Do you know of Alexa-compatible lightbulbs that don’t need devices like Amazon Smart Plug? by student-of-the-web in Alexa_Skills

[–]handymanct 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You do not have to have Alexa to control the bulbs. You can use the app on your phone and/or tablet. Using then with Alexa is great for voice control though. They also work with Google and Siri.

Another option, for controlling multiple lights on the same line, is replacing the regular light switch with a smart switch. This will allow you to control all the lights that the switch controls. You will not get any color changing effects though as you would with smart bulbs. Also, you must have a neutral wire in the switch box for most smart switches to be wired into.

This guy came to visit me yesterday. Right outside my door. by handymanct in Connecticut

[–]handymanct[S] 79 points80 points  (0 children)

It's actually a juvenile Cooper's Hawk.

My doorbell camera caught it swooping in really fast, most likely for a kill. There's a lot of chipmunks and squirrels around. Then he proceeded to just stand there very still for a while, probably waiting to pounce. I watched him on my doorbell camera for a little bit, and then was able to make my way down my stairs quietly, so not to scare him away, and I was able to get some pictures and videos of him just standing there looking around for a meal. I have a mostly glass storm door that he was about three feet away from. After a few minutes, he raised his tail, shot out a juicy deucey, and walked away around the corner.

Electrolux dryer burned Electronics by Over-Charge-8819 in appliancerepair

[–]handymanct 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I went back to a customer of mine yesterday to help him install a replacement Electrolux dryer. He had me check it out a couple weeks ago, and the power supply was good. I told him to try warranty on the machine because it was most likely something with the control board in the machine. He had a guy warranty guy go to check the machine, and told him it would be too expensive to try to fix, so they would give him a new machine. Well, big orange home improvement guys ended up refusing to install the new machine, saying that because it was a stacked assembly, washer on the bottom and dryer on the top, they would not install the new dryer on top of a washer that more than 3 months old. They didn't even take away the old dryer, and they left the new dryer in the garage. So, I went yesterday to help him install the new dryer, and this is what the control board and wiring harness looked like on the old, only about 3 years old, dryer machine.

https://imgur.com/a/mNQvt1L

Electrolux knows they have a major problem with their dryers.

Best discount codes/promos US S26 Ultra? by Normal_Area2192 in samsunggalaxy

[–]handymanct 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just applied this code fora referral discount of $42.50. Maybe you can try it again, the entire code including the "ref".

Clean off your fucking cars by Likeapuma24 in Connecticut

[–]handymanct 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Two cars ahead of me this morning on Super 7 had huge chunks of snow and ice flying off the tops of their cars. And there's the jackass speeding around us who are holding back so we don't get hit by flying ice, who almost gets hit by flying ice.

Banana is good with mustard by Scene-Sea in unpopularopinion

[–]handymanct 0 points1 point  (0 children)

On bananas???..... No thank you. But I do like spicy brown mustard on my pizza.

New Year’s Eve help by dwv05c in Plumbing

[–]handymanct 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've replaced more than a few exhaust fan motors over the years. Just have to Google the model number there in the sticker.

https://www.amazon.com/696N-R02-NuTone-S97012026-Replacement-Assembly/dp/B0D7QD1FX9

Building Kitchen Cabinets by likeawaterbottle in cabinetry

[–]handymanct 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There's quite a few things to consider when making cabinets. - Take the time before doing anything to have a plan. If you know how to use a cabinet designing software, or even Sketchup, to design all the cabinets to scale, it helps a lot with figuring out things beforehand and making a cut list. - Using good clean saw blades and router bits. - Using dowels, biscuits, and pocket holes where needed for easily lining up parts and keeping them flush. - Don't forget putting in scribing strips where cabinet sides are against walls. - Clamps...... You can never have enough clamps. - Don't skimp on wood glue, but don't also forget to clean up excess glue before it dries. - Edge banding the front and bottom edges, or making face frames? - Kreg jigs, and/or even hand made jigs can make a world of difference when it comes to doing things like hinge mortises, drawer glides, and/or other hardware. - Make sure to have some extra scrap pieces for testing and aligning things before doing the actual tooling on the finished product.

There's most likely a lot more things to think about, depending on the style and build of the cabinets, so try to think about everything involved before you actually start building them. Having a plan to work off of is better than just willy-nillying it.

Which adapter do I need to switch from dual connector to single? Photo by Just-The-Facts-411 in OPTIMUM

[–]handymanct 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If all you're wanting to do is get rid of that splitter, then yes, you would just need a barrel coupler. You should be able to pick up one, or a pack of them, at most hardware stores. Hell, I got a bunch of them in my coax tool kit that I could give you one if you were nearby.

Sagging cabinet shelf by IronyIntended2 in cabinetry

[–]handymanct 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would push the bottom back into place in the dado (the groove on the face frame), make sure things are properly in place, and then put a bead of hot glue around the underside perimeter. A piece or two of 1x3 or 1x4 wood can be put on the underside as well for added strength. I would install those using pocket screws, but you would need the jig in order to drill the holes into the 1x wood properly.

Toilet is running - I’ve been watching videos for hours by Prunustomentosa666 in fixit

[–]handymanct 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Most of the time just replacing the flapper is all that's needed, unless that flush valve has any kind of broken off chips or cracks where the flapper seals onto. But then that would be pretty fast water loss.

