Problem: Article: Choose a spot with a ventilation fan or at least some windows you can open to let out any smoke from the soldering iron. Use a fire-safe table or workbench to protect against burns from the metal solder and soldering iron. If you have a stainless steel or ceramic surface, you can use it. Another option is to spread a heat-resistant material, such as a glass soldering mat, where you plan on repairing the cord.  Keep a cover and stand for the soldering iron nearby. That way, you don’t have to worry about it touching and damaging your work surface. Tile, brick, and stone are a couple of types of scrap metal you can use to protect tables from dripping metal. Most materials are safe to use as long as you keep the soldering iron from them. Soldering is a great way to repair valuable cords when you don't want to buy a new plug or can't find a suitable one. It works for all types of cords, but it's often best for single-wire cords with a permanently-attached plug. A PVC shrink tube is like a piece of plastic that protects and insulates exposed wires. They come in different sizes, so choose one that is at least as big as the area you wish to repair. A 1 in (2.5 cm) tube is enough for most repairs. After choosing a tube, slide it along one of the cords so it’s out of the way, leaving the cut and stripped wires exposed.  If you don’t put the tube on the cord now, you won’t be able to do it later. Make sure you get one that is the proper size for the repair! The tubes and other material needed for the repair are available online or at most hardware stores. Solder is a type of metal used to join wires together. A 63/37 solder wire is made of 63% tin and 37% lead, which both melt at a low temperature for a quick but strong fix. It melts at about 361 °F (183 °C). It’s beginner-friendly and often used to repair electronics.  Note that you may find solder with other percentages. They are all slightly different. Although they can be used, stick to a 63/37 lead solder wire for a straightforward repair. There are also lead-free solder wires. These wires are environmentally safe but melt at a higher temperature. If you decide to use one, note that it melts at a temperature about 50°F (30°C) higher than lead solder. Wear the glasses for protection in case the melted metal splashes on you. Also, consider wearing a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and closed-toe shoes for additional protection. Cover up as much as possible to avoid burns!  Be aware of the smoke released during the soldering process, especially if you’re working with lead. Work outdoors or in an otherwise ventilated area while wearing a dust mask. Keep other people and pets out of the area until you’re finished and have given the soldering iron plenty of time to cool off. Cut out the damaged portion and strip the wires before doing this. Then, match the wires inside the severed cord according to the color of their insulation. Depending on the cord you’re fixing, you might see more than 1 color, such as red and blue. Twist the red wires together, then twist the blue wires together, keeping the colors separate.  Note that thicker cords, such as extension cords, have more than 1 internal wire. The wire colors have to match or else you could short-circuit the system. Smaller cords, such as your average lamp cord or phone charger, only have 1 wire. It is possible to solder wires by laying the exposed ends side by side. However, it’s usually easier to twist them together and then coat them with solder. over the top of the wires to coat them. Hold the tip of the solder wire at a 45-degree angle above the exposed wires. Then, raise the heated soldering iron up toward the wire, holding it at an opposite 45-degree angle. Gently melt the soldering material so it drips onto the exposed wires. Keep moving the solder wire and soldering iron back and forth until the exposed wires are coated in the solder.  The goal is to melt the soldering material, not the repaired wires. To avoid melting them, don’t let the soldering iron linger in one spot. Also, avoid touching it to the wires. You could get a soldering pencil instead of a regular soldering iron. It is smaller and easier to control, which can be important when working with small wires. Hold it like a pencil. Leave them alone until they become cool to the touch. While the repair cools, turn off your soldering iron and set it aside in a safe spot, such as a holder. Keep the repaired cord undisturbed so the solder sets properly. If the solder doesn’t have time to cool, it will be too brittle and the wires may come apart again. Move the PVC tube down cord, positioning it so it completely covers the repaired area. To keep it from burning, get a hair dryer or another source of gentle but consistent warmth. Hold it about 5 in (13 cm) back from the cord. Move it back and forth to heat the tube until it shrinks and fits tightly over the soldered area. If you don’t have a hair dryer or a heat gun, you could try using a lighter. Be very careful to avoid burning the tube. Shut off the electricity to the outlet by flipping the corresponding switch in your home’s fuse or circuit breaker box. Then, plug the wire in and reactivate the electricity. Watch the wire for smoke or other problems. If it seems to be working without a problem, then consider it repaired. Turn off the electricity right away if you notice hissing or other problems. Continuing to use the cord could lead to a fire or electrical shock. You most likely will need to replace it.
Summary: Set up a ventilated work space that is heat-resistant, if possible. Slip a PVC shrink tube over the wire to use later. Select 63/37 lead solder for an easy material to work with. Put on a pair of safety glasses before operating a soldering iron. Twist the exposed ends of the cord’s internal wires together. Melt solder Let the soldered wires cool for about 2 minutes. Heat the PVC tube gently after sliding it over the solder. Test the cord by plugging it into an electrical outlet.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: If you are short, you might find standard cuts of clothing do not fit you as well as they should. Try shopping in the petite section of your favorite online or brick and mortar store. Seek out stores and brands that specialize in clothing for shorter men and women. These cuts will likely fit you better than clothing manufactured for people who are not short. Taking a friend along on a shopping excursion means you’ll have an extra pair of eyes when deciding if a particular outfit or pair of shoes is a good fit for your short physique. Try asking a short friend whose style you admire to join you on your next shopping trip. High-waisted bottoms can add the illusion of height. You can opt for pants with a high waist. Or if skirts are your thing, try complementing your short figure with a high-waisted skirt. An outfit that incorporates vertical stripes can flatter a shorter figure. Horizontal stripes, on the other hand, can make a small figure appear wider than it is. Try wearing pants, dresses, or skirts with vertical lines. Sometimes shopping in the petite section is not an option. Other times you find a sport jacket or suit that is perfect for you, but whose sleeves or hems might need to be shortened. A tailor can take these new purchases and mold them to your short stature, making you look and feel fabulous.
Summary:
Try the petite section. Take a friend along. Try high-waisted bottoms. Go for vertical instead of horizontal stripes. Call the tailor after a shopping session.