Question 1

How much QuickCrete ?

Accepted Answer

This is a very green question.  But, I suppose if we already had all of theanswers, there would be no need for the group, huh ?I am planting a large signpost, made out of  6 X 6  pt  wood.   I plan todig a hole   30  inches deep, and   30 inches square.   Of course, themiddle of the hole will be filled with the  6 inch square post, leaving 12inches on all  sides.I guess the area to be actually filled with concrete then is about 30 inchesdeep, and 24 inches square, not counting the post.This area seems about 10 square feet  (right?)  , which I believe is justover  1/3  of a yard of concrete  (which would be  27 sq ft I think).I want to use  40 lb bags of QuickCrete.    Can anyone estimate how manybags I will need ?--James--Thanks for any comments and help on this !!

Question 2

How much propane do you use?

Accepted Answer

Hi all, I want to know if my propane company is screwing me over. Wehave 2 adults and one 3 year old in a house that has propane only forthe hot water and for the dryer, which is used maybe 2 or 3 times aweek.How much propane should I be using. They say I'm using around 30gallons a month.Thanks,Dean

Question 3

Vegetable Oil on Sidewalk Pavers??

Accepted Answer

Hi-Family INSISTED on deep-fried Turkey for Christmas.A little too much oil in the fry pot & it overflowed.  Now, I have several square feet of paver stone coated in deep-fry oil.Any recommendations on what to use to remove it??Thanks for any help!Van

Question 4

gas fireplace won't start-up - pilot is lit

Accepted Answer

Hello all - first post on this forum, so please excuse any newbie errors... I have a gas fireplace at home that I haven't used in a couple of years.  I had turned the pilot off after I used it last.  I tried to start it back up yesterday, and the pilot started right up.  I have a wall switch that controls the gas flow and turns the fireplace on. When I try to flip the switch to turn the fireplace on, it does nothing 9 times out of 10.  Occassionally the flames will come and stay lit for a couple of minutes before going out again, and then nothing.  I don't smell any gas when the fireplace switch is on but the flame isn't present.  Not sure where to look to try and debug this issue... any helpful pointers would be greatly appreciated! Merry Christmas!

Question 5

Bread Machine recommendation. Want one NOT made in China.

Accepted Answer

I have four bread machines, and they are all candidates for the trashcan. One has motor problems, three have bread pans that don't last(the shaft seizes). None of them have lasted me a year. Notsurprisingly, all of them are made in China.So, what is a good quality bread machine not made in China? I'mwilling to pay a bit extra for it, I've certainly paid enough for thejunk machines I already have. I don't need bells and whistles, I justneed something that I can run 3-4 times a week. I seldom let it bakethe bread, I just use it to nead the dough. I prefer to take the readydough and shape it myself - I have a couple of nice Ecko french breadshaped pans that work nicely.Failing to find a good bread machine not made in China, can anyonerecommend a good bread dough neading machine? I'm not sure what theyare called - I've seen them from time to time, heavy duty mixers thatcan make bread dough. Again - I want one NOT made in China.

Question 6

Can I open sump pump with sealed radon mitigation system?

Accepted Answer

I purchased a house with working sump pump/radon mitigation system.  I wasconcerned if the sump pump was working.  I unplugged both plugs and just pluggedin the pump and it worked.  However since its sealed shut for the radonmitigation system, I didn't know if it was possible to remove the lid to testthe arm that goes up and down to tell it to run.   I checked this morning afterthe rain and there was some water on top sump pump lid.  Is it there a procedureto remove the lid and break the seal of the radon mitigation system or should Ijust hire a plumber?

Question 7

NIMA  14-50

Accepted Answer

Can a NIMA 14-50 receptacle be wired up with #10 wire ?What if you doubled up each wire ?Would that meet code ?what if you found one wired up that way ?Any help appreciated.Thanks

Question 8

Why are drywall screws black?

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Is there a reason drywall screws are black? Is it just to distinguishthem from wood screws or are they made of a special alloy which makesthem black? Sorry. Just a newbie.

Question 9

IPE as decking material

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Time has come to redo once again the deck outside the house. I have used and hated :CCA: shrank split and looks nasty by the fifth yearComposite: Stains, supports mold , does not come clean(power washer, chemicals etc)Cedar: Nice and soft, always love to pull the soft breakable splinters outI want to see if anyone has used IPE and have had it in place more than two years. I expect to use a water sealer on it.  And yes IPE seems expensive, but so is replacing the decking every five years or so.ThanksPaul

Question 10

How Do You Keep The Blade Tight On A Harbor Freight Multi-function Tool?

Accepted Answer

Hi,How do you keep the blade from coming loose on Harbor Freight's multi-function tool?Thanks,Gary

Question 11

How close to a radiator can you put a bed?

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We've put the radiator under the window in a small double room but havenow decided that the only way to put a double bed in the room will meanthat the head of the bed is right alongside the radiator. I guess Icould move it a foot but it would then not be centred under the windowand would look odd!I suppose I could put a radiator cover over it?Any thoughts?

Question 12

Used Lawn Mower Values

Accepted Answer

Exactly. What is the buyer going to use it for, and how much is it worth to them.Are they buying it for it's parts? How much would they pay for those parts from another source?Are they buying it so that you'll buy a new mower from them? If so, what's their profit on the sale of the new mower, and will they be able to use or flip the old mower, or will it just be going in the trash?Or how about scrap value? Will the buyer be taking it apart, and selling the parts for scrap?Is the buyer going to be using it to cut their grass? How much would they be willing to pay for it after considering their other options?Are they collecting mowers? Does this one complete a set? Is it a good specimen of a particular brand? The first appearance of a particular feature?I would tend to think that most buyers will either be interested in a used mower because they can't afford a new one, or they need the parts, or they're going to scrap it. Those things can probably be estimated to some extent, and be...

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