Questions tagged [substitute-tool]
A tool exists but you don't have it. Use this tag when searching for a substitute for a tool you don't have.
32
questions
23
votes
13answers
30k views
How to clean crevices of electronics without compressed air?
For cleaning keyboards and other computer components not reachable with a cloth, I generally use a can of compressed air.
However, the can is empty. What else can I use that would be a general ...
31
votes
17answers
111k views
How to shred papers/letters without using a shredder machine
I have a lot of letters which I would like to throw away. But for security and privacy reasons I will always tear it with my hands, one by one. It tends to get tiring with the monotonous work. So I ...
19
votes
11answers
5k views
How can I clear my shower drain without drain cleaner?
While showering I notice that the drain starts to clog and water start to accumulate, but yet its not totally clogged. What can I do to prevent further clogging, while still being able to continue my ...
7
votes
4answers
17k views
How to store loose CDs and other discs without scratching them?
At home I have a load of loose disks that I have either lost the case for or it never had a case in the first place and these usually end up getting scratched up and quickly become unusable, not to ...
57
votes
3answers
8k views
What is the best way to open clamshell packaging?
What is the best way to open thick clamshell packaging, like this:
I usually use scissors, but it's difficult when the plastic is particularly thick or the item is oddly shaped.
12
votes
6answers
72k views
How to undo a stubborn knot without using fingers
I don't really have nails because I bite my fingers so it's quite difficult for me to undo some knots.
What is an easy way to untie knots when fingers just can't do the job?
Referring to knots in ...
4
votes
10answers
74k views
How to clean glass without glass cleaner?
I'm all out of Windex/glass cleaner and I want to clean a very dirty window without leaving streaks. I have both a microfiber cloth and paper towels available. What can I use instead of glass cleaner?
75
votes
30answers
72k views
Is there any way to kill a fly without a flyswatter?
Fact: Flies move fast. Very fast. That's why you need something that moves even faster – like a fly swatter – to kill a fly.
But what if you don't have a flyswatter handy? Then, how can you catch and ...
6
votes
9answers
11k views
How to light a match?
A match is usually an easy thing to light. However, if you go camping the way I do the lighter area alway seems to get wet and useless. That is if it isn't worn down anyway. I am talking about the ...
14
votes
5answers
5k views
Plucking a chicken without a machine
Like my username implies, I'm a shochet (though I'm still in training), and I kill chickens.
One problem I have is getting the feathers off the chicken once they're dead. I know that I could buy or ...
10
votes
4answers
94k views
Substitute for a tablet stylus
I do a lot of sketching and drawing on my iPad. I usually use a stylus, but I recently lost mine. I can draw with my fingers, but I would prefer to use a stylus because it's just easier and I can do ...
7
votes
6answers
1k views
Air Conditioner/Coolers best substitute
It is too hot here. Nearly touching 40°C. And I cant afford to buy an AC or a Cooler right now. So, what would be the best substitute which I can afford or can make by my own?
14
votes
19answers
29k views
How can I fix a clogged toilet without calling a plumber?
We've all been there: you're using the toilets, flush the water, and it's still there. Flush again, to no avail. It's utterly clogged.
When at home I can simply call a plumber, but:
It costs money
...
asked Jan 5 '15 at 15:40
Shadow Wizard Is Vaccinated V3
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54
votes
14answers
59k views
How can I destroy sensitive documents without a paper shredder?
I have some documents that have sensitive information on them, which for obvious reasons I do not want others to get their hands on. How can I destroy these documents so that others cannot read them? ...
54
votes
11answers
78k views
How can I humidify a room without a humidifier?
It's winter, it's cold, and the heat is constantly blasting throughout my house. This is making the air very dry and uncomfortable to breathe, particularly at night when I'm trying to sleep.
Are ...
35
votes
6answers
32k views
I forgot my toothpaste and it is impossible to buy in this situation, are there any substitutes?
During my travel I forgot to bring my toothpaste and I just noticed it in a time where it is impossible to buy toothpaste, are there any other things that I can use assuming that I have my toothbrush, ...
