Miscellaneous DIY Projects (or bits of jobs)

[Big Kev]

Electric shower packed up yesterday. It was in the house when I bought it at the end of 2019 and wasn't heating the water very well, I replaced all the 'innards' (Aqualisa refer to it as an engine) which came with a 12 month warranty. This stopped working completely after 18 months.
I looked at replacing the engine again but it was around £50 cheaper to buy a new Triton T80 unit with a 24 month warranty. A minor pipework tweak and it's in, back to a hot shower again this morning.

[Stanley]

You had a day of small repairs yesterday.....

[Big Kev]

Certainly did, bot doing much today. Out for dinner and entertainment tonight

[Big Kev]

When I said I wasn't doing much I did pick up a bike for my youngest grandson. He has what is now referred to as 'additional needs', that's non verbal autism to us mere morals.
It's his birthday at the end of September and he has shown an interest in some of the bicycles at school, the original plan was to buy him a 'balance' bike (for those that don't know that's a training bike without any pedal mechanism). These are usually sized for much smaller children, they do make bigger for the 'additional needs' market but as usual they're very expensive. Not something to buy for an unpredictable child.
The plan is to remove the pedals, spindle and chain, give it a good oiling and hopefully he'll take to it. If he doesn't the donor bike was free so just the bit of time invested in modifying it

[Stanley]

I've seen one of those balance bikes in Barlick.
If you need a bit of help with the plug for the bottom bracket bring it round Kev. We can soon knock something up.

[Big Kev]

I've seen one of those balance bikes in Barlick.
If you need a bit of help with the plug for the bottom bracket bring it round Kev. We can soon knock something up.

Thank you kindly

[Big Kev]

Pedals and associated gubbins removed, bearings greased, back brake removed ( don't want to confuse him with too many levers) tyres pumped up and a good clean. I won't need to blank off the pedal spindle bearing cups, it's all very smooth and clean.
Hopefully he'll take to it now

[Stanley]

Tidy little bike!

[chinatyke]

Bits of jobs: Scope: Supply and fit new air-con unit and remove the old unit and dispose of it.

This was to replace a 20 years old unit in our apartment which we rent out in Nanning. Unknown to me, my wife ordered and bought the air-con unit on the internet over the weekend. It's supplied by the manufacturer through one of the major white goods outlets and they arrange installation directly with our tenant. Apparently, this morning it was fitted. At lunchtime our tenant sent us a photo of the finished job and rang to say she was delighted. First I knew about it and the job was done! No fuss - wonderful. Typical of getting a job done here.

The background is that our Nanning tenant rang us last week to say they wanted to extend their lease by another 3 years. Our current contract with them expires on 20th September. There was some discussion about reducing the rent which we refused to do. Then they said the air-con unit in the lounge hadn't worked since they moved in 2 years ago. I know it was working at that time when the lease was signed: I checked it, they checked it, and the letting-agent checked it and recorded it on the contract as in working order. Our tenants are on a fully-repairing lease contract and the onus is on them to put right anything that fails. Anyway, my wife and I discussed it and because of its age we decided it could have failed at any time and we would replace it. Everyone is happy again! They are very good tenants, nice people, pay on time 6 months in advance, never bother us, just what we need. So, my wife is in the money again! This apartment has been let continuously since May 2015.

[Big Kev]

Tidy little bike!

Thank you, just hope he takes to it now. I couldn't see the point in spending a couple of hundred pounds on one when people are giving away perfectly adaptable bikes for free.

[Stanley]

That sounds like the bleeding obvious Kev. Couldn't agree more.

[Whyperion]

My first bike only had brake on front wheel, the only point I would make is that if the front wheel stops its possible for the bike to pivot over, I would tend to keep just the rear brake to avoid

[PanBiker]

I was actually thinking the same, I reckon the back break would be better.

[Stanley]

I thought so as well.....

[Big Kev]

It would if it was a 'standard' bike. As it's a balance bike all motion control will be carried out with the feet. The front brake is just there as it was the only one that worked, if it causes any issues it will be removed.

[Big Kev]

Finally got the clock striking properly, a good oiling did the job. My clock fettler sorted out the minute hand being 5 minutes early, I was hoping to just twist the brass insert in the hand so it lined up but it would have required releasing the solder. I didn't ask what he did but 30 seconds past the hour is fine by me, especially for a 90 year old clock.
https://youtube.com/shorts/sXGQtwLZxNM?feature=share

[Big Kev]

Getting around to some of the final decorating jobs in the dining room. Painted the quadrant I fitted to the bottom of the skirting boards this morning. Just need to get 3ft of hardwood trim to use as a door threshold and that should be it for a while.

[PanBiker]

Nice Kev, I just have to paint my bathroom door and fit some kind of window blind.

[Big Kev]

Nice Kev, I just have to paint my bathroom door and fit some kind of window blind.

Thanks Ian, it's getting there. I've broken the roller blind in my bathroom, the mechanism is plastic and only moves in one direction now. I've tried lots of places for a replacement mechanism (including B&Q where I bought it from) but it looks like I can only buy a complete new blind.

[PanBiker]

Sally says she did a Google search for "bathroom fittings" to see what was available and the results turned up loads of bits for blinds as well.

[Big Kev]

Pedals and associated gubbins removed, bearings greased, back brake removed ( don't want to confuse him with too many levers) tyres pumped up and a good clean. I won't need to blank off the pedal spindle bearing cups, it's all very smooth and clean.
Hopefully he'll take to it now

He certainly likes it so far, he's been out and about (with my son trotting along behind). His balance is very good and his concentration levels are very high when he's on the move, I reckon we're on to a winner.

IMG-20211001-WA0001.jpg

[Stanley]

He looks capable. I reckon it won't be long before you put the pedals back on it!

[Big Kev]

Hopefully so. My son will have to get himself a bike then or he'll never catch him

[Stanley]

From then on that will be the story of their relationship.

[Big Kev]

Sally says she did a Google search for "bathroom fittings" to see what was available and the results turned up loads of bits for blinds as well.

Searched everywhere for a repair kit, looks like the B&Q blinds are unique being 18mm with a shaped 'insert' in the tube. I bit the bullet and bought a new one, we have a choice of blind material now grey 'glitter' or white with grey stars on. I'm not fussed which one as long as you can't see in the window at night when the light is on