get the solutions of 20% Acetic Acid ( Vinegar) from any horticultural supply And on line.
The stuff you buy in the grocery is only 6% solution.
The Citric Acid you can get pretty cheap from on line from all manner of sellers including E bay
I picked up 10# for $20.00 from this guy: http://stores.shop.ebay.com/DudaDiesel-Alternative-Energy__W0QQ_armrsZ1
I use citric acid i for passivating Stainless Steel and removing rust from steel and iron metal.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 12 replies

Anyone watching The Colony?

dan10things — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:14:29 GMT

I wouldn't usually make a television recommendation on a DIY group, but I've been watching this show "The Colony" on the Discovery Channel and there is tons of great DIY thought, projects and inventions going on. It's sorta a reality show where a bunch of people from many walks of life are forced to live together off the grid for 12 weeks in a post-apocalyptic LA. They have to create their own power, clean water, food sources, etc. from salvaging and building. I think some of you might dig it: http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/colony/colony.html

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 11 replies

Buy n a Car

Randy_W — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:01:25 GMT

Hello fellow and lady do-it yourselfers.
First off, let me explain that I did do a google search and I also searched our archives, My
score was limp.
I would like from any here, an Auto inspection pocket guide. Essentially, a link to same guide, or a point by point check list of things I should and can check myself by external
viewing of a Used car (prospective purchase) and things to look for with an "under
the hood" and test drive assessment.
Also, while doing these checks and fillling out my list, notes to make of things that
would need checking by a qualified and certified mechanic for further scrutiny of
the auto I am considering for purchase.
Many time, in looking for a car, I have set up an inspection by an authorized and certified
mechanic only to have him find something that I would have found had I done a thorough
inspection using a check list, but missed because I was trying to house all the info in
my head while sizing up the seller, the car and my own emotions.
So, a checklist of things to check, what different conditions would mean, good or bad,
what those conditions would indicate for more intensive inspection.
and some scoring system so I have an idea of how an individual car sizes up
in comparison to others I have viewed and also a scoring to let me measure how
the car should be priced (ie, is the asking price over board or spot on?).

I will be using this guide and passing it on to my ex-wife's son, so please provide something I can e-mail in some understandable form I can use and not have to
coach more than a reasonable amount with. Time is running out for me.

Thanks tribers,
Randy
-------.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 2 replies

What a Great Board!

Azeeza — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:36:40 GMT

Hi Everyone:

I'm new here.

I was wondering... would walnut facial/body scrub clog up a bathtub drain? Draino didn't work and I use a hair catcher, so only a few hairs go down the drain. I'm very careful about this because of plumbing problems my parents had while I was growing up. Now, I'm really retentive about plumbing.

Anyhoo, any suggestions regarding walnut shell body scrub and clogged tub drains and how to unclog it?

Thanks,

Azeeza

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 10 replies

How to seal a rat hole

Kit Kat — Mon, 28 May 2007 20:24:14 GMT

I have a large plastic Rubbermaid garden shed outside. I stored some bird seeds in there for the winter in a plastic bin. Somehow over the winter, a rat made it’s way into my shed and through the bin of seeds by chewing through the plastics. I cleaned out the shed, droppings and all and threw out the remaining bin of bird seeds. Now I’m left with a garden shed with a hole in it. What should I do? Should I seal the hole, but with what? Or would it be pointless to seal it because it appears that rats can get into anything, if they put their mind to it?? Thanks.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 37 replies

What do you do with Bad Gasoline

danomoon — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 21:25:06 GMT

Seems an easy question...
I'm sure with a bit more time on the phone may track it down, but so far I am coming up with blanks...

What do you do to properly dispose of Bad (water/dirt contaminated) gasoline? The places that take oil, don't take gas. The stuff is questionable enough that I wouldn't "dry it" (chemically treat it) for use in any engine I own. I dislike having more gas around in my garage than I need.

Oh I'm in N. California... and talking about a just a few gallons.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 63 replies

Squeaky chair

Jessica — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 06:03:12 GMT

My computer chair is so squeaky I can't even sit in it anymore, because it irritates everyone in the house. My boyfriend says to use WD-40 but I was hoping I could use something I have around the house already... Wax paper, or some kind of oil. I don't know. Does any one have any good ideas on how to stop a chair from squeaking?

