Ship of Fools: Really useful inventions you wouldn't be without.

Thread: Really useful inventions you wouldn't be without. Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.

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Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :

Spinning off from my calling to Hell my washing machine leak, resolved by a brilliant stuff I was shown by a repairman.

It goes by various names, but I was first told of it as self-amalgamating tape. It's a rubber tape, and when it is stretched as it is wound round a leak, the layers bond together to make a waterproof seal.

I used to claim that wire coathangers and paperclips were the best inventions, because they could be adapted to so many other uses, but this stuff has gone way up the list.

Also some stuff called Sugru, which is a self-curing silicone rubber which can be moulded into shape and used for fixing all sorts of things.

What else do people know of which they could share with us?

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :

There's some other sort of tape, looks like duct tape, they were demonstrating in the hardware store. You wrap it around something broken (garden tool, shovel, etc.) and dunk it in water and presto! an unbreakable (though ugly) bond.

Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :

I think I've seen that on the TV. A bit like plaster in hospital! I wonder how good it is. Duct tape comes with years of use and word of mouth, doesn't it?

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :

A plumbers' mate. By this I mean the thing that has a handle like a broomstick and a rubber piece on one end shaped like it has been moulded over a ball. It's used for unblocking sinks or drains. You put it over the plughole and push down hard, forcing air into the blockage and (hopefully) dispersing it.

(tried googling the term, but mainly came up with a sealant, so it might be called something else in other parts of the world).

Huia.

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :

I would call that a plunger.

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Huia:
A plumbers' mate. By this I mean the thing that has a handle like a broomstick and a rubber piece on one end shaped like it has been moulded over a ball. It's used for unblocking sinks or drains. You put it over the plughole and push down hard, forcing air into the blockage and (hopefully) dispersing it.

(tried googling the term, but mainly came up with a sealant, so it might be called something else in other parts of the world).

Huia.

It's mostly called a plunger around here -- mine failed me yesterday, so I'm now calling it all sorts of unprintable things!

Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :

Dalek arm! Sink Plunger.

Searched - and found an image of a pair of dolls house versions!

[ 28. October 2014, 20:05: Message edited by: Penny S ]

Posted by Galilit (# 16470) on :

Pocket knife.

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Penny S:
I think I've seen that on the TV. A bit like plaster in hospital! I wonder how good it is. Duct tape comes with years of use and word of mouth, doesn't it?

Duct tape simply comes, like Providence. We don't question its bounty.

Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :

On of these. Great if your eyesight is like mine.

Posted by Bene Gesserit (# 14718) on :

The curved plastic thingy for opening tin cans (the ones with ring pulls) with. Worth its weight in gold.

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :

A manual can-opener with extra-long handles for those with weak hands.

Moo

Posted by Jengie jon (# 273) on :

Since we have duct tape can I add WD40. You all know of this flowchart?

Jengie

Posted by Pomona (# 17175) on :

Vinegar. Something that works on both chips and as a window cleaner is pretty magical.

I've found it to be a wonderful fabric softener - leaves clothes very soft, no artificial scents (you can include a rag with a few drops of essential oil or vanilla essence in the wash if you'd like a scent, the vinegar leaves no smell once the clothes are dry) and doesn't leave any residue on the washing machine parts. Apparently regular fabric softener leaves a lot of gunk behind, but vinegar actually helps clean the machine. I use ordinary brown malt vinegar with no problems with staining.

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Pomona:
Vinegar. Something that works on both chips and as a window cleaner is pretty magical.

I've found it to be a wonderful fabric softener - leaves clothes very soft, no artificial scents (you can include a rag with a few drops of essential oil or vanilla essence in the wash if you'd like a scent, the vinegar leaves no smell once the clothes are dry) and doesn't leave any residue on the washing machine parts. Apparently regular fabric softener leaves a lot of gunk behind, but vinegar actually helps clean the machine. I use ordinary brown malt vinegar with no problems with staining.

I don't put it on chips, but white vinegar is my favorite cleaner! Some goes in the rinse cycle of every load of clothes I wash; it cleans my coffee maker; it shines my stove and other surfaces -- I don't know what I'd do without it. And... it's inexpensive and non-toxic! [Yipee]

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :

Many years ago when I was washing cloth diapers, I put white vinegar in the water to neutralize the ammonia from the urine.

Moo

Posted by bib (# 13074) on :

My most useful and valuable invention in my house is - wait for it- my dear husband, who is so great at fixing things and being creative in problem solving. [Yipee]

Posted by Palimpsest (# 16772) on :

Kevin Kelly's Cool Tools is a website full of things that are useful that you didn't know existed. Usually by the time you make the list from the site of stuff you must have it's so long you realize buying it is silly,but the tools are useful to know about.

Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on :

Soda Crystals: fantastic de-greaser, good for drains, fantastic stain-remover, good for washing down paint-work.

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :

On the bottle/jar opening front, a little circlet of rubber mesh, which greatly enhances the grip.

And vinyl gloves, which enable me to keep doing a lot of normal stuff.

