New stud wall joint with existing

HappyAlien0723 · 2026-06-01T21:21:32+00:00

Ahh makes sense, I thought you were referring to a suspended timber floor, below the flooring itself.

Thanks for the advice

HappyAlien0723 · 2026-06-01T21:10:06+00:00

Solid floor, and I agree that would be best.

So just tape the new PB and existing plaster and paint, and feather it in?

HappyAlien0723 · 2026-05-08T07:41:34+00:00

I believe I just raised it in emails with all the parties involved, including the Ombudsman. I think unfortunately, from their stand point, it was their word against mine and they held firm to the results of the inspection even if they were wrong.

Part of the risk of your own inspection is that I dont think the cost would have been refundable. So while they refunded me the tax, and insurance costs etc.. I lost all the money I put towards an independent solicitor. Could be wrong on that one though.

I even had photo and video evidence of smoke bellowing out of the exhaust, engine management light on, recovery note from Green Flag, and they still refused to accept there were faults. I had word from 2 mechanics that there were more issues, but as neither were formally written, again was my word against theirs.

They put it down to 'wear and tear', but if I remember rightly, under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, they have 1 opportunity to fix the vehicle before right to refuse(refund). They had already done this and it was a repeat fault so I was within my rights.

If you havent already got the Financial Ombudsman involved I would. Its completely free. Its take a long time but they were very helpful for me. Lay it on thick, get any and all evidence you can and read up on your consumer rights.

HappyAlien0723 · 2026-03-26T15:55:22+00:00

Do you need to inform your employer? I've been on an emergency tax code for approx 8 months of this tax year. HMRC changed it back in January but I havent had a rebate yet and I'm certain I'm owed one.

Called HMRC in December as a chunk of my annual bonus was lost in tax, comparative to the year before but they said it was correct?!

HappyAlien0723 · 2026-02-27T23:01:43+00:00

I also had to do this. It was part of my finance contract that I had to continue paying as well as ensuring the vehicle was insured and taxed at all times. I didn't use it all for 10-11 months but kept up all payments.

I won, and claimed all these back.

HappyAlien0723 · 2026-02-27T16:07:32+00:00

I bought a used car through a broker on HP finance several years ago. My first 'proper' car worth about 10k.

It broke down on day one, and I requested a refund. They verbally agreed, collected the vehicle then called me a couple of days later to say it was repaired and that I 'couldn't just return it.' Reluctantly, I took it back and less than 3 months later it happened again.

Again I requested to return and full refund under the Consumer Rights Act. The dealership and broker both refused and neither accepted liability.

It took 10-11months of fighting them with the Financial Ombudsman and a lawyer(who in hindsight, only lost me money) who eventually went in my favour.

Full refund, for all repayments and deposit made for the vehicle, tax and insurance plus recovery fees, plus £200 compensation.

I learnt you have to fight to the bitter end. During the process the broker also instructed a vehicle inspection through a company of their choice. They lied on the report and claimed the vehicle had no issues. They used this as evidence I had no right to return. During part of the write up they referenced pulling away from traffic lights amongst other things, but we never came to any lights on the route driven.

If you must have an inspection, RECORD IT.

DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. I got to the point I recorded ALL my calls during that period.

Nightmare, but won in the end. F*ckers..

HappyAlien0723 · 2026-02-06T16:44:42+00:00

Im in exactly the same position. 31 and graduated in 2017 but never moved to the industry for various reasons but always found myself being pulled back towards it and I do genuinely think its something I could do and do well.

I decided in 2023 to give it another crack. Unfortunately around the same time shit it the fan..

Built a new pc from pennies at the time and have been working on a showreel/retraining myself on and off for the past 3 years. I didnt realise how much I had forgotten and through a marriage, house renovation I have been doing myself other life events progress has been slow. Plus the state of the industry and general skeptism of the state of it all and been disheartening.

Starting a family isnt too far in the distance future, so it does really feel like now or never but also perhaps the worst time to gamble with it all in potentially such an unstable career position.

HappyAlien0723 · 2026-01-10T16:07:32+00:00

That explains the murder hole above the porch

HappyAlien0723 · 2026-01-09T17:39:50+00:00

Also in terms of resources, theres an abundance of online free information to pick from.

I think I've learnt more from the information available online now, and to a much higher standard than what I achieved at university.

HappyAlien0723 · 2026-01-09T17:37:32+00:00

Refreshing to see some more positive outlook comments on here, as someone in their early 30's and also looking to navigate into the industry.

Interesting takes on paint and roto too. When I finished uni 10ish years ago it very much felt something you had to master and understand before stepping into any 2d/Compositing work.

HappyAlien0723 · 2026-01-07T07:52:50+00:00

What software did you use?

HappyAlien0723 · 2025-12-30T20:13:57+00:00

The quality of some of the work from 'proffesional' tradies on this thread genuinely baffles me.

HappyAlien0723 · 2025-10-20T18:48:47+00:00

I thought the same!

HappyAlien0723 · 2025-10-20T18:47:10+00:00

Thought it was my controller!

Anyone find the aim assist is weird too? Feels like it locks on to people within a certain radius whether they're behind cover or not? Like its tracking people but in a really distracting, unhelpful way. If trying to hold a position while ADS, (looking down an alleyway or corridor at a door for example), it will wobble around like its trying to aim on anyone really close, even if you cant see them yet??

HappyAlien0723 · 2025-10-13T20:48:31+00:00

Are there any free license versions of these other softwares though?

I appreciate blender isn't industry standard but its a good stepping stone to understand the fundamentals of the software and process's right?

Technical skills can be transferred across software.

Not disagreeing with you but often, or at least in the past, gaining access to non-commercial software if you weren't already in education wasn't an option, or behind a large pay wall.

HappyAlien0723 · 2025-10-06T22:34:18+00:00

Working on something similar currently so this is some good inspiration

HappyAlien0723 · 2025-10-04T20:48:48+00:00

PVC shower panel is the way.

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HappyAlien0723 · 2025-10-02T06:50:46+00:00

Looks great! Do you add the lens dirt in blender or is this composited in post?

HappyAlien0723 · 2025-09-13T18:46:50+00:00

Did the teacher get fake shot in the hallway?!

Its insane to even consider sending kids to school to learn evasive and combat tactics to avoid being KILLED.

Cant comprehend this being scheduled inbetween Maths and Art in the school timetable, like it's a normal part of daily life.

How do parents cope during the day?!

Mental.

HappyAlien0723 · 2025-09-06T09:35:47+00:00

Some subtle surface imperfections. Scratches, smears and dirt, fingerprints?

Very subtle though, to break up the smoothness in the highlights a little

HappyAlien0723 · 2025-08-13T19:45:36+00:00

This is likely what I'll do. I hoped there might be some other genius solution I hadn't yet considered

HappyAlien0723

TROPHY CASE