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All tips for user "kellyjones00"
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Building tools > Saw : Cutting planks: To avoid the saw binding with the timber, cut on the unclamped side of two clamped sections. If the piece cut off is very long, weight the far side so the falling piece lifts up and a […]Tip: Main > Health > Emergencies : Information on calling an ambulance: Emergency services will first want a clear street address in relation to the rest of the country. Then to know what is wrong (signs and symptoms), name of the cal […]
Tip: Main > Health > Emergencies : Calling for help: Don't be embarrassed to call an ambulance for yourself in an emergency. What is an emergency? It is usually a combination of severe pain, dizziness, fainting, nausea, vomiting, fe […]
Tip: Main > Health > Emergencies : VOIP: Avoid using VOIP to call an ambulance. It takes too long for a computer to boot, start an internet connection, and execute the VOIP program. You may be unconscious, or unable to see, hear, or […]
Tip: Main > Health > Emergencies : Going to hospital as an inpatient: Take your wallet with various ID cards and some money, mobile phone, spare clothes, and diary (including details of your medical history and contacts like doctor, n […]
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Building tools > Saw : Portable circular saw: For a straight cut, cut fast. This also reduces any small splinters at the bottom, finishing end of the cut. The blade should extend a maximum of 6mm below the timber, for maxim […]
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Tools : Only when tools are pushed to their limits do they reveal what they're really worth.
Tip: Main > Household > Extension cords : Air compressor machines must be plugged directly into a power source. Do not use an extension cord.
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Building tools > Framing gun : Basic tips:
Tip: Main > Technology > Small engines > Air compressor : General usage tips: — Ensure it is always filled with the correct amount and type of engine oil. — Do not use with an extension cord. Plug directly into the power source. — If pow […]
Tip: Main > Living > Relationships > Making friends : Don't interrupt people, unless it's an emergency or they're boring and you want to leave.
Tip: Main > Living > Living on a budget > Cheap meals : A high-nutrient and cheap meat is liver (lambs fry).
Tip: Main > Living > Relationships > Making friends : Pay attention to your first impressions of a person. People try to hide their psychological flaws, with a skillful act to charm. While in vino veritas, a better way to find out the degree of their w […]
Tip: Main > Living > Food & drink > Drink and drinking : Make cheap "vitamin water" and fizzy vitamin drinks by steeping a tea bag in soda water, and stirring in a ground-up multivitamin tablet. You could also add spices like powdered ginger, cayenne peppe […]
Tip: Main > Health > Mental health > Psychotherapy : Psychotherapy technique for highly capable miserly philosophers: Psychotherapy involves telling an expert anent being, to some degree, mentally unable to deal with one's problems, and getting their […]
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Building tools : Tips for learning to skew-nail 75mm / 3" nails: - Predrilling 80% the diameter of the nail will help, and will be essential in seasoned hardwood to avoid splitting the timber. The hole shouldn't go […]
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Building tools : General tips for framing hammer use:
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Timber : Preserving timber: The cut ends are like masses of tiny straws, sucking up moisture. For this reason, lumber ends should always be covered by other timber, or capped with metal, or painted.
Tip: Main > Living > Food & drink > Food and cooking > Styles of cooking : Braising: This is an economical and efficient way to cook cheap, tough foods and make them very tasty and very soft. Meat is briefly seared on both sides in oil and herbs, for a chemical reaction bet […]
Tip: Main > Automotive > Mechanics > Headlights/Taillights : If the headlights don't work, check the fuses and fusible links in the fuse box in the engine compartment. If these look fine, the problem is either wiring or the switch itself. To replace the switch, […]
Tip: Main > Technology > Small engines : Sinewave inverter generator maintenance:
Tip: Main > Technology > Batteries : Sealed lead acid: This is the typical type used for cars, motorbikes, and electric-start generators. They must be kept charged, so if you have several batteries, it is worth investing in a smart-char […]
Tip: Main > Technology > Small engines : Two-stroke water pump: Run the engine at least once a month. Two-stroke water pumps are notoriously hard to get going when neglected.
Tip: Main > Technology > Small engines : Two-stroke fuel mix: To be as accurate as you can with the ratio of fuel to oil, use a translucent mixing bottle with fill lines marked on the side. Pour in the fuel first, then the oil, and mix vigor […]
Tip: Main > Health > Medicine > Surgery : General tips for recovery:
Tip: Main > Health > Medicine > Surgery : Operations affecting muscle use: Prepare for your recovery in advance by improving fitness, strength, flexibility, and stamina, focussing especially on the specific muscle area.