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 13 replies

latex on oil

adam — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 19:02:14 GMT

my tenant put a crappy, thin incomplete coat of water-based paint on the window trim (interior). purple!

I've heard that water based paint won't bond well to oil. what should I do to reverse this problem? just prime and paint over it? will there be a weak layer? what about cleaning it off somehow?

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 9 replies

removing smell (perfume/cigar) from wood furniture

Snake Lynne — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 17:31:19 GMT

long story short - found this great bedroom set at a yard sale, bought it. Researched it, found out its worth bank. (super happy, I could use the money).
Its in pristine condition cosmetically & physically.
But It REEKS of perfume and cigar smoke. I mean reeks. Every time I open a drawer I want to vomit.
I took out all the drawers to find the source of the smell, but there is nothing. Its spotless. The matching nightstands smell as well, not as intense though.

I researched a little and most of the sites are for mold smell. Will using a shallow dish of vinegar help neutralize the odor?
I left it outside for a week, and now I have the drawers lined with dryer sheets. Its a pretty wretched smell.

The furniture is solid wood with walnut veneer and its approximately 46 years old.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 9 replies

DIY'ers: using LED spotlights?

Tanemon — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:35:09 GMT

Hi. I'm trying to get info about LED strong-beamhand-held spotlights, especially ones that come with rechargeable internal batteries or battery packs. Seems like something a lot of DIY'ers might make use of from time to time, so I thought I'd post here.

I'm looking for something that, if need be, can be parked on a tree stump and give you 5 or 6 hours of directed light. It's no problem if I'd be willing to spend $130 or more, though I'd like to avoid that.

The following are a couple of examples, though (as noted) there is a drawback in each case:

This one seems to have a lot going for it:
http://www.metaefficient.com/12v-lighting/20-led-portable-spotlight.html
It's rechargeable, has a swiveling head, looks comfy to hold. But it was revised into a 30 LED model, and apparently the manufacturer had a rush of sales and has at least temporarily run out of stock

This one seems very good, in a basic old-fashioned design:
http://www.amazon.com/Energizer-Eveready-PROFESSIONAL-Eveready-Energizer-Flashlight/dp/B000UACNU0/ref=cm_lmf_tit_15_rdssss0
It ihas a tough "professional" casing - but unfortunately doesn't have a built-in rechargeable battery pack. In itself that might not be so bad, because the four D-cell batteries are said to last a very long time with the LEDs. But, as well, it doesn't have the swiveling-head feature that some other models have.

Anyone know of something that would fit the bill for me?

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 11 replies

Sound vibration on TV

Blackgrass — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:23:33 GMT

I have just bought a toshiba AV61 32" LCD TV.
It vibrates on quite a low - med level of volume. Is this normal?
Would a couple of speakers help?
I can`t see any sound/audio controls ie: bass etc, that I have on other TV`s. I think its pretty bog-standard as TV`s go, but thought the sound would be better as the picture is amazing.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 4 replies

DIY on NPR

Lianna — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:00:35 GMT

This was on this past weekend.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=87815753

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 0 replies

Linking multiple Honda 2000i generators

Greg — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:40:30 GMT

If anyone has wondered about the possibility of linking multiple 2000i generators here is a web site regarding and experiment we did:

http://www.idahomojo.com/IdahoMojo/Honda2000i.html

Hope if helps someone out there.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 0 replies

dust control at burning man?

corbindallas — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 04:26:14 GMT

Hi all - this year will be my first at Burning Man, and I will be constructing a Geodesic dome dwelling, with a parachute draped over the skeleton. One of my concerns is the playa dust blowing into the structure. I was thinking of placing sandbags around the base in order to cinch any gaps where dust could blow in freely - but I was wondering if anyone has better ideas, since I know alot of you have lots of experience with Burning Man already... I hear that sand is not readily available out there because it's hard-packed into playa, and I don't know about transporting all that heavy sand out there with me... any ideas?

