< DIY Craft Projects - Trash to Treasure - Architectural Salvage

Questions & Answers & Tips for Trash to Treasure Items

See my new "Top Things to look for at Garage Sales" at the bottom

Last updated 4/22/08

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If you have a question please email me or you can write the question on my blog here

and I'll try to get you the answer.

How to cut a spindle in half

This question is asked so often, that I will leave this on the top.

Margo's Answer

I've found the easiest way, is with a Band Saw. The table saw is too large for this project and seems a bit dangerous. As Always be careful wear eye protection and keep hands away from the blade. Get help if you need it.

The blade will need to be 1/2" thick at least, and about 15 TPI (teeth per inch), or it won't work real well.

Here is a tutorial on cutting Typewriter keys off of a typewriter with the Dremel. First get the key off with a bolt cutter, or use the dremel in the method I'm about to show you. Then you'll have a stub, you will remove this stub with a Dremel grinder.

Here is the dremel with the grinding wheel attached

here you see the typewriter key with the stub still attached

Now I'm using the edge of the grinder to score the stub at the point where it meets the key

Now I take a pair of Needle Nose Plyers and I bend the stub back and forth until it breaks off. The reason I do this is to save the Dremel grinder wheel from excess wear. You could just grind through the stub, but this will wear your wheel out faster.

Now you can see that the back is smooth and the stub is gone. I am holding it with the plyers because it is hot. The friction from the tool has heated everything up, so be careful you don't want to burn yourself.

There you have it, Only a dozen more to go.

Any good T2T Magazines

"Do you know if there is a magazine out there that has ideas with pictures an lots of other info?"

Margo's Answer

I've received this question a lot of times. If you've viewed all my pages, and all of the pages and ideas on the links page then here are some other suggestions for T2T ideas.
I subscribe to Country Home and Country Living and Cottage Living. There is really no one magazine dedicated to T2T, But there are several books. I mention many of these books throughout my web site. Sometimes there will be periodical publications that focus on T2T you just have to keep an eye on the news stand. The best place for ideas, is the web, Message forums, and on blogs. If you check my blog and look at the "favorites" on the sidebar you'll find lots of good ideas in there.

I own and recommend these books, they are full of great inspiration,ideas and photos

What to do with Gumball machine

I have been searching all over the web for ideas on what to do with a gumball machine. You said on your website you make lamps, but I didn't see a picture of one. Can you give my some ideas. Mine is on the metal stand up base. I thought about a bird feeder, or a bird bath, or maybe even a planter. What do you think?Cherie

Margo's Answer

I made a table/plant stand out of one of mine. I glued (liquid nails) some wood to the top of it and let it dry. When it was dry and fixed I screwed this metal tray onto the wood. It's pretty sturdy. As far as making a lamp, i never did it, but I thought about it. The only hard part would be the wiring, if there is a center hole of some kind, then the wire could just go through there. If not, then you'd have a problem. I've also thought of turning one into a fish tank for a beta or goldfish. Something that didnt' need oxygenation. Maybe even just set a round fish bowl on top of the base of the bubblegum machine it it would fit. Since a fish bowl resembles the glass part of the machine.

What kind of paint or "to poly or not to poly?"

Hi - I really enjoy your website and find it very inspiring. I'm wondering if you put a coat of poly-urethane (or similar product) on each of your creations once you've painted them? Or are a couple of good coats of paints enough protection? Particularly headboard benches… Thanks, Cheryl W.

Margo's Answer

I don't use poly and on the benches I use exterior paint. It wouldn't hurt to poly but I don't see the need. However, if you have something that is very chippy and flaky. A coat or 2 of poly will keep the flakes to a minimum.

What to do with old Mailboxes

Hi! i have been working on making some trash to treasure ideas ive gotten off your site, i will email pictures soon! but i have a question,i have several old mailboxes and was wondering if you have any ideas or pictures of things i can do with them?

Margo's Answer

I've seen one idea where someone stacked them 3 across and 3 high and used it for shoe and mail storage in the mud room. I've also seen one turned on it's end and used as a trash can. check the yard art page to see what Jennifer did with one of her mailboxes after this email.

large spindles into lamps

6/15/07 Rebecca Asks: I look at your stuff often for ideaa. I have an old 4 poster bed that I want to use part of the spindles to make a set of lamps out of. My question is how do I drill the hole for the wire? The spindles that I cut are about 16 inches long. thanks.

Margo's Answer

I've never actually done it, but I know that they make extra long drill bits. You might have to drill part way through from one end and then the other end, making the hole meet in the middle. Sorry That's the best I can do. Go to the home center and ask their tool guy. It's a great project though, Send me a pic of your finished lamps. Margo

Old window table top

5/27/07 topoor2race asks:

Could you tell me if the door/table has glass top or if it is just the window panes? Thanks! and what do you use for legs?

