r/howto Mar 09 '25

We're starting a "repost list" of questions that are so frequently posted that we'll be removing them. Details below...

54 Upvotes

Your question may already have been answered! Check our FAQ

Any suggestions for additions to the list? Comment below, we'll take a look

Thanks to /u/arithmetic for the suggestion


r/howto 11h ago

How would I remove this screw?

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66 Upvotes

I've tried using a drill, a rubber band, WD40, hitting it a bit. It won't budge. Any ideas?

Edit: I don't really have any special tools or equipment. It's my mums house, I'm just trying to help.

It's a long screw for the front door., but it doesn't go all the way threw. (The handle part)

I'll look into impact drivers. I'm reading all the comments... thanks


r/howto 2h ago

Serious Answers Only Help me Jury-rig a fix for these plastic connectors in order to impress my wife and save my marriage!

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9 Upvotes

Ok so my marriage is fine but when I told the missus that I couldn't think of a fix for these plastic pieces, she stated that she believed in me and that I could do it, and that I've done it before, so the gauntlet has been thrown down! A little about me, I'm not very handy but I've been known to think outside the box and pull solutions out of my patootie from time to time, but I'm drawing a blank...

The situation is these items are part of a frame for a cover for our backup genny. The force of items on top have caused the plastic pieces to crack and stop holding the support rods. My original idea was to wrap the parts that hold the support rods with electrical tape or zip ties or velcro, or anything to strengthen them but as you can see from the pic, most of them are too far gone.

So question, what would you do? I don't own a 3d printer and like I stated above am not too handy. Maybe something with sheet metal? I really don't know, help??


r/howto 4h ago

How to fix melting vinyl siding due to fireplace vent?

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9 Upvotes

r/howto 1h ago

My Faucet Broke.. help

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Upvotes

Was taking a bath and my faucet broke off. What materials do I need to fix it? Also why does it look like this … yikes


r/howto 18h ago

How to clean my baking sheet tray?

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56 Upvotes

I’ve had this sheet tray for about 7 years now and it doesn’t look anything like it did when I got it anymore. I’ve just been using it by covering it in aluminum foil and baking whatever I need to over it. How do I clean this tray? Up till now I’ve just been using normal dish soap and elbow grease to clean it but I can never get those black stains out, so I got bar keepers friend recently, would that help? Do you guys have any other ideas/tips for cleaning this plan so it can sparkling clean again??


r/howto 16m ago

Serious Answers Only How do I install this faucet? What do I need to buy?

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Upvotes

r/howto 36m ago

How to fix my rug after it got wet?

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Upvotes

Anytime my area rug gets wet (my daughter spills water constantly) it bunches like this. Usually it’ll fix itself, but this time it’s a larger area and it just won’t lie flat. If I flatten one spot the other bunches up. Anything I can do? I tried a wet towel and an iron and it just moved the bunched area around and created a more pronounced crease. 😩 it’s like the rug shape changes and I can’t figure out why this happens, but it drives me insane. Please help!


r/howto 4h ago

How to remove stains from mango wood table

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2 Upvotes

Hi all. I got this mango wood table second hand. It has water stains on it. Does anyone know how I can get these out or fade them? Thank you!


r/howto 6h ago

DIY How to fix a Window in home?

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2 Upvotes

I wanted to ask if anyone knows if I can replace these pieces in a home window myself? If so can you tell me what these pieces are called?


r/howto 18h ago

Serious Answers Only How can I figure out the motion on this locomotive

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18 Upvotes

Okay so to start I am a amateur 3D modeler and I'm trying to get into more complex things that have motion. Now I am interested in trains specifically Steam locomotives and I have a fondness for these unusual types of engines. The problem is a lot of the engines have either animation or historical footage available of them running and so you can see the valve Gear Running AKA all the rods between the piston and the wheels also connecting to the throttle and other relevant levers. My problem is I want to do this engine but it is very complicated I have looked for years trying to find photographs and historical drawings videos other people trying to do this schematics and there's just not a whole lot on the locomotive. Additionally I don't think this matches up with any of the valve gear types typically associated with steam locomotives meaning I think this is experimental. So saying that how can I go about learning how to make this valve gear? Additionally this website shows what I'm looking to make first so that I can make the engine and it's fullness later.

https://www.steamlocomotive.com/appliances/valvegear.php

Let me know if you have any ideas of what I should study or who I should ask I'm even willing pay someone to help me. If you have any ideas please feel free to reach out to me thank you


r/howto 11h ago

Serious Answers Only how can i remove sharpie from a door

4 Upvotes

I've used alcohol paint thinner and the magic eraser and nothing has worked


r/howto 15h ago

DIY How do I install door hinges with this metal plate in the door frame?

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8 Upvotes

I was looking to replace a bifold door with a normal one for my pantry but the door frame has this metal underneath. Any help would be appreciated.


r/howto 1d ago

DIY Broke this. Just bought it. Not sure if it’s fixable.

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101 Upvotes

My wife just got this thing, and I fell off a ladder (or rather, the ladder decided it was done being a ladder when I was about 20 ft up) and destroyed this lamp. She really liked it (dragonflies are something her mom and her shared. Her mom passed away several years ago).
It’s a knockoff. But even these knockoff Tiffany’s ain’t cheap. The material isn’t glass. Feels like a plastic almost. The black and copper is just so incredibly bendable/breakable.
I’m pretty handy and a quick study when pointed in the right direction. I have some distant soldering experience but I’m just not sure how this was put together. The copper reminds me of the old stained glass my dad used to do (he used to make lamps and windows as a hobby).

