MacGyver Tips & Tricks
  Reply to this topic Start new topic Start Poll
Track this topic | Email this topic | Print this topic
denizen
Posted: 24 August 2015 - 08:32 PM                                    
Quote Post


Director of Intelligence
*********

Posts: 7,067
Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Gender:  Male
Country: South Africa
SAK owned: Tinker/Pioneer

Favorites
Season: season 1
Episode:The Human Factor
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



Do you have a great idea for someone? It can be anything! If its in your head, paste it in this thread!!!! biggrin.gif

MacGyver Tip: Save your hard drive in the freezer
user posted image

One way to resuscitate a busted drive long enough to get a backup? Stick it in the freezer.

One of the methods used before is to actually remove the drive from the PC, place it in the freezer for a day, then quickly put it back in the machine and try to access it. Why does this work? Who knows, but the idea surfaceed years ago, and it has worked!





"The bag's not for what I take, Colson - it's for what I find along the way."

 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
denizen
Posted: 25 August 2015 - 09:47 PM                                    
Quote Post


Director of Intelligence
*********

Posts: 7,067
Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Gender:  Male
Country: South Africa
SAK owned: Tinker/Pioneer

Favorites
Season: season 1
Episode:The Human Factor
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



Cool A Small Room or Tent with this Portable Air Conditioner

user posted image

If you're going camping, or just want to cool a small room down without running the actual air conditioner, this DIY portable unit can get the job done.

You'll need to attach a PC fan to the top of a large protein shake container, then cut a hole in the side of the canister and insert a portion of a water bottle to direct the cold air into your room. Then, strap a battery to the side of the unit, wire up the fan, and put some ice packs inside. The fan will suck in warm air, cool it over the ice, and blow the cooled air out of the side. If you don't have ice handy, just pouring some cold water in the container would create an evaporative cooling effect to achieve basically the same result. It's not going to cool an entire house, but it's pretty simple to build, and should at least keep a tent comfortable.



"The bag's not for what I take, Colson - it's for what I find along the way."

 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
Barry Rowland
Posted: 26 August 2015 - 05:30 AM                                    
Quote Post


Phoenix Field Agent
*******

Posts: 2,136
Joined: 20 Dec 2012
Gender:  Male
Country: USA/PA
SAK owned: Swiss Champ

Favorites
Season: season 1
Episode:Twice Stung
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



Denizen, that is awesome! Thanks for sharing....I'm going to try making one of these!



Barry

"The bag's not for what I take. It's for what I find along the way!"
"EXACTLY!"

 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
denizen
Posted: 26 August 2015 - 09:26 AM                                    
Quote Post


Director of Intelligence
*********

Posts: 7,067
Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Gender:  Male
Country: South Africa
SAK owned: Tinker/Pioneer

Favorites
Season: season 1
Episode:The Human Factor
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



thumbsup.gif



"The bag's not for what I take, Colson - it's for what I find along the way."

 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
denizen
Posted: 26 August 2015 - 09:42 PM                                    
Quote Post


Director of Intelligence
*********

Posts: 7,067
Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Gender:  Male
Country: South Africa
SAK owned: Tinker/Pioneer

Favorites
Season: season 1
Episode:The Human Factor
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



Keep Your Super Glue from Drying Out with a Jar of Rice



If you're a regular user of super glue or other kinds of epoxies, you can keep the tips from drying out by storing the tubes in a jar of rice.

Super glue needs water in order for it to harden and dry out. Unfortunately, that also means that the moisture in the air can cause the tips of super glue tubes to dry out and practically ruin the whole tube. Just toss your super glues and epoxies in a jar filled with a tiny bit of rice and the rice will absorb a lot of the excess moisture in the air. You can also use kitty litter if you have some of that around.



"The bag's not for what I take, Colson - it's for what I find along the way."

 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
denizen
Posted: 27 August 2015 - 09:31 PM                                    
Quote Post


Director of Intelligence
*********

Posts: 7,067
Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Gender:  Male
Country: South Africa
SAK owned: Tinker/Pioneer

Favorites
Season: season 1
Episode:The Human Factor
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



LEGO Figures Make Perfect Cable Holders
user posted image
Who knew that LEGO designed their figures' hands perfectly to hold Apple lightning and other types of cables? Stick a LEGO brick on your desk, attach LEGO figure(s), and, voilà, an ingenious cord-catching solution.

