02 April 2012

Winning tip
Printed circuit boards 101

If you’re a hobby enthusiast and want to make your own PCBs (printed circuit boards) for electronics projects, here’s how. 

01 December 2011

Power trip

I recently started experiencing power trips at the electrical distribution box in the street that feeds my home. The fault appeared to be in the underground armoured cable, the route of which I was uncertain. 

01 December 2011

Wind-up

When you need to remove a door panel on your car (for example, to replace a smashed window), you’re faced with the dreaded task of removing the window winder handle.  

01 December 2011

Flash memory?

How often have you returned home from the supermarket only to discover that you’ve forgotten to buy something important?  

01 December 2011

Keep the change

Finding change for car guards at short notice can be a pain.  

01 December 2011

When the NSRI won’t do

I have twice managed to save my mobile phone from drowning: once when it fell into a bath, and the second time when I saw it pressed against the glass inside my washing machine during the rinse cycle. 

01 December 2011

Winning tip
Solo testing

If you need to test the electrics on your trailer or caravan and don’t have anyone to help, try this: push the Record button on your smartphone, place it on the ground and aim the lens at the rear of the trailer, ensuring that it can “see” the various lights. 

01 November 2011

New broom paints clean

It may be difficult, and occasionally painful, to repaint your roof while perched on your hands and knees and using a roller.  

01 November 2011

DIY funnel

Have you ever run out of petrol, walked to the nearest garage to fill up an old oil can with just enough fuel to get you home, then spilled half of it on the ground (or over your clothes) because the fuel tank filler is recessed and you don’t have a funnel?  

01 November 2011

Sucking up

Nowadays, many people have GPS units mounted in their vehicles. The most common mount employs a suction cup for attaching the device to the inside of the windscreen, and one usually wets (or licks) the inside of the suction cup to create a good seal.