20
votes
10answers
94k views
How to open a beverage can that has a broken tab?
I believe using force is not an option as it contains carbonated beverage.
13
votes
4answers
9k views
How to shoot a video underwater using your smart phone?
I have iPhone, but solution probably can apply to all smart phones.
I know that I can buy a waterproof bag/pouch or special underwater cameras, but who remember it to buy it before going to the trip?
...
19
votes
13answers
33k views
How can I scratch lottery tickets?
So here's the thing. I tend to keep my nails trimmed pretty short. I don't often have coins in my wallet. Those were always the top two ways to scratch off lottery tickets that I've been told.
...
2
votes
7answers
311 views
How can I adjust the mask to my nose if the mask doesn't have the silver adjuster?
I have masks very similar to this one It doesn't have the adjuster, like the one in the white mask or the one in the last picture. As a replacement for the silver adjuster, I've thought in using ...
20
votes
4answers
6k views
What to do if your shaver broke halfway through shaving?
I'm shaving my beard with my electric trimmer, and it breaks when I'm only halfway through*.
Unfortunately, I don't have any other shaving device around -- and even if I did have a razor or a razor-...
13
votes
4answers
142k views
How to remove lint from a shirt without a lint brush?
I am at the office right now and thanks to a new cotton jacket I wore on the way here, my shirt is covered in lint/fluffs.
Obviously this looks terrible and I would like to avoid making a bad/unclean ...
11
votes
7answers
27k views
Cheap way to hang a poster without frame
I bought a poster 135*85 cm without a frame.
When i try to hang the poster with double-sided tape on a self made wooden frame, the poster will be down in a few hours.
Because of the size there are ...
8
votes
7answers
54k views
How can I open an iPhone's SIM card slot without the included pin?
When purchased, iPhones come with this pin that you use to open the slot on the side to insert your SIM card. Now it's way beyond me how it's happened but out of the 3 iPhones I have I only have the ...
7
votes
10answers
3k views
How to unblock a blocked drain without acids/chemicals?
Is there a way to unblock a totally blocked drain (especially kitchen) without using acids or strong chemicals?
I like to avoid acids and chemicals in general for many reasons, one of them is the ...
15
votes
6answers
1k views
What office equipment can I use to safely observe a solar eclipse?
As looking at the sun is Not A Good Idea™. A common hack is to use a colander to project many instances of the eclipsing sun onto a surface.
The upcoming solar eclipse in Europe will be taking place ...
9
votes
6answers
33k views
How to strip coating off of wires without a wire stripper
I am getting into robotics, and when I was building something, there were a bunch of wires that were too thin to get stripped by my wire stripper. I also tried sanding down the wire with sandpaper and ...
8
votes
2answers
4k views
How to prevent ice cream from melting without a refrigerator?
There are times when you are at work where you have the best ice cream parlor in town around the corner from your office. But you want to take the ice cream home and enjoy it there. Is there a way to ...
7
votes
3answers
1k views
Check for electricity in a socket without tools?
How can I check if there is electricity in a power socket without a tester or any other specialized tools?
Note: The method should not involve the destruction of the socket or my whole power supply!
7
votes
3answers
4k views
How can I unclog my headphone port on my phone? [duplicate]
So, my phone rather surprisingly spends a lot of its life in my pocket. In the course of its day to day life, it gets what I assume is pocket lint in the headphone jack. This buildup has made it so ...
4
votes
6answers
3k views
How to steep but separate leaves in a teapot without a mesh strainer?
My metal mesh tea strainer rusted so I discarded it, but I have failed to find a replacement strainer because this teapot was likely purchased overseas.
In a teapot, how else can I filter the tea ...
3
votes
2answers
11k views
How to make an adapter for a micro SIM?
I currently have an iPhone 4S and these models use a 'micro-SIM' which is smaller than a standard SIM Card (see below):
The thing is I need to move the SIM from the iPhone (micro-SIM) into an older ...