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Make a picture ledge for your vintage computer

Dave Farquhar DIY, Retro Computing August 5, 2020July 25, 2020 0 Comment

Some Youtubers, including Casual Retro Gamer, use picture ledges to keep their vintage computer systems on the wall when they’re not using them. You can buy a picture ledge, but they’re easy to make, too. And if you make them, you can make them whatever length you want.

A picture ledge is a small, J-shaped shelf that mounts on the wall, normally used for displaying art without having to use a bunch of hangers. But their size works well for vintage home computers and game consoles too, allowing you to store and display them.

How to remove sticker residue

Dave Farquhar DIY July 30, 2020July 19, 2020 0 Comment

As a retro computer hobbyist, former bookseller, and landlord, I’ve had to deal with stickers a lot. It’s not always easy, but it’s possible to remove sticker residue from almost anything. Even paper. Yes, even paper. I’ve removed stickers from inside books and left the page completely undamaged. Here’s how.

Removing sticker residue often requires use of several different techniques including heat and chemicals. My favorite is rubber cement thinner, as it will even remove sticker residue from paper, but different surfaces require different options.

How to remove tape residue

Dave Farquhar DIY July 16, 2020July 12, 2020 0 Comment

There comes a time when we have to remove tape from something and don’t want to damage it. It’s not always easy, but it’s possible to remove tape residue from almost anything. Even paper. Here’s how.

Removing tape residue often requires use of several different techniques including heat and chemicals. My favorite is rubber cement thinner, as it will even remove tape adhesive from paper, but different surfaces require different options.

Replace or repair roof? Know when it’s time.

Dave Farquhar DIY June 24, 2020June 20, 2020 0 Comment

Roofs are expensive. So there’s every incentive to try to make it last as long as you can before replacing it. But sometimes you reach a point of diminishing returns with repairs. Here’s how to know whether to replace or repair your roof.

When a roof tends to leak and repeated repairs don’t clear the problem, that’s a sign the roof has hidden issues. I’ll try to repair a roof once, but repeated repairs that don’t solve the issue is just throwing money away.

Lawn mower bogs down? Try this.

Dave Farquhar DIY June 2, 2020May 30, 2020 0 Comment

If your lawn mower bogs down in thick grass or under any other heavy load, there are a couple of possible reasons for it. Fortunately they are also things you can fix yourself.

Reverse polarity outlet danger

Dave Farquhar DIY May 27, 2020May 24, 2020 0 Comment

Building inspectors get cranky when they find reverse polarity outlets, because it causes a dangerous situation. Let’s look at the danger of a reverse polarity outlet and how to fix it.

Reverse polarity on AC outlets is a code violation. It poses a danger because it can cause wiring to always be electrically live, even when the device is turned off.

Drill vs impact driver

Dave Farquhar DIY May 25, 2020May 24, 2020 0 Comment

Drills and impact drivers look a lot alike, but they’re really different tools for different purposes. One of them is an absolute must-have, while the other is, for most people, a nice-to-have. Let’s take a look at a drill vs impact driver.

Drills are for drilling holes and driving in small fasteners. Impact drivers, which are more powerful and tend to cost more, are for driving in large fasteners.

How to fix a sticky door knob

Dave Farquhar DIY May 5, 2020May 13, 2020 0 Comment

If you have a sticky doorknob, you don’t have to replace it. You can fix it in place relatively quickly, and with minimal effort. Here’s how to fix a sticky door knob.

Sticky door knobs are almost always due to dirt or improper lubrication. But if you use the right lubricant, you can clean and lube the door knob in one step.

What is LVP flooring?

Dave Farquhar DIY March 24, 2020March 22, 2020 0 Comment

What is LVP flooring? LVP stands for luxury vinyl plank, a type of snap-together floating floor that competes with laminate flooring. It combines the durability of vinyl with the convenience and appearance of laminate. It’s an especially good choice in kitchens and bathrooms where moisture may be present.

Amana dishwasher not cleaning well? Try this.

Dave Farquhar DIY March 19, 2020March 18, 2020 0 Comment

My Amana dishwasher stopped washing dishes well. If you Amana or other related make (Whirlpool, Kenmore, Maytag) isn’t cleaning well, maybe this will help.

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