Made to measure radiator covers in Eastbourne
I've made quite a number of made to measure radiator covers lately. The pictures above are of the latest couple (click on pictures to enlarge). These were made of MDF and then oiled to the colour the customer wanted. I could have made them in wood, but there is a considerable additional material cost involved. Radiators, including designer radiators, come in all shapes and sizes, and because of that, the covers and cabinets have to be made to fit. There is currently no good way to make a 'one size fits all model'. Radiator cabinets from the manufacturers can be very expensive (it must be said that there is a lot of work involved). Obviously they have large costs to carry. By contrast, I am able to keep costs low, making them myself. A sheet of MDF costs about £20. If you want any radiator covers or radiator cabinets, give me a call on 07930 335 937 or use the email link box in the right hand side bar.
Labels: Carpentry, Flatpack, Miscellaneous
Back in the saddle again!
Yes I'm back and at full strength.
After nearly two months of taking it very easy
(I had no idea how frustrating taking it easy can be) I am now back to work at full strength). There is quite a lot to catch upon so I will make a series of short posts. This being the first one!Labels: Miscellaneous
Dressmaker and Curtainmaker in Eastbourne
For anyone who needs clothing or curtains altered give Jill Besey a ring on Eastbourne 729804 or visit her website
http://www.alter2fit.co.uk/She is situated just off Seaside.
Her full details are
Jill Belsey,
The Dress Shed,
43 Bexhill Road,
EastbourneEast Sussex
BN22 7JJ
Tel: (01323) 729804,
Email:
alter2fit@btinternet.comWebsite:
http://www.alter2fit.co.uk/Labels: Miscellaneous, Sash Windows
Strip putty and paint from a window using steam!
I could not believe what I was seeing and yet there it was right in front of my eyes. With a few quick strokes 30 year old putty and paint literally fell away. I was so disbelieving that I went out to my workshop, grabbed my steam stripper and tried it for myself. It works... in fact is is simplicity itself.
The window I tried it on was an old crittal window complete with age old sun-baked hard putty painted over with dozens of layers of paint. The normal procedure to get the glass out is to hack it out with a hacking knife. It is very labourious, and there is a high risk of breaking the glass.
With steam it took a couple of minutes and the hardest part of the whole job was scratching my nose because I had developed an itch.
If you want to see how easy it is take a look at this
video.Having now tried it on several windows, it is fast becoming my favourite method to get a pane of glass out of sashes I am restoring.
Labels: Miscellaneous, Sash Windows, Video
New email form
If you look in the right hand column you will see a link to email me from this page. Please feel free to contact me about anything "handyman-ish". I look forward to reading your emails.
Labels: Miscellaneous
Resealing a shower tray.
From the phone call it sounded simple enough.
"I've tried sealing the shower tray several times - but it is still leaking!" So went the call. I called to investigate - and opened a can of worms! The plumbing was sound. In fact the Eastbourne plumber who had been called in to renew the shower valve had done a very nice job. That wasn't the problem. The shower tray was enclosed on three sides. and someone else had obviously used several tubes of silicone, and had added those ghastly, useless trim seals to it. It was - in the homeowners words - a mess. The shower tray pedestal panel was removed and yes, it was definitely wet under there. The shower tray was in fact being held in place by the silicone because the floor in one corner was completely rotted away!
And so the nightmare on Schofield Way Eastbourne began.
In order to renew the floor and reseat a new shower tray (The old one was finished) the tray had to come out. Tiles had to be removed and walls cut back to free the tray, and then more of the walls needed to be cut back some more to allow the new (deeper) tray to 'slip' in. It doesn't sound difficult on paper - but believe me it was a nightmare. Not a job for the faint hearted. It was much akin to me trying to fit into the size trousers I wore two decades ago. With much grunting and puffing and swearing the new shower tray is firmly in place and ready to be tiled on Monday.
Now it's just a case of making good and the job is complete. All nightmares end. Jim'll Fix It 07930 335 937
Labels: Miscellaneous, Plumbing
Rain stopped play
What a miserable week (weatherwise) last week was.
It rained, and rained, and rained, and then it rained some more. My plan had been to complete the basement porch. Someone must have heard about my plan, and smiled. Then that someone let it rain for forty days and forty nights... No, that was someone else, wasn't it? It just felt like forty days and nights.