Tip: Main > Health > Diseases > Cancer : Increase intake of anti-oxidative foods, to assist with cell repair. Good sources of specific antioxidants include:
Tip: Main > Health > Diseases > Hypothyroidism : Avoid gluten, which is found in wheat, rye, barley, triticale and oats, as well as in barley malt and malt vinegar. Gluten-free cereals include rice, amaranth, millet, and buckwheat.
Tip: Main > Health > Diseases > Hypothyroidism : A large intake of cruciferous vegetables, which are usually dark-green leafy types, is "goitrogenic" and interferes with thyroid hormones. If hypothyroid, reduce intake of: cabbage, cauliflower, brocc […]
Tip: Main > Household > Cleaning > Clothes > Clothes drying machines : To avoid dirt and marks from clothes-pegs, the old Japanese system of drying clothes can be used. Clothes are threaded via the arm-holes, leg holes, or belt loops with a three to four metres-long pie […]
Tip: Main > Household > Maintenance & repair > Electrical > Solar power : Inspect and clean solar panels every 3-4 months. Even a very thin film of pollen, and a scattering of bird droppings, can reduce electricity generated.
Tip: Main > Household > Maintenance & repair > Drinking water : Install a "first-flush" downpipe with a valve, that empties into a 10-20L bucket, to wash away roof-accumulated dirt and keep tank water clean.
Tip: Main > Household > Maintenance & repair > Drinking water : If reliant on rainwater, inspect and clean gutters every 3-4 months.
Tip: Main > Living > Food & drink > Drink and drinking > Soft drinks : Save money on soft drinks by buying soda water and adding your own flavouring.
Tip: Main > Animal care > Fibre animals : Shearing: A tame sheep can be trained to enjoy shearing, and lie or stand quietly while being shorn, without being restrained. General tips:
Tip: Main > Sport > Cycling > Mountain-biking : Carry a basic first-aid kit, and spare electrolyte mixes like GU20.
Tip: Main > Sport > Cycling > Road : For tougher slick tyres, tape a long strip of rubber from an old tube to the inside of the tyre.
Tip: Main > Living > Food & drink > Food and cooking > Eggs : Omelette tips: - Don't add cream or milk, or flour, or it will be leathery. - An omelette of six eggs for two persons should not be cooked for more than 45 seconds. - It should 'collapse' softly […]
Tip: Main > Health > Mental health > Stress reduction : Share the tips on this page with others.
Tip: Main > Travel : Travel lightly. The less you carry, the easier you move.
Tip: Main > Living > Clothing : Socks: Buy multiple pairs of identical socks, so you won't have any trouble finding matching pairs. Holey socks become spare parts to repair other socks, or can be worn with new ones to reduce wear. S […]
Tip: Main > Gardening > Fruit and vegetables : Using urine as fertiliser: Dilute 1:8 (urine:water) and pour on the soil around plants only when the urine is fresh. Don't use on plants with edible raw leaves or ground-lying berries.
Tip: Main > Travel > Hygiene : Bodily wastes: Urine is self-sterile on being discharged from the body, but should be diluted 1:8 (urine:water) before pouring on plants. If there are no sewage dumps nearby for disposing of faeces, […]
Tip: Main > Travel > Hygiene : Where to find cheap showers:
Tip: Main > Living > Money > Credit & store cards : If spending more than $200, it's best to use a credit card as you'll get extra protection under consumer law if the company you buy from goes bust or the goods are faulty.
Tip: Main > Living > Socialising : Small talk: These superficial verbal handshakes are designed to keep human beings in frequent and close contact from getting to know each other's moral and mental flaws.
Tip: Main > Living > Relaxation > Psychological cross-breeding : Principle of opposites: Samuel Butler recommended for anxiety and ennervation to visit a zoo and watch elephants, rhinoceros, and hippopotami. Similarly, for hard-to-shift depression, watching the ea […]
Tip: Main > Living > Money > Credit & store cards : Know that credit card companies are designed to earn their income via consumer debt repayments. They know very well, and deliberately profit from, the irrational optimism of consumers. That is, people […]
Tip: Main > Household > Cleaning : Laundry symbols: Here are common symbols and their captions.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Rubber bands : Renew loose zips on jeans: If the zip teeth are so worn that the zip won't stay closed, you can use a rubber band to connect the zip tag to the waist-band button above.
