Home DIY

Yes she got the idea from a hotel.
I don’t want it but my opinion is irrelevant.

Sorry if this has been done before, but any recommendations on a caulking gun? Got lots to do and I hear that not all guns are created equal.

Cox through Toolstation, I think Cox still manufacture these in Newbury.

Tajima through D M Tools. These have a more advanced action than the Cox but £++

One of my door handles has jammed. Entertainingly it's the room where most of my tools are.

It's a handle like this but I'm on the other side so no slipping something down the jamb. Any suggestions on how to fix this?

Edit: I'm now at this stage. Clamping a big set of mole grips to the bar and trying to twist it doesn't work. It's jammed solid.

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Quickest way to get blown plaster off a wall? Finally tackling our kitchen wall a year on from starting and need to take it back to stone to make room for some waterproof boards going on top.

Tried spraying with penetrating oil and leaving it to work it's magic?

Tried a bit of oil but didn't seem to make a difference. Eventually backed the bar out so it wasn't engaging on the other handle and then turned it upwards which did the trick.

Fortunate that I had a bike multi tool to get the handle off or I'd have been a bit screwed.

I dunno, got a milwaukee m18 ro non fuel last year, lasts longer on 5ah batteries then my hands and body can take. Would say maybe 1 hour full time sanding per battery? Lots.

Things like sds, paddle mixers, routers, table saw and circular saw i really don't mind being corded, all of which don't cost much getting the corded version, but cost loads for the battery equiv.

I'm waiting for my Bosch to fully die to replace with the Milwaukee. And hopefully by then there's a Fuel version (because tart). The Bosch works great for what I want it to do, but the 1.5ah batteries last about 10 min, if you're going easy. So I have four batteries collected over the years. Then the whole thing heats up so none of the batteries will work. So even with the 4 batteries, you're probably limited to about half an hour's work. Then I get the corded out and swear at the cord for a bit while I untangle it then move it about from socket to socket. Less limited by the vacuum as the Henry has a bloody great long cable and a decent hose.

SDS and table saw I'd totally agree with, along with mitre saw. You're not exactly going to be bouncing all over the place doing bits here and there. But circular saw, I even wish I had a decent cordless track saw such is the time I spend moving the cable about due to paranoia over cutting through it, then snagging it on things during long cuts and having to stop/re-position halfway making a shitty cut.

I used a lump hammer and set of cold chisels (these ones for cheap and cheerful)

Do they take a while to get going or does it need to be warmer to achieve anything?

What's the temperature? They do - typically - need the room temp to be in double figures to do anything. But it's odd that it has done nothing.

And hopefully by then there's a Fuel version (because tart)

Tart? Not really - a brushless version will be significantly more efficient than brushed during heavy use, so you'll get more sanding time from your batteries. It's what I'm after. It's curious that they don't have one, yet.

The non-fuel is going to be way more than I actually "need", so there is definitely an element of tartness involved. I didn't even need M18 in the first place...

Anyone in Kensington and Chelsea (or anywhere really but it relates to RBKC) who wants to give their views on improving thermal efficiency of windows in Listed Buildings:

They have a Listed Building Consent Order For Window Works out for consultation. It's still quite restrictive but allows secondary glazing to any existing window and double glazing in some circumstances. You can give your support, disagree and/or give comment:
https://planningconsult.rbkc.gov.uk/LLBCO/consultationHome - CONSULTATION CLOSES 9th JAN

This follows a consultation for installation of solar panels last year. The draft is here: https://consult.rbkc.gov.uk/communities/building-consent-order-solar-panels/

Sounds eminently sensible. What's the "anti" case?

The anti is if you're weirdly precious about old windows or even just modern 'old style' windows and prioritise that over making it a little easier for people to make energy efficiency and comfort improvements to their homes, given the state of the climate emergency, cost of living etc.

Upstairs shower has been dripping and it seems that even with the water turned off some is still getting through. I assume it’s a seal that needs replacing? Any help would be very welcome.

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Had similar problem with a mixer bar in the past, I knew make and model and was able to source a mixer shower service pack off eBay for it. It contained replacements for all washers in the unit, just needed to be able to fully disassemble the mixer bar to get at them all. Did have instructions that were useful as well, and most importantly, it did resolve the leak for £10-ish.

Good to know. Will see if I can ID the mixer

You might need to replace the mixer. It’s easy if you know the model:

Link

I’m at a loss as to how to remove this drawer- does someone recognise it (it’s Hafale) and can help?

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I don’t know Hafale specifically, but it looks like the pan drawers in my kitchen which you can just lift off the runners using the 2 bars at each end when the drawer is fully open, apologies in advance if you try this and it wrecks the unit

Hafele tend to have good manuals for their stuff if you search for it (or find something similar).

Hafele tend to have good manuals for their stuff if you search for it (or find something similar).

I can't find this drawer setup on their website

I don’t know Hafale specifically, but it looks like the pan drawers in my kitchen which you can just lift off the runners using the 2 bars at each end when the drawer is fully open, apologies in advance if you try this and it wrecks the unit

Hah - I tried this and at the level of force that I thought mean "imminent destruction" the draw made a loud ping and released. Thanks!