Search results

I tend to use 5:1 as a standard mix, 4:1 for a strong mix and 6:1 as a dry/lean mix where strong support is not essential. Best way to ensure consistency is using a bucket eg 2 and a half buckets of ballast to half a bucket of cement for a 5:1 ratio (my mixer will also only take approx 3 buckets...

They are slightly different joint though, so it will depend how you 'force' the joint to breaking point to make the claim. A tenon doesn't really hold the joint (although a wedged tenon could be said to exert sideways pressure on the mortice) and uses glue strength to hold the tenon in the...

Yup - just put a piece of MDF, ply or similar behind your workpiece to prevent tear-out. If you are doing repeat cuts on a fixed space jig then the backer piece doesn't really need changing. If you are variable spacing or different sized cutters however then you will need to replace the backer...

Why do the old saws you have fail? ie why have they not been robust enough? In your budget you are really paying for solidity, ability to handle large (8' x 4') sheets and repeatability/accuracy - same cut each time every time. You can get 'robust' much cheaper by going down the old cast iron...

I think I would simply replace the entire tap unit to be honest!

There was nothing wrong with the quality of the timber, so what would you want bespoke that you couldn't get ready made? Generally I would only get one made if you wanted something different such as extra wide doors, or windows in different places etc. There are also other companies to try, I...

Yes, I have one of their summer houses as a shed. Its OK, far better than a shed would be, but I would hesitate to use it as an office. I have a small (4m x 2.5m) one in 28mm timber. The back wall bows like buggery when you put it together - whatever the instructions say make sure you screw down...

Nice answer Mignal. Someone once said that until we pay someone more for defending their country than for defending a football, we do not have our priorities correct! Steve

Or that 'Ken' has been there for years and didn't have the tattoos when he started working as an apprentice? Not everyone gets tattoos as a youngster - just look at David Dimbleby!

There are grooves on a deck board to give grip and to shed water. If you go with 6x1 you will have an ice rink as soon as moss / algae starts to take hold - especially as you seem to be under trees and out of direct sunlight from your pic. If you really didn't want grooves then there are various...

I recently took part in some HR and employment regulation training (yeah dull, I know) and the issue of tattoos, piercings and dress/appearance came up. Turns out it is entirely legitimate to discriminate on the basis of these issues if you so desire because all of them are personal choice. This...

Very nice indeed - stunning in fact! Steve

From a non-woodworker point of view (which most of the customers of our end products are) Mahogany is still seen as a prestige timber carrying cachet and priced accordingly. If it heavily features in the antique trade (which it does) then there is still the associated 'snob-factor' that goes...

Don't burn it, that serves no purpose. Either use it for restoration or sell it to a restorer. Burning it means others cannot use it and will therefore source new timber for their requirements. By all means do not make anything 'new' from it, which will achieve your aim (theoretically at...

Thanks for an interesting and informative post. I knew Paul Sellers from youtube but hadn't realised he did a subscription course as well. I believe Rob Cosman was offering something similar a while ago, but it was more expensive per month. Steve

Bosch GBH2-26 from Axminster - £119 for an SDS with drill, hammer and drill+hammer. I have just bought one after using a mates for a week. Axminster was the cheapest place I could find it surprisingly. Steve

Mortgage companies sometimes do not like timber construction. Fire risk. Green oak frames will split and twist as they dry out, which is not to some peoples taste. If exposed, timber framing does not led itself to a modern design aesthetic of sleek lines and minimalist architecture. Personally...

I would also recommend going just with 2x6 bearers and then joist between them with either hangers ideally or if you must a butt joint with BIG screws. The only advantage of 2x4 joists over 2x6 bearers is speed of construction (cutting joists to go between bearers is time consuming) and it also...

Looks like it is properly gone - domain name takes you to 123reg.com and whois.net suggests that the address is available for purchase.....

The use of sterling board has a lot more to do with its price than its aesthetics. £100k is not a lot to build anything out of the ordinary (just look at the spiraling costs of the 'Grand Designs' builds) and by the time it comes to fitting out there is nothing left in the kitty for marble...