100 http://www.popularmechanics.co.za _ AUGUST 2017
DO IT YOUR WAY / USEFUL, CLEVER TIPS FOR YOUR HOME
SEND US YOUR HINT
- AND SCORE!
RESERVATION OF COPYRIGHT
The publishers of PoPular Mechanics reserve all rights of reproduction or broadcasting of feature articles and factual data appearing in this journal under Section 12 (7) of the Copyright Act,- Such reproduction or broadcasting may be authorised only by the publishers of PoPular Mechanics. Published by RamsayMedia for the Proprietors, PoPular Mechanics, 36 Old Mill Rd,
Ndabeni, Western Cape. Distributed by RNA, 12 Nobel St, Industria West, Johannesburg, and printed by CTP Web, 12-14 Boompies Street, Parow, Cape Town. Apple Mac support: Digicape
tel 021 674-5000.
WINNING TIP
WIN
COMPUTER GARDEN
Being a pensioner, reading the hard copy
of PoPular Mechanics with a couple of
cups of tea is magic. That’s because
computers are getting everywhere,
particularly when it comes to the news
media.
Which brings me to my tip.
The pigeons are eating my Brussels
sprouts, with a hors d’oeuvre of peas
and beetroot toppings. I know we all
have to eat; but surely, they could eat
something else. So, I had to scare them
away when I was not there. I hung old
redundant CDs on a trellis of fishing line
in the hope that it would work like those
rotating, flashing Sun reflectors on the
top of tall buildings. It worked and my
sprouts are growing like a Boeing.
Check out the sprouts before and
after. Also the veg garden with CDs.
MICHAEL HUNT
NORTHCLIFFSend us your tip and you could win a Master
Lock hamper worth R2 500. The prize
includes the MasterLock Excell stainless
3 pack, a MasterLock Excell solid steel
combination padlock, and a MasterLock
spin dial combination lock.
Security and strength are assured thanks
to Master Lock’s superior technology and
materials such as Tough-Cut boron-carbide- 50 per cent harder than hardened steel for
maximum resistance to cutting and sawing.
MasterLock Excell Laminated Padlock.
The tough 45 mm wide laminated steel body
is surrounded by weather-resistant stainless
steel and zinc, with a Tough-Cut boron-carbide
51 mm long and 8 mm diameter octagonal
shackle. The 4-pin cylinder prevents picking
and the dual locking ball bearings resist
prying and hammering. (With limited lifetime
warranty.)
MasterLock Excell Solid Steel Combi-
nation Padlock. A strong, reliable 56 mm
wide zinc body houses a 38 mm octagonal
Tough-Cut boron-carbide shackle 9 mm in
diameter. The resettable combination includes
pick- and pry-resistant roller pin cylinder,
weatherproof hinged dial cover and shackle
seal, and reinforced body bumper. (With
limited lifetime warranty.)
MasterLock Spin Dial Combination Lock.
This 3-digit combination padlock features
BlockGuard Anti-Shim technology, hard-
ened steel shackle and double-reinforced
stainless steel casing; it fits lockers with a
padlock eye of at least 7 mm diameter.
Send your tips to:
PM Do It Your Way, Box 180, Howard
Place 7450, or e-mail popularmechanics
@ramsaymedia.co.za. Please include
your name, address and contact number.
Regrettably, only South African residents
are eligible for the prize. Prizes not
claimed within 60 days will be forfeited.DE-FUZZ YOUR TUMBLE DRYER
Over time, the air inlet at the back of
your tumble dryer can get blocked up with
airborne lint. Not only does this restrict
airflow through the machine and slow up the
drying process, but in a worst-case scenario,
it can lead to the dryer motor overheating
and burning out. So it’s a good idea every
six months or so to slide your tumble dryer
forward and check the air inlet vent. A quick
suction with your vacuum cleaner will clear
the vent of any obstruction and possibly even
save you the cost of a new tumble dryer.
DOUG LAURIE
BROMHOFBATTERY, NO ASSAULT
Battery manufacturers seem to recommend
keeping spares in one’s refrigerator (NOT
the freezer...). This is said to make them
last longer – very desirable, considering
the cost!
But the interior of a fridge may not be an
ideal storage spot if the batteries (especially
button cells) are kept in their original pack-
aging, because the back of the packaging is
generally cardboard. This is porous, and if
it gets wet (not difficult), the moisture gets
through and can damage or even destroy
the battery.
Solution: go to your local bank and beg
or buy some of their small zip-seal coin bags.
Then simply place the battery/ies into the
bag, squeeze out as much air as possible, and
seal the bag tightly. Then pop it in the fridge,
where it will rest, dry and comfortable and
long-lasting. You can also slip in a piece of
paper with the battery type written on it;
this will aid in getting the right one when
you need it.
CHRIS GRAHAM
RANDBURG