Simple home DIY repairs

[Kb27]

On 5/14/2023 at 2:10 PM, Kb27 said:

My experience with changing door lock, bcuz it was broken in some places:

This type of round knob door lock used in my toilet door. There is a pinhole where you use a "key" to poke and then wiggle the round handle free. Then you unloosen 2 screws to remove the whole thing. Easier said than done.

The problem is my toilet door (as well as the lock) is over 20 yrs old and the lock has rusted inside and jammed, having been constantly exposed to moisture. I couldn't use the pinhole to unloosen the knob. So I can't reach the 2 screws. There is another metal cover over the 2 screws, which I use an aviation snip to cut free. The knob is still blocking direct access to the screws. One screw I manage to remove, the 2nd one head is damaged and jammed.

I used drill with various bits and finally got the screw head off, but still the lock would not come out easy. The only way it could come out is to remove the blocking knob handle...and doing all this without damaging the door. Lock is cheap, door is not.

Finally, I resort to a hand saw and bring out the big gun, an angle grinder to remove the knob.

This is a damn lousy design lock. I have another bedroom door using the same type of lock and I can't remove the knob again. I have to deal with it later.

This is a better design from NELON, which I installed in MBR door, only 2 screws accessible from outside, less likely to jam. However it has a more or less standard backset adjustable from 60mm to 70mm. The toilet door existing hole is 85mm, so this doesn't fit there.

Regarding door lock, I'd like to share, a bit about maintenance.

I think you should try to lubricate the internal parts, esp if the lock is used in the toilet where it's exposed to moisture. Although they claim stainless steel, it's probably on some parts and not all. The spring for example is unlikely to be stainless steel. If it breaks at the wrong time, you're in big trouble. Trying to open a stuck door, with a broken latch, may cost you a locksmith labour trip, which will not be cheap.

This is the latch, which is typically called back set of 60mm, the length behind the centre of the hole to the edge of the door. If the spring breaks inside due to corrosion, the door is going to be jammed stuck.

 

So what I do is to push the latch inwards and spray with a lubricant. I recommend Fluid Film, bcuz it's tenaciously greasy and it won't come off for decades.

For the main mechanism, you may have to remove cover and try to spray inside the lock.

Edited May 15, 2023 by Kb27

[Ray7456]

Need some help here. Adapter to a 3M table light spoilt. I need to buy a replacement but not sure of which exact model or rating to get from shopee as I’m not a electrical guy. Any advise? A direct link would help. Thanks. 
Now using the adapter for notebook on the light 🤣🤣.  This one went bust. 

[Volvobrick]

On 5/16/2023 at 10:54 PM, Ray7456 said:

Need some help here. Adapter to a 3M table light spoilt. I need to buy a replacement but not sure of which exact model or rating to get from shopee as I’m not a electrical guy. Any advise? A direct link would help. Thanks. 
Now using the adapter for notebook on the light 🤣🤣.  This one went bust. 

12v 1.5A.

 

Can get slightly higher A no issue eg 2 A or 3A. Like this 

https://shp.ee/2dmpvta

 

[Ct3833]

On 5/16/2023 at 11:27 PM, Volvobrick said:

12v 1.5A.

 

Can get slightly higher A no issue eg 2 A or 3A. Like this 

https://shp.ee/2dmpvta

 

He also has to ensure the + is the inner lin, - is outer sleeve.

 

 

 

[Volvobrick]

On 5/16/2023 at 11:41 PM, Ct3833 said:

He also has to ensure the + is the inner lin, - is outer sleeve.

 

 

 

I think it is industry standard for positive to be inside. 

[Lala81]

This is not really related. But found a value buy. 

I was looking for cheaper cleaning agents for the household. After all they are just mostly chemicals. But there isn't a lot of options in supermarkets, even SS.

This is from value$ shop. 1.50 per bottle. Its basically a bleach based toilet bowl cleaner. 

I've been using magiclean toilet duck for the longest time. It works OK. The biggest difference is that this can remove poop stains after u have sprayed with the bidet spray. even without brushing most of the time. Downside is that it tends to be bit watery and u can use up quite a bit at one go. 

The power of bleach. 

Edited June 22, 2023 by Lala81

[Mustank]

On 6/22/2023 at 8:29 PM, Lala81 said:

This is not really related. But found a value buy. 

I was looking for cheaper cleaning agents for the household. After all they are just mostly chemicals. But there isn't a lot of options in supermarkets, even SS.

This is from value$ shop. 1.50 per bottle. Its basically a bleach based toilet bowl cleaner. 

I've been using magiclean toilet duck for the longest time. It works OK. The biggest difference is that this can remove poop stains after u have sprayed with the bidet spray. even without brushing most of the time. Downside is that it tends to be bit watery and u can use up quite a bit at one go. 

The power of bleach. 