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :

Well, if we're going back to basics, scissors and the wheel.

Slightly less basic, the zip fastener, velcro, and USB sticks.

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :

If the wheel is to be mentioned can I nominate the axle?

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :

I suppose so. Also needles, the comb, and spoons.

Posted by Pomona (# 17175) on :

Tiny screwdrivers that you get in spectacle cleaning kits (often with a keyring attachment which is very useful). Brilliant for those battery compartments on things which have tiny screws in them, and obviously fixing glasses and sunglasses. Makes cheap sunglasses last ages!

Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :

Unloseable containers for said tiny screwdrivers.

Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Lamb Chopped:

quote:
Originally posted by Penny S:
I think I've seen that on the TV. A bit like plaster in hospital! I wonder how good it is. Duct tape comes with years of use and word of mouth, doesn't it?
Duct tape simply comes, like Providence. We don't question its bounty.

Duct tape is worthless on stage and damn-all-worthless elsewhere. Gaff tape is the industry standard, though it is expensive!

It sticks and it stays stuck. It doesn't leave an obnoxious residue. HVAC mechanics actually use aluminium tape on ducts....

Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Palimpsest:
Kevin Kelly's Cool Tools is a website full of things that are useful

I painted in acrylics exclusively during my final years in art school - never heard of mediums back in the day. Is this a 21st century contrivance? I am rubbish at oils. My sister-in-law and I were both in the same degree programme at San Diego State, though I did pre-city planning / environmental design and she did painting for a Bachelor of Arts / Applied Arts.

Posted by spork (# 18260) on :

Some wooden tongs I have for getting hot toast out of the toaster, has a handy magnet attatched too!

Posted by cattyish (# 7829) on :

Wicking sports fabrics. Goodness knows how I'd dress for running without fabric which pretty much deals with any weather and breathes. Merino wool is a natural version and doesn't get as smelly as the artificial fibres I usually buy.

Cattyish, wishing I could run but full of the cold for weeks.

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Bene Gesserit:
The curved plastic thingy for opening tin cans (the ones with ring pulls) with. Worth its weight in gold.

It would hardly be needed if they didn't put that silly diagram on the lid showing you thumb on centre and finger pulling. If you put your other thumb in the middle it can be much easier.
Unscrewing lids: yes, I have a circle of plastic to grip with. In spite of my arthritic thumbs I'm still the household unscrewer.
My long-handled but folding picker-upper for dropped articles.
My sock-putter-onner which is rather fun. I've had hip replacements for many years and never had a problem putting my foot up on the opposite knee, but the woman in the handicapped shop nearly had a conniption when she saw me do it, so I bought the thing and I am glad to have it.
Our Little Red-handled Screwdriver. The point is rounded and blunt, can be used for poking a cleaning cloth into awkward places, prising a lid that nothing else will move, and much much more. Every kitchen should have one.

GG

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :

The toothbrush. Yes, yes, good for teeth and gums but old toothbrushes are essential for any number of cleaning jobs.

Posted by Michael Snow (# 16363) on :

Baling wire and duct tape

Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :

For farmers, I suppose orange baler twine - often used to improvise gate fastenings.

Posted by Starbug (# 15917) on :

A little sharp knife, ideal of scraping carrots and peeling potatoes. We'd be lost without it.

One of my hobbies is cross-stitch and I have lots of strange little gadgets to make life easier:
A magnetic bowl to prevent needles spilling all over the floor
A needle threader
A stitch unpicker, for when you make a mistake
A little hook thingy that enables you to finish off a stitch when you've pratically run out of thread (there's a special name for these, but I can't remember it)
A small plastic box containing a damp sponge, for dampening and straightening the thread
A pair of magnifying specs with little LED lights built into the frames

Posted by Mili (# 3254) on :

Wheelie bins have made putting the garbage out easier. Though my council now has small wheelie bins for rubbish to reduce waste, so someone has also invented a handle to pull along the small bin for those who have trouble bending down.

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :

And wheelie suitcases! [Yipee]

Why someone didn't come up with those years earlier I can't imagine. The newer ones are so much better than the ones that were on dog leashes, but even those were an amazing improvement when they first came out.

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Pigwidgeon:
And wheelie suitcases! Why someone didn't come up with those years earlier I can't imagine. The newer ones are so much better than the ones that were on dog leashes, but even those were an amazing improvement when they first came out.

Nooo! They are a bloody nuisance. Why can't users of these glorified shopping trolleys realise that they stick out to the side, so that while they walk past you easily enough, the wheeled thing smacks into your shins. And it's your fault for kicking their precious suitcase.

Posted by Pomona (# 17175) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Sioni Sais:

quote:
Originally posted by Pigwidgeon:
And wheelie suitcases! Why someone didn't come up with those years earlier I can't imagine. The newer ones are so much better than the ones that were on dog leashes, but even those were an amazing improvement when they first came out.
Nooo! They are a bloody nuisance. Why can't users of these glorified shopping trolleys realise that they stick out to the side, so that while they walk past you easily enough, the wheeled thing smacks into your shins. And it's your fault for kicking their precious suitcase.

