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1500 questions
19
votes
11 answers
How to remove very stuck stripped screws?
These things are caught in hard wood. I made the dumb mistake of not drilling pilot holes.
Rubber band trick failed
Screw drill and removal bit failed
JB welding a bolt worked for 2/5. Trying again, failed for the remaining three a third…
SwimBikeRun
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19
votes
2 answers
What type of tool or bit is a metal shaft with splines?
I inherited a load of tools from my father. Among them was this bit. I have never seen one like it, and don't know its purpose. It has six straight splines set at an angle to the long axis of the bit and sharpened to act as cutters. The diameter at…
John Seater
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19
votes
5 answers
How to keep screws in a hollow door
I have a hollow core interior door. The screws for the handle keep pulling out. To fix this I've used the biggest screws that will fit. I've tried a couple of different types of glue, and I've tried hollow door plugs. All of these solutions last a…
GdD
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19
votes
2 answers
Can my municipal water line siphon from my house water lines?
Our local water tower is empty during this winter storm.
I heard my water heater "running" even though there were no faucets on in the house - I immediately thought I had a burst pipe.
After finding no leaks, I turned on a faucet, and there was…
Aww_Geez
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19
votes
9 answers
What basic safety equipment should everyone have?
When doing DIY what safety kit should everyone have (and use)?
Walker
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19
votes
4 answers
What should I do with a powered switch that seemingly does nothing?
In my house, I fortunately have a well-labeled circuit breaker. There are a few rooms that could be better named, but it's fine.
As such, it's very easy to identify almost every switch and what it does and what breaker switch it's attached…
Merlin -they-them-
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19
votes
4 answers
How can I get a wire that is outside a wall to be inside a wall
I recently removed an abominable drop ceiling from my dining room and found this close to the ceiling on the one side of the room.
There is definitely a stud between these two holes. On the other side of the wall, there is another wall…
Scribblemacher
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19
votes
3 answers
Should I make my two steps have the same rise or keep one closer to a typical height?
I have a 10-1/2" rise outside from my concrete patio to my deck. Should I put in one step at the halfway point or a shorter step with a 3" rise with the 2nd step being 7-1/2"?
R. Flower
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19
votes
1 answer
What's the difference between "Framing Lumber" and "Framing Studs"?
The Home Depot website has these two as categories under Dimensional Lumber.
Why would one want to exclude items from one category during a search for wood to use in a project?
What is the difference?
brentonstrine
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19
votes
6 answers
Hang indoor swing chair BETWEEN two ceiling joists
I purchased one of those indoor hanging swing chairs for kids, specifically this one, which is meant to be mounted in the ceiling with a single eye bolt.
I want to hang this in a 38" space, between wall and bookshelf. This is pretty tight, so I…
Aaron Beall
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19
votes
5 answers
What are these orange outlets directly attached to my breaker box?
I haven't noticed these over the years I've owned my home. Only recently I happened to look down and think "huh, that's odd, why are those outlets colored bright orange." I have, over the years, realized that color around electrical components…
William
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19
votes
1 answer
What is this component in my microwave?
My apartment comes with a wall-mounted microwave (KitchenAid KHMC1857WSS) that I clean periodically. While doing so, I see this component mounted on the right-side inside the microwave. It clearly has a dark discoloration, looking like it was burnt…
ChiefOfGxBxL
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19
votes
6 answers
How can I calculate my anticipated peak current load?
Preamble
This question takes place in Japan.
In Japan, domestic electrical service is metered, but there is also a monthly fee that increases with larger service capacity. Units are wired for (typically) up to a 60 A service, but the installed…
steros
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19
votes
4 answers
How can I unscrew the faucet nuts in the tight space behind my sink basin?
My bathroom faucet is dripping, and I would like to change the washers in it. The problem I am running into is the placement of the nuts holding the faucet valves in place:
This is the underside of the sink, the hot and cold valves are on either…
Joel Croteau
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19
votes
2 answers
How does a ball bearing door hinge work?
I've been unable to find a clear explanation of the design principle behind a ball bearing door hinge.
In the image below, the casing for a ball bearing assembly is highlighted.
One description states:
Ball bearings are engineered to throw the…
Brybeck
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