Tips brought to you by
Cause and effect
All tips for user "thesource"
Tip: Main > Health > Dental : In the case of a large swelling, especially if it is spreading, you should see a dentist immediately, or attend a local hospital. Such swellings can be dangerous if not treated immediately.Tip: Main > Health > Dental :
Tip: Main > Health > Dental : Toothache can be deceptive. Firstly, a problem tooth in the top can cause a painful tooth in the bottom. And secondly, a painful tooth might be caused by damage to a nerve, such as the trigeminal ner […]
Tip: Main > Sport > Cycling > Mountain-biking : The best type of gears for mountain biking are arguably the handlebar twist type. These have the following advantages:
Tip: Main > Sport > Cycling > Road : If you have a mountain bike, but ride it almost exclusively on the road then change the tires to thinner road tires. Road tires have less friction and higher pressure. Riding will be about 20% easier […]
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Rubbing alcohol/Methylated spirits : Hot glue (after it is set) can be removed by using alcohol. It can be applied by dripping it from a stick, or using a pipette.
Tip: Main > Household > Hot glue gun : Removal of dried hot glue, if you can't peel it off, can be done with isopropyl rubbing alcohol, or denatured alcohol, or nail polish remover. The alcohol can be applied by dripping it from a stick, […]
Tip: Main > Household > Hot glue gun : Don't pull a glue stick out of a glue gun once the stick has engaged with the mechanism in the hot end of the glue gun, as this can damage the glue gun.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Binder clips : A stand for a glue gun can be created with a large binder clip.
Tip: Main > Household > Hot glue gun : Don't lay your glue gun on its side when it is hot as molten glue may leak around inside your glue gun, which may damage it. If your glue gun doesn't have a stand, you can create one with a metal bind […]
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Vaseline / Petroleum jelly : When applied to the end of a hot glue gun vaseline can help prevent stringy bits of hot glue.
Tip: Main > Household > Hot glue gun : Prevent stringy bits of glue when you move the gun away from the work piece by applying a bit of vaseline ( […]
Tip: Main > Household > Hot glue gun : Waterproof your mini flash drive by opening it up and filling it with hot glue, on both sides of the the circuit board. Cover all the internal wires and then replace the cover. Backup the contents o […]
Tip: Main > Household > Hot glue gun : When adding a second glue stick to your glue gun, it can sometimes fall out. You can solve this by melting one end of the second glue stick slightly, by applying it to the hot end of the glue gun, and […]
Tip: Main > Travel : Netbooks or tablets: These small laptops, with built-in wireless internet access, are great for travelers. The addition of a prepaid USB key can provide access to the internet through the mobile pho […]
Tip: Main > Living > Survival : Survival equipment is great, but make sure you know how to use it before you find yourself in a survival situation. For example, if you have a water-still, make sure you know how to use it. Or if yo […]
Tip: Main > Household > Hot glue gun : To speed up cooling of the glue, you can wet the glue with a wet Q-tip or cotton-bud, or give it a quick spray from a can of freeze spray. (Warning: freeze spray can be dangerous)
Tip: Main > Household > Hot glue gun : You can often break hot glue bonds, without damaging the work piece, by quickly freezing the glue bonds with a spray from a can of freeze spray, and then snapping the bond. (Warning: freeze spray can […]
Tip: Main > Household > Hot glue gun : Connect power adapters together: If your appliance requires the use of an adapter to fit the power sockets in your country, use hot glue to join the plug to the adapter, keeping them together, and inc […]
Tip: Main > Household > Hot glue gun : If you don't have a hot glue gun, but you have a hot glue stick, then you can use a lighter to melt the end of the hot glue stick, and then wipe the molten glue onto the surface you want to stick. For […]
Tip: Main > Household > Hot glue gun : When gluing two pieces of wood together with regular wood glue, you can use use a few dabs of hot glue to hold the two pieces together till the wood glue dries, if you don't have a clamp ready to hand […]
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Duct tape : When a car window is cracked, you can put duct tape over the crack for a temporary repair. If the window is almost shattered, placing duct tape over the whole window will hold the glass in place until […]
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Paperclips : Bind papers together with a paperclip and a rubber band (see image).
