Tool (n) - 1. A mechanical device intended to make a task easier, 2. equipment used in a profession, e.g., tools of the trade, 3. Something to perform an operation; an instrument; a means
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204 views
How can I make sure my portable toolbox hasn't got any tools missing?
Background
I have a big house and I've managed to have tools scattered across the house (basement shop, kitchen, garage (bike tools). I can't, at this time, consolidate them all in one place (no room ...
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2answers
113 views
What to consider from picking a toolbox?
I need a tolbox but have got no experience with one. Can you suggest what things to consider before I choose one? Some examples will be very helpful.
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2answers
2k views
Is a brad nail gun suitable for attaching pickets to a fence?
I have a large fencing project and I'm thinking about purchasing this nail gun:
RIDGID 2-1/8 in. 18-Gauge Brad Nailer:
Would this be suitable for attaching pickets to the rails, or is there a ...
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4answers
625 views
What is a good way to cleanly cut through steel?
What tools can I use to get a clean cut through thin steel? Specifically, I have several mini beer kegs I need to cut the bottoms out of. I don't mind it taking a while, but my cuts are jagged (easy ...
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2answers
207 views
What's a good way of detecting drafts?
In particular, I'm trying to insulate my loft. I'm not keen on the idea of taking a naked flame up there!
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2answers
522 views
Are either of these tools suitable for tightening the pipe union nut underneath a bath?
I'm having trouble tightening the pipe union nuts on some new bath taps I've fitted at my mum's house. I got everything out OK, and (because the previous plumber had put the hot tap on the right ...
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1answer
287 views
Are there any tricks for using an oscillating multitool?
I recently got myself a Ridgid JobMax and I think I love it. I did spend quite a bit of time, however, trying to get through an old (100 year old home) 2x4 (dimensional). I don't know if the wood ...
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4answers
1k views
How do I get started with dovetail joints?
I've never made a dovetail joint before, and I'd like to do things right for my next project. I have the router and table and all that - but I don't have a dovetail jig. The prices vary from $40 to ...
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2answers
3k views
Why use a screwdriver when we have drill/drivers now?
I'm wondering when should we choose a screwdriver.
Can it be used to put screws in wood, concrete or metal without drilling a hole?
If we need to drill a pilot hole anyway, why don't we just use ...
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5answers
406 views
How do I choose a circular saw?
I've made do with hand tools for everything including the rare plywood job for several years now and I want to buy a good circular saw. I will not use it very often, but when I do it will be for ...
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5answers
701 views
What's a good cheap sander to sand the ends of wooden blinds?
I need to sand down some wooden blinds because they are about a millimeter too wide for the old window frames they are going into.
I'm trying to figure out a cheap and easy way to sand down about 6 ...
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1answer
236 views
Name of tool used to check/make squareness
I urgently need to know the name of this tool.
I'm not talking about a try square.
It has for pieces of plastic which have inside corners in them, exactly 90 degrees, a piece of string goes around ...
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1answer
441 views
What are the key differences between a step drill bit and a knockout punch?
Both a step drill bit and a knockout punch seem to be very similar, in that they both make holes in a metal box.
The step drill seems to have an advantage, since it can make several size holes using ...
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3answers
116 views
Is the ability to save pictures worth it in an inspection camera?
I am about to run a whole ton of communication cable in an existing two-story house, and so I am considering buying an inspection camera to help with this. As I started looking around, they range in ...
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2answers
5k views
How do you remove the tip of broken screw extractor bit?
I have a faucet handle with a striped hex socket screw. I tried to take it out with a screw extractor, but the tip broke off in the socket.
Is there anyway to get this out, along with the hex head ...
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1answer
346 views
Faucet spout perlator: worth it?
I've seen the following perlator and similars (also plastic ones) on some shopping sites. They claim it can decrease water consumption up to 40%. Is it possible? Is it worth to try?
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3answers
534 views
What voltage/amperage garage circuits should I install for welding tools and an air compressor?
