DIY with function over finesse!!

[Rp0thejester]

[PaulC5]

I have a similar arrangement. The kitchen cold tap has been leaking for ages. I have attempted to change the cartridge but can't shift it. I will renew the taps, one day but currently catch the drips in the washing up bowl, open the window and chuck it out.

Our kitchen tap is a mixer tap and to remove the cartridges I removed the spout, put a long bar in its place to use as a lever to oppose a socket and breaker bar used to undo the cartridges. Took some effort but replacing the cartridges was a lot cheaper than a new tap. I think I got the new parts from Screwfix but needed the old ones to get the right size.

[CitroJim]

Good work Mick

I often wonder how much I pour down the sink when waiting for the hot water to arrive at the tap when I am on washing-up duties, it’s probably criminal …

Me too... It always bothers me. Ditto the amount of water I use when processing films although all the water-bath water (once cooled) ends up on on the garden unless I know I've accidentally contaminated it...

[myglaren]

I have a similar arrangement. The kitchen cold tap has been leaking for ages. I have attempted to change the cartridge but can't shift it. I will renew the taps, one day but currently catch the drips in the washing up bowl, open the window and chuck it out.

Our kitchen tap is a mixer tap and to remove the cartridges I removed the spout, put a long bar in its place to use as a lever to oppose a socket and breaker bar used to undo the cartridges. Took some effort but replacing the cartridges was a lot cheaper than a new tap. I think I got the new parts from Screwfix but needed the old ones to get the right size.

Done loads of them, five minute job although finding a replacement can sometimes be a problem.
This one is welded in I think. Used some huge spanners that by dad had when he was in the shipyard. Of course the tap body was trying to turn with it and although I restrained that with an opposite and equal force it wouldn't budge. If I take the tap out I may be able to do it in the vice but having got to that point I think I will just replace with a mixer tap and lose the other one too.
Access is the problem though, completely buried up the back of the cupboard and buried behind lots of pipework. Tempted to get the heating engineer to add to his list when he next services the boiler.

[moizeau]

Tempted to get the heating ENGINEER to add to his list when he next services the boiler.

The most over and wrongly used word in the UK. Only in the UK as far as I'm aware. An Engineer is the the person who designs the system, a Techncian is someone who understands and troubleshoots, a Fitter is the person who changes a thermocouple in the boiler while the boss (the technician) writes the bill out.
Here in France you need to have a degree (in the relevent subject) to class yourself as an Engineer. I think the change of use first started in ads a good few years ago with companies using the term to make themselves appear more professional than the competition.

[myglaren]

Fully in agreement with that but unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a suitable alternative.
I blame trump.

[mickthemaverick]

My twopenneth: To me the word Engineer on its own refers to a person who operates an engine, eg. locomotive drivers etc. In common use now but ideally preceeded by a qualifying term such as Maintenance Engineer or Construction Engineer as used by the GPO and its successors. Now we have Heating Engineers (Plumbers!), Drainage Engineers (Sewage workers), Agricultural Engineers (Farmers!) and even Refuse Collection Engineers (Dustmen!)

As a fully qualified Electronic and Radio Engineer I am happy to be known as an Engineer but I doubt if some of those mentioned above would be!!

[Sloppysod]

This one is welded in I think. Used some huge spanners that by dad had when he was in the shipyard.

Daft question, it's not a left-hand thread is it?

[myglaren]

No.

[Vic Evans]

My twopenneth: To me the word Engineer on its own refers to a person who operates an engine, eg. locomotive drivers etc. In common use now but ideally preceeded by a qualifying term such as Maintenance Engineer or Construction Engineer as used by the GPO and its successors. Now we have Heating Engineers (Plumbers!), Drainage Engineers (Sewage workers), Agricultural Engineers (Farmers!) and even Refuse Collection Engineers (Dustmen!)

As a fully qualified Electronic and Radio Engineer I am happy to be known as an Engineer but I doubt if some of those mentioned above would be!!

Until I sold up & retired I ran a very successful commercial HEVAC design & build company employing many Pipe fitters/fitter-welders & plumbers who had separate unions & different working rule agreements. None of them called themselves Engineers. I was a Design Engineer in an industry with a Royal Charter for Building Service Engineers.
Your mention of Heating Engineers (Plumbers!) reminded me of the hierarchy in the industry where the fitters considered themselves better than plumbers & always said that
"Fitters put their arses where Plumbers put their heads"

[PaulC5]

Last place I worked as part of cut backs people were being promoted to qualified engineers such as mechanical and civil as the degree qualified chartered engineers left/were made redundant. But they were ones who were draughtsmen or day specialists who managed the technicians who did the work with tools. I do not know how it ended up as I was one of the ones made redundant. Always a bit worrying as it was a chemical plant.

[mickthemaverick]

The new recycling system got its first major test and I'm pleased to say it handled the washing machine waste well:

The spoils from the washing machine.

[Rp0thejester]

Will that make your plants bubble up?

[mickthemaverick]

While doing the water system I realised how congested the end of the garage has become since I started my collection of Einhell cordless tools. Also having installed my new laptop last week, my old one went up to the study thus liberating the existing study one. So today I set about organising a place for that laptop in the garage so it can display the cameras for me when I am working in there:

I can see what's going on when shut in the garage.

The laptop is so thin it doesn't inhibit my access to the stores behind it:

Full access to my parts

This meant moving all the Einhell kit onto its dedicated shelf:

My collection, not including the vacuum cleaner, drill, impact driver and lawnmower

Altogether now my Einhell collection comprises:

Lawnmower
Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner
Combi Drill
Impact driver
Angle grinder
Multi tool ................................ These in the carry case
Pruning shears
Router
Triangular detail sander
Orbital sander
Car Polisher
Reciprocating Saw
Circular Saw
Nail Gun

I am still after a Jigsaw and a bench grinder, both of which I have live bids on at the moment. Needless to say I have been impressed with the Einhell range and I have only bought the nail gun, combi drill and impact driver brand new. The rest have been won at auction mostly for less than a tenner with the highest price being the Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner which cost me £21 !!

If you think the garage still looks congested a reminder of how it used to look:

The corner as it was

The whole garage