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DIY Gadgets
After a break of about 4 years (moved to a new house, very little DIY to be
done, Hurrah!), I'm back to lurking here (house looking shabby after 4 years, and the missus wants to change everything around :-( Anyway, I've been using some new DIY gadgets that I dont remember being around ~4 years ago (does the world change that fast??) 1. Spray on pipe freezer. Stick a collar around a pipe, spray in some stuff from a can a wait a little bit. An ice plug forms in the pipe which is good for 5 bar for 45 minutes, so you can cut the pipes and do what you need to do without any hassle. Fab! I had to replace a tap, and since I dont have any service valves (cheapskate developers, grr!) and I'm to scared to go anywhere near the megaflow moster in the airing cupboard, it just about saved me from loads of hassle. About £10 for a kit in B&Q, which seems enough for a good few months of DIY plumbing. 2. DustBubbles. They are self adhesive dust collectors, which you stick them on the wall where your about to drill, drill through them, and they catch *all* the dust. 2 for ~£2 in B&Q, and they come with different strength adhesives for wallpaper, bare walls, tiles etc. Genius! What other DIY innovations have i missed in the last few years? Cheers G |
"Graham Saunders" wrote in message ... After a break of about 4 years (moved to a new house, very little DIY to be done, Hurrah!), I'm back to lurking here (house looking shabby after 4 years, and the missus wants to change everything around :-( Anyway, I've been using some new DIY gadgets that I dont remember being around ~4 years ago (does the world change that fast??) 1. Spray on pipe freezer. Stick a collar around a pipe, spray in some stuff from a can a wait a little bit. An ice plug forms in the pipe which is good for 5 bar for 45 minutes, so you can cut the pipes and do what you need to do without any hassle. Fab! I had to replace a tap, and since I dont have any service valves (cheapskate developers, grr!) and I'm to scared to go anywhere near the megaflow moster in the airing cupboard, it just about saved me from loads of hassle. About £10 for a kit in B&Q, which seems enough for a good few months of DIY plumbing. That's not new! Good though. Mary |
On 25 Oct 2004, Graham Saunders wrote
After a break of about 4 years (moved to a new house, very little DIY to be done, Hurrah!), I'm back to lurking here (house looking shabby after 4 years, and the missus wants to change everything around :-( Anyway, I've been using some new DIY gadgets that I dont remember being around ~4 years ago (does the world change that fast??) 1. Spray on pipe freezer. 2. DustBubbles. What other DIY innovations have i missed in the last few years? This one may be old hat, but: battery-operated wallpaper trimmer. Even better'n sliced bread. -- Cheers, Harvey |
"Graham Saunders" wrote in message ... After a break of about 4 years (moved to a new house, very little DIY to be done, Hurrah!), I'm back to lurking here (house looking shabby after 4 years, and the missus wants to change everything around :-( Anyway, I've been using some new DIY gadgets that I dont remember being around ~4 years ago (does the world change that fast??) 1. Spray on pipe freezer. Stick a collar around a pipe, spray in some stuff from a can a wait a little bit. An ice plug forms in the pipe which is good for 5 bar for 45 minutes, so you can cut the pipes and do what you need to do without any hassle. Fab! I had to replace a tap, and since I dont have any service valves (cheapskate developers, grr!) and I'm to scared to go anywhere near the megaflow moster in the airing cupboard, it just about saved me from loads of hassle. About £10 for a kit in B&Q, which seems enough for a good few months of DIY plumbing. ISTR the instructions say not to use it twice, as the manufacturers cannot guarantee that there is enough freezer in the spray to be certain that any but the first ice plug will hold. I have used one, many years ago, to change a main stopcock in a flat, but I prefer to have good working isolating valves instead. 2. DustBubbles. They are self adhesive dust collectors, which you stick them on the wall where your about to drill, drill through them, and they catch *all* the dust. 2 for ~£2 in B&Q, and they come with different strength adhesives for wallpaper, bare walls, tiles etc. Genius! A saleable version of the idea of sticking an old envelope to the wall under the hole.. Colin Bignell |