You can also hold keys, your phone, and just about anything else with a LEGO brick and a little bit of sugru, as we've seen before. But now you can add an army of LEGO figures to prevent your cables from getting lost.

And then...

How to Build a LEGO Organizer For Your Keys and Everyday Items
user posted image
Even though I have a "spot" for my keys and wallet, I still end up misplacing them. The LEGO organizer is a fun and convenient place to store all of your everyday carry things. A standard LEGO base plate is stuck to a wall, while bricks and plates attached to everyday items make them attachable to the mat—never to go missing again. Here's how to make your own.

This fun and colourful project is a great way to keep things organized and show your love for LEGO. LEGO purists beware: modifying the pieces are essential to make this work.

Step 1
user posted image
LEGO Pieces:
·Base: base plate
·Key fob: 2x3 bricks (or any 2x brick)
·Wallet + phone back: 4x6 plate
·Key name markers: 1x2 plate

Tools + Materials:
·Rotary tool with cutting wheel
·Sandpaper (100 grit)
·2-part epoxy
·Drill and small bits ( 2mm [5/64"] )
·2-sided tape (or other heavy duty dual adhesion)

Step 2

user posted image
Using a 2mm (5/64") bit, openings were drilled through the side and top of each 2x bricks. Once initial openings were made, the drill was directed to a 45 degree angle and the openings were reamed to connect the two openings. This opening was large enough for my key loops—ream with a larger bit if you need more room. Any plastic burrs from drilling were removed with a sharp hobby knife. Key loops were then threaded though each brick opening and keys added.

Step 3

user posted image
Instead of labeling the keys, have them color-coded with a corresponding nameplate. This method allows the bricks and keys to be changed easily. Then all you need is a new name plate. On masking tape, scribble what your keys open and place it on the corresponding color brick.

Step 4
user posted image
user posted image
user posted image
For the phone and wallet, a 4x6 plate. The pip crowns on the topside of the plate don't serve a purpose when attaching them to a flat surface and add to the thickness, so a rotary tool with a flat cutting wheel to remove them was used. The plate was then sanded smooth with 100 grit sandpaper. 2-part epoxy was mixed and smeared over the sanded top of the LEGO plates. The plates were then attached to the phone and wallet, then clamped in place and left to set overnight.

Pro-tip: With most 2-part epoxies, less is more. Too much epoxy applied may leak into openings created when removing the plate crowns and prevent the bottom of the plate from connecting with the mat. If you accidentally use too much glue, the spillover can be removed with a sharp hobby knife, as dried epoxy is brittle and can be chipped off once set. (Remember you can always use a phone case instead so you don't damage your phone).

Step 5

user posted image
Using a strong double-sided tape to adhere the base plate to the wall is recommended. If you're planning to load up your base plate with lots of items, then you might need a stronger solution to stick your base plate to the wall. Consider mechanical fasteners. After applying the tape, the backing was removed and the base plate was pushed against the wall to ensure a strong bond.

Step 6
user posted image
All that's left now is to populate your base plate with your everyday carry items, like your wallet, phone, and keys. You can expand with more key fobs or larger objects as the need arises.



"The bag's not for what I take, Colson - it's for what I find along the way."

 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
Barry Rowland
Posted: 29 August 2015 - 02:29 PM                                    
Quote Post


Phoenix Field Agent
*******

Posts: 2,136
Joined: 20 Dec 2012
Gender:  Male
Country: USA/PA
SAK owned: Swiss Champ

Favorites
Season: season 1
Episode:Twice Stung
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



I've tons of Legos around the house. What a great idea!!



Barry

"The bag's not for what I take. It's for what I find along the way!"
"EXACTLY!"

 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
KiwiTek
Posted: 29 August 2015 - 05:04 PM                                    
Quote Post


Phoenix Special Agent
********

Posts: 4,092
Joined: 28 Nov 2003
Gender:  Male
Country: NZ
SAK owned: Tinker

Favorites
Season: season 3
Episode:Runners
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



QUOTE (denizen @ 27 August 2015 - 05:42 PM)
Keep Your Super Glue from Drying Out with a Jar of Rice


If you're a regular user of super glue or other kinds of epoxies, you can keep the tips from drying out by storing the tubes in a jar of rice.