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Timber : Joins: It is better to avoid joining runs of structural members, and use whole lengths instead. Some standard structural joints of dressed timbers:
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Timber > Fasteners : Nail-laminating: For added strength, timbers like bearers are bond-nailed together, along the same principle as two match-sticks held long-wise together are stronger than a single one. The grain / ri […]
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Timber > Flooring : Platform floors vs. built-in floors: A platform floor has the floor boards or sheets installed before the walls, so that walls sit on the floor platform. Built-in floors have the wall-plates sitting […]
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Timber : Bowed pieces of timber should be placed with the bow upwards so that any weight on it helps to straighten it.
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Timber > Bracing : Ply bracing needs to be fastened a minimum of 7mm from the panel edging.
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Timber : Cutting scheme: Ensure the timber order is specified so you have enough of the right lengths. Of stud timbers, first cut standard studs, then trimmer studs (for either side of windows and doors, suppo […]
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Timber : Cogging: Measure floor joists to check they are all the same width. The narrowest width is the standard. Wherever all other joists cross the bearer, they are cogged, which is to chisel off excess at t […]
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Timber > Fasteners : Tie-down straps: If using strap bracing, these 30mm wide strips of galvanised metal are "tie-downs" that hold the studs to the bottom and top wall plates, or rafters to the top wall plates. There is […]
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Timber > Fasteners : Nail holes should be 8 times the nail diameter from the nearest timber edge, typically >16mm.
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Timber : Choosing structural timbers: for bearers and joists, laminated veneer lumber (LVL) is straighter and stronger than normal dried dressed timber. This means it is easier to get the base of the building […]
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Timber : Selecting fallen-down trees for building posts: the heavier, drier, and denser they are, the better. Some timbers can be placed in the ground, and be debarked, whereas others will rot or grow fungi if […]
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Timber : Sorting: When timber is delivered, sort it into types (e.g. bearers, joists, studs, plates, rafters, beams, etc.) and stack in ordered piles on piers off the ground, with airflow around all timber mem […]
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Timber : Levelling: For bearers, choose to install the two outermost bearers first. Erect a very taut string line as a levelling guide of the top of the first bearer. After securing this bearer, do the other […]
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Timber > Windows : Window openings: Timber shrinks as it dries, even if it is kiln-dried. This reduces the size of the window opening slightly, and can put pressure on window glass. The window opening should be up to 10 […]
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Timber > Fasteners : Fastening tie-down straps: Use 5 nails per end if using a hammer, or 6 if gun-driven.
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Timber > Fasteners : Galvanised fasteners: these are flat or multi-plane plates for attaching structural timbers more strongly than using just nails or screws. They can be as simple as nail plates, which have teeth, and a […]
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Timber > Storage : Trees can be stored outdoors and last a long time, but trees are alive. Timber stored uncovered outdoors will usually disintegrate, sometimes rapidly.
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Timber > Storage : Be careful to cover timbers to avoid sun, rain, wind and earth contact, before and after they are installed. This helps prevent shrinkage, swelling and rotting.
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Timber > Bracing : Plywood sheets or galvanised strip bracing can be used. Ply sheets, if secured properly, also act as tie-downs of the studs to wall plates.
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Timber > Fasteners : Prevent splitting timber: Blunt the nail to crush wood fibres rather than splitting them. Also, try dipping the nail in some oil or wax. Or, predrill a hole 4/5 diameter of the nail.
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Timber > Fasteners : Securing floor joists: Toe-nail the joist at every crossing over a bearer. This entails two nails at maximum 45° (no less than 30°) from the horizontal, at either side of the timber.
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Timber > Fasteners : Bolt holes: Structural members secured with a bolt need the bolt-hole to be drilled 0.8 - 1.5mm larger than the bolt diameter.
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Timber > Fasteners : Before securing structural members, make a test to see if the nails split the timber. If this happens, pre-drill a hole 4/5 the diameter of the nail.
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Timber > Fasteners : Nailing structural members: with a hammer, toe-nail (aka skew-nail) 75mm x 3.15mm nails. Framing nail-gun nails used in the same way can be slightly smaller, e.g. 2.3mm diameter. Securing fasteners […]
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Timber : Joining bearers: Avoid joins where possible, and only where fully supported by a stump or other support. Bearers must be anchored to all stumps, by for example hot-dipped galvanised bolts, hoop straps […]
Tip: Main > Building & fixing > Building > Timber : Delivery charges: Generally, lumber over six metres will need a crane to unload, increasing delivery charges substantially. To avoid this, opt for shorter lengths and join the timbers.