What I did manage to do was catch up with other workloads.
I've changed several light fittings, renewed sockets, switches, and a cooker hood, replaced washers on literally dozens of taps, rehung a couple of doors, restored two of my customers computers to fully functioning former glory, replaced a hand rail, built some flatpack, custom built a kitchen cabinet to hide a boiler, hung some curtains, and wired up a door bell. The one thing I didn't do last week was stop and offer a lift to a young teenage girl standing at a lonely bus stop in the pouring rain.
Why not?
Prejudice and cowardice!
I'm a 55 year old man driving a builder's van.
She was about 11 - 16 (who can tell?) and drowning at the bus stop.
Driving along the road, I was approaching the bus stop and saw her standing there, trying to hide behind the bus stop pole for protection against the rain.
I started to slow down, intending to offer a her a lift.
The windscreen wipers were having difficulty keeping up with the rain.
In the same second as I started to slow down, I made the decision to continue on without stopping. I don't think she even noticed me or the van.
Twenty years ago I would have stopped.
Ten years ago I would have stopped.
Five years ago I would have stopped.
But last week I didn't.
As I prepared to slow down, my thoughts were purely selfish.
She'll think I'm some sort of pervert.
She'll be afraid.
She could accuse me of something afterwards and I will have no defence.
and many other scenarios filled me with disquiet.
I have found the whole thing strangely sad.
She will never know that it made me feel wretched.
What has happened that we have developed into a society where I, and people like me, don't do what comes naturally (to offer help), because we are afraid of what might never happen.
Am I getting older and wiser, or simply older and more afraid?
Labels: Carpentry, Electrical, Flatpack, Miscellaneous, Plumbing, Rants
Flatpack and customer service
I had three calls from regular customers today, all needing flat pack assembled.
Two of the items were standard flat pack type furniture units; simple and straightforward enough.
The other one was a "self assembly" fitness bike.
You know the things I mean...
They stand in many a home, unused, except in the first flush of enthusiasm.
Thereafter they become silent clothes horses.
Well this (next year's clothes horse) needed to be assembled first.
"It's for my daughter" she explained.
The man who sold it to her said it only needed four pieces put together to complete the assembly, and yes she would be easily capable of doing it.
Well I am here to tell you that the salesman had either no idea what he was talking about (in which case he is at best a nitwit), or else he was maliciously mendacious.
It took me the better part of 30 minutes to sort the thing out.
It would have taken the lady, by her own admission, more than 30 hours!
In another life I was a highly successful Direct Salesman.
For those of you who don't already know direct sales is a feast or famine game.
Some weeks you'll feast on roast chicken
other days all you'll have to eat is feathers.
The pressures to perform and reach targets are unrelenting.
It's a very exciting way to live.
The temptation to dupe is huge and ever present.
It is purely down to an individual's personal integrity which way they go.
My erstwhile mentor in sales was a guy called Greg Barnes.
He used to say that the "tools" of the salesperson and the "tools" of the con artist are the same....
The ONLY difference between a sales person and a con artist is intent!A salesperson does things to help a customer reach a decision
that is good for the customer.The con artist does things to make the customer reach a decision
that is good for the con artist.People with good intent and personal integrity, aren't those the type of people we all want to deal with?
The lady has said she will never go back to that shop again.
I think she's right to think like that, don't you?
Labels: Flatpack, Miscellaneous, Rants
Introducing Snap Shots from Snap.com
I've just installed "Snap Shots" on this blog. It gives you visual previews of any links I suggest. Sometimes Snap Shots bring you the information you need, without your having to leave the site, while other times it lets you "look ahead," before deciding if you want to follow a link or not. Should you decide this is not for you, just click the Options icon in the upper right corner of the Snap Shot and opt-out.
Labels: Miscellaneous
Reka Dom
Trish was down in Devon on business last week and stayed at what she called a wonderful B&B in Topsham (on the outskirts of Exeter). To call it a B&B conveys a slightly distorted picture. It is in fact a very large 17th century house, with several superior self contained apartments. Since she got back Trish hasn't stopped telling everyone how lovely it all was. Take a look at the photos above and follow this
link to see their website. The accommodation is of a very high standard, the food is divine, and the hostess both charming and elegant. That's Trish's opinion and her recommendation.
