[BlindHandyMan] Re: new door knob to big for the whole?
If you have a hole saw drill attachment, cut the proper size hole in a scrap piece of wood to use as a template. Clamp the template to the door, centered over the knob hole that is too small, This will guide the hole saw as the door is cut. - Gil Laster, Charlotte, NC Original message: -- From: Blake Hardin blakehardin5...@gmail.com Sent: Saturday, August 28, 2010 3:30 PM To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Subject: [BlindHandyMan] new door knob to big for the whole? Hi, i have a wooden closet door that i bought a new knob for. However i can't get the two sides of the knob to line up because the actual whole is not cut large enough cause i guess the other knob is smaller. Anyway what can I use to file the door down a bit so i can put the new knob on? Its actually hollow inside the door so i imagine that it wont be to hard to do something with it. I just didn't wanna start cutting anything out of the nice little smooth round whole without knowing what is the best tool to use for it to still be smooth and round. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re: Stubern door knob, or door frame? Hmmm
I have had doors not latch after installing new knob sets. The new latching mechanism or the new strike plate was slightly offset from the original. Moving the striker plate corrected the problem. - Gil Laster, Charlotte, NC Original Message: --- Stubern door knob, or door frame? Hmmm Posted by: Blake Hardin blakehardin5...@gmail.com Thu Aug 26, 2010 8:40 pm (PDT) Hey all, i bought two outside door knobs today and replaced the one on my back door just fine. Anyway onthe the front door is the problem. I installed the new knob and when i closed it it didn't click in to place so i had to just put back on the old knob. Gurhrhrhrhrhrhrhrhr lol. I believe the door frame is uneven is the reason why it didn't work. Any ideas here? [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re: hammering a nail in?
Try a small piece of wood, about 1/2 the height of the nail, with square edges and a shallow saw kerf cut into its face. Hold the nail in the kerf and set the block on the work surface. Hammer the nail 1/2 of the way in. Remove the block and finish driving the nail in. In the vinyl siding section of The Home Depot there is a small nail guide commonly called a pea shooter for putting nails in hard to reach places. It is a tube/handle with a magnetic tip rod that is struck with a hammer. I recently bought an air compressor and pneumatic brad nailer. I like it much and wish that I had bought it years ago. - Gil Laster, Charlotte, NC Original Message: hammering a nail in? Posted by: Blake Hardin Tue Aug 24, 2010 4:50 am (PDT) hey all hows it going? Ok so when i was little i used to mess around with hammering nails in and such but i was wondering how do you guys do it? Like if im just trying to hammer a nail in to a board with a hammer do i hold the nail with my fingers and try to aim for the nail with the hammer? That allot of times will end up being my thumb under the hammer rather than the nail haha. So does your aim just get better with practis or do you have something you can put the nail in to hold it so you wont have to use your fingrs? [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re: mower issue
I had a Briggs Stratton engine on a mower that acted similarly after many years of reliable service. It turned out to have two problems. The carburetor to engine gasket was leaking, causing a lean mixture and difficulty cold starting. A new gasket fixed that. The exhaust valve was also burnt, causing loss of power and difficult hot starting. Reseating the valve by using valve grinding compound fixed that. - Gil Laster, Charlotte, NC Original Message: Subject: mower issue Posted by: David Engebretson Jr. d.engebret...@comcast.net Mon Aug 2, 2010 7:26 pm (PDT) My mower stops running after a few minutes of mowing unless I open the throttle while I prime it with the little rubber bulb on the side of the carb. This must be a tell tale sign of a specific issue... anyone know what it is? thermometer? clogged primer? need a new motor? thanks, david [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re: gorilla glue and metal
I have successfully glued aluminum to wood using Gorilla Glue. It should work for metal-to-metal too. The best metal-to-metal glue that I have used is JB Weld. - Gil Laster, Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re: question on my refrigerator
Try gluing the plastic to the glass with 5-minute epoxy. First clean the glass and roughen the glue surface of the plastic. - Gil Laster, Charlotte, NC --- Original message: hello I have a refrigerator and when I open it at the bottom it has a glass and on that glass their is a plastic that is now sliding off how can I fix this is their a glue I can use? their is nothing broken it just slides off sent from My t-mobile dash 3g. Julio Morones Nickname Soda-pop Email Address jmoro...@ca.rr.com Skype jmorones03 Klango Sodapop [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Maytag Neptune Washer Bearing Problem
