We’d like to thank Stacie Grissom for this fantastic guest project using Shoe GOO. You can find more projects from Stacie at Stars for Streetlights and check out her DIY Owl Purse project we recently shared here on the Eclectic blog. Continue reading →
All posts tagged repair
Repair, Don’t Replace: Holiday Ornaments
The holidays are upon us, and that means it’s time to pull last year’s decorations out of storage and take inventory. Somewhere between carefully wrapping ornaments and not-so-carefully putting away boxes in the garage, attic or basement, it seems that more than a few ornaments will end up damaged. Continue reading →
10 Amazing (GOOP) Automotive Repairs
Cars, trucks, and motorcycles are long term investments. After a hot summer of time on the road, it’s likely that your vehicle could use a little TLC. The good news is that a few do-it-yourself auto repairs can go a long way in restoring your vehicle and can save you time and money. Continue reading →
Repair, Don’t Replace: Broken Chair Legs
If you’ve ever checked out the curb on trash day, you have probably noticed how common it is to see broken wooden chairs awaiting their one-way trip to the local landfill. Too often, wooden chairs are thrown out when all they need is a quick fix. If you have a wooden chair with a broken leg, don’t replace it– learn how to repair it with EcoGlue Premium Wood Adhesive.
Loose Legs
Using chairs frequently can cause legs to become loose. It also happens over time because as wood ages and dries out, it shrinks. As a result, the joints between the parts of a chair can sometimes come loose. This problem can be repaired by forcing glue into the joints. It’s important to choose a high-performance wood glue such as EcoGlue Premium Wood adhesive that will form a strong bond and maintain flex strength, heat resistance and adhesive strength over time. Instead of replacing your favorite chair, follow these steps to repair a chair with loose legs:
- Examine joints to find any loose ones. Repair all joints at the same time.
- Separate each joint as much as possible to make it easily accessible.
- Clean off old glue from the ends of the chair legs and from the inside of the holes. (Use a scraper, chisel or knife if necessary.) Make sure to remove all old glue, because the new glue will not stick to it.
- Apply EcoGlue Premium Wood adhesive to both the tenon (the end of the leg or stretcher) and to the inside of the hole.
- Reassemble the parts using a rubber mallet or clamp if necessary.
- Hold the joint together, and drill a hole from the underside, slightly smaller in diameter than your wood screw at an angle to the joint.
- Drive in a screw longer than the diameter of the tenon part you are repairing. The screw will hold the joint until EcoGlue Premium Wood glue dries (initial bond forms in 30 minutes, 100% strength is reached in 24 hours) and prevent it from becoming loose again.
Check out this post from TLC for instructions to repair broken back rails, spindles, slats and other structural parts.
Remodeling a Staircase: Installation
Now that all the prep work is done, we can get started on the installation of new stair treads and railings. This part of the project, does take some time, but like we said before, it’s well worth it and you’re already half way there! Fore more information on this project visit DIY Network.
Materials:
Tools:
Step 1: Cut the Treads
Each tread will need to be slightly different in size. Measure each tread and cut it to size then install it using 2-1/4″ trim screws.
Step 2: Install the Treads
Start at the bottom and work your way up the steps so that you can add extra screws into treads from the back of the riser above it. Space the holes on the treads evenly since the wood filler will be visible after the steps are finished.
Step 3: Brace the Top Tread
Add a 2×4 brace between the stringers at the top step, which will give extra support for the final tread.
Step 4: Fill Screw Holes
Fill in all of the screw holes left in the treads with FAMOWOOD Wood Filler.
Step 5: Install the Hardwood Landing
Staple down 15-lb. roofing felt to the area. Install the nosing border (image 1) that’s cut at a 45-degree angle by pre-drilling the wood, and attach with 2-1/4″ trim screws. Since the nosing has a groove facing out, insert a spline (image 2) in order to create a tongue for the wood flooring to connect to. Use a rubber mallet and protective block to tap the hardwood planks into position, and then secure it in place using a pneumatic floor nailer. Stagger the planks as you work across the landing. The wall may prevent the use of the floor nailer on the last few rows, so use a regular nail gun with finishing nails in the edge of the boards. Rip cut floor boards for the last row and nail in place. Finish the landing’s new hardwood floor by filling the holes with FAMOWOOD Wood Filler.
Step 6: Install the Half-Newel Post
Pre-drill holes in the post and holes for toggle bolts in the wall. Insert screws for toggle bolts and attach toggles on the other side. Insert the toggles into the wall and tighten the screws
Step 7: Install the Newel Posts
Notch the newel post’s bottom to fit snugly around the step and secure it with lag bolts. Attach the bottom newel post goes in the same way.
Step 8: Cut Railing to Length
To mark the stair railing, hold it in place, resting along the stairs, and mark it for the angled cut.
Step 9: Install Balusters
Pre-drill the landing and treads for the balusters, using a special stair bit that drills the hole and then creates a thread to accept the baluster bolts. To prepare the balusters, drill out the center and insert the baluster bolts in the bottom. Screw the balusters into the floor.
Step 10: Attach the Railing
Attach the rail fasteners into the newel posts. Loosen the newel post and set the railing in place first by guiding it onto the rail fastener, and then by inserting the balusters into the holes in the railing. The angled portion of the railing may require removing the bottom newel post. Lining up all the balusters and holding the railing in place goes much easier with two people. Re-attach the newel post and tighten up the rail fastener.
Step 11: Install Moldings
To complete the project, install the new base moldings all around the stairs and landing.
