Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [hardware]

186 questions
21
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4 answers

What are the different types of drywall anchors, and what are the advantages of each?

I recently put up wire shelving in my pantry, and spent forever figuring out what type of drywall anchor I should use. I even found several types that I didn't even know existed. It might be good to have a reference page for drywall anchors. So,…
Doresoom
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5 answers

How to keep screws in a hollow door

I have a hollow core interior door. The screws for the handle keep pulling out. To fix this I've used the biggest screws that will fit. I've tried a couple of different types of glue, and I've tried hollow door plugs. All of these solutions last a…
GdD
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19
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4 answers

How can I unscrew the faucet nuts in the tight space behind my sink basin?

My bathroom faucet is dripping, and I would like to change the washers in it. The problem I am running into is the placement of the nuts holding the faucet valves in place: This is the underside of the sink, the hot and cold valves are on either…
Joel Croteau
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18
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6 answers

How can I stop a toilet seat from rapidly loosening?

The seat on my toilet always works itself loose. It has plastic thumb-screw-style nuts that tighten on to bolts on the underside of the toilet. The left nut works itself loose over the course of a few days of normal use. I can tighten it again…
Jean-Paul Calderone
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16
votes
2 answers

What is this stake in my yard and can I remove it?

My child has been swinging in our front yard (NC, US) and worn away the grass, revealing this metallic stake (* See photo, note the acorn top for scale*): I gently tried to pull it up, but it is lodged in pretty well, and I don't want to damage city…
neuronet
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15
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2 answers

How do I prevent the bolts in my snow blower rotor from breaking?

We got about 12" of snow today and my snow blower lasted only 30 minutes before shearing off one of the 1/4" bolts that holds the rotary blade in place. This is the second time this has happened in as many snow blowing adventures. What is the right…
forrest
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13
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9 answers

What is the name of this metal bar with holes at the ends?

I need to find a metal part that looks a bit like this: hole for bolt strong metal | | ___|____________________________v_______ / v \ ( (_) …
Village
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12
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3 answers

Screw with mixed threads?

I changed a deadbolt lock on my front door, and in the pile of old parts, there was a weird screw with 8-32 threads near the head and wood threads at the end. I'm just curious: what is the name for this type of screw? what is it used for? thanks
FJZ
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12
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1 answer

What is this piece of hardware?

My wife wants to know. Her sister has a giant bag of them. She thought I would know, but I don’t. The outside diameter of the finely threaded side is 27mm.
kmort
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8
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3 answers

What type of fastener should I use for a hollow wood door?

I'm planning on putting a bathrobe/extra towel hook on the back of my bathroom door, but I'm pretty sure it's hollow wood. Can I just use the standard screws that come with the hook kit, or do I need something else?
Doresoom
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7
votes
6 answers

Using drywall screws for electrical boxes?

I am installing the following items: and I am using regular 1 1/4" drywall screws to secure them. Is there any concern in regards to shear strength or rot that would make me regret using drywall screws? I am fully aware of the adage "Drywall…
MonkeyZeus
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7
votes
5 answers

What is the name of this Allen-head furniture fastener?

I have a couple of boards that are parts of a table I am assembling, and I wish to know the name of the metal piece of hardware circled in red, below. I would have thought it was called a bolt, but I cannot find anything like it under the name…
Mark
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7
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2 answers

What does the 16" in "16-Inch Full Ext Drawer" refer to?

I'm building a project that involves sliding drawers. I'm shopping for drawer slides and I'm not sure what the 16" in the title below refers to? Does it mean the drawer hardware is 16 inches closed? Like the length of the track closed is 16 inches?…
studiohack
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6
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1 answer

What is the name of a coupling nut with a cutout?

I'm fixing a lamp and I need a coupling nut to connect the post that contains the electrical wires to a rod that holds the shade. This looks like a normal coupling nut, but with half of the middle cut out to let the electrical wires come…
fgregg
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6
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3 answers

Which outlet box should I use for an unfinished basement?

I want to install a 15-amp AC receptacle in my basement between the ceiling joists. The basement's not finished so there's plenty of room to play around. Should I be installing a "new work" new plastic outlet box or a steel one?
Matthew Leingang
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