DIY Projects

Recently my wife and I decided to replace the outdated ceramic tile in our house. The first part of the project was to actually take up the tile. So with hammer and chisel we started chipping away. We knew that most of the tile had not been laid properly and for the most part it would just pop up. This took us about 2 days. The thin set that it was laid with was a different story though.

We tried scraping the thin set up with a hand scraper. That was a back breaking job that took forever with poor results. Next I found an attachment made by Milwaukee tools that attaches to a sawzall. They make a 1 ½” and a 3” scraper blade. This is mostly meant to take up paint and lightweight glues, however, I thought I would see how well it worked on thin set. Where the thin set and tile had been laid incorrectly, the scraper blade did a good job, just popping the thin set right up. But where the thin set had actually been set correctly the blade and saw just didn’t have enough strength to get the job done.

Finally, I went to our local home improvement store and rented a small demolition tool, with a scraper blade. Within 3 hours, I had chipped up all of the thin set.

So, the moral of the story is to always use the right tools, and don’t try to use your tools for things they are not meant to do.

Several years ago my wife and I remodeled our kitchen. We added new cabinets, new tile floor, and new granite countertops. When we were finished, there was just something missing.

I redid our recessed lighting by removing the fluorescent lighting and adding wood and can lights and that made a huge difference, then I started thinking about adding some kind of lighting that enhanced our granite countertop.

Using low-voltage under cabinet lighting fixtures made it very simple to install, and they are almost invisible since I was able to easily hide the wire for the transformers.

You can do it yourself and install these under cabinet lights if you can read and follow directions. The hardest decision was how to make them switch on and off. I prefer to have them turn on separately from the overhead lights. I also installed a dimmer switch with the lights. That way when we are working in the kitchen they are bright and then when we are done in the kitchen we can use them as night lights or as a dim light while watching TV.

Step 1

Detach the button from the wall. If the mounting screws are not visible, you may need to snap off a cover to reach them. To remove a small, round button, pry it out with a screwdriver. Clean away any debris. Make sure wires are not broken. Tighten terminal screws.

 Step 2

If that does not solve the problem, detach the wires from the terminals. Hold each wire by its insulation and touch the bare wires together. If you get a tiny spark and the chime sounds, replace the button. If you get a spark and the chime does not sound, test the chime (Step 4). If there is no spark, check the transformer (Step 5).

 Step 3

If a chime does not sound or has a muffled sound, remove the cover and clean any dust or gunk. Make sure the wires are firmly connected to the terminal screws. If there is corrosion on the connections, detach and clean the wires and terminals with steel wool or fine sandpaper.

 Step 4

Set a multimeter to a low AC reading and touch the probes to “front” and “trans” terminals, then to “rear” and “trans.” If you get a reading that is close to the chime’s voltage rating, power is entering the chime. That indicates the chime mechanism is not functioning and the chime needs replacing.

 Step 5

If there is no power at the chime, test the transformer. Remove the thin wires. Touch the probes of the multimeter to both terminals. If the reading is more than 2 volts below the transformer’s output rating, replace the transformer.

 Step 6

Before you replace a transformer, make sure power is reaching it. If the transformer is attached to a receptacle box, insert the tester probes into the receptacle slots. If the transformer is attached to a junction box, carefully remove the cover and test the wires. Remember, these are 120-volt wires.

 Step 7

If the transformer doesn’t work, buy a new one with the same voltage rating. Shut off power to the circuit. Open the box and disconnect the transformer wires. Remove the nut that clamps the transformer to the box and pull out the transformer. Wire and clamp the new transformer.

 Step 8

If the transformer tests OK but no power reaches the chime or a button, the wiring is damaged. You may be able to attach new wire to the old and pull the new wire through. If you can’t rewire install a wireless chime.

Single-Chime System

In a single-button chime system, an electrical circuit runs from the transformer to the button, then to the chime and back to the transformer. When the button is depressed, the circuit is completed and the chime sounds.

Two-Button Chime System

In a two-button system, a separate wire runs from the chime to the transformer to create a complete circuit for both buttons.

Gentlemen-have you ever wanted your wife to help you with a home project, only to find that your tools just don’t work for her?

Stop and think about it. Most tools are designed for guys, rugged, tough, & heavy. The handles are large so you can grip it, however, that usually means that she can’t. Also, your power tools are just too heavy for her to hold and control, making it just a little difficult for her to feel comfortable enough to help.

When my wife and I were flipping houses, there were a lot of jobs that she could do herself, once she found tools that she was comfortable with. So now she has some of her own tools. Not a full set, just some that are a little lighter or some that have smaller handles.

So next time you are shopping for tools, remember, that all things being equal, buy one that she can use too.

I’m not implying that you go out and buy all new tools, or that you buy her a set for Christmas, just think about it the next time you ask her to help. It can make all the difference.

Recently I was working on a house that someone else had rewired. I was trying to install 2 lights above the bathroom sink using the preexisting wiring. To make sure that I knew which wire was for what I went out to my truck and retrieved my digital multimeter.

A multimeter is used to make various electrical measurements, such as AC and DC voltage, AC and DC current, and resistance. It is called a multimeter because it combines the functions of a voltmeter, ammeter, and ohmmeter. Multimeters may also have other functions, such as diode and continuity tests.

I used the beeper function which allowed me to tell which was the incoming line and how it was wired to the light.

Next, I tried to verify that I was getting 115v to the light. I found that I was only getting 50v, so I then used the multi-meter to check the resistance value and found that I had a bad switch.

Once I had tested each of the wires, it was an easy job to wire the lights, and switches.

The multi-meter is an invaluable tool when working with electrical currents.

Always make sure that you use the correct safety equipment, and turn off the power.

Also follow these safety tips:
• Be sure the test leads and rotary switch are in the correct position for the desired measurement.
• Never use the meter if the meter or the test leads look damaged.
• Never measure resistance in a circuit when power is applied.
• Never touch the probes to a voltage source when a test lead is plugged into the 10 A or 300 mA input jack.
• To avoid damage or injury, never use the meter on circuits that exceed 4800 watts.
• Never apply more than the rated voltage between any input jack and earth ground (600 V for the Fluke 73).
• Be careful when working with voltages above 60 V DC or 30 V AC rms. Such voltages pose a shock hazard.
• Keep your fingers behind the finger guards on the test probes when making measurements.
• To avoid false readings, which could lead to possible electric shock or personal injury, replace the battery as soon as the battery indicator appears.