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Caerphilly Mountain- not a mountain like the Alps but three miles of climbing in heavy traffic -the route is one of only two access roads to Cardiff from the north- takes the joy out of a daily commute

The hill in question is sufficiently steep to be a magnet for pro cyclists to train on and has featured in many national races. Car drivers get quite grumpy when stuck behind a cyclist moving at walking pace. Nearest rail station is one mile away but rush hour trains with a bike are not my...

One steep incline, no pedestrians, moderate traffic, some storage available in work. Biggest issue is need to fit across the back seat of a small hatchback I live 10.5 miles from work but there is a mountain in between where cars need third gear in places

Fair comments and interesting viewpoints. Perhaps I should add that I spend the bulk of my day on my feet, and with walking the dog every evening am already clocking up a fair few miles. Additionally, though the car-based part of the trip is only half an hour, adding the same on again is a...

I am about to lose parking outside my workplace as the council “improves” access for cyclists, meaning I will have to park at least a half mile away. I need a way to travel from my car to work. I could walk or jog, but these have limited appeal. I was thinking of folding bike, but these are...

Finger nail clippers are very effective both at nipping back the skin and at grabbing the splinter

Even at 30mm, I’m not sure I’d trust that slate, it’s a very brittle material. Is there any way to fabricate a subframe?

I don’t know how close she is to Ystrad Mynach but Emlyn Lloyd is the best and cheapest builders merchant/iron mongers in the Valleys. Shameless plug, but I’ve used them for over 20 years and they are excellent, very happy to sell things like half rolls of felt to keep cost/waste down

I knew a retired colliery bricklayer who when an apprentice hadn't noticed his gaffer was a lefty. Gaffer sent 'Prentice to the colliery store to get a left handed trowel. Smart Alec apprentice refused to go. Funny thing, after the "lesson" that came next he never forgot bricklayer's trowels...

I bring timber into the house to dry out when I need to use it, and I have brought the affected pieces inside but my better half wants them back out asap. Luckily, all my woodworking uses small diameter (sub 4") round wood; cool and damp actually helps minimise shakes as it seasons. From March...

My garage workshop is pretty appalling, single skin metal roof over block-work walls, chock full of timber and household stuff. The roof condenses and, while the weather stays out, the condensate drips onto whatever is below. I have to keep my archery equipment out there and it is suffering...

Just love it when someone takes really rare timber and chops it up for firewood

Best wood there is for bows. When you say "logs" what length/thickness are we talking?

I've built a crossbow using cow bone, fallow antler and water buffalo horn, all processed from scratch. Antler has a nasty tendency to return to its original shape unless cut very thin and though a splash of acetic acid helps lock in any new shape, it never seems to last and can be damaging to...

Plates cut from antler palm can be molded to shape using steam but antler stem cannot. I would think a moose/elk antler would work. Anyone have any?

Yes. As I understand things its flexible so good for inlays with compound curves. However, the ethics of using "legally harvested" baleen (Alaskan or Norwegian) are difficult for me to deal with. I can use farmed and culled/managed bio products quite cheerfully but I struggle with hunting for...

I am planning a replica of a crossbow from c1500 which made extensive use of baleen as inlays and overlays. I was thinking of replacing the side inlays with holly and using bone for the spine along the top. An option could be to use acrylic sheets but I am not totally happy about using plastic...

None, no smoke, just stopped. Suspect the brushes are worn away

After many years of hard service the power file I inherited (not sentimentally attached, just have no idea how old it is) has finally died. I haven't stripped it down yet, but, should I fix it or replace it? If replacement then should I stick with B+D ?

Whoever my SS is did a great job, the bracket is soo small at just under 4" x 3", really tricky to carve at this scale, and in oak, just to make things doubly difficult. Lovely work.