I found
this coffee table on Craigslist for $15. While structurally it's pretty sound, the previous owners painted it; it looks like they may have just spray painted the poor thing without a drop of primer or sealant, because the top is chipping (see photos). Not ever one to leave passable alone, I decided that I had to repaint it. I've read as many furniture painting tutorials as I could get my hands on - the best seemed to be
DIY on the Cheap,
Young House Love,
Centsational Girl, and
Mouse House - and I still have a few questions for you guys.
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posted by Devika
on Apr 25, 2013 -
10 answers
It looks
thusly. My issue is that, despite the fact that it was originally barely taped down at all, I am unable to successfully,
reliably reattach it using the same method. ("it" in this case being the printed black strips on the left). I am reasonably sure that lack-of-contact is my problem, because if I physically hold the cable to the board, it will reliably work when I push a button.
Best I can do is that sometimes, after putting it all back together for the Nth time, one button will work. Maybe other buttons on its side will work, maybe not. Maybe it'll work for a few presses and then quit.
The cable looks fine, the board contacts look fine, no amount of scotch tape is helping me out here. How do I affix these suckers but good?
posted by curious nu
on Apr 19, 2013 -
7 answers
Help us figure out how to cover up or replace this god awful kitchen floor. We just purchased a farmhouse that was renovated in the mid 50s. The mudroom and kitchen have 9" asphalt tiles that are all coming up (so not level), and on top of that, the prior owner used these rooms as a kennel for his incontinent daschund.
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posted by checkitnice
on Feb 16, 2013 -
20 answers
I have an old (30+ years) pair of speakers, and the foam rubber surrounding the woofers is cracking and falling off. Numerous DIY websites explain how to replace this foam, but none seem to answer the most important question: why would you bother doing this? The speakers still make sound.
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posted by wondercow
on Jan 27, 2013 -
3 answers
Is it possible to make a pop-up card without the pixellated look? I have searched Google to no avail.
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posted by luciddream928
on Dec 15, 2012 -
4 answers
[geometryfilter] I have to assemble a tiered cake stand to hold cupcakes at a wedding tomorrow. The tiers and the styrofoam thingies that will separate the tiers are all circular. How do I make sure that I get each tier centered properly on the next?
posted by undue influence
on Dec 13, 2012 -
5 answers
Is it possible to roast an already roasted coffee a little bit darker in the oven on a baking sheet?
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posted by roboton666
on Dec 4, 2012 -
8 answers
Help me find a straightforward 1-2 weekend DIY outdoor rabbit hutch plan. It's a Christmas present for my sister, who is 12 and not necessarily the most responsible. More (ranty) details inside.
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posted by ethidda
on Nov 30, 2012 -
26 answers
DIY Dresser Knobs?: Is there some way we can avoid spending $30 on what was meant to be a free to very low cost project?
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posted by dysh
on Sep 14, 2012 -
21 answers
What is the best method for making my own flannel or felt story board and story pieces?
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posted by lirael2008
on Aug 12, 2012 -
8 answers
If I got someone else (in the UK) to assemble my computer from the various components I've bought, how much should I expect to pay?
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posted by mr_silver
on Aug 7, 2012 -
9 answers
Bought a piece of art (yay!) at a festival, and it got slightly damaged before I could get it home (boo!). It's a print on foamcore, 9x12", with no framing, and now it has a single, not-quite-straight crease across the back. No damage is visible from the front, except that the surface isn't flat. What's my best solution for flattening it out before framing?
posted by IAmBroom
on Jun 9, 2012 -
4 answers
Wacom Bamboo fun tablet has a scratch on touch surface - is there any way to fix it myself?
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posted by Faintdreams
on May 29, 2012 -
6 answers
How can I transform my super old vintage painted cast iron bed into a rad shiny metallic aged gold bed in the least painful/expensive way possible?
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posted by Sweetchrysanthemum
on May 16, 2012 -
4 answers
What kind of IC is
this? Picture shows a TO-220-3 IC with the label S9010, B5 and a manufacturer logo of a sort of stylized C. It is installed in the Q1 position so I assume it is a transistor.
