DIY TIPS

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LATEST TIPS

To make screws easier to remove at a later date, rub soap on the thread before screwing in.

Thanks to Geoff Smith of this one

Due to the heat from an electric light bulb, over a period of time, it can become extremely difficult to unscrew the plastic components when it becomes necessary to change the shade etc. Running an ordinary pencil point over the threads before assembly will make future dismantling effortless. Graphite from the pencil point is a good heat resisting lubricator.

Sent in by K. Hall, thanks.

Use a comb to hold small or short nails steady when hammering them in - prevents many a sore thumb!

Thanks to Krystal G for this one.

Save any spent matches as these can be used as rawl plugs, tile spacers, hole fillers etc.

Courtesy of Reg Reeve

Golf tees are the perfect shape and size to "cork" the inputs of air powered tools to prevent dirt and dust building up when not in use.

Thanks to "dormouse" for this one.

A sticking drawer can be eased by using a wax crayon of the same colour (or a candle).

Courtesy of Raleigh Jones.

If you are replacing old tiles with new ones there is no need to remove the old tiles first as these make a perfect surface on which to set the new tiles.

If you add a few drops of washing up liquid when mixing filler it will make it much smoother.
If using filler on wood add a little instant coffee powder to make the colour a better match.
Spray both sides of a saw with WD40 to prevent it from sticking.
When painting new plaster, or similar porous surface, paint on a solution of water mixed with PVA glue first. This will seal the surface and stop the paint from soaking into the plaster, thereby making it go a lot further and giving a much better finish.
You can remove a stubborn rawl plug by gently screwing in a screw and then pulling it free (or alternatively a corkscrew can be used).
To prevent wood splitting when hammering in a nail, either use a very small drill to make a guide hole or, alternatively, blunt the end of the nail first.
If you rub soap on the thread of a screw before use it will always be easy to remove at a later stage.
To avoid having to wash out paint trays after use, place tray inside a plastic bag before pouring in the paint. When the job is finished simply remove the plastic bag and discard. The tray is ready for next time.

When pointing brickwork use a small length of old garden hose - this will give a nice clean finish.
When sealing round a bath, basin or such like, use masking tape above and below the sealant. After placing the sealant along the edge, wet your finger and run it gently along the sealant. Remove masking tape.
If you have to drill a hole in wood to pass cable through always ensure you drill in the direction the cable is going to run. This will ensure the cable runs through smoothly.
If you make a concrete path or patio, do not leave surface smooth. Pat with the edge of a length of timber thus creating grooves in the surface, this will prevent it becoming slippery when went and causing accidents.
A quick way to "spruce" up tired kitchen cupboards is to buy new handles and/or add motifs to the front of the cupboard doors. These can be stencilled, painted or cut out of self adhesive plastic.
If you decide to replace kitchen units, think about just buying new cupboard doors as the carcasses are usually the same.
For quick and easy curtains use hooks which clip onto the top of the curtain instead of heading tape. Alternatively, try tab headings i.e. loops of material sewn to the top of the curtain through which the curtain pole is placed.
To get an exact 90 degree angle measure a piece of timber in a triangle of 3ft x 4ft x 5ft - this will always result in a true 90 degree corner - so long as your measuring is accurate that is.

4 ft.		5 ft
This angle is 90 degrees	3ft

Where is that string when you need it - try this -

Get a small plastic funnel and fix it to the wall so that it stays in an upright position. Place the ball of string in the top of the funnel threading the loose end through the narrow bottom, hey presto, string always to hand.

Save sawdust as this can be used as a wood filler by mixing with PVA glue.
Tint wood filler with a matching woodstain after it has dried to match it to existing wood.
When choosing wood filler ensure you choose the correct type for the job in hand i.e. interior or exterior and also check it can be used with wood stain if this is required. Some fillers are very fast setting and durable, however, they are not compatible with wood stain.
To measure a cylindrical object easily, take a piece of string or paper, wrap around the object marking where the to ends meet, lay out flat and measure with a tape measure or rule.
When drilling a hole to a specific depth, place tape around the drill bit at the required depth and when the drill reaches the marker tape you know you have reached the desired depth.
When drilling holes in walls hold a dustpan underneath to catch the dust - saves a lot of clearing up.

courtesy of http://www.hintsandthings.co.uk/