DIY Hints and Tips

Today's hints and tips will help you make your DIY jobs easier and give you tips on how to keep thing's in tip top order.

D I Y HINTS

Puff a little powdered graphite into a jammed or stiff lock. Do this about every 6 months to keep locks running smoothly. Using oil tends to gum the works.

Before trying to put a large nail into wood that may split, use a little nail first to start the hole.

Dipping a nail in paraffin or rubbing it with soap will help it go in smoothly.

Sticking a small piece of blue tack on the end of a nail will help keep it on the screwdriver.

When trying to remove a screw with paint on hold a red hot poker on head. This will remove paint & when the metal expands the screw will come out easier.

Vinegar penetrates threaded section of hard to undo screws.

Remove raw plugs by half screwing in a screw, pull with pliers.

Rub edge of saw with soap for a smoother cut.

Use turps for lubrication of drill.

Drilling through a piece of tape will stop scratching & chipping of tiles.

Use a magnet to keep small screws together.
Moth balls in a tool box will stop rust.

Put an old sheet in bath or sink to stop chips & screws going down plug hole.

When using a wheel glass cutter dip in paraffin between cuts.
Use a plastic bag with corner cut off for a smoother finish when filling cracks.

Add plaster to water to avoid hardening too quick with a little vinegar.

A cloth around a rolling pin works great to roll out bubbles of adhesive covering.

Before laying cork, plastic or linoleum tiles warm them 1st as more flexible

If tile edges rise after laying warm corner with hot water bottle before re sticking.

To lift a damaged vinyl tile lay aluminium foil over it & apply hot iron to soften making it easier to lift.