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I am notorious at getting started on one project only to be side tracked by another. I am usually doing three projects at once, much to the annoyance of Pam though she never says anything it's just t... See more...
I am notorious at getting started on one project only to be side tracked by another. I am usually doing three projects at once, much to the annoyance of Pam though she never says anything it's just the way she talks and the facial expressions that scream hurry up.  They all get finished. Sometimes however I start one project as it needs a new tool to finish. This is so I can say to Pam I can't finish it unless I have a new plane and I don't have one. hopefully the answer is "well I guess we will have to get one". Sometimes it works!
I invite all Workshop members to participate in our latest poll.   The poll question is: What's your D.I.Y. skill level?   The poll can be found on the front page underneath the Join the disc... See more...
I invite all Workshop members to participate in our latest poll.   The poll question is: What's your D.I.Y. skill level?   The poll can be found on the front page underneath the Join the discussion icons.    Feel free to chat about the topic in the discussion below.    Jason
With trends going the way that inside, is the new outside, I'm thrilled that behind the scenes, there's movement in the bowels of innovation.   The Proverbial     Pants Wetter, & Oresome   ... See more...
With trends going the way that inside, is the new outside, I'm thrilled that behind the scenes, there's movement in the bowels of innovation.   The Proverbial     Pants Wetter, & Oresome     Laid back, Plain Jane, Open & Airy     The Houston (we have lift off)     The Love Seat  
@ProjectPete   I managed somehow to get this onto dropbox.  Just click on the links and it should download to your computer.  Enjoy.   BCA_Guide   https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/31843682/B... See more...
@ProjectPete   I managed somehow to get this onto dropbox.  Just click on the links and it should download to your computer.  Enjoy.   BCA_Guide   https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/31843682/Building%20Code%20of%20Australia%202015/NCC2015_BCA_Guide.pdf   BCA_Volume_One   https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/31843682/Building%20Code%20of%20Australia%202015/NCC2015_BCA_Volume_One.pdf   BCA_Volume_Two   https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/31843682/Building%20Code%20of%20Australia%202015/NCC2015_BCA_Volume_Two.pdf   PCA_Volume_Three   https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/31843682/Building%20Code%20of%20Australia%202015/NCC2015_PCA_Volume_Three.pdf   Performance_Requirements   https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/31843682/Building%20Code%20of%20Australia%202015/NCC2015_Performance_Requirements.pdf  
I'm installing an outdoor fireplace in my alfresco area and need to run the chimney flue through the roofspace above. There's about 1.6m of roof space. I understand it should have a triple sleeve ... See more...
I'm installing an outdoor fireplace in my alfresco area and need to run the chimney flue through the roofspace above. There's about 1.6m of roof space. I understand it should have a triple sleeve set up however I'm wondering if anyone has any experience installing one themselves and if you think it's really necessary. Given there's no insulation in that area of the roof space (ie. nothing flammable) I don't see the need for triple sleeve.   Main concern is, the price to do it triple sleeve is about $800 while single sleeve is about $150-200. If I was concerned about safety/flammable I wouldn't question the price, but I think it's overkill in this situation.   TIA
The other day I was going to Bunnings to buy some small hooks and a clip. Did however buy two P&N drill bits to replace ones I had broken as they were on Sale for a couple of bucks as well  I had en... See more...
The other day I was going to Bunnings to buy some small hooks and a clip. Did however buy two P&N drill bits to replace ones I had broken as they were on Sale for a couple of bucks as well  I had enough time before Pam would pick me up, so I went outsider to check them out. Sure enough they where a Composite  and I like them very much No they did not have the grain of wood but their grain was pleasing and the ends where capped and the cap didn't detract from the overall appearance. Pam picked me up and after grumbling about having Ryobi One in with sale items with the everyday price quoted (no it did not say sale price but it didn't say everyday price either). I decided to investigate these  further and Looked up the Bunnings sight and  stated "It is made from over 90 percent reclaimed timber, bamboo and recycled plastic (high density polyethylene)" Oh no mould and bamboo go hand in hand. They still look good though.  I then went to the site of the manufacturer to get alittle more info on what the ingredients are. Ekologix obviously knew the down side of having bamboo as an ingredient. There it was  stated "bamboo has been excluded from the formula to reduce the risk of mould." You beauty. My back path make over is looking good so Bunnings though I do not forgive you for that little trick that not just you but all retailers use of mixing in everyday priced items in with sale items. I will be buying some of these little beauties. Yeah for recycling.