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 10 replies

clawfoot problem

adam — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:43:57 GMT

Enameled cast iron. From what i can see, once upon a time someone re-coated this tub with enamel, to make it pretty. now, its chipping badly, I can pick away small chunks in the bottom of the tub with my fingernail, and see the previous coat of discolored yet solid looking enamel, or whatever that white coat is. It isn't really acceptable as is. I know there's a dude in my town who'll re-enamel a tub but this is out of my budget. a new tub is also not an option.

should I: a) sand, heat-gun, or chemically remove what I can, so it won't chip more while people bathe? the sides and rim of the tub look like they've got a good bond happening, problem is exclusively in the bottom of the tub. b) learn how to re-enamel it? or c) --???-

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 0 replies

low and no

clarence — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:32:15 GMT

Pleasantly surprised.

Ace Hardware now has two choices for low and no voc paints.
Going to try it out today.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 1 reply

insulation on a foundation

mainejewel — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:06:26 GMT

I am sure this has been dealt with before but I could not find it on a search. I need to put some sheet insulation on the outside of my sister's foundation. I thought of attaching the insulation to 2' x 8' pieces of plywood and angle it out from the house where the siding meets the foundation. Or attaching the insulation directly to the foundation. It is part cinder block part boulders. She doesn't want the siding screwed into. Will "liquid nails" type of glue work hold up thru the winter? lots of snow and ice here in Maine.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 4 replies

how do i get 5v from 12v with the most efficeincy?

raswpynuggets — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:59:50 GMT

hi all, if you didntnotice i am building a small portable solar power system. allmost all my gadgets are usb that i want to run from it so i am looking for the most efficient way to convert 12v into 5v. it would be nice to have that 5v at 2a or more to run multiple devices at the same time. can anyone help? i think i am looking for a switching type unit not a linear one as i have little power to waste.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 1 reply

emersion cost less if left on all the time?

ailbhe — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:40:16 GMT

hi!

my landlord told me yesterday that its better to leave the emersion on all the time instead on turning it off because the power needed to heat the water is much more then just keeping it on all the time.
really?
and for the enviroment as well as the price?
.. oh an emersion is the boiler. where the hot press is. its to heat the water in ones house. in ireland we call it an emersion. in the old days it was a crime to leave the house and leave the emersion on... parents would go mad... the water would be hot for ages.. etc. anyway our flat is old and has one of these things that are a thing of the past now.
so can anyone shed light on the questions i have?!

thanks!!

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 7 replies

how much power is 12v dc @ 7a MAX?

raswpynuggets — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:08:30 GMT

hi i found a 12v refrigerator that states it runs at "12v dc @ 7a MAX"

can someone translate this for me? can i run a battery isolator and a seperate battery to run this 24/7 or will i need a solar panel as well?

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 10 replies

diy portable solar power pack (need help with battery bank)

raswpynuggets — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 21:16:30 GMT

hi everyone, currently i am assembling the parts to build a portable solar power pack station in a rolling suitcase platform. i allready bought a 10.3 watt 17.8 volt .58 amp solar panel (mono crystalline) so now i am looking at using some 12v 7ah sealed lead acid batteries (rechargable) to store the solar power collected. my question is: with said 10.3 watt 17.8 volt .58 amp panel, how many amp hours will i replenish each day? i figure whatever the answer to that question ends up being will need to be 40% of my total battery bank as you shouldnt over tax sla batteries more than 40%........any help would be greatly apprediated.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 21 replies

Tweaky toilet

Witchy — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 19:16:21 GMT

The toilet at Beloved's house scares me.

He bought the house 3 years ago. It has a new low-water toilet, but I think something is very wrong with it. You have to hold the handle down in order to get it to flush, instead of the usual push and let go. And when it flushes, the water gets up to almost the top of the rim before it goes down.

I had him try pouring water from a bucket into the toilet bowl...it works fine that way...the water went right down and didn't do the almost-flooding thing.

He said he tried cleaning out the holes under the rim, but he said they were pretty clear.

Any ideas why the toilet is doing this?

Thanks.

WW

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 6 replies

Laptop powered Chainsaw

Zippi — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 20:34:53 GMT

Runs off the USB.

http://blogs.laweekly.com/style_council/weird/usb-powered-chainsaw/

Now there's no excuse for those lumber jacks to be behind~!!!

