On this day in 1384 Dominick De Vasco improved the magnetic compass. Early ones used an iron needle in a cork floating on water. They generally pointed north. Vasco’s compass was similar but had 32 points, indicating north, south, etc, -- making it a handy tool for sailors and hikers. If you have heavy stuff to hang -- like mirrors or shelves, a medicine chest or a door -- and you don’t have a stud-finder, don’t fret. You can either tap along the wall listening until the hollow tapping becomes a thud (that’s a stud), or locate studs using a magnetic compass. Just pass it along the wall until the needle swings in. This indicates that there’s a nail (and a stud) below. Works the same as a store- bought magnetic stud-finder, and you can take the 10 or 20 bucks you save and go for a nice boat ride or a long hike -- where your compass will once again come in handy. And that's the On The House tip for today.