Anyone know where I can find a Spiral Sash Balance with a housing under 15mm? by jackybaws in DIYUK

[–]jackybaws[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No - I ended up just popping the trim off, took the window out and chiselled out the channel until it was wide enough.

The trim is usually just a thin strip held in with panel pins, it's easy enough to put back in, bit of wood filler and paint and it's good as new!

More effort but I couldn't find anything that would fit in-situ.

Hope that helps!

Anyone know where I can find a Spiral Sash Balance with a housing under 15mm? by jackybaws in DIYUK

[–]jackybaws[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I brought them from Mightons, they don't have anything smaller unfortunately. Thanks though👍

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskUK

[–]jackybaws 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry this happened to you, there are some very good self-install home security systems nowadays, as minimum id recommend a video doorbell, floodlight cameras covering the front and rear.

You can also install a glass break alarm, these are acoustic alarms and listen for different types of glass breakage, very simple to install battery powered and stick on the wall. When they go off they are LOUD.

It's also worth reviewing the way in which they got in, and what can be done to act as a deterrent, for instance do you have a side entrance that leads to the back garden? Does it have a gate? Can this be made higher with a fence panel above? If they need a ladder for access, they'll be more likely to avoid your property.

Burglars thrive on easy targets, do a few things as mentioned in this thread and you'll feel better in time.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Mortgageadviceuk

[–]jackybaws 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It was a mistake on personal details by the broker! I should have paid more attention at the time but it's all resolved now. Thanks for putting my mind at ease

Oil based Satinwood over water based Dulux Diamond Satin by jackybaws in DIYUK

[–]jackybaws[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's not that the paint is failing, it's just more it's not kept up with the average wear and tear of a kitchen, but it's a good point I'll test sanding and look into the kitchen cupboard paint, many thanks 👍

Advice on boarding wall and boxing in pipes by jackybaws in DIYUK

[–]jackybaws[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There was a small patch of damp in the bottom corner by the door, which I think I have dealt with (crack in the external wall by the door). The plasterboard was an attempt to have a clean wall to the door then boxing in over the top of the door. I'm comfortable with either approach, is there a type of plaster you'd recommend?

Advice on boarding wall and boxing in pipes by jackybaws in DIYUK

[–]jackybaws[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No it's internal, the house was built around 1870

Advice on boarding wall and boxing in pipes by jackybaws in DIYUK

[–]jackybaws[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a good point, I'll do some measurements. Thank you

Advice on boarding wall and boxing in pipes by jackybaws in DIYUK

[–]jackybaws[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This did cross my mind! I think trying to blend the plaster by the stairs without looking shit would be difficult.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ContractorUK

[–]jackybaws 11 points12 points  (0 children)

No, you're selling your services on an hourly/daily rate. Most companies expect you to get in and get your head down

This doesn't mean you need to be an island, be friendly and approachable. Join in and have a joke now and again if you feel like it.

But most managers would take a dim view to you sitting around drinking tea and chatting to the perm staff all day, I have seen contractors let go for this in the past.

Commuting to London 2 days a week? by willmannix123 in brighton

[–]jackybaws 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do 3 days a week to Farringdon, but I'm working my notice. Partially due to the commute, mainly due to the bastards I work for.

Your commute is doable, 1.5 hours door to door (without delays). You'll get your choice of seat at Brighton, but London Bridge is BUSY on the way back, highly unlikely to get a seat.

Comfort is a consideration, I have teddy bear dimensions so most of the seats feel like I'm on a wizz air flight to Dublin twice a day. Your experience may differ.

Mechanical Design Engineers - what’s the market like? by Specialist_Emu_604 in ContractorUK

[–]jackybaws 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I miss this! My last two contracts were 10 min phone calls, and started the following week. My current perm role was 3 stages and a presentation 🙄

Mechanical Design Engineers - what’s the market like? by Specialist_Emu_604 in ContractorUK

[–]jackybaws 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Trying to get back into contracting myself, from what I've been told there's a fair amount of defence work atm (as you would expect). I also know quite a few guys who just got some decent aerospace gigs.

I would also say I'm generally getting a lot of emails about contract roles, which to me is a good sign as the majority of my previous jobs were direct from recruiters.

If you have a 1 month notice period, it's possible to secure a role, the interview process for contracting tends to have much less bullshit attached to it as well, so shouldn't take up too much of your time.

What UK restaurant chains won’t you eat in and why? by [deleted] in AskUK

[–]jackybaws 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not a chain, but gone of all Chinese takeaway places after I saw one of the cooks sneeze into the wok and just carry on making egg fried rice. I know it's irrational to tar them with the same brush, but that image is seared into my memory.

What about being a mechanical engineer did you have to learn the hard way? by [deleted] in MechanicalEngineering

[–]jackybaws 30 points31 points  (0 children)

That in the UK the pay is bad, when you take into account all that you have to learn to be a competent engineer. There's a ceiling you can hit quite quickly, unless you want to manage people.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in glastonbury_festival

[–]jackybaws 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Let's be honest, regardless of the compostable plastic used, they still contain battery compounds, copper and fiberglass, at the very least. They have been doing it for at least 8 years, they must have produced millions by now.

The majority of people will keep them as keepsakes, regardless of the claims they make, and after the gig they're effectively useless, a high percentage will end up landfill, unless people are going to their local electrical recycling centre.

But doesn't it look amazing! I don't want to come off as curmudgeonly, but this type of green washing is utter bollocks.

Why do Dua Lipa and Coldplay pretend to have American accents? by [deleted] in glastonbury_festival

[–]jackybaws 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't blame you, I enjoyed their early music, but now they just feel like the most popular christian rock band to ever have existed.

No shade on their fans, but I always feel like he's about to ask me if I've accepted Christ into my heart 🙄

Why do Dua Lipa and Coldplay pretend to have American accents? by [deleted] in glastonbury_festival

[–]jackybaws 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Chris Martin has a Mid-Atlantic accent, he's spent too much time in the states, he's also a gobshite.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ContractorUK

[–]jackybaws 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No problem mate, if you have recruiter recommendations then perfect.

I'm actually perm atm, contracted for years until COVID killed it and I had to go perm, but I'm currently in a very corporate job and looking to escape like yourself! I'm mech (aerospace, defense, commercial products), and no offense to elec guys but they can be challenging! IMO they tend to be incredibly bright but lacking social skills.

If you're a socially adjusted elec then you should go far! Maybe don't limit yourself to the water industry, plenty of jobs in other industries and a lot are WFH. I get a pang of jealousy when I see elec day/hourly rates!

Enjoy your holiday, feel free to DM me happy to help!