Air cleaner might clear the air of smoke, odors

Sun., Dec. 25, 2011

Gene Austin McClatchy

Tool test

I was a bit skeptical when I set out to test Craftsman’s “second generation” cordless multi-tool, not sure that the 12-volt lithium-ion battery would provide enough power to handle the multitude of tasks that a tool of this type should do.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Craftsman (Sears) had plenty of zip. I didn’t try nearly all the jobs a multi-tool can do, but enough to convince me. The lack of a dangling cord made the tool extra convenient for some of the tight quarters tasks a multi-tool is called on to perform. Those tasks can include sawing wood, metal, drywall, plastics and other materials, removing tile grout and thinset mortar, grinding, scraping paint and removing some floor coverings, sanding and more.

Craftsman’s tool (it’s model no. 320. 30566, also called the Nextec Quick Boost) comes with a set of blades, a sanding kit, battery charger, one battery and a neat, zip-up tool bag to carry it all. Additional blades for more tasks are available. The bag has a big pocket for the three instruction manuals — one each for the tool, battery charger and the battery. The tool sells for about $100.

The single battery might seem to be a drawback, but the charger can restore some of the power in only three minutes and give a full charge in about 30 minutes. Multi tools are extremely useful and versatile. They are sold under many brand names and in a broad price range. Look them over and decide which one best suits your needs, but if you are an active do-it-yourselfer, it helps to own one.

Q. I live in a small apartment building and am surrounded by apartments with tenants who smoke. The terrible smoke odor penetrates through cracks into my apartment. Nothing I have tried has helped much. What else can I do?

A. It’s difficult to advise you on how to seal cracks without knowing what type of cracks they are. If you think smoke or odors are penetrating under a hallway door, close that gap inexpensively with a door sweep, sold at any home center. The sweep attaches to the bottom of the door and has a rubber fin that should contact the threshold or floor when the door is closed. Other crack-sealing materials include caulk and weather-stripping; you can examine the different types at a home center or hardware store and choose what fits your problems. There is even a removable caulk, DAP’s Seal ’n Peel.

But probably your best defense is a good air cleaner with a high rating for removing smoke odors. Unfortunately, the best ones are expensive, sometimes costing $700 or more. These air cleaners have carbon filters that absorb odors as well as HEPA filters (high efficiency particulate air) to trap smoke particles. Ionizing air cleaners are also sometimes recommended for smoke-odor control, but I prefer the filter type.

You can find likely air cleaners by using a search engine and the words “air cleaners for cigarette smoke odors.” Here is a cheaper air cleaner idea I came across on an Internet forum: Use a 20-inch box fan and attach a Filtrete 1,000 Allergen furnace filter to the back side with duct tape. The filter must be on the back so air is drawn through it. Change the filter when it darkens from smoke and dust particles. The fan can be easily carried from room to room.

Q. The hinges pulled out of one of my door frames and the screws took out a lot of wood with them. What kind of wood filler should I use to fill those holes? —N. Norman

A. You don’t say how large the holes are, but I think you will need a strong wood filler to keep the door from sagging in the future.

One good choice is an epoxy putty. You can buy this in stick form in the plumbing departments of some home centers. Cut a piece off the stick, which is much like a big Tootsie Roll, knead it like dough to a uniform color, then force it into the holes.

Another good choice is Minwax High Performance Wood Filler, a two-part material. A drawback to using the Minwax product indoors is its very strong odor during mixing. If you use it, mix it outdoors and ventilate the work area well until the odor dissipates.

When you reattach the hinges, use screws at least two-and-a-half inches long so that they penetrate the house framing, not just the door frame.

Questions and comments should be emailed to Gene Austin at gaus17@aol.com. Send regular mail for Gene Austin to 1730 Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422.