Page 57 – The DIY Life

Pallet Candle Sconces

Michael Klements

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June 28, 2016

Pallet sconces are really easy and cheap (if not free) rustic decor items to hang on a bare wall. The sconces are made out of a few scraps of pallet wood or scrap timber which is often lying around the garage. Alternately you can find old pallets at junk yards, hardware stores and fruit and veg stores.

What You Will Need

Pallet Wood (Two Pieces 35-50cm/14-20″)
Wood Glue
Wood Saw
Miter Box (Optional)
80 Grit Sandpaper
Wood Sealer, Varnish or Stain

Firstly you need to cut out the main lengths which will go up against the wall. They should be around 20-30cm (8-12″) and can be cut to the same length or different lengths for a staggered look. Use a miter box to make clean and square cuts on the ends.

Next you need to cut the ledge. The ledge needs to suite the size of your candle, 15cm (6″) is usually the correct size for a large round pillar candle. The triangular support brackets for underneath the ledge can be cut by first cutting a 8cm (3″) square piece of wood and then using the miter box to cut it at 45 degrees, making two brackets.

Now sand down any rough or jagged edges. You want the pallet wood to be rustic looking and not too smooth, just neaten up the edges and remove any splinters.

Glue the pieces together with the ledge roughly one third of the way up the vertical piece and the bracket underneath to support the ledge. Apply a generous amount of glue and wipe away any excess which is squeezed out when pushing the pieces together. Allow the wood glue to dry for about 5 hours or overnight.

Lastly, you can stain or varnish the wood. A dark stain makes the wood look more aged and expensive. Apply the stain to all sides of the sconces and allow to dry overnight. To give the wood and aged and distressed look you can lightly sand the dried stain to bring the rough grain out.

Add a picture hanging hook to the back of the sconces or screw them onto the wall from the front. Add the candles and your cheap and effective sconces are complete.

Original Article From Amanda Katherine

Repair A Carpet Cigarette Burn

Repairs

Michael Klements

-

June 28, 2016

0

Fix a cigarette burn in a carpet easily with some common household tools.

What You Will Need:

Hot Melt Glue Gun
Scissors
Craft Knife

Firstly you will need to cut out the existing burn. Use a sharp craft knife and cut out a square a little larger than the burn mark. Try to cut through the pile and the base layer with a single cut to get a clean finish. Hacking at the pile or base layer will pull strands out and make it difficult to get a neat finish.

Now you need to cut a replacement plug. When installing carpets, you should always ask for a few of the scrap pieces to use to repair damaged areas. If you do not have any scrap pieces available then you will need to cut a corner or edge out of an inconspicuous area of you existing carpet. Cut a small square, the size of the plug you removed out from behind a couch, under a bed or in an unused corner of a room. If the hole is going to be noticeable then use the cigarette burned piece you cut out to plug the removed portion, which will make it less obvious.

Test that the plug fits snugly into the hole where you removed the cigarette burn. The base layer should not overlap anywhere or the plug will protrude from the rest of the carpet.

You will now need to glue the plug into the hole. Heat up the glue gun so that the glue is as hot as possible. Use the glue gun to put hot glue all over the layer underneath the carpet in the area of the hole, make sure to get a generous amount of glue around all four of the edges. Now press the plug into the hole. Press the plug down so that the glue hardens with the base layer at the same level as the existing carpet base layer. Put a dap of glue onto the ends of any protruding strands and push the ends back onto the base layer.

If the plug has not seated well, try ironing the area with a clothing iron on a high heat. The heat will melt the glue and allow you to manipulate the plug to get a better seating.

The plug may be noticeable for a few days or weeks (depending on the area traffic) after the repair until the piles in both the plug and the existing carpet become similar (the plug came from an unused piece of carpet and will likely be fluffier than the carpet around it). Care should be taken when sweeping or vacuuming over the plugged area as it will never be as strong as the original carpet.

