# The right tool for the job **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 1, 2012, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-right-tool-for-the-job/642703 "2012-12-01T21:07:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-right-tool-for-the-job/642703/21 "2012-12-03T02:35:09Z")
I’ve hidden my better fabric scissors from DH. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-right-tool-for-the-job/642703/22 "2012-12-03T02:45:53Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > I have a 15-inch cast iron skillet, it’s a thing of beauty- but I almost never use it because it’s just too damn big for the burners on my stove. The center gets hot and the edges don’t. How do you use a really big skillet on a standard stovetop? Turn the heat down. Give the skillet some time to get hot. The fact that it takes a while to get hot means it won’t cool as soon as you put something in it. If you let it heat slowly, it’ll heat evenly. Next time you use it, instead of turning your stove to high, turn it to medium, when the whole thing gets nice and hot, turn the burner down a bit to maintain the heat. Now you have to remember something very important. It’s really really hot. The whole thing is really really hot. All 45 pounds of it, including that little 2 inch handle they give you. Don’t try to pick it up with your bare hands, you’ll just make it mad. ---
**Author:** ![Emtar\_KronJonDerSohn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/58956e/32.png) [@Emtar\_KronJonDerSohn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emtar_KronJonDerSohn)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-right-tool-for-the-job/642703/23 "2012-12-03T02:51:30Z")
Some years ago I pulled up all the carpet in my house and wanted to put down some kind of hard surface flooring. I discovered a large crack in the slab that went from one end of the house all the way to the other. I couldn’t put tile over it because it would split, and glue down hardwood would do the same thing. I opted for laminate but it needs a really flat subfloor. I took a 1" chisel and widened the crack 3"-4" on each side to level it with grout. It took a few hours, and my left hand was swollen at the end from inadvertently hitting it with a hammer for 7 or 8 hour straight. Then I went to Home Depot to get something and realized they sell chisels with big hand guards on them! ---
**Author:** ![FlyByNight512](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/82dd89/32.png) [@FlyByNight512](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyByNight512)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-right-tool-for-the-job/642703/24 "2012-12-03T05:35:16Z")
Magic erasers (the cleaning product), especially for cleaning up soap scum in the shower, dishes with stuff the dishwasher won’t take off, and any chrome fixtures. Think of them as nano-grade sandpaper, don’t use them on wood and go _with_ the brush on any brushed metal surfaces. And do rinse afterwards. But for ceramic, metal, or glass? Holy shit, they really are magic. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-right-tool-for-the-job/642703/25 "2012-12-03T15:58:53Z")
Pneumatic nailer. I will never ever put up crown molding again without a pneumatic nailer. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-right-tool-for-the-job/642703/26 "2012-12-03T16:07:15Z")
> [@FlyByNight512](#): > > Magic erasers (the cleaning product), especially for cleaning up soap scum in the shower, dishes with stuff the dishwasher won’t take off, and any chrome fixtures. Think of them as nano-grade sandpaper, don’t use them on wood and go _with_ the brush on any brushed metal surfaces. And do rinse afterwards. But for ceramic, metal, or glass? Holy shit, they really are magic. Yes. I seriously think they’re made of magic, and I buy the Family Dollar brand. Still magic. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-right-tool-for-the-job/642703/27 "2012-12-05T14:56:15Z")
Degreaser. For a lot of things. Can beat out 409 on oil based cleaning, etc. Also, soak your skillets overnight, or longer in same. Wow. Razor scrapers. Staple guns. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-right-tool-for-the-job/642703/28 "2012-12-05T15:04:05Z")
Give me an Annihilator [http://www.deadonstore.com/tools.htm](http://www.deadonstore.com/tools.htm) and I’ll do anything from getting you out of a wrecked car to destroying a building. Best wrecking tool ever. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-right-tool-for-the-job/642703/29 "2012-12-05T15:19:47Z")
I have to plug [Sharkbite](http://www.sharkbite.com/usa/) plumbing connections, while expensive, the simplicity and versatility are unmatched and the tool to undo your connections is $2.00. and of course [PEX](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-linked_polyethylene) (cross-linked polyethyene) tubing. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-right-tool-for-the-job/642703/30 "2012-12-05T15:58:33Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > I just used a $7 auger from Lowe’s with quick success on my clogged bathtub that I had previously attempted to unclog several times with useless liquid products. Wish I had known about those a long time ago, will keep forever. Yeah, liquid drain cleaners are pretty bad. Despite what they say, they are still bad for your pipes, and the septic system/sewer. And something even easier than an auger: [The zip-it drain cleaner.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V98tkbh3Gys) (kind of gross video.) ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Doom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Dr\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Doom)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-right-tool-for-the-job/642703/31 "2012-12-05T16:35:37Z")
