General Feedback/Getting Started Q&A Thread

This thread is for questions that are typically not permitted elsewhere on /r/DIY. Topics can include where you can purchase a product, what a product is called, how to get started on a project, a project recommendation, questions about the design or aesthetics of your project or miscellaneous questions in between.

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SurgicalWeedwacker t1_iudij6g wrote on October 30, 2022 at 2:44 PM

Is there a way to find the edges of a steel beam through a wood floor that doesn’t involve buying a metal detector just to use once?

Guygan t1_iudkzm2 wrote on October 30, 2022 at 3:01 PM

Go under the floor and look up?

Buy a metal detector, and return it to the store for a refund when you're done with it.

SurgicalWeedwacker t1_iudxms3 wrote on October 30, 2022 at 4:30 PM

I guess I’ll take option b

Due-Soft t1_iufkl1t wrote on October 30, 2022 at 11:06 PM

The rental places around me have them

solarsensei t1_iudkuls wrote on October 30, 2022 at 3:00 PM

I'm working on a kitchen renovation, and am in the market for recessed can lighting. I believe 4" size is what we want (shorter ceilings, moderate size space). I want a can that has a standard screw base fixture (E26). I understand trends are changing things, but I feel that the base will likely still be around in 20 years. My concern with the super slim LED lights, is when they fail in 10 years, there will not be a replacement to match. And with the E26 bulb style, I have a large option of bulbs to select, with different diffusion patterns and color temperatures and brands, where I'm locked into whatever disk light I select, hoping whatever I replace it with when it fails matches. I see that TP24 is another popular option instead of E26, but don't know anything about that. Am I too old fashion in my thinking? Are there benefits I'm not seeing, besides ease of install, and being able to install under ceiling joists? Can you convince me to go with something besides an old school E26 can? To me, it is worth the extra work with the flexibility of having a E26 base offers.

Quick background, I'm a former journeyman electrician, and worked in trades for nearly 15 years, so consider myself quite handy.

Second question, if we go with a 4" can, are there any other upgrade/nicer options than the HALO H99 from the big box stores? Significant other doesn't want to buy the cheapest thing at Lowes, and is gravitating towards very small or 'zero' trim options. But I have no idea where to shop for lights outside of big box stores. Would rather not pull down the ceiling, so looking for remodel options.

danauns t1_iuhwboy wrote on October 31, 2022 at 1:43 PM

The slim LED pan lights, are disposable. So you wouldn't be replacing any bulbs, you would just be replacing the entire fixture into the same 4" hole in the ceiling.

Personally, I absolutely can't stand ceiling cans. The E26 base is too big, it's so comically oversized given today's lighting options.

jnf_goonie t1_iuhwm6u wrote on October 31, 2022 at 1:45 PM

Converting a cold storage room into a closet. What happens to the vent at the top that connects to the outside of the house? If left as is, won't the closet get super cold in the winter?

https://imgur.com/a/n1PYdhQ

[deleted] t1_iuigg2o wrote on October 31, 2022 at 4:04 PM

[removed]

thesophisticatedhick t1_iuj003j wrote on October 31, 2022 at 6:13 PM

Friend of mine wants me to reinforce an existing deck so he can install a hot tub on it. The tub is 7’x7’, weight with water is 4500lbs.

Existing deck is 8’x14’ with 2x8 joists @16” OC (I think, haven’t seen it in person). Joists are in hangers. Ledger against the wall, and a 2x8 end joist bolted to 4x6 posts (three of them across the front). The tub will sit on one side of the deck.

I’m planning to add extra joists to make 8” spacing, then install two 4x6 beams, one @ 2’ out from the ledger and one @ 2’ in from the edge. Beams will be supported by 4x4 posts (two per beam) and pre-cast concrete footers directly on undisturbed soil.

Does this sound like it could work?

PHTheKing t1_iuj05t6 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 6:14 PM

I’m working on a project in which I drilled several hundred additional holes into a pegboard. Hindsight is 20/20 and I definitely should have put a backing board to prevent blowout, because now I’m left with a mess on the back of the board that I would really like to get rid of.

Sanding hasn’t worked unfortunately, and I’d really like to avoid having to take a knife to each of those holes 1 by 1 or having to drill these again (I don’t have a drill press)

https://i.imgur.com/ZVvByNx.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Talbn7Y.jpg

davisyoung t1_iuj8c7c wrote on October 31, 2022 at 7:09 PM

Take a router to them with a small flush trim bit or chamfer bit.

davidcruzcs t1_iug9885 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 2:16 AM

[Question] I'm thinking about building a DIY "network". Imagine: Patreon meets Reddit, but 100% focused on DIY.

Would any of you find that interesting?

I'm thinking about adding support for creators to monetize via subscriptions to their content. Search engine & forum features. Dedicated UI to make building, creating tutorials, following them, and showcasing your creation a clean and awesome experience.