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The DIY Reel: Replace a Broken Sprinkler Head

Want to know what my biggest pet peeve is? OK, it may not be my biggest, b/c I have quite a few, but this one's high on my list. Ready? I hate nothing more than unpacking my seasonal items, only to find that they've been broken, or were, in fact, broken upon storing them.

Naturally, I'm beginning to store my gardening tools in preparation for a chilly winter season, and I'm making sure everything is in tact for next spring. After all, there's nothing worse than dragging out your garden hose, only to realize you failed to repair it last fall. First on my repair list? The sprinkler head:



One important thing to keep in mind when tackling a sprinkler head repair:
When using a hand trowel or old serrated knife to cut through the lawn or dirt surrounding the sprinkler head, be careful not to cut into the water line, which could make this project much more costly in the long run!

That's it --- get to work! Good luck, and thank you, Eric!
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Turn retro speakers into a media cabinet

speakers media cabinet housing VHS tapesIn a corner of my living room, sitting unused and one on top of the other, are two retro style speakers. The only reason that my husband hasn't hooked them up to his entertainment system is that there isn't any place to set them up. They have sat in the corner for almost 4 years now, waiting for the day they can blast The Beatles to my hubby's content.

Our speakers still work, but if you have an old speaker, or even a matching pair hanging around waiting for the day you will fix the broken whatever, you can turn the speaker into a stylin' new media cabinet. Here is what you will need:
  • A speaker
  • A hand saw and a rotary tool
  • Hinges
  • Claw hammer or crowbar
  • Paint and wooden planks
  • Screwdriver or power drill
GoodRubbish takes you through the steps needed to turn your old retro speakers into a handy media cabinet to store all your CDs, DVDs and VHS tapes. Be sure to read through the comments, as there is important information on exactly what digital and optical media is safe to store with the speaker magnets and what could possibly be ruined by leaving the speaker magnets in place.
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Fix locked iPod hold button with tin foil

My sister sent me her iPod telling me it's locked up: the hold button switch stopped working. It was stiff and felt like a piece of grit was in the switch. With the hold switch broken, all the other buttons stopped working as well, even while the screen indicated that the device was on.

I first tried the farmer method of fixing things, by adding a micro-drop of mineral oil to the switch....wrong, that didn't do anything. I tinkered a little more, and found out the actual switch on the circuit board was busted.

Hit the continue for more on this.

Gallery: iPod Fixing

Hold SwitchPry Open CaseRemove ScrewsPull Back Circuit BoardConnect Points

Continue reading Fix locked iPod hold button with tin foil

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Broken gadget? FixYa to the rescue!

broken-electronics, FixYa; tech-supportThese days, when something breaks, people are more apt to just throw the item away rather than try to find a way to fix it. In the old days, I remember my dad constantly tinkering around with something that was broken, and he always managed to get it fixed, even if it was by making our ears ring with words that were better left unsaid.

If your electronic gadgets are still under warranty, it is best to have the professionals give it a look-see, otherwise you'll void the warranty if you open it up yourself. If your gadgets are no longer under warranty, try FixYa, a website that provides tech help and support for electronics, consumer products and gadgets of all shapes, sizes, makes and models.

FixYa stores manuals and trouble shooting guides for over half a millions products. Founded by a frustrated consumer who noticed that manufacturers weren't providing adequate technical support for their products through their websites, even though the products were becoming more technologically advanced, FixYa is based on real life problems that consumers have with their items, and they share and discuss how to fix the problem.

If you have a broken item in your home, or an item performing sluggishly, check out FixYa. It is a great site that will provide you the best possible quick fix, and best of all it is FREE!
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Spare parts for appliances: why it's smarter to buy online

A few months back, the control knob on my clothes dryer broke. Since it involved only a minor DIY repair job, I thought this a fab opportunity to try shopping for spare parts online. Result? A 10 out of 10 experience. I used PartSelect and was really happy. Other likely-looking choices include PartStore and big box store sites like SearsPartsDirect, to name just two of the many sites out there.

