The Home Improvements Thread (2)

[xrapidx]

Tip... when going to the hardware store you’ll find a masking tape which is more off white than yellow. This one is not as sticky as the yellow one and comes off very easily. However when using be sure to press it down firmly and avoid folds as then it won’t stick as nicely as we want. Once your work is done removal is super easy.

painters tape is definitely the better option, but the masking tape has some savings on price if you’re counting pennies on the job.

another tip. Don’t leave the masking tape until the paint is dry, also have the guys try to cut around the masking tape as if there isn’t any. A big problem is that the masking tape almost hardens once everything is dry and it becomes a PITA to remove. Also removing before the paint dries does pull of some off the paint on the actual painted area when removing. Leaves a nice clean line when removed while paint is still drying.

I think one of the benefits of proper painters tape is you can leave it up for longer, and after painting - when I use it I usually leave it on for the entire job, which is usually an undercoat and 2-3 coats of whatever paint my wife wants.

The tape removes easily afterwards - masking tape, as you said, needs to come off with each coat - putting up the tape itself is worse than the painting for me....takes forever.

 

[xrapidx]

Can anyone direct me to 4x4 plates with a single UTP/ethernet connection?

We have two 4x4 wallboxes which are now empty - I'd like to run a UTP cable into each.

 

[howardb]

Can anyone direct me to 4x4 plates with a single UTP/ethernet connection?

We have two 4x4 wallboxes which are now empty - I'd like to run a UTP cable into each.

Have you tried livecopper.co.za
They used to stock these

Edit, like this?

Lesco Cover Strip Network Socket 4x4

Lesco Cover Strip, 1 Way Data/Network Socket - Square | Shop Online with door to door nationwide delivery anywhere in South Africa

www.livecopper.co.za

 

[ElixirCoder]

I think one of the benefits of proper painters tape is you can leave it up for longer, and after painting - when I use it I usually leave it on for the entire job, which is usually an undercoat and 2-3 coats of whatever paint my wife wants.

The tape removes easily afterwards - masking tape, as you said, needs to come off with each coat - putting up the tape itself is worse than the painting for me....takes forever.

Speaking of what the wife wants, another tip: whatever color your wife chooses, get a sampler of that and one lighter and one darker shade. Then paint at least one square meter to decide on the color. Even though color swatches are accurate, it's really hard to get an actual idea of what a large area would look like with it painted.

 

[Smokey mcpot]

I think one of the benefits of proper painters tape is you can leave it up for longer, and after painting - when I use it I usually leave it on for the entire job, which is usually an undercoat and 2-3 coats of whatever paint my wife wants.

The tape removes easily afterwards - masking tape, as you said, needs to come off with each coat - putting up the tape itself is worse than the painting for me....takes forever.

Putting up is the worst!!

 

[Smokey mcpot]

Can anyone direct me to 4x4 plates with a single UTP/ethernet connection?

We have two 4x4 wallboxes which are now empty - I'd like to run a UTP cable into each.

I’ve seen plenty in 2x4 plates.

4x4 normally a plate with power and a USB port included. I would run the internet line in a separate conduit though

Edit: I just called my supplier and the make was s2000 but it was discontinued. Can find them easily in 2x4 though. Even at builders

 

[xrapidx]

I’ve seen plenty in 2x4 plates.

4x4 normally a plate with power and a USB port included. I would run the internet line in a separate conduit though

Edit: I just called my supplier and the make was s2000 but it was discontinued. Can find them easily in 2x4 though. Even at builders

Yeh, I've found a few 2x4 plates - remember seeing 4x4 back in 2017 when we did the kitchen.

Don't really feel like changing the boxes to 2x4 though.

Have you tried livecopper.co.za
They used to stock these

Edit, like this?

Lesco Cover Strip Network Socket 4x4

Lesco Cover Strip, 1 Way Data/Network Socket - Square | Shop Online with door to door nationwide delivery anywhere in South Africa

www.livecopper.co.za

Yip - that looks like it - thanks.

 

[Gielie01]

Can anyone direct me to 4x4 plates with a single UTP/ethernet connection?

We have two 4x4 wallboxes which are now empty - I'd like to run a UTP cable into each.

If you have an acdc nearby they have 4x4 plates with 4 slots, you can use blanks or put any of their modules in them, i know some other suppliers do similar products.