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 7 replies

Whats the smallest electrical engine

Plokk D Rainbo — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:17:42 GMT

I'm trying to help a friend with making a motion in some burning man art.. it needs to be small, lightweight but pretty powerful and power-able by battery. So if we can find some small ones out of junked stuff.. or stuff around the house that would be great.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 13 replies

uber cooler

papa tom — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:06:25 GMT

so, i have a fun little project on my hands and thought I might prey upon the gracious brain power here for ideas, not having not enough time to build and test prototypes.

I need to build a rather large cooler for a food booth at the oregon country fair. I call it a cooler rather than a refrigerator because it needs to be somewhat low-budget and electricity isn't a practical option. What we used last year was about 50cf, which was sufficient in terms of size, but the design really didn't keep things cold enough, having doors on the side and too many gaps on the open bottom.

So, what I'm thinking is this:

-2 chest-type enclosures (one to be used for frequent access and the other for longer term storage)
-plywood shell with rigid foam insulation
-pockets built into the underside of the lid for dry ice
-sealed well but with a small drainage hole built into the bottom
-locate in as shady a spot as possible

i can't decide between stacked milk crates or creating a sliding shelf system, and I almost wonder if i could get away with nixing the rigid foam and substituting it with straw stuffed into the gap between two large nested boxes (maybe a 3-4 inch gap?) ...much greener, but effective enough?

so, ideas? experiences?

thanks!

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 14 replies

trying to run my pocket projecter off 12v

raswpynuggets — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:18:42 GMT

hi all, i bought an aiptek pocket projector v10, The unit includes a USB power adaptor that pumps out 5v at 2a (!) That is how much juice it takes to run the unit while plugged in to AC power. Yes, it will charge (slowly) from most any common USB port, it will not fire up and run without 2000mh behind it. It detects low powered USB connections, and goes into 'flash disk / slow charge mode', thinking it's hooked up to a computer for loading stuff to it's internal memory. So - what to do? I want to run it via usb from a 12v battery, how can i achieve this?

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 23 replies

Flaking plaster & paint.

Blackgrass — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:26:35 GMT

I had my home re:plasterd some 2 years ago. But under & around one of my bay windows & get some flaking/crystallising & paint has flaked off, as well as patches of plaster.
Would a PVA bond do the trick before I paint again?
If not, what would work. There is no outer wall problems..no drain-pipes, but we do face the atlantic ocean, in a wet/windy area.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 9 replies

DIY parking on the shady side

Zippi — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:05:35 GMT

Those parking lots that have a security guard plaster an awful huge red sticker on the driver's window as a way to punicsh you and discourage you from ever parking there again:

Spray your window with silicone spray.

I did this after getting one of those stickers.
There was no where else to park so I used that lot.
On my way back to my truck I saw a security guard trying to get his sticker on my window.
He got it to "stay" sort of after some effort.
When I went to my truck I flicked it off with one finger and It fell off onto the pavement where I left it.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 2 replies

USB supplied power.

normanb — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:30:55 GMT

There has a bit of discussion about USB power supplies and various voltage levels mentioned so I thought I'd wade through the technical specifications for an answer.

The source I am using is “Universal Serial Bus Specification” Rev 2.0 (April 27, 2000) signed by Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Lucent, Microsoft, NEC, and Philips. It can be found at http://www.usb.org/developers/docs/ as part of the usb_20_052709.zip file which is the definition for USB 2.0. References are to the document usb_20.pdf.

Power is supplied via Vbus and is between 4.75 and 5.25 for high powered hubs and 4.4 and 5.25 for low powered hubs (ref. 7.2.2 Voltage Drop Budget)

The data voltage values are low (Vol) 0.3v (max) and high (Voh) 2.8v (min) (ref. 7.1.1 USB Driver Characteristics).

A complete description of the various plugs can be found in Chapter 6. I can't find a definition of the “mini” USB plugs. I didn't look very hard as I had to get to work. From my experience there is quite a variation between various plugs. For example there are at least 3 versions of the original “mini” plug like the one used in, Motorola, Blackberry, and Garmin products.

For more information I refer you to the document usb_20.pdf, all 650 pages, which is included in the above mentioned zip file.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 14 replies

removing a silkscreen...

MickD — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:14:38 GMT

I have a t-shirt with a company logo on the front and a quote on the back. I want to remove the company logo. Is there a good way to do this without destroying the shirt or discoloring the rest of the item?