Shovel. Not to say it is the “right” tool for the job, necessarily; I just love me a nice shovel. I can do damned-near anything with a decent shovel. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-right-tool-for-the-job/642703/32 "2012-12-05T16:43:41Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > I spent $120 on a FREAKING HUGE Calphalon skillet and found that all those recipes I had been trying which made 4-6 servings of stir-fry or jambalaya or chicken curry were suddenly a snap.\ I bought a very large skillet a few year ago, and I don’t know how I lived without it. Stir-frying things without worrying about them flying out of the pan - wonderful. > [@andrewbub](#): > > silicone spatulas are so much better than the plastic ones that you probably have 3 of in your kitchen drawer right now. they’re 100x easier to clean and don’t leave weird melty-bits of black plastic in your food. > > do yourself a favor and throw those crappy plastic slotted spatulas away. For some reason it took me a very, very long time to realize that I can have more than one spatula in my house. I would always be using it and needing to wash it to use it again - now I have two. I’m currently wondering why I don’t have more. > [@handsomeharry](#): > > Degreaser. For a lot of things. Can beat out 409 on oil based cleaning, etc. \ Dishwashing detergent is also very useful for degreasing, especially clothes. I put a drop on a grease stain, rub it in, wash it, and the grease stain is almost always gone with one wash. If you ever need to scrape you car windows or brush snow off your car, get a snow brush. The best snow brush I’ve used is the $1.99 cheapo model. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-right-tool-for-the-job/642703/33 "2012-12-05T16:47:55Z")
> [@Dr\_Doom](#): > > I can do damned-near anything with a decent shovel. “Lucille, God gave me a gift. I shovel well. I shovel _very_ well.” – The Shoveler, _Mystery Men_ ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-right-tool-for-the-job/642703/34 "2012-12-05T16:50:45Z")
If you live in an area that gets lots of snow and you park outside at your house, keep a regular push broom on the porch to get the snow off your car. Much quicker and you don’t get full of snow. ---
**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:** [December 5, 2012, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-right-tool-for-the-job/642703/35 "2012-12-05T18:12:01Z")
> [@flatlined](#): > > I spent a lot of hours scrubbing bugs off my bike until I learned that spraying peroxide on them would make the bugs just melt off. That is also when I learned that peroxide is in brown bottles because it turns to water if one pours peroxide into a clear bottle instead of putting the sprayer thingy into the peroxide bottle. Hmmm. . .sounds cheaper (and probably less toxic) than the stuff I buy for debugging the RV after a trip. Works well, you say? No damage to paint? ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-right-tool-for-the-job/642703/36 "2012-12-05T18:23:06Z")
I find that [Brushpicks](http://doctorsnightguard.com/products/brushpicks/overview) work better than dental floss, regular toothpicks, or those triangular interdental stimulaters. My dental hygienist has said that she can see an improvement in my gum health, too. I’ve had a dental deep cleaning once, and it’s on my list of “things to avoid doing again if humanly possible”. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-right-tool-for-the-job/642703/37 "2012-12-05T18:25:39Z")
Post hole digger. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-right-tool-for-the-job/642703/38 "2012-12-05T18:38:22Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > I find that [Brushpicks](http://doctorsnightguard.com/products/brushpicks/overview) work better than dental floss, regular toothpicks, or those triangular interdental stimulaters. My dental hygienist has said that she can see an improvement in my gum health, too. I’ve had a dental deep cleaning once, and it’s on my list of “things to avoid doing again if humanly possible”. Thank you for the tip. My dentist threatened me with deep cleaning or tooth extraction if I don’t improve those 5s that have been there for a year. I’ve added Listerine Zero to my brushing but the picks may have to be next. (Flossing is right out, sorry.) ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-right-tool-for-the-job/642703/39 "2012-12-05T19:49:57Z")
> [@Dr\_Doom](#): > > Shovel. > > Not to say it is the “right” tool for the job, necessarily; I just love me a nice shovel. > > I can do damned-near anything with a decent shovel. Sounds like Shovel Power! 😃 (slightly NSFW) [noparse][Quantum Vibe by Scott Bieser, published by Big Head Press](http://www.quantumvibe.com/strip?page=485%5B/noparse%5D) ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-right-tool-for-the-job/642703/40 "2012-12-05T19:51:49Z")
Wanted to add: bleach in a spray bottle: totally nukes shower mold and is safe for most vinyl shower curtains. (but don’t keep it in the bottle or it’ll dissolve the rubber gasket in the sprayer.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-right-tool-for-the-job/642703.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-right-tool-for-the-job/642703.md?page=3)