Questions tagged [maintenance]

For questions about preventive or corrective maintenance of art or crafting tools that is normally performed by the end-user. Repairs normally requiring factory service are likely out-of-scope. For questions about changing, adapting, or improving tools, use [tool-modification] instead. For questions about maintaining pencils, use [pencil-maintenance] instead. For questions about sharpening, use [sharpening] instead.

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Repairing small spot on epoxy table damaged by adhesive

After setting up a new epoxy table as a computer desk, I placed a small keyboard stand with rubber feet on it. Unfortunately, it seems like the rubber feet had some sort of adhesive coating on them, ...
tripleblep's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
44 views

How do I reassemble this generic airbrush based on the pictured parts?

Someone, trying to be helpful, dismantled a number airbrush so that the could be cleaned. The didn't take any notes on how the parts came apart and panicked when it came time to put them back together....
Aaargh Zombies's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
53 views

How can I unstick my airbrush needle?

I have a Paasche VL airbrush that, up until a month ago, hadn't been used in about 30 years. I got a compressor and used it twice successfully for about a half hour each time. A booklet that came with ...
Nobody Special's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
119 views

How to avoid stainless steel that rusts?

I've owned a lot of stainless steel knives and tools of other kinds. I've never had any of them rust. I recently bought a set of stainless steel knives and the blades get rust spots every time they'...
fixer1234's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
134 views

Can an ultrasonic cleaner be safely used on budget art and crafts tools?

Cleaning large quantities of budget arts and crafts tools by hand in a sink is a chore. Is it safe to load them into an ultrasonic cleaner with warm water and just leave it to do its thing, or is it ...
Aaargh Zombies's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
124 views

How to repair leather supports on a sling chair?

Thirty years ago, I bought some chairs that are still my favorites, but they are in need of repair. The chair's supporting structure consists of a canvas sling that hangs from a bent wood frame. A ...
fixer1234's user avatar
  • 11.5k
8 votes
1 answer
307 views

Are you supposed to oil the upper thread tension discs on a sewing machine?

I am getting erratic behavior when I adjust the upper thread tension knob on my sewing machine. For example, no matter how slowly I adjust it, it's either too loose or too tight. Or during sewing the ...
Karabin's user avatar
  • 81
3 votes
2 answers
536 views

Instructions for cleaning felt slippers with leather soles & embroidery

Click for larger image These lovely slippers serve me well and are comfy and sturdy. But they are now dirty. Please can someone help me figure out the best way to clean them? They have a leather base ...
Not The Face's user avatar
  • 1,639
4 votes
1 answer
315 views

Restoring a dried-out cartridge brush pen

One of my all-time favorite drawing tools is the Pentel Pocket Brush pen, a cartridge brush pen ("fudepen") with a bristled tip instead of the more common flexible nylon tip. Unfortunately, ...
Allison C's user avatar
  • 3,902
1 vote
1 answer
357 views

How can I fix the "foxing" of a shoe? [closed]

I left my shoes in my backyard, then somebody let the dog out and part of the shoe died (sad story). Now my parents are making me fix the shoe, is there any "replacement for the foxing?
Isaac750's user avatar
  • 701
4 votes
1 answer
448 views

Caring for Kneaded Erasers

How does one keep a kneaded eraser "healthy"? They say things like "don't let it lay on the carpet," what else do I have to do? Is there proper way to store it and how long will a ...
Isaac750's user avatar
  • 701
6 votes
3 answers
1k views

Do I have to lower the foot and needle when my sewing machine is not in use?

My mom insists than whenever I don't use a sewing machine, I have to put a piece of scrap fabric under the sewing foot, lower the foot and move the needle all the way down. This is supposedly true for ...
Elmy's user avatar
  • 12.6k
3 votes
1 answer
443 views

How to maintain dry ink in a fountain pen and Pilot V7 pens?

