I fixed my toilet with paracord. What other things are good for general fixing?

[Bushman]

The chain for the flapper broke so I used some paracord in the interim (for the last few months, ha). Works great. Not the first time I've had to fix a toilet and such, but first time it didn't require silicone, a parts kit, a wax ring seal, snake or a new toilet itself.

Makes me glad to have some WD-40, Paracord, duct-tape and silicone, etc. on hand. Seems to fix damn near everything.

I've thought about getting some JB weld as well. Heard it can be helpful in a lot of situations.

What are some similar common items to have on hand that can fix just about anything?

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[Hop Sing]

I use florist's wire for a lot of fixes. Wrapped around something a couple of times it is pretty strong and it is so flexible you can fish it around corners and such.

A big yes, on the JB weld. Liquid Steel is also a good one.

Kroil is my penetrating oil of choice and I'd rank it up there with vice grips as teh most appreciated tools in the box.

A headlamp is another great invention, especially when working under a sink. Also good to keep in the rig in case of car trouble at night.

I could go on and on, but will stop there.

 

[ikemay]

I have all the chewing gum, bailing wire type stuff, but still go to the hardware store. I just can't use up my shtf supplies! What would happen if s*#t actually hit the fan?!!

 

[jbett98]

Hot glue is the bomb!

 

[Captain O]

I have all the chewing gum, bailing wire type stuff, but still go to the hardware store. I just can't use up my shtf supplies! What would happen if s*#t actually hit the fan?!!

For one, it could get rather messy. After some serious consideration, there's very little some Detonation Cord couldn't solve.

 

[DieselScout]

Zip ties!

 

[CHLChris]

The chain for the flapper broke so I used some paracord in the interim

Darn you! I was hoping this thread title was going to give us the chance to guess what you used the paracord for.

-JB Weld
-hot glue
-thin-gauge steel wire

All great ways to attach things together around the home, in decreasing permanence.

 

[yznhymr]

As Uncle Joe from Scranton would say - "one word" ...Rubber O-Rings.
I purchased this O-Ring assortment for like $10 probably 15 years ago and have used them on countless fixes, projects and applications other than plumbing. I've used them for plumbing repairs too - but they really shine when you use them for something off-label like as a shock mount , spacer or in conjunction with a flat washer to take the slop out securing something.
I can't imagine not having an assortment in the garage or workshop.

 

[v0lcom13sn0w]

duct tape 'nuff said

 

[BlackRyder]

My emergency quick fix so I can nurse the '84 suburban home kit consists of:
A leatherman type multi tool (mine is made by sog)
A headlamp
Baling wire
Jb weld
Hose clamps
Duct tape
Hose tape
Pantyhose (an excellent emergency belt replacement)

If I can't fix it with that stuff, it's too complicated for me to handle on my own.

Around the house I've used Bondo (or an epoxy based equivalent, like one of those epoxy quick sticks) to repair many, many things. I think the Bondo is number one on my most useful materials list.

 

[CountryGent]

I've thought about getting some JB weld as well. Heard it can be helpful in a lot of situations.

Funny you mention it, because I used some this weekend to fix my home office chair. The blasted thing would occassional have a bar slip out and knock me backwards. JB Welded that sucker in place and good to go.

 

[ditchtiger]

Mechanic's/bailing wire, JB weld quik, contact cement. super glue. expanding foam sealer.
this is a short list.

 

[clearconscience]

We used to have a saying at work,

If you can't duct it, f&@k it.

 

[Diamondback]

Pantyhose (an excellent emergency belt replacement)

When St. Helens popped in '80, they made better expedient air-filters than the Government Issue stuff--to the point that stores couldn't keep 'em in stock.

--DB, purveyor of strange and weird trivia

 

[Mikej]

My emergency quick fix so I can nurse the '84 suburban home kit consists of:
A leatherman type multi tool (mine is made by sog)
A headlamp
Baling wire
Jb weld
Hose clamps
Duct tape
Hose tape
Pantyhose (an excellent emergency belt replacement)

If I can't fix it with that stuff, it's too complicated for me to handle on my own.

Around the house I've used Bondo (or an epoxy based equivalent, like one of those epoxy quick sticks) to repair many, many things. I think the Bondo is number one on my most useful materials list.

Yeah great....But how well did they support your holstered 1911?

 

[Capn Jack]

Some how we got a crack in the toilet tank.
I tried epoxy on the inside of the tank and that slowed it to a weep.
But, what finally stopped it was, 2" clear Packaging Tape, on the outside of the tank.
You can't even see the repair.
I also found wrapping about 2" of "Steel Heading" lead around the
top of the stopper makes it drop and seal every time.

 

[Crohnos01]

When St. Helens popped in '80, they made better expedient air-filters than the Government Issue stuff--to the point that stores couldn't keep 'em in stock.

--DB, purveyor of strange and weird trivia

I remember using a few wraps of butt wipe (no... not the used kind) around my air filter to keep it going... Everyone had to be a little creative back then.

Years ago, I had the pin on the clutch pedal of my 68 Bronco shear off. I looked around and found a 16 penny nail which made a decent temporary fix.... that was 30 years ago... By the way, when does a "temporary" repair become permanent ?

 

[Hop Sing]

How did I forget to mention dental picks? Handiest little tools around for removing O rings, fishing wires, etc.

Q tips are handy too for cleaning hard to reach gun parts.

 

[Capn Jack]

I have a chop stick with a .223 case over one end.

I use it for a "Non-marking" punch to push out AR pivot pins.

 

[thorborg]

Darn you! I was hoping this thread title was going to give us the chance to guess what you used the paracord for.
.

So you don't go away disappointed; back in the young buck days (late sixties) when making do was the norm, Para cord ran out the wing window (anyone remember them?) tied to both wipers back through the passenger side wing window and to the other end of the cord. good days I had a buddy to operate the wipers pulling the cord, but on the bad days, it rained hard with some, especially night vision, interrupted while shifting gears.

Rope is my can't live without repair item.
mid seventies stuck down a 100 miles of gravel road in Canada with a busted VW van. I rigged a hitch assembly out of rope and birch to pull the van with a Chevy Vega no less to back civilization.
Needless to say the van had no headlights left after the gravel road tow experience.