Super glue needs water in order for it to harden and dry out. Unfortunately, that also means that the moisture in the air can cause the tips of super glue tubes to dry out and practically ruin the whole tube. Just toss your super glues and epoxies in a jar filled with a tiny bit of rice and the rice will absorb a lot of the excess moisture in the air. You can also use kitty litter if you have some of that around.

You could also use those moisture bags you find in electronics which usually end up being thrown out with the rest of the packaging. wink.gif


user posted image



MDDHosting - Professional Wed Hosting Solutions

 
PM                                                                     
Top
Joe SAKic
Posted: 29 August 2015 - 06:03 PM                                    
Quote Post


Phoenix Operative
******

Posts: 1,483
Joined: 13 Feb 2013
Gender:  Male
Country: Canada
SAK owned: Huntsman 85-91

Favorites
Season: ---
Episode:
Vehicle: ---
Jacket:  ---
House:  ---



I've had success with the hard drive in the freezer fix in the past. Once it worked, twice it didn't. Has to do with the tight spinning space within the casing and the contraction of metal when it is cooled.

I can only think of a humorous think outside the box event that I 'macgyvered' one Christmas. It was about -30c below and the car battery was dead. I needed to get going within the hour and so I called the tow truck company for a boost. They said that they were too busy with so many dead batteries that it would be at least a 3 hour wait and the charge would be $100.00. No good, so I started calling some friends/family and no one was around or could come within the hours. I was dead to rights. So I ran down the driveway with my booster cables waving them at any passing car ... but the snow had started up again, frostbite was a risk, and visibility was almost zero and nobody was stopping. And then I got a brainstorm. Hook a solar charger with a solar panel, makeshift micro circuit, alligator clips and soldering iron. Bam!!!! Done!





























(kidding)


Nope, I ordered a fricking pizza, instead! What? Well, I remembered that the local shop had a 30 minute or free promotion. Bingo! He was there in 25 minutes with a nice hot pizza ... and before he could drive away, I said 'couldn't bother you for a boost could I?' He said 'sure' and so I popped the hood and Vrrroooom, Vrooooom. Gave him a $10.00 tip and we were both on our way. whistle.gif



The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man's determination.

Whether you think you can or you can't .... you're probably right!

"Nature often addressed our problems much better than the doctor." - Henry Miller

"So shut up, live, travel, adventure, bless and don't be sorry." - Jack Kerouac

"No one is remembered for being normal" -- Albert Einstein

 
PMEmail PosterUsers Website                                                                     
Top
KiwiTek
Posted: 29 August 2015 - 07:06 PM                                    
Quote Post


Phoenix Special Agent
********

Posts: 4,092
Joined: 28 Nov 2003
Gender:  Male
Country: NZ
SAK owned: Tinker

Favorites
Season: season 3
Episode:Runners
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



roller.gif Nice one.




MDDHosting - Professional Wed Hosting Solutions

 
PM                                                                     
Top
denizen
Posted: 30 August 2015 - 09:13 PM                                    
Quote Post


Director of Intelligence
*********

Posts: 7,067
Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Gender:  Male
Country: South Africa
SAK owned: Tinker/Pioneer

Favorites
Season: season 1
Episode:The Human Factor
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



That's the best one so far! thumbsup.gif roller.gif



"The bag's not for what I take, Colson - it's for what I find along the way."

 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
Rocket
Posted: 30 August 2015 - 11:40 PM                                    
Quote Post


Phoenix Operative
******

Posts: 847
Joined: 9 Mar 2013
Gender:  Female
Country: England
SAK owned: Commander

Favorites
Season: ---
Episode:Hallowe'en Knights
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Black/Navy flight
House:  House boat



Well played, Sir! clapping.gif



Rollerskating at right angles to reality

 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
denizen
Posted: 2 September 2015 - 10:06 PM                                    
Quote Post


Director of Intelligence
*********

Posts: 7,067
Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Gender:  Male
Country: South Africa
SAK owned: Tinker/Pioneer

Favorites
Season: season 1
Episode:The Human Factor
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



user posted image
user posted image
user posted image



"The bag's not for what I take, Colson - it's for what I find along the way."

 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
Barry Rowland
Posted: 2 September 2015 - 10:32 PM                                    
Quote Post


Phoenix Field Agent
*******

Posts: 2,136
Joined: 20 Dec 2012
Gender:  Male
Country: USA/PA
SAK owned: Swiss Champ

Favorites
Season: season 1
Episode:Twice Stung
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



I like it, especially the iced coffee cubes!



