January 23, 2022 AsktheBuilder Newsletter
Wait a minute! It now makes sense why you're over there rubbing shoulders with Sal, Ky, Mona, Lin, Judy, Kristina, Byron, and well over 100 other new subscribers. You don't know what's in store and there's safety in numbers. Welcome and let's get started.
Here's your first Ask the Builder tip:
Remember, rubbing is racing!
But you, yes you, it's quite possible your first issue was #34. (I believe this is issue 1166.) We've come a long way, haven't we? I know, I know, it's time to share some sweet tips.
Happy Harmonium Music
How would you like to do a jig in your kitchen or living room next to the couch? I've got just what you need.
Please go to my Versions of Music of a Found Harmonium page and read how I just made a discovery last week.
Be sure you watch a few of the videos to hear the different versions of the song. Absolutely watch the top one in the stack as that's where I first heard the song.
Don't miss the stunning attractive tall ginger in the black dress wearing pearls in the fifth video down in the stack. Watching the last part of this particular video might convince you to start taking monkey squeeze-box accordion lessons. Who knows!
Surely you agree that professional women musicians look drop-dead gorgeous in black dresses. Even if you're not a professional woman musician, I'm sure you look beautiful in your black dress too!
The last video in the stack has got some great hand-held drum solos. Wow!
If that song doesn't put you in a good mood, I don't know that anything can!
Restoration Projects
Old Man Winter has plopped his you-know-what down here in New Hampshire. Yesterday it was a balmy -7 F as I was creating this newsletter for you.
This is a great time of year to roll up one's sleeves and do some indoor restoration projects. Here's one thing I'm tackling in a few days:
I'm holding a 50 or 60-year-old toy in my hand. It's a Matchbox Series 30 8-Wheel Crane. I bought it on ebay for $5.
A month ago, I acquired an identical one for my son as a Christmas gift. It's a very long story as to why this made a great gift. I knew he'd either frown or get a big smile when he opened it. Fortunately, he loved it. As I type this, the restored crane is on his desk where he can see it all day everyday.
Both cranes had seen better days and needed new paint. I did a pretty good job on my son's crane. That said, I need to do a better job of getting a perfect mach on the green paint this time.
Restoring my son's crane was so much fun I decided to get my own and add another 50, or more, years to its life. Maybe one of my grands will get it as it's passed down.
It's not too hard to custom-blend the oil paint to get the correct colors. I use a few fine artist's brushes to do the painting.
Lorene, one of my new friends from my LIVE streaming videos each M-F at 4 PM Eastern Time, told me to watch a few YouTube videos about restoring Matchbox toys. I found several about this actual crane and felt they ruined the cranes doing the restoration. Judge for yourself if you watch the videos.
I discovered you can buff the axles and mushroom caps with a Dremel tool and just repaint the toy carefully to get the same, or better, results as tearing the toy all apart. What's more, the other restorers had many hours in their projects and I did my son's restoration in less than an hour.
I'll share some great before and after photos possibly next week. You can let me know if you feel the toy looks new or almost new. I added two things to my son's crane and will do the same on mine. Let's see if you like them.
I'm also doing lots of restoration work for you on the AsktheBuilder.com website. I think you'll discover it will be easier to locate things, pages will be easier to read, information will be updated, and all-in-all the website will be more user-friendly. It's a months-long project and I should finish in time just before the black flies arrive.
Stop Stainless Steel Sink Noise
Frances visited my Ask Tim page and asked this question:
"Our stainless-steel sink seems to be be thin and rings like a bell! Very disappointed. Any advice or tips to strengthen it, or should we just replace it?"
What would you suggest she do?
Here's what I wrote back:
"I would get a few cans of Great Stuff spray foam and create a 1-inch-thick layer of FINISHED foam on the entire bottom and under-sides of the sink. The foam will strengthen the sink and really cut down on the vibration that's creating the ringing noise.
Wear old clothes, old small clothes, or no clothes when doing this. Any foam that might drop down on you while you're on your back under the sink will ruin your clothes. WEAR GOGGLES and a shower cap.
Be sure to use the long straw nozzle to get the foam in the tight spots. Read the instructions on the cans so you know how much the foam will expand. Don't spray on too much for goodness sake!
Please let me know what happens. The foam will cost you less than $10. I can't wait to hear your success story."
Frances shared she was between 65-75 years of age, so I felt my no clothes suggestion was safe. She and I might be the same age and birthday suits for us old goats and goatesses are no big deal at this point. We've seen it all multiple times, right?
I've got some great stainless steel sink care tips here for you.
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Digital Library Price Increase ^^^
Did you know there are over 110 products in my digital library? Most can ensure that you don't get taken to the cleaners by a contractor.
The price of my entire digital library goes up from $49.99 to $99.99 Sunday, January 23, 2022 at 6:01 PM. Act now.
Phone Consult Smelly Crawlspace
I did a 30-minute phone consult call with John two days ago. He lives in a 100-year-old home about ten miles east of the Golden Gate Bridge.
John and his family are bothered by a musty smell in the crawlspace under his home. He sent me great video and photos of the situation. These allowed me to give him solid advice as I discussed all his options.
I suggested he try a very inexpensive DIY method that I felt has a 99% chance of solving his problem. It involves using a high-performance vapor retarder.
You should read that column above if you have a similar issue or if you're about to pour a basement or garage concrete slab!
That's enough for a frigid Sunday. I know, I know, it might be 80 F where you are. Blah blah blah...
Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com
Hilton Hotels Uses - www.StainSolver.com
Morse Saves Lives - www.W3ATB.com
Newsletter Issue #1166 (I think...)
Do It Right, Not Over!
P.S. What do you know about whitewash? I'm talking the REAL whitewash, not the crap thinned-down paint some TV idiots claim is whitewash. I'll bet there are three things you didn't know.