DIY

67 tips · Small tricks. Big impact.

Adjust a cabinet door at the hingeAlternate board orientation when gluing up a panelBack out a stripped screw head with a rubber bandBring wall paint to room temperature before paintingButt wallpaper seams instead of overlapping themCheck a right angle with the 3-4-5 ruleClamp a scrap board under the drill spot to stop blow-outCure a fresh superglue spot with waterCut the silicone nozzle at a 45-degree angleDissolve rust with acid: 3 percent citric acid solution, cola or a vinegar-oil mixDissolve superglue on surfaces with acetoneDo not file a carbide-tipped saw bladeDrill from both sides until the center point breaks throughEase off the pressure just before the bit breaks throughFile a saw blade by hand – only if the teeth are not hardenedFill an anchor hole in drywall with fillerFill deep wood scratches with wax filler, warmed firstFind draughts at the window with a candle flame or incense coneFinish sanding along the grain with light pressureJigsaw with the good face downLet wood adjust to the room for 24 hours before gluingLift a loose brush hair from wet paint with masking tapeLoosen superglue from fabric with cooking oilMark a right angle with a folding rule, no square neededMix epoxy exactly according to the data sheetNever skip grit steps when sanding woodNon-woven wallpaper: paste the wall, not the stripOil the plane lightly after each use with camellia oilPhillips bit slipping: check Ph vs. Pz and press harderPick a wood spur bit over a metal bit for clean holesPull a plastic wall plug out by screwing into itPull painter's tape off slowly at a 45-degree anglePut flat washers under clamps to avoid dentsRelease the caulking gun before changing the cartridgeRemove a fingerprint rust mark from an iron planeRemove a toggle bolt by threading a screw into itRemove masking tape while the paint is still wetRemove stubborn rust mechanicallyRoll paint off on a grid instead of straight from the bucketRub a walnut over light scratches in woodRub candle wax on the runners of a sticking wooden drawerRub off light rust with a potato peel and baking sodaRubber band around the paint can to scrape excess paintSand resinous softwood with open-coat or coated paperScribe parallel lines with a framing squareSet saw teeth by bending them alternatelySharpen a carpenter's pencil flat for fine scribe linesSoak all wallpaper strips for the same timeSqueaking door: oil the hinges instead of replacing themSticking door: check the strike plate, reinforce the frame with a timber blockSticking window sash: tighten fittings first, then adjust the set screwsStore tools in a closed cabinet with VCI paperStraight jigsaw cuts with a guide railTalc on rubber seals to stop them stickingTape the cut line to prevent chipping when jigsawingTest a window seal with a sheet of paperTransfer an angle with a bevel gauge without knowing its valueTurn off the orbital setting on a jigsaw for cleaner cutsUnscrew self-drilling plasterboard anchors instead of pulling themUse Torx instead of Phillips to protect screw headsUse a manual impact driver on a damaged screwUse an old nautical chart as a paint shieldUse the play in the tape measure hook for inside and outside dimensionsUse the serrated edge of the tape hook as a scribeWipe clamp spindles with Ballistol so glue slides offWipe glue squeeze-out right away with a damp clothWrap brush and roller in cling film during paint breaks