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Money is merely a means of exchange without which all complex societies would be unable to function. Imagine you are a maker of fine chairs. You are hungry. The butcher, baker, greengrocer don't want another chair - hunger becomes starvation. Even if your local village balances barter with...

There are problems in the UK, but to compare poverty in India to the UK to illustrate the inability of the UK to deal with issues is, bluntly, bonkers. The characteristics of poverty may include: street sleepers - 1.8m in India, approximately 30 times the UK rate sewage - India - 66% of...

Recently had an old re-wirable fuse box moved from its original position 9 ft up the wall in the garage/wprkshop to a more accessible 5ft off the ground with a new consumer unit. Also had two LEDs fitted in one side of garage + bigger cable from meter + testing and certificate. Total cost £900...

There are a number of definitions for "parasite" - the two main options seem: one who clings to a person of wealth, power, or influence more biologically - an organism that lives in or on an organism of another species (its host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the other's expense. It is...

It looks to me that it is most likely a leak from upstairs. If it is currently dry I would simply spray with an aerosol paint stain blocker and when dry repaint the ceiling. If still damp then approach the folk upstairs with a bit more vigour noting if the fault lies with their flat, they...

Increased mortgage rates and inflation feed anxiety. Some are now financially stretched. Low to middle earners are likely to be most affected with mortgages, children and limited accumulated wealth - even in more stable times they will infrequently use craftsmen but no doubt favour Ikea, DFS...

I'm not sure whether it is strictly necessary but I would lie it on its side such that the motor and switches are above the airflow. This may reduce the risk of gravity allowing fine dust to clog the working bits.

An ill informed thought - in a conventional boiler and hot water cylinder the water is heated indirectly via a flow and return pipe. Any temperature variations in boiler output are moderated by the volume of heated water already in the hot water tank. With a combi boiler the hot water is...

In time I would expect a thriving market to develop in EV battery replacement and repair. Vehicle components of far lesser value are recycled from either accident damaged or older vehicles. It would be a surprise if the same were not the case with EV batteries at 10 or 20 times the value...

Apparently the UK has the greatest potential in Europe for wind power - no surprise given an island location with 3000 miles of Atlantic weather systems rolling in from the west and up to 19000 miles of coastline (depending how it is measured). The UK could become a major exporter of green...

Unless in very frequent use - put it on castors, park it in the corner until needed. It only needs to be centre of workshop and greedy for space to accommodate long pieces of stock.

I used to have my workshop in a garage with a south facing up and over metal door. Most sunny days it was like having a 50sq ft radiant panel on full blast for company. Come winter the cold wind whistled past the door. The latter problem will not be quite so obvious with a roof - but the...

One company in moving an energy intensive business to the south-west was keen to embrace renewable energy. Investigation of bio-mass revealed they would need the entire biomass production in the area to meet their needs. Why mention this - biomass is is not a workable energy solution for...

Recently moved. The garage which is being upgraded to a workshop has a slab concrete floor which has been tamped but is not smooth. Size constraints mean many machine are/will be mounted on castors - bandsaw, plane, thicknesser etc to enable long stock to be processed. The slab finish means...

The felt, unless first saturated with resin, will have air bubbles embedded which may lead it to float on top of the resin and not form nice even discs. You may get the same effect by using coloured plastic sheets - once embedded in resin there is no weight/texture to differentiate.

Total environmental impact is a function of population and individual consumption. I have little doubt that per capita consumption can be reduced in many developed economies with limited impacts, but this is likely offset by those living in relative poverty aspiring to basic standards - eg...

Black could be ebony - I have found it has a tendency to "shatter" even if the tool is sharp and used with a light touch. Having attempted whole pens (with similar results) I now sometimes use it to create a contrasting band.

I am unconvinced by hydrogen other than its specialist use - eg: HGVs, site equipment where energy density is more critical. The reason is simple inefficiency. Battery EVs deliver 75-80% of the energy used to charge the battery to the wheels. Hydrogen comes out at ~35% efficient - losses...

Sheep sheering shears But probably work fine in the garden!

If a claim is made (not for decades one hopes!), the failure to have informed your insurers of a relevant material issue (or something they could regard as relevant and material) may compromise any claim. I would be wary of insurers which do not require medical history etc. I know some may pay...