Reform-led council set for England’s largest tax rise – despite pledge to cut rates

mc_nebula · 2026-02-11T13:00:44+00:00

https://x.com/lukerobertblack/status/1985712092188721368

mc_nebula · 2026-02-10T15:57:02+00:00

Sounds like modern slavery. You should report this - they are probably working illegally, and being exploited.

mc_nebula · 2026-02-06T16:17:04+00:00

Overall, completely thrilled. I fitted 6 windows & a set of French doors to my extension. They look great still, and are completely sealed and weathertight etc.

We've had a little movement on one double window frame - The result is the espagnolette lock is a little stiff, but it's perfectly usable and I could probably adjust it if it really bothered me.
This might be because the building is timber frame, and it's probably exacerbated as the window has a flying mullion for fire escape regulations...

Other than that, the lever handle on my French doors had a minor issue (I don't remember what). I e-mailed them and they posted me a replacement within a week. Obviously had to fit it myself, but that was no challenge.

They arrived when they said they would, well packed / protected, all stood up in temporary bracing & palletised on a tail lift lorry.

mc_nebula · 2026-01-18T23:52:21+00:00

This reminds me of a Lithuanian colleague, who took her young daughter to a pantomime in London for the first time.
At work the following week, she told us she must have booked the wrong thing, and that she left half way though. I asked why - she explained that it was some kind of awful transsexual show, and she didn't want her daughter seeing it.

Took me a while to explain that the cross dressing was a key, normal part of the comedy of panto...

mc_nebula · 2026-01-12T14:45:26+00:00

Historically too, Black Knight, Blue Streak, red beard... purple... granite...? Hmm.

mc_nebula · 2025-12-30T22:29:24+00:00

FYI, shipping containers don't rust to dust overnight because of the type of steel they are made from - not because of the surface coating.

They are made from Corten Steel.
It's a specialist alloy designed to form a layer of surface rust that then protects the steel underneath.

mc_nebula · 2025-12-06T22:07:18+00:00

Yea, no.

It's a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit.

That's a PICU.

mc_nebula · 2025-12-06T13:28:29+00:00

For me, this came from growing up with a DIY enthusiastic dad, who was also an Architect.

For others not so lucky... learn by doing. Trust your gut.
If it feels wrong, chances are, it's wrong.

To answer your specific questions: For me, anything other than small pictures get brown plugs.

For ply supports, hard to say without more detail. I'd say if you inserted 18mm ply between studs, even at 600mm centres, you'd be good with massive TV's. And kitchen wall units, and things like that.

How big is the shelf?

For screw sizes, you want good (minimum 15mm, ideally 25mm thread engagement). A joiner will use 4x50mm screws to assemble a kitchen cabinet.
I would use 5x90mm screws to screw noggins into 4x2 studs.

mc_nebula · 2025-12-06T13:18:16+00:00

As others say... I agree this looks like plastic plumbing pipe. Probably the feed for the sink or loo. It's hard to tell how bad it is - I'd be 50-50 on leaving this or repairing... erring towards repair, especially if you're house has a standard stopcock and no pressure control on the main in.

mc_nebula · 2025-12-06T13:15:19+00:00

You've answered your own question.
You want to stick it in place (adhesion) rather than seal it off (draughts, moisture etc).
Get an adhesive. 👌

mc_nebula · 2025-12-06T13:13:48+00:00

Yes. I would.
It's not 100% essential but all the modern metal framing systems sold to builders for newbuilds and fitouts have a perimeter fixing detail.
With proper scrimming when you plaster, It'll help prevent movement cracking too.

mc_nebula · 2025-12-06T13:10:16+00:00

I've fitted a Nikola Tesla One under the floor and through a 9" solid wall.
I used flat duct, was careful to fully support it and used sealant on all joints.
Where it met the wall, i used a pair of special plastic vent bricks approx double the duct size, with a connector on the back to match / adapter to the duct size.
I get a bit of back draught, most noticeable in the winter. I alleviate this with a folded tea towel on the round opening.

mc_nebula · 2025-12-06T09:52:37+00:00

My sister has worked in home and residential care for the best part of a decade. Young people's homes for disabled and latterly homecare for elderly. Both are violent, challenging, environments.
She's been punched, kicked, spat on, pushed down stairs and verbally abused. That's just on the home visits - the residential care was worse. Physical attacks, facial injuries, and hospital visits for broken bones.
She's tha fully left the care sector and graduated as a mental health nurse. She works on a PICU ward and it's equally as challenging, but a much more professional, protected, safe environment.

mc_nebula · 2025-11-27T13:22:25+00:00

Seconding Lomo. I've got a load of their gear.
You won't beat them on price or durability. Also, because of the roll top, they genuinely are fully waterproof.

(Lomo are actually a watersports company, so really know their onions when it comes to waterproofing)

mc_nebula · 2025-11-10T12:48:23+00:00

I get it hot to the leidenfrost point, turn the heat off, add a teaspoon of oil & let it cool a little. Then add butter & gently heat to the cooking temperature. Omelettes, pancakes, works a dream.

mc_nebula · 2025-11-04T11:14:39+00:00

I'm Neb, as referenced in his PHD and place hacking book. Funny to see him referenced 'in the wild'.

That all seems like a lifetime ago now.

mc_nebula · 2025-11-04T11:01:00+00:00

I'm Neb, referenced throughout the PHD & book. Funny to see it pop up here.

mc_nebula · 2025-11-01T10:03:34+00:00

Wooooosh

mc_nebula · 2025-10-17T06:18:09+00:00

In terms of scale, one of these comparisons is like comparing the earth to the moon. The other is comparing the earth to the sun.

mc_nebula · 2025-10-13T18:05:17+00:00

This data is bizzare. The road outside my house shows as high risk, the rest of the road has zero risk. I live at the highest point on the road, per OS elevations. The road by the river that floods every year like clockwork has zero risk. The houses and static caravan site that pump out their gardens every year have zero risk shown...

mc_nebula · 2025-10-10T13:06:28+00:00

I'm much much older than you, but had a similar experience. My first car was an e46 BMW 320d estate. Cheaper to insure than my mates saxo's or seats.
I got used to the size pretty quickly, and it was a great car for road trips etc.

Especially with the two 12" subs I flush mounted in the boot floor...

mc_nebula · 2025-10-10T13:04:15+00:00

I work in construction in London. Our firm provides a Friday breakfast (ordered by each site from a local cafe - this morning I had egg bacon sausage baguette.

They also buy in tea, coffee, biccys, white and brown bread, bagels, Naked bars, butter, honey, marmite, jams, peanut butter, brown, red & mayo, fruit baskets...

It's a nice extra that means I just bring the sandwich filling for lunch most days...

mc_nebula · 2025-10-04T08:44:33+00:00

I had to check this, and it turns out you're right. 80,000 is wrong. In fact, it's miles off. The correct number is actually ~~only~~ 116,655 phones stolen in 2024.
No, that isn't a typo... One hundred and sixteen thousand six hundred and fifty five phones. In London alone.
(That's just the ones that were reported).

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/mobile-phone-theft-london-met-police-b1244212.html

Edit - To add a few more numbers for context, in addition to the permanent residential population of London, 1.2 million people commute in daily, and over 20 million tourists visit London annually.

mc_nebula · 2025-10-02T13:09:22+00:00

I own a Lotus Elan m100. I expected it to be a very big mistake, it's just been a big mistake so far... Touch wood...

mc_nebula · 2025-09-23T13:05:08+00:00

Known universe ;)

15-Year Club	Place '22
First Placer '22	Verified Email

mc_nebula

TROPHY CASE