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Binder clips : Binder clips are traditionally used for binding paper.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Binder clips : Hang things on walls with binder clips. Use a rubber band between the two arms for padding.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Binder clips : Hang miscellaneous things on your desk with binder clips.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Zip ties : Emergency shoelace. A zip tie will keep your shoes together in a pinch.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Zip ties : In the garden zip ties can be used to attach tall plants to a stake, so they don't blow over in the wind, or to help direct climbing plants to go where you want them to go.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Zip ties : Unclog a drain by joining up to five zip ties together in a chain. Insert one end into the drain and feed into the drain, holding on to the other end. Move up and down to loosen debris and hair clog […]
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Zip ties : Secure your luggage by tightening pairs of zips together with zip ties.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Zip ties : Attach a torch to a carabiner with a zip tie, which you can then connect to your back pack. Keep the torch attached to the carabiner for later use.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Zip ties : Erect a tarp by putting zip ties through the eyelets.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Zip ties : Tidy up loose cables with zip ties.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Zip ties : Extra traction on snow and ice can be achieved on your bicycle by applying zip ties to your wheel.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Zip ties : Zip ties come in a variety of sizes and colours, which you should keep on hand for when you need them.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Zip ties : If you need a longer zip tie than you have, then join several zip ties together.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Zip ties : Avoid sharp ends, which can cut you, by twisting-off the loose end with a pair of pliers, rather than cutting it off.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Zip ties : Re-using zip ties is possible. There are re-usable zip ties, which are more expensive than regular zip ties, but even regular zip ties can be re-used. Just stick your fingernail in the locking mechan […]
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Zip ties : Mark trails, especially using a coloured type of zip tie, so you don't get lost, or to re-find a spot.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Rubber bands : Keep tools handy by connecting them to your wrist with rubber bands.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Rubber bands : Remove excess paint from paint brushes by placing a rubber band around a paint can lengthways, and wiping the brush on the rubber band.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Rubber bands : Stop doors from locking shut while you are moving things between rooms.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Rubber bands : Open difficult-to-open jars by placing a thick rubber band around the rim of a jar lid and use it to grip the lid while you twist it off.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Rubber bands : Make tie dye clothing, by tightly wrapping rubber bands around your clothing item, in several places, and then place into the dyes.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Rubber bands : Secure cabinets from young toddlers by stretching strong rubber bands tightly between cabinet knobs to lock them in place.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Rubber bands : Mark how much liquid is in a can by placing a rubber band around the can (eg, a paint can), so you can know how much liquid is in the can without opening the lid.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Heat-shrink tubing : Handle grips can be repaired, revived, or improved with heat-shrink tubing. If a handle is too hard or lacking in grip, such as the handle of a hiking pole, or a screwdriver, use some heat shrink tub […]
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Rubber bands : As a more comfortable handle grip. If the handle of something, such as a hiking pole, or screwdriver, is too hard or slippery, wrap some rubber bands around it to make it softer and more easy to grip […]
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Rubber bands : Stop things from sliding on a flat surface by wrapping a rubber band around them.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Rubber bands : As a pencil eraser, fold a rubber band in half a few times and you can use it to erase pencil marks.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Rubber bands : Strap an Injured Finger. Use a think rubber band to strap an injured finger to a stick, until it can be properly treated.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Rubber bands : A rubber band around your wrist can be used as a reminder of something.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Rubber bands : Revive an Old Broom. Some brooms can be revived by tightening-up the bristles by applying thick rubber bands about half way up the bristles, holding them in place.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Rubber bands : Replace a wallet with a rubber band.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Rubber bands : Keep sliced apples fresh by slicing them, and then placing the apple back together again, and holding it together with a rubber band.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Paperclips : Make a needle with a paperclip by breaking off a straight piece of the paperclip and then sharpen one end. Flatten the other end and then finally punch a small hole in the flattened end.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Paperclips : Create a phone stand, using a large paperclip, so that you can watch videos on your phone.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Paperclips : Create an emergency button with a paperclip.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Paperclips : Join two zippers with a paperclip, for extra security.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Paperclips : Mark the end of a role of tape with a paperclip.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Paperclips : Replace a zipper tab with a paperclip.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Paperclips : Paperclips come in various sizes. The standard size is around 30mm, but they also come in larger sizes. For heavy-duty projects you will need larger clips. Most of these tips work better with larger […]
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Paperclips : Create a micro-screwdriver by flattening the end of a paperclip, then shaping it with a file. You can use this for such as tightening up the arm of your spectacles.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Paperclips : Make a compass by breaking off a straight part of a paperclip. Magnetize the "needle" by "striking" (scraping) it along its length between 50-100 times, only in the one direction, going towards the "p […]
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Paperclips : Hooks can be made using paperclips. The larger the paperclip the better. There are two types: the type that you can hang on a draw, or the type that you can fit onto a wall or board, through two sma […]
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Binder clips : A trouser clip when riding a bicycle.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Binder clips : Create a phone holder for your mobile phone. This can support your phone whilst you watch videos on it. Use two clips holding a piece of card between them of the appropriate length.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Binder clips : Keep your earphone cables neat and tidy by wrapping them around a binder clip.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Binder clips : Reduce cable clutter by attaching several binder clips to the side of your desk, and then suspending the ends of various cables in them. You can put labels on the clips if you want to.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Binder clips : Metal Binder Clips can be purchased cheaply online. The most useful size is 25mm. When you start using them you will find all sorts of uses for them.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Knots : The bowline knot form a secure loop in the end of a line. With this knot you can attach a rope to a tree, post, or ring. For safety, use a bowline with two turns. For extra safety, if your life de […]
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Knots : The double overhand sliding loop is a knot which can slide to tighten on something. It is basically a double overhand knot over a loop ("bight").