As a part of renovating my garage this fall, much of the wiring is being re-done. Since doing the work before putting up walls will be much easier now than adding circuits in the future, I'd like to ...
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1answer
331 views
How to paint a wood house?
I'm looking for good resources for painting a wood house. I'm looking for the proper tools and techniques.
I don't want to hire somebody to do the job, I would like to do it myself. I just need to ...
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4answers
685 views
What is the best tool/method for vine removal?
i recently bought a 108 year old house with an ancient garage that has vines growing up the back of the entire structure. the vines have started getting into the gutters and even inside the garage. ...
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1answer
303 views
Is it ok to use pneumatic tools underwater
I have a concrete that is stuck underwater. The concrete piece is too heavy. I think that I could break it into small pieces with my pneumatic impact drill.
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2answers
503 views
How do you break in a new air compressor?
Just got a new craftsman air compressor (33 gal). I have read that it is important to "break in" the unit by running it with the pressurized chamber open (so that there is no load on the motor). How ...
4
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1answer
135 views
What units are the clutch settings on a drill?
I have tried looking around the internet for an answer - but I can only find articles that explain what the clutch on a drill does.
I am very familiar not only with what they do but also with how ...
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1answer
224 views
Hot air gun / paint stripper for melting plastic
I'm not sure if this is the right kind of question for this site, but I thought that people here are more likely to know the answer.
I'm looking for a hot air gun in order to melt plastic - mostly ...
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1answer
585 views
How to cut Patio Pavers
I would like to lay patio pavers for a patio in a diagonal fashion. I would like to know what kind of tool I should use to cut the pavers in half. They are about 2" thick, and I'd like to not use ...
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1answer
400 views
How can I repair my bench grinder?
Received a relatively old black and decker bench grinder from a relative. It works, mostly. About 50% of the time it powers up but doesn't spin - hand cranking gets it going, whether it starts fine or ...
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1answer
467 views
Is it a good idea to spraypaint my axe head?
I saw a YouTube video where someone restores an old axe. After removing the rust and piths, he spray paints the head with black primer. Is this advisable? While it protects the head from water and ...
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1answer
3k views
How do I fix a pocket door wheel track?
I have a pocket door that keeps falling off its track. The metal track has become warped and bent down in just one or two areas. When I slide the door along the track and the front wheel goes over ...
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3answers
394 views
Which hammer drill should I buy?
I'm looking to buy a cordless hammer drill. What should I buy? Note: It can be just a drill not a screwdriver too if that makes a difference.
Its purely for diy. No real budget in mind, more just ...
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1answer
364 views
How can I disassemble this old bathroom faucet to fix a leak, without damaging the decorative chrome piece?
Update 4: Once I followed Michael's suggestion I was able to remove the cartridge. Closest match was a Moen 1224, 131222. Inlet and outlet were very different, and rotation of valve was much greater ...
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5answers
286 views
What quick and dirty tool/method should I use for cutting scrap drywall?
I have a pile of drywall scrap that's been sitting in my garage for a few years after a remodel, "just in case". My buddy came up with the idea of turning it into "karate boards" for our kids to ...
3
votes
4answers
905 views
Can I mix brands of chainsaw chains?
I have a Stihl 260 chainsaw, with a 3/8" chain and a 20" bar. What criteria do I need to apply when picking a second chainsaw chain?
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4answers
3k views
How do I achieve required torque when using an impact driver?
There's such tool called impact driver (like this one for example). The manual says it uses a special mechanism to produce a series of torque impulses to fasten/loosen nuts and screws.
The tool has ...
3
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1answer
177 views
How can I stop primer from eating my roller handles?
Whenever I use primer, it seems like I get about one room's worth of coverage before the roller handle seizes up, so that I'm pushing the roller along the wall instead of rolling it. I'm ...
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2answers
316 views
How to select a good Triangle (Speed square?)