I have got a dry ink and I have a fountain pen and Pilot V7 pens. I wish to use the dry ink in the above-mentioned pens. I will refill the cartridge of the Pilot pen with this ink. What precautions am ...
Aquarius_Girl's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
594 views

How to reduce ink flow of Pilot Parallel Pen?

I have a 2.8 Pilot Parallel Pen. It simply flows too much ink when writing. I have the 6mm too and it is just fine. Is there a way to reduce ink amount? https://pilotpen.com.au/products/parallel-pen/
Soma's user avatar
  • 21
3 votes
1 answer
1k views

How to fix or remove a stuck cone shape airbrush nozzle

The issue happened to many airbrushes using cone shaped nozzles: badger 175. I tried putting it into fire and the freezer, but none of those methods worked.
RAY's user avatar
  • 171
4 votes
1 answer
751 views

Removing the clip on Rotring 600

I hate the clip on my Rotring 600. Information I found online stated that you can't remove the clip without bending or breaking it. Is there a non-destructive way to remove it?
Jeffrey Brown's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
565 views

Loose ferrules on my oil brushes

A couple of my old bristle brushes have loose ferrules. I am a bit hesitant to tighten the metal with pliers in fear of crushing the wood and making them even looser. Has anyone had any success ...
Jon Welch's user avatar
  • 101
2 votes
1 answer
308 views

Husqvarna Viking 2000, on the off chance anyone knows the specs of the drive belt

I am looking to replace one of the drive belts, the smaller one with the square teeth, on my Husqvarna Viking 2000. I cannot find anywhere the size or type of belt used. Any help in finding a ...
Ashley Reid's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
35 views

Hard foam pad replacement

I think this is an Arts and Craft question. I am looking to replace a hard foam pad on a sander. Manufacture wants over $20, but I know I can make one for a lot less. The pad would need to be 4 x 4 ...
fixit7's user avatar
  • 311
6 votes
1 answer
156 views

Fixing the lens of an Artograph Tracer

I have an Artograph Tracer, but the lens has come loose. Does anyone have any tips on how to refix the lens in the plastic tube? And which way around it goes?
interstar's user avatar
  • 161
4 votes
2 answers
4k views

How can I sharpen a round leather punch?

I'm using leather punches to cut polypropylene film, but the round one isn't sharp enough to do a nice job. The film cuts nicely with a scalpel or scissors but I need 5mm discs (with a 3x2mm hole in ...
Chris H's user avatar
  • 6,544
9 votes
2 answers
3k views

How do I separate the barrel from my fountain pen when it's stuck from dried ink?

I'm thinking of buying an antique fountain pen, but the barrel is stuck to the nib and the section because the ink has dried it shut, and I'm thinking of ways to get it off. Maybe by using ultra-sound?...
Amari Studios's user avatar
16 votes
5 answers
29k views

What is the way to clean a kneaded eraser?

I can see black patches on my kneaded eraser. What is the right way to clean the kneaded eraser so that it doesn't leave any marks on the paper?
Aquarius_Girl's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
108 views

Is there an easy way to sharpen a wire loop carving tool?

I have some wire loop tools like this: I've found they're working wonderfully for carving plaster. Or, were. Now, the edges seem to be a but more blunt and taking too much pressure to remove ...
user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
1k views

How can I keep my metal tools from rusting after using them with plaster?

Almost all of the knives I used when carving my recent plaster piece have now rusted. Something in the plaster greatly increased the oxidization rate of the tools, which are primarily steel. Some I ...
user avatar
10 votes
5 answers
22k views

How can I clean a tortillon/blending stump and still keep its point intact?

What is the "correct", or most effective way of cleaning a paper tortillon? Up the now, I have been using sand paper to clean the tip, however this often makes the tortillon rugged and lose its point,...
johnp's user avatar
  • 558
17 votes
3 answers
2k views

How do I know when my sewing machine needs a service?

I have inherited a sewing machine from my grandmother and have just started sewing. How do I tell that my machine needs a service? Is there a recommended schedule or some tell-tale sign that it's time ...
user avatar