Austin American-Statesman from Austin, Texas • 92

Sunday, March 15, 1981 F14 Austin American-StatesmanAdv. Supplement Minor first aid often only need in curing wobbly table nuisance By AL CARRELL IClKInt rtim lyndlemf, ho. to easily take It apart, maybe you can use a glue Injector to get glue into the cavity. A hypodermic needle will also do the job, but you get funny looks when you buy these. Glue blocks can often add to the stability of either a glued joint or to a table held together by hardware.

These are small pieces of wood glued under the table at points where the top and table skirt meet or at other joints. They can be placed close to the legs for greater stability. Some glue blocks are strengthened by adding nails or screws plus the glue. I've even seen folks use small L-shaped braces to steady a table. Just be sure that any screws you add aren't long enough to some through to the outside.

Unlesss you give seances and need a table that will rap out messages, you ought to cure the wobbles, and if you'll just turn the tables and look I'll bet you can figure out how. Got a question are handy tip Write Al Carrell in care of this newspaper. A SUPER HINT -Sometimes you'd like to have a stop of some sort on the sawhorse. so the work can be held securely in place. One easy stop can be fashioned by cutting a slot in the top rail down toward one end.

Angle the slot so it slants toward the center. Make it wide enough to accept a wiggle nail or corrugated fastener and to a depth that will let the top eighth inch of the fastener stick' up. The work can be pushed against this and be well anchored. DearAl: I got tired of squirrels and cats bugging the birds by climbing the pole on which the bird feeder is mounted. I came up with the Idea of slathering the top half of the pole with petroleum jelly.

It not only solves the problem, but provided quite a sideshow when we were able to catch an animal trying to climb the slick post. ft ifii v. i.5iss koli ik. Start your Every room can benefit by a touch of Varney. In this bedroom the wall cover-French decor, says decorator Carleton ing enhances the fanciful look.

-t 'I'll ,11 in When in doubt, go Francaise in a room mtsmim By AL CARRELL lOKIna FufuM Inc. By AL CARRELL (c)81 King Feature Synd. Wobbly tables are a nuisance right now, and if they keep on wobbling, they just may collapse one of these days, probably when you put your Ming vase on one. Many times a wobbly table Just needs some minor first aid. Most of the older tables were put together entirely with glue.

No screws or bolts or nails. However, most of the tables produced In our lifetime are different. The legs will be held on with some sort of hardware. There may be a nut and bolt plus a bracket or plate to do the job. Crawl under the wobbly table and take a look.

If there is a nut to be tightened, that's probably all you have to do to stabilize the table. Not only should you tighten the bolt on the wobbly leg, but as long as you're crawling around on the floor under the table why not check all the hardware for tightness. The type with a bracket or plate will probably also be fixed with tightening. However, these brackets ususally fit into slots, and if a bracket has come out of its slot this could be the problem. Loosen the bolt so you can reset the bracket, and then do your tightening act.

Sometimes the hole in the wood where the bolt goes has become enlarged. If that's the case, you will probably never get a steady table without rebuilding the hole. You can sometimes take care of the problem by merely poking wooden toothpicks around the bolt to fill in the gap. I'd dip the toothpicks into glue as you poke. When the hole is filled, cut off the parts of the toothpicks that stick out.

When the glue dries, you can then put the bolt and nut back together and tighten the leg again. Wooden matches can replace the toothpicks, if you like. There are also wooden filler compounds like wood putty. Such a compound can fill the hole completely, and then, when it has completely set up, you can drill a new hole in which to install the bolt. The most dependable way would be to install a dowell that would fit tightly into the hole and then glue it in place.

This would probably require drilling out the hole to exactly accept the dowel. It makes for a solid repair, but it also is more trouble. If the leg was held in place by glue, and the glue joint has loosened, you should try to reglue it. Turn the table upside down, but be sure it's on something that would protect the top from scratches. If possible, remove the loose leg and remove all the old glue.

