DIY with function over finesse!!

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myglaren
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Re: DIY with function over finesse!!

Unread post by myglaren »

I have considered a similar thing. I have loads of hard-drive platters suspended in my garden to deter them and other than the intruder they seem to work. The blackbird ignores them, fortunately.
I Iike to encourage the little birds but the pigeons, crows seagulls and magpies gobble any food put out for them. I used to have lots of ivy and thrushes, blackbirds and bluetits nested in among it, but then the magpies would come and steal the eggs, kill and eat the hatchlings.
Currently I turn the hose on them. Scares them away but not effective for long.
Recently had to get the ladder out to clean the gutters, full to overflowing with crap and the downcomers clogged with nesting material. Stunk to high heaven and the crows were chucking it all over while trying to get the eggs and hatchlings.
I will have to implement something but the roof also needs pointing and something doing with the TV aerial that is hanging by a thread. Bargeboards need replacing too.


One day!
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mickthemaverick
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Re: DIY with function over finesse!!

Unread post by mickthemaverick »

The saga of the recycling grey water goes on!! Unfortunately SWMBO's arthritis stopped her operating the small rear tap on the two way tap which feeds the garden hose.
The problem tap
The problem tap
So I added a second two way tap onto the front tap with two new easy taps and thereby giving me a spare outlet at the back which I can use:
The new tap arrangement
The new tap arrangement
She is now happy with the system but I realised I have created another issue. We use a tap cover in the winter and it simply won't fit over the bew arrangement so I sketched a plan to build a protective box:
The plan
The plan
Using a spare loft flooring board I then built this which will fit over the complete tap setup and hang from the hooks:
The cover waiting to be painted!!
The cover waiting to be painted!!
I also fitted a lid to the tank to keep the airborn debris and pigeons (same thing? :-D ) out of the tank!
The lid in place
The lid in place
Hopefully that is the job done!! :-D
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
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CitroJim
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Re: DIY with function over finesse!!

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Yes, no argument on your definition of pigeons Mick... Nothing more than airborne rats...
Jim

A bit of a Citroen AX fan...
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xantia_v6
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Re: DIY with function over finesse!!

Unread post by xantia_v6 »

Spotted in the Lidl car park:

A very tatty Xantia, with dents and scrapes on every panel:
IMG_20260801_114024.jpg
But look more closely at the mirror...
IMG_20260801_114030.jpg
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Sloppysod
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Re: DIY with function over finesse!!

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xantia_v6 wrote: 01 Aug 2026, 10:57 Spotted in the Lidl car park:

A very tatty Xantia, with dents and scrapes on every panel
But look more closely at the mirror...
Ah, you're thinking he just stuck that on to replace a damaged mirror, but it may be because they drive down a narrow road.🤔
Stu 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

"Some cause happiness wherever they go, others whenever they go"Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)
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mickthemaverick
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Re: DIY with function over finesse!!

Unread post by mickthemaverick »

Sloppysod wrote: 01 Aug 2026, 11:18
xantia_v6 wrote: 01 Aug 2026, 10:57 Spotted in the Lidl car park:

A very tatty Xantia, with dents and scrapes on every panel
But look more closely at the mirror...
Ah, you're thinking he just stuck that on to replace a damaged mirror, but it may be because they drive down a narrow road.🤔
It could just be that they are upright citizens :sulk:
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
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xantia_v6
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Re: DIY with function over finesse!!

Unread post by xantia_v6 »

And he has the dipping function to use when changing lane.
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Sloppysod
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Re: DIY with function over finesse!!

Unread post by Sloppysod »

xantia_v6 wrote: 01 Aug 2026, 12:44 And he has the dipping function to use when changing lane.
Let's hope it's automatic and he doesn't have to stick his hand out the window to flick the little lever!🤔
Stu 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

"Some cause happiness wherever they go, others whenever they go"Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)
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mickthemaverick
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Re: DIY with function over finesse!!

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Since I upgraded my laptop I noticed that the sofa arm is getting too warm for my liking. I use the laptop on the arm so I can work in comfort and the old laptop's vents used to overhang for ventilation. This new machine has its vents in the centre so I have used an old chopping board and a couple of rails to provide the necessary. The laptop is attached with velcro tabs along the front and is very stable and cool now!! :-D
The front view with velcro tabs, one below the mouse position.
The front view with velcro tabs, one below the mouse position.
The end view showing the ventilation path.
The end view showing the ventilation path.
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
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Rp0thejester
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Re: DIY with function over finesse!!

Unread post by Rp0thejester »

Mick, you have way too much free time on your hands
Ryan

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CitroJim
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Re: DIY with function over finesse!!

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Rp0thejester wrote: Yesterday, 02:30 Mick, you have way too much free time on your hands
Indeed, all my free time went for the chop ages ago :twisted:
Jim

A bit of a Citroen AX fan...
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MattBLancs
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Re: DIY with function over finesse!!

Unread post by MattBLancs »

xantia_v6 wrote: 01 Aug 2026, 10:57 A very tatty Xantia, with dents and scrapes on every panel:
You missed the little F on the number plate, is that standard Parisian finish? :rofl2:

That mirror is great, definitely in "not stupid if it works" category! =D>
Wonder if the anti glare dipping lever still works too!?