I was thrilled with how easy it was to locate such a tiny and obscure plastic doo-dad via the Web. Thrilled because ordering it online was possible in the first place. Also thrilled because such sites make simple appliance repairs easier for the beginner DIY'er. Interested? After the break, I'll share what you should know before cracking out that credit card:

The Speed Factor. Buying spare parts online saves you lots of valuable time. In the olden days, you would have to flip through the phone book to find likely parts suppliers. Then you would have to make some phone calls. Next, you would waste at least an hour driving to and from the supplier.

Continue reading Spare parts for appliances: why it's smarter to buy online

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Packing fragile items

damaged fragile boxI have packed and moved 14 times in 17 years. In the early years after high school, I didn't own much, so packing wasn't a big deal. Most of the time, my things stayed in the boxes because I knew that I would be moving again soon. With all my packing experience, I've learned a few things about packing fragile items.

The Home Know-It-All tells us all about how to pack fragile items for safe transport. When packing your dishes, glasses, and fragile decorative vases and other items, wrap the item in bubble wrap. Along with bubble wrap, I wadded up newspaper, put it in the bottom of the box, and then used newspaper to wrap up the fragile dishes and glasses. I would load up the box with paper so that nothing would break. In all my moves, nothing has broken when I used newspaper!

Be sure to bookmark the article, since it has links that point to packing anything and everything you have in your home. I will definitely use the article for the next time we move. We have been in our current residence for 3 1/2 years, and I am getting antsy to move along.
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Easy storage solutions for Holiday decorations

outdoor wreathWhen you opened your storage boxes filled with Christmas decorations, did you find bits and pieces of broken light bulbs, ornaments, and cherished keepsakes? Many of us did, simply because we just didn't wrap them properly, or worse yet, we accidentally dropped the storage container.

RealSimple has some great Holiday decoration storage tricks for us, including how to store our precious ornaments and breakable light bulbs. The ideas include: Shredding paper to cushion fragile items, using a leg of pantyhose to keep gift wrap from being destroyed, items to store last when you need them first next year, and how to store your food based decorations so Fido can't get at them.

Every year, my mother always seemed to break a few decorations. Luckily, the ones that she brought from Germany almost 50 years ago somehow stay intact year after year. With the storage ideas from realsimple.com, I can now pass them along to my daughter and teach her about her German heritage.

[via:Lifehacker]
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Unfreeze your water meter

If the temperature is cold and you're not running water regularly, there is a risk that your water meter will freeze. This instructables post teaches us how to thaw a water meter. I'm sure some of you will see a subtitle with the word fire, and be that much more interested, while others would rather steer clear. The author warns that the instructions involve the use of fire, so make sure that you use appropriate caution, and only apply these instruction to a water meter. If you're still interested, read on for the materials, and check out the full post for the instructions and pictures. water meter

What you'll need
  1. Channel lock pliers
  2. Vice grip Crescent wrench
  3. Lighter
  4. Newspaper
  5. marshmallow
  6. Stick
  7. A friend to help out
You can fix this yourself unless the meter is actually cracked in which case you'll need to call the water company for a repair or replacement. In very cold conditions, it is suggested that you leave a very light stream of water running through the night to avoid freezing.
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Change a broken light bulb with a potato

potatoI think it's safe to assume that you all know how to change a light bulb. What you may not know is how to change a broken light bulb. Broken bulbs that are still in the socket can be hard to change and very dangerous. A potato can be your saving tool.

What you'll need
  1. 1 raw potato
  2. 1 knife
  3. 1 replacement light bulb
  4. 1 bag for trash/glass shards
  5. Gloves
  6. Protective eye wear
  7. Vacuum
The instructions on how to change a broken light bulb with a potato are simple, but you should pay particular attention to the safety tips. Next time you break a bulb in the socket don't mess around trying to pick through glass, just grab a potato and remove the bulb with ease.
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Fixing a broken Breyer Horse model: yes, it can be done!

breyer horse fixFor those of you who fancy Breyer Horses like me, there ultimately comes a time when one of your beloved herd breaks a leg or tail. It's a generally accepted fact that there's not a glue on the planet which will rejoin the broken pieces to their rightful place on the models body. However, there is a way to repair your Breyer Horse. I have repaired Breyer horses "professionally" for customers who found me on eBay. I have a trade secret that I'll share with you today.

Continue reading Fixing a broken Breyer Horse model: yes, it can be done!

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