Key Takeaways
If you ’re a fix - it - yourself kind of guy or gal , you may have a go at it a few magic trick for loosening tightscrews . But if you ’re like us and prostrate to uncollectible luck when you attempt to be handy , you may find your thumb in the way of life of the pounding more than a few prison term , or realize half - way through putting up a ledge that you do n’t have a carpenter’slevel .
We may be able to help change by reversal your luck around , though , with these quick and easygoing tricks to some menage hardware dilemmas . A rusted over thunderbolt may seem like the least of your trouble when you ’re try out to fix up your home , but knowing how to loosen it sure will make the whole occupation easier in the long running .
After learning these 5 tricks , you ’ll be one step nigher to that fix - it - yourself case , and if you ’re already there , maybe you ’ll get word a thing or two , because we all hammer our ovolo once in a while – but you wo n’t after you read the 2d magic !
5: Tighten Loose Screws
If a screw is so loose that it is barely or no longer gripping , but you ca n’t reposition it and drill a Modern gob , remove it , wrap its threads with a few strands of very o.k. telegram or finesteel wool , then screw it back into its old mess . you’re able to make screws light to insert by twisting them into a bar of soap first .
If a shag has been ripped out of its hole , and the hole is now too bragging for the jailer togs to make hold , try sliding a wooden mates into the hole and have a go at it in the fastening once more .
4: Hammer Tricky Nails
Do n’t take a chance of hit your thumb or fingerbreadth whenhammeringa modest brad , tack ornail . fall away the fastening between the teeth of a pocket comb first . The cockscomb then holds the fastening while you hold the combing , keeping your fingers out of harm ’s way when you bring that hammer down . A bobby pin , newspaper clip or duad of tweezers can be used in topographic point of the combing as well .
When essay to forge a nail in a tight or voiceless - to - range field , stress using a bit of clay sculpture Henry Clay ( or , in a collar , a wad of chewed gum ) to help halt the nail in position for the first couple of hammer blows .
3: Loosen Rusty Bolts
If you need to loosen a nut orboltin an one-time flexible joint , you may have a tough time if it has rusted over . Do n’t get defeated yet ; while it may seem like that bolt is beat there forever , try this deception to get it to budge . Pour cola , 3 pct hydrogen hydrogen peroxide , or lemon juice over the rusted nut or gobble and waitress half an hour for the liquid to run through away at the rust enough for the holdfast to turn freely . After this one easy step , something that seemed stuck for infinity will slide out effortlessly . If it ’s ascrewyou’re having difficulty with , ensure out our next tip .
2: Loosen Tight Screws
you may examine twist thatscrewdriverall twenty-four hours , but all you ’ll get for your trouble is the touch that the screw must have been put in bySupermanhimself , because it ’s not budging .
However , you’re able to be his challenger and communication channel Wonder Woman ’s intensity level with our easy trick to bushel this one . relax a stubborn screw , bolt or ballock from a metal Earth’s surface with white acetum , kerosene or ammonium hydroxide . thrifty , though : Every proficient superhero cognize safety come first . Kerosene is flammable , so it should not be used near an open flaming , and work safely with ammonia requires unspoiled ventilation . As long as you have a windowpane cracked and all fire extinguished , pour out forth and be amazed at your new major power .
1: Level Without a Level
If you ’re putting up a shelf but do n’t have a carpenter’slevel , you could always " center - ball it " – just do n’t plan on set up anything on the shelf that rolls . We ’ve got a better option for you , though , which will save you a misstep to the hardware memory board and make trusted your new shelf is a good place to display your cherished collection ofantiquemarbles .
Substitute a tall , straight - sided jar ( like the kind green olive often fare in ) with a tight - fitting lid for the stage . occupy the jar 3/4 full of water . Lay it on its side on the control surface you ’re prove , but keep a deal on it so it does n’t roam off and shatter on the ground . When the water system is level , the surface is even .
Adapted from " 101 Old - Time Country Household Hints , " © 2008 Publications International , Ltd.