Using Pebbles To Upscale Your Garden

Michael Klements

-

June 24, 2016

0

Pebbles are a cheap and low maintenance way to add decorative features to your garden. They are available in a range of colours and sizes and when used with stones, gravel and pavers can really transform your garden and give it a high end landscaped appeal. Here are some ways in which pebbles, gravel and decorative stone can be used to upscale your garden.

Line a path with pebbles to make it appear bigger, provide a transition between the steps and the plants and keep the plants from growing in between the steps.

Patterned contrasting stones and pebbles make an effective alternative to flower beds and require almost no maintenance. A few scattered shrubs or bushes add some greenery.

Another good example of contrasting stones and pebbles used to create a flower bed. The potted plants are used to effectively add height to the garden decor.

Place dark pebbles in the bottom of a pond or water feature to add texture and character to an otherwise dull surface.

Use gravel or shale to fill the gaps between paving stones for a more complete and professional looking pathway.

Create a pebble drainage channel from you gutter downspout to channel water out of your beds and keep the mulch in place.

Create a feature transition area between your patio and pool or patio and grass with paving slabs and white pebbles.

Change A Car Tyre

Michael Klements

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June 23, 2016

0

If you don’t have run-flat tyres or your tyre gives up completely, you may find yourself on the side of the road needing to change your own tyre. Changing a tyre is quite straight forward and most cars have all the tools required to do so along with a spare wheel.

Firstly you will need to find a flat and stable area to park your car, you need to be on a level and hard surface. If you are alongside a road, move off of the road as far as possible and ensure that your emergency lights are on.

Put the hand or parking brake on and select first gear for a manual or park on an automatic. As an additional precaution, put a brick, rock, log or any large object in front and behind two of the undamaged tyres.

Take the spare wheel, jack and wheel spanner out, these are usually located in the boot/trunk underneath the carpet cover.

Now you need to locate the jacking point. The jack is designed to be used on a jacking pad or bar which is usually located just underneath the car, past the wheel arch on the door side of each wheel. If you are unsure of where these points are located, check in your vehicle owners manual. Do not attempt to jack up the car anywhere along the moulded plastic trim at the bottom edge of the doors, it will crack. Use the jacking point closest to the wheel you are going to be replacing. Turn the crank on the jack so that the jack becomes firmly seated but does not yet lift the car.

Remove the hubcap or wheel nut covers from the wheel. Loosen all of the nuts (turn them counter-clockwise) with the wheel still on the ground to provide additional rotational resistance. You only need to get them through the initial tight quarter turn, do not loosen them more than a quarter turn.

Some cars may have a security nut with a spline or star shaped head, there should be an adapter in the tool kit which fits over the nut and allows the normal wheel spanner to be used to loosen it. The wheel nuts may take quite a lot of force to loosen, especially if they have not been removed in a long time, you may have to use your body-weight to apply additional pressure to the wheel spanner to initially get them loose.

Continue turning the jack crank so that the wheel is at least 5cm (2″) off of the ground. Make sure that the car remains stable and is not moving forwards or backwards while you are jacking it up. If the car starts to move, lower the jack and add additional packers in front of and behind the grounded wheels.

Remove the already loosened wheel nuts. Put them on a piece of cardboard/paper/plastic so that they do not touch the ground. Dirt on the threads may damage the nuts and the wheel hub.

Place the spare tyre onto the wheel hub. Most wheel hubs have a locating spigot on which the wheel can rest while it is rotated so that the wheel holes align with the hub. Put the nuts back and hand tighten them. Now use the wrench to tighten them a little more, do not tighten the nuts each entirely at once. Move in a star pattern around the wheel tightening each nut one turn at a time until the are reasonably tight, this ensures that the wheel is properly seated. Do not apply too much force to the wrench as you may topple the jack.

Lower the car slowly by cranking the jack in the other direction. Once the wheel is firmly back on the ground, finish tightening the wheel nuts. You should only tighten the nuts as much as you can by hand, do not stand on the wheel spanner to tighten the nuts as you will not be able to loosen them again in a few days time.