Barry

"The bag's not for what I take. It's for what I find along the way!"
"EXACTLY!"

 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
denizen
Posted: 3 September 2015 - 08:51 PM                                    
Quote Post


Director of Intelligence
*********

Posts: 7,067
Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Gender:  Male
Country: South Africa
SAK owned: Tinker/Pioneer

Favorites
Season: season 1
Episode:The Human Factor
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



</div>



"The bag's not for what I take, Colson - it's for what I find along the way."

 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
denizen
Posted: 10 September 2015 - 09:08 PM                                    
Quote Post


Director of Intelligence
*********

Posts: 7,067
Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Gender:  Male
Country: South Africa
SAK owned: Tinker/Pioneer

Favorites
Season: season 1
Episode:The Human Factor
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



If you press your floor and the door close button at the same time, the elevator will go directly to your floor.
user posted image
If you need to do something in the middle of the night, cover one eye until you turn the lights off. That eye will retain its ability to see in the dark.
user posted image
Insert toothpicks to fix a stripped screw hole.
user posted image
To test if a remote is working, point it at a cellphone. The screen will pick up the infrared light.
user posted image
To increase the distance a remote control reaches, place it under your skull. It will give it a boost.
user posted image
Remove a stripped screw with a rubber band.
user posted image



"The bag's not for what I take, Colson - it's for what I find along the way."

 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
Barry Rowland
Posted: 11 September 2015 - 04:50 AM                                    
Quote Post


Phoenix Field Agent
*******

Posts: 2,136
Joined: 20 Dec 2012
Gender:  Male
Country: USA/PA
SAK owned: Swiss Champ

Favorites
Season: season 1
Episode:Twice Stung
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



Awesome post Denizen!



Barry

"The bag's not for what I take. It's for what I find along the way!"
"EXACTLY!"

 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
Maclover
Posted: 15 September 2015 - 09:54 AM                                    
Quote Post


DXS Agent
*****

Posts: 427
Joined: 13 Sep 2015
Gender:  Female
Country:
SAK owned: 5 x lge & small

Favorites
Season: season 3
Episode:The Widowmaker
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



Something I do with regularity is to save old rucksacks when the kids have worn them out at school. The strong materials and old straps and fittings have proved useful for mending, strengthening and improving with padding all sorts of outdoors gear.



 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
Maclover
Posted: 16 September 2015 - 10:45 AM                                    
Quote Post


DXS Agent
*****

Posts: 427
Joined: 13 Sep 2015
Gender:  Female
Country:
SAK owned: 5 x lge & small

Favorites
Season: season 3
Episode:The Widowmaker
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



So here is probably my best MacGyverism

user posted image

It started life as two rusty pieces of ornamental wrought iron gate that I got from the local scrap merchants. I (note - 'I' biggrin.gif ) welded them together at an angle (OK, I had the help of an experienced welding person, but I did it myself). Then I drilled four large holes in them at the corners and de-rusted and painted them with red lead and black Hammerite, Four lengths of chain were obtained from the iron-mongers along with a couple of really strong ceiling hooks. The hardest job was finding a suitable ceiling beam to get the hooks into and then some cheap butchers hooks and I was in business with a ceiling pot holder far bigger and better than anything I could buy. It's been up with the occasional clean for over 15 years.



 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
Barry Rowland
Posted: 16 September 2015 - 11:43 AM                                    
Quote Post


Phoenix Field Agent
*******

Posts: 2,136
Joined: 20 Dec 2012
Gender:  Male
Country: USA/PA
SAK owned: Swiss Champ

Favorites
Season: season 1
Episode:Twice Stung
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



Nice Job Maclover! I was gonna say that finding a beam to hold the weight must have been interesting....awesome job!



Barry

"The bag's not for what I take. It's for what I find along the way!"
"EXACTLY!"

 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
denizen
Posted: 16 September 2015 - 08:54 PM                                    
Quote Post


Director of Intelligence
*********

Posts: 7,067
Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Gender:  Male
Country: South Africa
SAK owned: Tinker/Pioneer

Favorites
Season: season 1
Episode:The Human Factor
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



Great post Maclover! Keep em coming!!! biggrin.gif



"The bag's not for what I take, Colson - it's for what I find along the way."

