Well people, this is words straight from a layman's mouth, my missus to be
exact, after reading some of the postings to this group asking for advice.
She read a good few of the ones where people have done or suggested the
daftest things to do with certain safety issues of gas, electricity,
structures and the likes, and she asked me "how many people are out there
actually doing these types of daft things, without asking on help groups
likes this one for advice first?" It got me to thinking about it this as
well, I might add.

So, I just wondered if anyone had heard or seen of the silly things that
have caused preventable incidents while making a simple job harder to carry
out? If anyone can furnish us with documents, pictures, stories, Etc. on
the lines of "This shouldn't happen to a DIYer", they would be more than
gratefully received.

The old lady and me have been together for many years now, and we need
things to cheer us up from time to time, while lying in bed of a cold dark
night. :-)

"BigWallop" wrote in message
. uk...
Well people, this is words straight from a layman's mouth, my missus to be
exact, after reading some of the postings to this group asking for advice.
She read a good few of the ones where people have done or suggested the
daftest things to do with certain safety issues of gas, electricity,
structures and the likes, and she asked me "how many people are out there
actually doing these types of daft things, without asking on help groups
likes this one for advice first?" It got me to thinking about it this as
well, I might add.

So, I just wondered if anyone had heard or seen of the silly things that
have caused preventable incidents while making a simple job harder to
carry
out? If anyone can furnish us with documents, pictures, stories, Etc. on
the lines of "This shouldn't happen to a DIYer", they would be more than
gratefully received.

The old lady and me have been together for many years now, and we need
things to cheer us up from time to time, while lying in bed of a cold dark
night. :-)


There was a case in court on the news about a year ago where someone sawed
all the wooden posts out of his (rented!) house to make a loft conversion.

Bob

Bob Smith (UK) wrote:
"BigWallop" wrote in message
. uk...

So, I just wondered if anyone had heard or seen of the silly things that
have caused preventable incidents while making a simple job harder to
carry
out? If anyone can furnish us with documents, pictures, stories, Etc. on
the lines of "This shouldn't happen to a DIYer", they would be more than
gratefully received.

There was a case in court on the news about a year ago where someone
sawed
all the wooden posts out of his (rented!) house to make a loft conversion.

I remember that one now - it was a cracker!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/l...re/3770939.stm

I know there are some real gems over on http://www.darwinawards.com/;
however because it's a Merkin site and they don't have a term to
describe DIY, it's hard to track down DIY-related ones on the site (but
hey, it's still fun looking!!)

Here's a not particularly outstanding one I've just found, about a guy
using car batteries to jack up his car...
http://darwinawards.com/darwin/darwin2003-11.html?email

David

"Lobster" wrote in message
...
Bob Smith (UK) wrote:
"BigWallop" wrote in message
. uk...

So, I just wondered if anyone had heard or seen of the silly things that
have caused preventable incidents while making a simple job harder to
carry
out? If anyone can furnish us with documents, pictures, stories, Etc.
on
the lines of "This shouldn't happen to a DIYer", they would be more than
gratefully received.

There was a case in court on the news about a year ago where someone
sawed
all the wooden posts out of his (rented!) house to make a loft
conversion.

I remember that one now - it was a cracker!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/l...re/3770939.stm

I know there are some real gems over on http://www.darwinawards.com/;
however because it's a Merkin site and they don't have a term to
describe DIY, it's hard to track down DIY-related ones on the site (but
hey, it's still fun looking!!)

Here's a not particularly outstanding one I've just found, about a guy
using car batteries to jack up his car...
http://darwinawards.com/darwin/darwin2003-11.html?email

David


Silly Bugger !!! That's the type of thing we like. A fully qualified
professional doing the daftest things, eh? And he still didn't win the full
Darwin Award for his actions? Boy, these Darwin Awards are a tough. LOL
!!!

"Bob Smith (UK)" bob@nospamplease wrote in message
...