Put the replaced wheel into the wheel well where the spare came out and replace the tools in their respective holders. Small punctures can be repaired at home using this guide. Alternately, take the tyre to a dealer who will repair or replace the tyre for you.

Reclaimed Whiskey Barrel Coffee Table

Weekend Projects

Michael Klements

-

June 22, 2016

3

Whiskey barrels, wine barrels or beer kegs are popular home decor features. If you have an old whiskey barrel lying around, why not turn it into a functional coffee table for your lounge or beer table for your bar area. It will fit in perfectly with rustic cottage decor and is right at home in any bar or man cave.

What You Will Need To Build A Whiskey Barrel Table

Whiskey Barrel, Wine Barrel or Beer Keg
Pallet or Barn Distressed Wood (5cm x 15cm / 2″ x 6″)
About 100 2cm (3/4″) Self Tapping Wood Screws – Buy Here
10 10cm (3 1/2″) Self Tapping Wood Screws – Buy Here
4 5cm (2″) Self Tapping Wood Screws – Buy Here
Wood Glue – Buy Here
Staples – Buy Here
80 Grit Sandpaper (Optional) – Buy Here
Clear Varnish – Buy Here
Jig Saw (With Steel and Wood Blades) – Buy Here
Screw Driver or Drill Driver – Buy Here
Staple Gun (Optional) – Buy Here
Sanding Block (Optional) – Buy Here

How To Build A Whiskey Barrel Table

Whiskey barrels or beer kegs are typically made with wood strips which are forced into place and held in position by three or five steel bands. To ensure that the barrel does not come apart when you cut it in half, you need to secure each wood strip to the steel band. To do this, drill a hole through the steel band in the centre of each strip on every band for each strip. Only drill through the steel and try to drill into the wood as little as possible. Now screw a 2cm (3/4″) wood screw through each hole and into the wood strip to secure them.

You can now cut the barrel in half. Cut through the steel bands along the join between two wood strips. Do the same on the other side of the barrel. One half should then easily come away from the other half. Try and keep the two barrel ends in place on one of the halves as you pull the barrel apart.

Next secure the barrel ends. Cut a half circle of pine wood the same diameter as the inside of the barrel ends. Screw or staple this to the inside ends to provide the additional support. This piece keeps the wood strips which make up the barrel end in place while you cut it in half.

Cut the barrel end in half along the line of the sides of the barrel so that you are left with a perfect half. The ends can be additionally supported by a pieces of pine screwed or glued in horizontally along the top straight edge.

The table top can now be cut. Use old pallet wood or distressed barn wood for the right texture. Cut enough lengths of the wood so that the edges overlap the wine barrel by about 15cm (6″) all around. Glue the planks together to make a continuous surface.

The long edges of the table top can also be contoured to match the sides of the barrel. Turn it upside down onto the table top and trace the long edge onto the edge of the surface of the table top. You will need to extend the two far edges along the same curve to the ends of the table top surface. Cut along the traced line using a jig saw to create the profiled table top. If you are not confident with a jig saw, consider leaving the table top edges square.

Finally, the legs can be made. Cut four 50cm (20″) pieces from the same reclaimed wood you used for the table top. Glue two of these pieces together side by side. Next you need to decide how far from the edges you would like the legs to be positioned. Measure the radius of the barrel at this point, trace and cut the radius from the long edge of the legs. This may require some trial and error before the legs fit snugly along the whole edge of the barrel. For a more professional look, the edge of the leg which meets the outer edge needs to be cut at an angle to follow the contour of the barrel. This angle can be set on a jig saw when making the radius cut. If you are not able to achieve the correct angle cut, just cut it at 90 degrees, it is not noticeable unless you look really closely at the legs.

Screw the legs on from the inside, drilling a small pilot hole through the slats along the line where you would like to position the leg will assist you in getting the screws in the centre of the legs. Use three to five 10cm (3 1/2″) screws for each leg, evenly spaced from end to end.