Ah but they don't if you get the four-wheeled ones that can be pulled on the narrow side. Very useful and much easier to pull than the standard ones.

Oh and toothbrushes are also great for exfoliating your lips - matte lipstick shows up any rough skin on your lips so you need to exfoliate them first. Smother lips with lip balm (or vaseline), rub with toothbrush, wipe off lip balm.

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
Nooo! They are a bloody nuisance. Why can't users of these glorified shopping trolleys realise that they stick out to the side, so that while they walk past you easily enough, the wheeled thing smacks into your shins. And it's your fault for kicking their precious suitcase.

Yep. Also they slow down the owner so they drift erratically along the pavement at 0.05 mph, with you trying to get past them for several minutes.

Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :

On a recent trip through Aberdeen, I noticed the sound of umpteen wheelie cases echoing round and round on the Monday morning, near the docks.

Not happy about wheelie bins. They are too big to go into built-in bin cupboards, and are left outside houses blocking the pavement all week, since there is nowhere else to leave them, and everyone has multiple ones for sorting the rubbish. They make everywhere look messy.

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Penny S:
On a recent trip through Aberdeen, I noticed the sound of umpteen wheelie cases echoing round and round on the Monday morning, near the docks.

Not happy about wheelie bins. They are too big to go into built-in bin cupboards, and are left outside houses blocking the pavement all week, since there is nowhere else to leave them, and everyone has multiple ones for sorting the rubbish. They make everywhere look messy.

And when the wind blows, they bloody things tip over unless they are at least half full and facing the right way: wheels to leeward, over they go!

I don't remember the old dustbins doing that, although the lids could come off.

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :

They're also way too big for single-person households.

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Penny S:
For farmers, I suppose orange baler twine - often used to improvise gate fastenings.

Even more useful is No 8 fencing wire. It can attach gutters, hang lights, hold rubber piping in place and do very much more than just be used in fences.

Posted by Chocoholic (# 4655) on :

But wheelie bins are soooo much better than carrying out heavy, soggy, bin bags that the foxes pull open and leave rubbish strewn everywhere.

Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Lothlorien:

quote:
Originally posted by Penny S:
For farmers, I suppose orange baler twine - often used to improvise gate fastenings.
Even more useful is No 8 fencing wire. It can attach gutters, hang lights, hold rubber piping in place and do very much more than just be used in fences.

That's what I would use wire coathangers for. And getting into my Hillman Imp. (Where on earth was the key?) And making a fixing for the quarter light so no-one would ever be able to do that again. And replacing the broken aerial...
Making a Christmas wreath (Blue Peter, that one.) And dowsing rods (didn't work).

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Penny S:

quote:
Originally posted by Lothlorien:

quote:
Originally posted by Penny S:
For farmers, I suppose orange baler twine - often used to improvise gate fastenings.
Even more useful is No 8 fencing wire. It can attach gutters, hang lights, hold rubber piping in place and do very much more than just be used in fences.
That's what I would use wire coathangers for. And getting into my Hillman Imp. (Where on earth was the key?) And making a fixing for the quarter light so no-one would ever be able to do that again. And replacing the broken aerial...
Making a Christmas wreath (Blue Peter, that one.) And dowsing rods (didn't work).

Treasure your wire coathangers – there are an awful lot of plastic ones around these days.
Did you know that the maori word for a car arial is kotanga? (from the late Billy T James)

GG

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :

Billy T [Tear]

Hearing aids - new ones today [Yipee]

Why is everyone SHOUTING?

Huia

Posted by leo (# 1458) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Penny S:
Not happy about wheelie bins. They are too big to go into built-in bin cupboards, and are left outside houses blocking the pavement all week, since there is nowhere else to leave them, and everyone has multiple ones for sorting the rubbish. They make everywhere look messy.

So it's not just my street that is an eyesore.

If people recycle and refuse unnecessary packaging, we wouldn't need these large bins cluttering up the road.

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :

quote:
Originally posted by leo:
If people recycle and refuse unnecessary packaging, we wouldn't need these large bins cluttering up the road.

In my area, it's only the recycle bins that are wheeled out to the street every week. (The trash bins live in the alley.)

Posted by Meerkat (# 16117) on :

One big problem is the amount of packaging used by the manufacturers and distributors. If they did not use the packaging, we would not have to recycle or dispose of it.

Think... loose vegetables from the shelf can be put into a paper bag. Made from recycled paper. Recycled when the veg has been used. Compost! It is hardly rocket science!

A small step, as not everything could be packaged that way, but it helps!

Some things we buy are treble-wrapped in packaging which is not recyclable. WHY?

Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :

Biggest problem is buying too much stuff.

ETA: Response to complaint about too much packaging.

[ 05. November 2014, 15:47: Message edited by: lilBuddha ]

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :

The bumps/ridges on the F and J keys that help you center yourself with the keyboard.

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