belly pan

How to Repair a Snowmobile Plastic Belly Pan

Introduction

Plastic snowmobile belly pans keep snow from entering the spot that holds the snowmobile’s engine. Belly pans sustain injuries from objects that the snowmobile runs over and from physical impact of harsh items on the belly pan. Belly pans are pretty easily fixed. Belly pans that are too badly damaged need to be replaced. Belly pans do not need to be perfect; they just need to keep nearly all the snow away from the engine.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You'll Need:

- Drill and drill bit

- Zip/cable ties

Instructions

Step 1

Drill tiny holes in a row that is parallel and a half inch away from the crack. Drill the holes on both sides of the crack. The holes need to be just big enough that a zip tie can go through them.

Step 2

Thread the zip tie into the holes. Start from the top of one side of the crack and zig zag all the way down the holes on both sides. The crack should be laced up like a sneaker.

Step 3

Pull the cable tight. Tie the ends of the cable so that they can’t come undone.

Tip

You can try to glue the crack together with flexible glue if it is a very small crack.

Full Version: Crack in Belly Pan

http://www.hardcoresledder.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t443038.html

toilet tank revised

How to Change the Tank Gasket on a One Piece Kohler Toilet

Introduction

Kohler toilets are popular because of their reliability and variety. Kohler toilets come in many sizes, colors, and shapes to match your bathroom. However, these toilets can also develop problems. Toilets that leak often need to have their tank gasket replaced. Toilet tank gaskets are not very difficult to change. You will know that your gasket needs to be replaced if water appears around the bottom of the toilet or if it smells like the sewer in your bathroom.

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You'll Need:

- New Kohler toilet gasket

- Wrench

- Screwdriver

- Rags or towels

- Caulk or silicone sealant

Instructions

Step 1

Shut off the toilet’s water supply. The hose running out of the wall below the toilet tank is the water supply line. Turn the valve on this line to the off position.

Step 2

Empty the tank of water by flushing the toilet. Wipe away any additional water with towls or rags. Detach the water supply hose using a wrench.

Step 3

Place old towels or rags on the floor around the toilet. Remove the 2 bolts that secure the tank to the bottom of the toilet. Hold the bolt with a screwdriver and use a wrench to undo its nut. Take the tank and toilet off and place the whole structure gently upside down on the towels on the floor.

Step 4

Locate the tank gasket. The gasket is a round, black, rubber piece that is stuck onto the bottom of the tank. Pull up the gasket so that it is no longer attached to the tank.

Step 5

Put a new gasket in place of the old one. Paint sealant onto the new gasket to keep it in place.

Step 6

Place the tank and toilet right side up. Tighten the bolts back into place with a wrench so that they form a tight seal.

Step 7

Attach the water supply to the tank. Secure the water hose with a small amount of sealant. Turn the water supply back on. Once the tank fills with water, flush the toilet. Make sure there are no leaks anywhere.

Tip

Replace all worn bolts to keep the toilet running well.

Warning

Have plenty of towels on hand because there will probably be more water coming out then you anticipate.

Kohler: Toilets

http://www.us.kohler.com/onlinecatalog/category.jsp?category=13&nsection=2&nsubsection=3&nitem=cat13

gun sights

How to Set the Sight on a Pellet Pistol

Introduction

The US Army rifle marksmanship manual states that the most important part of properly aiming any type of gun is sight alignment. If you want to be sure that your shots will hit their targets, set the sights on your pellet pistol properly. You will also need to remain steady while shooting to be sure that your shooting is accurate. All guns are different so do further research to learn how to set the sights on your specific gun model.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Step 1

Take up a stable firing pose. This means that even when you relax your upper body, your stance will enable you to keep the pellet pistol properly aligned. This position is named the "natural point of aim." You can kneel or stand in this position.

Step 2

Line up your eye with the rear sight aperture of the pistol and look through the aperture. Aim for your target's upper torso. This is the recommendation of the US Marine Corps.

Step 3

Position the top of the front sight post to either cover the target's aiming point or directly below the aiming point. Focus your eye on the front sight post so that your eye can naturally center the front sight post with the rear sight aperture.

Step 4

Press the pellet pistol's trigger strongly and smoothly. Pushing too hard and jerkily on the trigger will cause the pistol's sights to misalign. Sight misalignments errors increase every half meter that the bullet goes.