Labels: Miscellaneous
Hailsham and the Eastbourne Handyman
In a previous life - about 20 long years ago,
I was living in Germany, driving European Road Trains
(which make UK trucks look like Dinky toys)
from Germany to Morocco, Denmark to Tunisia, Sweden to Portugal, or any other combination of European and North African countries you might care to think about.
I used to drive thousands of miles a week.
I'd be at home for two, possibly three days a month, and I loved it.
I used to love to travel to new destinations.
It was like being on holiday, and getting well paid for it!
I had huge amount of fun.
But everything has a price tag.
It only cost me a good marriage and a lifetime of guilt!
Why am I telling you this?
Nowadays I virtually never work outside of Eastbourne!
Two main reasons
1. Absolutely no need
There is lots of work available on the doorstep in Eastbourne
2. Absolutely no desire
I can't think of one good reason to travel any sort of distance.
Having said all that, I now find myself going up to Hailsham (that's a huge journey of about 7-8 miles - ONE WAY!!!) on a regular basis.
It started when I got a phone call from a lady who had read this blog.
"I need some work done, can you help?" she asked.
"The answer's 'Yes, what's the address" I replied.
When she said "South Street" I already had a mental image of a road in Eastbourne.
"Hailsham" she said.
I was about to say "I don't operate outside of Eastbourne" (my normal reply), when she said "I've read your blog and I think it's great!"
What a sucker punch!
I'm no different to anybody else - I love having my vanity stroked!
I swear, any other reason would have failed - miserably.
But because I was flattered, I now find myself going up to Hailsham every week to do carpentry, plumbing, and electrics. The lady and her family are fabulous to work with, and I really enjoy going up there. They want a lot of work done, so expect a few posts from Hailsham over the coming months.
Whoever said flattery doesn't work is a fool!
Labels: Carpentry, Electrical, fitted wardrobes, Miscellaneous
Washing Line "Designer" ware
I was asked to put up a new washing line by a customer the other day.
Rotary dryerWhen I first saw it, I was impressed.
It's nicely packaged.
The concept is, at first glance, great.
It has a neat appearance
The quality appears to be good
I would imagine that for anybody who has only a small amount of space available to dry clothes on it would seem ideal.
Here are a few things that came to mind as I was fitting it.
1. Fitting is simple but
unnecessarily fiddly.
2. Most outside walls I've come across are rough - in a moderate breeze anything larger than a set of ladies undies are likely to be scraping against the wall. A man's shirt, or a ladies dress would almost certainly be slapping against the wall. The maximum distance from wall to end of dryer is 6' (pic 1).
3. It folds away to a small size (pic 2). The rain cover is held on by two press studs (pic 3). I wonder how many fingers are going to be scraped on the wall getting the cover on and off.
4. The release mechanism (pic 4) to close it up will at some point snare a finger or two.
5. My understanding of a rotary dryer is that it spins - this dryer doesn't, so I don't understand why it's termed a ROTARY dryer.
"Powder and paint, makes the thing what it ain't" is a phrase my father used to use to describe a lot of things. I wonder if he would have used it in this case.
Labels: Miscellaneous
Being a handyman in Eastbourne!
Variety!
That's one of the main reasons I love being a handyman in Eastbourne.
No two days are the same
Take yesterday.
In the morning I worked for one of my favourite clients building bookcases.
In the afternoon I went to several different clients and fixed two toilet ball valves, a bath-waste leak, an inoperative pop-up basin waste, renewed an outside tap, connected a washing machine and dishwasher, disconnected four light fittings, repaired a wonky window, and finished the day by rescuing a customer's personal data files from a computer Hard Drive that had given up the ghost.
I love what I do, and I'm told that what I do I do well.
Labels: Miscellaneous
Change a euro cylinder fitted into a lock
This morning I was a carpenter and plumber.
First I had to hang a door and then put up some shelves, and then I had to fit a new cistern in a downstairs cloakroom.
At the next call I had to change a euro cylinder in a patio door.
