ALLBIDS Blog

DIY TIPS

Saturday, 23 January 2016 | Muhammad Awais

Do you consider yourself handy? Got yourself a new set of tools? Don't start that DIY project you've been meaning to do before you read this! Here are 10 DIY tips to get you started:

1. Large holes from screws or dowels can be fixed by filling it with a wooden golf tee. Use a hacksaw to cut the tee flush to the surface of the wood and sand it to finish.

2. Place a rubber band around the opening of an open can of paint. This will give you something to wipe your brush on so that paint doesn’t get in the rim of the can, which will cause it to stick shut once it dries.

3. If you’re using machinery where your hands get close to a blade such as a table saw, make a ‘push stick’. Simply cut a notch into the end of a piece of wood so that it can securely push towards the blade.

4. When cutting pieces of plywood, the edges quite frequently splinter, making your work look untidy and lower in quality. To improve your cuts, stick masking tape onto the back side of the cut.

5. Do you have extension cords that unplug all the time because they get pulled on? Tie them together before you connect the cords.

6. Sick of hitting your hand when hammering nails? Stop the pain and use a pair of pliers to hold the nail instead! You could also use other items such as a clothes peg or a fine tooth-comb.

7. Don’t want to make a mess in the house while drilling into walls? Fold a post-it note in half and stick it to the wall underneath wear you have to drill a hole. All the dust will be caught in the post-it note for an easy clean up!

8. Are your screws a bit loose? First take the screw out and place a toothpick in the hole. Apply some wood glue if needed and simply put the screw back in.

9. Can’t remove a screw because the head of it has been damaged? Place a rubber band over the head of the screw before attempting to remove it to fill the gaps that have been filed away.

10. Are you a messy painter? Tape off all areas where you don’t want paint and lay down some old sheets on the floor. This allows you to paint over the tape and not have to worry about being careful. Before removing the tape, gently cut the tape along the edge of the painted surface to avoid pulling of chunks of paint with it.

Remember, ALLBIDS.com.au has a great selection of tools and hardware so be sure to check out our auctions for bargains starting as low as $1!