Oldies But Goodies
As you know, each week we do our best to bring you a new craft or DIY project. Each week means four projects a month, 48 a year and well, you get the idea. That’s a lot of inspiration and ideas! That being said, we’ve got a lot of great projects that perhaps you haven’t seen before. Here are just a few, but don’t hesitate to take a peak through our archives and see what you can find.
We love this project because there are so many ways to personalize it. You don’t necessarily have to spell a name, how about a word or phrase that you especially like?
A couple years ago, Mark Montano hosted a celebrity crafting event at the Sundance Film Festival. Guests were invited to make these adorable flower corsages among other great crafts.
These magnets are too cute not to try with your little ones. Little pine cones could work, too!
There are so many different ways to create a custom headboard, so we’ve found great budget friendly options we know you’ll love.
How-To: A Lesson in DIY Comes to the UO
Despite the pouring rain, students at the University of Oregon got some DIY tips and took home free samples at a Springfield/Eugene Habitat for Humanity in the Erb Memorial Union Amphitheater last month.
The event; co-sponsored by Cafe Zenon, Bi-Mart, and the ReStore; was designed to educate the university community about how to make standard household repairs they might not know how to fix otherwise. This included things like sealing leaky sink faucets, tightening loose door handles, fixing unstable chairs and tables, and other household items that need repair from time to time.
The free event offered give-a-ways including cookies from local bakery Cafe Zenon, small, personal tool kits from Bi-Mart and a selection of our adhesives like FAMOWOOD Wood Filler and Amazing GOOP Household.
Representatives from the Springfield/Eugene Habitat for Humanity ReStore were present to instruct and teach students, faculty, staff, and community members about basic procedures to fix broken items in one’s home. Individuals were encouraged to stop by and learn how to become their own personal handyman or handywoman.
Images by Cherise Kaechele.
Repair, Don't Replace: Broken Earrings
I don’t own a lot of jewelry, but the few pieces that I do have I tend to wear a lot. When this pair of wooden earrings broke recently, I was upset.
I was about to throw them away, but thought that I should at least try to fix them first. I chose to use EcoGlue because it is water-based and adheres to wood.
First, I applied the EcoGlue along one of the broken edges. Then, I matched up the two pieces and held for about 30 seconds. I let the earring sit overnight and it was as good as new!
Next time you think about throwing out a pair of broken earrings, try repairing them first!
Guest project: Shoe GOO repairs hole in tire
Gary and Monika Westcott travel the world researching and exploring and Shoe GOO has been a lifesaver (or more accurately, tire saver) twice! We chatted with Gary about why he’s a Shoe GOO fan and how he uses it.
Turtle V isn’t just any SUV, what do you use the Turtle V vehicle for?
The Turtle V is an experimental prototype of the Turtle Expedition research trucks, used to travel and explore the world. Replacing four previous travel/research vehicles, The Turtle V and its European-style Tortuga Expedition Camper is the latest home on the road. Based on a Super Duty F-550, it is carefully outfitted with equipment of proven quality and reliability.
What happened to the tire and how did you use Shoe GOO to repair it?
There were two occasions. Once, while exploring backroads in Canada’s Northwest Territories, one of our BFGoodrich Mud Terrains tires suffered a severe rock cut in the face of the tread. We cleaned the cut thoroughly, filled the cut with black Shoe GOO, and drove the tire onto a flat board covered with plastic. In the morning, the tire was ready to roll. It was not a permanent repair, but it kept dirt and gravel from working its way into the tire and to the core. The plastic was gone in a few miles. The Shoe GOO lasted until we got home.
Most recently, we caught a sharp piece of metal on the side of the rear tire the day before we headed to SEMA where the truck was part of the Specialty Vehicle Exhibit. It was an ugly gash about 7 inches long on the side wall. We drove to Las Vegas, filled the gash with Shoe GOO, (all we had was clear), and placed wax paper and tape over the area. In the morning, the wax paper and tape were removed, showing a much improved damaged area. A black felt pen added some color to the clear Shoe GOO. We expect it will look even better when we get the black Shoe GOO. This is a $535.00 tire, so we don’t throw it out because of a cosmetic problem.
How is Shoe GOO different from other repair adhesives you’ve tried?
We have not tried other silicon products to repair tires. Shoe GOO just seems to be tough enough that it’s worth a try in an emergency.
Do you use Shoe GOO for anything else?
All the normal things: Birkenstocks shoe soles, hiking boots, running shoes, cracks in the rubber bottom of bath mats, etc.
To learn more about Gary and Monika Westcott’s expeditions, visit www.TurtleExpedition.com.
Note: This story is Gary & Monika’s personal experience. We love this story, but we always recommend hiring a professional to make tire repairs.
Repair, Don't Replace: Unstitched Zipper Placket
A couple of years ago on a business trip on the other side of the country, I picked up a pair of pants on clearance at Banana Republic for less than $10. It wasn’t until several days later and when I had returned home that I realized the zipper placket was completely unstitched. The pants were inexpensive enough that I wasn’t motivated to return them and I also knew it was an easy fix. And I always had it in my mind that I would do so (despite my lack of sewing machine).
After a recent move, I was resolute to keep what was useful and donate what was not. So, armed with a tube of E6000, I determined to fix my pants. The pants were clean & dry. This part of my pants is not visible once this particular repair is done, but if you were to use this same technique to fix a hem, for example, you’d want to be more careful about potential permanent wrinkles.
I followed the directions on the tube and then left them on the counter so the glue could cure overnight.
The repair was invisible, pants washed just fine, placket intact. E6000 creates a permanent bond that will hold through washes, ironing and every day wear.
Get your own tube for repairs of all kinds, including zipper plackets, at ExcelBuyOnline or your local retailer.
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