Many eurolocks are relatively simple to change, however it does depend on the design of the lock but the procedure for removal of a typical mortice lock in a door would be as follows:
Locate the screw which retains the cylinder (this will normally be approximately level with the bottom edge of the cylinder).
Remove the retaining screw.
Insert the key into the cylinder and turn the key around to line up the cam and enable the cylinder to be removed. It is not normally possible to change a cylinder with an offset cam when the keys have been lost. In these circumstances the cylinder may have to be drilled and the unless you know what you are doing I would suggest you give me a call.
The procedure outlined above may vary with some locks but the method is likely to be similar.
To install a new cylinder reverse the above directions.
If you don't wan't to do it yourself give me a call on 07930 335 937
Labels: Carpentry, Miscellaneous
An overview of how to grout tiles
I was asked by a customer today if I would give her an idea how to grout a worktop back splash herself. Here's a quick overview of what I suggested she needed to do.
Tile grout requires two main tools.
A good sponge.
A rubber float that has a crisp edge.
Floats can be found at virtually any tile shop.
Grout sponges are synthetic and have rounded edges.
You will also need two clean buckets.
Mix the grout in a bucket until it resembles the consistency of fairly stiff double cream. It should be able to stick onto a knife without any trouble.
As you begin to mix, the grout will probably seem lumpy.
Mix it for about two minutes and then just let it sit for a few minutes.
After the few minutes you will notice that the lumps simply disappear with a little more mixing. Pour tepid water into the other clean bucket.
Be aware during the next stage grout will get all over the tile and it’ll look a mess!
Starting at the highest point and working down, grouting about a half to a square metre at a time, apply grout to the tiles. Wet the rubber float, and using back and forth strokes, spread the grout across the tiles. Cross over the grout joints between tiles at a 45-degree angle while holding the rubber float at a 45-degree angle. The grout lines will look over full and messy at this point. Now pull the float across the tile at a 45-degree angle to remove the excess grout. Remove as much excess from the tile as possible with the rubber float.
Immerse your sponge in the bucket of clean water. Squeeze the sponge to remove ALL the water. Now gently rub the sponge across the face of the tiles in a circular motion. The sponge will quickly fill up with grout. Rinse it out and squeeze the sponge almost dry again. Do this over the area you grouted until the tiles looks fairly clean. The joints will still look quite rough. Rinse the sponge again, turn the sponge on its edge and run the sponge lightly up and down the grout line. Do this process over again on all grout lines and it will look first class. Remember to keep the sponge rinsed and dried. Remember to keep the water bucket reasonably clean
When you do everything properly, the joints will look perfect.
There will still be a haze on the tile.
Wait about an hour or so until the grout firms up, and remove the haze with a clean, almost dry sponge. Let the new grout dry for about 24 hours and then with a soft towel polish away any residual grout haze. Job done!
If you don’t fancy doing the job yourself – give me a call on 07930 335 937
Labels: Miscellaneous, Plumbing
Here's a list of things I do
I'm always being asked can you do this or can you do that
so here is a list in alaphbetical order of some of the things I can do
Add or remove shelving
Aviaries built
Bathroom accessories hung
Bird houses built
Blinds installed
Bookcases made to measure
Cat enclosures
Carpentry & Joinery
Ceiling fans installed
Central Heating*
Wardrobe organizers installed
Clothes Dryers
Decks and Decking
Dog Kennels
Doors hung, repaired, or adjusted
Dual Flush Toilets Installed
External Painting*
Fencing & Gates
Fireplaces installed
Fixtures installed or replaced
Flat Pack Kits Assembled
Garden Maintenance
General Repairs*
Glazing*
Hanging pictures and whiteboards
Hardware replaced
Hardwood floors
Install curtain poles
Install Fly screens
Install Hand rails
Internal Painting*
Landscaping & Gardening *
Light fixtures installed or repaired
Locks fitted
Mailboxes installed
Maintenance
Mirrors hung
New appliances installed
Outdoor grill/fireplaces
Painting & Decorating*
Pergolas
Pet Doors
Pet flaps
Picture hanging
Plumbing
Pressure Cleaning*
Renovation
Repair simple leaks
Replacement of Sash Cords
Roofing Repairs*
Rot repair
Shelving
Shower doors installed
Skylights*
Small repairs
Smoke Detectors
Staircases & Handrails
Storage sheds
Swing sets
Switches replaced
Toilets installed or replaced
Trim carpentry
Vent fans installed
Waste Disposals installed or repaired
Weather stripping
Window Shutters
Windows & Locks
Windows repaired
if you need help give me a call on 07930 335 937
Labels: Carpentry, Decking, Door viewer, Electrical, Fencing, fitted wardrobes, Flatpack, gardening, Laminate, Miscellaneous, Plumbing
A couple of links
This evening I've been browsing the internet and come across a couple of sites I liked.
