What have you done or learnt during lockdown

[Pete999]

Isn't @Pete999 our resident Klingon expert?

Used to be SC but unfortunately I have been adopted into the Borg Collective, and my interest in the Klingon Homeworld has been, removed from my storage module, in short I have been assimilated, KAPLA HUMANS.

 

[FatAlan]

Cracked on with refurbishing our new family home. We took possession 10 days before lockdown and managed to get a new boiler installed before that.
Since then I've been plodding on with a full rewire and stripping it out ready for a full skimming.
Can't really do everything I want to before more trades and materials become available. Next jobs are to strip out the bathroom, drop two chimney breasts, and learn how to refurbish solid wood worktops nicely.

If they’re kitchen work tops, mull over whether you’re prepared to do the regular maintenance to keep them looking good. Been there once and subsequent kitchen refurbs we’ve steered clear of wood.

 

[telectrix]

if it's hardwood, like oak, sand down using finer grades, finishing up with 600 or finer, till you have a nice smooth surface. then stain if preferred, lacquer or french polish.

 

[pirate]

I have learnt just how much I hate fkn painting! I have a glazed screen, framed in hardwood, all varnished, which has to be de-glazed cos it's ghastly flemish glass. it takes 2 hours to get one pane out. Then it has to be painted white. The doors took 6 coats, this frame will need more due to the multitude of beadings and grooves. I am currently looking at taking it all out completely and getting a bespoke glass screen and matching door installed.
Also completed watching all JW videos, all Big Clive videos, some Artisan and GSH and other videos and bought tons of stuff online that I will never use.
In addition, I have practised my crimping technique on all sorts of cables, all types of crimps and have exhausted my supply of RJ45 connectors making patch leads I will never use, but will give to the Men's Shed charity I do stuff for.
I have watched a lot of TV, which is unusual for me, but given i have a stupid big bundle from Virgin Media that costs a fortune, Netflix is my friend now. Rust Valley Restorers is fun if you like big American cars, btw!
I also watch A Place In The Sun so I can shout at the telly when Brian and Doris go to Almería to find their dream home and turn down all of the offerings because they don't have a roof terrace or a private pool or a fourth bedroom...all on a budget of €75k.
Other favourites are YouTube music videos of all my favourite bands from years gone by...some truly amazing stuff from black sabbath and deep perple, and many many more.
last night I watched virtually every video of Foster brooks...very amusing, not the least for the fact that everyone smokes cigarettes, especially Dean Martin, and there are some awful racist comments which everyone found funny at the time.
and drinking...I haven't let my regime slip!
can't golf, can't play tennis, but hopefully Scotland will allow this soon. Also annoyed that we have a sailing boat to refurb at the Men's Shed, the weather has been perfect for that, and not a screwdriver lifted yet, so very frustrating.
Sometimes I amuse myself by posting long and uninteresting stuff on an online forum too...

 

[Spoon]

I've been messing with Visio.
Looking at Youtube as to how to do things. Most of it is pretty basic but there are not a lot of advanced vids on the subject.
Also, someone should do a vid on Youtube about using this for doing plans showing the electrics in a house. I can't find one.... Might come in useful as people on here have asked about software to use.. We could then plug the vid.

Been looking at EPLAN as well.

 

[Strima]

Made things on my not so new toy.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Made things on my not so new toy

wow ,how the hell are you supposes to cut timber on that .lol. dont say we have another Fred karno make in boilers have we .

 

[pirate]

Wow, again! That's exactly the same one as we have at the Men's Shed, and which we have refurbished...indeed it was the rear terminal block of that i put up pics of a few weeks back (and got ridiculed for my label!) Great machine, and spares and accessories still available. We bought some new...erm...chucks? for it, don't really know what they do exactly, and they were expensive, but that machine is built to last!

 

[telectrix]

wow ,how the hell are you supposes to cut timber on that .lol. dont say we have another Fred karno make in boilers have we .

more like Fred Dibnah.
[automerge]1589724765[/automerge]

Made things on my not so new toy.

View attachment 58165

i want one.

 

[Julie.]

Made things on my not so new toy.

View attachment 58165

How dare you leave the chuck-key in the chuck!

Even though it's in the tailstock!

 

[marconi]

1. How to use Zoom for one to one and one to many - brilliant software.

2. Still lemonade from real lemons, sugar and boiling water - only takes 5 minutes and then chilled in fridge. Good Housekeeping recipe.

3. How to post a picture to google and then link to it in a post ( - a workaround because the EF have employed the same folk to fix the attach image problem that HMG used to procure PPE for the NHS!)

4. How to sketch on-line using 3D paint software.

5. Most parts of the human body in French - one never knows - someday it could come in handy to know one's ar.e (- la fesse = buttock) from one's elbow (- le coude).

6. the names of more neighbours thanks to the VE street party.

 

[Andy78]

Good luck with the plaster mate.....I’ve got 3 jobs now held up due to no multi finish nationwide, have you seen the price of it on eBay ?.....are the worktops in situ or can you take them out to refurb?

I have a plasterer who has supplies in hand.

I'd rather keep the tops in situ but can remove the sink and hob to make it easier.

 

[Strima]

How dare you leave the chuck-key in the chuck!

You're the first person to spot that... Now sporting a keyless chuck so no key to worry about...

 

[Andy78]

If they’re kitchen work tops, mull over whether you’re prepared to do the regular maintenance to keep them looking good. Been there once and subsequent kitchen refurbs we’ve steered clear of wood.

They are existing tops in a kitchen which will get completely replaced within 5 years so I'm not too fussed about them being pristine all the time. Just need to get rid of stains and replace the finish to make them serviceable.
Been looking at hard wax oils which apparently don't need as much regular attention as standard oil finishes.

 

[buzzlightyear]

hey are existing tops in a kitchen which will get completely replaced within 5 years so I'm not too fussed about them being pristine all the time. Just need to get rid of stains and replace the finish to make them serviceable.
Been looking at hard wax oils which apparently don't need as much regular attention as standard oil finishes

How to care for a wooden worktop

1. Do the water test. Test oiled worktops to see if they need re-oiling by dripping water onto their surface. ...
2. Sand them down. Use a hand-held electric sander to resurface the wood and remove any varnish, or simply to refresh previously oiled worktops.
3. Apply the oil. ...
4. Leave it to dry. ...
5. Test them again. ...
6. Protect them from heat. …
   it puzzles me when people put a dark stain on the work tops when you should show the beauty for the wood .