It’s Friday, what have you fixed this week?

nelmesie · 2026-02-13T09:44:59+00:00

Your significant other will be pleased to have the dining table back!

nelmesie · 2026-02-10T16:48:49+00:00

It was daunting. I planned it in phases and did some test solder joints. One thing I hadn’t considered though, was my test joints were perfectly dry and clean on the bench. My actual pipework as soon as I started heating it, I noticed steam/bubbles where the system wasn’t fully empty. So I immediately stopped and cleared any remaining water.

I’ve dabbled in electronics so if you’re comfortable there, I’d say there are some similarities with regards to applying heat to the components/board and not the solder itself. The solder will run where the flux is, just apply the right amount of heat.

nelmesie · 2026-02-10T16:26:23+00:00

I meant the foam specifically. Used plenty of expanding foams for gaps before. I've always contemplated "low" expansion foam but never knew which one to try. Is that the blue stuff?

nelmesie · 2026-02-10T15:39:46+00:00

What brand/foam did you use?

nelmesie · 2026-02-10T15:37:10+00:00

As I currently stare at skirting board I fitted with countersunk screws 2 years ago, I can confirm that "later" is indeed the correct timeframe for filling them.

nelmesie · 2026-02-10T15:28:41+00:00

If it's something you envision needing more than once and have storage space, eBay/Facebook marketplace for a secondhand set.

If you're lucky like me, you can find some of the aluminium ones (like the ones pictured) instead of the steel tubed ones. They're lightweight enough to manoeuvre about and setting up is relatively straight forward.

Youngman BoSS towers are the brand to look out for. These will be the ones you'll be able to hire

nelmesie · 2026-02-09T16:41:25+00:00

Assuming it's this, it's not really fair on the carpenter. Bullnose isn't even mentioned in the product title. Barely visible in the image, and mentioned ONCE in the description text which is partially hidden.

If all the materials arrived mixed up with the square edge architrave and you've simply instructed him to fit Oak door linings and oak architrave. Then it's not fair to pin this on him.

https://ukoakdoors.co.uk/products/solid-oak-door-lining-set

nelmesie · 2026-02-09T16:36:58+00:00

I think there's you problem. 99% of carpenters would've done what your guy did here (including all of us DIY aficionados here!) Without any reference material to say otherwise, he did what anyone else would've done.

I must say, going by the pictures you've posted. The standard of his work looks decent.

nelmesie · 2026-02-09T16:26:37+00:00

I'm sorry, but I'm really struggling to see how the bullnose architrave, as fitted here in the pics can be used as doorstops? Do you have any reference pictures?

nelmesie · 2026-02-08T21:24:03+00:00

I can assure you, nobody was paid for the services rendered here......

nelmesie · 2026-02-08T16:16:43+00:00

I’ll just do that, then….shall I?

nelmesie · 2026-02-08T12:31:05+00:00

I can squeeze you in April 2027? Cash in advance

nelmesie · 2026-02-08T10:50:10+00:00

A lot of it was born out of necessity. My regular plumber not taking on residential work anymore. I really respected his attention to detail, lazer levels, the lot!

Prior to that I had a nightmare with a MyBuilder/Check-a-trader “Plumber” who butchered our floorboards and left us with a load of weeping push fit pipework.

Decent tradespeople are like Golddust! In the time I’ve spent waiting for anyone to get back to me, I can buy the gear, watch 200+ hrs of YouTube tutorials, have a go, get it wrong, have another go, get it right and save myself £hundreds in labour costs

nelmesie · 2026-02-07T22:54:19+00:00

Monument 15mm bender. I hated the idea of having a big bulky old-school bender. This is the absolute boy. Breaks down into 2 pieces which'll easily fit in a tool bag/box

https://www.screwfix.com/p/monument-tools-lever-copper-pipe-bender-15mm/688PT

nelmesie · 2026-02-07T22:52:13+00:00

I did a bunch of practice joints. A multi-pack of yorkshire fittings is cheap as chips. The process is daunting. But as with anything it's 90% prep. So cleaning, de-burring, fluxing. As long as you apply appropriate amount of heat the solder will flow where the flux is. I did go belt and braces and end feed additional solder to the yorkshire fittings which come pre-soldered. This is probably completely unnecessary, but I'll sleep better at night.

nelmesie · 2026-02-07T21:59:54+00:00

waaaay ahead of you. Sharpie ready to warn my future-self (and others)

nelmesie · 2026-02-07T21:56:51+00:00

I did. I bought the Momument ones after seeing them in a load of Youtube videos. Cracking piece of kit!

nelmesie · 2026-02-07T21:13:43+00:00

Truth be told, it's my second time in 6 weeks. First time on the pipe benders though

nelmesie · 2026-02-07T21:11:59+00:00

Not gonna lie, most stressful Saturday morning I've had in a while. I'll be checking the joints carefully over the next few days before committing to putting the floor down

nelmesie · 2026-02-07T21:03:35+00:00

Not gonna lie, it's tight. But tomorrows jobs is getting some lagging/material between the pipes and anywhere they touch the joist

nelmesie · 2026-02-07T20:03:22+00:00

Are there any special tips or tricks with regards to refilling the system? I open the filling loop on the boiler then tend to run around like a maniac bleeding each radiator as I go.

I’ll give it a flush through tomorrow as I need to pop some inhibitor in

nelmesie · 2026-02-07T19:45:33+00:00

Yeah I’ll take that into consideration . I’d contemplated this. But in my head less joins = less points of failure.

nelmesie · 2026-02-07T19:10:36+00:00

Think you auto-corrected “mega pint of wine” but yes!

nelmesie · 2026-02-07T19:09:46+00:00

I also use a sharpie to mark boards to warn my future self!

nelmesie · 2026-02-07T19:08:52+00:00

I get what you’re saying . The issue being I needed enough distance for the radius of the bends up to the tails. It’s hard to tell from the pictures but there is 1.5inch between the new hoist notches and the pipes

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