n00b Home Repair/Handyman thread?

[Mermaidman]

Originally posted by: AllGoodNamesAreTaken
Hmmm, I'm not sure if toothpicks or golf tees ( mentioned by another poster ) will help me in this case. The hole is at least 4 screw diameters high and 2 screw diameters wide. It looks to me as if the installer tried to place the screw in 3 locations before finally securing it at an upward angle. I don't even own a drill 😱, which is why I was looking for a "space age" solution.

You should buy a cheap cordless drill. ~$30-$50 will get you a decent one. It's amazingly useful not just for drilling, but also as a screwdriver. I found this site handy, but it does recommend a corded drill.

Originally posted by: mobobuff
Quick MS-PAINT job

That's either a smiley face or male genitals. Or did I fail the Rorschach? 😛

 

[bctbct]

I will come back when you have challenging question :laugh:

 

[DaveJ]

Originally posted by: mobobuff
If you're trying to get a threaded aerator off, you'd have to twist clockwise instead of counter-clockwise like normal, because you're behind the thread instead of in front of it (does that make sense?). Locking pliers and a cloth or a strap wrench would do well.

Quick MS-PAINT job

OK, I'm an idiot. 😀 I was turning the damn thing the wrong way, it came off fairly easily once I figured out wtf I was doing.

 

[feralkid]

Originally posted by: DaveJ

Originally posted by: mobobuff
If you're trying to get a threaded aerator off, you'd have to twist clockwise instead of counter-clockwise like normal, because you're behind the thread instead of in front of it (does that make sense?). Locking pliers and a cloth or a strap wrench would do well.

Quick MS-PAINT job

OK, I'm an idiot. 😀 I was turning the damn thing the wrong way, it came off fairly easily once I figured out wtf I was doing.

Good, but please explain why you think a leaky faucet can be caused by the aerator.

😕

 

[M2008S]

Originally posted by: Mermaidman


"Will it be disastrous if I use a small circular saw (5.5") to cut down a small tree ~3" diameter?"

q]


---home depot rental chainsaw, safest, not so scary

"Cold air is blowing into the house from the flue-less fireplace. How do I stop it?"[/

---chimney repair man, again.. safest.

if this was about like.. replacing a door.. window.. etc sure do it yourself. those are a couple of the things ive always been ehhhh about.

 

[bctbct]

Originally posted by: feralkid

Originally posted by: DaveJ

Originally posted by: mobobuff
If you're trying to get a threaded aerator off, you'd have to twist clockwise instead of counter-clockwise like normal, because you're behind the thread instead of in front of it (does that make sense?). Locking pliers and a cloth or a strap wrench would do well.

Quick MS-PAINT job

OK, I'm an idiot. 😀 I was turning the damn thing the wrong way, it came off fairly easily once I figured out wtf I was doing.

Good, but please explain why you think a leaky faucet can be caused by the aerator.

😕

thats going to be a bad seal

 

[mobobuff]

Originally posted by: feralkid

Originally posted by: DaveJ

Originally posted by: mobobuff
If you're trying to get a threaded aerator off, you'd have to twist clockwise instead of counter-clockwise like normal, because you're behind the thread instead of in front of it (does that make sense?). Locking pliers and a cloth or a strap wrench would do well.

Quick MS-PAINT job

OK, I'm an idiot. 😀 I was turning the damn thing the wrong way, it came off fairly easily once I figured out wtf I was doing.

Good, but please explain why you think a leaky faucet can be caused by the aerator.

😕

Good point. But replacing/cleaning your aerator isn't a bad idea, just not a solution to a leak. I'm glad my drawing helped you out, though 🙂.

Originally posted by: Mermaidman

Originally posted by: mobobuff
Quick MS-PAINT job

That's either a smiley face or male genitals. Or did I fail the Rorschach? 😛

[/quote]

Haha, I see what you mean. It is funny, now that I look at it again. 😱

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: Mermaidman
n00bs post your questions! Experts post your answers.

Me first:

"Will it be disastrous if I use a small circular saw (5.5") to cut down a small tree ~3" diameter?"