Hot vinegar will help to remove some old glues, but other types will require sanding or scraping. After the glue is removed from the leg, remove it from the surfaces to which it was attached, too. Be sure the surfaces are clean before applying new glue. Remember that all gluing must be held in place with some sort of damps. Clamping pressure is an important part of the success of such a chore.

Figure out the best way to apply the proper pressure before applying the glue. If the leg fits into a hole in the table, often the table's weight will apply ample Also give the glue ample time to cure. If the glue joint is just loose but you aren't able Luxury and Security. DearAl: I saw your suggestion to use flour on a rag after polishing brass to remove any oily deposits from hand prints before putting a protective coating on the metal. I have an old brass cleaner formula that No other tomhome community in Austin can offer the incomparable lifestyle of Balcones Place: Entrance gate security.

0 Ideal N. W. location near Hwy. 183. 0 Elegant 2 and 3 bedroom luxury townhomes.

0 Year-round maintenance. 0 Free Balcones Country Club membership. 0 Private pool with scenic deck. 0 Homes from $95,000 to $125,000. 0 Excellent financing available To find out more about Balcones Place call: 258-8566 fauteuil are sure winners.

Add these arm chairs to any setting be it modern, traditional or avant-garde and they will blend harmoniously. In the bedroom shown today the French fauteuil is accented with a white seat cushion. Enhancing the look is white eyelet bed linen. The wall covering is "Spring Romance" from Sunworthy. Alexander Smith's "Estrella" carpet is opaline green compliments contrasting apricot colored walls and drapery.

The carpet is tufted in Allied Chemical's new Anso IV nylon fiber, ensuring long life and comfort. Dear Family Decorator: With a yellow, blue and white bedroom I am planning on carpeting the floor wall-to-wall with a trellis patterned rug. Do I have to stick to the yellow, blue or white. I was thinking of introducing peach into the carpet. What do you think? Dear Mrs.

T.E.: I think the addition of peach to your color scheme Marketed hv the IfM, Wenoertv Cn Rpnltnr UN -o By CARLETON VARNEY (C) 81 Field Newspaper SymJ. When in doubt, go Francaise! That's what a friend of mine believes. As a matter of fact, my rating friend believes that no room is finished without a touch of French flavor. Now, I don't go that far. However, I must say that a little touch of France is welcome in any setting.

Combine a French cuisine and decor in your kitchen. You may only need a few hand-painted tiles on your backsplash to add that French elegance. But don't hesitate to use unglazed terra-cotta tiles on the floor. Going French in the kitchen could merely mean hanging big copper pots from wrought-iron fixtures or adding a small French print tablecloth to your round table flanked by ladderback chairs. In the bath, ou la la! I'd like a touch of Francaise aroma a fresh crystal bowl of potpourri.

Or choose a wallpaper that has countryside pastoral scenes so reminiscent of this bucolic land. And if your bath is old-fashioned, you might choose French lace curtains for windows! Yes, a touch of the French is always welcome. In your foyer, that touch could be a porcelain and brass light fixture hanging from the ceiling. Or perhaps you would prefer a French console with a chinoiserie lamp on top. When it comes to furniture, the French designs are varied in line but consistent in beauty.

And when it comes to chairs, the bergere or really works and includes the use of flour. I use a half cup of white vinegar and add a tablespoon of table salt. Then I add enough flour to make it into a paste. This is then used on a damp rag to clean and polish the brass. After it's shined, I rinse off the paste and use a clean soft cloth to dry, and then another to polish.

It's ready for the shellac or lacquer coating. P.P. DearAl: Here is an addition to a straight ladder that prevents the rails from marring whatever surface they are against. I had some leftover rubber wedge type door stops from a previous residence. Using epoxy glue, I fastened these to the tip and back of the rails with the narrow end pointing up.

This gives a padded surface to go against the wall that protects against scratching, and it also is a safety factor because the ladder is so non-slip. ISPS) BULDING FXVIILV IN M'STIN SINCE l5. would be enchanting. Choose a trellis carpet with a yellow background and a trellis of blue and peach ribbons intertwined. You could also leave out the blue and have a peach on yellow or a peach and yellow on white design.