 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
denizen
Posted: 23 September 2015 - 02:32 AM                                    
Quote Post


Director of Intelligence
*********

Posts: 7,067
Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Gender:  Male
Country: South Africa
SAK owned: Tinker/Pioneer

Favorites
Season: season 1
Episode:The Human Factor
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



user posted image
user posted image



"The bag's not for what I take, Colson - it's for what I find along the way."

 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
Barry Rowland
Posted: 23 September 2015 - 12:08 PM                                    
Quote Post


Phoenix Field Agent
*******

Posts: 2,136
Joined: 20 Dec 2012
Gender:  Male
Country: USA/PA
SAK owned: Swiss Champ

Favorites
Season: season 1
Episode:Twice Stung
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



Now THAT's creative!!! I love it!



Barry

"The bag's not for what I take. It's for what I find along the way!"
"EXACTLY!"

 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
denizen
Posted: 26 November 2015 - 09:50 PM                                    
Quote Post


Director of Intelligence
*********

Posts: 7,067
Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Gender:  Male
Country: South Africa
SAK owned: Tinker/Pioneer

Favorites
Season: season 1
Episode:The Human Factor
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



Make perfect pancakes with a squeeze bottle
user posted image

Seal plastic bags with old bottle caps
user posted image



"The bag's not for what I take, Colson - it's for what I find along the way."

 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
Barry Rowland
Posted: 27 November 2015 - 04:22 AM                                    
Quote Post


Phoenix Field Agent
*******

Posts: 2,136
Joined: 20 Dec 2012
Gender:  Male
Country: USA/PA
SAK owned: Swiss Champ

Favorites
Season: season 1
Episode:Twice Stung
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



Denizen, that's a great idea! I usually make pancakes for my family and it's a bear (and a real mess) trying to get the batter in the pan. Thanks!



Barry

"The bag's not for what I take. It's for what I find along the way!"
"EXACTLY!"

 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
denizen
Posted: 27 November 2015 - 05:05 AM                                    
Quote Post


Director of Intelligence
*********

Posts: 7,067
Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Gender:  Male
Country: South Africa
SAK owned: Tinker/Pioneer

Favorites
Season: season 1
Episode:The Human Factor
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



Anytime, Barry. biggrin.gif



"The bag's not for what I take, Colson - it's for what I find along the way."

 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
denizen
Posted: 1 March 2016 - 10:28 PM                                    
Quote Post


Director of Intelligence
*********

Posts: 7,067
Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Gender:  Male
Country: South Africa
SAK owned: Tinker/Pioneer

Favorites
Season: season 1
Episode:The Human Factor
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



user posted image
Create extra shelf space with a tension rod
[U]user posted image
Organize cables with toilet paper tubes



"The bag's not for what I take, Colson - it's for what I find along the way."

 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
Barry Rowland
Posted: 2 March 2016 - 11:46 AM                                    
Quote Post


Phoenix Field Agent
*******

Posts: 2,136
Joined: 20 Dec 2012
Gender:  Male
Country: USA/PA
SAK owned: Swiss Champ

Favorites
Season: season 1
Episode:Twice Stung
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



Keep 'em coming Denizen!! thumbsup.gif



Barry

"The bag's not for what I take. It's for what I find along the way!"
"EXACTLY!"

 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
Mr Duct Tape
Posted: 3 March 2016 - 06:47 AM                                    
Quote Post


DXS Operative
****

Posts: 241
Joined: 3 Oct 2015
Gender:  Male
Country: Portugal
SAK owned: Huntsman

Favorites
Season: ---
Episode:
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



the toilet paper tubes one is an ingenious idea! thumbsup.gif



"Ok hotshot, so you got yourself a golden brown palomino between your legs, and NO reins. Now what?"

 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
denizen
Posted: 3 March 2016 - 08:54 PM                                    
Quote Post


Director of Intelligence
*********

Posts: 7,067
Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Gender:  Male
Country: South Africa
SAK owned: Tinker/Pioneer

Favorites
Season: season 1
Episode:The Human Factor
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



You want more?! You got more!!! laugh.gif

user posted image
user posted image
user posted image
user posted image




"The bag's not for what I take, Colson - it's for what I find along the way."

 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
0 User(s) are reading this topic (0 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
 0 Members:
     

 Topic Options Pages: (2) [1] 2  Reply to this topic Fast Reply Start new topicStart Poll