Any helpful life hacks?

[DaveC426913]

When you are nailing trim or moulding and using wood that is prone to splitting or cracking, turn the nail upside down and tap it gently. The nail's point will be dulled slightly but will still penetrate the trim and with less chance of splitting.

Why would a slightly dulled mail be less likely to split trim?

 

[ольга]

Why would a slightly dulled mail be less likely to split trim?

Я тоже этого не поняла. Я видела, как столяры в этом случае немного просверливали древесину, прежде чем вбить в неё гвоздь, или вкрутить саморез, если боялись, что она треснет. Возможно, Теват просто пошутил?

 

[wegs]

Keep a can of wd40 handy, it can be used for multiple things around the house.

Hmm, I wonder if it’ll fix the “sticking” that is happening when I try to shut my sliding glass door to my back patio, by putting it on the track.

 

[(Q)]

Hmm, I wonder if it’ll fix the “sticking” that is happening when I try to shut my sliding glass door to my back patio, by putting it on the track.

The sticking is usually caused by gunk on the track the door rides or the wheels in the door that roll on the track also may have some gunk. Or both. Clean the track and spray the wheels. Eventually, the door may have to come off to really clean the wheels.

 

[(Q)]

Why would a slightly dulled mail be less likely to split trim?

Sharp nails get in between the grains of the wood and start splitting whereas a dulled nail punches through, especially near the ends of the wood where you want to attach it.

 

[ольга]

Sharp nails get in between the grains of the wood and start splitting whereas a dulled nail punches through, especially near the ends of the wood where you want to attach it.

Угу, посмотрела бы я, как вы тупым гвоздём ясень или морёный дуб пробьёте.

 

[(Q)]

Yeah, I'd like to see you pierce ash or bog oak with a blunt nail.

Depends on the application, I'll often predrill and use screws.

 

[ольга]

Depends on the application, I'll often predrill and use screws.

Не обязательно просверливать насквозь. Можно немного просверлить тонким сверлом, а затем вбить гвоздь, или вкрутить саморез. Сейчас уже мало кто пользуется гвоздями, в основном все используют саморезы.

 

[TheVat]

Why would a slightly dulled mail be less likely to split trim?

I think our interdimensional friend answered this one. I would add that also holding the blunt end against the wood creates a small depression (when you are tapping the sharp end) that somehow helps when you turn the nail around. (and yes, this probably wouldn't work with oak or other hardwoods)

 

[TheVat]

It is not necessary to drill through. You can drill a little with a thin drill, and then hammer in a nail or screw in a screw. Nowadays, few people use nails, mostly everyone uses screws.

Trim nails are still preferred for wood trims and mouldings, where you don't want a large head showing. Trim nails have such small heads that no countersink hole is needed - this is very handy and time saving.

 

[ольга]

Trim nails are still preferred for wood trims and mouldings, where you don't want a large head showing. Trim nails have such small heads that no countersink hole is needed - this is very handy and time saving.

Смотря какая отделка. Если дорогая, то дырку либо зашпаклёвывают подходящей по цвету шпаклёвкой, либо забивают шкантом, и зашлифовывают. Самые крутые мастера вообще могут вырезать из дерева вставку, которая имитирует сучёк. Смотрится круто, от настоящего не отличить.

 

[parmalee]

This trim and moulding stuff is all good information. I have to re-screen a patio and build a small-ish (9' x 12') greenhouse and there's a lot of trim. And wood prices have gone through the roof, so I'm especially displeased when I make mistakes these days.

 

[ольга]

This trim and moulding stuff is all good information. I have to re-screen a patio and build a small-ish (9' x 12') greenhouse and there's a lot of trim. And wood prices have gone through the roof, so I'm especially displeased when I make mistakes these days.

Древесина и у нас в России подорожала. Впрочем для теплицы она не нужна. Сделайте из прозрачного поликарбоната, на металическом или пластиковом каркасе.

 

[wegs]

The sticking is usually caused by gunk on the track the door rides or the wheels in the door that roll on the track also may have some gunk. Or both. Clean the track and spray the wheels. Eventually, the door may have to come off to really clean the wheels.

I’ll clean the track and try this spray. Thanks!

 

[wegs]

Put your phone in airplane mode to charge it faster. It helps because it disables wireless signals and background things going on, that can drain power while charging.

 

[ольга]

Если вам нужно быстро собрать воду с пола, насыпьте в это место древесные каллеты (древесный наполнитель для кошачьего туалета). Через несколько минут они впитают в себя всю воду, и вы сможете легко их убрать.

 

[wegs]

Если вам нужно быстро собрать воду с пола, насыпьте в это место древесные каллеты (древесный наполнитель для кошачьего туалета). Через несколько минут они впитают в себя всю воду, и вы сможете легко их убрать.

I didn't know wood calottes could be used as cat litter. Thanks for the tip.

 

[ольга]

I didn't know wood calottes could be used as cat litter. Thanks for the tip.

У нас в России это один из самых популярных наполнителей. Его продают во всех зоомагазинах и супермаркетах. Стоит он в среднем 100 рублей(1$) за мешок 5 кг.

 

[ольга]

Если вам не хватает мотивации вставать по утрам, то перестаньте есть после 6. И вам захочется встать пораньше, чтобы быстрее пожрать.

 

[TheVat]

If you need to quickly soak up water from the floor, sprinkle wood pellets (wood cat litter) in the area. After a few minutes, they will absorb all the water and you can easily clean them up.

Old taverns in the USA would sprinkle sawdust on the floor to soak up spilled drinks. Similar idea.

I like ideas that don't require a wet/dry vacuum. We use technology too much here. Leaf blowers are also an example - broom and rake work just fine. Quietly.