Where can I find a basic and fairly comprehensive run-down of, quite literally, the nuts, bolts, screws, seals, bearings, washers and so on of practical mechanics? [more inside]
posted by invitapriore on Dec 5, 2009 - 16 answers

I live in a mobile home, and I went to change out the shower arm and head in our bathroom, and I ran into some trouble. [more inside]
posted by joshuaconner on Dec 4, 2009 - 8 answers

Best way to go about fixing a viola nick. [more inside]
posted by spacefire on Sep 6, 2009 - 9 answers

I've bought a frankenstein bicycle and want to fix it up. Need help with identification and suggestions. [more inside]
posted by monocultured on Jul 6, 2009 - 9 answers

I can't repair our icemaker because nothing seems to be wrong with it, with the glaring exception that it does not make any ice. [more inside]
posted by odinsdream on Jul 2, 2009 - 4 answers

Currently in my 2005 Chevy Malibu the driver seat frame is cracked. Underneath the seat I can see a metal bar going across (not IN the seat but under) and it has a huge crack/hole and the other piece is hanging off. This causes my seat to tilt back some and rock. I know eventually when that breaks completely my seat will forever tilt back. Is there a way I can fix this by DIY? [more inside]
posted by dolemite01 on May 6, 2009 - 7 answers

Can anyone recommend a good source for Honda automotive parts (online or near Boston)? [more inside]
posted by Krrrlson on Apr 9, 2009 - 4 answers

The oven portion of our gas range went from being fine to dead inside. Made baked potatoes one night, next night I turned it on and it wouldn't heat up at all. The burners still work fine. I reviewed some literature about repairing it myself, but I'm trying to decide if it's a good idea. [more inside]
posted by Mayor Curley on Mar 23, 2009 - 12 answers

I'm restoring an upright piano and need a good online source for parts. [more inside]
posted by Benjy on Feb 25, 2009 - 3 answers

What do you wish you had done to your new house before you moved in? [more inside]
posted by robocop is bleeding on Feb 18, 2009 - 52 answers

Is it possible to fix a power cord without replacing the plug? [more inside]
posted by backseatpilot on Dec 2, 2008 - 9 answers

I pulled out an AC/heat vent on my 2005 Kia Spectra 5 and now I can't get it to go back in. Help me either figure out how to get it back in, or at least ID the parts I'm looking at to help focus my Googling. [more inside]
posted by frankdrebin on Nov 12, 2008 - 4 answers

How can I mend small holes in my sweater? [more inside]
posted by katala on Jul 22, 2008 - 7 answers

Hand sanitizer stained (really, lightened) my antique furniture. Is there a remedy? [more inside]
posted by wheat on Jul 12, 2008 - 2 answers

Help me diagnose repeated failure of my lighting dimmers. [more inside]
posted by jon1270 on Jun 26, 2008 - 20 answers

What's the best home-repair / fixit manual for someone with little-to-no experience in such matters? Also, web sites and / or blogs in the same vein? [more inside]
posted by dersins on Apr 25, 2008 - 19 answers

My trusty Krups coffee excretor gave up the ghost, but would be easily repairable if ONLY I could find a source for the blown thermal fuse. Any idea where I could find one, AskMeFi? [more inside]
posted by FauxScot on Apr 17, 2008 - 11 answers

About 10 years ago, I bought a pair of Bose 301 Series 2 speakers. They've now been through a number of moves and they're sounding not-as-good. I'm not sure how to define the difference--they sound muddier, and less three-dimensional. I pulled off the front grill and didn't see any visible damage. How can I determine the cause, and then repair it? [more inside]
posted by yankeefog on Jan 10, 2008 - 11 answers

How Much to Replace Copper Gas Lines in a small house? [more inside]
posted by slowtree on Aug 7, 2007 - 14 answers

What's the Dr. Spock of home repair and renovation? [more inside]
posted by condour75 on Jul 31, 2007 - 11 answers

Anyone have experience with DIY car dent repair? [more inside]
posted by dan g. on Jul 30, 2007 - 10 answers

Dryer repair question for the DIY'ers or other mechaincally-inclined people [more inside]
posted by Raichle on Mar 14, 2007 - 15 answers

We decided to replace an ugly old chandelier today. After turning off the breaker and taking off the chandelier, I noticed there are black, red, white and green wires. The house is circa 1968. From what I can tell there used to be a fan/light. So I hooked up our flourescent dome by matching the wire colors and capping the red wire. Unfortunately, it didn't work. [more inside]
posted by mecran01 on Dec 25, 2006 - 14 answers

I dropped my TV a few times, and now the color is messed up in a few spots. Is there anything to be done? [more inside]
posted by Afroblanco on Sep 23, 2006 - 6 answers

Does anyone know how to put more memory in an HP Laserjet 4700? There is an access panel on the rear right-hand side, and four screws holding in two slot covers labeled EIO, I believe. I downloaded the service manuals but nothing in there I could use. I can pay someone to do a service call but it seems like it should be something I could do myself.
posted by mecran01 on Sep 21, 2006 - 6 answers

Our water heater pilot light won't stay lit. Is it time to call a repair man? [more inside]
posted by MrMoonPie on Sep 20, 2006 - 9 answers

Walkman repair help needed. [more inside]
posted by baklavabaklava on Sep 5, 2006 - 3 answers

The dashboard light on my '96 Toyota Corolla went out. Just like that. Poof! [more inside]
posted by brina on Aug 15, 2006 - 13 answers

Help me replace the driver's side headlight on my 1996 Toyota Corolla! [more inside]
posted by brina on Apr 28, 2006 - 10 answers

My bathtub/shower faucet has developed a loud, annoying screech when the temperature is above medium. How can this be fixed? [more inside]
posted by Zonker on Feb 22, 2006 - 10 answers

Mechanics: I've got a 1964 chevy bel air which is my daily driver that needs some work. I'd like to do it myself, but I'm sorta a car newbie. What online communities and resources will be useful to me? Do you have any specific anecdotes, tips and tricks for working on old cars? [more inside]
posted by fishfucker on Dec 7, 2005 - 25 answers

mcyfilter: Does the choke on a motorcycle affect the compression ratio of a cylinder? [more inside]
posted by youthenrage on Nov 1, 2005 - 8 answers

What might cause a hot water boiler's pilot light to repeatedly go out? We've replaced the thermocouple, inspected the pilot assembly, and had the boiler cleaned. Twice. [more inside]
posted by zogbie on Aug 17, 2005 - 6 answers

Can anyone recommend any frequently-updating blogs that cater to first time home owners/buyers, mostly geared towards DIY repairs and upgrades? [more inside]
posted by nitsuj on Mar 11, 2005 - 6 answers

I have older windows in my home that weren't taken care of properly (layers upon layers of paint, some don't open, broken weights, etc). Window replacement is about a year off, and I'm trying to get my rental unit up to snuff. Is there some good how-to repair advice anyone has come accross for old windows? I have a couple of fix-it books but they only have cursory info and concentrate more on installing new windows.
posted by sharksandwich on Oct 11, 2004 - 9 answers

BodyShopFilter: I managed to put a big ol' dent in the fender of my 88 Saab. I'm not too upset (anymore) about the dent, but it did put a bulge in the track that my hood runs along. I want to pound the dent out. How do I do it? Do I need a special hammer? Any precautions/tips/tricks? Should I just pay the autobody guy to do it right?
posted by daver on Jun 7, 2004 - 5 answers