Any question answered...

Yes, generally.

Mine goes through brick ok, I haven't used a better one to compare it to though, so possibly it's much worse than others. For occasional use it's fine though.

I use the Ryobi range, I like the fact that batteries are compatible across the whole tool range, so don't have to worry about charging 5 different batteries.

If you go cordless, make sure you go with something like the Ryobi's, where the batteries fit a range and can be bought on their own. My cordless is now dead as the batteries only last 10 minutes or so, and I can't get new ones.

I have a Black and Decker 18V cordless hammer drill you are welcome to- it has a case, and two batteries, and is in perfect working order.

However- the charger is banjo'd.

If you can be bothered to source a charger, then it'd be fine.

I have a load of Bosch stuff. The green range is fine for your average home DIY merchant. I have this 1000W drill which was powerful enough to dislocate my wrist. Which must be a good sign.

IMO...

Makita > DeWalt

^ Yes. I have a corded Makita that I purchased about 8 years ago. The design hasn't changed since when it was released in the early 80s and for good reason. It also has lower speed, but more power than equivalent drills.

Moleskins. Anyone want to buy a few unused ones from me? Two blank page, pocket sized, hard covers, still in cellophane, 7 quid posted (normally 10 or 11 quid). One story-board, pocket sized, hard cover, out of cellophane but unused - 6 quid posted.

Also have one more story-board one - opened and I've entered my name on the front page - foolishly as I'm not going to use it (only really use the soft-cover ones) Fiver posted and I'll even rip out the name page for you.

Alternatively, job lot - 20 quid posted.

£99 on a 2TB external hard drive or £60 on a sweatshirt?

A sweatshirt?

What are you, 12?

Thanks all for the drill advice - a lot of options but all very helpful

A sweatshirt?

What are you, 12?

Ha! The one I want has gone up to £77 now anyway.

12 and trying to conceal a RAGING ERECTION.

Moleskins. Anyone want to buy a few unused ones from me? Two blank page, pocket sized, hard covers, still in cellophane, 7 quid posted (normally 10 or 11 quid). One story-board, pocket sized, hard cover, out of cellophane but unused - 6 quid posted.

Also have one more story-board one - opened and I've entered my name on the front page - foolishly as I'm not going to use it (only really use the soft-cover ones) Fiver posted and I'll even rip out the name page for you.

Alternatively, job lot - 20 quid posted.

I'll take both the blank page ones - happy to do an in-person cash exchange if convenient (forum drinks, near your work etc)

Moleskins. Anyone want to buy a few unused ones from me? Two blank page, pocket sized, hard covers, still in cellophane, 7 quid posted (normally 10 or 11 quid). One story-board, pocket sized, hard cover, out of cellophane but unused - 6 quid posted.

Also have one more story-board one - opened and I've entered my name on the front page - foolishly as I'm not going to use it (only really use the soft-cover ones) Fiver posted and I'll even rip out the name page for you.

Alternatively, job lot - 20 quid posted.

I'll take the two storyboard ones if you're happy with a tenner not posted.

Done and done. I call Clapton home but am spending most of my waking hours in Putney at the moment.

They're at home today but I can cycle most places tomorrow - alternatively I'm free all day Saturday.

Drop me a note to say when's good for you and it will be so.

if i open a file which i suspect may contain a virus on a virtual machine (windows), is it likely to have any impact on the main operating system (mac)?

No

okay thanks.

where in london is a good place to buy small gear cogs (for toy motors, mechanised models etc)?
so far I know 4D modelshop, just wondered if there was anywhere else.

also, to work out ratios do I just use circumference? number of teeth isn't given, only diam.
I just use the ratio of the diameters... I see that now.

If drilling a hole into a carbon fibre stem, would it be advisable to epoxy a metal plate over the are to be drilled, and drill through it and the carbon underneath, or is that pointless?

Hole diameter to be 1-2mm, and (current) intended location of hole to be underside of stem, where one might find a hole on an old MTB stem that was designed to be run with canti's, and therefore had a cable run through the stem.

If drilling a hole into a carbon fibre stem, would it be advisable to** stop and consider the foolhardiness of such a plan**.

Yes

Is Chris Hoy rolling on a 'spok in that new god-awful Gillette advert?

Yes

So- in your view certain death will result, and a hole cannot be drilled in any way safely?

Depends which stem; I expect there's much bigger margin on a Pro Vibe Track than there is on an AX-Lightness Zeus