Chemists, Engineers, Tinkerers, and Adhesion experts of MeFi: Is there some sticky substance I can put in these metal ball+plates joints that will do the opposite of lubricating them -- increasing the friction between the surfaces? This is for a slightly nicer (chrome) version of this lamp that I just got (new in box) at a flea market. [more inside]
posted by amtho on Jan 7, 2012 - 16 answers

The song is The Tighten Up and the band is Archie Bell & the Drells, but the dance????? This song is the bomb and I know there was an associated dance, but after a fair amount of internet research, I've got nothing. [more inside]
posted by killerinsideme on Feb 17, 2011 - 14 answers

I'm seeking to write a shell script (probably using sed) that will be given some text and will abbreviate it for me. I've no need to reinvent the wheel, if such a shell script already exists. More inside. [more inside]
posted by WCityMike on Jul 26, 2010 - 6 answers

Is there a kind of tightening/unstretching solution for leather shoes without causing damage to them? [more inside]
posted by angryjellybean on Feb 9, 2007 - 8 answers

Can someone explain the seemingly common phenomenon that your throat feels weird when you eat rice too quickly? [more inside]
posted by beammeup4 on Jul 14, 2006 - 19 answers

I need to tighten the connection my mini-firewire cable makes in the jack to stop it from falling out. Unobtrusive suggestions favored; at least one duct tape-based solution expected. [more inside]
posted by electric_counterpoint on Feb 16, 2006 - 6 answers