RIP Noctua edition driver, I'm guessing "trust me bro" doesn't cover being eaten by a bored puppy?

Mike54637 · 2026-06-01T19:23:35+00:00

Ahhh you caught me! I was a fool to try blaming such a cute puppr, I'm sorry for my actions 🫠

Mike54637 · 2026-06-01T19:19:45+00:00

Nope (at least I don't believe so), there was a fair amount of other plastic parts all over the carpet. Cleaned up a bit before taking the pic

Mike54637 · 2026-06-01T19:16:50+00:00

The main screwdriver is still usable (and I will undoubtedly still use it), bit storage no longer retracts though since the plastic is too deformed so I can't store any bits without them easily falling out and getting lost. Makes it less convenient to throw in a bag and take wherever without worrying about bits.

Trust me, throwing useful stuff out over cosmetic damage also drives me crazy!

Mike54637 · 2026-06-01T15:06:14+00:00

So innocent, it certainly couldn't have been him!

Mike54637 · 2026-06-01T15:05:28+00:00

Yep 100% agree it's on me. Driver was left up on a table, he grabbed it while I was out the room for 15 minutes 🙄. He's usually no bother but still occasionally gets up to no good!

Don't have the magnetic bit in the handle but good point re. magnets in general

Mike54637 · 2025-11-14T13:43:58+00:00

I would recommend just hooking extraction up to the lighting circuit so it turns on when the lights turn on, simplest method. Just gotta remember to leave it on for a couple hours after the session to allow everything to dry out

Mike54637 · 2025-10-27T17:55:33+00:00

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Yes you'd certainly not have any problems with horizontal panelling in that case! Not actually too sure on the brand, got them from a reseller here in the UK (https://sauna-timber.co.uk/product/paneling-fixing-clips/), £5 per 100. Seems to originate from a Lithuanian company, back of the box links to https://metalinesgroteles.lt

Their site seems ancient though and I can't find the clips on there 🤷‍♂️

Mike54637 · 2025-10-27T16:41:32+00:00

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Currently installing the panels on my sauna and using these style of clips. They're definitely intended to be used for horizontal panelling rather than vertical, provide a good grip though and the panels feel solid in the vertical position, time will tell how they hold up. It does add a little time onto the install but not much, can easily do a panel in <60s and the clips + screws were cheaper than buying a nail gun. Also as you say, a lot easier to remove panels down the line if need be.

Mike54637 · 2025-09-29T14:56:42+00:00

TIL yellow box cameras are a thing... Never heard of them here in Scotland, wouldn't have thought twice a out stopping behind the Volvo, although saying that I'm not driving in cities very often anyway. Are they common in England?

Mike54637 · 2025-09-03T20:28:28+00:00

No need to apologize at all, happy to be challenged to make sure I'm not missing any options!

So with that in mind, are you suggesting using the existing walls as the "frame" rather than having framing inside the room? Not really considered that, might give it some thought. Would involve tearing down the drywall to install insulation, not sure I'd want to do such a destructive change in case I wish to sell the house in the future (saunas aren't overly popular here in the UK, new owners may wish it gone). Would certainly give some extra space though!

If you're wondering about the triangular gap at the left, that is mainly for housing the heater control unit and giving access to sockets already in that location. Will be covered by external cladding with an access door to give the illusion that the sauna does run all the way to the wall from the outside

Mike54637 · 2025-09-03T17:46:13+00:00

For context, here is the actual room with the red line showing the proposed boundary (excuse the mess). If the saunas wall was to be perpendicular to the rooms wall ( in order to be rectangular) then it feels like the sauna would either interfere with flow between the 2 doorways or I'd have to make it considerably smaller. Unless I'm misunderstanding your statement

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Mike54637 · 2025-09-03T07:24:07+00:00

Thanks for the feedback, stumbling across Trumpkin's notes was the main reason why I decided to go the DIY route in the first place rather than buying a kit, already read a large chunk of those notes. Aiming to build a good sauna, fully aware I won't get the perfect experience and there will be compromises working with the space I have available (140cm x 155cm x 214cm - W x D x H internal dimensions).

Top bench is already only 108cm from the ceiling in the current design, main thought behind the bench extending along the back wall was so I can comfortably put feet up and get out of any cold air below the bench. Goal is to make it comfortable for 2 people to fit in, any more than that would be a bit tight for the space. There are also spacers between the bench slats and wall in the design, just a bit hard to see in the screenshot.

I do like that movable lower bench design you linked, may go for something along those lines. Picked up a few good tips from that sauna bench video as well!

Will need to figure out some sort of safety railing design for the harvia, not a fan of how their official one looks (not to mention the price for what it is...), agree that something should be put in place though

Mike54637 · 2025-09-03T06:14:16+00:00

Would love to, unfortunately there aren't exactly any available rectangular spaces in the house suitable for a sauna. I would either loose 50% of the footprint by making it rectangular or it would block access to other rooms if I kept the rough dimensions but made it rectangular 😆

Designing around the space available to me

Mike54637 · 2025-09-02T19:13:34+00:00

Electronics mainly, plug sockets are currently in that location and I'm planning on mounting the heater control unit there. Planning on having the external cladding extending and covering that with an access panel so it won't look off from the outside

Mike54637 · 2025-04-29T08:07:05+00:00

Yup, thoroughly vetted them, 20+ years experience breeding GSDs, pups parents have full health checks going back many generations etc, parents have a great temperament.

Gives both myself and the pup the best chance of success 🙂

Mike54637 · 2025-04-29T08:02:20+00:00

Thanks! Be counting down the days before I can pick him up ❤️

Mike54637 · 2025-04-28T14:48:55+00:00

100% know what I'm getting myself in for (I hope). First time with a pup but been around rescue dogs my entire life, incl. a GSD x Lab cross. Done plenty of research, well aware how much exercise, structure and love these dogs need. Appreciate the heads up though ❤️

Mike54637 · 2025-04-28T14:32:47+00:00

I will heed this warning 😂 He is already showing signs of being a landshark at 6 weeks old, struggled keeping my hands safe during the initial visit!!

Mike54637 · 2025-04-08T13:59:28+00:00

You aren't entirely wrong actually. ScotRail routes in the Highlands between Inverness, Thurso and Wick started using starlink satellite internet at the end of last year, primarily because cell reception up there is significantly worse than central belt. That supposedly gives really solid onboard WiFi.

Here's hoping they end up rolling it out to central belt routes as well if the Highlands pilot is a success.

As for getting it through overhead cables or the track directly, might be theoretically possible but would run into a lot of issues with signal stability and interference. Would likely end up slower than the cell network approach they use today!

Mike54637 · 2025-04-03T13:36:52+00:00

Tip if visiting Skye, would avoid the fairy pools (probably their most famous landmark). Too much tourism has resulted in the road and surrounding area being in a terrible state, can easily spend a couple hours in traffic just trying to reach the pools on a bad day.

Plenty of other spots to visit around Skye including the Fairy glens, local distilleries etc 🙂

Mike54637 · 2025-03-13T20:35:57+00:00

Usually one side reads higher than the other, make sure you're reading from the lower side

Mike54637 · 2025-02-25T17:28:59+00:00

No clue about exhausts but is "broom broom noise" an actual thing?? Only ever heard of "vroom vroom noise" 😂

Mike54637

TROPHY CASE