The "This Might Be A Stupid Question, But...." Thread

[demarco]

Do most coin laundry machines accept dollar coins?

I have a bunch of the coins I'd like to take along for doing laundry when we take vacation this summer but I don't want to bother if I can't use them for that purpose.

I've never seen one that had anything other than slots for quarters.

It depends on what country you're in. Where are you traveling to?

Here in the US, I haven't seen "dollar coins" unless they were the silver old fashioned coins where you would be seriously reprimanded for actually trying to purchase something for $1 with one of those valuable coins.

In the US quarters are the norm for laundry and all other vending machines.

Well, I'm back from my trip and am here to report that the laundry machines did take dollar coins. I was finally able to use up some of my stash. 

[cwm]

I'd put particle board at the bottom.  It is very heavy with little structural strength.  I had a dining table made out of particle board, and the screws pulled out when I tried to move it across the carpet.

We call it "fall apart-icle board".  Hate that stuff.

I had a free end table made from it. It was two pieces that slotted together to form a base (think like paper doll stands) and a circular top. That thing sloughed off so much any time it had to be moved. And after dumping about a full can of spray paint into one side of the circular top (maybe two feet diameter?) without making too much of a dent in it, we decided it wasn't worth it and trashed it.

[jpcher]

Do most coin laundry machines accept dollar coins?

I have a bunch of the coins I'd like to take along for doing laundry when we take vacation this summer but I don't want to bother if I can't use them for that purpose.

I've never seen one that had anything other than slots for quarters.

It depends on what country you're in. Where are you traveling to?

Here in the US, I haven't seen "dollar coins" unless they were the silver old fashioned coins where you would be seriously reprimanded for actually trying to purchase something for $1 with one of those valuable coins.

In the US quarters are the norm for laundry and all other vending machines.

Well, I'm back from my trip and am here to report that the laundry machines did take dollar coins. I was finally able to use up some of my stash.

Thanks for coming back with an update.

That surely teaches me to not chime in when I really don't know exact facts.

I hope you had a wonderful trip and am really glad you got to use up some of your dollar coin stash!



Learn something new every day.

[MrsJWine]

All the talk of making tables reminds me, how do you get into making things? This seems like a really dumb question, but I am interested and don't even know where to start. It seems like all the fun and easy ideas I find require expensive equipment we don't have yet. I'd like to invest in some basic tools and learn more about just making/fixing stuff in general. I think it sounds really fun to buy furniture used and work on it and make it into something different or prettier. I took a couple years of shop class in middle school and seemed to have a knack for it, but I've forgotten nearly everything. I'm planning on buying the tools used. Suggestions on where to start?

[WillyNilly]

For me the basic tools needed are a good drill with an assortment of bits, including screwdriver heads, and a basic tool box (hammer, level, tape measure, pliers, handheld screwdriver with interchangeable heads, pencil). Then start with some basics - put up some shelves, make a basic box (as shelving or storage), etc. Experiment with paint - spray paint, using stencils, etc.

[Ms_Cellany]

All the talk of making tables reminds me, how do you get into making things? This seems like a really dumb question, but I am interested and don't even know where to start. It seems like all the fun and easy ideas I find require expensive equipment we don't have yet. I'd like to invest in some basic tools and learn more about just making/fixing stuff in general. I think it sounds really fun to buy furniture used and work on it and make it into something different or prettier. I took a couple years of shop class in middle school and seemed to have a knack for it, but I've forgotten nearly everything. I'm planning on buying the tools used. Suggestions on where to start?

Pawnshops are great places for used tools.

[ladyknight1]

I buy myself (and the house) a new tool a month. Only once or twice a year does that exceed $20. I knew I had a volunteer work day coming up in March, so I bought a 18V Makita cordless drill for $100. I love it, and we use it for many things. Taking the ceiling fan blades off for cleaning, putting together furniture, etc. I have a nice hammer, a level, a tape measure, a set of screwdrivers and wrenches. You can get a decent assortment of fasteners (screws, nails, washers, etc) for $10 or so at a decent home improvement store. Also, get a decent tool bag or box to keep it all in. I keep my tools in the laundry closet.