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Knots : The Overhand Knot is an easy one, and is probably the one you're most familiar with. The overhand is used as a temporary stopper to prevent a rope from unravelling or passing through a ring, eye, or p […]
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Knots : The reef or square knot is simply two overhand knots — one on top of the other — with the second tied in the opposite direction from the first. Used to lash two objects together or to j […]
Tip: Main > Technology > Computers > USB (Universal Serial Bus) : USB3 ports are a lot faster than USB2, and also provide more power than USB2. An SSD inside a 3.5" external disk drive enclosure can be connected to a USB3 port through a single USB cable, and it wil […]
Tip: Main > Technology > Computers > USB (Universal Serial Bus) : Make a USB flash drive into a Windows recovery disk. Search online for ways to copy a bootable version of Linux, or other operating system, onto your flash drive, which will give you a platform from […]
Tip: Main > Technology > Computers > USB (Universal Serial Bus) : Collections of free portable applications are available which you can download onto your USB memory stick, and which do just about everything. These are great for travellers. One such suite of apps i […]
Tip: Main > Technology > Computers > USB (Universal Serial Bus) : Extend your USB cables beyond 5 metres. USB signals normally won't travel more than 5 metres along a normal USB cable, due to signal degradation. Sometimes you might want to use a USB device, such as […]
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Heat-shrink tubing : Heat-shrink tubing is normally used to help seal electrical connections or to protect wiring.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Heat-shrink tubing : Shrink your heat-shrink tubing with: - Heat guns - Blow dryers - Candles - Matches - Butane lighters, or any lighter. - Incandescent light bulb - at a push, holding the heat-shrink tubing […]
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Heat-shrink tubing : Keep a wide variety of sizes and colours of heat-shrink tubing available. You will always find uses for it.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Heat-shrink tubing : Generally, heat-shrink tubing shrinks to about half its original size, so make sure you use the correct diameter tubing for the job, to ensure a snug and strong fit.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Heat-shrink tubing : Repair the ends of broken shoelaces with heat shrink tubing.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Heat-shrink tubing : Change the colour of cables by putting heat shrink around them using the colour you want.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Heat-shrink tubing : "Helping hands" grips can be given the soft-touch for when working with delicate objects.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Heat-shrink tubing : Pencil grips can be made with heat-shrink tubing.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Heat-shrink tubing : Repair Your Glasses when one of the arms breaks, with heat-shrink tubing. This should last till you get a new pair.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Duct tape : Create a collapsible light box with duct tape.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Duct tape : Fix a leaking boat with duct tape.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Duct tape : Emergency shoes. If your feet get injured, you're not going anywhere.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Duct tape : If you need to write a note, and don't have any paper, you may be able to write on duct tape.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Duct tape : In an emergency duct tape can be fashioned into a rope, or a belt, or used to mark a trail.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Duct tape : Broken vacuum cleaner bags can be sealed up with duct tape.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Duct tape : Pull out cactus spines from your skin with duct tape, by sticking down the tape and then pulling off. Hopefully the spines will stick to the tape.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Duct tape : Vacuum cleaner hose repair. When the hose of your vacuum cleaner is cracked or leaking, wrap duct tape around the damaged spot, to seal it up.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Duct tape : Repair a shower curtain: When the shower curtain tears away from the rings, apply duct tape along the edge, and then make new holes with a paper hole punch.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Duct tape : Cutting duct tape with a sharp knife (see image) can stop you from clogging your scissors with glue, but is not as safe as scissors. Duct tape can be torn if necessary.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Duct tape : Fold the End of the duct tape, so that it is easier to find the end next time you want to use it.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Duct tape : Wind duct tape around your camping or emergency flashlight/torch, trekking pole, or hiking staff, so that you'll always have some duct tape handy for when you need it.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Duct tape : Create a sling out of duct tape, for emergency first-aid.