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Home Security Locks and Hinges
Having dealt with the doors on your home in article 3, next I
would like to take a look at locks and hinges.
Many homes use the lock-in-knob, this offers you convenience but
it does not offer security from break ins. The fact is that...
Identity Theft Recovery: The Road Back
Not too long ago, a friend of mine mentioned that one of his coworkers recently recovered his stolen identity. I asked how long the process took. "Only two years" he replied.
Compared to my business partner's six year nightmare "only" maybe...
Is Big Brother Watching You? Or Are You Watching Big Brother?
Isn’t technology a wonderful thing? I thought this as I received the text to my mobile phone telling me that my home security camera had detected movement. Someone or something was where they shouldn’t be at the rear of my house and I was 2000...
Negotiating The Sale Of Your Home
Negotiating a successful sale of your home requires an environment that sustains the buyer's interest and trust during the process. Many of our clients have been very experienced negotiators, and from them we have learned that the goal is to reach a...
Store Seasonal Items in your own Self Storage Unit
For the small business owner, particularly for businesses which
require access to tools and heavy equipment, self storage can be
a real boon.
If you're a landscaper, carpenter, plumber, or electrician, you
need easy access to the tools of...
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Secrets of the Screw
I often see friends and fellow home-improvers using screws in their DIY efforts, and it never ceases to amaze me how hard some of these people find it to make a simple screw do what it's designed for. lets take a look at why. Of the two basic types of screw (Phillips cross head and the older 'traditional' slot head) the Phillips is gaining ground rapidly, due mainly to the fact that the extra cross-slot means you can apply more force and thus drive it into denser materials.
You need both types of screwdriver in your toolbox, because believe you me, nothing ruins a screwdriver faster than using it on the wrong type of screw! But what type of screw to use? Let's focus on common plywood for a moment - a material we often use at www.homeimprovementor.com because of its cheapness and versatility. You use number 8 screws for plywood up to 5/8th of an inch thick. Between 1/2 an inch and 3/8ths of an inch, you need a number 6. above that, try a number 4.
To join 2 pieces of wood with a screw, follow these easy steps. Firstly, make a mark where you plan to do the screwing. Position the pieces together and fasten with a clamp or your mighty left hand. Depending on the job, you may be able to use your body weight thru your knee to hold the bits in place. If neither of these methods are
practicable, and you intend to sit several screws, use the first one as an effective 'clamp' by tightening it firm before you start the other screws.
Drill a quick pilot hole thru the bits. This pilot hole should be less than half the diameter of the screw you intend to insert. Handy www.homeimprovementor.com tip - if you want to gauge the depth your have drilled, place a bit of tape on the drill bit.
Countersink on the top piece of wood, so the job will look nice and sit flush. Insert the screw and tighten till the head is flush with the countersunk hole. Don't over-tighten or most modern self-tapping screws will start to 'chew up' the wood, and may even become loose!
To hide the screw head (especially important on jobs where security is an issue!) use a dowel plug. You'll have to drill the countersink a little deeper for this, of course. After inserting the plug, simply sand it down level with the board.
Handy tip to prevent splitting when screwing near the end of a board - drill a larger hole and insert a dowel, then screw into THAT instead of the wood itself. Easy huh? Till next time, happy screwing!
About the Author
Tim is the head DIY expert at www.homeimprovementors.com the free site for tool home improvement tips.
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