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iOS 17 Tips, Tricks, How-Tos, News

Shortcut: Drill Powered Pencil Sharpener

As someone who keeps an electric drill in the same 5 foot proximity of a manual wall pencil sharpener, here's a clear cut case of "Why didn't they think of this sooner?!"... Introducing, the coolest drill bit ever: Wowee, just watch it go. The C.H. Hanson Pro-Sharp Finishing Pencil Carpenter proclaims itself as the "world’s first chuckable drill powered pencil sharpener”. It promises to produce "a fast, consistent pencil point every time” and universally fits any drill or 1/4" quick change sy...

How To: Use a power drill to unlock a lock

Some locks are easier to drill through than to try and pick, especially if you need to get through them in a hurry! You will need one large power drill and an assortment of drill bits to be able to use this method. First, drill a 1/8 inch pilot hole just above the keyhole. Then follow through with a 1/4 inch or larger drill. After just a minute or so of drilling, you should be able to get through the lock!

How To: Get past a mortice lock with a drill

This lock can certainly be picked, but what if you don't know how, or you don't have anything on hand that can serve as a good lock pick? That's what this video is here for! It will show you how you can drill out the stump of a mortice lock, allowing you to get past the lock entirely. It is not a difficult procedure, and all you really need is a power drill with the appropriate bits, and maybe a template showing you where to drill.

News: Build Your Own Civilization with the Global Village Construction Set

If it takes a village to raise a child, you can imagine what it takes to raise a village! In brief: a whole lot! Thanks to the folks behind the Open Source Ecology movement, however, starting your own self-sufficient community has never been easier! Taking free software as a model, the group is working on what they call the Global Village Construction Set—"a fully integrated [and freely reproducible] set of machines for creating a self-sufficient modern life from the resources of a small amou...

How To: Refill an extended reach camping Bic lighter

This video shows you how to take an extended reach Bic lighter (the kind you would use to light a camping stove, charcoal or something similar) and add more lighter fluid to extend it's life. As long as the spark is still good, you can refill your lighter, and this tutorial shows you how to take apart your extended reach lighter and replace the drained lighter. You will need a flathead screwdriver, and maybe a bit of glue to seal everything back up.

How To: Change the oil and spark plugs on an MTV snowblower

It's still pretty snowy out there, thanks to winter's desperate need for attention. But thankfully you've ditched the snow shovel and got yourself a snowblower to help you remove all that blizzard snow from your sidewalks. Unfortunately, like all snowblowers, you'll eventually have to perform an oil change. But no worries, if you have an MTV snowblower, then this video will help you change both the oil and the spark plug in your engine. Plus, see how to gap your spark plug. This also is handy...

How To: Attach automatic sprinkler valves

Check out this video tutorial to see how to attach automatic sprinkler valves. These tips on installing your own automatic sprinkler valves from Sprinkler Daddy will help your lawn turn into luxurious green grass, preventing any further landscaping needs. A little bit of water is all it takes.

How To: Better install automatic sprinkler systems

Sprinkler Daddy's Sean Stefan explains automatic sprinkler systems in a nutshell. You'll see how to better install automatic sprinkler systems with a little sprinkler knowledge. It's a lot easier to envision yourself installing your own underground sprinkler system if you know basically what's involved. So, to make your landscaping needs less in the future, and your grass beautiful and greener than ever before, just watch this educational piece.

How To: Wire automatic sprinkler valves

This video tutorial will show you how to wire automatic sprinkler valves for the health of your green grass lawn. Attach wire to the sprinkler valves and run it to the automatic sprinkler timer. That's it. You don't need to be an electrician or a plumber to accomplish this sprinkler step. Just get some wire strippers and do your own electrical work.

How To: Maintain an edge on your woodcarving knife

The first step needed to maintain an edge on your woodcarving knife is to test the knife each time before use. One sign of a woodcarving knife becoming dull is for the cuts to come off in small splinters instead of curled shavings. One of the easiest ways to sharpen your knife is to hold it at a 20 degree angle on your sharping belt and push away from your person. You must repeat the rolling motion shown in the video around ten to twelve times before retesting for sharpness. This step can be ...

How To: Read a tape measure like a professional

In this tutorial, we learn how to read a tape measure like a professional. Rulers are awkward and you can't measure something over 13 inches with them. A retractable tape measure will measure as long as you would like and it has different markings on it. It has an inch, half inch, and goes on and on. The smallest is 3 32nd's of an inch. As you become more familiar with measuring the tape measure, you will take more accurate measurements for the projects you're working on. When finished learni...

How To: Strop on a stropping block

In this video, we learn how to strop on a stropping block. There are two layers to the strop and they measure different lengths. On the bottom you should put two mouse pads to make sure it stays put. Now, charge the strop with a stropping compound and rubbing it against the grain until it flakes off. Next, gauge the angle of your knife and place the blade against the strop. Push against the edge of the blade and work from the top to the bottom in a long and slow arch. This is all there is to ...

How To: Repair your lawn mower's pull starter with silicone spray

You're trying to mow your lawn, but the engine on your pull-string push mower isn't turning over— why won't it power up? Well, if your lawn mower was stored outdoors for a large amount of time, chances are that the recoil has built up some corrosion or is simply sticking. This video will show you a very simple repair, where you only need to remove 2 or 3 screws to gain access to the mechanism, then grease with silicone spray.

How To: Remove and replace a drill press chuck

Like any machine, a drill press chuck is prone to wear and tear and with repetitive usage some parts can become unaligned. If you are going to remove a drill press chuck, keep in mind that also with any machine you work with, you'll want to clean off any gunk that accumulates so you have a properly working machine.

How To: Use the Bosch PMF 180E multi-purpose saw and sander

In this tutorial, we learn how to use the Bosch PMF 180E multi-purpose saw and sander. First, lock the blade into the saw and then place the screw in using a screwdriver. After this, you will be able to use the saw to cut out what you need to on your type of material. Make sure it's plugged in and you have safety gloves on while you're doing this. To change the blade, wear your gloves and unplug the machine. Remove the bolt to get the blade out and then replace it with the blade that you need...

How To: Use a table saw with Skil & Lowe's

In this video we learn how to use a table saw with Skil & Lowe's. The rip cut and the cross cut are two cuts that are most useful. A rip cut goes with the grain of the board to cut it to width. The cross cut goes against the grain and cuts it to length. First, position the board next to the blade and then raise the blade. The blade should be just above where the board is at. Slide the rip ends over to the dimensions you want and then lock it down. Put your safety glasses on, then turn on the ...