Tool tips from intelligent people for home renovation and repair - hiring, working, managing - for women, children and pets

Toolbox essentials:

Screwdrivers, hammer, wrenches, pliers, utility knife, measuring tape, flashlight, nuts and nails

Rent tools to do the job correctly.

Sharpening tools, angles:

Knives, 15 to 25°

Wood chisel, 25 to 30°

Drill bits, 24 to 32°

Screwdriver, 90°

Scissors, 80°

Lawnmower blade, 30°

Scrapers, 90°.

Drilling overhead produces a shower of debris, so poke a drill bit through the bottom of a paper cup to catch the fallout.

To cut glass, lubricate the cutting wheel with a mixture of half kerosene and half light oil.

To remove a stripped screw, saw the slot, tighten then loosen, apply heat, or tap with a hammer.

To remove a frozen nut, apply heat and penetrating oil, and then repeat.

For a quick measurement use a dollar bill, it is 6 inches long.

To store your power mower for the winter, drain the gasoline and start the engine to burn off what's left. Drain the oil. Remove the spark plug. Now there can be no accidental starts, so you can clean the housing underneath. Put a tablespoon of motor oil into the spark plug hole and then pulled the starter cord several times to distribute the oil. Lubricated all moving parts. Store the mower on blocks so the tires don't rest on the ground all winter long. Cover the mower with an old sheet. Never use plastic because it can trap moisture.

A simple way to magnetize a few screwdrivers is to rub the tip against a strong magnet. Or you can use a U-shaped magnet and attach it to the shaft of the screwdriver, up far enough to be out of the way. The magic of magnetism will travel down to the tip.

There is a blackboard paint that can be painted on any piece of wood and you have your blackboard. Have one painted on the top half of the closet door or right in front of the car for messages and reminders.

To keep safety goggles fog-free, squeeze a little dishwashing liquid on the inside of the lenses, and spread a thin, even coating with your finger.

A digital multimeter is easier to read and more accurate than an analog model. A display window shows the resistance and/or voltage. A beeping sound indicates continuity.

Conceal unsightly speaker wires, telephone lines, and other wiring by covering them with decorative metal or plastic raceway. Adhesive strips attached to the edges for installation.

Glue a magnetic strip to the top of the stepladder to prevent screws and other small hardware from falling.

For no-mess epoxy mixing, put both components in the corner of a plastic sandwich bag and knead until smooth. Cut the corner off and dispense the adhesive right from the bag.