DIY

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A place to discuss UK-centric DIY. No sheetrock or drywall.

Wikipedia details DIY as a form of anti-consumerism, ain't that something.

Useful places to learn things: (taking suggestions!)

https://www.diynot.com/

A UK how-to and forum site. People tend to argue a bit, but a good place to get an idea.

Useful places to buy things:

https://www.toolstation.com https://www.screwfix.com/

Wide range of tools and fixings, shop format is like Argos. Always worth comparing prices between them. Don't sell lumber.

https://diy.com https://www.wickes.co.uk/

B&Q and Wickes. Often more expensive than TS/SF, but carries lumber and garden supplies too.

Wickes deals can bring prices in line with builders merchants.

Watch out with B&Q's website, as they do that thing like amazon, where people sell through them (often overpriced)

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UK centric because this is probably related to dampness in the room which I am guessing is a common issue for a lot of us. One of my doors has, I can only describe as, swelled up such that it doesn't close snuggly. I'm guessing it's because of the moisture it's taken on or something. It just hits against the door frame. So whilst it is "closed" it never really fits into the frame and you can see gaps around the edges. I should mention the door is wood. No idea what type, it's fairly light so cheap wood I think 🤔.

What's the best thing to do here? Sand it down? Any tips on that? I've never done that before. Repaint after sanding? Get one of those furry door strips to stop heat leaking through the newly sanded door? Should I leave it because I might do more damage than its worth in the long run?

Cheers.

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Has anyone else experienced this?

That second when you realise that you really can't just wing it, and you actually have to calculate something, or take it more seriously.

Buying a few rolls of insulation for the loft, then having the moment of "wait, this isn't just two rolls worth, I have to actually add this up, and order for delivery"

Loading up the car for a trip to the dump, then noticing that it's riding a bit low, and finding out that 9 bags of rubble is actually 50% of the total kerbweight.

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I wasn't even aware of this one until it came into force today.

My local tip has listed it as "Up to two 50L rubble bags at a frequency of 4 visits per household over a 4 week period"

Honestly, that's pretty fair. If you have a big lot of waste, a skip is still worth it. (a 6-yard is about 70+ rubble sacks worth)

But for smaller projects, this is great. And hopefully should reduce fly-tipping a little.

Edit: Swapped the "oh no, council tax might go up" BBC article for the gov.uk press release. BBC article here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-65977938

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In 2018, I built a deck, using a massive box of screws, a slightly knackered corded hammer drill, a philips bit I found in the cupboard when I moved in, a rusty old saw, and some decking I got off Gumtree.

I was sawing everything by hand, trying to keep things straight. Driving screws in with a drill that had only two real speeds, fast, and lightspeed. And the bit kept disappearing into the chuck, as it only held so tightly.

A few years later, I started buying proper powertools, and did another deck. And oh my word...The difference.

Cutting a 2x3 takes seconds with the circular, and the line is actually straight. Driving a 100mm screw is no longer a 5 minute job, now I have an impact driver. And not having to run an extension cord for every little job? A proper perk.

I don't think I could go back to doing DIY without my new friends. Has anyone else here had a similar revelation after finally buying the right tools for the job?