Once you have screwed the legs on, the table top can either be placed on top of the half barrel or it can be screwed on so that it does not move around. A 5cm (2″) screw at each corner screwed through the underside of the barrel and into the table surface will hold it securely in place. Be sure to check the length of the screws beforehand as you want the screws to penetrate about 10mm (3/8″) into the table surface but not go right through the surface as they will then be visible on the table top.

Finally you need to varnish or polyurethane coat your table. The completed table can be rough sanded before varnishing however it is supposed to be a rustic looking piece of furniture and the rough wood finish completes this look. A clear wood varnish is the easiest option for a surface coating and will also be relatively hard wearing. For a smoother finish which can take a bit more abuse, consider using a two part epoxy table coating for the table top surface. Follow the directions on the product for application details.

Optional: You could add a hinge to the table top and use the space in the barrel for storage.

Have you turned an old whiskey or wine barrel into anything useful around the house? Let us know in the comments section below, we would love to see your projects.

This project by logant3030 has been shared under the Creative Commons license CC 2.5 BY-NC-SA.

6 Easy DIY Shelf Ideas

Michael Klements

-

June 21, 2016

0

Shelves are a functional decor item in any room, they add character and provide a useful storage area. Why not add a shelf to one of your rooms this weekend with these easy DIY shelf ideas?

Use two hooks screwed into the wall to suspend a plank with some rope and create a rustic looking hanging shelf.

Suspend multiple shelves by either using rope loops or some building wire to attached the lower levels. Multiple hanging shelves are perfect as a book shelf in a study or lounge.

Use copper pipe fittings along with some wooden dowels to create a wall mountable shelf or a free standing shelf rack.

With some timber and moulded sections from your hardware store, you could create a robe hanger for a bedroom, coat hanger for an entrance or a towel hanger for a bathroom. The shelf on top could be used for keys and cellphones in your bedroom or entrance or to keep toilet rolls, air freshener or soap in the bathroom.

Use some galvanised pipe fittings to create an industrial themed shelve for a bathroom or kitchen. Add a horizontal section underneath as a towel rail.

Stacked concrete blocks and some wood planks make an elegant free standing shelf unit which can be used as a book shelf, radio stand or tv unit.

Change Your Vehicle’s Motor Oil

Michael Klements

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June 20, 2016

0

Changing your vehicles motor oil is surprisingly easy and saves you time and money. You no longer need to drop your vehicle off at a service center, arrange lifts to work and collect it in the afternoon, the whole job should take less than an hour. You should be changing your motor oil every 10000 – 15000km (6000-9000miles) depending on the age of the vehicle and the driving style.

There are typically three steps in changing your motor oil, drain the old oil, replace the oil filter, refill the sump with new oil.

What You Will Need:

Replacement Oil (Consult Your Owner’s Manual For The Type, Only Use Brand Name Oil)
Replacement Oil Filter (According To Your Vehicle Model)
Oil Drip Tray
Box Wrench/Allen Key For Sump Plug
Strap Oil Filter Wrench

Drain The Old Oil

Warning: Only attempt to drain the oil when your engine is cool, hot oil can cause severe burns.

Firstly you will need to jack up your vehicle. This may not be necessary if you have an SUV or a vehicle with good ground clearance. You just need to be able to reach the sump drain plug on the bottom of the engine. Place an oil pan underneath the drain plug and then loosen and remove the drain plug with a box wrench or allen key (rotate the wrench/key counter-clockwise).

Allow all of the oil to drain out of the sump. When the oil stops dripping, replace the sump drain plug. Be careful when reinserting the plug, it should be finger tight almost all the way. If it is sticking then remove it and try again as you most likely have the threads misaligned and tightening it with a wrench will permanently damage the engine block.

Replace The Oil filter

The oil filter is typically replaced from the top of the engine. Position the oil pan on the ground underneath the oil filter. Use a strap type oil filter wrench to loosen the filter, it will also screw off counter clockwise. Replace the oil filter with a new one, screw it on until it is hand tight, again making sure that the threads are properly aligned. Once the filter is hand tight, use the strap wrench to tighten it a further ¼ turn. It is important not to over tighten the filter. If you do over tighten the filter then next time you need to change it, you will not be able to remove it.