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 7 replies

Your organization Secrets?

adam — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 04:28:19 GMT

I need to get organized! my house, my life, school. Any super tips? just thought it would be a fun topic even if I dont get a lot of good answers.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 16 replies

House Electric Panel question

Joe — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 20:47:46 GMT

Okay let see if I can describe this. Out here in California the electrical panes are located on the exterior walls. We put in a 200 amp SQ D panel that is surface mount (the existing panel is recessed). Now my dilemma is to move the existing wires I don't want to cut into the sheet rock on the enterior wall, or take down the new house siding. So what I am thinking is using a NEMA 4 fiberglass box mounted over the exsisting panel, but just below the PGE meter. Then run a 2" fiberglass conduit a short distance (about 12") to the new surface mont panel. What I need to know is this kosher, or okay with code?

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 5 replies

Lawn mower oil vs motor oil

Witchy — Sun, 11 Jun 2006 16:44:32 GMT

What's the difference between 10 W 30 car motor oil and the 10 W 30 lawnmower motor oil? Can you use car motor oil in a pinch?

WW

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 20 replies

another batter question: one average car battery = how many typical cellphone recharges?

papa tom — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:27:58 GMT

i figure at least a half dozen of you could throw me an accurate guestimate faster than I could figure out how to do the math myself.

i would like to take a basic car battery, hook up an inverter to it and let my crew use it to recharge their cellphones during the Oregon Country Fair, but I would like to have some idea how many charges it would likely last in case I need to add extra batteries or a solar trickle charger.

...might also want to run a string or two of LED's for a few hours at night too

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 6 replies

"Farmy" DIY metal & wood projects - ideas & plans?

Tanemon — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:01:07 GMT

I'm a long-time carpenter, handyman, tinkerer - living on rural land. Not too long back, at an estate sale, I bought an oxy-acetylene welding rig. I'm interested in finding ideas and plans for making things that are useful on a small farm, or for the home. Materials like wood, ferrous metals, brass, or rubber are all feasible. What I'm looking for good sources for concepts & plans.

I realize this may all seem a little vague, but bear with me...

I'd really appreciate any advice about books that I could investigate and possibly buy, plus Web sites that may offer plans (either for sale or for free) and on-line forums where people discuss such projects and maybe show pictures. Thanks.

Tanemon

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 17 replies

Smelly bathroom sink - cant tell if its the water or the drain pipes

Snake Lynne — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:25:31 GMT

About two months ago our water heater blew up, Im not kidding it seconds from blowing off the back of the house. We are renters and had assumed it was in good working condition as the landlord said it was new when we moved in. There is nothing like waking up to the fire dept in your back yard at 6 am yelling get out of the house..

After the new water heater was installed the water that came out of the bathroom faucet was black, not rusty but grayish black. I know the air needs to be pushed out of the lines after having the water turned off and what blew out of the sink was foul.
The kitchen nor the shower were like this when I turned them on.

Now when I turn on the bathroom faucet I smell what can only be described as a moldy, mildewy musty smell. The water is perfectly clear. I googled a lot about this and found many sites that said it most likely wasn't the water pipes, b/c the water moves at such a fast pace that it would push out any mold, and it also said it would be the water source that was contaminated and it would affect all the water faucets. Thats not the case in our house.

My other half thinks Im crazy and says he doesn't smell anything ( i have a sensitive sniffer).

I have no clue where the stink is coming from. Im planning tomorrow to do a hardcore cleaning of the drain pipes to see if maybe the smell I am experiencing is actually in the drain and Im smelling it only when the water hits that area...

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 10 replies

this old house...

aunt bea says argh!! — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 04:14:12 GMT

http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8103000/8103872.stm

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 1 reply

Appliance repair information

Zippi — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:49:21 GMT

Found this , it looks useful.
http://www.repair2000.com/

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 0 replies

Flapper Valve?

MickD — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:15:53 GMT

My toilet has started to do a partial flush by itself. Lasts a couple of seconds and stops. There is no external leak, and the water level never goes above the overflow tube. The ball-cock / flush-valve appears to work properly and doesn't hang on anything. I guess the culprit must be the flapper valve?

