The materials tag has no wiki summary.
-1
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0answers
41 views
I need a lightweight, strong & not fully opaque material to put around a lamp [closed]
I have a very unusual project. I will make a lamp, but it must be VERY VERY lightweight.
The project has a LEDs core that I must cover and protect. Until now nothing difficult.
I'm thinking of thin ...
-1
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0answers
40 views
Is modelling clay of any use in repairs?
I recently found so-called modelling clay at a local shop - stuff originally intended for sculpturing models and dolls and other small figures of various shapes.
It comes in a wide range of colors. ...
1
vote
2answers
246 views
How effective are DIN 985 self-locking nuts?
They're DIN 985 self-locking nuts
that have a plastic ring inside that is meant to cause extra friction and prevent self-loosening of the nut.
How effective are they against self-loosening?
4
votes
3answers
140 views
What kind of material can I use to cover a window to keep the cold out?
I have a small window in my bathroom that is high up near the ceiling. It's pretty useless, but since the bathroom is always really cold I think it is letting cold air in. I'd like to prove this ...
2
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1answer
140 views
How to determine if a faucet is plastic or metal?
On the first picture below I am pretty sure the grip is made of plastic because it feels very light, when I lift it.
On the second I have no idea.
Question
How do I tell if the grip of a faucet is ...
3
votes
1answer
219 views
Is this old basement floor concrete, grout, or something else?
What is the likely construction/material of the basement floor shown below?
It's not very flat, and the surface appears sandy. It's almost as if some kind of skim-coat was applied to the dirt floor. ...
1
vote
2answers
459 views
Why does it seem all new faucets are using braided hose instead of stainless steel?
I have been looking for a new kitchen faucet recently at all the box stores, and noticed that pretty much all pull-out/pull-down faucets are now using a black braided hose instead of a more rigid ...
0
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0answers
77 views
Please help identify this material [closed]
I'm trying to figure out what this material is.
Excuse the poor photo quality. It was within a glass display case.
This looks rubberized and could deal with reasonably sharp angles.
It was joining ...
3
votes
2answers
533 views
What are the differences between wood and composite shoe molding?
I'm about to install shoe molding all over my house. I'm deciding between composite (I think it's PVC) and wood. They are quite similar in price. How do these 2 materials compare in terms of:
...
1
vote
0answers
58 views
What is a good plastic to use for lite milling?
I want to do some lite milling with a drill press and XY vice using plastic. I am looking for a cheap easy to machine plastic. I have dealt with these guys for aluminum, but not plastics. I don't know ...
3
votes
1answer
279 views
What types of materials should I consider when designing a bench?
I am building a dividing half-wall/shelving unit to separate my living room from entrance door. I am planning to put a bench on the side closer to the door (so me and my guests can sit down while ...
2
votes
1answer
136 views
How can I tell whether this roofing material is hazardous to tear down?
I've got this little building in my garden that needs to be completely removed to make room for building a real house. To keep costs down, I'll be doing most of the tear-down myself but I'm unsure ...
4
votes
2answers
228 views
Screwing into the underside of countertop - can it support a little weight?
We have a space with a wide countertop set up in a space that functions as a workbench. There are no cabinets underneath. Instead, you can pull up chairs to it. There are computers there and it ...
3
votes
1answer
474 views
What are the “rules” for connecting different kinds mains electrical wires?
Aluminum wires can't be connected directly to copper wires - otherwise the contact spot overheats badly, such connections should only go through steel connectors. I was rather surprised when I found ...
12
votes
2answers
437 views
What should I keep in mind when building my house myself?
I inherited a piece of land and want to build a house on it. Nothing fancy: one floor, 2-3 rooms.
Since I don't really have the money :D to build it "in one go", I'm going to build it over a longer ...
4
votes
2answers
210 views
Is there a dust-free alternative to gravel for an indoor Petanque Court?
We are considering constructing a Pétanque court in our office.
The typical finished playing surface is sand, gravel, small pebbles or sometimes shell.
We need a dust-free material so that when ...
1
vote
2answers
572 views
How can I recondition old rubber seals?
