A bright idea for updating lamps

Table and floor lamps are great because they can be used wherever and whenever you need them. All you have to do is twist a tiny knob or flip a small switch, which is located up inside a lamp shade and next to a white-hot bulb. But it's fairly simple to install an inline switch to most lamps' electrical cords, which makes switching on the lamp so much easier to do.

Here's how to do it:

Before beginning, examine your lamp's electrical cord to see where a good place to put an inline switch might be and mark it with a piece of tape or a marker. Note the size of the cord as well.

Check your hardware store or home center for an inline switch. They come in a couple of different styles and colors, so choose one that will match your cord for a discreet installation. You'll find most are designed to fit around the cord to interrupt the connection and are simple in design.

Before beginning, make sure your lamp is turned "on" and then unplug it. You'll see why we do this later.

Read the package directions and follow them. Some switches are so simple that you need only a screwdriver and perhaps a simple wire cutter to install them, while others will require the use of wire strippers. Make sure you make secure connections.

When you are finished, plug the lamp back in and give it a shot. With the lamp already turned "on," your switch will control the current to the lamp.

Now you can turn on that lamp whenever you want to without the struggle it used to be. What a bright idea!

Safety first

Shop liquids can be a little dangerous. Things like solvents and acids are commonly used, and you always need to be careful when handling them - especially when you need to pour, mix or transfer them from one container to another. Funnels are a wise choice, but they may need to be disposed of afterward. A simple but effective funnel easily can be made from an empty tin can. One end is cut out and the other end needs to have a hole in it, which you can make with your can opener. Position the can over the container with the open end up and the small end just over the opening. It's easy to pour the liquid into the can and let it flow out the bottom and into the container, hopefully without any spillage. Toss the can when you are finished.

String feeder

Strings and cords come in handy for all sorts of projects and crafts. The key to having a good variety of string available is to keep it stored in an organized way. Probably the easiest and least-expensive storage system is a collection of plastic jars that will hold a ball of string per container. I like to use peanut-butter jars because we usually have them on hand, and they also come in several sizes. Just drill a hole in the top and feed the end of the string through the jar lid, and then screw it on to keep the rest of the string inside. Pull out what you need and trim it off. Leave a little bit hanging out so you easily can get what you need the next time. If you find that the plastic jars tip over too easily, just put a couple of rocks inside to add some weight!

Super hints

• Replace an old cabinet panel door with hardware cloth or poultry netting. Use tacks or staples to secure it and give that old dresser or cabinet a new "country" look.

• Glue tubes and bottles have a problem with drying out between uses. That makes it hard for them to be ready-to-use. I have found that if I store them upside down, with the cap or lid facing downward, it will seal out the air, which usually is what causes them to clog up in the first place. Store them in a bucket of sand if you have trouble making them stand upright.

• A wall-mounted coat rack is a good idea for tight entryways. If you don't want to make a bunch of holes in your wall to hang one piece of wood, mount enough hooks for all of your coats onto one piece of wood and then just use a couple of screws to hold it to the wall.

Q. My kitchen has a nice tile backsplash. I keep it pretty clean, but I sure would like to see if there is a way to seal it against grease and stains. What should I use?

A. Use a paint-on grout sealer. It will penetrate the surface and seal it from stains. This process will need to be repeated every year or so in order to keep it sealed.

Q. I have a built-in bookcase in my office. It uses a system of metal hangers that fit into small holes to hold the shelves. One shelf has broken holes, so the hangers don't stay in. What can we do to fix this?

A. I can see two options. The first one is to use holes lower or higher and just move the shelf up or down a notch. The second idea is to use wood epoxy to reinforce the broken holes and then reinstall the metal hangers. Choose one or do both.

Q. I need your advice. I am a new handyperson and I'm starting to put together a small workshop. I'm doing a few minor projects and having a lot of fun. I have a nice drill that my uncle gave me and I've cleaned it up, but what other regular maintenance do I need to be doing to take good care of it?

A. If you don't have the owner's manual, go online and see if the manufacturer will get you a copy. Some offer it free for downloading right off the website. Cleaning the drill is always important. A brush or air compressor is a great way to get the sawdust out of the housing. Keeping it lubricated also is very important. If it is corded, make sure the cord isn't kinked. Keep the battery charged if it runs on batteries. You battery may need to be replaced occasionally.

Reader tips

• I still have the same grill that I've had for years. It's a very heavy-duty model made of metal and built to last. The grates are easy to clean. I use a wadded up piece of aluminum foil left over from cooking. This makes a great scrubber that is disposable, too, and it knocks all of the baked-on goo right off the surface. After that, brushing it clean is easy. I do this every time I use the grill. I also have a good cover that protects it from the weather.

• I learned something new this week. I had to replace my dryer and so I went shopping. I kept seeing the dryer that I wanted to use, which matched my washer, but the door opened on the wrong side. I finally asked a salesman about it, and he showed me that the doors are made to easily switch to the other side in just a few minutes. I felt a little silly, but I was glad I wasn't going to have to special-order a dryer! It turns out most dryers do this, and refrigerators do, too.

• When we bought our trampoline, it came with a net and spring covers. Since then, we've had to repair and replace several parts of it, which can get a little costly. I did find a better and cheaper way to cover the springs: I used a pool noodle cut to fit the length of the springs. These sections will do a good job of protecting the kids at a fraction of the cost of the other covers.

• I finally had my first garage sale. Thank goodness my sister helped me. We got donations from several neighbors, too. To keep everyone's stuff straight, we used color-coded tags. Each person used a different color, and we collected the tags with amounts written on them at the "check-out." At the end of the day, it was much easier to sort through these colored tags to see how much each person was due. I got rid of so much stuff and made enough money to replace my old patio umbrella! It was well worth it to me.

• I use mouthwash to wash my hands when I have a bad smell on them that won't go away. My friend told me about this idea after we had been cleaning his burned-out home a few weeks ago. We just couldn't get rid of that smoke smell. The mouthwash really worked pretty well. I have tried it again, and it works on fish smell, too, after a recent fishing trip.

Shoptalk

• Vinegar is one of those everyday household products that we all have in our homes. Although it is the perfect thing to use for making pickles, it has tons of other uses in the home, shop and even the great outdoors. It's really inexpensive and can save you money in many cases. We have put together a list of some of our favorite tried-and-true uses for the stuff. You also can get this information, as well as a lot of other interesting tips, on our website www.thesuperhandyman.com. We hope to hear from you soon.

• A new backsplash can cost quite a bit and take a couple of days to complete in most cases. But check out the Fasade Backsplash. It comes in a really good variety of finishes and styles, including stamped copper, metal diamond plate, subway tiles and glass tiles. The peel-and-stick panels mean no glue or grout is required, and you can install one in an afternoon. Sizes vary, but the possibilities are practically endless. They also carry the trim and other fittings that you will need to complete the project. To find out more and to get inspired, just visit www.backsplashideas.com.

• Painting a deck is something you want to do right the first time so it will last a long time. Behr Premium DeckOver is a good choice for this. It's designed to add a superstrong surface to a standard wooden or even concrete deck. It comes in a wide variety of colors, and a textured version as well. Use it to conceal splinters and cracks up to one-quarter inch wide, and create a smooth, slip-resistant finish that resists cracking and peeling. To find out more, go to www.behr.com or find it at your local Home Depot.

• Write to Kelly Carrell in care of the Daily Herald, P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006 or visit online at thesuperhandyman.com.

© 2015, Cowles Syndicate Inc.