"BigWallop" wrote in message
. uk...
Well people, this is words straight from a layman's mouth, my missus to
be
exact, after reading some of the postings to this group asking for
advice.
She read a good few of the ones where people have done or suggested the
daftest things to do with certain safety issues of gas, electricity,
structures and the likes, and she asked me "how many people are out
there
actually doing these types of daft things, without asking on help groups
likes this one for advice first?" It got me to thinking about it this
as
well, I might add.

So, I just wondered if anyone had heard or seen of the silly things that
have caused preventable incidents while making a simple job harder to
carry
out? If anyone can furnish us with documents, pictures, stories, Etc.
on
the lines of "This shouldn't happen to a DIYer", they would be more than
gratefully received.

The old lady and me have been together for many years now, and we need
things to cheer us up from time to time, while lying in bed of a cold
dark
night. :-)


There was a case in court on the news about a year ago where someone sawed
all the wooden posts out of his (rented!) house to make a loft conversion.

Bob


Here is the BBC news item:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/l...re/3770939.stm

Bob

"Bob Smith (UK)" bob@nospamplease wrote in message
...

"Bob Smith (UK)" bob@nospamplease wrote in message
...

"BigWallop" wrote in message
. uk...
Well people, this is words straight from a layman's mouth, my missus
to
be
exact, after reading some of the postings to this group asking for
advice.
She read a good few of the ones where people have done or suggested
the
daftest things to do with certain safety issues of gas, electricity,
structures and the likes, and she asked me "how many people are out
there
actually doing these types of daft things, without asking on help
groups
likes this one for advice first?" It got me to thinking about it this
as
well, I might add.

So, I just wondered if anyone had heard or seen of the silly things
that
have caused preventable incidents while making a simple job harder to
carry
out? If anyone can furnish us with documents, pictures, stories, Etc.
on
the lines of "This shouldn't happen to a DIYer", they would be more
than
gratefully received.

The old lady and me have been together for many years now, and we need
things to cheer us up from time to time, while lying in bed of a cold
dark
night. :-)


There was a case in court on the news about a year ago where someone
sawed
all the wooden posts out of his (rented!) house to make a loft
conversion.

Bob


Here is the BBC news item:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/l...re/3770939.stm

Bob

Ah right !!! Now I remember that stupid bugger. He's not a bad man, he's
just "Stupid" with a capital Doh! LOL !!! Keep them coming.

"Bob Smith (UK)" bob@nospamplease wrote in message
...

"BigWallop" wrote in message
. uk...

So, I just wondered if anyone had heard or seen of the silly things that
have caused preventable incidents while making a simple job harder to
carry

There was a case in court on the news about a year ago where someone sawed
all the wooden posts out of his (rented!) house to make a loft conversion.

Yeah - but wasn't there also a Beeny show one where a 'professional' builder
did something similar using ties hammered into the joists ?

Mike wrote:
"Bob Smith (UK)" bob@nospamplease wrote in message
...

"BigWallop" wrote in message
o.uk...


So, I just wondered if anyone had heard or seen of the silly things that
have caused preventable incidents while making a simple job harder to

carry

There was a case in court on the news about a year ago where someone sawed
all the wooden posts out of his (rented!) house to make a loft conversion.


Yeah - but wasn't there also a Beeny show one where a 'professional' builder
did something similar using ties hammered into the joists ?

Yup. Not so cataclysmic as the loft conversion in terms of damage
wrought, as the BCO just made him do the job again properly.

There was another Beeny one quite recently where a bloke was removing
the end wall of his house, and got a structural engineer in to specify
how he should support the structure during this process. However, the
punter knew better and duly ignored the professional advice which he'd
paid for, and hired only about half the number of Acros that he'd been
told to use.

He was lucky though as he got away with it (therefore no 'preventable
incident' as specified by the OP!!)

