Are you feeling chilly in your hotel room or library and can't access the thermostat because it's locked away in a plastic shell? Don't worry, there's a quick and easy fix for that!

Try placing an ice pack (or a cold Starbucks drink) on the top of the lock box casing. This should trick the sensors in the thermostat into thinking it's much colder than it really is, which should activate the heat.

On the other hand, if you're looking to cool down and get the air conditioning to turn on, simply reverse the process. Instread of an ice pack, you can place a cup of hot water on the top of the box. This should make the thermostat think it's warmer than it actually is, and turn on the AC.

Keep in mind, depending on the type of thermostat you have, this tip might not always work. It is, however, worth a try if you're looking for a quick and easy way to adjust the temperature in your room or building!

Trick Your Thermostat Into Thinking It's Cooler

You know that feeling. You're in the middle of a project, maybe assembling some IKEA furniture and making great progress, when suddenly you hit a snag. Next, you're staring at a stripped screw that just won't budge no matter how hard you try.

This problem is easily fixed with the right tools and techniques. In just a few minutes, you'll have that stripped screw removed and be back on completing your project. But first…

When the grooves on the head of a screw are entirely worn off, the screw becomes stripped. This usually happens because of repeated use over time. No matter how hard you try, you won't be able to get any leverage or a firm grip against the screw's twisting action using a drill bit or screw driver.

There are several simple methods to remove a stripped screw, and we'll walk you through 10 of the best methods for doing so.

Rubber bands are one of the most common methods for removing stripped screws. They work by creating friction between the head of the screw and the surface it's stuck on. Rubber bands come in different sizes, so ideally, choose a wide rubber band to cover the entire head of the screw and then some.

Place the rubber band around the screwdriver bit and pull it tautly. Insert the screwdriver bit into the stripped screw head and twist the screw loose. If the screw isn't completely stripped, the rubber band will fill in the gaps and provide friction, helping the screw come out.

Pliers can be an effective tool for extracting a stripped screw as well. A decent pair of pliers will allow you to start spinning and loosening a screw, even if you can only hold a small portion of the screw head. If you don't have enough grip on the head, use locking jaws (vise grips) to tighten around the head of the screw.

<b>Question</b>: How do you remove a stripped screw without damaging the surrounding material?

<b>Answer</b>: Easy! With a screwdriver and hammer. First, carefully place the screwdriver's tip into the head of the screw. Then, using a hammer, lightly tap on the handle to provide extra force and loosen the grip of the stripped screw. Keep tapping until it starts to move, then switch back to using the screwdriver for removal. And voila! You have successfully removed that pesky stripped screw without scratching up your project. Who knew a simple screwdriver and hammer could save the day? (We did - that's why we are sharing it with you).

If the traditional methods just aren't cutting it, have no fear - the reverse drill method is here! This simple trick involves drilling a hole into the head of the stripped screw with a slightly smaller bit. Then, switch the drill to reverse, and voila - you can now easily unscrew the stripped screw. It's an unconventional technique, but it works like a charm.

Screws that have accumulated a lot of corrosion and grime can be extremely difficult to dismantle. This issue is most frequently encountered with machine screws on metal surfaces. The effort required to release threads from metal-on-metal corrosion is too much for the fragile screw heads. Here's when an impact screwdriver really shines.

Impact screwdrivers are perfect for quickly removing difficult screws without the need for excessive force. Simply attach the correct screwdriver head to the impact screwdriver, insert it into the screw, and strike it with a hammer. The impact driver's compound motion twists out the screw, breaks up the accumulation, and any further stripping of the screw.

If you're looking to strip screws without damaging the wood, look no further than a liquid abrasive. You'll want to apply the liquid abrasive directly onto the head of your screwdriver or drill bits. Ensure that you've got enough product to cover the entire surface of the screw. This can be challenging since most tools are designed to hold something other than extra material. However, if you're careful about applying the liquid, you should find the stuck screws coming out sooner than you hoped!

You may not think switching to a flathead screwdriver would be much use, but it does surprisingly help. Not only will the flathead provide more leverage, but its straight edges also allow for a better grip on stripped screws. Just remember to keep the flat head screwdriver perpendicular to the head of the screw and gently push it down.

