Home DIY

Ok thanks - too much for me to consider having both this and the skill saw! Thanks though and glws

No worries - I'll post up individual and package prices once I've photographed them and stuck them on eBay over the weekend.

Has anyone used the Lidl Parkside range of tools? I'm after a few bits for pure DIY stuff at home - their dremel tool, a drill, maybe a sander when they come back around again. Anyone had any experience with them or should I steer clear.

Awww shucks you guys. All being very kind, in the interests of full disclosure the only reason why it's so clean and not full of brummer is that the client wants a wax finish not painted.

I have their cordless dremel (and an Aldi corded one), is fine. Will be good for the money but might not last forever.

I have the mini-reciprocating saw for more agricultural pruning in the garden, and the cordless planer. Both 12v and seems totally fine for the price. Was considering the 12v combi drill/driver just for something lighter to use around the house.

Wider consensus is they're usually fine for the price.

Cheers both. Will defo pick up the dremel then, and look out for their other bits as and when they come through.

Waxed skirting boards!? Madness.

The neighbours were out yesterday so with the weather warming up decided to unblock our fireplace. Fingers crossed should be getting the walls reskimmed soon so we can crack on with painting. Excuse the pub carpet.

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Hello helpful people of the DIY thread.
I'm looking to reinstate the original pattern on our stairs as, somewhere over the years, every second spindle has been knocked out and the "I" pattern removed meaning it's not legal and I can fit my big head between the gaps. The spindles are 1" square so will pop down to Champion Timber in Bromley to get some made up. Question is, is anyone able to tell by looking at the grain in the timber what the originals are made from? Another pic of original pattern from a Rightmove add for similar property on street.

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Time to trot out this old meme

IANAC(arpenter) but based on the fact that it doesn't look like Oak it's probably Pine? Spindles look to be modern (at least compared to the stairs in the background).

I'm pretty certain that's pine.

Yep, another vote for pine.

That made me smile. Thanks

Probably pitch pine, but any pine you get machined now will be much paler and more yellow. Douglas fir or Siberian larch would be a good match if you can find it. Champion may have it too.

https://www.slhardwoods.co.uk/products/solid-timber/planed-all-round-par-25mm-thick/douglas-fir-planed-all-round-board-25mm-thick

https://www.woodshopdirect.co.uk/planed-all-round/douglas-fir-timber/

Even if sizes are not listed give them a phone and they'll probably cut to size.

Some excellent advice here!
Thanks so much, I love this forum.

I got the lidl dremel a few years back - totally recommend it. No problems and has been useful countless times

want to remove a radiator. Tightened off lock shield valve, tightened TRV. Bleed valve still sprays water which means the radiator isn't isolated.

What do?

Been down to Champion this morning and Siberian Larch was out of the question due to supply chain issues however I've got 15 meters of 26mmx26mm Douglas Fir coming next Friday. Far from cheap though but it means it's one for thing I can tick off the long list of things to be done to get the hallway finished!
Thanks once again.

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Doug fir is fantastic timber to work with and is strong, rot resistant and relatively stable dimensionally when seasoned.

Sure it isn’t just the residual pressure? It will still be a 1 bar or whatever?

It’s NTD!

So shiny.

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nah, boiler needed repressurised afterwards

Urghhh... broken / stuck TRV / lock valve / both. With the heating on, can you get the rad to actually go cold?