Margo's Answer

2 of the ones I have are made from old widows, individual panes. I have made another that is an old gun cabinet door, It had only one long piece of glass. I added dividers to make it seem as if it's 3 separate pieces and make it look more interesting. This also added some strength underneath so the glass would not fall out.

I use any old spindles or legs I can find.

Smelly suitcases

5/6/07 Nancy Writes
I actually bought two old suitcases ($2 each) yesterday at yard sales just because of seeing the things people did with them on your site. One of them is so musty inside I don't know if I'll ever get the smell out. It has a dark green satiny lining in beautiful condition so I'm afraid to use anything like Febreeze for fear it will stain it. Right now I have a bunch of dryer sheets inside. If you have any tips, I'd love to hear them. Nancy

Margo's Answer
I'd try banking soda sprinkled in there and close the lid for a week or so, then vacuum, then do it again until the weather clears up enough to put them outside.

What to do with old Sewing Machine Cabinets

5/5/07 Peggy Asks

I have come across a good deal on some old sewing machine tables. Wooden, the top flips off to the side and the machine pops up. Any ideas what I can do with them? Thank You, Peggy

Margo's Answer
You are so lucky, I use one as an entry table.

and I recently found this idea on the web from "Salvaged Treasure.com" Web site no longer works.

I'd love to make this project. good luck, send pictures.

Tipsy Pots

4/30/07, Shirley Asks, about the Tipsy Pots

I love these planters. Do you know how they are made? Is it just one piece of rebar or are there smaller pieces used also? These are so neat. Shirley

Margo's Answer
I've received several requests for instructions on making the tipsy pots. I found a blog with great instructions, read instructions here

Here are some things I look for when I'm out junking

Shutters: You can find old shutters left over from remodels at Garage Sales for a great price. I would not pay more than a couple of dollars for a pair. Many times you can talk people down if they have a large group of them. They don’t want to store them and most people aren’t looking for them. I have many projects on my shutters page for these items.

Old windows: I have over 20 different window projects on my windows page. The chippier the better. Keep a look out for old windows and pick them up if they are under $10.00 ea. If they have a unique shape, I’d pay even more.

Spindles: Spindles: any size any shape. Remember spindles can be found in old beds, chairs etc Baby beds are a great source of old spindles. Spindles can be used as table legs, embellishments, etc. –see spindles page.

Old Lamps: Wooden lamps, are usually just large spindles. Lamp electronics can be re-used for re-wiring a new lamp creation Bases and other lamp parts can be re-used for other projects. Don’t pay more than $3.00 for an old lamp.

Old Metal Door hardware: Door plates, Knobs etc. Garage sales are often less expensive than flea markets in regards to these items. They are good as embellishments to other projects. Door knobs can be feet on a box or hooks on a rack on the wall. Glass doorknobs are a great buy at anything below $8.00 for a pair.

Old Hard sided Suitcases (but remember a few can go a long way) : Don’t pay more than 3.00 each. Unless they are the old kind with stripes, and then I’d go up to $10.00.

Old hats: Hats look great on the wall, or above a wardrobe. Women’s spring hats can have a lot of fun uses. Men’s hats make great accents to a masculine themed room. I have a safari hat and a fedora that I truly love in my “travel” themed room.
What to do with vintage hats

Picture Frames: Wooden picture frames can be expensive. You can get them at Garage Sales for a song. Don’t let the color or condition of the wood scare you. Frames are painted up easily. Even displaying empty frames in a group can be a nice look. So pick up those old wooden frames.

Architectural moldings: corbels, Victorian gingerbread, anything you can find. These have a variety of uses, including holding up shelves, Bookends, or just sitting on a shelf. Pick them up if the prices is right. You need to decide if it’s a good price though, as it depends on size and condition.

Things not to pass up, if the price is right

Old singer type sewing machines: in fair to good condition under $50.00. Condition of the machine is not as important (to me) as the condition of the cabinet.

Old dressers under $10.00: These can look quite nice with a coat of paint. And they offer great storage. They can be used as buffets, side tables, entry tables, extra kitchen storage, kitchen islands or even as bedroom dressers.

Old mirrors with beveled edges: In Antique stores these can cost over $45.00ea. Pick one up if it’s less than this, I’ve gotten several under $25.00 ea. They look good as a grouping on a wall, up a staircase, or in a bathroom.

Other: An item can be more than the sum of it’s parts. Perhaps there is a beat up table, but the wood alone may be worth the asking price. Maybe the top is not good, but the legs are in good shape, and could be used in another project.