Replace The Oil

Remove the oil filler cap on top of the engine block. There are a number of reservoirs and caps on the engine so ensure that you remove the one labelled oil. It is easiest to refill the oil with an oil funnel, place the funnel into the filling hole and pour in the oil. Look in your car’s owners manual for details on how much oil to add, most cars take around 3.5 to 5 litres of oil (4 to 5 quarts). Rather add too little, check the level and add more as necessary. When the oil sump is full, replace the oil filler cap.

To check the oil level, remove the oil dip stick, wipe it off with a paper towel or old rag and reinstall the dip stick. Allow it to stand for a few seconds and then remove it and see how far the stick is covered with oil. There should be indicator markings on the dip stick which tell you when it is full.

Lastly you need to dispose of the used motor oil. Pour the oil out of the drip dray and into the container which the new oil came from. Take the bottle to your nearest oil recycling centre or car service centre. Do not dispose of the oil in the trash or pour it down the drain, oil is a harsh environmental contaminant and causes severe damage to the environment when disposed of incorrectly.

Fix A Leaking Shower Head, Stop Dripping & Spraying

Michael Klements

-

June 17, 2016

8

Fix A Leaking Shower Head, Stop Dripping & Spraying

If your shower head is leaking, dripping or water is spraying out of the side while it is in use, the washer in the joint between the stem and the head is probably perished and needs to be replaced.

What You Will Need To Fix A Leaking Shower Head

Two Plumbing Pliers (One For The Head And One For The Stem)
Replacement Washer

How To Fix A Leaking Shower Head

Use a towel or cloth around the shower head and stem while using the pliers so that the teeth of the pliers do not mark or scratch the chrome finish. Grip the shower steam with one pliers and the ring on the head with the second, turn the shower head ring counter clockwise to loosen it and then remove it from the stem.

Remove the rubber washer and replace it with an identical one. This may require a special visit to your local hardware or plumbing store. Take the old sample with you to ensure that you get the exact replacement.

Lastly re-screw the shower head onto the stem. Wrapping some PTFE tape around the threads on the stem assists in lubricating the joint to allow the ring to be screwed on easier. With the washer replaced, there should be no water coming out anywhere around the joint. If it is still leaking, the thread is probably not seated correctly, unscrew the stem, replace the PTFE tape and try to screw it in again. When the thread is correctly seated, it should be easy to screw in and the ends will be flush and square.

If you shower head is loose or the nozzles are clogged by mineral deposits, follow this guide for securing a loose shower head and this guide for cleaning a clogged up shower head. Your shower will soon be as good as new.

Easy Roast Chicken

Michael Klements

-

June 17, 2016

0

A roast chicken is an easy family dinner or weekend lunch. This recipe allows you to cook a delicious roast chicken, potatoes and a gravy all in one pan.

Serves 4-6. Preparation Time 30mins, Cooking Time About 1 Hour 20 Minutes.

You Will Need:

1.5kg Whole Chicken (Cleaned & Trimmed)
4-5 Large Potatoes
Olive oil
Chicken Spice
- Alternately make you own with Salt, Pepper, Onion Power & Paprika
1 Sachet White Onion Soup Powder
½ Sachet Brown Onion Soup Powder

Firstly peel the potatoes and chop them into large chunks, quarters or sixths work best. Place them in the bottom of the roasting dish and drizzle with olive oil. Use a spoon or spatula to turn the potatoes so that they are evenly covered in the olive oil. Sprinkle the white onion soup powder over the potatoes.

Now prepare the chicken. Rinse it out with cold water and allow the excess water to drain. Place it on the grid from the bottom of the roasting dish placed widthways over the dish as shown. If you are using a regular roasting pan, use a baking cooling rack to place the chicken on. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and rub it out to ensure the whole chicken is covered on both sides. Now sprinkle the chicken spice all over the skin. You can make your own chicken spice by mixing equal parts of fine salt, fine ground pepper, brown onion powder and paprika.

