DIY with function over finesse!!

[CitroJim]

Edit: forgot the quoted text...

"Not sure which story you're commenting on Jim"

Both really but mainly the foxy one Mick... The camera is doing a good job and it has proved your theory nicely... Video/still quality seems to be higher than I usually see from that style of camera, especially those installed in shops that seem to only produce very indistinct shots of those up to no good!

Good result too with the boiler. A similar issue with my old one led to it being written-off as BER. Still, against that, it had done well and was getting on a bit... New one is more efficient and makes my gas bill a bit lighter.

So, in conclusion, I think my one word summary covers both stories neatly and succinctly. Your question has allowed me to expand on that summary a little. I hope to your satisfaction

[mickthemaverick]

I remember that sort of set of lists well Matt, it's not until you get to my ripe old age that you have had a chance to get on top of them and proudly display a blank sheet!! Seeing yours I'm so glad I have!!

[CitroJim]

I couldn't survive without lists...

[mickthemaverick]

Both really but mainly the foxy one Mick... The camera is doing a good job and it has proved your theory nicely... Video/still quality seems to be higher than I usually see from that style of camera, especially those installed in shops that seem to only produce very indistinct shots of those up to no good!

I am very impressed with the video quality too Jim, when viewing live the zoom also works exceedingly well without distorting the image at all!! However it is a 'proper' camera rather than a cheap one from far afield so while I'm impressed, I'm not surprised. Having owned and run a Security company installing many CCTV systems over the years I can say that these cameras do produce some of the best pictures I have encountered!!

[mickthemaverick]

Something I made last year but didn't post up at the time is now the subject of a Quiz on the quiz thread and you can find it here!

[Skull]

This seems as good a place as any for this innovative ( dangerous) solution to my DIY problem….

Problem: Ladder is too short to reach the dormer gutter and the lower roof overhang dictates the angle of approach and or a longer adjustable ladder is required ….

Solution:
A. Hire and erect scaffolding….
B. Hire a cherry picker….
C. Ring the roofer who installed the guttering to come and replace the piece that is too short and keeps popping out of the corner 90• joints - with the recent thermal expansion, it tends to wiggle out of them every couple of years!
D. None of the above

Spoiler: show

D

Spoiler: show

Citroen Xantia Solution:
I give you the hydropneumatic height adjustable ladder … [patent pending]

Skull's - we're going to need a longer ladder

Fine adjustment via height lever but get off the ladder first

Viewers DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME

[Rp0thejester]

Excellent idea!!! Testing height and interior structure at the same time!!

[mickthemaverick]

Very innovative Skull but make sure you keep ALL the car keys in your pocket while up the ladder!!! :

True story reported in the BT Safety News back in the late 70s:

A BT engineer decided to replace his TV aerial which was bolted to his chimney stack. He aquired a roof ladder and went up his normal ladder at the back of his house to install the roof ladder. He attached a line to the top rung of the roof ladder and threw it right over the house so he could secure it on the ground at the front to ensure it wouldn't slip down as he climbed it!! Back on the ground he went round to the front to secure the line. Looking for a decent anchor point he decided to use the tow bar hook on his Austin Cambridge and made the line off. He then went back round the back and climbed up with the new aerial to the stack just below the centre ridge. He removed the old aerial and bolted on the new one. The next job was to terminate the cable to the aerial and the job would be finished. It is a shame that his wife picked that moment to go shopping!!!!

According to a neighbour who had been trimming the front hedge across the road our man came over the roof like a ski jumper and crashed down to the drive a couple of feet behind the car which the wife had stopped as she heard the cry!!! He was in hospital for 11 weeks but lived to walk and talk and tell the tale down the pub!!

[Skull]

Jester the carpet is of very high quality

That’s a fair point Mick
I also recommend a wheel chock once you’ve manoeuvred the vehicle to the correct distance in case the extra ‘load’ snaps the handbrake cable

[PaulC5]

We have a 4 m double extension ladder which when extended is 4 m plus as far as I can lift the top section so would be about 6 m total. However, I have a length of 1½x1½ wood which I can clamp to the bottom 2 rungs of the top section with U bolts so this can be used to push up the top section further so total extended length then around 7 m.

[Skull]

PaulC5

Do you use that to extend the safety guide on the extended ladder section, by locking the ladder sections together, or just to raise it a few more rungs when in position

I realise I’ve exceeded the recommended overlap in my photo but the health and safety guy knocks off early on a Friday (plus the pivot point was ‘supported’ by the roof tiles).

[CitroJim]

Great innovation Skull

[PaulC5]

PaulC5

Do you use that to extend the safety guide on the extended ladder section, by locking the ladder sections together, or just to raise it a few more rungs when in position

I realise I’ve exceeded the recommended overlap in my photo but the health and safety guy knocks off early on a Friday (plus the pivot point was ‘supported’ by the roof tiles).

Used to just extend the ladder a few more rungs. To use the wood 'stick' I have to extend the ladder first and then clamp the stick to the bottom 2 rungs of the top section and then push up the top section further holding the stick instead. The stick is about 2 m long with about 1½ m extending below the top section when fastened on. It is only clamped to the top section. When extended there will still be about 1 m overlap of the 2 sections. I also bought a 3½ m same type of ladder and used one of the sections to make the 4 m one a 3 section ladder but it is heavy to use. All this since our last house had rendering that needed painting up to the eaves every few years and then it had to be done early April or October since house martins kept building nests.

[Skull]

PaulC5 Fully understood now cheers, I painted my pebbledash about 15 years ago now when the roofer’s scaffolding was still up and it still looks OK now - on a ladder must be a nightmare

[myglaren]

Modern ladders are rubbish. The ones I was used to when I was 15 and beyond were very heavy, all wood and steel but had a runner in the lower section(s) engaged by flanges at the bottom of the upper section(s), which meant that one could shove the upper sections up as far as possible then (from near the top) 'flip' them away from the wall and simultaneously shove it up a few more feet, the flanges preventing the two sections separating at the lower end and smacking you in the face, which modern ladders will do with glee.

The longer ones, e.g. the triple 22' ones, had ropes and pulleys to allow them to be fully extended from the ground, no need to be halfway up and pushing them, just as well considering the weight.

I dread to think what they would cost today.

I have a couple of pair of 14' alooomininum ladders that I can only use in secret. My kids say I am to old to be climbing ladders. Good thing they weren't here last week.