If you have a glue gun at home, you can use it to remove stripped screws! All it takes is some patience. Before you start, make sure the screw head is clean and debris-free. Then, apply a small amount of hot glue onto the stripped screw head. Let it dry and harden for a few minutes before using a screwdriver or other tool to turn and remove the screw. The hot glue adds extra grip and makes it much easier to loosen stubborn screws. Plus, every DIY enthusiast should already have this quick and easy fix in their toolbox.

If the stripped screw is deeply lodged in the material, and you have exhausted all other options, it's time to resort to a bit of destruction. A wood plug cutter is one tool that might be able to help you out. This tool allows you to cut away wood from around a screw hole without having to strip screws completely.

The process starts with drilling a small pilot hole just outside where you want the screw to come out. Next, place the wood plug cutter over the hole. Turn the power up at high speed and cut away the surrounding material. Once the area is clear enough, use a flathead screwdriver to pry the wood plug cutter free. Now you're ready to pull the screw out.

If all else fails, a screw extractor kit is one of those tools that every woodworker needs to have around. If you want to strip screws without damaging the threads, you'll need this tool.

You can <a href="https://amzn.to/3U8ttrx">purchase kits</a> on Amazon, but there are many places to find them. Hardware stores often carry them too. They're inexpensive and easy to use; just insert the tip of the bit into the hole where the screw goes, turn on the motor, and slowly rotate the bit counterclockwise. As soon as you feel resistance, stop turning and pull out the bit. Repeat the process if you don't get enough material off the screw.

So there you have it, 10 different ways to remove a stripped screw. Even if one method doesn't work for you, keep trying others until you find the right fit. With enough perseverance, you can get that pesky screw out in no time. And once you do, be sure to throw it away—you don't want anyone else to go through the same struggle as you did.

If you're having trouble removing a slightly stripped screw, try using a rubber band in the screw hole.

Use a paper plate and clip to boost your flashlight beam in the dark.

Getting organized with your important documents makes things less stressful the next time you begin digging through random boxes searching for your social security card (if in the US), birth certificates, car insurance information, or even your passport.

Keep a binder of your important documents with tab dividers labeling what they are.

If you keep forgetting that you closed the garage door, when it closes, say out loud: "The garage door is closed". Or when you wonder whether or not you unplugged the iron. "The iron is unplugged". Your brain will become more stimulated to help build a stronger memory.

Narrate tasks out loud if you have trouble remembering whether or not you completed them.

"Work hard, play hard" is probably the most mainstream version of this ideology, but it's absolutely true, in order to be a top performer at anything. The most productive people regularly take a step away to process what you are doing and plan out where you are going. It also helps avoid burnout.

Good work ethic requries good rest ethic.

Staring directly at your destination instead of other people in the eye will signal to them to get out of the way.

Want to stop walking into people on the sidewalk and in crowds? Avoid eye-contact.

Measure your hand from your fingertips to palm and memorize it. Now you can judge the size of anything without a ruler. Try to pick a finger that's pretty close to standard length (~1 inch).

Use your hand as a ruler.

You'll never forget it. Place it inside your shoe if necessary.

If you have to remember to bring something with you, place it next to your shoes.

No time is better than the present to make changes. Stop thinking in the past and continually look forward to the future.

Wishing things were different is a great way to torture yourself.

Shoes, tires, beds, office chairs, couches, etc. You will thank your future self for doing so.

Trick Your Thermostat Into Thinking It's Colder

More General Tips

10 Simple Ways to Remove Stripped Screws

Use a paper plate and clip to boost your flashlight beam in the dark.

Keep a binder of your important documents with tab dividers labeling what they are.

Narrate tasks out loud if you have trouble remembering whether or not you completed them.

Good work ethic requries good rest ethic.

Want to stop walking into people on the sidewalk and in crowds? Avoid eye-contact.

Use your hand as a ruler.

If you have to remember to bring something with you, place it next to your shoes.

Wishing things were different is a great way to torture yourself.

Don't cheap out on what you put between yourself and the ground.

For places that charge a cancellation fee on short notice, try rescheduling for a later time instead.

Once you find something you've spent awhile looking for, place it in the original spot you looked for it.

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