I stingy as f**k

i have 3 of these kao green bottles. After use finish, I top up using bleach 

the bleach is those cheapo bleach from the downstairs shop. They take back the bottle at 50c one

I like the kao green bottles because they are easy to apply. I reuse don’t know how many cycle already 

 

 

ntuc, if you truely say you support environment, collect back bottle at 50c leh

people has been doing this bottle thing for donno how many decades! 
 

puizzzzz!!!!!

[13177]

On 6/22/2023 at 8:29 PM, Lala81 said:

This is not really related. But found a value buy. 

I was looking for cheaper cleaning agents for the household. After all they are just mostly chemicals. But there isn't a lot of options in supermarkets, even SS.

This is from value$ shop. 1.50 per bottle. Its basically a bleach based toilet bowl cleaner. 

I've been using magiclean toilet duck for the longest time. It works OK. The biggest difference is that this can remove poop stains after u have sprayed with the bidet spray. even without brushing most of the time. Downside is that it tends to be bit watery and u can use up quite a bit at one go. 

The power of bleach. 

$1.50 per bottle consider cheap liao. I am using Mr Muscle, not bad but recently find that the cap difficult to open. So now looking for alternative. Maybe i check out this Domestos.

[inlinesix]

I have been using Clorox Toilet Cleaner for 1 year.

It is the best so far.

Cleaner to buy in Msia at RM14.99 (twin pack)

[Rayleigh]

On 5/14/2023 at 5:44 PM, mersaylee said:

Maybe I should also start my own company...recently managed to revive a dead fan coil supposedly a declared dead unit few years ago ...😁

So what did you change? How did you diagnose?

[Lala81]

On 6/23/2023 at 8:45 AM, Mustank said:

I stingy as f**k

i have 3 of these kao green bottles. After use finish, I top up using bleach 

the bleach is those cheapo bleach from the downstairs shop. They take back the bottle at 50c one

I like the kao green bottles because they are easy to apply. I reuse don’t know how many cycle already 

 

 

ntuc, if you truely say you support environment, collect back bottle at 50c leh

people has been doing this bottle thing for donno how many decades! 
 

puizzzzz!!!!!

i have household bleach in the house as well.

[Lala81]

On 6/23/2023 at 9:12 AM, inlinesix said:

I have been using Clorox Toilet Cleaner for 1 year.

It is the best so far.

Cleaner to buy in Msia at RM14.99 (twin pack)

clorox is just bleach based and its expensive in sg. waste money buying the brand. Otherwise would be viable option.

Anyway normal bleach is quite overpowering the fumes especially if your toilet is not well ventilated. This domestos the bleach fumes is milder. 

Edited June 23, 2023 by Lala81

[13177]

On 6/23/2023 at 9:20 AM, Lala81 said:

i have household bleach in the house as well.

How come you need bleach in the house? I only have dettol in the house, mainly use it to clean the house and wash toilet.

[mersaylee]

On 6/23/2023 at 9:16 AM, Rayleigh said:

So what did you change? How did you diagnose?

Nothing was change...still working on and off...need some intricate fiddlings with the buttons on the FC...

[13177]

On 6/23/2023 at 9:33 AM, mersaylee said:

Nothing was change...still working on and off...need some intricate fiddlings with the buttons on the FC...

How come no change to a new one?

[Lala81]

On 6/23/2023 at 9:26 AM, 13177 said:

How come you need bleach in the house? I only have dettol in the house, mainly use it to clean the house and wash toilet.

good for kiling mould. or algae. like those on kitchen towels etc. on those silicone sealing strips for food containers etc also. 

bleach is the best mould killer.

[mersaylee]

On 6/23/2023 at 9:38 AM, 13177 said:

How come no change to a new one?

No monie...😂

[Tianmo]

On 6/22/2023 at 8:29 PM, Lala81 said:

This is not really related. But found a value buy. 

I was looking for cheaper cleaning agents for the household. After all they are just mostly chemicals. But there isn't a lot of options in supermarkets, even SS.

This is from value$ shop. 1.50 per bottle. Its basically a bleach based toilet bowl cleaner. 

I've been using magiclean toilet duck for the longest time. It works OK. The biggest difference is that this can remove poop stains after u have sprayed with the bidet spray. even without brushing most of the time. Downside is that it tends to be bit watery and u can use up quite a bit at one go. 

The power of bleach. 

You might also consider this, I bought from SS at $2.10 per twin pack, which work out to $1.05 per bottle. This is almost identical to Mr muscle, but at a function of its price. Works fantasy on toilet bowls, cheap and good. But dont bother buying from internet, stupid prices there.  

 

I also bought this hand wash at $1 a bottle at value shop during clearance sales last year, add 50-50 with vinegar in a spray bottle, cleans like magic. your shower screen will clean like new.  

Edited June 23, 2023 by Tianmo