# Objects useful for purposes other than what they were made for **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 1, 2016, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-useful-for-purposes-other-than-what-they-were-made-for/753640 "2016-05-01T22:27:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-useful-for-purposes-other-than-what-they-were-made-for/753640/61 "2016-05-10T19:28:35Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Bic pen cap for cleaning out ear wax. That’s what keys are for. I don’t always have a Bic pen but I always have keys in my pocket. Except during sex, of course, but I’m unlikely to clean my ears during that anyway. ---
**Author:** ![TheFaerie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@TheFaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheFaerie)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-useful-for-purposes-other-than-what-they-were-made-for/753640/62 "2016-05-10T19:44:28Z")
My stainless steel cuticle pusher/nail cleaner is perfect for scraping the wax from scratcher lottery tickets. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mixolydian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@Mixolydian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mixolydian)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-useful-for-purposes-other-than-what-they-were-made-for/753640/63 "2016-05-10T20:39:56Z")
Rather than opening the panel on my air conditioner and pouring bleach or fishing around with an unbent coat hanger to try and unclog the drain line, I’ve connected my cheap plastic dual-action hand pump via the “deflate” side to the outlet drain on the side of my house (forming a tight-enough seal with my hand) and pulled the gunk through. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-useful-for-purposes-other-than-what-they-were-made-for/753640/64 "2016-05-10T20:43:26Z")
My parents redid their kitchen and when the floorist (is that what they’re called?) came in, they commented on how bright white the border of my parents’ tile was in front of the front door. They just had to know what kind of caulk my parents used, and what their secret was to keeping it so bright white. My mom proudly told them that she got tired of getting on her hands and knees and scrubbing that damn caulk…so she got on her hands and knees and just painted the damn things with all-weather white paint. Hasn’t touched em in years. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-useful-for-purposes-other-than-what-they-were-made-for/753640/65 "2016-05-10T21:06:20Z")
P-38s are useful for cleaning under your fingernails. And putting holes in your pants pocket if you keep one on a key chain. Drywall screws - more uses than just attaching drywall to 2x4/6s. 12 gauge #10,11, or 12 birdshot - great for spiders. Hair spray and a bic lighter - works on spiders too. Peeps - great for s’mores, casseroles, and melting in hot chocolate. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-useful-for-purposes-other-than-what-they-were-made-for/753640/66 "2016-05-10T21:11:19Z")
A Hitachi Magic Wand is also pretty great at massaging sore muscles. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-useful-for-purposes-other-than-what-they-were-made-for/753640/67 "2016-05-10T21:26:51Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > 12 gauge #10,11, or 12 birdshot - great for spiders. Dude, just how big **are** the spiders in your parts? ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-useful-for-purposes-other-than-what-they-were-made-for/753640/68 "2016-05-10T23:23:24Z")
In all seriousness regarding spiders and shotguns, I have wanted [one of these](http://bugasalt.com) ever since I saw the video. It’s a shame it costs 40 bucks plus shipping. I can’t justify it. But it looks so cool, and I like the thought of pumping the “Bug-a-salt” and sending a housefly to its maker. I bet it would at least stun a spider enough to allow proper squashing. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2016, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-useful-for-purposes-other-than-what-they-were-made-for/753640/69 "2016-05-11T18:28:26Z")
> [@Eddie The Horrible](#): > > Had to defibrillate thread for this: > > Apparently Drano corrodes drains, so I brilliantly came up with the idea of buying a toilet plunger, and gave it a go on my clogged kitchen sink, and yeah - it works, alright. > > (made sure to label it in large letters “For kitchen sink only!” and is kept under the kitchen sink.) > > (Other post) > also: approximately 145 times better than a wheelbarrow - I fill up two of these: > > [Rubbermaid Commercial Brute Refuse Container, Round, Plastic, 44 Gallons, Gray (264300GY): Office Waste Bins: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific](http://www.amazon.com/Rubbermaid-Com.../dp/B002ZF9C48) > > … then stack’em and haul’em away in a hand-truck. Much larger volume, and easier to transport. Drain plungers also make dandy wah-wah mutes for trumpets and trombones. Maybe you should also label it, “Trombone players, get your own!” If you’re moving stuff in Rubbermaid trash barrels, you might want one of these quick-disconnect wheeled can dollies. They fit the 60 gallon size, too. [http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rubbermaid-Commercial-Products-Brute-Trash-Can-Dolly-FG264020BLA/203207009?fbtLinkClicked=1462987195326|100342585](http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rubbermaid-Commercial-Products-Brute-Trash-Can-Dolly-FG264020BLA/203207009?fbtLinkClicked=1462987195326%7C100342585) ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2016, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-useful-for-purposes-other-than-what-they-were-made-for/753640/70 "2016-05-11T19:15:51Z")
I have an old butter knife that is my go to for flat-head screws. It fits every size of slot nicely, never slips out when turning, never gouges up the screw head. Butter knives in general make better home repair tools than their dedicated counterparts. ---
