Basic DIY questions?

[teuchter]

If the twig was fresh from nature, then my predicted mode of failure is the twig drying out and shrinking, becoming smaller than its glue-hole and just falling out. Won't happen for a little while. Might snap first as per spitfire's prediction. Let's wait and see.

 

[Magnus McGinty]

If the twig was fresh from nature, then my predicted mode of failure is the twig drying out and shrinking, becoming smaller than its glue-hole and just falling out. Won't happen for a little while. Might snap first as per spitfire's prediction. Let's wait and see.

The glue may still do enough to mitigate that though.

 

[Magnus McGinty]

It isn’t the twig holding it together. That simply aligned the components to enable the glue to work.

 

[teuchter]

It isn’t the twig holding it together. That simply aligned the components to enable the glue to work.

I'm hoping the glue went all over the twig and into the hole. If the glue is only glueing a tiny portion of the back of the knob to the end of the metal thing then I reckon it's a hopeless situation.

I never entirely believe in glue though.

https://www.urban75.net/forums/threads/glue-do-you-trust-it.316241/

 

[Magnus McGinty]

I'm hoping the glue went all over the twig and into the hole. If the glue is only glueing a tiny portion of the back of the knob to the end of the metal thing then I reckon it's a hopeless situation.

I never entirely believe in glue though.

https://www.urban75.net/forums/threads/glue-do-you-trust-it.316242/

I’ve always found superglue to be less than stellar despite someone being stuck to a wall with it on Tomorrow’s World.
A bit like their bullshit that you could eat your fried breakfast off a CD and it’d still work…

 

[bimble]

It works !
This might be my best DIY triumph ever.

 

[bimble]

Oh fuck. Twig snapped on 2nd use.

 

[bimble]

So everything worked but the twig was too weak for the job (the dial is to control steam valve so its under lots of pressure / resistance. which means if i repeat whole process, drill out the glue & broken twig bits etc then use some sort of a metal thing as the spindle instead of a twig it will be good, i think.
or maybe even just a proper dowel instead of random twig?

 

[existentialist]

So everything worked but the twig was too weak for the job (the dial is to control steam valve so its under lots of pressure / resistance. which means if i repeat whole process, drill out the glue & broken twig bits etc then use some sort of a metal thing as the spindle instead of a twig it will be good, i think.
or maybe even just a proper dowel instead of random twig?

Metal.

 

[bimble]

Maybe this, tail glued into the hole.

I wasn’t sure why I owned a cast iron mouse but I do.

 

[existentialist]

Maybe this, tail glued into the hole.
View attachment 363252
I wasn’t sure why I owned a cast iron mouse but I do.

I think you'd be asking for the tail to snap: cast iron is brittle.

 

[spitfire]

Would one of these fit?

Spoiler: access panel key

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Spare-Hatch-Access-Panel-Metal/dp/B0082AM50I/ref=asc_df_B0082AM50I/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=231920353356&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2197007641927039527&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045886&hvtargid=pla-419287902142&psc=1

 

[danski]

I wonder if bodging adapting something like this might work?

Universal Multifit Cooker Control Knob Silver PLU75244

Buy Universal Multifit Cooker Control Knob Silver PLU75244 and many more genuine cooker spares at best prices on Spares2you.co.uk. Visit our online shop for original-quality kitchen appliance spares.

www.spares2you.co.uk

Also available in black

 

[danski]

Or it might be worth taking apart to see if the bit that’s broken is easily replaceable.

 

[existentialist]

Or it might be worth taking apart to see if the bit that’s broken is easily replaceable.

I think she said it was the steam control valve, so it might involve quite high-pressure connections, which could be troublesome...

 

[danski]

I think she said it was the steam control valve, so it might involve quite high-pressure connections, which could be troublesome...

Yeah, am wary of the steam issue but was wondering if the actuator was a separate, replaceable piece.
Replacing steam valve is not wise without being able to pressure test to prove it’s safe.

 

[teuchter]

Replacing steam valve is not wise without being able to pressure test to prove it’s safe.

Would liven up the thread a bit though.

 

[Elpenor]

I have a coffee machine related query too. Might have to pose it to the genii of the thread

 

[A380]

I have a coffee machine related query too. Might have to pose it to the genii of the thread

Just let the ideas gently peculate through the discussion, then you could filter out the best advice.

 

[Elpenor]

Just let the ideas gently peculate through the discussion, then you could filter out the best advice.

Have sort of figured it out - using a measuring jug (as the provided jug with my filter coffee machine cracked) combined with the old lid which is needed to make contact with the machine for the water to heat / pass to jug



Only makes a pint of coffee but it’s something. Could do with being a bigger jug…

 

[A380]

Have sort of figured it out - using a measuring jug (as the provided jug with my filter coffee machine cracked) combined with the old lid which is needed to make contact with the machine for the water to heat / pass to jug

View attachment 363281

Only makes a pint of coffee but it’s something. Could do with being a bigger jug…

Fixed in an instant.

 

[danski]

God, here we go. Trouble brewing.

 

[Elpenor]

Might mean my coffee tastes a bit of bisto

 

[Elpenor]

Ok, so I’ve got a plain untreated MDF shelf which I want to fit within this cupboard. Shelf needs cutting down to size first but let’s not worry about that


which I want to paint to match colour of the cupboard


What do I need to buy to do this? Varnish? Sealant? Primer and Paint? I’ve not got a clue!

 

[WouldBe]

Ok, so I’ve got a plain untreated MDF shelf which I want to fit within this cupboard. Shelf needs cutting down to size first but let’s not worry about that

View attachment 363312
which I want to paint to match colour of the cupboard

View attachment 363313
What do I need to buy to do this? Varnish? Sealant? Primer and Paint? I’ve not got a clue!

Stripey paint.

I'd just varnish it.

 

[Elpenor]

Stripey paint.

I'd just varnish it.

Cheeky

Varnish it is, off to the right aisle now

 

[StoneRoad]

Ok, so I’ve got a plain untreated MDF shelf which I want to fit within this cupboard. Shelf needs cutting down to size first but let’s not worry about that

View attachment 363312
which I want to paint to match colour of the cupboard

View attachment 363313
What do I need to buy to do this? Varnish? Sealant? Primer and Paint? I’ve not got a clue!

What you "really" need to do with that shelf is to scumble it, including protective varnish ...
{I can snigger, as I've done quite a bit of that painting method}

Alternatively, you could veneer it, then varnish it.

But seriously, stain varnish, or paint it, MDF coats OK but there is northing "interesting" about the results.

 

[Elpenor]

It’s an internal shelf so it doesn’t have to be too interesting

If I am honest, I’m doing it as much to get back into the habit of doing minor diy jobs and to remember how to do them, as I am for the benefit it will bring

 

[Artaxerxes]

Had the blind rail off to take a look at the top of the window earlier.

Explain to me like an idiot what needs to be done - I’ve rented for twenty years so while the spirit is willing my ability is lacking at many household tasks




We’ll be painting the walls in spring I think and filling in some of the many holes the last lot left (they really wanted to put that back tv on the wall)

 

[bimble]

if i repeat whole process, drill out the glue & broken twig bits etc then use some sort of a metal thing as the spindle instead of a twig it will be good, i think.

This is underway now, araldite is drying on Knobfix Attempt 3