Just say you thought the smell was part of the attraction which is why he took the room?
Basic DIY questions?
- Thread starter UnderOpenSky
- Start date
Boudicca
Seaside Queen
Do you have curtains or blinds. Could be lingering in the fabric if curtains.Not really DIY but not really worth a thread. My tenant moved out a couple of weeks ago. He was very fond of Old Spice. I mean very fond. I think he used it as an air freshener. I've had the windows open for 2 weeks and it's still wafting out, the new guy's living in there now and is too polite to complain. Any tips on how I can move the smell? I mean it fucking stinks. I can't believe the guy took the room really
I'd probably wash everything down with a nice lemony Zoflora, but only because I bought a 6 pack during covid and haven't actually used any of it yet...
Elpenor
Dancing as fast as I can
So I’ve got this area in my garden, where my bins are. The garden slopes away from right to left. I plan to remove the grass tomorrow as the back gate drags when I open.
But also I’d like to make the ground level(ish!) with the middle slab to make it easier to get the wheely bin out. Not as fussed about doing the left hand slab as this is where the recycling boxes go and they’re not heavy or bulky.
Other than bins nothing else goes in this area, no foot traffic. Is it just a question of removing the grass and soil, getting level putting down a subbase and sand and chucking some slabs down. Can I get away without having to use a slab layer mix or similar?
But also I’d like to make the ground level(ish!) with the middle slab to make it easier to get the wheely bin out. Not as fussed about doing the left hand slab as this is where the recycling boxes go and they’re not heavy or bulky.
Other than bins nothing else goes in this area, no foot traffic. Is it just a question of removing the grass and soil, getting level putting down a subbase and sand and chucking some slabs down. Can I get away without having to use a slab layer mix or similar?
teuchter
je suis teuchter
Boudicca
Seaside Queen
That screw in the middle doesn't look like the right one - can you check if the one on the opposite side is the same? Or is it a furniture screw like the gold one on the side?
If it is the right one, I'd probably take it out and try to get a fatter one the same length. You could also glue the dowels but that means you it wouldn't be able to dismantle easily when you come to get rid of it.
you could try to drill a couple of new pilot holes and put new screws in if no joy with the existing one.
danny la rouge
More like *fanny* la rouge!
maomao
普費斯
I have this terrible feeling that when I put it together two years ago there was something wrong with that screw that couldn't be sorted without taking things to pieces and starting again. It's only popped out because the kids have been deliberately rocking the bed. The screw slides out no problem and looks undamaged. It is supposed to be loose through the leg and then screw into the horizontal part of the bed. Not sure how I could add wood filler.
danny la rouge
More like *fanny* la rouge!
Yeah, that would require partial dismantling of the bed. If you aren’t up for that, then the metal brackets plan might be the way to go. The job of the screw is to hold the upright to the cross piece. If the screw isn’t doing that job, then brackets will.
maomao
普費斯
It's not a screw, it's an Allen bolt and I think there's supposed to be a metal fitting to hold it at the business end which isn't there or isn't working. The screw and dowels will hold the weight of the bed and the brackets will hopefully stop it from slipping again.
danny la rouge
More like *fanny* la rouge!
Ah, if the nut has slipped then the bolt won’t hold the joint tight. You’re right. I’d use brackets.
spudulike
Well-Known Member
I'd reinforce with a metal bracket underneath (as well).
teuchter
je suis teuchter
Do you need to be able to dismantle the bed in the future?
If not, then I'd simply put some PVA glue on the dowels (on the portions you can see, because they are pulled out). Then bang it back into place, and see if it held.
This would make the screw/bolt redundant. The screw/bolt should not be taking any weight - that's the job of the dowels. The screw is just to stop it pulling apart, and glue on the dowels will (hopefully) do this job in its place.
I would try and avoid using brackets fixed into the thin top/bottom sides of the horizontal member. It'll probably just split.
If not, then I'd simply put some PVA glue on the dowels (on the portions you can see, because they are pulled out). Then bang it back into place, and see if it held.
This would make the screw/bolt redundant. The screw/bolt should not be taking any weight - that's the job of the dowels. The screw is just to stop it pulling apart, and glue on the dowels will (hopefully) do this job in its place.
I would try and avoid using brackets fixed into the thin top/bottom sides of the horizontal member. It'll probably just split.
Boudicca
Seaside Queen
You pic is not of an Allen bolt though. You can buy them for a few quid on Ebay. They are usually M6, you just need to check the length and the type of nut (barrel or crescent) at the end.
Attachments
maomao
普費斯
It's definitely an Allen bolt. I've had it out and it's identical to the ones in your photo with a flat top and the first inch or so unthreaded. I've got the manual now and there are no barrels or crescents listed in the parts. I think it has a metal thread fitted in the wood already and the one in this corner has failed for some reason.
teuchter
je suis teuchter
I agree with Boudicca it doesn't look like an allen bolt, the thread is much too coarse.
It looks more like something like this
www.fastenright.com
It looks more like something like this
Mushroom Head Furniture Connector Woodscrew | Fastenright Ltd
Furniture Connector Woodscrew, with hex drive and mushroom head, ideal for joinery & furniture assembly. Available now, specials to order.
www.fastenright.com
Boudicca
Seaside Queen
I agree.
danny la rouge
More like *fanny* la rouge!
Also, drill pilot holes for the brackets and apply soap to the screws before screwing them. That should minimise splitting.
I would still drill new pilot holes the same direction as the original. The wood there is thicker/stronger than drilling into the sides. Brackets on the side might cause it to pivot and the wood is weaker.
Or do what Teuchter suggested and glue it.
Or do what Teuchter suggested and glue it.
teuchter
je suis teuchter
How do you know?
maomao
普費斯
Because I found the assembly instructions online.
teuchter
je suis teuchter
If considering reinforcing with brackets - I would not try and fix anything into the top/bottom of the horizontal bar.
I'd use a plate that fixed into the face of the horizontal & vertical members.
eg
www.screwfix.com
I'd use a plate that fixed into the face of the horizontal & vertical members.
eg
Tee Plates Zinc-Plated 77mm x 16mm x 76mm 10 Pack - Screwfix
Order online at Screwfix.com. Zinc-plated steel tee plates. For specialist fixing applications. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.
Elpenor
Dancing as fast as I can
I want to hang this mirror outside - on the fence post it’s sat next to
It shouldn’t get the sun shining on it too much as the sun tends to come across the garden left to right. But I’m concerned about wind as storms are quite common at all times of year. What’s the best way to secure this. i just hung it off a screw in its former life as a bathroom mirror
It shouldn’t get the sun shining on it too much as the sun tends to come across the garden left to right. But I’m concerned about wind as storms are quite common at all times of year. What’s the best way to secure this. i just hung it off a screw in its former life as a bathroom mirror
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