My father is now retired and has returned to his hobby of being a woodworker. He's been helping me build a standing desk for my office and happened to mention while we was working that he wished he ...
3
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1answer
312 views
Is gun oil worth the cost for oiling an axe compared to alternatives?
I've done some research on axe maintenance and it seems gun oil is the best lubricant for axes. However at approximately $10 for a 4oz. bottle cost becomes an issue if you get a lot of use out of your ...
3
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1answer
160 views
What is a jig?
What is the process called, when you create a shape of wood which will only be used during making the end product. Say if you want to glue 2 panels of wood together (butt them together) at a certain ...
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2answers
430 views
Are cheap electric brad nail guns worth it for fixing mouldings?
I am thinking of creating some doors out of MDF that will have moldings fixed to their fronts, these will be glued on. I could try to clamp them somehow until the glue sets, but that sounds like a ...
3
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1answer
143 views
Can I use a rusty soldering iron?
I am thinking of getting back into stained glass. One of the projects I want to work on is to fix a stained glass window that has a section with a crack in it. I was given a couple soldering irons ...
3
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1answer
116 views
What type of arbor should I use to fix this holesaw?
Where can I buy the arbor for this type of holesaw. The ones I've found are hex shaped. Could you recommend a n arbour that would fix this hole saw
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2answers
112 views
Where can I find a 1/2" bit screwdriver?
I have a 3/8" bit screwdriver but the bolt I need to unscrew is even bigger than that and TIGHT, so using that screwdriver is starting to strip the screw a bit. I can't find a bigger one anywhere ...
3
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2answers
3k views
How can I measure water/moisture content within a wall cavity?
Related to improper placement of a vapour barrier within wall insulation, are there any tools or methods for measuring water/moisture content within a wall cavity?
3
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3answers
306 views
How do I choose more durable screwdriver bits?
I recently bought a $35 cordless screwdriver that came in a suitcase with screwdriver bits. I was in shock when the Pozidriv bit splintered after screwing only 3 1-inch screws in the leg of an ...
3
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2answers
169 views
What size ratchets do I need to assemble some new equipment?
I recently purchased a power rack and various other bits and pieces for the home gym. In the instruction manual the nuts and bolts on the hardware list state the following sizes:
1/2" × 3 - 1/2"
1/2" ...
3
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1answer
55 views
What nap roller should I use for primer?
And does it matter, in choosing the nap, what the sheen of paint will be used over the primer? E.g. if I do my bathroom in semi-gloss using 3/8" nap vs living room in flat with 1/2" nap, should I also ...
3
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1answer
149 views
“Built-in corrosion inhibition” - Does it work? How?
I recently bought a new toolbox to tame the piles of tools I've acquired for general home maintenance in my first year of home ownership. It's the Kobalt 26" hammer box; good size, sturdy enough for a ...
3
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1answer
843 views
How do I fix a Bostitch nail gun that is jammed?
I have a Bostitch nail gun (pneumatic) and it has been working fine all day until about 30 minutes ago.
I went to nail in a piece of molding, and when I pulled the trigger I heard air feed into ...
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2answers
2k views
What tool would you use to cut through cinder block?
I have a hidden room in my house that I would like to turn into a closet. The room (currently only accessible from the outside through the vent) vents the utility room to the outside. I'm not sure why ...
3
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3answers
1k views
Borescope recommendations (features)
I'd love to get a borescope, but I've never used one. Should I try to find a place to rent one first(does such a place even exist?), or should I bite the bullet and buy one. What features should I ...
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2answers
353 views
How do I tighten this screw?
I have a fairly new bathroom suite. The toilet seat has a nifty quick-release hinge which allows you to just press two buttons to take it off for cleaning. Underneath, the hinge assembly is fixed on ...
2
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2answers
261 views
Can oscillating “multi-tools” sand vertical surfaces?
I need to sand some rough spots on our old front door before repainting and am considering buying/using a multi-tool for this task (as well as some tricky flooring and drywall tasks later).
What's ...