**Author:** ![12mgdaily](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/f08c70/32.png) [@12mgdaily](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/12mgdaily)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2016, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-useful-for-purposes-other-than-what-they-were-made-for/753640/71 "2016-05-21T19:46:46Z")
When I was a kid our family went camping. Mom made spaghetti for dinner one night. When the pasta was done boiling, she realized she forgot to bring her strainer. She told my dad to take off his tee shirt, and she used that to strain the spaghetti. I have no answer as to why she hadn’t thought to use a **clean** tee shirt. I didn’t find a plate of perspiration and dirt seasoned pasta appetizing. At least she didn’t whip off her panties and use those. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2016, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-useful-for-purposes-other-than-what-they-were-made-for/753640/72 "2016-05-21T20:24:08Z")
The eye gouger at the end of a potato peeler works great for gutting the seeds out of hot peppers. ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2016, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-useful-for-purposes-other-than-what-they-were-made-for/753640/73 "2016-05-22T02:07:03Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > Screwdrivers (especially Craftsmen’s since they can be replaced) for everything from pry bars to ice picks to emergency tent and other stakes to pounding to getting all stabby with. Screwdrivers are the duct tape of the tool world. 😃 I read on a model-building website where a guy wanted to make small rectangular indentations in a piece of styrene plastic sheet. He used a flat-blade screwdriver, tapped with a hammer, to “punch” each indentation. I’d never have thought of doing that. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2016, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-useful-for-purposes-other-than-what-they-were-made-for/753640/74 "2016-05-22T11:56:43Z")
Here’s one: the red rubber grommet on Grolsch lever-top beer bottles makes for for a great guitar strap-lock. You put the strap on the peg of your guitar, then put the grommet on. The diameter of strap peg’s head is typically _just_ too big, so you stretch them on and they stay in place. And, beer. I mean, the bottle won’t close any more - we can’t have that. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-useful-for-purposes-other-than-what-they-were-made-for/753640/75 "2016-05-23T14:52:50Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Here’s one: the red rubber grommet on Grolsch lever-top beer bottles makes for for a great guitar strap-lock. You put the strap on the peg of your guitar, then put the grommet on. The diameter of strap peg’s head is typically _just_ too big, so you stretch them on and they stay in place. I use the clips from a loaf of bread (the bigger, heavier ones work best). Poor man strap-locks. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-useful-for-purposes-other-than-what-they-were-made-for/753640/76 "2016-05-23T16:06:48Z")
I keep a supply of bread locks on a pony-tail holder in my desk drawer. They are perfect for emergency field repair of cheap flip-flops, when the toe-strap pulls through the sole. Push it back through, clip a couple of bread-locks around it and it will get you home. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-useful-for-purposes-other-than-what-they-were-made-for/753640/77 "2016-05-23T16:10:06Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > My _only_ use for marshmallows is as raccoon bait for the havahart trap. Raccoons love them, cats do not. Where I live, Havahart traps are most often used to hold the varmint still while it is being dispatched with a firearm. I wonder if the Havahart folks are aware of this use of their product? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-useful-for-purposes-other-than-what-they-were-made-for/753640/78 "2016-05-23T17:17:25Z")
> [@Rocketeer](#): > > I read on a model-building website where a guy wanted to make small rectangular indentations in a piece of styrene plastic sheet. He used a flat-blade screwdriver, tapped with a hammer, to “punch” each indentation. I’d never have thought of doing that. :smack: There’s a ceramics maker named Ken Standhardt in the Portland area who uses an old fashioned beer can opener to decorate [his art](http://www.adelantegallery.com/ken-standhardt.html). ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2016, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-useful-for-purposes-other-than-what-they-were-made-for/753640/79 "2016-05-25T02:45:44Z")
I love the Apple Pencil, and use it daily, both for taking copious notes at work, as well as for marking up sheet music with cheat notes for my church bass work. But Steve Jobs must have at least did a partial roll in his grave when they released this thing. Not only isn’t there anything to protect the precious tip, but they provide a loseable magnetic cap and an equally loseable tiny adapter for charging. [See them here](https://www.imobie.com/support/check-battery-life-of-apple-pencil.htm). My solution? A Bic pen cap to protect the tip, and a pill key fob to store the adapter and/or the magnetic cap. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2016, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-useful-for-purposes-other-than-what-they-were-made-for/753640/80 "2016-05-25T03:41:28Z")
Once upon a time we apparently owned a deep fryer with a long-handled basket. I have no idea what became of that deep fryer, but the basket is still with us. It’s great for straining out the crushed-to-dust cereal at the bottom of a box, and for straining water from just cooked pasta. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-useful-for-purposes-other-than-what-they-were-made-for/753640.md?page=3)