WET OR DRY CHAIN LUBE? Mountain bikers will often disagree on a lot of technical issues, but nothing divides opinions quite like chain lube. Remove subjectivity from the argument and chain lubes can be divided into two categories: wet and dry. Their applications are equally simple and self-explanatory: Dry lubes are for dry riding conditions […]

If you bought your turbo diesel second-hand, or if the engine’s clocked up more than 150 000 km, you may be concerned about how much longer the turbo will last. That said, here are 5 reasons why diesel turbochargers commonly fail…   1) Carbon Over time, carbon may build up on the turbocharger’s waste gate, […]

You’re a can-do kinda guy. A problem solver. The sort of person that people turn to when something’s broken, or not working. But you’re more than just a handy man or DIY enthusiast, you’re a… Leatherman owner! If the above title applies to you, then you’ve no doubt wondered what lube is best for your […]

QUESTION: I read your blog post a few weeks back, about cleaning a Weber kettle cooker, and I’m wondering if you can help. I’ve got a really old cast iron griddle pan that I once used for camping, but the plate has stood (unused) behind my garden shed for a few years now. Needless to […]

QUESTION: I’m gearing up for my end-of-year holiday and plan on relaxing around the pool while my Weber does all the hard (cooking) work. Unfortunately though, my Weber is looking a little worse for wear, and I’m wondering if I should get a new one for Christmas. The problem is, it looks like the inside of the […]

QUESTION The other day I was working on an old lawnmower that I’d picked up at a secondhand shop. Things were going well until I encountered a rusted bolt that refused to budge. Do you guys have any suggestions on how to help loosen the culprit? Because they typically live outdoors, old pool pumps (and […]

HOW TO RESTORE OLD TOOLS WITH Q12 RUST REMOVER QUESTION: Doing DIY around the house and woodwork projects in my garage is my weekend passion, but I live at the coast, and I find that keeping my tools rust-free is a constant battle. What’s the best method (or rust remover) to go about restoring old tools? […]

THE SECRET TECHNIQUE TO KNIFE SHARPENING AND A RAZOR’S EDGE… QUESTION:  I love cooking, and the part I really enjoy is the preparation of the ingredients – which usually involves a lot of cutting and slicing. Last year I was given a high-quality chef’s knife. Wow, what a difference it made! It was really sharp, and it stayed […]

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU SERVICE YOUR MOUNTAIN BIKE? QUESTION I recently heard a debate about mountain bike (MTB) maintenance. The guys were discussing lubrication, and one bloke was saying that a multipurpose oil (such as Q20) could be used on a bike chain, but the other was arguing that it couldn’t, and that a specialist […]