HANDYMAN’S CORNER

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 248, 15 July 1932, Page 5

HANDYMAN’S CORNER

Inquiries on home design, building, and furnishing problems are Invulted by Handyman, who will answer them to the best of ids ability in this corner. Letters should be addressed to "Handyman,” Home Section, “The Dominion,”.and it must be understood that none will be answered by mail. Handy home hints from readers will be welcomed. SEARCH FOR PIPE-CLAY GJ?J)., Otamita, writes asking where pipe-clay can be obtained. Pipe-clay is not now in general use for cleaning purposes, prepared substitutes having largely replaced it on the market. Possibly, however, a reader can supply .“G.P.D.” with the desired information. REMOVING OLD SCREWS M.W, Wellington, explains that several old screws have become firmly embedded in a wall, and asks if there is any simple method by which they can be removed. . Try applying a red-hot iron to the head of the screw for several minutes. As soon as you remove the iron, and while the screw is still hot, use the screw-driver quickly and firmly. Unless the screws are lieyoud persuasion they should respond fairly easily. POLISH FOR CUT GLASS “Houselceeper,” W’adestown: Is there any means of producing a lasting polish on cut glass? I have heard of methods of bringing out the finish of such articles, blit have not had much success. Washing in hot, soapv water and brisk drying with a soft towel is the usual method of dealing with cut glass. There is however, one substitute which may have a better effect. Make a paste of calcined magnesia and petrol, and apply it to the glass with cotton wool or a small soft rag. Leave it until the petrol evaporates, then polish either with a cloth or with tissue paper. Plus will impart a more permanent lustre. STAMPING OUT BORER J.L.8., Wallaceville, writes: Could you tell me if there Is any way of treating furniture to prevent borer getting into it. Mine is all light stained rimu The house lamin at present is full of borer, and I wondered If there was any way of preventing It attacking my furniture. If I notice any holes in the furniture, how do I treat it then? Borer does not attack rimu as i-eailily as in the case of some other furniture Umbers, but precautions are necessary. I •<> not allow any piece to touch a wall or skirting board, leaving instead a elearan-e of about an inch. If the floors are infected it is well for the furniture to be mounted on castors. All top surfaces should t'<kept well dusted and polished. If borer is discovered, first mark the fullest extent of his spread, then prepare a mixture of one part of kerosene to 10 parts of turpentine. Using an oil-can with a very fine nozzle, force this mixture into every hole until the woodwork is fairly saturated. This should be done with the piece in such a position that you are forcing the liquid downward, and the applications must lie liberal, for borer holes are lengthy’. Finally, ping each hole with beeswax, and, if the surface is an exposed one. apply a good covering of polish.