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 5 replies

Replacing Shower Valve

MickD — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:12:02 GMT

A friend of mine has a leaky older shower which directs water flow with one handle. It's a Sentinel II by Speakman. Two questions:

1) Given that we don't know where or if there's a master cutoff switch for her condo, am I going to have to cut into the wall to get to the shutoff valves to this plumbing?

2) Are there user-serviceable parts in this thing that I can get to (and replace) which will stop the leak?

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 7 replies

stop draft from fire place

Kit Kat — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 05:13:41 GMT

I have a gas fire place that's very drafty when not used. It has a metal frame. Anyone have a suggestion on how I can stop the draft... it doesn't have to look pretty,... just cheep and easy to do.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 11 replies

Laying drain tile around an existing foundation

Tanemon — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:17:06 GMT

Just wondering if anyone can direct me to one or more Web sites discussing the process of laying perforated drain pipe (known in the old days as "drain tile") in the moisture-retaining ground around an exisiting bulding. I'd like to find a good, illustrated discussion.

Building in question is in a rural setting, and the pipe can drain into the slope on the south, away from the building. The building's footing is about 20* below grade, in a silty-clayish soil on its north and west sides (better-drained gravelly-sandy soil on its east and south sides).

No matter if a Web site you recommend shows the drain tile emptying into a city sewer - I could adapt the basic method to this situation, I'm sure.

Thanks.

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 1 reply

How to fool a washing machine into doing a smaller load

Megan — Mon, 25 May 2009 21:18:42 GMT

We have an older top-loader that has a low/small water setting that's not always low enough. I'd like a simple way to use less water when I don't have enough to fill it up. Is there some way to trigger it to make it think it's full, or something creative you can put in there that will take up space other than clothing?

Thanks for any ideas.
Megan

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 46 replies

automobile undercoating that is worth a crap

raswpynuggets — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 18:30:35 GMT

hello all,
have allready in the past just gone down to the auto store and picked up whatever they had in a can that said undercoating and went home and sprayed. It is my experience that there arent many good brands of undercoating that will cure completly and have a thick texture that come in a can. Do any of you have any brands in a can that you think is reliable and if possible can you post a link to it? I am going to undercoat a 1969 mini cooper that i am currently doing a frame off restoration on and it has quarter inch thick undercoating that I have to match where I removed the old stuff for rust work. I am putting a 200 hp honda vtec in it can we say 0---------------------------60 in 4 seconds? Link to my progress here:

http://s52.photobucket.com/albums/g34/lunarkingdom/

Thanks in advance!!!

Rick

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 9 replies

Solar cooling the DIY way

Zippi — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 23:14:21 GMT

Interesting PDF
http://www.livingonsolar.com/solar-cooler.pdf
I haven't examined it to see if all the info you need it there.

It comes from a site that purports for help you go solar - -they sell books and stuff.
BUYER BEWARE~!!

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 0 replies

DIYs at Maker Fair

Steamboat_Ed — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 03:38:49 GMT

..where it's *all* DIY! http://www.flickr.com/photos/38392448@N00/sets/72157619128773107/

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 0 replies

Mice

Tahiyya — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 05:18:43 GMT

On several occasions, I've found little mouse "presents." I found them on the stove, and underneath the sink. Then I found some in two of kitchen drawers. My cat sleeps underneath the comforter all day long, and even if one walked across his face, he would ignore it. Would it be a good idea to get a few snap traps? Obviously, I can't use poison, and glue traps are a nuisance. I had good luck with a snap trap before, so maybe they would be a good idea.

Any suggestions?

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 61 replies

DIY 12volt swamp cooler

bad-dawg — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 20:45:27 GMT

So, thinking of burning man in my motorhome this year, I don't want to run the AC as I would have to run the genny, I do have a portable 120VAC swamp cooler but it uses a lot of juice for the inverter to run it and My 300 watt inverter won't do it. I have an 800Watt one that will but again, it uses a lot of juice and runs down tha batteries quickly. So I priced 12 volt portable swamp coolers and they are in the $300.00 range... for a fan and a pump in a pretty box... Go figure.

