Ingenuity never goes out of style.   We tapped our handyman extraordinaire Carl for some of his most time-tested tool tips. Got any of your own?  Let’s hear them!
- Drive a Nail or Screw Easier!  Coat the nail shaft or screw threads with bees wax (!), chapstick or bar soap.
-  Trouble Placing a Nut and Washer in a Tight Spot?  Attach the washer to the nut with hot melt glue.
- Need an Extra Hand when Soldering?   Use long nose pliers to hold the wire by slipping a rubber band around the handles to hold them together.
- Chisel Edges Getting Dull in Your Toolbox?  Cut a slit into a tennis ball and slip it onto the chisel blade.
- Protect Handsaw Teeth from Dulling!  Cut a length of water hose, slit down the centerline and place over the teeth.
- Measure the Inside Dimensions of a Window or Opening. Use a telescoping curtain rod with the elbows removed. Place a piece of tape around the unit to maintain the measurement. Remove and measure with a tape measure.
- Trouble Starting Screws in a Confined Space? Tear off a 2 inch piece of masking tape, place the screw through the adhesive side, place the screwdriver blade into the screw slot and press the tape to each side of the blade.
- Marring Wood while Nailing? Cut a small piece of Peg Board. Place it over the items to be nailed and nail through the holes level with the surface and then using a nail set, finish setting the nails.
- Need to Remove Pitch from a Saw Blade?  Spray the blade with oven cleaner to lossen pitch for easy removal (wear gloves and goggles).
- Nails Keep Splitting Wood?  Place nail upside down on floor (so the point is up) then lightly hammer the point to dull it a bit. Some beeswax might help too!