Tip: Main > Living > Food & drink > Food and cooking > Pressure Cookers : Don't fill more than half of the pot, to avoid food-stuffs from rising and blocking steam vents. Adding oil to legumes and rice can help, as does only using a minimum of herbs and spices. Always pre […]
Tip: Main > Household > Power-saving > Space heating > Woodfire heating : Fix a smoky woodfire:
Tip: Main > Technology > Useful things > Gadgets > Fire-starters : If dry, these can be used as kindling: citrus peels, chaff, husks and nut shells, twigs, paper, wood shavings, bark, bits of wood dipped in leftover candle-wax.
Tip: Main > Technology > Useful things > Gadgets > Fire-starters : To start a fire: Locate a sheltered spot, a dry non-flammable bed like sand, air inflow pressure preferably beneath the fire, dry kindling, and a fire-lighter (matches, cigarette lighter, or flint).
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Knots : Truckie's knot: This knot is very secure, yet rapidly and easily undone. It's often used for securing objects on trailers.
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Knots : Blood knot: to tie a thread to some object, e.g. fishing line to hook: Thread tag-end of line through hook-eye, and loop back towards standing-end (the rest of the line). Pinch this loop between th […]
Tip: Main > Miscellaneous > Useful things > Knots : Needle knot: to connect threads or fishing lines of different material and thickness, e.g. slippery/coarse, thick/thin: Hold the eyelet end of a darning needle (or doubled-over thin wire) flat alon […]
Tip: Main > Living > Relaxation : Sleeping in a hammock in winter: sew a blanket flat to the fabric to keep the back of the body warm, then tuck the bedclothes around the body like a cocoon.
Tip: Main > Living > Relaxation : Sleeping comfortably in a hammock: Lie diagonally with the head slightly below the level of the feet, then bend the knees. A pillow is not needed.
Tip: Main > Living > Relaxation : Making a hammock: Do not use straight sticks on either end of the fabric, nor a tight-weave or net-like open-mesh fabric. They will make the hammock uncomfortable, (1) by preventing the spine from cu […]
Tip: Main > Household > Pests : Cockroaches: Don't leave food scraps out overnight, including oily bottles. Place baits in dark corners, including inside cupboards.
Tip: Main > Household > Pests : Mice: Mice learn not to go near traps that have caught their nest members. Clean the trap well before resetting it with a different bait in a different place.
Tip: Main > Household > Pests : Snails, slugs, slaters: A shaded container filled with water and a sprinkling of standard baking yeast, attracts and drowns these vegetable garden pests. Avoid the trap becoming very smelly by renewin […]
Tip: Main > Household > Pests : Ants: dried licorice root is a very effective ant-rid. It can be obtained at Asian grocers, for instance, in Chinese traditional medicine soup mixes.
Tip: Main > Automotive > Buying : Wait until you have car insurance before taking the keys or driving the car home. Read reviews of different insurance companies: the cost and features of a policy is not as important as the actual beh […]
Tip: Main > Automotive > Buying : When test-driving the car, make sure you are covered by insurance in case of an accident. You may have to pay an excess.
Tip: Main > Automotive > Buying : Read the contract carefully. Don't sign unless you agree with everything. Make sure any promises mentioned earlier are in writing. For instance, "faulty number plate globes replaced".
Tip: Main > Automotive > Buying : At the point of sale, negotiation is expected. Say, "I'm offering $....." then be silent. If the salesperson gets up to talk to their manager, you should get up too, to show you're not attached to the […]
Tip: Main > Automotive > Buying : There is no warranty for used cars sold privately.
Tip: Main > Automotive > Buying : In some states, a licensed car dealer must offer a statutory warranty for a used car if it has done less than 120,000 - 150,000 kilometers or is under 7-10 years old. Otherwise, you may be able to pur […]
Tip: Main > Automotive > Buying : After the inspection, ask the seller for any repairs to be done before getting to the point of sale. Also ask for things like floor mats or wheel alignments to be done.
Tip: Main > Automotive > Buying : After you have found a candidate for purchase, have an independent mechanic do a thorough inspection and create a report. if the seller requires a holding deposit (e.g. 10%) then get a receipt stating […]
Tip: Main > Automotive > Buying : Don't do any test drives until after a thorough inspection of the car. Look at a number of automobile club or car insurance websites to find a good checklist.
Tip: Main > Automotive > Buying : Check whether there are any loans owing on an used vehicle, or whether it's security for another loan, by entering the registration, VIN, and engine number into an online registration check like REVS. […]