JohnKay

For anyone purchasing a professional tool for the first time, keep in mind that a lot of tools are produced for use in industrial locations and building sites. These tools are available in either 230, or 110 volt versions. It's all too easy to miss this on some suppliers web sites. So check, and check the badge on the tool. 230 volt versions will have a standard 13 amp plug fitted, 110 volt versions either have a yellow round pin plug, or no plug at all. Obviously, for DIY domestic use, 230 volt is correct. I wonder how many mistakes have been made !

Hi Rich. Good to see you got your site up and running again I find that the vast majority of homes still have tanks, I would guess at around 80% of older properties in this area. even when combi boilers are installed, leaving just the cold and toilets on the tank. Who knows why ! Bit of a concern at times, with the risk of freezing due to increased insulation and ventilation. It seems though that one of the reasons why an electric shower is chosen in the first place, is due to the lack of water pressure. A conventional shower fitted to all mains supply would provide a far better water flow than the electric alternative, providing, of course there were no other reasons. This is what I've found in practice, It seems that an electric shower is often used as a last resort, when someone finds that the pipework involved causes installation difficulties.

My local Homebase is charging £3.00 for parking, you only get a refund if you spend over 10.00 I shall not be going there for a tube of glue! OK, the car park does get abused, but customers who only need something small are going to be in trouble !

OK this topic is nearly 3 years old, and I'm not a Virgin custiomer, but - It must have been about the time of the first post, one of Virgin's manhole covers in the footpath was stolen. The hole was coned off, and Virgin notified. It took Virgin a few days under a full year to repace it, despite a number of letters sent to them by highways dep't of the council, none of which was answered, as I since learnt. So they don't even move if there's a danger to the public.

Wellcome Matt, look forward to hearing from you.

It seems to me that new members are not prepared to wait for a wellcome. They want instant access. Looking at other forum sites, people are joining at the time they have a DIY problem, and want it sorted. This is not happening here. I'm sure that if members could have instant access, we could get things going, and maybe the site could get some decent advertising revenue.

It was always said that a DIYer had one advantage over the tradesman - That of time - The one thing a tradesman does not have. With the benefit of time surely a far higher quality job can be achieved, and can some extent make up for a lack of skill or experience. I'm forever hearing of DIY work having to be done to a deadline. The work must suffer ! Do we blame TV home makeover progamms, or is this just the way things are ? I know that a lot of the work I've seen would have been far better if more time had been spent. Any comments ?

Slight problem there Rich - in most cases the bathroom taps will be tank fed, the shower will be mains fed.

Hi Simple answer - a wet and dry vacuum cleaner is ideal for this and other plumbing jobs. I've used one for many years, and wouldn't start a job without having one plugged in and ready. You can cut through pipes with the cleaner running, and not lose a drop, then any remaining in the pipe can be sucked out. A repair to a toilet cistern that needs that last litre or so removed after flushing - no problem. Just don't try it with an ordinary cleaner ! What Rich is refering to, sounds more like a power flush kit, used to clean a system before a boiler change.

Quite right, electric showers will not operate unless there is sufficient water supply.

Hi. I,m afraid there's not much going on here right now, must be the time of year. All I can say on your problem, is that I,ve heard of others with the same problem, one of them took their saw back to Screwfix 4 times and got it changed, in the end he had to get a refund, swearing to never buy another Ryobi. I can only suggest you do the same, hopefully still under guaratee. If not a new saw, I would treat the same as an electric powertool, and trust repairs to a Ryobi dealer. It does sound a bit like fuel starvation, but not a good idea to attempt working on a 2 stroke that small. Hope to be able to help you more on another subject sometime.

Hi Gary Nice to here from you, as there's not much DIY getting done right now. I did post a reply re. your saw, but it seems to have disappeared. I'll see if it appears later. It wasn't a great deal of help though.

You're quite right, if the pipe is at an angle it wont seal, and it's too easy to cross thread a plastic pipe. Flexible connectors usually have soft washers, so no overtightening. On the copper end, just make sure the copper is free from paint etc, and no sealant on the thread.

Hi This happens time after time, intermitant faults are allways the worse. Trouble is, it makes you feel such a fool. Lets hope it keeps on working OK.

Hi This should be easy to fix. There should not be any sealer on the thread, the joint is sealed by a washer. Washers are easily obtained, known as 1/2 inch tap connector washer. Do not use any jointing compound as this can harm the plastic. The only sealer than can be used on the washer is the silicone type, comes in a tube, and is called external leak sealer. no sealer of any type on the thread.

Hi, and thank you for the welcome. I've allways been involved in one way or another with just about every aspect of the maintenance and repair of property. Now retired, I am able to spend time making things in the workshop and inventing the odd tool or two. I would enjoy atempting to help other members, or share their proplems !