H7

Al & Kelly Carrell

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Let's cut to the chase! If you are looking for a quick and easy way to cut tape or string at your workbench, you'll love this simple idea. Take the tear strip off a box of aluminum foil or plastic wrap before throwing away the box. Then you can tack it to the side of your workbench or a shelf in your garage. Put it just above the edge, and you will have a super-simple place to cut your tape and string. It works great and will save you the trouble of having to chase down a pair of scissors or a knife when you are trying to find one.

Dear Carrells: We try to keep the grandkids as often as we can. It's so much fun, and it keeps us young! They eat a lot of frozen pops, and I save the sticks. At first, they were playing with them and building things with glue. Now, I have started saving some for my workshop. They are really great for stirring paint and putty. I just keep a few in the drawer for whenever I need one.

-- R.Z.

A SUPER HINT -- To check for a gas leak in a joint, spray the joint with soapy water. If there is a leak, it will create lots of bubbles on the joint. If you are unsure or smell gas, don't take any chances -- shut off the gas supply and call a pro.

Dear Al: Here is a rather unorthodox idea I had to get rid of the squirrels that get into my potted plants on the patio: I sprayed the area with cheap cologne. They don't like it much and seem to stay away. I spray it every few days, and they haven't been back since I started doing it. I'm hoping they will get in the habit of going somewhere else so I can eventually stop. I don't like the smell much either, but it does work.

-- H.C.

Q: I bought an old painting from an estate sale and would like to try to clean it up and maybe restore it a little bit. What tools and cleaners can I use on the oil that won't ruin it?

-- H.F.

A: Check an art supply store or oil paint dealer. They have a variety of cleaners you can use that won't ruin the oil. Oil Painting Restorer by Grumbacher is one we have used, but there are others. Always test it in a small corner just in case it creates a problem.

Dear Kelly: I have a small window in my shower, and I never could figure out what to put up there to block the view. I tried several things, but nothing really worked. I bought a new shower curtain and decided to cut up the old one and make a small curtain out of that. It's perfect. It fits on a plain tension rod and will never rot or mildew, like others I have used.

-- K.L.

SHOPTALK -- ODL Add-On Blinds and Shades are the answer to a lot of privacy issues for homeowners. They are easy to install on most standard doors and, once secured, won't swing when the doors are opened and closed. The shades are sealed between two panes of insulated glass but still operate to allow for opening and closing them.

The insulated glass keeps them energy-efficient. The design also means less dusting and cleaning. Look for them at hardware stores and home centres, or online at www.ODL.com. They are available in white only, but come in several different sizes and are covered by a five-year warranty.

* Got a question or a handy tip? Visit our website at www.thesuperhandyman.com. Those of general interest will be used in future columns.