Jim, You mentioned having replaced the control board on your Maytag Neptune washing machine and now the bearings are roaring. I have a 2002 model. The control board failed at 14-months and after some fussing Maytag relented and replaced it for me as a warranty item. The bearings began to roar at 6-years. My wife had not been very happy with the machine so thinking that I might have to buy a new washer I did some research on the Internet, bought bearings and a seal, improvised a bearing puller, and fixed it myself. My wife later admitted that she was hoping that I would fail. I had never worked on such a machine before. There was much on-the-job learning. It took me about 24-hours of effort, but I believe that I could do it again in about 4-hours. The job would have been much easier with a proper bearing puller, but I was too cheap to rent it at $80. I will write more details if you or anyone else wants to know more. - Gil Laster, Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re: Garbage disposal
Betsy, I have an Insinkerator disposal of unknown age (it was in the house when I bought it). Twice it has locked up as you describe with the motor humming and not turning. Each time I was successful to turn the rotor by hand inside the sink drain to loosen it up. There was no debris in there. My assumption is that my unit is very old and the seals are damaged, allowing crud or corrosion to bind the motor shaft. I intend to replace the unit when it does finally quit. You mentioned that your disposal is a Kenmore. I subscribe to Sears e-mail advertisements. Sales on appliances have been occurring a few times each month. Some include free shipping. It is worth checking out if you want to get another Kenmore. I have also read that bigger is better (power-wise) if your previous unit has had trouble digesting stuff. I cannot help you about a wall hung toilet other than it must need a very strong wall to mount to and a thick wall for the drain pipe to turn down through. - Gil Laster, Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Super Strong Silicone Adhesive Sealant
Many years ago a brand of silicone adhesive sealant had on its packaging a sample of the product. The sample was in the shape of a Hershey's Kiss and had advertising encouraging pulling on the material to demonstrate its toughness. It was very elastic and I could not break it. Anyone remember the product name and know if it or a similar product is still available? - Gil Laster, Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Camping in the Dark
I received a Soren Luggage LocatorPro as a gift to help find my luggage at the airport. It works great from up to 60-feet away, chirping and flashing when the key chain remote is pushed. Another neat thing about it is that the receiver chirps longer the farther one is away from it. I do much camping and now use the locator to find my tent or anything else that I place the receiver at. It is also made to be weather resistant. The receiver uses a single AA battery. I have gotten the equivalent of 4-weeks continuous use on a battery. The key chain button uses coin-size batteries. I have not replaced them yet. Amazon.com lists the locator at about $25. - Gil Laster, Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re:NLS Digital Book Player
3-weeks ago I received the digital NLS player. The only instructions given were those recited by the player itself. With some experimentation here is how I download books: A USB flash memory device is required, also known as a thumb drive. From the BARD website, select the book or magazine that you want, then download it onto your PC (an Internet connection is required). It will be a zipped file. Go to that file on the PC and open it. That extracts several files that then appear. Copy those files to the USB flash memory device, preferably into folder that you reserve for NLS books. Remove the USB flash memory from the PC and plug it into the NLS Player at the side USB port next to the headphone jack. The next time that the player is turned on it will beep as it searches the flash memory for the book. When it finds the book, it will begin to play it. - Gil Laster, Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re: Driveway Alarm
I do not know how to do it, but could prisms be use at the corner boundries of a driveway to make a laser beam fence that if broken would interupt an audible tone. The tone could be wireless using a FM transmitter and a small FM radio with earphones. - Gil Laster, Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re: Invisible Fencing for Dogs
About 10-years ago at The Home Depot I bought a Radio Fence kit consisting of transmitter, wire, training flags, and a receiver collar. I installed it myself on a 1/2 acre lot and have been very pleased. Training instructions were included. The flags are set at the buried wire. The dog is then walked on leash to the perimeter and trained to run back to the house when the collar alarms. It only took one shock for both of my dogs to not challenge the boundary again. The system has a ground on the transmitter. From research I learned that good grounding is very important for the unit's survivability if lightning strikes nearby. I installed a separate ground rod dedicated to the unit. There have been a few close strikes and I have had no problem. I used a walk behind powered yard edger to gig a shallow narrow trench for burying the wire. The transmitter alarms when a break occurs in the buried wire. Chipmunks bite the wire in two at least once a year. To locate the break I use a portable AM radio held very close to the ground. A buzzing static noise is heard when the radio is directly over the wire. The buzzing will fade about six feet from the break. I then pull up the wire in the vicinity, join the broken ends, water proof the joint with silicone caulk, and rebury the wire. - Gil Laster, Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re:Torx screw manufacture's information
