Wire Shoe Decorative

Transform hammer into mallet

Whether you are working with a wood project or brick pavers, you'll want to use a mallet rather than a hammer to get the job done. A hammer would leave marks or could crack a brick into several pieces. But you can use a hammer if you add a thick piece of rubber to the face of it. Use the rubber from an old floor mat or shoe sole. You can glue them on or use tape for a more temporary solution. Voila! You now have a mallet to use.

* Dear Carrells: I made a self-watering pot for my plants from a large soda bottle. I cut the bottle in half and pushed the top of the bottle, turned upside down, into the bottom of the bottle.

The hole in the top of the bottle was then covered with a scrap of wire, and the soil and plant were put into it. Then the whole thing was watered. The water drains down into the bottom reservoir and is there when the roots need it.

I plan to make a larger one for a small garden in my sunroom next winter.

- J.M.

* A super hint: Need a chalkboard? Use chalkboard paint on just about any surface to turn it into a chalkboard. It's super-easy to do and works great for kids, teens, in the home and in the shop.

Dear Al: I was doing some hand sanding and was running out of muscle and patience. My sanding block was made of plastic, and it just wasn't strong enough to get the job done. I grabbed a scrap of two-by-four and covered it with the sandpaper. Then I went back to sanding. It worked so much better and faster. I finally finished the project, or at least the hard part of it.

The painting is the "fun" part for me.

- M.V.

* Got a question or a handy tip? Visit www.thesuperhandyman.com.

Those of general interest will be used in future columns.

* Q: We have several large trees in our yard and we have trouble with our drains, also in the yard. I was wondering if you can still put something along the sewer lines, such as ice cream salt or kerosene to kill tree roots, or is no longer allowed? - SM

A: Do not use kerosene in your drain lines. Ice salt is still OK, but could not do enough to get rid of the problem. You might do better to hire a pro and have him use his professional equipment to get rid of the roots.

* A Tip From Super HandyMom: An old shower curtain can be turned into a super shop apron or a great apron for kids when they do craft projects. You even can make a neat apron to use in your garden or when making burgers on the grill. Just lay the curtain flat on the garage floor and cut out your apron pattern. I love recycling!

SOLD: Antique horse shoe with wrought wire | TEXARRAKIS

Yes, as you can see here, I have an antique horse shoe with wrought wire coming out of it. I do not know if this serves a purpose, or is just decorative, or exactly what is going on with it, but I tell you; I LIKE IT. It would be perfect to hang up in a kitchen and loop a dishtowel through, or hold one small book in. Or it might be a completely awesome but useless little thing. I'm not sure.

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