On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 21:40:31 UTC, "nightjar"
wrote: 2. DustBubbles. They are self adhesive dust collectors, which you stick them on the wall where your about to drill, drill through them, and they catch *all* the dust. 2 for ~£2 in B&Q, and they come with different strength adhesives for wallpaper, bare walls, tiles etc. Genius! A saleable version of the idea of sticking an old envelope to the wall under the hole.. I have the sucky-plate-with-a-hole-in-it that you attach to a vacuum cleaner, then drill 'through' the hole... -- The information contained in this post is copyright (C) RD Eager, 2004, and may not be published in, or used by http://www.diyprojects.info, who are FORBIDDEN from copying it. |
In message , Graham Saunders
writes After a break of about 4 years (moved to a new house, very little DIY to be done, Hurrah!), I'm back to lurking here (house looking shabby after 4 years, and the missus wants to change everything around :-( Anyway, I've been using some new DIY gadgets that I dont remember being around ~4 years ago (does the world change that fast??) 1. Spray on pipe freezer. Been around for years 2. DustBubbles. I've always used an envelope and double sided tape, although bought some when CPC were selling @ 10 for 45p, quite useful. ISTR someone who was trying to get that idea off the ground was kicking it around in uk-diy a few years back. What other DIY innovations have i missed in the last few years? Tandem combi boilers -- geoff |
On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 20:35:42 GMT, Graham Saunders wrote:
1. Spray on pipe freezer. Been around for years. I wouldn't use one unless I *really* had to. That five minute job can so easyly develop into two hours and you only have 45 mins before the ice plug gives up... no thank you. If I hit a snag I like to sit and think the proper way out not be forced by the clock to do... something... anything... 2. DustBubbles. They are self adhesive dust collectors, which you stick them on the wall where your about to drill, drill through them, and they catch *all* the dust. 2 for ~=A32 in B&Q, I use a bit of scrap paper folded up stuck with lo tac adheshive (top of a Post-it or masking tape) cost pennies, if that. -- Cheers Dave. pam is missing e-mail |
"Graham Saunders" wrote in message ... Anyway, I've been using some new DIY gadgets that I dont remember being around ~4 years ago (does the world change that fast??) Although some of us in the know have said that the freezing stuff is not new and that envelopes work as well as B&Q's devices (Spouse uses a vac) I think it's good that you bothered to tell the group of your finds. There will be many others who've never heard of them. Don't be put off posting about other things you've found useful. Mary |
"raden" wrote in message ... In message , Graham Saunders writes After a break of about 4 years (moved to a new house, very little DIY to be done, Hurrah!), I'm back to lurking here (house looking shabby after 4 years, and the missus wants to change everything around :-( Anyway, I've been using some new DIY gadgets that I dont remember being around ~4 years ago (does the world change that fast??) 1. Spray on pipe freezer. Been around for years 2. DustBubbles. I've always used an envelope and double sided tape, although bought some when CPC were selling @ 10 for 45p, quite useful. ISTR someone who was trying to get that idea off the ground was kicking it around in uk-diy a few years back. What other DIY innovations have i missed in the last few years? Tandem combi boilers Maxie, alas not a DIY innovation, fully pro. |
On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 20:35:42 GMT, "Graham Saunders"
wrote: 2. DustBubbles. They are self adhesive dust collectors, which you stick them on the wall where your about to drill, What's wrong with an envelope ? Top-loading DL envelope (commercial A4-in-thirds size). Poke the bottom corners inside-out to keep the envelope held open, then stick it underneath the hole with a bit of masking tape. -- Smert' spamionam |
On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 20:35:42 GMT, "Graham Saunders"
wrote: What other DIY innovations have i missed in the last few years? Brushmate. Don't wash your brushes out, just store them in here until next time. They stay soft and ready to paint with. I've had one for a few years and these things really work! -- Smert' spamionam |