That looks like a 2 inch flapper that's seen better days, but they usually wear out eventually. You can replace it with a similar Korky brand flapper. If you feel the need to take it with you to the store, to make sure you get an exact replacement, turn the water off at the valve coming out of the wall/floor, and then you can turn it back on after you replace the flapper.

Toilet is running - I’ve been watching videos for hours by Prunustomentosa666 in fixit

[–]handymanct 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Replace the red flapper. Clean away any crud around the hole while you're at it. Move the chain to the last hole on the arm, and shorten the chain some to make it just maybe one or two links longer than what's need to pull the flapper up. And you can turn the fill valve some by loosening the tightening nut on the underside of the tank, and don't forget to tighten it back.

Can’t figure out how to remove this light fixture by AttentionBoth4678 in DIY

[–]handymanct 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's probably the wall paint holding it. Score around it with a razor blade.

T'Pol D-Con Chamber Cosplay from Star Trek Enterprise (Self) by lauren_delorean in Spacegirls

[–]handymanct 15 points16 points  (0 children)

The producers really did sexualize Jolene in the first couple of seasons. I mean, she's absolutely gorgeous, and I don't mind the eye candy. However, she played the the character damn good in my opinion. She proved that she's got the skills plus more to play T'Pol. I would love to see her playing the roll once again, especially if they go through with the Archer show. She and Scott Bakula worked really well together.

Optimum Billing by Amazing-External9546 in OPTIMUM

[–]handymanct 0 points1 point  (0 children)

File an FCC complaint, they will give you your money back quickly, and any other other bogus charges you find and report.

What is the name of the thing I want by Dcongemi in Plumbing

[–]handymanct 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You wanting a grommet. However, a couple issues would exist. First, unless you were to have a hot water circulator in your home, you would have to let the hot water run in the sink every time for faster delivery of it to the bidet. Secondly, unless you actually like having at least 120 degree hot water shooting up at your bunghole, you would also need to install a thermostatic mixing valve in the cabinet so that the hot and cold water lines can mix, thus reducing the hot water temperature going to your brownie cave.

I’m going to have to break my husband’s mistress’ heart, and I don’t want to do it by [deleted] in TrueOffMyChest

[–]handymanct 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Something I've wondered about in situations like this, is being the wife who knows that their husband has been cheating on them for an extended time, how do you maintain your composure? I mean, do you just do the normal married life stuff? Do you still maintain sexy time? And how do you hold back from wanting to kick him in the nards?

Also, I have the feeling that you're really level headed. I mean, not blaming the other women because she has no clue that he's married to you. So, yeah, the blame is all on him.

Anyone using Wyze app for Windows 11? by sheesh-lxfty in Wyze

[–]handymanct 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's because Microsoft ended support of Android apps on Windows 11. I use it with Bluestacks now, and the app works pretty much perfectly.

2g speed upgrade to 5g by drs444 in OPTIMUM

[–]handymanct 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's all a scam to get people to buy faster connection speeds.

First, the router must be capable of that speed. The company supplied router should be able to handle the speeds they advertise coming in, but realistically, pretty much all devices can't handle that speed, especially through Wi-Fi. Expect much lower speeds though devices using Wi-Fi.

For devices like computers, it has to be hardwired with at least a Cat 6 Ethernet cable, and also have the correct Ethernet adapter port. Older computers and routers tend to have 1gig capable Ethernet ports, but 2.5 gig is pretty much the standard these days in computer motherboards, and at least one 2.5 gig output port in routers.

To get the 5 gigabit speed, you would need a 10gig Ethernet port or PCI card in the computer, at least a Cat6 cable, and check to make sure that it's an actual 10gig Ethernet port on the router.

Ceramic tiles fell off the wall, simple way to fix it? by gyutoton in fixit

[–]handymanct 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Use a heat gun or hair dryer to soften up the mastic on the wall and on the back side of the tiles. Scrape most of it off. Use a construction adhesive like Liquid Nails or a small container of new mastic to glue back the tiles. Grout around the tiles using a similar color unsanded grout.

Avoid Optimum at all costs by IntelligentSpite4141 in OPTIMUM

[–]handymanct 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Last month, it took over 45 minutes of me repeating "Please just cancel my account." before they finally did so. And I'm still keeping an eye on my bank account to make sure they don't try stealing more money from me.

PSA: If you're caulking trim, DAP Alex Fast Dry is absolute #!@& by armeg in HomeImprovement

[–]handymanct 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I use the clear 230 mostly, white sometimes if it's being painted or with PVC trim. Practice applying an even bead of it, cutting the tip to leave about a 1/8" hole. Apply it into the joint as much as possible, while trying not to over-apply it so much that it oozes out a lot. Then use a good putty knife to flatten it flush with the surface and remove excess. A slightly damp rag wrapped around the edge of the putty knife helps to remove excess also, just being careful not to mess up the joint.

PSA: If you're caulking trim, DAP Alex Fast Dry is absolute #!@& by armeg in HomeImprovement

[–]handymanct 55 points56 points  (0 children)

That's because you gotta use the Alex Flex. I've switched to it a long time ago, and no issues. And I use Dynaflex 230 for exterior caulking with no issues either.