If you like crosswords
click HEREIf you have a kitchen and want to renovate the doors only
click HEREI see that Bruce Grieg from
0800 handyman is on holiday in an exotic location.
He writes an interesting blog - take a look at it -it's worth the read.
Labels: Miscellaneous
Leaflet distributors
I'm looking for at least five people
in the Eastbourne area
to deliver leaflets.
------A WARNING-------
For those who have never done it -
it is NOT easy as you might think.
it can be tiring
I don't mind how many or how few
you want to do per week
I'm looking for consistency not speed
Please contact me if you feel like some exercise.
Labels: Miscellaneous
Holiday over - build a noticeboard please
I have no plans to retire - ever.
I like what I do and I like the people I meet.
It was nice to go away for a break
but now it's great to be getting back at work.
The answerphone and email Inboxes are bulging with people wanting work done.
The blog has had over a thousand views!!!!
The first job has been to build a new noticeboard for Herstmonceux Quaker Meeting.
The old one had fallen to bits.
Click on the photo of the old board above to see all the pictures full size.
Labels: Carpentry, Miscellaneous
Have a look at how your brain works
Have a look at this powerpoint slide show
Click this link
TheHumanBrain.ppsits only 700 Kb and so will download quickly
it's worth taking the time to find out something new about yourself
Labels: Miscellaneous
Rotten greenhouse base
Boy, did I have fun today!
Despite the weather.
The task today was to replace the rotten wooden base of a 8x6 greenhouse.
The greenhouse had never been anchored to the ground, and so, in the high winds of this winter, looked like a flexible Triclinic crystal, and had waltzed half way across a very large garden. As you can see in the picture, it was just a matter of jacking the whole thing up; moving it back onto it's concrete platform; removing the old base; installing a new base, and then screwing and bolting it all down so that short of a major earthquake (which doesn't happen very often in Eastbourne) it ain't going to move anywhere for some time to come. It wasn't too much for two people to do - the only trouble was - I was on my own! It took most of the day, but in the end I got the job done! Despite all the winter storms buffeting, all of the waltzing across the garden, and all the moving I did with it, only three panes of glass were broken, and in case you don't know it - greenhouse glass is very thin and fragile!!!
Labels: Carpentry, gardening, Miscellaneous
Slavery
Have a look at this
it's from the BBC
it doesn't have anything to do with handyman things
but it's interesting nonetheless
Labels: Miscellaneous
Outside lights
This evening I had arranged to fit an outside light for a home owner.
The old unit had given up the ghost.
The homeowner was an electronics researcher, who in daily life gave presentations at conferences on electronics, but freely admitted that he preferred not to handle screwdrivers if he could possibly avoid them. It seemed somehow strange to fit a simple light for a research fellow in electronics, but I've done many strange things in my life, so one more mildly surreal thing simply didn't faze me.
In the course of conversation we did discover that we both had a healthy disdain for "designers" and their apparent lack of common sense. It takes just as long to design something well, as it does to design it poorly, so why do so many designers (and architects) design so poorly?
Is it malevolence, ignorance, or stupidity?
If you want to see what I consider a prime example of ghastly design go down to the corner of Whitley Road and St Philips Avenue. There you will see a large building (St Philip's Church of England church) that is "architect designed". How could anybody associate themselves with such a miserable confection - unless of course they wanted to become known for poor quality prison punishment block design? It is at best an eyesore - but I suspect it is probably feted throughout the designer community, as what can be readily achieved with the right level of complete disregard for one's own self respect.
Professionals!
I think not.
Well that's my rant for the day
Oh by the way. the light works now.
