I'm Jane's Brother And I'm Here To Help: Fix Anything So It Lasts and Doesn't Look Like a Big Mess

Plus: Is it time to throw away an old piece of electronics? One of you asks, and of course we answer!

Happy Saturday, Sassy people! I am in the middle of putting together a little surprise for all of us and I will give you the details very soon (in my next email). In the meantime: If you haven't met him already, here is my adorable little brother Ben with some always-life-changing help for you. I used it yesterday to fix a broken lamp (while I was procrastinating writing the thing I am writing for you) and it worked! Have a fun fun day. - Jane

By Ben Pratt

I love fixing things, and a lot of the time, that means using glue. Yesterday, I glued my dog’s collar because the strap kept slipping and getting bigger. The day before that, I repaired a picture frame that was coming apart. This week I also repaired my keyfob. I get a lot of “what glue should I use” questions. So here is my guide to the five most common glues and how to use (and not use) them. I based this list on what they work well for (and what they don’t).

Broken Plastic: Cyanoacrylate is known by the brand names Crazy Glue and Super Glue (but the brand does not matter). It dries clear and is very strong when used correctly. This is my go-to glue for hard surfaces that fit together very well, like broken plastic pieces, but it also works well on other materials. Most of what you can find easily will be slightly thick, to make it less runny. However, if you want it to flow into a crack, you should use the thinner kind. You might have to order it or go to a hobby store. It might be labeled "Thin Cyanoacrylate" or "Glass Glue". For maximum strength on plastic, get the primer as well. And if you need it to dry instantly, you can buy accelerant. (But be careful to keep your fingers away because it gets hot, and don't breathe the fumes.) Otherwise, it cures from the moisture in the air. So if it's dry in your house, you can make it cure faster if you hold it over a source of a little steam or mist, or put it in the bathroom when you run the shower. However, running water over it does not work well.

Everyone should have these two glues in their home

Broken Dish