Any handyman out there that can help with a DIY question?

[Essen est zich]

I can't smell gas. My neighbor mentioned it to me that there is a faint smell...

I will try the soap bottle method and see what happens.

[srap]

OK, so I don't know if this counts as a DIY question, but I figure the people reading this would have the best chance of being able to help me.

I have a bunch of bookshelves with adjustable shelves, and I've lost a few of the pegs that hold the shelves up. What's the best way to get pegs that are the correct thickness and length?

In a pinch, you can use a screw.  You fill the peg hole with one or more wooden matchsticks (matchhead cut off) and then screw the screw next to/between the matches into the sidewall of the cabinet.  If the screw head is small enough, the shelf will rest on the length of the screw.  I have also used thick nails in the past.

[yos9694]

In a pinch, you can use a screw.  You fill the peg hole with one or more wooden matchsticks (matchhead cut off) and then screw the screw next to/between the matches into the sidewall of the cabinet.  If the screw head is small enough, the shelf will rest on the length of the screw.  I have also used thick nails in the past.

This is a great idea - but I would personally recommend finish nails rather than screws. First, higher sheer strength. Second, no head to worry about. Third, nail sizes are an easy match (probably 10 or 12 will fit correctly)

[skyguy918]

How can I tell if there is a gas leak coming from the connection from my dryer?

I've had an extremely faint and intermittent gas smell in my basement for a while ever since a partial remodel. I'd had the contractor check for leaks a bunch of times and he never found anything. Just cleaned out my dryer vent on Sunday and decided to check the flexible gas line for the dryer while I was at it (spray bottle with some cleaning solution). Sure enough there's a miniscule leak right at the union of the gas line and the fitting. I'm not convinced that's the only spot I have issues with either.

[CountValentine]

If you smell gas turn off the shut off valve. This way you can narrow it down.

[CountValentine]

OK, so I don't know if this counts as a DIY question, but I figure the people reading this would have the best chance of being able to help me.

I have a bunch of bookshelves with adjustable shelves, and I've lost a few of the pegs that hold the shelves up. What's the best way to get pegs that are the correct thickness and length?

The easiest fix is just go to HD and get ones that are slightly larger than you had. Drill out the holes for a perfect and long lasting fix.

[sguitarist18]

Use a ruler to measure the diameter of the hole in mm. Order a pack on amazon and hope it's the right thing. If it's not, order a little bigger/smaller.

Measured...ended up getting on Amazon, and it worked. Surprisingly, most of the shelf pegs ending up being different types.

I had already tried bringing the pegs to HD, they said they didn't have matching ones.

I prefer to avoid solutions requiring drilling, because a) my handyman skills are limited, and b) even if they weren't, when dealing with a relatively expensive bookshelf I'd rather not start modifying anything.

[AsherO]

Try packing the holes with toothpicks (and wood glue if you have) then screwing it back in.

@whYME or anyone else. Having the same issue now with a hollow door. The hinge screw holes are worn and the door is hollow so toothpicks don’t work. Should I try toggle bolts (they seem too big?...), wood filler (would it just fall into the hollow door like the toothpicks), anchors, or something else?

[Crazy tools]

@whYME or anyone else. Having the same issue now with a hollow door. The hinge screw holes are worn and the door is hollow so toothpicks don’t work. Should I try toggle bolts (they seem too big?...), wood filler (would it just fall into the hollow door like the toothpicks), anchors, or something else?

I don't think toggles is a great idea as you will need a very large home to insert them and then there isn't much space for them to fan out.
I would use glue and a golf tee. Bang in the wood gold tee as much as possible then break off access. Let glue dry and pre drill screw home with a very small drill bit

[lcm]

@whYME or anyone else. Having the same issue now with a hollow door. The hinge screw holes are worn and the door is hollow so toothpicks don’t work. Should I try toggle bolts (they seem too big?...), wood filler (would it just fall into the hollow door like the toothpicks), anchors, or something else?

Would a spreading anchor work?

[MeirS]

Any quick fix for removing one way screws from a window guard?

[AsherO]

Any quick fix for removing one way screws from a window guard?

There’s a special screwdriver type tool for it, but if you don’t care to ruin the screws you might be able to turn them into flathead screws using a dremel to cut a notch in the screw.

Personally I was able to get them off using locking pliers to turn them counterclockwise, but it wasn’t easy.

[Yo ssi]

Any quick fix for removing one way screws from a window guard?

This type of tool should work as well.

My set similar to this works great.

[MeirS]

This type of tool should work as well.

Didn't work for me

[CountValentine]

Didn't work for me

What happened? Did the screw or screw head break off?

[MeirS]

What happened? Did the screw or screw head break off?

The way the one way screws work, it just slips along the head and it wouldn't penetrate the screw.
Maybe my screws are to old and rusty.

[Yo ssi]

The way the one way screws work, it just slips along the head and it wouldn't penetrate the screw.
Maybe my screws are to old and rusty.

You drilled first into the screw? Although it might slip it should still be doable.

[MeirS]

You drilled first into the screw?

That's the part that didn't work for me.

[Yo ssi]

That's the part that didn't work for me.

It should be doable, perhaps try using a different drill bit first. Old and rusty screws tend to be easier to drill (the problem is they are brittle and would crack instead of unscrewing)

[MeirS]

It should be doable, perhaps try using a different drill bit first. Old and rusty screws tend to be easier to drill (the problem is they are rigid and would crack instead of unscrewing)

I'll have to try that.
Thanks