"Cold air is blowing into the house from the flue-less fireplace. How do I stop it?"

I think your going to find that you have to pull that gas-log fireplace out to determine the cause. Could be that there is a loose connection of the exhaust vent or somewhere behind the unit is some kind of uninsulated area. You might need some type of fire resistant insulation though.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: AllGoodNamesAreTaken
Hopefully someone can help me out.

A screw holding a kitchen cabinet door hinge to the cabinet frame came out. There is a gaping hole where it used to be, so I cannot screw it back in. I purchased some Minwax wood filler that claimed to allow driving screws/nails. It failed miserably, turning to dust when I drove the screw back in.

Is there a better product? I know the correct technique is to glue a wooden dowel in place, cut it off, and drive the screw into the dowel, but that is beyond my skillset.

Cheers.

Like theknight571 said, glue a piece of wood in there. Or, swap out that wood scew with a machine screw and put a nut inside.

Or, get some JBWeld if the repair isn't going to be seen. It'll hold a screw.

 

[DaveJ]

Originally posted by: feralkid

Originally posted by: DaveJ

Originally posted by: mobobuff
If you're trying to get a threaded aerator off, you'd have to twist clockwise instead of counter-clockwise like normal, because you're behind the thread instead of in front of it (does that make sense?). Locking pliers and a cloth or a strap wrench would do well.

Quick MS-PAINT job

OK, I'm an idiot. 😀 I was turning the damn thing the wrong way, it came off fairly easily once I figured out wtf I was doing.

Good, but please explain why you think a leaky faucet can be caused by the aerator.

😕

Did you somehow miss the part about me being an idiot? 😀 It's been a LONG day...

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: DaveJ

Originally posted by: mobobuff
If you're trying to get a threaded aerator off, you'd have to twist clockwise instead of counter-clockwise like normal, because you're behind the thread instead of in front of it (does that make sense?). Locking pliers and a cloth or a strap wrench would do well.

Quick MS-PAINT job

OK, I'm an idiot. 😀 I was turning the damn thing the wrong way, it came off fairly easily once I figured out wtf I was doing.

Wait wait wait wait. Wait... Wait...

I was right, huh? 😛

 

[DaveJ]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: DaveJ

Originally posted by: mobobuff
If you're trying to get a threaded aerator off, you'd have to twist clockwise instead of counter-clockwise like normal, because you're behind the thread instead of in front of it (does that make sense?). Locking pliers and a cloth or a strap wrench would do well.

Quick MS-PAINT job

OK, I'm an idiot. 😀 I was turning the damn thing the wrong way, it came off fairly easily once I figured out wtf I was doing.

Wait wait wait wait. Wait... Wait...

I was right, huh? 😛

There's a first time for everything. 😀

 

[jersiq]

How can I remove all the lint from my electric dryer vent?
My dryer vents out the back, up a duct to the roof. On the roof the vent is capped and the cap is riveted to the duct. I was able to reach underneath the cap, and remove the lint nearby, but I want to be sure all the lint is removed from the duct. Or, what type of repair-person would I call to have it cleaned if I have to?

Also, is it fairly easy to make your own "solar screens" for windows? The type of screens that prevent light from coming in from my west-facing windows. I've seen all the supplies at my local store, just want to know the degree of difficulty.

 

[bctbct]

Originally posted by: jersiq
How can I remove all the lint from my electric dryer vent?
My dryer vents out the back, up a duct to the roof. On the roof the vent is capped and the cap is riveted to the duct. I was able to reach underneath the cap, and remove the lint nearby, but I want to be sure all the lint is removed from the duct. Or, what type of repair-person would I call to have it cleaned if I have to?

Also, is it fairly easy to make your own "solar screens" for windows? The type of screens that prevent light from coming in from my west-facing windows. I've seen all the supplies at my local store, just want to know the degree of difficulty.

You could call a furnace vent cleaning company or just buy a chimeny sweep brush, use a shop vac. to draw the dust out as you sweep.

If you want the screens to look decent you probably have to have a skill degree of 7+