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TwitThisSingle-arm faucet tune-up
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A drippy single-arm, ball-type faucet may need new seals and O-rings eventually, but before you run out to get a repair kit, try this: Disassemble the handle and cap and remove the ball assembly. Remove the rubber seals and springs from the body, and slightly stretch the springs. Clean any filmy residue off the parts, especially the ball. Lightly coat the seals and O-rings with petroleum jelly and reassemble.
Better pipe cutting
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It’s difficult to cut a thin metal pipe, such as a P-trap, with a hacksaw without squashing the pipe or mangling the cut. To make a nice cut, insert a section of wood closet rod or handrail into the end of the pipe to be cut. Wrap one end of the rod with tape to fill out the rod to the pipe’s inner size. Clamp the wood in a vise and cut through both the pipe and the wood.
Garage-wall tool holder
If you have lots of rakes, shovels, brooms and garden tools cluttering your garage, but not a lot of wall to hang them on, try this. Cut two 16 x 16-in. pieces from 1/2-in. plywood and screw them to a wall stud at a slight upward angle. Then slide in your tools.
Big-sheet stabilizer
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Keeping a 4 x 8-ft. sheet of plywood stationary while cutting can be a hassle. Solve this problem by cutting two 1-1/2 in. x 1-1/2 in. notches in your sawhorses and then inserting 8-ft. 2x2s into the notches. This makes a sturdy work base that can also be used as a portable workbench.
Pipe clamp holder
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Store bar and pipe clamps right under your workbench where they’ll always be close at hand. Just screw sections of 4-in. dia. PVC pipe under your workbench and slide the clamps into the pipe.
Under-bed drawers
Drawers from old dressers can be given new life as under-bed storage bins. Fasten small casters to the bottoms and slide the drawers under the bed to store seasonal clothes, extra blankets and more.
Screw gripper
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Try this simple way to get a screw started in a hard-to-reach place. Poke the screw through a piece of masking tape with the sticky side of the tape toward the head. Place the tip of the screwdriver in the slot, then fold the tape up onto the shaft. Once you start the screw, pull the screwdriver loose and remove the tape.
Super-fast floor squeegee
When you need to round up water on your garage or basement floor, assemble this simple squeegee. Slip a piece of foam pipe insulation over the tines of an ordinary garden rake to push the water to a drain or out the door.
Stay-fresh wood putty
Whenever you buy wood putty or spackling compound, you’ll seldom use it all at once. To make sure the product is sealed completely when you store it, cover the container with plastic wrap and then put on the container lid. This always makes the product last longer.
Match maker
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Extend your reach and avoid singed fingers when lighting the pilot light on a stove, water heater or furnace. Crimp or tape an alligator clip to the end of an old telescopic radio or TV antenna. Then clamp in your match.
Smooching drywall
Instead of measuring and marking for an electrical box cutout on drywall, coat the edges of the box with lipstick, position the drywall, press it in place, then remove the drywall and cut along the “kiss marks” left on the back of the panel. It’s quick and foolproof.
Too-tight ceiling panels
The panels in a suspended ceiling often fit tight in the rails, so every time you have to get behind them, you can’t get the panels to drop back into place. The solution? Hold your shop vacuum nozzle against the offending corners and use the suction to pull them right into place.
Hose caddy
Here’s an easy way to store unwieldy garden hoses without strangling yourself. Coil them up in a round laundry basket or plastic bucket. Then hang the basket or bucket on the garage wall or slide it into an obscure corner.
Mini grinder holder
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A mini rotary tool makes a great grinder for sharpening drill bits and other small items. Support the tool in a vise, using a large metal L-bracket and two adjustable hose clamps as shown. If you use a portable vise, you’ll be able to move the work to any position on your workbench. Be sure to wear eye protection when grinding.
Dishwasher basket touch-up
When the plastic coating on dishwasher baskets wears away, the dishes will get scratched. Before paying the high price of a new basket, try covering the worn spots with hot-melt glue. It works great.
No-mess fireplace cleaning
Next time you clean out your fireplace, contain the mess by dampening the ashes with a plant mister, then shoveling them into a bag or box lined with damp newspaper. Put a damp newspaper over the bag or box before carrying it out.
Magnet bagger
Pick up spilled washers, nuts or nails using a bar magnet in a sandwich bag. The spilled items will stick to the magnet through the plastic. Then turn the bag inside out and pour the items back into their container.
Editor • DUANE JOHNSON
Art Direction • BOB UNGAR
Illustrations • RON CHAMBERLAIN
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