Category: Home Improvements and Repairs

Estimate Painting Jobs

January 26, 2012 Posted by admin under Home & Garden, Home Improvements and Repairs, Painting and Other Finishes
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A person who is in charge of a painting crew must know how to estimate painting jobs. Clients want to know what they can expect to pay for any residential or commercial painting project. A painting job quote is generally based on what it will cost a contractor for materials, plus time billed at various… more

Bleed an Oil Furnace

January 26, 2012 Posted by admin under Heating Cooling and Energy Efficiency, Home & Garden, Home Improvements and Repairs
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If you’ve tried the furnace reset button, checked to make sure there is fuel oil and your furnace still won’t start, don’t fret. Before you call the repairman or start shopping for a new furnace, check the fuel source and make sure the line to the furnace is void of air. Running low on or… more

Build an Outdoor Barbeque

January 26, 2012 Posted by admin under Home & Garden, Home Improvements and Repairs
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By designing an outdoor barbeque that is shaped like a capital “E,” the grate can be placed in the left-hand side and the right-hand side can be covered with a large paver to create a work surface. Follow these steps to build an outdoor barbeque from bricks that will serve you well for years to… more

Remove Silicone Caulk from Hands

June 13, 2011 Posted by admin under Home & Garden, Home Improvements and Repairs
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An all too often cost of working with silicone caulk and glue is that the best way to spread it is with your fingers, and it gets stuck on them. The simple process outlined removes it instantly from your hands. Steps Rub a plain plastic bag (like the ones you get at the grocery store)… more

Make a Door

June 13, 2011 Posted by admin under Doors and Windows, Home & Garden, Home Improvements and Repairs
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A door serves to block an opening between 2 spaces. It is generally a simple, flat board that is attached by hinges to a coinciding vertical surface in a way that allows for it to swing open and shut, either opening access or blocking access to an adjoining area. There are many sizes and styles… more

Fix a Leaking Roof

June 13, 2011 Posted by admin under Exterior Walls and Roof, Home & Garden, Home Improvements and Repairs
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How to repair a leaking roof. Steps Your first step is to call roofers. You need to ask them specific questions. How much time will it take to fix the leaking problem. How many men will they bring to do the job. How much will they charge for the job. You need to know these… more

Clean a Box Fan

June 13, 2011 Posted by admin under Fans and Ventilation, Heating Cooling and Energy Efficiency, Home & Garden, Home Improvements and Repairs
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If your box fan is dirty, it probably isn’t moving any air, is it? Well, you can make it look new again, even if it’s ten years old. Here’s how to do it simply without damaging the fan itself or having to buy a new fan! Steps Unplug the box fan. Wipe down the power… more

Pick a Lock

June 13, 2011 Posted by admin under Home & Garden, Home Improvements and Repairs, Locks and Keys, Tools
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Locked out of your house in the middle of the night? Have you lost the key to the padlock on the shed? Before you pay a locksmith to let you in or to open something up, consider picking the lock yourself. Most locks around the home or office are simple pin-and-tumbler locks and can be… more

Hide a Spare House Key

June 13, 2011 Posted by admin under Home & Garden, Home Improvements and Repairs, Locks and Keys, Tools
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For many people, having a spare key for emergency situations is a must. Whatever the reason as a backup in the event you lose you primary key, so that your children don’t need to keep a key with them, or for emergency entrance by others, the important things to consider are location, disguise, and protection.… more

Fix a Stripped Screw Hole

June 13, 2011 Posted by admin under Home & Garden, Home Improvements and Repairs, Screws and Screwdrivers, Tools
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Stripping the threads on a screw or machine bolt may seem like the end of that piece of equipment, but the problem can be repaired without too much trouble. What we are going to do is increase the size of the threaded hole by 1/16″ in diameter. In this article, we will assume that the… more

Fix a Stripped Screw Hole

Stripping the threads on a screw or machine bolt may seem like the end of that piece of equipment, but the problem can be repaired without too much trouble. What we are going to do is increase the size of the threaded hole by 1/16″ in diameter. In this article, we will assume that the original bolt was 1/4″ x 20 x 1″. Check the “Things You’ll Need” section below for necessary tools and parts for replacing the threaded hole and bolt with a 5/16″ x 24 x 1″.



Steps

  1. Place the part or equipment containing the internal thread in a vise, or clamp it to a table.


  2. Insert the 1/4″ bit in the drill and drill down the internal thread parallel with the original hole.
  3. Clean out any shavings with a vacuum, or turn it upside down and tap out the debris.
  4. Place the tap in the tap wrench and oil the cutting part of the tap.
  5. Keeping the tap parallel to the hole, press slightly downward and rotate the tap. The tap is usually tapered so that it will go into the hole before it starts to bite into the metal sides of the hole.
  6. Once the tap is biting into the metal, release the downward pressure and let the tap direct itself down.
  7. Every two or three turns, reverse the tap to remove shavings, and add some oil.
  8. When the thread is completed to the desired depth, clean out the hole and test the new bolt.


Video



Tips

  • It is important to keep the drill and the tap parallel to the existing hole.
  • Make sure the tap’s threads per inch is the same as the replacement bolt or screw.
  • If you can’t use a larger bolt to replace the original you can use a screw thread insert repair kit.



Warnings

  • If the object you are repairing is a motor or complicated equipment, you should mask off any areas that might catch metal debris from the drilling or tapping.

Things You’ll Need

  • 1/4″ drill bit
  • 5/16-24 tap
  • 5/16-24 x 1″ bolt (replacement)
  • Tap wrench

Related Hows

Sources and Citations