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1500 questions
24
votes
7 answers
Should I release the pressure out of an air compressor when it is not in use?
Just got a new compressor and I wondering if I should be releasing all of the pressure out of the unit when it is not in use? Or is it better to leave the pressure in so that the unit does not have to work as hard to build up the pressure next…
Milos Petrovic
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24
votes
16 answers
Should drywall be hung horizontally or vertically?
For reasons including time, money, ease of installation, and structural strength, should drywall be installed horizontally or vertically.
DMoore
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24
votes
9 answers
Are integrated LEDs a riskier purchase than screw-in bulbs?
A lot of LEDs on the market these days are "integrated", meaning that the LEDs themselves and the housing is all bundled together. You screw the whole thing into the ceiling, and connect the wires to your circuit.
But what do you do when the lights…
gomennathan
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24
votes
3 answers
Why are 2x4s really 1.5"x3.5"?
Just curious as to the reasoning. Is it a spec, or is it simply for backwards compatibility?
esac
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24
votes
3 answers
Garage door suddenly really heavy, opener gives up
I just came back from a week out of town and noticed my garage door opener isn't working. When I press the button it moves about an inch then gives up.
I tried disconnecting the electric opener and opening it manually but it's suddenly incredibly…
peter
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24
votes
16 answers
How do I get over my fear of using power tools?
Circular saw, jointer and table saw scare the living $#1+ out of me.
How do I get rid of the fear? I've watched tons of safety videos and read all manuals cover to cover and still feel wary of using them.
I guess I can describe myself as a DIY'er…
Michael Kelso
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24
votes
8 answers
How to find electric device(s) driving a high electric bill?
The cabin electric bill came and I gave it what I thought would be a cursory glance and it looked unusually high. Not just for this cabin, but in my experience with our houses. Our main house is a 1965 crapshack in Northern Virginia, very poorly…
WPNoviceCoder
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24
votes
13 answers
Do smart or programmable thermostats actually save money?
I am looking at replacing all the thermostats in my house. I have hot water baseboard heat and forced air A/C. Each room's baseboard heat is controlled by a thermostat in that room.
I tend to prefer simple mechanical interfaces to digital "smart"…
JoshuaD
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24
votes
2 answers
What type of lightbulb is this?
I need to replace a faulty lightbulb but it's not one I've come across before. It's being used in a light fixture in my washroom above the vanity. Can anyone here identify it? I'm hoping I can order one from Amazon or my local Home Depot.
(Loonie…
cornflakes24
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24
votes
16 answers
How to dig a trench for a cable for a garden office
I'm trying to dig a trench for the electrical cable for a shed/office I'm building in my back garden. This is about 7 m long and should be 0.5 m deep. My soil seems to be about 5 cm of soil/turf and then soil which is full of gravel, stones and…
Matthew Dresser
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24
votes
21 answers
What is the advantage of PEX pinch clamp vs. crimp rings?
I just saw these for the first time today at Lowe's:
The advantages I can see over the crimp style are:
A single tool can work with multiple PEX sizes
That single tool is cheaper than a single-size crimp tool (~$40 vs ~$80)
The tool grabs and…
Mike Powell
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24
votes
6 answers
What benefit do plasterboard/drywall screws have?
I have some plasterboard screws like this:
However, without a drill I have a job getting them into the wall. Am I safe to use normal screws on hangings that aren't going to be taking a great deal of weight? In this case it is a rack of coat hooks.
Jivings
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24
votes
8 answers
Does a homeowner need a permit for electrical work in Massachusetts?
Does a homeowner need to obtain a permit from the town in order to do electrical work on his own house in Massachusetts? The unofficial answers I can find online (e.g., this forum and the websites of various towns) are all over the place, and…
Vebjorn Ljosa
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24
votes
3 answers
Why do single electrical receptacles exist?
Given that the following are true.
They are the same size.
They take the same amount of work to install.
Doubles are twice as useful.
Double adapters are a thing.
Why do single electrical receptacles even exist? I was looking at the plans for a…
Spike
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24
votes
7 answers
Panel breakers are alternately 90 V and 140 V
Everything in the house is acting up. The fridge has melted ice, the radio is acting strange, etc.
I multimetered the panel box and each breaker is either 90 V or 140 V alternately.
I have a plan to upgrade the box from 100 A to 200 A as the meter…
drmadef
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