How To Fix a Loose Screw

In a bind and need to learn how to fix a loose screw quick? Whether you're trying to repair door hinge screws or just a loose board, this little trick will fix a stripped screw in a hurry.



First, you'll need to remove the loose screw, which shouldn't be much of a problem if it's really loose from waiting so long to repair it. Next you need to find something to wedge down into the worn hole. This can be anything from a broken match stick to a plastic cable tie. Even a few strands of copper wire will help the screw catch when you go to fix the screw hole. Whatever material you choose to use, just jam it down into the worn hole as much as you can. Then squirt a dab of glue down in there too. Now you can grab your screwdriver and force that screw back into the hole for a secure hold. And there you have it. No more running to the hardware store to fix a loose screw ever again.

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How To Make Hypertufa | Hypertufa Recipe

Learning how to make Hypertufa projects can be some serious fun! There are an assortment of Hypertufa recipes, but the recipe or instructions I'll be explaining how to mix here is the least complicated. Now some of you at this point may be asking, what is Hypertufa, exactly? Well, in its simplified form, it's a mixture of Portland cement, peat & perlite and water. What can you do with Hypertufa? You can make whatever you can envision. Most folks make garden pots from simple molds. Or you could make sophisticated rocks and stones, ornate garden fountains. You can even build outdoor garden furniture if you have enough time and material! So, let's move on to the recipe for Hypertufa...

Hypertufa Recipe

1 part Portland cement
1½ part peat
1½ part perlite
Dust Mask
Rubber Gloves

You'll find the best way to mix Hypertufa is in a wheelbarrow if you have one available. Or you can also purchase the cheap black tubs available from hardware stores used for mixing mortar and cement. Before starting, wear your dust mask to protect your lungs. Cement and perlite dust are both harmful when inhaled. Mix the dry ingredients in whatever you have available. Once you're done mixing the dry ingredients for the Hypertufa recipe, you can then start slowly adding water to the mix. There is no set amount of water to mix as moisture content present in the dry ingredients will vary considerably from batch to batch. You want a moist, but not soaking wet mixture. Somewhat like wet mortar. Now you should be all set to make your Hypertufa projects. Make sure when you handle the wet Hypertufa, that you wear rubber gloves to protect your hands. Don't know where to go from here? For starters, try learning how to make a Hypertufa trough.

Related - How To Mix Concrete

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How To Find Firefox Password File | Bookmarks File for Backup

In case you ever find yourself in a situation where your computer crashes or the hard drive is corrupted you can restore your Firefox password file and your Firefox bookmarks file in a few simple steps if you go ahead and back them up now. Even if your hard drive fails you may still be able to retrieve some information by adding the hard drive as a slave drive if you're comfortable enough messing with computers. I found myself in the unfortunate situation of a hard drive failure and was able to retrieve most of my files from my old hard drive, including my Firefox bookmarks and passwords files. There's honestly no need to lay down a Benjamin Franklin for the Geek Squad to retrieve your files for you. I now have a Windows Vista, so this information is really intended only for Vista users. Below you'll find the steps to find your Firefox password and bookmarks files for backing up now, before something inevitably happens to your computer.

• Open "Control Panel"



• Double Click "Folder Options"



• Click on the "View" Tab



• Select "Show Hidden Files and Folders"



• Click "Apply"



• Double Click "Computer" or "My Computer?"



• Double "Click OS (C:)"



• Double Click "Users" File



• Double Click the user that you want to retrieve the Firefox password file for



• Double Click the "AppData" folder



• Double Click the "Roaming" folder



• Double Click the "Mozilla" folder



• Double Click the "Firefox" folder



• Double Click the "Profiles" folder



• Double Click the "XXXXXXXX.default" folder

You'll find your current bookmarks.html file here, which you can copy and paste for transfer onto a cd for backup in case of computer or OS crash.

For backing up your password file, you'll actually want to copy the key3.txt file, and the signons3.db file (note these files may end with a 2 (ex. signons2.txt) if you are using an earlier version of Firefox that hasn't been updated. Save these on a crash CD so if you ever have to factory restore your computer or have to resort to buying a new computer you can just replace the files (through this same procedure) when you reinstall Firefox. Be sure to return to the folder options once you're done to "Do not show hidden files and folders" and "Apply". If I've omitted any steps, please feel free to let me know.

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How To Make Pancakes Like IHOP - Pancake Recipe

Ever wanted to make pancakes like IHOP® pancakes? Now you can! If you've never tried IHOP® pancakes, you don't know what you've been missing out on. This easy pancake recipe takes about a half hour to make, from the bowl to your plate.



