Grandpa's Handyman Secrets
Did it seem like your grandfather always had the best advice? A lifetime of working around the house may have taught him a treasure trove of tips and tricks for repairing things. If you prefer to be your own handyman, these secrets can help to make your job a lot easier. Does this Spark an idea?
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Quiet Squeaky Hinges
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A squeaky door hinge can provide atmosphere around Halloween, but most of the time it's just annoying. Most squeaky hinges can be fixed by spraying on a small amount of water-displacing spray. If that doesn't work, position a screwdriver beneath the hinge's pin and tap it with a hammer. The pin will separate from the barrel, allowing it to be pulled free. Scrub both the pin and barrel with steel wool, lubricate everything and then slide the pin back in place.
Rough Measurements
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If you need to get a rough measurement of something but lack a measuring tape, pull out your wallet and use a dollar bill. A U.S. dollar is 6.14 inches long, which is just a bit longer than half a foot. If you fold it in half, it is just over 3 inches. This will allow you to get rough estimates in full, half and quarter feet.
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Handling Small Nails
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Small nails can be a hassle to work with. They slip out of your fingers easily, and are minute enough that it's easy to whack your fingers with the hammer. An easy solution to this problem is to fit the nail into the teeth of a pocket comb. The comb's teeth will hold the nail in place while you hold the other end of the comb -- removing any danger of crushed fingers.
Tighten Loose Screws
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Often if a screw is removed and re-inserted into its hole, it may not fit properly. This is because the hole has been stripped, preventing the threads on the screw from biting in properly. Before you insert the screw, poke a piece of toothpick into the hole. The extra material will put enough pressure onto the screw to allow it to grab the sides of the hole tightly.
Save the Brushes
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If you are working on a painting project that takes more than a single day, there is no reason to throw away your paint brushes and rollers. Wrap them in plastic wrap or a plastic bag and squeeze out any trapped air. Because the brush or roller is now protected from the air, it will not dry out. The next day, unwrap it and continue painting as if no time had passed.
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References
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