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Grinding a benchtop to fit new cooktop
Hi folks - I had a new cooktop installed by electricians this morning, but the hole is about 2mm too small. I'm recently aware of the respiratory risks associated with cutting benchtops and creating silica dust (as were the sparkys) and they recommended getting someone into to grind the bench to fit. Then again, some…
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How to mount a projector screen to the ceiling?
Hi everyone, A lot of questions with this one - I have a projector screen that I want to mount to the ceiling, it came with brackets and screws. I've had a bit of a "knock" around the ceiling, and can't hear whether there are joists or not, everywhere I've knocked sounds hollow. Specs for the screen say it's about 7.5kgs.…
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How to remove snapped screws inside green plug?
Hi team - the cistern of our toilet fell off for a second time. The first time, the head snapped off the screws inside the cistern (two screws hold it to the wall) so I had plumbers come in to fix it, but I've now discovered that instead of removing the old green plug and snapped screws, they just screwed a second screw…
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How to hang things on a wall with a cavity?
Hi folks, I've drilled into my bedroom wall expecting to hit bricks behind the plaster, as I have elsewhere in the house. However, on this wall there seems to be a huge cavity, maybe 40mm, behind the ~30mm of plaster before I reach the brick, like this (cross section view): ((I think it's plaster anyway, not sure how to…
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How do I paint a desk without it feeling sticky afterwards?
Hi folks, I have a desk that is laminated particleboard, pic below, but I'd like to paint it. I'm reluctant as my other desk is painted (not by me) and feels slightly tacky to the touch, if I lean on it for a few minutes my skin sticks a little to the surface and it feels yucky. Is there a recommended way to paint (and…
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How to add door latches to a hollow metal door frame?
Hey folks, I've got one of these door latches I'm wanting to install onto our front door - yet another 10-minute job that I've hit a hurdle with. https://www.bunnings.com.au/syneco-chrome-door-guard_p0223207 The door frame is metal over a brick wall. When I drilled this hole: There was about a 30mm void inside the frame,…
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Is there a drillable brick filler?
Hi folks - is there a filler product I can use to fill a hole in a brick wall, that I'll be able to drill into again? I was mounting a baby gate and drilled a hole using the wrong bit (metal instead of masonry, see pic below). The slippage made the hole slightly too wide, and I don't really want to put the holes in a…
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Where to buy recycled timber?
Hi everyone, Wondering if anyone knows of yards to stores around Sydney that specialise in recycled timber? I have a few projects around the house and would like to not purchase new timber for them if possible, but need quite long lengths so things like palettes won't work for these. Thanks for any help! Cheers, Danny.
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How to build storage cupboards under stairs?
Hi folks, I'm considering a fairly ambitious DIY project and wonder if anyone might have some suggestions... I live in an apartment with stairs and the space underneath is totally wasted (great at catching cat fur though) so I'd like to put in storage. There's plenty of Pinterest inspiration but I'm not sure where to start…
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Workbench that will see some weather activity
Hey folks, looking for some advice about wood types. I'm going to build a workbench and have found a lot of great examples on this forum for how to do it, but mine will be on a balcony so it needs to be somewhat weatherproof. It's pretty well covered with 3 walls and a roof - basically like a room missing 1 wall, but it…
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Dual tap to mixer tap - job for a plumber?
Hey folks, I'm mid-way through a bathroom reno and I managed to pick up a used vanity with tap, so would like to be able to use it all if possible. The old taps were individual hot & cold taps and the 'new' one is a mixer - I'm not shy about tackling a plumbing job, but to get these all to talk to each other should I leave…
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Plumbed gas fittings in your home
Hi everyone, I just purchased a home with gas (never had it before!) so am a complete gas newbie. The house came with gas fittings and an indoor gas heater already attached - I have a 2-part question: 1) The gas heater doesn't need to be attached during summer, is it easy/safe to disconnect it? If so, how? 2) I want to get…
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Changing old taps
Hey folks, I've got some old bath taps that just sprung a leak - water keeps running slightly when the taps are turned all the way off. The handles also need to be replaced, as the thread inside the old 70's ones have worn down, but unfortunately the replacement ones I've tried from Bunnings don't fit. So assuming I can…
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Prep exposed wall for painting
Hi folks! First time poster here 😀 I'm doing a DIY bathroom reno and just yanked the old medicine cabinet off the wall... I expected to see exposed bricks but there's this concretey grey stuff on top of the bricks (that I assume is the same adhesive behind the tiles themselves?). I need to mount the new medicine cabinet in…