The Home Depot now sells DECKMATE brand deck screws, with the star socket head, and a shank narrower than the screw. I bought 1-pound of 2 screws for $8.80. A star bit comes in the box. It was a real pleasure driving the screws in without the bit slipping in the screw head as the phillips head screws are prone to do. - Gil Laster, Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Drywall Screw Threads
Over years I have collected different sizes of drywall screws and just now noticed that most have coarse threads while a few have fine threads including screws of the same style, material, and length. Can anyone explain the purpose or application for coarse threads verses fine threads? - Gil Laster, Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re:mildew and bleach
The topic was how to kill the carpet odor from a toilet overflow. I have not had to deal with that problem, but have had dog urine in the carpet that will stink. I eventually discovered the enzyme products that break down the urine proteins and eliminate the odor. It takes a few days for them to do it. The brand name that I use is Simple Solution because it is the least expensive and yet still works great. Such products are generally available where pet food is sold. I would give the enzyme products a try before using bleach. - Gil Laster, Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [BlindHandyMan] Tell me about a product called Stabil
It was noted in an earlier post that the primary ingredient in the product Stabil is isopropyl alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol is also used to absorb water in gasoline. A popular brand name product for that purpose is Dry Gas. Rubbing alcohol is isopropyl alcohol saturated with water, so do not use it as a substitute for pure isopropyl alcohol. - Gil Laster, Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re:Dryer Question!
My guess for the muffled thump in a clothes dryer is a damaged drive belt if the thump is slightly less than once for each rotation of the drum. - Gil Laster, Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re: Sharpening knife blades
Another piece of ceramic that is excellent for sharpening knives is the tubular ceramic insulator in high power lights used in large building spaces and exteriors. - Gil Laster, Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re:going to Louisiana
Bob, I admire your volunteerism and handyman talent. You should now be down on the delta. Are you part of a Federal program? Are your travel and living expenses provided? How does one get into the program? How long do you stay away from home on a project? - Gil Laster, Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re:TV/AM/FM Indoor Antenna
Concerning poor reception of TV and FM even when living near metropolitan transmitters and using good antennas... I live in a large city. At my previous home I had a roof mounted VHF/UHF/FM antenna with a rotor. Mo matter where the antenna was turned there would always be some ghost image. Eventually I learned that signals reflecting off of terrain or buildings can cause ghosts (there was a hill right behind the house). I did not try moving the outdoor antenna, however, the television would get great reception, using only rabbit ears, when moved to the other end of the house. - Gil Laster, Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re:hot water problem
Old gas fired hot water heaters that do not produce much hot water may have a broken fill tube inside. The tube directs inlet cold water to the bottom of the tank. When broken the cold water is mixing with the hot water at the top of the tank. Gil Laster, Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re:Sealing A Gutter
I also have gutters joined at right angles that dripped. Mine are mitered and held together with screws. I unscrewed the joint, applied sealant to the joint flanges, and put it back together. DAP Flashing and Gutter Butyl-flex sealant purchased at The Home Depot has held without leaking for 3-years now - Gil Laster, Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re: Sticky glaze
If the glaze is a two-part mix like epoxy, try putting heat on the surface with lamps. The heat may have to remain for some hours or even a day to get the glaze to continue Hardening and end up non-sticky. - Gil Laster, Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] 1.5V Battery Terminal Corrosion
