Tips


Interior door has too much play on hinges.


Screws no longer hold hinges firmly to jamb and/or door.


Remove screws and insert 3 to 4 toothpicks into each hole, breaking off flush with the surface. As each screw is replaced, it will force the toothpicks to the sides, causing a positive bond between the screw and the jamb and/or door. Now you're back in the "swing of things"!



Over-cut or miss-cut a piece of wood, plastic or other composite material.


Mix a generous amount of saw particles from the material you are cutting with carpenter's glue and apply this pasty mixture to the undesired void. Let it harden for a "just like new" appearance. It can even be painted or stained after sanding.



Dripping faucet or valve.


Worn-out rubber or nylon washer.


Secure water supply. Unscrew and remove the handle and stem, and also remove the retainer screw if applicable. Flip over the rubber or nylon washer and apply one drop of any household cooking oil or grease. Reassemble each part to enegize water supply. By creating a clean-smooth surface, you are once again allowing a new, positive seat for complete valve closure. You're "good to go"!



Every time I drive a nail through a piece of wood or other construction material close to the edge, the material splits.


Your nail is acting as a wedge, resulting in splitting.


Flip the nail over, head down, point up. Now firmly tap the tip of your nail with a hammer until you flatten the point. When you drive this nail now, you will displace a piece of wood, rather than split.



Somtimes trying to pull out a rusty or headless nail seems impossible.


Wedge the nail as far down as possible between the hammer claws and turn the hammer sideways, first to the left and then to the right. Now lower your hammer again and repeat the side to side motion until your "mission impossible" is complete.