Plan B: So I got to thinking I can build one. I picked up 2 big ass Pabst 12vdc muffin fans in a cool fiberglass hood that I scrapped out of an old pictureTel video conference system. I looked them up and they move 240CFM each so I think they will pull enough air. Now, on to the pump. I have a rule 1000 bilge pump (1000gallons per hour at 0ft head). I will try it out but I am wondering... Is that too much water to the evap. pads? Would I be better off with some other pump? What pump? Anybody have a line on cheap long duty 12vdc pumps?

B-D

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 31 replies

Michigan DIY

Plokk D Rainbo — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:18:54 GMT

I invited the Michigan Tribe to come here and get help or spread the wealth. If your already here from Michigan and aren't in the tribe, well come on over... if your coming to Michigan for a visit stop by and see if we can help you find the things you need.
http://michiganpeople.tribe.net/thread/681a3cde-865b-445a-a621-9f63f48df9ca?newpostingid=c57fb09c-2611-4a85-8215-9e73f79864ad#c57fb09c-2611-4a85-8215-9e73f79864ad

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 4 replies

Renter woes

Randy_W — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 18:45:19 GMT

Our house had a recent cleansing of roommates (half of 6 left), so the Landlady has
other work to do.
Weird though, everything and work and home breaks simultaneously .
The Thermostate for the heaters is buzzing now, frankly I would just prefer fix it myself.
( I am sure it is the timer clock).
Can anyone tell me how to disconnect the clock without rewiring my brain via electro-shock
therapy. I just want the buzzing to stop and don't care if the clock works or not. If landlady
wants it working, she can have her husband put in a new timer.

Thanks all, hope this is easy.

Randy
*****

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 52 replies

Ready to assemble bench problem

Mon, 11 May 2009 05:48:03 GMT

I got a great little bench from Cost Plus World Market. Required assembly.

Said to use two adults and not to assemble on carpet. As it didn't come with an additional adult in the box, and I wasn't ripping up the carpet to assemble the bench, I flew solo.

Which would have been fine, if the rear support that screws into the sides and into the seat was not warped.

I will try very hard to describe. There are two sides arms, and those two pieces have the legs already attached. There is a back, that fits between the two sides. There are two supports, front and back, these are also attached to the sides. And the seat portion fits between the two supports.

The seat portion has two wooden dowel knobs (things that stick out) on both the front and back that are oval, and are part of the seat itself. Those oval knobs are inserted into those supports front and back. There is a carved-out indented part for them to fit right in.

Once the oval knobs are in the indentation, a wood screw is to be used to hold the knobs in place, in the indentation. There is a pre-drilled hole on the support. But not on the knobs.

The part that is warped is the support, which bows away from the knobs. Only the rear support. The front support was fine and that was a breeze.

For the rear support, I got one of the screws in properly, holding the warped piece by hand while screwing. But that second knob/indentation combo, the support was most warped there, and while trying to hold and screw, the support went back to being warped, making me screw in the screw at an angle, which doesn't hold the knob in the indentation.

Removing and retrying was futile, even when I put my whole body weight on the bench to push the warped part down, I had already made a hole in that knob part that is incorrect, the angled hole.

I stopped there, because there are several ideas I have that could/might work, but if they don't, it could mess up the bench even further.

There's the old "use a bigger screw" trick. But the old hole is angled, and that new screw will just follow the path of the old screw, right?

I have a Dremel that has a small drill attachment. I thought of either drilling into where the screw SHOULD have gone (the best I can, which could mean complete failure, LOL) to make this old hole straight, for a new, larger wood screw. Or drilling into another part where the knob and indentation are located, to start a NEW screw, in a new hole, in a new location.

And, no, I don't want to return it. The local store had only the display, which is broken. And the back is put on backwards. I had to drive an hour to buy the last one at another store, and their display model is also broken and has the back put on backwards.

Also, the assembled piece will NOT fit in my car. I already tried buying a cute wicker settee, only to find it just wouldn't go in my car and had to return it without even leaving the parking lot. So I'm kind of stuck. Unless I want to disassemble the piece and then return it and go without until I find something else (that comes in a box that will fit in my car).

Wood glue, clamps, many screws and nails, duct tape, bungie cords, chewing gum? What is my next move?

Who knows wood, and who has suggestions for me?

posted in DIY - do it yourself - 10 replies