I used a single 4x4 in my previous place to run 2 rj45 ports and 2 satelite connectors.

BLANK MODULE 4X4 4 WAY

BLANK MODULE 4X4 4 WAY

www.acdc.co.za

CAT5E MODULE RJ45

CAT5E MODULE RJ45

www.acdc.co.za

CAT5E MODULE RJ45

CAT5E MODULE RJ45

www.acdc.co.za

 

[xrapidx]

If you have an acdc nearby they have 4x4 plates with 4 slots, you can use blanks or put any of their modules in them, i know some other suppliers do similar products.

I used a single 4x4 in my previous place to run 2 rj45 ports and 2 satelite connectors.

BLANK MODULE 4X4 4 WAY

BLANK MODULE 4X4 4 WAY

www.acdc.co.za

CAT5E MODULE RJ45

CAT5E MODULE RJ45

www.acdc.co.za

CAT5E MODULE RJ45

CAT5E MODULE RJ45

www.acdc.co.za

Have one down the road - so might go have a look.

Slightly off topic - but since you've done them - how does the actual wiring work at the back? I'm quite happy crimping cables - never done a "female" type connector before.

 

[Smokey mcpot]

Have one down the road - so might go have a look.

Slightly off topic - but since you've done them - how does the actual wiring work at the back? I'm quite happy crimping cables - never done a "female" type connector before.

Not sure if the ones he used are t he same, but the modules I ha D.C. were a breeze. No crimping, just push the wires into the labelled holes at the back and bobs your uncle... or aunt if he chooses

 

[xrapidx]

Not sure if the ones he used are t he same, but the modules I ha D.C. were a breeze. No crimping, just push the wires into the labelled holes at the back and bobs your uncle... or aunt if he chooses

That's what I'm hoping for... thanks.

 

[xrapidx]

Have you tried livecopper.co.za
They used to stock these

Edit, like this?

Lesco Cover Strip Network Socket 4x4

Lesco Cover Strip, 1 Way Data/Network Socket - Square | Shop Online with door to door nationwide delivery anywhere in South Africa

www.livecopper.co.za

I emailed livecopper about these in 2017 - they didn't respond

EDIT: They responded on chat - looks like it would work.

 

[ElixirCoder]

Have one down the road - so might go have a look.

Slightly off topic - but since you've done them - how does the actual wiring work at the back? I'm quite happy crimping cables - never done a "female" type connector before.

For some of them (not sure about these) you'd need a krone tool, the one's I did in my previous place I needed one.

 

[xrapidx]

For some of them (not sure about these) you'd need a krone tool, the one's I did in my previous place I needed one.

It would be something I don't have...

Think I'm going to order the one from livecopper and hold thumbs - saves me going out.

 

[Gielie01]

Have one down the road - so might go have a look.

Slightly off topic - but since you've done them - how does the actual wiring work at the back? I'm quite happy crimping cables - never done a "female" type connector before.

Rj45 is a normal "keystone" so the wires attach straight to the Female port. Typically yes you would need a krone tool, but ive done them without when i was young and dumb.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Yeah you need a Krone tool, and the jack itself has the colour coding on it usually for the wiring so simple simple.

 

[xrapidx]

Will this work?

Major Tech Punchdown Tool

Product Features Punchdown and insertion tool for Krone style blocks Automatically inserts and trims wire in one action Datacom tool How it Works To use the punch down tool, a wire is prepositioned into a slotted post and the punch down tool is pressed down on top of the wire, over the post...

www.livecopper.co.za

 

[krieg]

Will this work?

Major Tech Punchdown Tool

Product Features Punchdown and insertion tool for Krone style blocks Automatically inserts and trims wire in one action Datacom tool How it Works To use the punch down tool, a wire is prepositioned into a slotted post and the punch down tool is pressed down on top of the wire, over the post...

www.livecopper.co.za

Yes that's a Krone tool.

 

[xrapidx]

Order placed.... hopefully next week it'll arrive before we start moving back into the various sections of the house.

Tomorrow I recon we'll be 50% complete with no major issues.

 

[maumau]

Does anyone use Blu 52 and would you recommend it?

We've been using a cup of HTH per day and running the pool 8 hours per day, still the walls are going green so thinking of changing to Blu 52.

65k litre marbelite pool in Fairland. Any tips?