Anyone know of a fix to prevent corrosion on 1.5V battery terminals? I find that as the batteries lose power or are in a device for a long time the battery and device terminals sometimes have to be cleaned to get proper operation again. - Gil Laster, Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re: Shark Bights copper connectors
Whistling noises in plumbing usually originate from flow restriction points. In the case below it is likely to be the faucet handle valve. A new valve washer may eliminate the noise. I have not read if PEX tubing would transmit less noise, but being plastic it appears to me that it should dampen it. - Gil Laster, Charlotte, NC --- Original Message: Our kitchen sink makes this discordant whistle that doesn't bother me unless I'm eating. Can't hear it but 3-4 feet away from the sink, not farther. So, I was wondering, does copper flex, or the pex tubing make more or less sound than standard copper pipe? Thanks [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re: electrical power uses cut
If turning off the breaker on a heat pump to save energy, first read the owner's manual. Most heat pump compressors have a heater in them to prevent liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor during startup - Gil Laster Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re: Question about smoke alarms
I have not heard of having to replace smoke alarms after 7-years, but have read that carbon monoxide alarms do need to be replaced at that interval. I assume that it is because some component decays, making the unit unreliable. - Gil Laster Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Changing Engine Oil
I discovered that the new 1-quart wide mouth oil bottle, such as the SuperTech brand at Wal-Mart, screws firmly into the oil fill hole on my Toyota. I cut the bottom off of a bottle and now have a hands-free funnel. - Gil Laster Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re: Tuck Pointing?
The discussion was about adding salt and soap to cement for sealing foundation walls. What I think the salt and soap does is absorb moisture from the air to keep the cement curing properly. R.J., who has used this, noted that he has successfully painted over it. On exterior applications when left exposed, rain water should eventually carry away any excess salt and soap. - Gil Laster Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re:Brake Fluid Loss
I had a mysterious brake fluid leak. There was no evidence of dripping or weeping with the car parked. It turned out to be a leaking flexible hose on the wheel suspension. When the brake pedal was pushed, brake fluid sprayed straight out of the wheel well. - Gil Laster Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re: Brake fluid maintenance
I recently purchased Castrol LMA brake fluid. It is labeled synthetic and compatible with DOT 3 and DOT 4. It is $10/quart at Pep Boys. Would this synthetic be considered the DOT 5.1? - Gil Laster Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Electrolysis
A few weeks ago an article about using electrolysis to clean corroded metals was posted. I was unaware that a car battery and patience could render terrific results. I have a 30-year-old garden tiller with a tine hub that has been frozen onto the power axel for over 10-years. I decided to clean up the machine and I was going to get that stubborn hub off. My first attempt with a 6-inch wheel puller broke the puller. With a new puller I then tried penetrating oil, hammering and heat. That did not work either. Then I tried the electrolysis. After 6-days of the hub/axel brewing I finally pulled it apart today. Thank you for that post about electrolysis. - Gil Laster Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re: Car repair.
There have been recent posts about the $40 price of replacement automobile interior air filters. I have a 2004 Toyota with an interior air filter that is accessed through the glove compartment. The filter feels like durable synthetic material folded like an accordion. I periodically remove it, vacuum it off, and if my wife says that it still looks dirty I gently wash it. So far I have not bought a new one. - Gil Laster Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] OBDC-2 Scanner
Steve, Welcome to the Blindhandyman. I am curious about what useful information is in my family vehicle computer. USB and even wireless devices along with software are now available to connect a car computer to a PC. Might such a scanner be worth it to me for do-it-yourself maintenance? - Gil Laster Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Checking Engine Oil
Does anyone have a method or device for checking automobile engine oil level without sighted help? - Gil Laster Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Refrigerator Compressor Klunk
I have a GE Profile series side-by-side refrigerator/freezer, about 15-years-old, 21 cubic feet, model TPX21PR, TPX21BR. The compressor had always been silent until recently it started making a loud clunk when shutting down. The noise is the internal compressor motor hitting its external casing. I checked the compressor mount and it is OK. The refrigerator is level side-to-side and front-to-back. Is the shutdown clunk a sign of bad things to come? - Gil Laster Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re:Receiver settings?
