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Stuck at half-mast
Telescoping antenna masts are almost extinct, but if you have one, it will eventually need to be fixed. By Ben Wojdyla Electric-powered, self-extending antenna masts used to be a telltale sign of a...
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How to put wheels on your mitre saw
Randy Dean runs a tight workshop in his home in Ignace, a town of 1 700 people – many of them loggers – in Ontario, Canada. Dean’s work space is well outfitted for everything from welding to...
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The recycler: patio-umbrella stand
Popular Mechanics reader Ted Abt found a good use for PVC pipe and a 20-litre plastic bucket left over from a remodelling job. How to make it Dump most of a 40 kg bag of concrete into the bucket, add...
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2012 DIY Handbook
Much as it pains us to admit it, there are still Popular Mechanics readers out there whose eyes glaze over when it comes to the DIY stuff. Dodgy grammar notwithstanding, we have to say it: this is...
View ArticleBrew it yourself
I love the coffee from my Russell Hobbs Uno Uno coffee maker, but find it impossible to locate a local supplier for the pods it requires. So instead, I’ve made my own, and they work like a charm. You...
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How to fix a dodgy sunroof
Q The tilting glass sunroof in my car has been getting fussy lately. Sometimes it initially won’t close, but finally does after a few tries, and it’s making some bizarre popping and scraping sounds....
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The joy of soldering
Master the melting, flexing and gluing powers of solder to build your own electronics. 1 The basics For hobbyists who want to create their own electronics from scratch, there comes a time in every...
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DIY Adventure
Set up a slackline in your campsite or yard – and jump into an addictive balance tune-up. Slacklining started in the late 1970s as a rainy-day pastime for rock climbers in California’s Yosemite...
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Early Adopter: Knock Hockey Table
Ice hockey may be a minority sport in South Africa, but that’s no reason not to use its principles – slick surface, skill at speed, skidding puck and swift reflexes – for a board game that certainly...
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Re-seal your leaking freezer door
Help! My freezer door doesn’t seal properly, even though it’s only a couple of years old. After the rubber seal came loose we tried glueing it back in place, but it keeps popping out. Can I get a...
View ArticleWinning tip: Breathe new life into your old appliances
Here’s a tip for those who like to use parts from old or broken tools and appliances to breathe new life into something else. A while back, my BBQ blower broke – no biggie, considering that they’re...
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One-day project: Pipe chime
A simple assemblage of pipe, twine, screws and timber uses ancient Greek geometry and the pentatonic scale to coax a sweet song from a gentle breeze. By William Gurstell 1. Gather materials: Round...
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Changing the differential oil
You change engine oil every few thousand kilometres, but have you ever even looked at your differential? BY BEN WOJDYLA Changing the differential oil – it’s one of the most overlooked maintenance...
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Build a coffee table with recessed tray
Treat your guests to a tray laid with delicacies – then remove it from sight in your new coffee table. There’s no easier way to show that you are a thoughtful and original host. All joints, both in...
View ArticleSave your umbrella ribs from damage
My wife liked to keep her umbrella in the car, but each time something heavy was placed on top of it, the ribs would bend, with the result that I had to buy a new umbrella every other month. Then, one...
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Bear Grylls, eat your heart out: All-in-one camping tool
This is my take on an all-in-one camping tool (hammer, axe, wood saw and tent peg remover). I made it from an old 2-pound (0,9 kg) hammer and axe blade, welding on the attachment for the saw blade. I...
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Springclean your car
Okay, before you remind us that winter has arrived, we should point out that the ritual of “springcleaning” need not be related to a particular season: it’s not as if we’re urging you to don Bermuda...
View ArticleFix the plumbing with tights
I am a plumber by trade and have learned many tips and tricks over the years, but this one is the best by far. If you want to get rid of a horrible smell from the drain outside your kitchen, your...
View ArticleAll stuck up: Glue issues
It’s happened to me, and I’m sure to lots of other people as well: you apply glue to whatever you’re assembling, fit the pieces together and then try to clamp the whole thing until the glue sets. It’s...
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How to fix a dodgy dryer duct
Q: Our dryer duct stretches across the length of our garage. It collects a lot of lint, which then traps condensation that leaks out through the duct’s seams. It’s a mess. What should I do? A: Your...
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