So I’m just confused but hopeful lol. Any knowledge on these is appreciated.


r/howto 6h ago

Serious Answers Only How to remove black mold from bathroom ceiling

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0 Upvotes

Hi guys! I have recently noticed black mold on my bathroom ceiling (along with a little bit on the silicone at the sink) and is trying to get rid of it.

I am considering getting Cillit bang mold remover but has no prior experience with it.

I am asking for recommendations and opinions.


r/howto 10h ago

DIY How to trim a foam mattress

2 Upvotes

Any ideas on how to NEATLY trim down a foam mattress?

I have an American twin size mattress that I wand to cut smaller to use for camping in my car. Its about 10 inches thick. I know I can cut it with a utility knife but I also know the result will look like it was chewed off by a rabid cow. Any ideas on how to end up with a nice cut across the end?


r/howto 1d ago

[Solved] I got this keychain with my car insurance and I don’t understand how to use it.

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184 Upvotes

It don’t move, it looks like it’s fixed like this.

Edit: I know how to use it now! Thank you all so much.


r/howto 8h ago

How can i fix this snapped off bolt to wire connection?

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1 Upvotes

My parking break wire on my car snapped off while i tried to tighten the slack in the wire.

Dealership and parts supplier says its impossible to get hold of a new whole part.

Is there any way of fixing it myself or with the help of a mechanic or something?


r/howto 2h ago

Serious Answers Only Anybody know how to remove these types of screws?

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0 Upvotes

We’ve already tried screwdrivers. We even tried putting WD-40 and the old classic rubber band trick the screws itself will not budge none of them.

Update: thank you guys for all your help to whoever said a socket wrench and a power drill would be able to get the screws out. You were right we were able to get the screw screws out, thanks to our generous neighbor for letting us borrow his drill and wrench


r/howto 23h ago

DIY How to make a very simple slide projector?

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8 Upvotes

I’ve been thinking for about most of today how to make a very simple and light weird slide projector to take my Halloween costume project to the next level. I know the basic principles of a projector like this (light, a dark box, a slide with the photo, and a lens/magnifying lens).

But the issue is, the projector is gonna be on top of my head. And how I’ve designed/pictured it working it needs a way to activate the light easily (as well as being lightweight). My idea was is that I’ll go to some place that has a printer that can print on transparent material and print out my own photos to use in the slide section.

This is sort of an electrical feat that I’ll have to do. Unless anyone else has any other suggestions or ideas that can work without changing the design too much. Thanks!


r/howto 1d ago

Serious Answers Only Help me remove a hook "superglued" to the wall

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28 Upvotes

I bought these hooks on Amazon that were advertised as strong enough to hold up a curtain rod and now I need to remove them from the wall. I tried heating up one with a hair dryer but it's not getting under the plastic and it's peeling up with the paint. There is no leverage against the wall and I realized that horizontal pulling is not going to cut it. You can see my attempt to get it up in slides 2 and 3.

At this point I'll accept peeling up the paint if needed (I'll just paint over it and give it the landlord special like he'd be happy to give to me) but I really need to remove these from the wall before I move in a few months and I'm currently unable to do so. Do I need a scraper? Do I need goo gone? How do I get under the plastic?

Edit: I already tried floss. It did not work.


r/howto 1d ago

[Solved] Freezer drawer handle coming loose

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149 Upvotes

Freezer drawer handle on Samsung black stainless fridge is starting to come loose (mostly from a toddler hanging onto it and yanking on it, but also from 5+ years of use). Can't see anything on the inside, is there any way to access the mount for this handle and tighten it up?


r/howto 1d ago

DIY Exposed concrete in my room, how to cover up?

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10 Upvotes

Hi! I am currently in a rented property. My bedroom has this weird area where the wooden flooring does not quite reach the edge of the room, and instead there is just exposed concrete. I haven’t had any issues with leaking or drafts or anything like that , however it houses spiders, and looks ugly.

does anyone have any tips for how this could easily be covered up?


r/howto 22h ago

How to fix cashmere jumper that is felted or has too much product build up

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1 Upvotes

This is really silly, but I bought this top second hand and it smelt so bad at first. I gave it a gentle cold hand wash but even after that it didn’t take the smell out, I then smothered it in washing powder and tried to hand wash again.

Unfortunately, the jumper seems to have absorbed all the powder and while it doesn’t stink anymore, it has slightly reduced in size when dry (not when wet) but leaves a film of product when touched.

I have tried to carefully wash it with cool water over and over, tried to use vinegar to pull the product out, but nothing seems to work. It is too sudsy, and the soap seems to have absorbed into the jumper and it doesn’t wash out very easily.

I’ve tried online guides but this is a very specific issue and nothing seems to work, any advice would be appreciated. Many thanks!


r/howto 22h ago

DIY How to fix this drain plug?

1 Upvotes

I managed to take it out of the bathtub.
I managed to disassemble it by taking the clamp (u-shaped) out.

I understand how the C-shaped thing fits with the pin.
What I can’t figure out is how to fix the c-shaped metal piece to the bottom of the plug.

Anyone has any experience with this?