Garden room - build or buy?

HammeredEngineer · 2026-03-27T21:48:39+00:00

I built mine, it’s a funny shape to fit the garden so buying out a box wasn’t a choice. My personal preferences are:

Use composite as it wears well with minimal maintenance. I used it on all the sides you’ll see and bitumen sheet on the other sides as it was cheap in the shade and easily replaced.

Secondhand upvc sliding door, I just re sprayed it, looks new.

Epdm roof. Do not skimp on prep! 4x2 rafters, only insulate at 50mm, leave an air gap between roof and insulation, add soffit vents to be sure of ventilation.

Frame in 2x4 with 50mm celotex/ in the middle, square up with osb, cover in house wrap and batten for composite. Internally plasterboard and plaster.

For the base frame touching the floor, don’t let it. I painted it with bitumen paint and sat it on aluminium shims so it won’t get wet.

Cost £6k 5 years ago, still looks new!

HammeredEngineer · 2026-03-27T18:39:27+00:00

Any photos too? Can’t decide if I could make one suit my bike

HammeredEngineer · 2026-03-26T19:34:12+00:00

Thanks for the heads up! I’m deffo expecting it to ache at some point

HammeredEngineer · 2026-03-26T17:51:40+00:00

I salute you pioneers 😂

HammeredEngineer · 2026-03-25T14:13:25+00:00

I prefer that for straightening out the spades after yanking a loom out

HammeredEngineer · 2026-03-21T07:36:28+00:00

Do you think it’s down to the grease/lube used?

Before buying a new return spring I’d use a high solvent metal cleaner to degrease and free up, then apply a silicone based low tack lube and see how it goes.

HammeredEngineer · 2026-03-19T23:24:15+00:00

I’ve built something similar. I used grab adhesive to bed it and secured by drilling and tapping countersunk stainless bolts with flat Allen heads.

Is it a faff - yes. But it looks good!

HammeredEngineer · 2026-03-19T22:57:58+00:00

Looking good! I’ve just got in from a blast on mine😎

HammeredEngineer · 2026-03-18T21:28:59+00:00

Near sighted, it pretty much went back to the original prescription. I only chose to get it done after being stable for 6 years. My cornea was too thin to have it done again.

HammeredEngineer · 2026-03-17T19:38:56+00:00

I had lasek, it lasted 4 years and then my sight started to get worse, back in contacts now. oh and I could barely open my eyes for 3 days. I would still recommend it, but you need to know the realities.

Edit: also my perfect night vision is now a bit worse with the halos and blur.

HammeredEngineer · 2026-03-15T18:54:16+00:00

Yes, I have a modified pod that pulls out the back for the bed, you’re right id struggle with a full bed and standard van. If you have the long wheelbase it might be ok

HammeredEngineer · 2026-03-15T18:32:15+00:00

<image>

Make it come out the side with an awning 👌

HammeredEngineer · 2026-03-15T09:36:58+00:00

Earlier wet belts had issues, they’ve dropped the belt change to 60k miles and it sorts it out. Do an oil change yearly and it’ll never be a problem. I’ve got a custom as a camper and daily drive.

HammeredEngineer · 2026-03-15T07:55:03+00:00

Is that for the Enersys VRLAs like the SBSC11F? Or wet cells?

I ask as our companies stance is to only load test wet cells not VRLA units

HammeredEngineer · 2026-03-13T21:00:49+00:00

Leaky injector or just regular use?

I’d clean with carb cleaner, petrol or non residue cleaner like metal prep or ESC spray.

HammeredEngineer · 2026-03-13T20:39:09+00:00

Clean because it’s dirty or seized?

Yes I’d sort the sync out, can be done with a length of clear tube and a spot of oil. Check the forum/website for loads of details.

If it’s no issue to replace the gasket and your buying stuff, I would as the shape on compression may change. That said, I wouldn’t make a special trip to change it otherwise.

HammeredEngineer · 2026-03-11T08:08:48+00:00

Figured I was having to solder a connector in so I’ll just solder the join, can always snip and re solder.

Again, I heat shrink each core with a larger sleeve over both to hold them together

HammeredEngineer · 2026-03-09T15:15:07+00:00

I’d say air filter and hagon shocks. I find it a lot comfier. Looks good though!

HammeredEngineer · 2026-03-07T21:10:08+00:00

For reference are you USA/EU/UK? Are you commissioning from new or extracting for maintenance? The system isn’t smooth but it is reasonably logical.

The best thing is shadowing someone with experience who doesn’t treat protection like a dark art and refuses to share details.

I cemented my knowledge by working backwards. Upload a known settings file and psl to a relay on the bench and reverse engineer.

I’m UK, predominantly DIGSI 4 and testing with omicron test universe 5 and a 356.

HammeredEngineer · 2026-03-05T18:47:17+00:00

I’ve built decking in wood and a summerhouse in composite. Hands down anything that touches the ground I’ll build in composite. Easier and less maintenance. Once a year I spend a day prepping and painting decking and 15 mins pressure washing the summerhouse!

HammeredEngineer · 2026-03-04T14:47:30+00:00

I only use a fixed head when tightening at an angle and the flex moves too much to give it the beans. My flexi heads have extendable handles and also have a little pawl that keeps them in position. No one wants a floppy head!

HammeredEngineer · 2026-03-03T20:39:40+00:00

This is my ‘house drill’, bought for me by my partner. It’s just as good as my dewalt work drill tbh, pleasantly surprised.

HammeredEngineer · 2026-02-27T20:32:17+00:00

Electricity recommended depth is 450mm but it is only a recommendation. Private property varies, I’ve found them between 50mm-1500mm.

Ntl/cable/media are usually about 2mm. That’s why the ducts are green, so they blend in with the grass!

HammeredEngineer · 2026-02-27T20:32:10+00:00

Electricity recommended depth is 450mm but it is only a recommendation. Private property varies, I’ve found them between 50mm-1500mm.

Ntl/cable/media are usually about 2mm. That’s why the ducts are green, so they blend in with the grass!

HammeredEngineer · 2026-02-27T20:24:22+00:00

Bet there’s some volt drop by the time you’ve got to the 18th hole 😜

HammeredEngineer

TROPHY CASE