Miscellaneous DIY Projects (or bits of jobs)

[PanBiker]

We used a firm called Bloc Blinds, made to measure and lots of choice, spring or chain roller, which side etc. The blinds are interchangeable as well, you can just order another style of the right size.

[Big Kev]

I used a made to measure company, who were advertising on Fleabay, when we first moved in. The front room window isn't a standard size, it's west facing so interferes with TV viewing on summer evenings, so a snug fitting blackout blind was needed.

[Big Kev]

Swapped out the sheesham hardwood table and chairs for an extendable table today, it's more practical for just the two of us and we have the option to extend it when needed. 'Brown' furniture is not en vogue at the moment so there's some good quality bits and pieces available for next to nothing.
Just need to find something suitable to replace the sheesham coffe table now

[Stanley]

What's 'sheesham' Kev?

[Big Kev]

What's 'sheesham' Kev?

Sheesham wood, also known as Indian Rosewood or Dalbergia sisso, is a deciduous tree, native to the Indian Subcontinent. After teak, it is the most important cultivated timber tree of the Punjab, which is the largest producer of Sheesham timber in Pakistan and India.

[Stanley]

Thanks, never come across it!

[Big Kev]

Thanks, never come across it!

Just for the record, it looks like this

20211025_150648.jpg

[Stanley]

Thanks Kev.



I've mentioned my El Cheapo security light in the back yard before. I put it up about 15 years ago. It cost £5 and the 150 watt quartz halogen bulb has only been changed once. Of late it has been flickering and two days ago it died completely. I was pretty sure this was the end of the line, after all, how long do we expect a cheap lamp out in the weather to last. I had spare bulbs for it (Of course!) and as it was such a nice day yesterday I got the steps out and attended to it. The screw that holds the lens cover on was rusted solid so I had to cut that, I put a new bulb in, closed the cover with a cable tie and waited until dark. I went out and bingo! I have a security light again.
I know that 150 watts is ridiculous these days but in my defence, the lamp is adjusted well in terms of sensor sensitivity and length of time it is on and the fact it is 150 watts is immaterial. The carbon footprint of a new light would be far greater than this old one. (I still have 3 bulbs left.... )

[Stanley]

It wasn't a flash in the pan, the security light is working just as well as it did when it was new.

[PanBiker]

I installed some replacement shock cord in the bottom seam of my softshell walking jacket. The cord that was in had lost all it elasticity and I was getting a bit of a draft.

[Stanley]

That happens to my underpants Ian....

[PanBiker]

Do you often go walking just in your underpants Stanley?

Underpants are a lot cheaper than softshell jackets, I would get some new ones to sort that!

[Stanley]

No but still uncomfortable when the waistband goes! And yes, that's exactly what I did. At my age you need a good supply of underpants handy!

[Stanley]

It struck me this morning that the new bulb in the old security light in the back yard was no temporary fix. It has worked perfectly ever since. (I suppose it will fail now I have tempted fate.) Certainly a good fiver's worth all those years ago.

[Big Kev]

I have a pair of 3ft tall wooden giraffes at Chez Kev. I fitted a hardwood plinth to the bottom of one a couple of years ago as it kept falling over. The other one has developed the same trait so a bit of old snooker table (from brother-in-law's shed) was cut to size, screwed to the bottom of the offending giraffe and the problem is solved.

Screenshot_20211217-144505_WhatsApp.jpg

[Stanley]

What intrigues me Kev is why you only did one when the first got its base?

[Big Kev]

What intrigues me Kev is why you only did one when the first got its base?

Only one was falling over

[Big Kev]

Today's plinth applications have been to wobbly elephants. I may stop spilling my brew now

20211218_153954.jpg

[Stanley]

"Only one was falling over"
That makes sense!

[plaques]

Upgraded out TV to one of those OLED thingies. We now have a 42" smart TV going for FREE. 8 year old good working order. WiFi by dongle (supplied) or your own cable. No stand, (brackets transferred to new TV.) Collect from Colne.
Posted on 'Computers agony section' to give everyone a chance.

[Stanley]

Proper bit of Xmas.....

[Whyperion]

When you need to move a BT Fibre Consumer Box.

( tips might be useful )( is there a better thread for this?)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BHaKeT9xsQ

[plaques]

I know folks will be on tenterhooks wondering how I went on getting the Vienna clocks running. The result was a draw. Plaques 1, clocks 1, After hours of trying this that and t'other I came to the conclusion that the time was up for the old family clock. The basic problem was that the pinions and pivot holes where so worn that they would all have to be re-bushed and re-drilled something I've no equipment for and even then the result may be a bit iffy.
For those with a bit of knowledge about deadbeat escapements the slop in the pivots meant that the escape anvil wasn't giving enough impetus to the pendulum. Its back on the wall as an ornament until I think of the next move.

[Big Kev]

I know folks will be on tenterhooks wondering how I went on getting the Vienna clocks running. The result was a draw. Plaques 1, clocks 1, After hours of trying this that and t'other I came to the conclusion that the time was up for the old family clock. The basic problem was that the pinions and pivot holes where so worn that they would all have to be re-bushed and re-drilled something I've no equipment for and even then the result may be a bit iffy.
For those with a bit of knowledge about deadbeat escapements the slop in the pivots meant that the escape anvil wasn't giving enough impetus to the pendulum. Its back on the wall as an ornament until I think of the next move.

Quartz movements to make it a functional ornament?

[PanBiker]

My thoughts as well, thirty bob and a AA battery and your sorted.