Workshop community update #27   Hi all,   A very warm welcome to our latest Workshop members. It’s great to have you join the community. Please introduce yourself and make yourself at ho... See more...
Workshop community update #27   Hi all,   A very warm welcome to our latest Workshop members. It’s great to have you join the community. Please introduce yourself and make yourself at home.   This week we introduced polls to Workshop. We will publish new polls regularly on a wide range of topics and hope you enjoy participating and learning more about other Workshop members. You can find the polls on the front page just under the Join the discussion icons. We’ll also make sure we create a new discussion for each poll so you can debate the topic if you wish.   In the past week we also paid another visit to the multi-talented Workshop member @She_Skills. Meg’s D.I.Y. classes for women are growing in popularity and it’s great to see more and more people getting the confidence to have a go and learn new skills. It’s certainly what the Workshop community is all about.   Some of the most popular Workshop posts from the past week included:   Helpful Kitchen design ideas from Workshop members   Help for @AndreaNg in getting more lemons from her tree   Suggestions for new additions to the Bunnings shelves   Stories of strange happenings around the house   Advice for laying artificial grass for @John1   Assistance for new member @rexster who is building a horse stable   Discussion about what tools members would most love to own.   Special thanks to our top contributors to Workshop this week. The members who posted the most popular content in the past seven days were @John1, @Andy_Mann, @darylhewston, @Isobel and @Elly. Thanks again for your fantastic contribution to the community.   Jason Community Manager
I was in Bunnings yesterday, got what I needed, but had time to look out for grow bags, for fellow Workshopper, Trying (I was sure I'd bought some from Bunnings ages ago).   When checking aisles, I... See more...
I was in Bunnings yesterday, got what I needed, but had time to look out for grow bags, for fellow Workshopper, Trying (I was sure I'd bought some from Bunnings ages ago).   When checking aisles, I always take note of things that I can adapt/use to make what I can't find, so things that I found that had potential to make use of:   A tarp of appropriate size that could be cut to make as many grow bags as required.   Multiple wooden garden stakes that will hold up the tarp while filling squarish or rectangular beds with soil, or only 1 stake/bed if round beds are preferred.   Some Gang Nails, (normally used to fix shade cloth) which in our case, will be used to secure the tarp to the wooden stakes.   If you'd prefer your grow bag to be vented, then randomly stab it with a sharp knife, or a skewer, once it's been filled with soil.   Bubble wrap, if you'd like some insulation, line the inside or outside.   Non-Bunnings sundry, depending on how paranoid you are about weed infestation, lay cardboard on the ground before setting up the grow bag(s).   Anyways, that's my improvisation, but I asked a Bunnings staffer for assistance, & found that ready made Grow Bags aren't stocked anymore, it was suggested that I check out a Disposable Skip bag which measures 1.3Mx1.3Mx1M tall, is tough as nails, & going for $15. I'd post a link to it, but Bunnings' web site won't cooperate. : ( If at Bunnings & want to check it out, it's labelled as a “BAG DISPOSABLE 1.3X1.3X1.0M SKIP JUMBO”.
I have always wanted a sliding drop saw with bench. I have worked for companies which have had them at my disposal so never brought one and now I on forced retirement I won't one but cannot justify t... See more...
I have always wanted a sliding drop saw with bench. I have worked for companies which have had them at my disposal so never brought one and now I on forced retirement I won't one but cannot justify the expense. I will however eventually get a Ryobi cordless drop saw but not the same tool. What would I use it for to make life easier on all my projects it not justifying the price of the tool now its finding the extra cash to get it. No cheapies for me.
I am in the final stages of building a barn and stables for my horses.  I was wondering if anyone has ideas for what the floor should be.  i want it to be easy under foot and easy to clean.
Hi everyone,   On the front page you'll notice that we have a new feature on Workshop - discussion polls. We will update the polls regularly and hope you enjoy participating.    The early res... See more...
Hi everyone,   On the front page you'll notice that we have a new feature on Workshop - discussion polls. We will update the polls regularly and hope you enjoy participating.    The early results from our first poll suggest Workshop members might be a little soft! Don't forget to add your vote and feel free to discuss the topic by replying below.    Jason  
I have been thinking very seriously of placing fake turf over the path that runs across the yard at the back of our house. The concreter did a terrible job in one area it severely cracked and looks t... See more...