I have some rubber window seals that with age have become a bit hard and shiny, which is reducing their effectiveness. I can't replace these seals, so I would like to know -
Is there anything I can ...
12
votes
6answers
4k views
What is better for a roof, plywood or OSB?
While watching the builders next door do their thing, I became curious with their technique to install plywood on edges neighboring the next townhouse, and OSB for the rest (which for these narrow ...
0
votes
1answer
227 views
Where to find glass 'support' requirements?
Where could I go about finding the maximum safe span of a pane of glass for a specific width?
I.e. say you had two rafters, X meters apart, with glazing bars, supporting a pane of toughened glass ...
1
vote
1answer
116 views
Design and Build Sprinkler Head
How would you go about fabricating a sprinkler head for a general use sprinkler system? I'm talking about the sort in your front yard.
The basics of what I'm looking for:
Design which can be ...
1
vote
2answers
309 views
How do steel and enforced concrete posts compare?
From what I observe in my region posts in both municipal and private construction - mostly fence posts and lighting posts - are gradually replaced from enforced concrete to steel pipes.
Is it just my ...
1
vote
2answers
155 views
Non-toxic materials for edging garden
I'm looking for a edging for my garden which is non-toxic. I've currently got pressure treated lumber (supposedly it is not arsenic laced). I've been stapling chicken wire to the top of the lumber to ...
3
votes
2answers
110 views
What easily obtained material would work best to protect my LCD screen?
I've got 18 month and 2 1/2 year old boys. I'm considering purchasing a TV, and I'm concerned about the occasional lapse in judgement. (e.g.: The odd toy being thrown at the screen in a fit of ...
6
votes
2answers
3k views
What are the pros/cons of using porcelain over ceramic tile in a bathroom?
I'm planning on tiling a bathroom floor and a walk-in shower (including the ceiling). I haven't looked into pricing yet, but I've heard that porcelain would be a better, yet more expensive material to ...
0
votes
1answer
186 views
Anyone know if there are any large chains that carry HT Armaflex?
Grainger doesn't have it, Northern Tool doesn't have it, and Lowes doesn't have it. Home Depot has a lower temperature (200F) Armaflex, but doesn't have HT Armaflex. (HT Armaflex, by the way, is a ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
Where can I get a threaded wooden/metal rod for an adjustable piano stool?
I want to make a height adjustable stool, like a piano stool, of the simple screw/rotate type, but I don't have a lathe (or anything like enough skill) to turn a thread in wood myself.
Is there ...
0
votes
4answers
258 views
Sources for small metal tubing?
This is more a DIY question than a home improvement one but I can't seem to find a beter place to ask:
I'm looking for small diameter metal tubing, specifically 0.159 ID, ~3/16 OD (the inside ...
1
vote
2answers
625 views
Where can I buy Perspex sheets?
I've been working on a lighting project that requires some light diffusers and after searching around I keep seeing people recommend something called Perspex. My only problem is that I can't seem to ...
8
votes
11answers
3k views
Which material should I use for a whiteboard that would erase easily?
I saw some DIY tutorials recommending to use tileboard to make a cheap whiteboard.
I had a piece lying around, and tried some dry-erase markers on it.
Turns out they don't erase well at all when ...
2
votes
2answers
834 views
What are my compact CNC milling machine options for stone carving?
I am looking for suggestions about a small and compact CNC milling machine to sculpt decorative figures in metal and stone plates. I have no experience with such machines (I once saw an industrial one ...
14
votes
13answers
2k views
What kitchen counter material would you recommend and why?
What are the pros and cons of various kitchen counter top materials?
Granite
Corian
Concrete
Laminate
Quartz
Silestone
Other
4
votes
3answers
2k views
What should I use for a sandbox bottom?
I'm building a sandbox for my three-year old. It will probably sit on the deck, so it needs some kind of bottom. Ideally, we should be able to move the sandbox around the deck. Is it necessary for ...
2
votes
3answers
90 views
Timber Veneer Flooring?
We have existing polished timber floors, it is patchy (different parts of the house are floored with different kinds of timber) it also has a few gaps and holes. We are thinking of laying down some ...