Pancakes Like IHOP® Recipe

• 1 - Cup Flour (All-Purpose)



• 1 1/4 - Teaspoon Baking Powder



• 1 - Teaspoon Baking Soda



• 1 - Cup Buttermilk



• 1/4 - Cup Sugar



• 1 - Large Egg



• 1/4 Cup Vegetable Oil

Mix all of your dry ingredients thoroughly. Add the buttermilk, oil and egg. Whisk all ingredients until thoroughly blended. Heat a skillet on medium. Using a coffee cup, pour a small portion of the pancake batter into the skillet to form your pancakes. (I like my pancakes about 6 inches wide.) Once the edges begin to brown, gently flip the pancakes. Finish cooking until nice and golden brown on both sides. Makes about 4 servings. Just add butter and syrup. Enjoy your delicious treat of pancakes like IHOP®!

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How To Hide Blemishes - Secret

You can honestly learn how to hide blemishes once and for all...but it's a secret and you have to promise not to tell another soul. Promise? OK. As a kid, I grew up with acne. Not bad acne, mind you. I probably made my acne worse by worrying over it so much. Washing my face over and over again. Trying every new acne treatment that came out. Benzoyl Peroxide - Retin-A The list of tried treatments goes on and on. In the end, my main concern was to conceal my blemishes when I went out in public. Then one day, as a kid starving for information, I was reading a magazine. I won't name the magazine for fear that my mother ever reads my blog, but I found the secret for hiding blemishes and I've been using it ever since. What is the big secret, you ask? Remember, you promised you wouldn't tell... Visine.

How does Visine hide blemishes? Simply apply a drop to your index finger, then apply that drop to your blemish. Let it evaporate on your skin. When it's gone, so too should be your blemish. Sometimes it takes another application over the first to really hide your blemish, but it does work. I can't count how many times over the years that this blemish treatment has saved the day. Who ever thought Visine would be a life-saver? Just remember, we have to keep this secret to hiding blemishes to ourselves. OK?

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How To Make Buttermilk Substitute Recipe

So, you need to learn to make a buttermilk substitute in a pinch for a recipe? This buttermilk substitute will get you back to cooking so you don't have to go running to the grocery. Simply grab one cup of milk and a tablespoon of either vinegar or lemon juice. Add either the vinegar or lemon juice to the milk and let sit for about 10 minutes. That's it! Now you're all set to use this easy buttermilk substitute to any recipe that calls for buttermilk.

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How To Use Newspaper for Mulch

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. That's what many of us try to do to make a light footprint on mother earth. If you buy and read a newspaper, whether daily or even just once weekly, you can reuse them in your garden as a mulch to keep down weeds. Newspapers are best used under another natural mulch when used in garden beds. Not only are they somewhat unsightly when used alone, but they can also blow all over the homestead if they are allowed to become dry during the growing season. Newspaper is good at holding in moisture during dry periods when used under a natural mulch. When using newspaper as a mulch, use about three or four layers over the soil being sure to overlap the edges about 5-6 inches to keep weeds from poking through. After laying out the newspaper spray it down well with a garden hose and then cover with your natural mulch.

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How To Test Soil pH

You can learn how to test your soil pH by following these simple instructions. Take a trip to your local garden center. Purchase a soil ph test kit. To analyze your garden soil pH simply follow the directions on the test kit package. Most of these kits are very easy to use. The majority of vegetable plants and flowers grow best in a slightly acidic garden soil with a pH of around 6.5. Some plants such as blueberries and rhododendrons require a slightly more acidic soil. Once you find out what your pH level is you can adjust your soil pH by adding the appropriate amendments.

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How To Fix a Garden Hose Pinhole Leak

Ever have a garden hose spring a leak at the peak of your garden season? Well now you can fix that pinhole leak in your garden hose with two, yes just two, pieces of material that most folks have stashed away in either a drawer or their garage. There's no need to make plans to go to the garden center to pick up another hose, especially if money is tight. Just locate a small hose clamp and a small piece of rubber (like a piece from an old bike inner tube). Or a tire patch would even work. Dry the garden hose off and place the piece of rubber over the pinhole and then place the hose clamp over the rubber. Tighten the hose clamp. Now just test your hose fix by turning on the water and making sure the garden hose doesn't leak. Now you can get back to gardening and make plans to buy a garden hose when you have the cash available.

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How To Remove Pine Tree Sap from Clothes

If you've ever been unfortunate enough to get pine tree sap on your clothes then you know how hard it is to remove. That is until you know the secret to removing pine tree sap from clothes. Shhh... Don't tell anyone now. It's simply rubbing alcohol. Just dab some rubbing alcohol onto the tree sap stain, throw the piece of clothing into the washer and watch the sap magically disappear. Now, next time you find yourself with pine tree sap on your clothing you'll know to reach for the rubbing alcohol. The rubbing alcohol will also remove pine tree sap from your hands!

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