I have been thinking very seriously of placing fake turf over the path that runs across the yard at the back of our house. The concreter did a terrible job in one area it severely cracked and looks terrible as it butts up against the tiled patio and is not level. I will repair it as it will cost to much to have it all relayed or surfaced. The trouble is that the path instead of being a meter is 1200mm so my problem is do I lay a meter wide which is a common width, and place something along the bare edge, or do I bite the bullet and buy the 1800mm wide and cut of the excess off as the garden butts up against one side and the house and patio the other side. To get the turf made to width is well over that of getting the 1800mm. I will however be laying fake turf over the lower back concreted area as this was planed from the beginning.
  The kitchen is the heart and soul of many people’s homes. In our house, it’s certainly not just a place for cooking food, it’s where we gather to socialise when friends and family visit.  ... See more...
  The kitchen is the heart and soul of many people’s homes. In our house, it’s certainly not just a place for cooking food, it’s where we gather to socialise when friends and family visit.   At this time of year when we tend to spend a lot of time indoors, many people start planning kitchen renovations. Renovating your kitchen is a long-term investment and there’s a lot of factors to consider, so I encourage all Workshop members to share their kitchen design ideas.   What are some of your top tips for designing a new kitchen or renovating an existing one?   I hope the video below also gives you some ideas.    Jason  
I have gremlins in my house. Pam was madly doing something in the bottom shelf of the cabinet's under the sink. I asked her what she was doing and she said "cleaning out all this water". Alarm bells ... See more...
I have gremlins in my house. Pam was madly doing something in the bottom shelf of the cabinet's under the sink. I asked her what she was doing and she said "cleaning out all this water". Alarm bells rang my hair stood on end and dollar signs flashed before my eyes I could see expensive plumber bill here.  Pam then said who put this jug full of water under here. "What" a full plastic jug of water appeared in her hands. It was that full it was splashing over the top as she gently maneuvered it to the sink. Jug full of water and the bottom shelf swamped. "Don' look at me I never put it their was my reply as she snarled at me" I said with a puzzled expression and her rebuttal was "well I didn't". To make one of my saga's a short story [ which pains me]. nobody put the jug there. All we could come up with was that we had a plumber in about eight months ago and that must of been his quick fix to a very tiny leak from the cold water tap to the dish washer and we surmised that whenever a pot or pan was placed in there the plastic jug got bumped and over time a full jug put away pots and pans and wallah the water came spilling over the top and today was the day Pam noticed it.  I got out my trusty multigrips and a little tightening, no more drips I hope. This time I put a small takeaway container under the join that I had just tightened. Will check it tonight and see. Has anybody else had gremlins in your house or workshop?
There's a plumbing device that can save water, but it's not available in Australia, as far I know. It's called a "Shower Head Control Valve", which is installed between the shower wall outlet & the ... See more...
There's a plumbing device that can save water, but it's not available in Australia, as far I know. It's called a "Shower Head Control Valve", which is installed between the shower wall outlet & the shower head. It's purpose is to save water while massaging shampoo through hair, or shaving while in the shower. Thing is, it can't/doesn't shut the flow off completely (plumbing regulations don't allow it), so you can throttle it to your desired flow rate, if the minimum is too drastic. Once installed, it's not compulsory to use it, it's just there to use if you choose to. It doesn't just save water, it brings a minor saving on your water heating bill at the same time. Those with instantaneous (non-storage) hot water services, may not find it attractive, as turning the water flow up & down, causes uncomfortable water temperature fluctuations. Like with all products, there are the cheap knock offs, but even the highest priced quality ones won't break the bank, & are there if you choose to use it. In our 2 person home, my wife wouldn't use it, & she doesn't have to, but I have the option to use it which suits me fine (I'm old school, so don't shave in the shower). During the cold season, shower as normal, turn the control valve to your preferred flow while shampooing & shaving, as the cubicle will be warm from the showering leading up to it. A sample glimpse of what I'm talking about: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/161086180091?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT So I urge Bunnings to set the scene by introducing this product, & hopefully make a killing, as Australian retailers aren't stocking them, & Energy Ministers are clueless. ; )