ABS
A tough impact-resistant plastic used in housings, fittings, and 3D printing filament.
DIY Secrets
Glossary
A single alphabetical index of the terms used across the site, from ropes and knots to tapes, adhesives, fixings, materials and safety basics.
80 glossary entries
Fix, Fasten & Secure: Clamps & Temporary Holds (5)Fix, Fasten & Secure: Glues & Adhesives (5)Fix, Fasten & Secure: Ropes & Knots (20)Fix, Fasten & Secure: Screws, Nails & Anchors (5)Fix, Fasten & Secure: Tape Tricks (5)Fix, Fasten & Secure: Zip Tie Tricks (4)Materials & Know-How: Buying Guides (6)Materials & Know-How: Glue Types (7)Materials & Know-How: Plastic & Metal Basics (8)Materials & Know-How: Rope Types (7)Materials & Know-How: Safety Basics (8)Materials & Know-How: Screws, Plugs & Anchors (7)Materials & Know-How: Tape Types (6)Materials & Know-How: Wood Basics (7)
A
Acrylic
A clear plastic sheet material that can crack if drilled poorly.
Adhesive residue
Sticky material left behind after tape is removed.
Aluminium
A lightweight metal often used in trim, sheet and small extrusions.
Anchor
A fixing used to create a hold in a wall, ceiling or hollow surface.
Assortment box
A mixed box of small parts such as screws, plugs, washers or clips.
B
C
Cam-out
When a driver bit slips out of a screw recess under torque—and why matching Phillips (PH) or Pozidriv (PZ) matters.
Caul
A straight piece used to spread clamping pressure over a wider area.
Clamp pressure
The squeezing force applied by a clamp or improvised hold.
Compatibility
Whether a product suits the material, surface, tool or environment it will be used with.
Consumables
Items used up during DIY work, such as tape, screws, sandpaper or glue.
Contact adhesive
Adhesive applied to both surfaces and joined after it becomes tacky.
Corrosion
Material deterioration caused by reaction with the environment, often seen as rust on steel.
Countersink
A shaped recess that lets a screw head sit flush or below the surface.
Crossing Turn
A rope shape made when the rope crosses over itself to form the start of a loop or knot.
Cure time
The time an adhesive needs to reach its intended working strength.
Cyanoacrylate / super glue
A moisture-curing adhesive that sets in seconds on close-fitting, non-porous joints—ideal for small, rigid repairs, not gaps, flex, or load-bearing work.
D
Deburring
Removing sharp burrs from a cut or drilled edge.
Double-sided tape
Tape with adhesive on both sides for light positioning or bonding.
Dressing the Knot
Arranging a knot so each part sits neatly in the intended position before the knot is fully tightened.
Drying time
The time before an adhesive or finish feels dry to the touch.
Duct tape
A strong cloth-backed tape used for temporary holding and patching.
Dust mask
A mask intended to reduce breathing in certain dusts, depending on its rating and fit.
E
End grain
The exposed ends of wood fibres, seen at the cut end of a board.
Epoxy
A two-part adhesive that cures through a chemical reaction.
Eye protection
Safety glasses, goggles or face protection used to reduce eye injury risk.
F
Flush cut
A trimmed cut that sits close to the tie head or surface.
G
Glue squeeze-out
Extra glue pushed out of a joint when the parts are pressed together.
Grain
The direction and pattern of fibres in wood.
H
Half Hitch
A simple hitch made by passing the working end around an object or standing part and tucking it under itself.
Hitch
A knot used to fasten a rope to an object such as a post, rail, ring, cleat or another rope.
Hot-melt glue
Thermoplastic adhesive melted in a glue gun, applied hot, and set as it cools—fast to use, but stick type, diameter, and temperature must match the job.
I
Isolation
Making a system safe by disconnecting or shutting it off before work.
L
Loop
A rope shape where one part crosses another to form an enclosed opening.
M
Masking tape
Paper-backed tape used for masking, marking and light temporary holds.
N
Natural fibre rope
Rope made from plant or animal fibres, often with good grip but limited weather resistance.
Nylon rope
A synthetic rope that can stretch more than some other common rope materials.
O
Open time
The usable time after applying glue before it starts to set too much.
P
Painter’s tape
Lower-tack masking tape intended to reduce paint bleed and surface damage.
Pilot hole
A small drilled hole that guides a screw and reduces splitting.
Polyester rope
A synthetic rope known for good general durability and weather resistance.
Polypropylene rope
A lightweight synthetic rope often used for general utility tasks.
PPE
Personal protective equipment such as eye protection, gloves or dust masks.
PVC
A plastic used in many pipes, trims and flexible or rigid products.
R
Releasable zip ties
Zip ties with a small release tab so they can be opened and reused.
Risk assessment
Thinking through what could go wrong before starting a job.
Rope diameter
The thickness of a rope, usually measured across its width.
Round Turn
Two passes of rope around an object, giving more contact than a single turn before the knot is finished.
S
Safety-critical
A task where failure could injure someone or cause serious damage.
Sandpaper grit
The abrasive size rating that affects how coarse or fine sandpaper is.
Screw gauge
A size number that describes screw thickness in some screw systems.
Setting the Knot
Tightening a dressed knot so the parts bed into place and the knot is ready to inspect and use.
Shelf life
How long a product is expected to remain usable when stored correctly.
Specification
The stated details for a product, such as size, material, rating or compatible use.
Splitting
When wood cracks along the grain, often near edges or ends.
Spring clamp
A quick clamp with spring-loaded jaws for light-duty holding.
Standing Part
The longer part of the rope that is not being actively moved while tying.
Steel
A strong iron-based metal used in many fixings, brackets and tools.
Stopper Knot
A knot tied in a rope end to make a bulky stop or help prevent the end passing through an opening.
Substrate
The base material you are fixing into, such as timber, plasterboard, brick or concrete.
Surface preparation
Cleaning or preparing a surface before applying tape, glue, paint or a fixing.
Synthetic rope
Rope made from manufactured fibres such as polypropylene, polyester or nylon.
T
Tack
The initial stickiness of an adhesive surface.
Tensile strength
The pulling force a tie or material is rated to resist before failing.
Thread
The spiral ridge on a screw that bites into material or a matching insert.
Trade pack
A larger pack size often aimed at frequent users or tradespeople.
Trip hazard
Anything on the floor or route that could cause someone to trip.
Turn
A wrap of rope around an object, another rope part, or itself while forming a knot.
U
UV-resistant zip ties
Zip ties made with materials intended to last better in sunlight.
V
Varnish
A protective clear or tinted finish that forms a film on wood.
Ventilation
Fresh-air movement that helps reduce fumes, vapour or dust build-up.
W
Wall plug
An insert that helps a screw grip in a drilled wall hole.
Wood movement
The way wood expands and contracts with changes in moisture.
Workholding
The way a workpiece is restrained so it stays stable while you work.
Working End
The end of the rope you actively move while tying a knot.
Working load limit
A rated load figure provided for a specific product and use case, not something to guess.