In the old days before integrated circuits, one could change the impedance of a receiver's auxiliary inputs by changing the resistors nearest the input plug in order to match that input volume to the radio or other input devices. Typically, there was a resistor in series and another in parallel. I did it once to increase volume of an input by reducing the in-series resistor. I could see then, but have not looked inside a modern receiver to know if the pair of resistors are still used at the input plugs. - Gil Laster Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Tools, Their Real Use
A friend sent me this: So, think you know what the real use of certain tools are? Well let's see if you really know DRILL PRESS: A tall upright machine useful for suddenly snatching flat metal bar stock out of your hands so that it smacks you in the chest and flings your beer across the room, splattering it against that freshly-stained heirloom piece you were drying. WIRE WHEEL: Cleans paint off bolts and then throws them somewhere under the workbench with the speed of light. Also removes fingerprints and hard-earned guitar calluses from fingers in about the time it takes you to say, Yeow~crap~ ELECTRIC HAND DRILL: Normally used for spinning pop rivets in their holes until you die of old age. SKIL SAW: A portable cutting tool used to make studs too short. PLIERS: Used to round off bolt heads. Sometimes used in the creation of blood-blisters. BELT SANDER: An electric sanding tool commonly used to convert minor touch-up jobs into major refinishing jobs. HACKSAW: One of a family of cutting tools built on the Ouija board principle. It transforms human energy into a crooked, unpredictable motion, and the more you attempt to influence its course, the more dismal your future becomes. VISE-GRIPS: Generally used after pliers to completely round off bolt heads. If nothing else is available, they can also be used to transfer intense welding heat to the palm of your hand. WELDING GLOVES: Heavy duty leather gloves used to prolong the conduction of intense welding heat to the palm of your hand. OXYACETYLENE TORCH: Used almost entirely for lighting various flammable objects in your shop on fire. Also handy for igniting the grease inside the wheel hub you want the bearing race out of. WHITWORTH SOCKETS: Once used for working on older British cars and motorcycles, they are now used mainly for impersonating that 9/16 or ½ socket you've been searching for the last 45 minutes. TABLE SAW: A large stationary power tool commonly used to launch wood projectiles for testing wall integrity. HYDRAULIC FLOOR JACK: Used for lowering an automobile to the ground after you have installed your new brake shoes, trapping the jack handle firmly under the bumper. EIGHT-FOOT LONG YELLOW PINE 2X4: Used for levering an automobile upward off of a trapped hydraulic jack handle. TWEEZERS: A tool for removing wood splinters and wire wheel wires. E-Z OUT BOLT AND STUD EXTRACTOR: A tool ten times harder than any known drill bit that snaps neatly off in bolt holes thereby ending any possible future use. RADIAL ARM SAW: A large stationary power saw primarily used by most shops to scare neophytes into choosing another line of work. TWO-TON ENGINE HOIST: A tool for testing the maximum tensile strength of everything you forgot to disconnect. CRAFTSMAN 1/2 x 24-INCH SCREWDRIVER: A very large pry bar that inexplicably has an accurately machined screwdriver tip on the end opposite the handle. AVIATION METAL SNIPS: See hacksaw. TROUBLE LIGHT: The home mechanic's own tanning booth. Sometimes called a drop light, it is a good source of vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, which is not otherwise found under cars at night. Health benefits aside, its main purpose is to consume 40-watt light bulbs at about the same rate that 105mm howitzer shells might be used during, say, the first few hours of the Battle of the Bulge. More often dark than light, its name is somewhat misleading. PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER: Normally used to stab the vacuum seals under lids and for opening old-style paper-and-tin oil cans and splashing oil on your shirt; but can also be used, as the name implies, to strip out Phillips screw heads. STRAIGHT SCREWDRIVER: A tool for opening paint cans. Sometimes used to convert common slotted screws into non-removable screws. AIR COMPRESSOR: A machine that takes energy produced in a