Tips

How to Use a Wire Brush Drill Bit

Wire brushes that are designed to be used in a drill can speed up many kinds of cleaning and repair activities. These tools excel at removing flaking paint, dried up caulk and rust. They can be used on most surfaces where minor scratches will not be a problem especially if the surface will be painted or left unfinished. Drill-mounted wire brushes come in various shapes, sizes and stiffness. Very stiff-bristled brushes are used for removing the heaviest of rust and debris while the softer bristled brushes come in handy for polishing surfaces.

Rebuilding a House From Studs

In a number of cases it is necessary to strip a house down to its bare studs and rebuild. Mold or water damage, asbestos contamination, natural disasters and the desire to restore an aging home to its original condition can all warrant this painstaking process. While there is a great deal of work required to restore a house to a functional state, it is doable, but requires breaking the project down into manageable tasks.

Can You Hard Wire a Plug-In Appliance?

To hardwire an appliance means to permanently integrate it into a building’s circuits by connecting it directly and permanently to a supply, as opposed to pressing a plug into an outlet, where the outlet is hardwired. Converting hardwired appliances to use plugs and outlets is more common than the reverse, but it can be done safely. The Reasoning The plug-in connection is convenient, but creates a little extra electrical resistance.

How to Identify an Old Chest of Drawers

Identifying an old chest of drawers involves looking at the condition of the piece, as well as other factors. This information can help you decide whether you have an antique, a collectible piece manufactured by a popular designer, a reproduction or simply an old chest of drawers. Old chests are sometimes fairly valuable. Tip If you find a manufacturer’s label, look for a model number on the piece, which is usually a long number and may feature a dash in between numbers.

How to Use a Blue Magic Super Pump

Waterbeds provide a unique sleeping experience due to their special water bladder design, but this special design can also require special maintenance. One of the more common waterbed problems is excess air in the mattress, which can cause the mattress to make annoying sounds during use. Air extractors are specifically designed to remove excess air from waterbeds and help control this sound issue. Blue Magic manufactures a "Super Pump" air extractor, which can be used to extract excess air from a waterbed in a few steps.

How to Make a Roman Shade

How to Make a Roman Shade. Roman shades are a classic window treatment that you can make in just a few hours. Choose coordinating fabric to match your existing decor, and let the window frame your fabric by mounting the roman shade on the inside of the frame. Make a Roman Shade Making the Roman Shade Measure the width and the height of the window. Measure the width of the window at different locations and use the measurement that is the smallest.

How to Tell if Your Finished Nails Are Galvanized

Galvanized nail — more commonly referred to in construction as roofing nails — are nails that are dipped in melted zinc. This extra coating makes them resistant to rust and ensures that they have a very long lifespan. Galvanized nails have certain characteristics that set them apart from standard nails. Before you head out to the hardware store to buy galvanized nails for a special project, take a look in your toolbox — you might have galvanized nails and not even know it.

How to Build a Free-Standing Rock Wall

A free-standing rock wall, or stacked stone wall, is a form as old as human efforts to fortify and divide. The material, unmortared stone, can be harvested from the land the wall will sit on or purchased from a quarry. Good examples of old stacked stone walls can be found in European and North American rural areas---and in art museums like Storm King in upstate New York, where artist Andy Goldsworthy's wall meanders through the trees.

How to Repair Efflorescing Plaster

If you see white discoloration or what looks like a powdery, crystalline, white growth on your plaster walls, you have a moisture problem within the walls. This is , and it's caused by soluble masonry salts within the walls leaching to the surface. Get rid of efflorescence to make your plaster walls shine. Things You Will Need + Wire or scrub brush Drywall knife Joint compound or plaster patch Fiberglass tape Sandpaper Primer Before repairing efflorescent plaster, you must address the moisture--usually by caulking or repairing a roof leak.

How to Size a Dryer

If you are considering buying a new dryer, you will need to decide where you plan to place your new dryer. You also need to figure out approximately how much laundry you need to do each week. Small families or single people can generally purchase a smaller dryer even if they have a larger space to place it in, whereas large families most likely will need a large-capacity dryer. You also need to think about what type of washer you have or you are going to purchase.