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How to use Liquid Nails construction adhesive

Dave Farquhar DIY November 17, 2016March 2, 2020caulk

If you’re wondering how to use Liquid Nails or another construction adhesive, read on. There’s no shame in that. I was 30 years old before anyone told me.

Dave Farquhar

David Farquhar is a computer security professional, entrepreneur, and author. He started his career as a part-time computer technician in 1994, worked his way up to system administrator by 1997, and has specialized in vulnerability management since 2013. He invests in real estate on the side and his hobbies include O gauge trains, baseball cards, and retro computers and video games. A University of Missouri graduate, he holds CISSP and Security+ certifications. He lives in St. Louis with his family.

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Permanence of super glue

Dave Farquhar DIY November 3, 2016February 28, 2019Missouri, super glue

“What’s the permanence of super glue?” someone asked me the other day. It’s an interesting question and unfortunately, the answer is, it depends.

Dave Farquhar

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Strip insulation from thin wires

Dave Farquhar DIY October 31, 2016March 28, 2023Blade

A longtime reader asked last week how to strip insulation from thin wires–really thin wires. That’s a great question. I used to use wire wrap wire to build my own computer circuits, and garden-variety wire strippers don’t do the job. Here are four options you can use when you’re repairing electronics with fine wire.

Dave Farquhar

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How to repair wire insulation

Dave Farquhar DIY, Toy trains October 28, 2016May 18, 2022home improvement

Sometimes wire insulation gets damaged. The wire will still work, but exposed metal increases the risk of short circuit, electrical shock, or even fire. When you come across damaged insulation, you really need to fix it. Here’s how to repair wire insulation.

Dave Farquhar

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Remove paint from metal

Dave Farquhar DIY October 20, 2016September 1, 2017Ammonia

A lot of people know you can remove paint from metal with oven cleaner. What you may not know is that there’s a cheaper way that works just as well.

Dave Farquhar

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Wire a ceiling fan with light to one switch

Dave Farquhar DIY, Landlording October 14, 2016March 13, 2021curtains, home improvement, red wire, thermal curtains

People frequently wire a ceiling fan with a light to two light switches. That way they can control the fan with one switch and the light with the other. But what if the room has only one switch and you have to wire a ceiling fan with light to one switch? You can still do it. You just have to know what to do with the fan’s red or blue wire.

Dave Farquhar

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When a ceiling light fixture doesn’t work

Dave Farquhar DIY, Landlording October 13, 2016March 13, 2021CFL, led bulbs

If your ceiling light fixture doesn’t work, let’s talk about one I worked on last weekend. It wasn’t my first time doing that. I ended up replacing the fixture, but then I fixed the broken fixture afterward.

Dave Farquhar

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How to fix a garbage disposal

Dave Farquhar DIY September 26, 2016October 22, 2022Blade, hardware store, InSinkErator, leaks, power cord

If your garbage disposal quit suddenly, don’t fret. We’ve all been there. There are three common ways to fix a garbage disposal and none of them require any special tools.

Dave Farquhar

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Oil for under your mower deck

Dave Farquhar DIY September 23, 2016November 21, 2018Blade, Lawn mower, Marvel Mystery Oil

Someone asked me to recommend oil for under your mower deck. If you’re not familiar with this trick, it’s a good idea to oil the underside of your lawnmower deck to keep grass from sticking to it. This helps keep your blade from bogging down and your deck from rusting.

What oil do I like? The person brought up Marvel Mystery Oil. I do like Marvel Mystery Oil inside the mower. But I think it’s too expensive for the deck.

Dave Farquhar

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Where to connect the red wire to a light switch

Dave Farquhar DIY September 5, 2016September 7, 2023red wire

After reading where the red wire goes in a light fixture, someone asked me where to connect the red wire to a light switch.

That’s a good question. The first time I saw a red wire on a light switch, it certainly confused me. I have one in my kitchen and it scared me for years.

Dave Farquhar

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