coal-burning power plant 200 miles away and transforms it into compressed air that travels by hose to a Chicago Pneumatic impact wrench that grips rusty bolts which were last over tightened 30 years ago by someone at Ford, and instantly rounds off their heads. Also used to quickly snap off lug nuts. PRY BAR: A tool used to crumple the metal surrounding that clip or bracket you needed to remove in order to replace a 50 cent part. HOSE CUTTER: A tool used to make hoses too short. HAMMER: Originally employed as a weapon of war, the hammer nowadays is used as a kind of divining rod to locate the most expensive parts adjacent the object we are trying to hit. Also used to make gaping holes in walls when hanging pictures. MECHANIC'S KNIFE: Used to open and slice through the contents of cardboard cartons delivered to your front door; works particularly well on contents such as seats, vinyl records, liquids in plastic bottles, collector magazines, refund checks, and rubber or plastic parts. Especially useful for slicing work clothes, but only while in use. DAMMIT TOOL: Any handy tool that you grab and
[BlindHandyMan] Re: Talking Digital Multi Meter
Q: Does the meter work with temperature probes? A: The talking digital multi meter that I bought does not have a function to work directly to convert a temperature probe resistance/voltage to a temperature reading. I did find non-talking meters during my research that have the capability and are supplied with the temperature probe. They were generally about $100 and have high accuracy. I do not remember specific web sites that I found them at. I am very pleased with the meter that I bought for general home use: TALKING DIGITAL MULTI METER WITH LIGHTED LEADS-MPJA, Inc. http://www.mpja.com/prodinfo.asp?number=16562+TE - Gil Laster Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Talking Digital Multi Meter
A few weeks ago a digital talking multi meter was mentioned on this list. I bought one and was most pleasantly surprised at its high quality for only $40 + $8 shipping. Two years ago when I first thought about a talking meter they were $200 from aid catalogs. This meter is simple to use and speaks clearly. Check it out: TALKING DIGITAL MULTI METER WITH LIGHTED LEADS-MPJA, Inc. http://www.mpja.com/prodinfo.asp?number=16562+TE i also bought gold plated stereo RCA plug cables that are also of high quality at a very low price. MPJA.COM has my endorsement. - Gil Laster Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re:Back drafts up furnis air intake?
I experienced the same problem with air moving out of the house while the HVAC was not running. It stopped after I sealed every duct joint that I could get to and sealed up the gaps between vent outlets and the walls/floors/ceilings. I used water clean-up mastic on the duct joints and insulating foam-in-a-can around the vent outlets. The foam is messy, sticky, stuff, so wear disposable gloves. Since you have vents in the garage, check to see if air is coming out of them while the HVAC is off. If so, they would need to be blocked when not needed. - Gil Laster Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re: cordless tools
I have an 18-volt Craftsman drill, that was on sale for $80 with 2-batteries and charger. I have yet to stall it driving 3-inch deck screws except when the battery is weak. The price was less than replacing 2 batteries for my previous Ryobi 9.6-volt drill. The Craftsman is now 3-years-old and the batteries (nickel-cadmium) do not hold much charge anymore. I am watching for another sale. It is unfortunate that some drills can be made disposable by the cost of a pair of replacement batteries. - Gil Laster Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] Re:water saver johns
My brother-in-law remodels kitchens and baths. For customers wanting a low volume flush toilet he recommends the Japanese brand Toto, as it works reliably. Most of his customers insisting on designer models of other brands eventually call him back to install a Toto. The Toto is about $400. - Gil Laster Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[BlindHandyMan] OBD2 Scanning
My family has a 1996 Chevrolet, 1996 BMW, and 2004 Toyota that I maintain. I am curious about information in the car computers. Is anyone successfully using JAWS and scanner software to retrieve information? If so, what software? - Gil Laster Charlotte, NC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
