HANDYMAN’S CORNER

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 266, 5 August 1932, Page 6

HANDYMAN’S CORNER

Inquiries on home design, building, and furnishing problems are inxuited by Handyman, who will answer them to the best of Ids ability in this corner, Xetters should be addressed to •‘Handyman,” Home Section, "The Dominion,” and it must be understood that none will bo answered by mail. Handy home hints from readers will be welcomed. A DOOR THAT “CATCHES” “Puzzled,” Karori, writes: I have had laid a thick carpet with felt underneath. In consequence the door of the room catches on the surface of the carpet and causes much discomfort. How can I remedy this? If I have the under part of the door planed, d draught will be caused when it is shut. The difficulty may be overcome easily by removing the door and rehanging it on what are known a$ “rising butts.” As the name implies these are hinges which cause the door to rise as it opens. The rise should .be sufficient to clear the carpet unless it is extremely thick. The job of hanging the hinges should be passed on to a tradesman. It is a ticklish little task, and faulty adjustment may cause you a lot of trouble. CHEAP AND USEFUL TOOL “Reader” writes: Some of your fellow handymen may be interested in a little tool which I mad-' for myself out of an old table knife. I use it for pressing putty, stopping up cracks, and scraping, and would not be without it. I took an old knife and, with the aid of a file, cut it diagonally across from a point half an inch from the handle on the blade side to an inch and a half from the handle on the other side. CEMENT VERSUS WATER T.E.A., Nelson writes: Can you supply me with a recipe for a cement which will withstand water. I wish to use only a small quantity in an indoor tank. This cement withstands the action of either salt or fresh water:—loz. litharge, loz. plaster of Paris, }oz. powdered resin, loz. fine clean dry sand. Mix thoroughly and keep in a tightly corked bottle until required. Then mix to the consistency of putty with boiled linseed oil. Do not rise the cement after it has been mixed with oil more than 12 hours. The tank may be used immediately after the cement has been applied, but it is better if left for three or four hours. ANSWER TO INQUIRER

“Puzzled,” Karori: Such a problem cannot be answered in a column of this description. It would mean the drawing of a scale plan which, even then, might not suit your requirements. The inquiry is ons for an arcihtect.