14
votes
Demagnetize a tool
There are a few ways to destroy a magnet.
By impact
Rough handling (dropping, hitting, etc.) a magnetized item can weaken it as well as creating one from iron bearing metal. That's how tools become ...
- 14.1k
12
votes
Accepted
How to tell if surface is level
I'll give you two options for making a level of your own. Both are based on the simple fact that water is level, and will keep being level even going through a hose.
Level based on glass of water
...
- 6,984
10
votes
Remove string from vintage caster wheels
Similar to Stan's answer, I would cut through it - but with a box cutter or razor blade. Just press the blade into any part of the tangle and slice across it. Then move to another spot and repeat. ...
- 11.6k
9
votes
Accepted
Putting lawn mower into car trunk
When moving a cement mixer recently I used a small trailer, and self built ramp. The ramp consisted of two lengths of wood, 2"x4" (48 mm x 198 mm) and 5 ft (150 cm) length. Here is an image of how you ...
- 6,984
9
votes
Remove string from vintage caster wheels
A seam-ripper can be used to penetrate the tight wrap and cut several layers of it at once. Push the point through the knot to cut through it. After this, there will be loose threads (and hair) to ...
- 14.1k
8
votes
How to remove the broken part of the tip inside of the stylus of Sony Digital Paper DPT-RP1?
Maybe it would work if you heat a thin needle to the point where it melts the plastic the tip is made of, stick it into the stuck part, wait till it cools and solidifies, then pull the needle? Could ...
- 312
8
votes
How can I make a motor with a belt change directions?
Frequently, there is. Simply loosen the strap, take it off the motor, give the strap one twist, reconnect it to the motor, and tighten the belt. The belt now makes a figure-of-eight instead of a ...
- 221
8
votes
Could I remove the back-light from an LCD screen and let sunlight illuminate it from behind?
You could do that; but, it's much simpler to make a laptop sun shade from a cardboard box.
Open the flaps and put the box on its side. Put the laptop inside the box and the shadow will allow you to ...
- 14.1k
7
votes
Shared tools always getting lost
A place for everything and everything in its place.
You mentioned that you tried to use Tile (an audible signal device) to locate items; but, that its efficiency is limited due to the high noise ...
- 14.1k
6
votes
How to create lock on notebook?
Get a small padlock. Drill out or punch a hole through the notebook edge that is a bit bigger than the padlock's shank (the curving part, also called the shackle). You then can lock it at will. If you ...
- 225
6
votes
Repainting measurement increments on tools
You are right on track with painting the surface, but you should act before the paint dries.
Either cover the entire scale with paint or add a dollop or line of paint at one end, use a bench scraper ...
- 3,195
6
votes
How can I grip a soldering iron close to the tip without burning my hand?
If you want to do precision soldering, you could try one of the below options,
1) buy a more expensive iron for the job that's required - not a life hack,
2) instead of putting the objects being ...
- 359
6
votes
Shared tools always getting lost
In the bicycle shop where I work, each tool board has its own colour of tape wrapped around every tool - this helps people to know where to replace tools when they're done using them.
Another ...
- 161
5
votes
How to tell if surface is level
There are numerous smart phone apps that turn your smart phone into a level. Many are very accurate and free. If you have a smart phone, search the app store for 'level' or 'bubble level'.
- 51
5
votes
How to tell if surface is level
Marbles are just one option. You can roll a basketball, soccer ball, racquetball, one of those 50-cent bouncy balls kids get from a vending machine, or any other ball. I recommend giving it a tap to ...
- 11.6k
5
votes
Cable lock with lost key
Depending on the type of lock, a locksmith may be able to first pick the lock (open it without the key), and then make a new key to fit. This is likely to cost approximately as much as a new lock, ...
- 9,790
5
votes
Accepted
How to create lock on notebook?
You don't say what you consider expensive, but a quick search shows quite few locking notebooks that fall under $20 and some of them are less than $10.
Product Search: Locking Notebooks under $20
...
- 6,655
5
votes
Repainting measurement increments on tools
Sugru - not cheap, but simple & resilient.
(No affiliation, I just use it a lot for all sorts of things)
From Sugru's own web site - 8 ways sugru can refresh and improve well worn products
Rub a ...
- 2,232
5
votes
Accepted
Remove oil build-up on the touchpad
I use windex or any other brand degreaser (not corrosive).
If it proves too hard to remove, just keep in mind that sometimes due to heavy use the "shine " on the pad is not grease or dirt, but a pad ...
- 344
5
votes
Remove oil build-up on the touchpad
I've always used rubbing alcohol, but that's out of laziness. Any alcohol based solvent will begin to wear away at the plastic if you use it too frequently. I clean my laptop every few months with 70% ...
- 489
5
votes
How to remove the broken part of the tip inside of the stylus of Sony Digital Paper DPT-RP1?
My pencil dropped down and broke for months and I've fixed it just now.
Here're some tips share with you, hope it helps if you encountered with
the same problem.
Prepare a needle, as thin as ...
- 151
5
votes
How to secure the drill bit to the tool body?
You say you tried placing adhesive in the hole but it is too tight a fit: there is nowhere for the excess adhesive to go.
Instead, apply the adhesive to the shank of the drill bit. Then any surplus ...
- 4,495
5
votes
What Allan key do I use to loosen this 12.9 HDW nut?
It's really hard to judge scale from a photo.
$£€ 12 will buy you two sets of allen keys - metric & imperial. they'll last you a lifetime. The upside with allen keys is they only come in quite a ...
- 2,232
4
votes
How to create lock on notebook?
It depends on how secure it needs to be, if very high security is needed you must keep it in a safe, however this is expensive.
A chest with a padlock is the next option but is still probably out of ...
- 596
4
votes
achieving a stable video-call experience with an infant or toddler
Try a cookbook stand with a clear plastic front. I use one to keep the pages of my cookbooks clean of food debris while cooking. That way you have a easily cleanable surface that won't affect your ...
- 951
4
votes
Remove oil build-up on the touchpad
According to JOFEL (a plastics manufacturer), most laptop trackpads are made from ABS plastic. This is from their website:
- 41
4
votes
How to repair silicone rubber?
I saw in a YouTube video recently (from King of Random, he was making a mold of a roast chicken) that casting silicone doesn't stick to anything except silicone rubber (he discovered the exception at ...
- 9,790
4
votes
Accepted
Unscrewing a screw which have loose teeth
I suggest you the following:
Use a thick rubber band between the screw and screwdriver
This provides friction enough to let it start to move.
Try pressing the square drive a bit into the screw and ...
- 1,935
4
votes
Accepted
Cleaning the back of LCD screen
You got some REALLY BAD ADVICE.
You cannot remove the acetone. You have melted the plastic on the back of the screen. Acetone is a solvent for plastic.
If the area is very lightly affected, you may ...
- 14.1k
4
votes
How to clean old sticky pc mouse with rubber coating?
Isopropyl alcohol works really well. (99,9%). I just used an old t-shirt as cleaning cloth. Completely removes the rubber coating. No more sticking and there is no way it can come back!
If for any ...
- 181
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