David

On Fri, 14 Jan 2005 06:00:27 GMT, "BigWallop"
wrote:

Well people, this is words straight from a layman's mouth, my missus to be
exact, after reading some of the postings to this group asking for advice.
She read a good few of the ones where people have done or suggested the
daftest things to do with certain safety issues of gas, electricity,
structures and the likes, and she asked me "how many people are out there
actually doing these types of daft things, without asking on help groups
likes this one for advice first?" It got me to thinking about it this as
well, I might add.

So, I just wondered if anyone had heard or seen of the silly things that
have caused preventable incidents while making a simple job harder to carry
out? If anyone can furnish us with documents, pictures, stories, Etc. on
the lines of "This shouldn't happen to a DIYer", they would be more than
gratefully received.

The old lady and me have been together for many years now, and we need
things to cheer us up from time to time, while lying in bed of a cold dark
night. :-)


Here's one:
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/arch.../28/lead8.html

C

"Charlie" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 14 Jan 2005 06:00:27 GMT, "BigWallop"
wrote:

Well people, this is words straight from a layman's mouth, my missus to
be
exact, after reading some of the postings to this group asking for
advice.
She read a good few of the ones where people have done or suggested the
daftest things to do with certain safety issues of gas, electricity,
structures and the likes, and she asked me "how many people are out there
actually doing these types of daft things, without asking on help groups
likes this one for advice first?" It got me to thinking about it this as
well, I might add.

So, I just wondered if anyone had heard or seen of the silly things that
have caused preventable incidents while making a simple job harder to
carry
out? If anyone can furnish us with documents, pictures, stories, Etc. on
the lines of "This shouldn't happen to a DIYer", they would be more than
gratefully received.

The old lady and me have been together for many years now, and we need
things to cheer us up from time to time, while lying in bed of a cold
dark
night. :-)


Here's one:
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/arch.../28/lead8.html

C


ROFLMAO !!! Now that's the type of thing we're looking for. A few hundred
pounds turns in to thousands, eh? Wait till the missus see's this one. LOL
!!!

" Here's one:
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/arch.../28/lead8.html

C


ROFLMAO !!! Now that's the type of thing we're looking for. A few
hundred
pounds turns in to thousands, eh? Wait till the missus see's this one.
LOL
!!!

Another tack on the same story??

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/arch.../24/lead2.html

"John" wrote in message
...
" Here's one:
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/arch.../28/lead8.html

C


ROFLMAO !!! Now that's the type of thing we're looking for. A few
hundred
pounds turns in to thousands, eh? Wait till the missus see's this one.
LOL
!!!

Another tack on the same story??

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/arch.../24/lead2.html


I wonder why they didn't wish to make comment? ROFLMAO !!!!

BigWallop wrote in message
. uk...
So, I just wondered if anyone had heard or seen of the silly things that
have caused preventable incidents while making a simple job harder to
carry
out? If anyone can furnish us with documents, pictures, stories, Etc. on
the lines of "This shouldn't happen to a DIYer", they would be more than
gratefully received.


TRANSLATION
I'm preparing to write a book called: "This shouldn't happen to a DIYer",
but I can't be arsed to do any research myself, much less pay anyone else to
to do it for me.
/TRANSLATION
--
S.C.

"Stephen Chalmers" wrote in message
...

BigWallop wrote in message
. uk...
So, I just wondered if anyone had heard or seen of the silly things that
have caused preventable incidents while making a simple job harder to
carry
out? If anyone can furnish us with documents, pictures, stories, Etc.
on
the lines of "This shouldn't happen to a DIYer", they would be more than
gratefully received.


TRANSLATION
I'm preparing to write a book called: "This shouldn't happen to a DIYer",
but I can't be arsed to do any research myself, much less pay anyone else
to
to do it for me.
/TRANSLATION

S.C.


ROFLMAO !!!!! You must be joking mate !!!! Have you seen the way I write
things. I can't even spoke proper England. Thank the heavens for Spell
Checkers, I say. :-) I just want to show how some people think things are
done. Be they dangerous, simply stupid or down right crazy actions of
people who, as the Darwin Awards site puts it, haven't grown out of the
Neanderthal age.