Tip

Try to keep a steady arm when shooting because no amount of sight alignment will keep your bullet straight if your arm jerks when you shoot.

Warning

Guns are dangerous. Always handle them with extreme caution.

Chrisitian Gun Owner: Correct Handgun Sight Alignment

http://www.christiangunowner.com/handgun_sight_alignment.html

patio cover

How to Build a Patio Shade Cover

Introduction

Patio shades create a comfortable place for you to sit outside during many types of weather. Patio shades can protect you from dangerous sun rays and keep inclement weather off of your patio furniture. There are many different options for patio shade covers. Patio shades range from stable and permanent materials to temperamental material such as plants. Patio shades are attached to permanent free-standing structures. Build your patio cover with all weather possibilities in mind so that you install a cover that will last.

Difficulty: Moderately Difficult

Things You'll Need:

- Footings

- Concrete

- Drill

- Hammer

- Screwdriver

- Nails

- Screws

- Machine bolts

- Wood beams

- Braces

- Wood rafters

- Woven mats

- Vine or Ivy plants

- Retractable pull-shades

Instructions

Building the Patio Shade Structure

Step 1

Dig holes and put footings in them. Connect base posts to each footing and secure them with concrete. You can also secure the base posts by bolting them to metal posts, steel frames, or deck joists. The posts need to be taller than the height of an above average person.

Step 2

Secure support beams to every side of the posts with machine bolts. Install braces in each corner at 45 degree angles. Nail or screw in rafters that hang a little over the structure. This completes the outer structure of the patio shade.

Step 3

Cover the structure with boards, lattice, louvers, or wood lath. Secure the material of your choice with nails or drills.

Installing Different Shade Cover Materials

1 Lace mats through the supporting rafter beams or nail them to an overhang. Mats of woven bark, wood, or reed work well as covers because they are thin, light, and cheap. These mats allow light to shine through.

2 Plant vines or ivies along the base of the structure to create a natural patio cover. Help the plants grow up and over the top of the structure. This style of cover is easy to upkeep and a beautiful way to shade your patio.

3 Install retractable pull-shades over the patio roof. Pull-shades control light, they are not heavy, and they are available in various styles and patterns. Pull-shades are also easy to maintain and they block out light well.

Tip

Lay the fillers carefully because the direction of the fillers affects the way the light will pass through them.

Warning

Your original structure needs to be very strong if you plan to use vines as a cover since vines get weighted down by heavy blooming, ice, and rain.

Reader’s Digest: How to Shade Your Deck or Patio

http://www.rd.com/advice-and-know-how/how-to-shade-your-deck-or-patio/article85078.html

toilet

How to Change the Tank Gasket on a One Piece Kohler Toilet

Introduction

Kohler toilets are popular because of their reliability and variety. Kohler toilets come in many sizes, colors, and shapes to match your bathroom. However, these toilets can also develop problems. Toilets that leak often need to have their gasket replaced. Toilet gaskets are not very difficult to change. You will know that your gasket needs to be replaced if water appears around the bottom of the toilet or if it smells like the sewer in your bathroom.

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You'll Need:

- New Kohler toilet gasket

- Wrench

- Screwdriver

- Rags or towels

- Cleaning solution

- Caulk or silicone sealant

Instructions

Step 1

Shut off the toilet’s water supply. The hose running out of the wall below the toilet tank is the water supply line. Turn the valve on this line to the off position.

Step 2

Empty the tank of water by flushing the toilet. You will also need to remove the tank cover and pull the chain that is attached to a rubber flange by the bottom. Now the tank will be completely free of water. Detach the water supply hose using a wrench.

Step 3

Place old towels or rags on the floor around the toilet. Remove the 2 bolts that secure the tank to the bottom of the toilet. Hold the bolt with a screwdriver and use a wrench to undo its nut. Take the tank off of the toilet and place it gently upside down on the towels on the floor.

Step 4

Remove the bolt protectors that are at the foot of the toilet. Unscrew the nuts and washers that will be revealed once you take away the bolt protectors. Lightly rock the toilet from one side to the other to break any caulk or silicone seal that still secures the toilet.

Step 5

Position the toilet bowl upside down on the rags. Clean the bottom of the toilet so that nothing from the old toilet gasket remains. Prevent sewer gases from coming by shoving rags down the flange hole.

