My Workshop Projects

Collect and Use Rain Water (Rain Harvesting) I like projects, An if i can incorporate a little saving and possible environmental kindness then why not. I do not live and sleep like an eco warrior but it is easier to implement things while its still in a mess rather than retrofit.  It also helps if you have a target to hit, mine was my final year project study for a HND. Design an eco water bottle, a new type of loo seat, come on. How about a PLC that can pump water from a tank to fill the toilets with re-claimed rain water!  The Project! The plan is to collect rain water from all the house down pipes and run it into a central ground storage tank, this will need a filter to stop any of the sand or other items entering the tank, The water will be pumped into a loft header tank once per day (not on demand), water is then gravity fed to the toilets by separate pipework at the water is classed as non-potable (non drinkable) Sounds like its expensive ?. Now i do all the work myself ...

Do your Block Work !  After the house build and tank it was time to think about the front drive.  Re-tarmac it like everyone else ?  Not a chance. I like the mosaic and patterned stone work, especially when compared to my drive way which is a mix of mud and broken tarmac. Its time to get it fixed, A visit to a stone centre allowed me to look at all the options, buying direct and a bit of DIY is going to save a fortune.  I could have gone strait across keeping the block work at 90 degrees from the edges. but that's too easy, so all the bricks around the outside is cut at 45 degrees, looks way better Any underground pipework joints (if you know they are there) need to be checked and or replaced.   Keep it clean, or you will be digging it up again ! As per normal you need a bit of mill waste, compact it down and add a layer of sand. Well i could go on, but the time laps video says it all,,,  I found some galvanised trays to hold the bricks, these cover the var...

Big Door / Small Door ? Now that I have built a nice extension I now need to get the front right. I have put in new windows but still have the cruddy single glazed front door.   What to do, fiberglass, Grp, Wood or something different ? Things I want, well im an engineer so something big, must have gears, be technical, precise and include a house number. I have no experience with wood (other than a bit of pattern making) so decided to bring in an expert for the cutting and shaping, other than that im in the driving seat. The existing door opening has a side window so if I give that the boot, that gives me the big. Gears on a door probably not, but I can be creative with a leaded window and draw them on. Precise requires a ruler ? lets add one on those. Number, Easy.  Over to the CAD machine and this is what I popped out I found a professional woodworking shop as if it looks crap then everyone will know. Im told a good wood for a door is Sapele, tell me its titanium and i ...