[Mental Magpie]

How long should it take a contractor to get back to you?  I met with the contractor on May 30th.  I called him yesterday and left a message to see with what he had come up.  I didn't think it was too soon but it will be 2 weeks on Thursday and I don't know if it has been too long or I'm too early.  He will be putting up a fence, by the way, and we already have all of the materials.  Am I too soon or is he taking too long?

[TootsNYC]

I know there isn't really an answer to this question; it is just more of an observation:

Why do children and pets think we can't go to the bathroom by ourselves?

My one cat will always come in as soon as I sit down, unless I close the door tightly.  Over the weekend, my neighbour had some company over and they were sitting in the backyard while I was gardening.  One of the mom's went in to use the washroom.  Her young son stayed outside but then went over to the window and started talking to his mom.  There were 2 other adults and 2 other children out there!  I stated the above to her when she came back out and she laughed and said she hadn't been to the bathroom by herself in over 6 years.

I didn't shut the bathroom door tightly for 17 years. Then we had a 3-year gap between cats. It took me a while to learn how to close the door; now I have to remember to leave it ajar.

[TootsNYC]

All the talk of making tables reminds me, how do you get into making things? This seems like a really dumb question, but I am interested and don't even know where to start. It seems like all the fun and easy ideas I find require expensive equipment we don't have yet. I'd like to invest in some basic tools and learn more about just making/fixing stuff in general. I think it sounds really fun to buy furniture used and work on it and make it into something different or prettier. I took a couple years of shop class in middle school and seemed to have a knack for it, but I've forgotten nearly everything. I'm planning on buying the tools used. Suggestions on where to start?

A little late chiming in, but check out the Kreg company, and their jigs. They have jigs you can use to help your circular saw or jigsaw act more like a table saw.

[NyaChan]

How long should it take a contractor to get back to you?  I met with the contractor on May 30th.  I called him yesterday and left a message to see with what he had come up.  I didn't think it was too soon but it will be 2 weeks on Thursday and I don't know if it has been too long or I'm too early.  He will be putting up a fence, by the way, and we already have all of the materials.  Am I too soon or is he taking too long?

Unless it is a complicated project or he is supposed to draw diagrams for you, I can't think of why it would take this long.  I take it he didn't give any indicator of when you might hear from him?

[artk2002]

I'm thinking of making a craft table for myself by putting a piece of MDF (or wood) on top of some short shelving units.  Can I go to the Home Depot and ask for a piece of MDF (or wood) to be cut to a certain size?

And would wood be easier to work with than MDF?

I built our hobby table out of composite board with a melamine surface. Bought a 4x12 piece from Home Depot and had them cut it in the store (cut a 1' strip the long way and used it as a back splash for the table.) Four pieces of 4x4 for legs and it works great.

[Redsoil]

MrsJWine - it may be useful to have a look at youtube for instructional videos on making things.  There are youtube videos on just about anything!

[Pen^2]

All the talk of making tables reminds me, how do you get into making things? This seems like a really dumb question, but I am interested and don't even know where to start. It seems like all the fun and easy ideas I find require expensive equipment we don't have yet. I'd like to invest in some basic tools and learn more about just making/fixing stuff in general. I think it sounds really fun to buy furniture used and work on it and make it into something different or prettier. I took a couple years of shop class in middle school and seemed to have a knack for it, but I've forgotten nearly everything. I'm planning on buying the tools used. Suggestions on where to start?

instructables instructables instructables

Serious, it's awesome. Just spend five minutes and you'll know what I mean. But I warn you, it can be a bit like Wikipedia: you tend to go off on all kinds of weird tangents when looking stuff up, and end up making a dolls' house, eighteen solar panels, and a vortex cannon instead of the originally-intended cushion cover.

[Redsoil]

Oooh!  I want a vortex cannon!