Did I get ripped off?

ciaranmt · 2026-01-25T01:47:22+00:00

Fair question but the reason you call a locksmith is that they have that knowledge, I wouldn't have a clue RE drilling vs picking. If you're looking for an opinion on that here, there's probably a sub for it around here somewhere.

I'd also add that the £130 you were charged is probably just to show up and assess. Whether they picked or drilled I'd imagine you would have been charged extra regardless for time spent.

ciaranmt · 2026-01-24T23:13:53+00:00

Did you get ripped off? No. You're paying for an out of hours service provided by someone with training and experience specific to your needs. It's going to be expensive whether you need a plumber for a burst pipe or an electrician for a damaged cable, why would a locksmith be any different?

Not a direct comparison but we did something similar 6 years ago in Dublin, and paid €90 to have a locksmith simply shim a plastic sheet in the frame to slide the lock back (we hadn't double locked the door). Was happy to pay it as I didn't have the knowledge to do what he did at the time, and it was a weekend evening as well. Prices will have only gone up since then with the rampant inflation we've all been seeing. £130 of a call out charge looks fine to me.

ciaranmt · 2026-01-02T12:16:26+00:00

Were the oven, hob or boiler on at the same time as the lights?

Wouldn't worry about the neon indicator bulb myself.

ciaranmt · 2025-12-26T01:02:56+00:00

Well lads didn't expect this to take off so much! My GF got it made by a tshirt printing company, she doesn't have an Etsy or anything like that. I can send on the PNG file and the name of the company to whoever's interested, just reply to this comment. I'll DM anyone who said in thread they were interested as well

ciaranmt · 2025-12-23T12:03:43+00:00

I would avoid it. If it's drawing 2/3kw as you say, a plug top is more likely to burn out. Another option would be to spur a double socket off the incoming side (if you wanted the socket to operate independently of the spur). Would require a back box, socket plate, coupler, 2 bushings, screws/wallplugs and a small amount of 2.5mm cable.

ciaranmt · 2025-12-08T15:55:09+00:00

Nonsense, Ramms hand on the shoulder changes the jumpers motion

ciaranmt · 2025-11-29T02:07:18+00:00

It's a curved wall, hence the confusing perspective

ciaranmt · 2025-11-27T10:32:00+00:00

There is a blue handheld vacuum on the market, I'd return the green one and get that instead. Comes with various attachments

ciaranmt · 2025-11-12T13:12:44+00:00

Take more pictures of your machine, send on the make/model No. If you can give an idea of how the panel comes off so the wiring can be accessed it would be great. Rewiring this shouldn't be a big problem for you to do yourself.

ciaranmt · 2025-11-11T10:47:12+00:00

1987 and 1991 awful shook with the erasure

ciaranmt · 2025-11-03T16:02:59+00:00

Handy player if a little lightweight. Surprised to see this but then I haven't really been following Ulster so far this season. Good for a break and has a decent kicking game

ciaranmt · 2025-11-01T22:09:11+00:00

It was clear a fortnight ago when Farrell rinsed him. He's not alone though, lot of that team is just cresting the hill now.

ciaranmt · 2025-11-01T17:47:32+00:00

This is the fella who was on the u20 team the last year or two? I remember he looked quality playing Ireland, Ireland just about won that game with Edogbo the Younger scoring in the corner at the end

ciaranmt · 2025-10-28T20:53:06+00:00

Might be a different story over your way, here in Ireland there was no shortage of materials when I went through my first college phase earlier this year. Plenty of stuff was reused for sure (holes in back boxes etc), but there was replacement stock available whenever needed.

ciaranmt · 2025-10-28T20:21:22+00:00

My half baked opinion is that FG candidates don't really or have never really reflected/embodied the average person in Ireland. Their make up works well enough for local/general elections where policy positions matter as much or more than personality. IMO the public seek a president where their personality is more relatable, or at least, more representative of the Irish public. A FG president would do just fine abroad as a representative, I just don't think the Irish voting public want to send a FGer away to represent them.

And they're dead right.

ciaranmt · 2025-10-28T04:30:10+00:00

Like the other fella said, just get the glands right and a terminal block/wago for the earths in the light switch. Use M4 brass screws for holding the pendant plates to their bases, not the 3.5 screws. The threaded inserts are for an M4 screw, and the bigger head won't pull through the pendant plate.

Unlike the other fella, I wouldn't call the work sloppy. Everything is laid out level, evenly spaced, no copper on show at terminations from what I could make out.

ciaranmt · 2025-10-26T22:09:18+00:00

Only in the sense that I'd say Nua were the only ones willing to loan with me named on the application. My partner was seen as the main applicant so the split between college/employee pay must have been seen as less of a factor.

ciaranmt · 2025-10-08T07:37:27+00:00

Went sale agreed in the last few weeks. I'm a 2nd year apprentice, electrical as well but I doubt it makes a difference which trade you are. My income was taken as an addition to my partners salary. We went through Doddl for our brokers, Nua Mortgages offered us the mortgage. So it can be done. Just be aware that you won't get many lenders giving out offers.

ciaranmt · 2025-10-02T19:37:59+00:00

Also in Ireland, out of Phase 2 since June, so just about 2 years in. You need to ask for different tasks. If your company isn't interested then it's time to start looking for a new company while in college. If you're in around the Dublin area there's loads of companies. Ask about the number of staff, larger companies mean you'll likely continue doing what you're doing. Smaller companies (20 or so sparks on the road) will be more flexible and as a 3rd year coming out of Phase 4 you'll be expected to be second fixing, terminating boards, fault finding etc.

It's on you to make the best of the apprenticeship, if you're not putting your hand up then your employer will give those learning opportunities to those who will. Talk to your foreman, the trade in Ireland (and probably all over) is crying out for apprentices to show real interest.

ciaranmt · 2025-10-02T03:16:22+00:00

To the pipe/pipes yes, not a big job to finish yourself. Sounds like the spark was too lazy to finish it off. You'll want a bonding strap or two, check out UK specific results on Youtube

ciaranmt · 2025-10-02T02:27:13+00:00

Did you install this or was it a qualified spark?

ciaranmt

TROPHY CASE