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posted by KevCed
on May 12, 2012 -
7 answers
I am installing 2 remodel canister lights. Everything is wired up and ready to go except I can't get the clips to snap down.
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posted by rdurbin
on Dec 7, 2011 -
2 answers
Creativity filter - constructive use for many lengths of 42" long soft steel wire ( 0.086" diameter - approximately 12 gauge )
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posted by tronec
on Oct 16, 2011 -
6 answers
Do I cut the piping off a sofa when making a new cover? Please help me avert a diy-disaster!
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posted by motsque
on Oct 3, 2011 -
4 answers
It's getting to be That Time of Year again, and this time I'm geeking out well in advance with canning. I've got the techniques down, but I wouldn't be here if I didn't have questions, now would I? Specifically, I'm looking for recipes.
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posted by daikaisho
on Sep 18, 2011 -
14 answers
How hard is it to "sister" floor joists or is it something a reasonably skilled home handy man/woman could do without breaking the bank?
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posted by wwax
on Aug 25, 2011 -
6 answers
I want to put a sunroof in my 88 Ford F150. Other than leaks , what are some things I need to consider before cutting a hole in my roof ?
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posted by 70klicks
on Aug 3, 2011 -
8 answers
How do I replace a blown woofer in a
Spica TC-60 loudspeaker? The
datasheet is here. I am generally capable, but don't know anything about building/repairing speakers. Can I get away with replacing just the one? Is there any danger of damaging the crossover (whatever that is)? The very nice guy from
Madisound recommended a
ScanSpeak replacement but how do I know if it will fit and/or work properly? If I'm reading the datasheet correctly, the original seems to be 180mm in diameter, and the replacement he recommended 170mm - is this a good idea? How can I tell if there's anything else I should try? What, if anything, do I seem to be overlooking? Thank you!
posted by jcrcarter
on Aug 3, 2011 -
2 answers
I would like to hang a pullup bar in my basement. The best thing would be to hang it from the floor joists. Could I drill a hole in the joists to hang the bar, or do I need to use some sort of hanger?
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posted by OmieWise
on May 20, 2011 -
17 answers
What kind of sander should I get to sand a variety of household projects? This weekend, I’ll be sanding the untreated pine interior of some fixed cupboards and shelves, with lots of tight, awkward corners. I'll also be sanding back spakfilla on masonry walls where I’ve filled in nail holes. I’m sanding so I can paint. Later on (in a few months) I might sand down some wood furniture. I don’t think I’ll use the sander for any exterior work. What kind of sander should I get AskMe – and why?
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posted by t0astie
on May 19, 2011 -
8 answers
iPhone/Mobile Web Apps Filter: Is it possible to "mobilize" sites which won't/can't provide a smartphone friendly layout?
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posted by jnrussell
on May 11, 2011 -
5 answers
Are laptop keyboards really as easy to replace as the do-it-yourself articles make it sound?
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posted by amyms
on Mar 8, 2011 -
15 answers
Levenger Circa fans: If I buy a set of discs and a paper punch, will that be enough to build a Circa notebook with my own paper?
posted by jgwong
on Mar 4, 2011 -
8 answers
For a three month dating "anniversary" I'd like to create a bound book of all the text messages my girlfriend and I have sent back and forth.
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posted by talkingmuffin
on Mar 3, 2011 -
10 answers
I have a sink in my basement I would like to relocate. I would like to do this with a minimum amount of plumbing. I shall explain my intentions with a few pictures and way too many words inside.
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posted by bondcliff
on Feb 17, 2011 -
8 answers
I want to convert a wall switch into a door switch (for a wardrobe light). Is this easily feasible?
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posted by ddaavviidd
on Feb 16, 2011 -
5 answers
Suggestions for covering a god-awful Formica sink counter-top? I'm a renter, so the solution needs to be removable if I move.
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posted by amycup
on Feb 10, 2011 -
6 answers