Step 6

Press the new toilet gasket into place. It belongs around the drain opening. Line the place that the toilet sits with caulk or silicone sealer. Install any necessary new bolts into the flange.

Step 7

Lower the toilet bowl back onto the flange in its right side up position. The toilet drain and wax ring need to be over the flange and the flange bolts need to fit through the holes in the base of the toilet bowl.

Step 8

Set up the new gasket at the base of the tank. Place the tank right side up on top of the toilet bowl. Replace the bolt and washers in the tank holes. Tighten the nuts, washers, and bolts with a wrench so that they form a tight seal.

Step 9

Attach the water supply to the tank. Turn the water supply back on. Once the tank fills with water, flush the toilet. Make sure there are no leaks anywhere.

Tip

Have plenty of towels on hand because there will probably be more water coming out then you anticipate.

Warning

Work in a well ventilated area because dangerous gases can come out of the flange hole.

Kohler: Toilets

http://www.us.kohler.com/onlinecatalog/category.jsp?category=13&nsection=2&nsubsection=3&nitem=cat13

dryer

How to Clean the Vent Duct on a Northstar Dryer

Introduction

Vent and air ducts on Northstar Dryers relocate the lint that is collected during a dryer cycle out of the house. Dryer vents are installed outside the house walls. You must clean the vent ducts relatively often in order to keep your dryer running efficiently and smoothly. Dryer vents that are not cleaned regularly can cause fires. Every dryer is different so be sure to read up on how to best clean your model.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You'll Need:

- Screwdriver

- Vacuum cleaner

- Vacuum hose attachment

- Damp cloth

Instructions

Step 1

Remove the dryer’s plug from the outlet. Push the dryer away from the wall and turn it around so that the back of the dryer is facing you.

Step 2

Loosen the screws that hold the air duct hose to the elbow-shaped duct. The duct is made of aluminum and can be found on the back of the dryer.

Step 3

Slide the hose of the vacuum into the elbow-shaped duct to suck out any lint that may be stuck in the dryer. Make sure the vacuum makes it all the way up to the vent.

Step 4

Unscrew the vent piece that is outside of your house. Use a damp cloth to wipe off the vent. This will get rid of any lint that is on the vent openings. Check the opening behind the vent for bugs or birds’ nests. If there are any, remove them.

Step 5

Reattach the vent piece outside your house. Go back inside and tighten the screws that hold the air duct hose to the elbow-shaped duct. Put the dryer back in its place and plug it back in.

Tip

Clean the dryer vents every few months to help your dryer run well and prevent fires.

autoclave

How to Use an Autoclave for Manicurists

Introduction

Autoclaves are excellent for sterilizing tools. They are very useful for manicurists who need to sterilize their equipment quickly and easily. Autoclaves are more effective at killing microbes and spores than regular boiling water because they raise water’s boiling point and then they boil the water at its new boiling point. This new temperature is hot enough to sterilize materials properly and quickly. There are many different models of autoclaves so read the instructions that come with your autoclave for directions that apply to your own version.

Difficulty: Easy

Things You'll Need:

- Heat-proof gloves

Instructions

Step 1

Turn the drain valve knob on the bottom of the machine to its closed position. Open the autoclave door and pour hot water inside until the front reservoir lip. This will be about one gallon of water.

Step 2

Place all manicure tools that need to be sterilized onto the shelf inside the autoclave. Close the autoclave door and push downwards on its long handle to lock it. Adjust the exhaust switch to allow for slow or fast exhaust depending on what materials you are sterilizing. Most manicure materials will require fast exhaust.

Step 3

Set the timer. Small-volume machines need around 15 minutes and larger volume machines need about an hour. Setting the timer begins the autoclave’s sterilization cycle.

Step 4

Open the autoclave door once the time and pressure indicator have both reached zero. Keep your hands and face away from where the steam emerging at the top of the door can burn you. Put on heat-proof gloves and take out the newly sterilized items.

Step 5

Rinse the glassware with hot water. Turn the drain valve knob to the open position. Empty the water from inside the autoclave.

Tip

Check the instruction manual of your autoclave for further instructions.

Warning

Newly sterilized items are very hot so handle them with care.

Autoclave Use

http://biology.clc.uc.edu/fankhauser/Labs/Microbiology/Media_Prep/Autoclave.htm