So, your translation is wrong and, I think you should learn to speak my
language. :-)

In message , Stephen
Chalmers writes

BigWallop wrote in message
.uk...
So, I just wondered if anyone had heard or seen of the silly things that
have caused preventable incidents while making a simple job harder to
carry
out? If anyone can furnish us with documents, pictures, stories, Etc. on
the lines of "This shouldn't happen to a DIYer", they would be more than
gratefully received.


TRANSLATION
I'm preparing to write a book called: "This shouldn't happen to a DIYer",
but I can't be arsed to do any research myself, much less pay anyone else to
to do it for me.
/TRANSLATION

More like a thin pamphlet I would think

I can't see BW having the time to do something like that

What about that story of the bloke in Shropshire who almost managed to
demolish his house

--
geoff

"raden" wrote in message
...
In message , Stephen
More like a thin pamphlet I would think

I can't see BW having the time to do something like that

What about that story of the bloke in Shropshire who almost managed to
demolish his house


Well don't leave us all hanging like this. What bloke iu Shrop****e ?

In message , Mike
writes

"raden" wrote in message
...
In message , Stephen
More like a thin pamphlet I would think

I can't see BW having the time to do something like that

What about that story of the bloke in Shropshire who almost managed to
demolish his house


Well don't leave us all hanging like this. What bloke iu Shrop****e ?

If I'd remembered more, I would have posted more. I just remember
someone here posting the url
--
geoff

"raden" wrote in message
...
In message , Stephen
Chalmers writes

BigWallop wrote in message
.uk...
So, I just wondered if anyone had heard or seen of the silly things
that
have caused preventable incidents while making a simple job harder to
carry
out? If anyone can furnish us with documents, pictures, stories, Etc.
on
the lines of "This shouldn't happen to a DIYer", they would be more
than
gratefully received.


TRANSLATION
I'm preparing to write a book called: "This shouldn't happen to a DIYer",
but I can't be arsed to do any research myself, much less pay anyone else
to
to do it for me.
/TRANSLATION

More like a thin pamphlet I would think

I can't see BW having the time to do something like that

What about that story of the bloke in Shropshire who almost managed to
demolish his house

geoff

Which story is that?

And the book is now out the window, it's down to a single side of an A4
sheet of paper. :-)

In message , BigWallop
writes

What about that story of the bloke in Shropshire who almost managed to
demolish his house

geoff

Which story is that?

And the book is now out the window, it's down to a single side of an A4
sheet of paper. :-)

Lets be posh and call it a broadsheet then ...

I can't immediately find the article with google, I'll look over the
weekend

--
geoff

On Fri, 14 Jan 2005 22:44:50 GMT, raden strung
together this:

What about that story of the bloke in Shropshire who almost managed to
demolish his house

Is that that thick bloke in Telford? I've just been looking for that
article, that was brilliant. I've been laughing about that for the
last 10 minutes. I've never seen anything like it, gotta be the best
thing ever. Did you ever see the pictures?

From what I remember the council spent a fair while shoring it all up
so it didn't fall on the neighbours property.
--

SJW
Please reply to group or use 'usenet' in email subject

In message , Lurch
writes
On Fri, 14 Jan 2005 22:44:50 GMT, raden strung
together this:

What about that story of the bloke in Shropshire who almost managed to
demolish his house

Is that that thick bloke in Telford? I've just been looking for that
article, that was brilliant. I've been laughing about that for the
last 10 minutes. I've never seen anything like it, gotta be the best
thing ever. Did you ever see the pictures?

From what I remember the council spent a fair while shoring it all up
so it didn't fall on the neighbours property.