In message , Bob Eager
writes On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 21:40:31 UTC, "nightjar" wrote: 2. DustBubbles. They are self adhesive dust collectors, which you stick them on the wall where your about to drill, drill through them, and they catch *all* the dust. 2 for ~£2 in B&Q, and they come with different strength adhesives for wallpaper, bare walls, tiles etc. Genius! A saleable version of the idea of sticking an old envelope to the wall under the hole.. I have the sucky-plate-with-a-hole-in-it that you attach to a vacuum cleaner, then drill 'through' the hole... Oh yes, I forgot, I have one of those - -I've never used it though I also have a wife who runs around after me cleaning up the mess I make -- geoff |
In message , Andy Dingley
writes On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 20:35:42 GMT, "Graham Saunders" wrote: What other DIY innovations have i missed in the last few years? Brushmate. Don't wash your brushes out, just store them in here until next time. They stay soft and ready to paint with. I've had one for a few years and these things really work! Well old they are - I've had one for years -- geoff |
In article ,
IMM wrote: Maxie, alas not a DIY innovation, fully pro. Perhaps you'd give some details of such a pro installation so it may be checked out? -- *You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me * Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
"Andy Dingley" wrote in message ... On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 20:35:42 GMT, "Graham Saunders" wrote: What other DIY innovations have i missed in the last few years? Brushmate. Don't wash your brushes out, just store them in here until next time. They stay soft and ready to paint with. I've had one for a few years and these things really work! I just buy cheap brushes and chuck them after use. Colin Bignell |
I just buy cheap brushes and chuck them after use. Funny, I used to take this view, then SWMBO "persuaded" me that buying nicer brushes and "looking after them" was the way. Dutifully purchased some Harris and Stanley brushes, and lo ! Bristles everywhere. Much chunnering from SWMBO ... especially as I made a big show of lovingly cleaning them up for next time ... |
On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 08:42:18 +0000 (UTC), "Jethro"
wrote: Funny, I used to take this view, then SWMBO "persuaded" me that buying nicer brushes and "looking after them" was the way. Dutifully purchased some Harris and Stanley brushes, and lo ! Bristles everywhere. Stanley are very low end. Harris are OK, but nothing special, and it depends on the range / model. If you can buy them in B&Q, they're hardly likely to be far above the bottom of the barrel. I buy a lot of cheap brushes as disposables, but I don't use them on real projects. It's not about cleaning, it's about the quality of the job they do. I spent real money and effort on making that - I don't want to screw it up with shed bristles. (Do sheds _have_ bristles ?) |
"Bob Eager" wrote in message ... On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 21:40:31 UTC, "nightjar" wrote: 2. DustBubbles. They are self adhesive dust collectors, which you stick them on the wall where your about to drill, drill through them, and they catch *all* the dust. 2 for ~£2 in B&Q, and they come with different strength adhesives for wallpaper, bare walls, tiles etc. Genius! A saleable version of the idea of sticking an old envelope to the wall under the hole.. I have the sucky-plate-with-a-hole-in-it that you attach to a vacuum cleaner, then drill 'through' the hole... I just hold the cleaner tube up under the hole, works for me. Sam |
On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 23:02:56 +0100 (BST), "Dave Liquorice"
wrote: That five minute job can so easyly develop into two hours and you only have 45 mins before the ice plug gives up... no thank you. Never use your last can of it.... If you wrap the pipe in a wet towel after freezing, then freeze the towel too, you can get a couple of hours out of it. I use a bit of scrap paper folded up stuck with lo tac adheshive (top of a Post-it or masking tape) cost pennies, if that. You're missing the main function of "gadgets" here - they're for selling, not for using. -- Smert' spamionam |