Bring some additional peach tones into the room with a porcelain bowl or throw pillows in this hue. Varney welcomes mail from readers but cannot give a personal reply. He will use the most interesting questions from readers in his column. SI NPC'S WINNIN NORTHWEST There's a New Neighborhood in the Neighborhood. by Nash Phillips Clyde Copus A community of forty-three townhomes much for its natural quietness as its natural convenience.

But with all of its location conve tr iTISk hww A tW 1 in Northwest Austin. Planned and designed to be a real neighborhood. Vapor barrier rules explained Metro Feature Service SUMMIT, N.J. You may have heard of a house suffering from a case of the vapors. Most are caused by the improper installation of insulation.

That is why the Mineral Insulation Manufacturers Association advises do-it-yourselfers to pay careful attention to the vapor barrier when installing fiber glass or rock wool insulation. A vapor barrier is the moisture-resistant covering found on one side of insulation batts and blankets. Since every home is prey to "the vapors," due to moisture released from cooking, showering and just breathing, MIMA suggests you heed these rules concerning vapor barriers: When insulating your attic floor, place batts and blankets with the vapor barrier side down if there is no insulation on your attic floor. If you are installing new insulation over old on your attic floor, use insulation without a vapor barrier. If unfaced material is not available, use the vapor barrier type but remove the vapor barrier.

When insulating other areas of the home such as crawl spaces, basement ceilings and walls in hew additions or attc conversions, always have the vapor barrier or polyethylene over the tear. When installing insulation in walls of a new addition, staple the vapor barrier edges tight against the studs, eliminating all gaps. I Don't leave the vapor barrier exposed. Cover Jt with gypsum board or other building-code approved material. Finally, don't overlook the tax break you may entitled to by adding insulation.

This and other energy conservation home improvements are eligible for a tax "credit" of as much as $300. Additional advice and instructions on adding insulation are available in two booklets, "How to Money by Insulating Your Home" and "Save on Home Heating and Cooling Costs: Insulate Your Attic Now." Each is available for 40 cents and a stamped, 'self-addressed envelope sent to Mineral Insulation Association, Dept. SR, 382 Springfield Summit, NJ 17901. Where you can get to know your neighbors. And where the streets are winding.

There are walks to take. And greenbelt areas that are like small parks. There's a swimming pool and a tennis court. And you're close to major shopping areas yet removed from the noise and commotion. In fact, here's a silence you'll have to hear to believe.

The site was chosen as niences and its friendly neighborhood advantages, Hampton Park was still designed with concern for individual privacy. Courtyards, patios, even front walks are considerately fenced. And your views are into open areas. Not open windows. There's a real sense of community at Hampton Park.

One that you can feel by just coming by and visiting our furnished models. Pictured from left to right (1st row), Dave Mitchell, Jim Saullo, Gary Lenzo, Thurman Blackburn (Sales John Henion (2nd row), Gene Holt, Les Craver, Al Garrison, Ray Kiker, Jerry Vasterling, (3rd row) Lee PearlMark El-brecht, Danny Clark (not pictured are Clifford Schmidt and David Kufch) C6ngratulations to the NPC Sales gratulated for keeping is team of Team with the most total volume sold licensed professionals consistently at EXCELLENT FINANCING AVAILABLE A quiet neiyhhorhcxid iif townhomes by Jones-Prewitt Company and Capitol City Savings. H-A-MPT-ON in tne montn ot January, i nis success- tne top. i ne Northwest Sales Office; is located at 11149 Re! ful group covers North Aus tin Real Estate Needs. Sales Manager, Thurman Blackburn is to be con search.

Call 345-9480 fot assistance with your. Real Estate needs. mi UJ BE STBCK PARK 3 NASH PHILLIPSCOPUSE 3 345-6113 BUILDERSREALTORS'DEVELOPERS SINCE 1945 Main OfficeIH 35 at 290EPhone 453-1141.