H5

Al & Kelly Carrell

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Wouldn't it be nice if, when you needed to add oil to your lawn mower or some other piece of equipment, the oil port would be right on top, where it was easy to get to? So many times, that's just not the case. But you can handle it.

Just put your oil into a sports bottle with a long straw on the top. That way, you can position the straw in the right place, no matter how odd the angle, to get the oil into the right place.

And since that bottle will be hard to clean up for drinking out of again, just label it and keep it handy to use in the shop when the need arises.

Dear Carrells: I ran across this incredible paint that can turn a wall or any other surface into a chalkboard.

It's even called chalkboard paint. You can spray or brush it on, and it's great for the shop or for your kids' rooms. I painted an old coffee table with the paint to put in the game room for the kids to play on. It's so nice to have them playing right here with us when the game is on, and they really like playing on it, too.

You can even use regular, inexpensive chalk on it. It's great. I got my paint at the hardware store, but I've seen it at the home center too.

-- B.G.

A SUPER HINT -- Clean a rusty saw blade with petroleum jelly. Put a thin layer on, let it sit overnight and wipe it off in the morning. It's a great way to lubricate the blades too.

Dear Al: I finally got tired of all the dust and dirt in my workshop drawers, and decided to clean them up. After all, I have nice tools, and they really need to be kept cleaner. I put a piece of window screen over the end of my vacuum hose and started vacuuming the drawers and cabinets out. The screen blocked the tools and hardware from being sucked up, but it did get most of the dust and debris out of the way.

-- N.J.

Q: I am going to need to re-shingle my roof, and am wondering if it makes a difference which colour I use in regard to blocking some of the heat in the summer. What is your opinion?

-- R.J.

A: It stands to reason that a light-colored shingle would reflect some of the heat.

But you also should consider the type of shingle used. Some shingles are better-insulated than others, and they would make more of a difference than the colour of the shingle.

Dear Kelly: I visited the Caribbean this summer and fell in love with the house I stayed in.

The steps were covered with tiles, and I came home and re-created them at my house. I used concrete paint to paint some "tiles" on the steps and front porch. I coated it all with clear epoxy paint to protect it too. It looks SUPER!

-- L.R.

SHOPTALK -- Bosch's new PS50 Multi-X is a super multipurpose oscillating tool that can help you tackle a wide variety of chores. The 12-volt Max Litheon battery platform provides the power and also can be used with the PS10 I-Driver, PS40 Impactor and the rest of the line. It can cut, grind, sand and a whole lot more simply by switching accessories. If you are in the market for a multitool, you should take a close look at this handy helper. It's available at hardware stores and home centers where Bosch tools are sold. If you would like to learn more or find a nearby dealer, visit the company's Web site, www.boschtools.com.

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