"Andy Dingley" wrote in message ... On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 08:42:18 +0000 (UTC), "Jethro" wrote: Funny, I used to take this view, then SWMBO "persuaded" me that buying nicer brushes and "looking after them" was the way. Dutifully purchased some Harris and Stanley brushes, and lo ! Bristles everywhere. Stanley are very low end. Harris are OK, but nothing special, and it depends on the range / model. If you can buy them in B&Q, they're hardly likely to be far above the bottom of the barrel. I buy a lot of cheap brushes as disposables, but I don't use them on real projects. It's not about cleaning, it's about the quality of the job they do. I spent real money and effort on making that - I don't want to screw it up with shed bristles. (Do sheds _have_ bristles ?) Only if you paint them with a crap brush. |
"Andy Dingley" wrote in message ... On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 23:02:56 +0100 (BST), "Dave Liquorice" wrote: That five minute job can so easyly develop into two hours and you only have 45 mins before the ice plug gives up... no thank you. Never use your last can of it.... If you wrap the pipe in a wet towel after freezing, then freeze the towel too, you can get a couple of hours out of it. Anyone with sense would instantly push on a full bore valve, or have all your pipework pre-fabricated and ready, freeze and install in a matter of a few minutes using compression or brass push fit joints. |
On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 09:10:30 UTC, "Sam" wrote:
I have the sucky-plate-with-a-hole-in-it that you attach to a vacuum cleaner, then drill 'through' the hole... I just hold the cleaner tube up under the hole, works for me. But doesn't leave both hands free... -- The information contained in this post is copyright (C) RD Eager, 2004, and may not be published in, or used by http://www.diyprojects.info, who are FORBIDDEN from copying it. |
"Andy Dingley" wrote in message ... On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 08:42:18 +0000 (UTC), "Jethro" wrote: Funny, I used to take this view, then SWMBO "persuaded" me that buying nicer brushes and "looking after them" was the way. Dutifully purchased some Harris and Stanley brushes, and lo ! Bristles everywhere. Stanley are very low end. Harris are OK, but nothing special, and it depends on the range / model. If you can buy them in B&Q, they're hardly likely to be far above the bottom of the barrel. I buy a lot of cheap brushes as disposables, but I don't use them on real projects. It's not about cleaning, it's about the quality of the job they do. I spent real money and effort on making that - I don't want to screw it up with shed bristles. (Do sheds _have_ bristles ?) Pig sheds do. |
"raden" wrote in message ... In message , Bob Eager writes On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 21:40:31 UTC, "nightjar" wrote: 2. DustBubbles. They are self adhesive dust collectors, which you stick them on the wall where your about to drill, drill through them, and they catch *all* the dust. 2 for ~£2 in B&Q, and they come with different strength adhesives for wallpaper, bare walls, tiles etc. Genius! A saleable version of the idea of sticking an old envelope to the wall under the hole.. I have the sucky-plate-with-a-hole-in-it that you attach to a vacuum cleaner, then drill 'through' the hole... Oh yes, I forgot, I have one of those - -I've never used it though I also have a wife who runs around after me cleaning up the mess I make That's not a new gadget! Mary -- geoff |
"Andy Dingley" wrote
| I use a bit of scrap paper folded up stuck with lo tac | adheshive (top of a Post-it or masking tape) cost | pennies, if that. | You're missing the main function of "gadgets" here - | they're for selling, not for using. They're for buying as presents, so we get given things at birthdays and christmases about which we can say "thank you dear, that will come in useful" without being too dishonest. Gadgets are the only things between us and incompetent present-givers and never-ending socks and musical underpants. Owain |
"Bob Eager" wrote in message ... On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 09:10:30 UTC, "Sam" wrote: I have the sucky-plate-with-a-hole-in-it that you attach to a vacuum cleaner, then drill 'through' the hole... I just hold the cleaner tube up under the hole, works for me. But doesn't leave both hands free... -- True, whilst I find it OK to manage having someone else to hold the cleaner does make it easier. Sam |
Andy Dingley wrote in message . ..