Labels: Electrical, Miscellaneous, Philosophy, Rants
Suzi is still going strong
What a great day today was. The weather was good. I met a lot of new customers, and got a lot done. Life is good.
I drive a Suzuki Supercarry. It's done 130,000 miles, doesn't use a drop of oil, is very reliable and carries everything I need. No matter what I throw at it, it just keeps going. Year after year it flies through the MOT. Whenever I take it for servicing, which I do religiously, David suggests I should get the new model, but I always say no. It's very basic, and has absolutely no extras, but this van is super practical, and I love it. I'm a handyman not a builder. I don't need, or want, anything larger or more powerful, because otherwise I would probably end up doing bigger and bigger jobs, which I don't want to do. I deliberately keep things small - including my transport. I know some day in the near future Suzi will have to be retired, but as long as she goes on doing what she's been doing, I'll keep on driving what I've been driving.
Labels: Miscellaneous
This morning I had to do a few simple jobs for a young man in the prime of his life. I don't think he is yet 30.
A bit of polyfilla in a couple of small holes. Replace a broken tile. Add some silicone around the worktop. All very minor tasks. Minor, that is, for me. This man is in the throes of full blown MS.
I have no idea what he is feeling. Do you think he might be morose, sullen, rude, arrogant, spiteful, condescending, insincere, or out to take advantage, as so many people appear to be? No. This young man - THIS MAN - is none of these things. His movements are very limited. He appears to struggle with every movement he makes. His speech is slurred. He has to consider every word he utters. He has no privacy. He has to allow strangers to do even the simplest of private and personal acts for him. But despite all that he is friendly, polite, thoughtful, gracious and kind. He retains his dignity.
Anyone can be objectionable towards others- and many are - there's no skill or art in being objectionable - it's evident in all aspects of race, creed, class, education, and intelligence.
But it makes the perpetrator a very pitiful individual.
As I left that man today he thanked me - he didn't just say "thank you" - he meant it.
He has my utter respect. I cannot begin to know what he feels. All I know is, "that there but for the grace of God go I" and I feel humble.
Labels: Miscellaneous, Philosophy
This is what I do
I work as a general handyman and I'm able to do a wide variety of jobs.
Although I have the skills and knowledge to build a house, I no longer choose to undertake any large projects. Many customers tell me I am particularly good at problem solving.I can custom build wardrobes and bookcases, hang doors, assemble flat pack, make wooden windows open that have stuck for years, install cat flaps, fit washing machines/dishwashers, fix leaking taps, toilets, and ball cocks, in fact there are not many jobs I cannot do.
My skills
My skills cover most things carpentry, plumbing, or electrical
I do not do ANY heating or gas - but I know a man who does...
Please note I am not a registered plumber or electrician
All electrical work carried out by me will be approved by a fully registered electrician. If and when certification is applicable he may charge a fee for the certificate.
Other TradesI know a number of very good reliable tradesmen. These tradesmen are known to me and have been tried and tested by my many customers. The people whom I introduce, or whose numbers I give you, are completely independent from my business. Make sure that you feel happy with them and negotiate with them for their work directly.
Estimates Any estimate given whether verbal or written will be for my advice, labour, and expertise only and does not cover unforeseen circumstances, additional works, or work to be carried out by any other tradesmen.
All materials are in addition to the estimate and must be paid for in advance. If you wish I can take you to my trade suppliers, where you can take advantage of my trade discount accounts.
Rubbish clearance Any rubbish will need to be placed in your general household rubbish bin, if a large amount of rubbish is expected then I would advise that you arrange a skip to be on site. Alternatively I can give you the telephone number of a man who does rubbish clearance.
Payment I accept cash and Paypal.
I do not give credit in any form.
Labels: Miscellaneous, Philosophy
When it rains gutters overflow
Guttering. When I even hear the word, it invokes a horrible vision. High up -that means ladders. Full up - that means filthy dirty. Wet - that means gunge trickling down the arm under the sleeve. Winter - that means cold. That's been my day today Wet and miserable up a ladder clearing out gutters in the rain. When I wasn't doing that, I was down on my knees fixing more leaks under more sink. Tomorrow I'm inside changing
electrical sockets - oh bliss! It's been a rough ol' day and I'm going to bed. Goodnight!
Labels: Miscellaneous