Place the chicken and potatoes into a pre-heated oven at 180°C (350°F) and allow to roast for an hour and a half. Midway through cooking, remove the chicken from the oven and turn the potatoes over so that they cook evenly on both sides. Mix the juices which have dripped from the chicken into the oil and baste the potatoes while turning them. When the chicken is done, remove it from the oven and allow it to stand for 5 minutes before carving it.

Remove the potatoes from the roasting dish and place them into a warmed serving dish, do not cover the dish as they will go soggy.

In the roasting dish, mix half of the sachet of brown onion soup powder with 1 Cup of cold water. Place the roasting dish over a high heat on the stove or gas hob and pour over the soup mixture. Cook the mixture until thickened, stirring continuously to pick up the flavour in the pan from the roasting juices and potatoes. Once thick, pour into a gravy server and allow to stand for 5 minutes before serving.

What spices do you usually put onto your roast chicken? Please share them with us in the comments section below.

Chicken Potjie

Michael Klements

-

June 16, 2016

0

A potjie is the perfect meal for a family gathering or camping trip. It can be cooked over a gas job or fire and requires very little attention. Prepare and add all of the ingredients and then leave it to cook without opening or stirring until it is ready. The heavy cast iron pot ensures that heat is evenly distributed so that the food cooks evenly and doesn’t burn. The chicken in this recipe is marinaded in wine and yoghurt for tender and flavourful dish. This potjie is best served with white rice or mashed potato and a beer bread makes a delicious side.

Makes 8 servings. Preparation Time 30mins, Cooking Time About 3 Hours.

You Will Need:

2kg Chicken Pieces (Thighs produce the best flavour)
5 Large Potatoes
5 Large Carrots
1 Green Pepper
1 Cup Green Beans
1 Punnet Mushrooms
10 Dried Apricot Halves

Marinade

2 Cups of Plain Yoghurt
2 Cups of White Wine
1 Large Onion
10 Black Peppercorns
2 Bay Leaves
2 Tsp Dried Thyme
1 Tsp Lemon Zest

Peel and finely chop the onion. Mix in the remainder of the marinade ingredients and pour over the chicken. Marinade in the fridge for 8 hours or overnight.

Peel and chop the potatoes into quarters. Peel and slice the carrots and the green pepper. Slice the mushrooms, top and tail the beans and slice them in half. Over a high heat, in the potjie pot, fry the chicken pieces (removed from the marinade) individually until brown on both sides. Once brown, place all of the chicken back into the pot. Add the vegetables in layers above the chicken in order, potatoes, carrots, green beans, green pepper, apricots and finally the mushrooms. Pour the marinade over the layered vegetables, cover with the lid and allow the pot to simmer for 2.5 hours without opening the lid or stirring the vegetables.

Just before serving, stir all of the vegetables together. If the marinade is too watery, mix a packet of mushroom or white onion soup with a half cup of warm water, pour this into the pot and stir together before allowing to simmer for a further 10 minutes to thicken.

Serve the potjie directly from the pot with a pot of white rice. The left overs keep well for up to three days in the refrigerator. It does not freeze well as the carrots and potatoes become soggy.

The DIY LifeTech & Electronics

The DIY LifeTech & Electronics

Pallet Candle Sconces

Original Article From Amanda Katherine

Repair A Carpet Cigarette Burn

Using Pebbles To Upscale Your Garden

Change A Car Tyre

Reclaimed Whiskey Barrel Coffee Table

What You Will Need To Build A Whiskey Barrel Table

How To Build A Whiskey Barrel Table

Optional: You could add a hinge to the table top and use the space in the barrel for storage.

6 Easy DIY Shelf Ideas

Change Your Vehicle’s Motor Oil

Fix A Leaking Shower Head, Stop Dripping & Spraying

What You Will Need To Fix A Leaking Shower Head

How To Fix A Leaking Shower Head

Easy Roast Chicken

Chicken Potjie

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