DIY Life

Few things annoy me more than bolt hole threads that strip out. I don't think any of you would disagree with me that it always happens at precisely the wrong time. Who wants to spend an hour looking for that tap and die set and then digging up a fatter bolt?

Well, the good news is that there's a cheap DIY fix! I wouldn't recommend doing this on your engine block, but it'll work like a champ in a number of light duty situations. It doesn't require any fancy tools either. The first thing to do is back out the bolt. This should be easy; it's already stripped, right?

Now fill the bolt hole with a compound, either Liquid Steel or J.B. Weld. You've got to love the folks that invented those products! Next, coat the bolt liberally with liquid soap. Crank the bolt back into the hole and wipe up the excess that squeezes out around the bolt head.

When the compound is dried, you're set! You can now screw or unscrew at will.

Hey woodworkers, here's a great little project: make your own small folding table. You know the kind I mean. The little square ones that are perfect for eating TV dinners off. Fabulous instructions, complete with photos and other illustrations, are on the site HandymanWire. The whole thing looks suitable for both experienced handymen/women and beginners, alike.

Yes, you can buy similar tables in the big box stores. They cost anywhere from $15 to $25 and up. Convenient, yes. But making your own will be so much more satisfying, don't you think? You will, however, have to allow some time and patience for the construction. Of course, you will also have to budget for the wood and hardware. Here what you'll need:
(1) 8-foot length of 1x6-inch wood. The designer of this particular table recommends cedar if the table is to be used outdoors.
(2) 1 1/2 x 1 1/2-inch brass hinges. Brass is required if the table is for outdoors use, otherwise any hinge will do.
(1) 5 x 1/4-inch bolt
(1) 1/4-inch nylock nut
(18) 1-inch #8 brass screws. Again, any screw will work, but brass is required for outdoors use.
Woodworking glue

Who couldn't use a little table like this? I love that it folds down for easy storage. Stow it in the garage or behind the couch, then pull it out when you need a little work space or a spot to rest your coffee mug.

DIY Maven on Curbly has a bunch of great ideas for alternative ways to use nail polish.

Given that the use of nail polish is "to be painted on things" -- it's a low-toxicity enamel paint -- I don't know if these count as "new" uses per se. My mother has been doing a few of them for years, particularly the "polish on the keys" trick, and she's far from alone. But they're all ideas that are useful, and maybe they're new to you!

Read more about them, as well as a few new nail polish tips from us, after the break.