I buy a lot of cheap brushes as disposables, but I don't use them on real projects. It's not about cleaning, it's about the quality of the job they do. I spent real money and effort on making that - I don't want to screw it up with shed bristles. (Do sheds _have_ bristles ?) I know this used to be a big problem with budget brushes, but Ive found the 11p toolstation ones to be quite ok, and not shed. Ridiculously cheap! NT |
"Owain" wrote in message ... "Andy Dingley" wrote | You're missing the main function of "gadgets" here - | they're for selling, not for using. They're for buying as presents, so we get given things at birthdays and christmases about which we can say "thank you dear, that will come in useful" without being too dishonest. Gadgets are the only things between us and incompetent present-givers and never-ending socks and musical underpants. I'd have thought a never-ending sock could be classed as a gadget. Mary Owain |
In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
Mary Fisher wrote: I'd have thought a never-ending sock could be classed as a gadget. Mary Only if you've got a never-ending foot to put in it! g -- Cheers, Set Square ______ Please reply to newsgroup. Reply address is invalid. |
"raden" wrote in message ... I also have a wife who runs around after me cleaning up the mess I make That's not a new gadget! I still can't get over the novelty though Don't give Spouse ideas. Mary -- geoff |
On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 22:18:06 +0100, "Mary Fisher"
wrote: I'd have thought a never-ending sock could be classed as a gadget. I _have_ a never-ending sock. It's actually a knitted Klein bottle. Bit of a bugger if you store it in the sock drawer though. |
On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 20:09:23 +0100, "Owain"
wrote: Gadgets are the only things between us and incompetent present-givers and never-ending socks and musical underpants. That and twenty-four garages with soft toys and a few wilting carnations. |
Owain wrote:
They're for buying as presents, so we get given things at birthdays and christmases about which we can say "thank you dear, that will come in useful" without being too dishonest. So, what really useful stuff should we have on our Xmas lists? My usual problem is that if I want it and it is affordable, I've probably bought it, otherwise it is too expensive for a present. Chris -- Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK Have dancing shoes, will ceilidh. |
"Andy Dingley" wrote in message ... On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 22:18:06 +0100, "Mary Fisher" wrote: I'd have thought a never-ending sock could be classed as a gadget. I _have_ a never-ending sock. It's actually a knitted Klein bottle. I give in. What's a Klein bottle? Mary |
"Chris J Dixon" wrote in message ... Owain wrote: They're for buying as presents, so we get given things at birthdays and christmases about which we can say "thank you dear, that will come in useful" without being too dishonest. So, what really useful stuff should we have on our Xmas lists? My usual problem is that if I want it and it is affordable, I've probably bought it, otherwise it is too expensive for a present. I'm the same. I don't want anything I don't need and have everything I need. Except more time ... Mary Chris -- Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK Have dancing shoes, will ceilidh. |
In message , Mary
Fisher writes "Andy Dingley" wrote in message .. . On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 22:18:06 +0100, "Mary Fisher" wrote: I'd have thought a never-ending sock could be classed as a gadget. I _have_ a never-ending sock. It's actually a knitted Klein bottle. I give in. What's a Klein bottle? A two dimensional mobius strip google would be you friend for life here -- geoff |
In message , Mary
Fisher writes "Chris J Dixon" wrote in message .. . Owain wrote: They're for buying as presents, so we get given things at birthdays and christmases about which we can say "thank you dear, that will come in useful" without being too dishonest. So, what really useful stuff should we have on our Xmas lists? My usual problem is that if I want it and it is affordable, I've probably bought it, otherwise it is too expensive for a present. I'm the same. I don't want anything I don't need and have everything I need. Except more time ... Is it on your side ? -- geoff |
"raden" wrote in message ... In message , Mary Fisher writes "Andy Dingley" wrote in message . .. On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 22:18:06 +0100, "Mary Fisher" wrote: I'd have thought a never-ending sock could be classed as a gadget. I _have_ a never-ending sock. It's actually a knitted Klein bottle. I give in. What's a Klein bottle? A two dimensional mobius strip er ... thanks. I think ... Mary google would be you friend for life here -- geoff |
"raden" wrote in message ... In message , Mary Fisher writes "Chris J Dixon" wrote in message . .. Owain wrote: They're for buying as presents, so we get given things at birthdays and christmases about which we can say "thank you dear, that will come in useful" without being too dishonest. So, what really useful stuff should we have on our Xmas lists? My usual problem is that if I want it and it is affordable, I've probably bought it, otherwise it is too expensive for a present. I'm the same. I don't want anything I don't need and have everything I need. Except more time ... Is it on your side ? It wasn't on John Peel's - my contemporary :-( Mary -- geoff |
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