I think that's the one, post the URL

--
geoff

On Fri, 14 Jan 2005 23:23:58 GMT, raden strung
together this:

I think that's the one, post the URL

Just trying to remember when I saw the article in the Shropshire Star.
Can't seem to find anything in via the search in there archive and
Googles a bit useless. I'm still on the case though, I'll post it if I
find it.
--

SJW
Please reply to group or use 'usenet' in email subject

"BigWallop" wrote in message
. uk...
Well people, this is words straight from a layman's mouth, my missus to be
exact, after reading some of the postings to this group asking for advice.
She read a good few of the ones where people have done or suggested the
daftest things to do with certain safety issues of gas, electricity,
structures and the likes, and she asked me "how many people are out there
actually doing these types of daft things, without asking on help groups
likes this one for advice first?" It got me to thinking about it this as
well, I might add.

So, I just wondered if anyone had heard or seen of the silly things that
have caused preventable incidents while making a simple job harder to
carry
out? If anyone can furnish us with documents, pictures, stories, Etc. on
the lines of "This shouldn't happen to a DIYer", they would be more than
gratefully received.

The old lady and me have been together for many years now, and we need
things to cheer us up from time to time, while lying in bed of a cold dark
night. :-)



A couple I found he

http://makeashorterlink.com/?S3E764D3A

http://makeashorterlink.com/?R21812D3A

"p00kie" wrote in message
. uk...

"BigWallop" wrote in message
. uk...
Well people, this is words straight from a layman's mouth, my missus to
be
exact, after reading some of the postings to this group asking for
advice.
She read a good few of the ones where people have done or suggested the
daftest things to do with certain safety issues of gas, electricity,
structures and the likes, and she asked me "how many people are out
there
actually doing these types of daft things, without asking on help groups
likes this one for advice first?" It got me to thinking about it this
as
well, I might add.

So, I just wondered if anyone had heard or seen of the silly things that
have caused preventable incidents while making a simple job harder to
carry
out? If anyone can furnish us with documents, pictures, stories, Etc.
on
the lines of "This shouldn't happen to a DIYer", they would be more than
gratefully received.

The old lady and me have been together for many years now, and we need
things to cheer us up from time to time, while lying in bed of a cold
dark
night. :-)



A couple I found he

http://makeashorterlink.com/?S3E764D3A

http://makeashorterlink.com/?R21812D3A


ROFL !!! They are brilliant ones pOOkie. Keep them all coming mate. LOL
!!!

BigWallop wrote:

So, I just wondered if anyone had heard or seen of the silly things that
have caused preventable incidents while making a simple job harder to carry
out? If anyone can furnish us with documents, pictures, stories, Etc. on
the lines of "This shouldn't happen to a DIYer", they would be more than
gratefully received.

I've got two for you, but without references, I'm afraid.

1) In Winchester, some 20 years ago, someone with a house in the city
centre decided that his 1/2 cellar could be turned into a usable space.
He got his pick & spade out and started digging down. After a bit he
hit some concrete so dug that out too. Shame really as it was the
foundations. The road was closed for a couple of days while his house
was carried away in tipper trucks.

2) I saw on a TV prog a few years ago a report on a _PRO_ chippy who
felt that he was being slowed down by the blade cover on his Skil saw.
Well, he took himself out of the gene pool but survived to feel really
sore & stupid! When he dropped the running saw it caught on his
trousers and ran up his leg causing damage to certain parts of his anatomy.

"Andrew Chesters" wrote in message
...
BigWallop wrote:

So, I just wondered if anyone had heard or seen of the silly things that
have caused preventable incidents while making a simple job harder to
carry
out? If anyone can furnish us with documents, pictures, stories, Etc.
on
the lines of "This shouldn't happen to a DIYer", they would be more than
gratefully received.

I've got two for you, but without references, I'm afraid.

1) In Winchester, some 20 years ago, someone with a house in the city
centre decided that his 1/2 cellar could be turned into a usable space.
He got his pick & spade out and started digging down. After a bit he
hit some concrete so dug that out too. Shame really as it was the
foundations. The road was closed for a couple of days while his house
was carried away in tipper trucks.

