Home DIY

That impact adhesive is quite moreish, isn't it...

My dad built a cool wall from sleepers by concreting some i-beams and c-beams into the ground vertically, with the gap between them the length of the sleepers, then slotting the sleepers down into them.

Like this when viewed from the top:

[SLEEPER][SLEEPER][SLEEPER]

The beams were sunk about a foot down and it didn't need any further foundation along the length of the sleepers, just some damp proof membrane.

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Grrrr. Neglected side hung windows, with seized friction hinges, screws rusted to death by the sea air, shit access and the prospect of messing up a freshly decorated room. Only one screw actually unscrewed, the rest were drilled off and ground flush.

Then the first test close with the new hinges, it was binding. My new supply of screws have a slightly taller head, which only became apparent when the weight of the sash was compressing the lower stay. With no access to replace the two offending screws in situ, the sash needed bringing inside again.

2h 15min which was 30minutes longer than my previous nightmare.

Any good resources for doing a simple workbench? I want a desk for a small space but it needs to be sturdy so figure something solid like a workbench would be more reliable and toddler-proof (no such thing I'm well aware).

It's to fit on a tiled floor next to three concrete steps so don't want it pulled down. I could drill into the wall I guess.

A lot of YouTube and Indestructibles will probably be over built for your needs.

My initial thoughts would be to source a wooden kitchen work surface, either 2nd hand or ebay and then screw it onto a frame made to fit the space, then all screwed into the wall.

The forces of a toddler pulling it away from the wall won't be that great as long as it's supported underneath properly.

https://m2.ikea.com/us/en/p/karlby-countertop-walnut-50335208/

https://youtu.be/RsFGoETBNy4

A workbench is built to resist racking in the legs when you apply lateral force to the worktop (e.g. planing a piece of wood clamped to it). You don't really need that for a desk. Depending on the span a single piece of 18mm Mdf is a good starting point. If you are working in an alcove then supporting it from the walls with wooden batten requires the least materials, your only problem is scribing it to the walls. Otherwise you can make a simple and sturdy free standing desk from 4 pieces of board (you can use any type of board so the material choice is huge).

If you put the dimensions you need on this thread I'm sure someone will come up with a design and cut list for you!

Make sure you make it out of African Padauk like so.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPNvStlB_jM&t=0s

a mate made a pretty cool desk from a cross section of wood, filling in the holes with epoxy (much more subtly than the usual stuff you see online).

A bit like:

This morning. Water had dripped down there and made a puddle on the floor.
I asked upstairs neighbour if they had a leak. No.
Kitchen is over the front of the house as is bathroom and toilet.
I looked outside.

The drainpipe nthat hasn't been fixed yet looks like this

Is it likely water could find its way from outside to inside like this?

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Eventually. Very similar thing happened downstairs to me.

I'm going to buy a pocket hole jig, is Kreg the one to get?

Yup; i have the 'master' system. It's massive overkill for what i need but works really well...

I think they've recently updated it to a K5 model which is apparently better in several areas.

The axminster one is also good.

^^ I have the R3 - awesome little bit of kit, and a lot easier than DIYing your own jig.

I buy Triton pocket hole screws - they're a lot cheaper than the Kreg ones. (And easier to find).

Nice one guys. I think I'm going for the big one for the dust extraction and quick clamping.

I've also got the R4 master system. Love the integrated clamp and dust extraction. Zero mess.

Where do you get the Triton screws from? I can only find the jigs

Tyzak Tools on Kingsland Road have Kreg screws, along with lots of other nice bits and pieces. Japanese saws, Veritas stuff, planes etc.

Amazon have them

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07BQ1NFL3/&tag=buro9

Following up on the loft ladder question :-

https://www.barbourproductsearch.info/could-this-be-the-loft-ladder-of-the-future-news076567.html?newsletterid=930&subscr_id=124322&ac=npd.dbn3y9tfopk_zeob_sn

I have just acquired a plunge router. I won't require it that often; if anyone would like to borrow it, feel free to ask! I'm in SE15.

Ah, excellent thread. Just moved into our new (not new new, just new to me) house and there's plumbing, electricity, floors and painting to attend to. First up is fitting a small kitchen where the previous owner had his ground floor office and putting up a wall to make a small flat with a separate entrance. And then finding someone to let it to. Who'll pay lots of rent but is rarely there. I'm thinking drug cartel boss or similar.

I want to put storage shelving in my shed - Is it worth building from 2x2 and OSB, or should I just buy some bolt together metal shelves?

Don't know what size shed you have but i just used Ikea kitchen cabinets and doors - super easy to fit and keep things neat and tidy...

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Sweet, I wish my shed looked a fraction as tidy as that. How much do all those units like that from Ikea cost out of interest?