2) I saw on a TV prog a few years ago a report on a _PRO_ chippy who
felt that he was being slowed down by the blade cover on his Skil saw.
Well, he took himself out of the gene pool but survived to feel really
sore & stupid! When he dropped the running saw it caught on his
trousers and ran up his leg causing damage to certain parts of his
anatomy.


ROFLMAO !!! Yes sir !!! These are the ones we like to hear about. And you
wonder why the safety guards are fitted to certain types of tools. Well now
we know why. LOL !!! I like it.

BigWallop wrote:
"Andrew Chesters" wrote in
message ...
BigWallop wrote:

So, I just wondered if anyone had heard or seen of the silly things
that have caused preventable incidents while making a simple job
harder to carry out? If anyone can furnish us with documents,
pictures, stories, Etc. on the lines of "This shouldn't happen to a
DIYer", they would be more than gratefully received.

I've got two for you, but without references, I'm afraid.

1) In Winchester, some 20 years ago, someone with a house in the city
centre decided that his 1/2 cellar could be turned into a usable
space. He got his pick & spade out and started digging down.
After a bit he hit some concrete so dug that out too. Shame really
as it was the foundations. The road was closed for a couple of days
while his house was carried away in tipper trucks.

2) I saw on a TV prog a few years ago a report on a _PRO_ chippy who
felt that he was being slowed down by the blade cover on his Skil
saw. Well, he took himself out of the gene pool but survived to feel
really sore & stupid! When he dropped the running saw it caught on
his trousers and ran up his leg causing damage to certain parts of
his anatomy.


ROFLMAO !!! Yes sir !!! These are the ones we like to hear about.
And you wonder why the safety guards are fitted to certain types of
tools. Well now we know why. LOL !!! I like it.

A chap near here took the riving knife off his saw table and a splinter of
wood shot up and hit a major artery, he bled to death after passing out.
Another local decided an angle grinder with a circular saw blade was a good
idea for trimming his decking down to size, it bit, ran over the tops of his
shoes and made a right mess of his feet.

--
James...
www.jameshart.co.uk

"James Hart" wrote in message
...
BigWallop wrote:
snipped

A chap near here took the riving knife off his saw table and a splinter of
wood shot up and hit a major artery, he bled to death after passing out.
Another local decided an angle grinder with a circular saw blade was a
good
idea for trimming his decking down to size, it bit, ran over the tops of
his
shoes and made a right mess of his feet.

James...

OUCH !!! The poor bloke, and with just a splinter of wood. :-( The guy
with the saw blade was also very lucky he never lost his life as well. But
these are the stories we want, sad or funny, because the wife thought I did
stupid things. After reading through the current replies, she has realised
just how safety conscious I really am. :-) LOL !!!

James Hart wrote:
A chap near here took the riving knife off his saw table and a splinter of
wood shot up and hit a major artery, he bled to death after passing out.

Out of interest, rougly when and where did the above happen??

David

Lobster wrote:
James Hart wrote:
A chap near here took the riving knife off his saw table and a
splinter of wood shot up and hit a major artery, he bled to death
after passing out.

Out of interest, rougly when and where did the above happen??

http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/viewa...e=Results.aspx

The report doesn't mention the riving knife but that came out in the paper
after the HSE enquiry.

--
James...
www.jameshart.co.uk

This one just in today:

It was somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
drugs began to take hold. I remember "BigWallop"
saying something like:


So, I just wondered if anyone had heard or seen of the silly things that
have caused preventable incidents while making a simple job harder to carry
out? If anyone can furnish us with documents, pictures, stories, Etc. on
the lines of "This shouldn't happen to a DIYer", they would be more than
gratefully received.

I recall one from the telly about 20 years ago in some northern town.
The houseowner (in a mid terrace on a hillside) decided he'd remove the
sloping front garden and make a driveway up to his basement, which he'd
turn into a garage. All went well until his house and the houses of his
neighbours collapsed.
--

Dave