Jim'll Fix It! Eastbourne Handyman Extraordinaire!

Alcove cupboard hiding TV DVD Sky and Speakers

2011-02-13T22:50:00.002Z

Click to enlarge

Tom Ware Painters wife was being driven to distraction by wires and boxes and remote controls and more cables and extension leads and speakers and blinking lights and telephones and mobiles and laptops and.... --- well, I'm sure you get the picture. It was a nightmare that takes place all over the country, in countless homes (including mine). But this home was important. It is HER home. And she doesn't want to see the tangle of wires etc. So her husband, Tom, being the super chap that he is, decided his ears had had enough ear bashing and he needed to tidy away his toys.... Along came Jim. From a standing start, it took me a day to build the unit, from scratch, out of three sheets of MDF. Now EVERYTHING is tucked away behind vented doors (to let the air circulate around the electronics). The cables running to the TV have been hidden and so harmony reigns in the home, and Tom can now watch his favourite programmes in super surround sound in peace. It's the job of every happily married man to keep his wife content - isn't it?

Update: Tom has now decorated the room and unit in matching colours

If you'd like to email me on this or any other topic CLICK HERE

Built in wardrobes and shelves

2011-02-05T15:54:00.003Z

Wardrobes closed (Click to enlarge)

Wardrobes open

In between a dozen other small jobs this week I've been building wardrobes in a couple of bedrooms. As you can see from the pictures they're built to wrap around a chimney breast. Both wardrobes are double hanging with a storage shelf at the top.Above the radiator is deep shelving. The radiator is used as a drying station during the winter months, otherwise I would have incorporated a radiator cover. In the other bedroom (picture to follow) I've built a similar single wardrobe with double hanging. It took two days from start to finish. To finish the room off, the plasterer has skimmed all of the walls which will be painted on Monday, and the fitters are coming in on Wednesday to lay a new carpet. The new bed is standing in the hallway ready to take pride of place in this completely revamped bedroom.

If you'd like to email me on this or any other topic CLICK HERE

Install a BEKO Slimline Dishwasher.

2011-01-31T22:00:00.000Z

BEKO Slimline Dishwasher

In order to install the dishwasher, I first had to source it.
The couple are in their very late years and time is taking its toll. Vision is fading, and falls are frequent. They need something robust and simple. No huge array of flashing lights and tiny touch screen buttons, but SIMPLE buttons ON - OFF - WORK. It doesn't have to be any more complicated than that. At home Trish and I have a Bosch Logixx automatic dishwasher. A fabulous machine with DOZENS and DOZENS of different programmes. We use ONE. We want the dishes clean that's all. We don't want to fly to the moon. It goes on standard wash come hell or high water. One programme. Talking to the vast majority of my customers who use dishwashers and washing machines, they do the same.
But I digress...
I went to Langney Domestics (opposite the Salvation Army) and sourced a slimline model with 3 proper controls. On/Off Stop/Start Programme 1/2/3. No stupid screen in 10 different languages.
Langney Domestics is a family run electrical retailer celebrating over 40 years of trading.
Ken helped find the right sort of dishwasher for somebody with fading sight. The dishwasher was in stock (as is almost everything they sell) and I was able to take it straight back to the customers house. The unit slotted into position and fitting it was simple It was soon up and running, and the lady was happy. She can now operate the dishwasher by touch when her eyesight deteriorates further.
If you'd like to email me on this or any other topic CLICK HERE

Sash window repair, broken cord, and top sash stuck.

2011-01-24T20:32:00.001Z

No sooner had I arrived at the house to start work this morning , than I had to turn back to home because I'd forgotten to bring the most important bit of kit - dust sheets. Thankfully it was only a couple of miles there and back.
The next couple of hours were spent sorting out a sash window with broken cords and a top sash that had been painted shut. It's a routine task for me, but it must be disturbing for some home owners when they see their windows being taken to bits. The hardest part of the whole operation is the removal of decades and decades of old paint that clog the slides and hold the sashes firmly shut.

If you'd like to email me on this or any other topic CLICK HERE

Light not working and electrical socket broken.

2011-01-23T12:35:00.000Z

It always amazes me how many home made bodges last such a long time.
I was asked to come to a house in Old Town to sort out a couple of problems for a lady who'd been referred to me. Dismantle an old gate, fit a door bell, mend a light and replace a broken electrical socket. The small stuff that I enjoy doing. Gate ten minutes. Door bell ten minutes. Socket replacement ten minutes minutes. Light fitting -- now that was an entirely different ball game.

Years ago, long before the lady had lived there, the room had been "modernised" with a suspended ceiling with concealed light box. Paint had been applied many many times and any sign of entry to the light box was completely covered over. After quite a while, more by luck than anything else, I managed to get the panel undone and the light .assembly' was exposed.

Take at least three standard fluorescent tube lighting assemblies, dismantle them for no apparent good reason, and screw the component parts together on to a piece of wood. Madness or what? I can only assume that the perpetrator had cannibalistic tendencies and had butchered two or three old fittings to make this 'new' contraption. It made absolutely no sense at all. I just wish I had taken a photo. Needless to say, I took the bodged light out and replaced it with a proper single unit.
The bodge had lasted for decades until I came along and then it was gone. What should have been a simple five minute tube replacement turned into an hour of muttering and grunting. But at least now the lady is safer in her own home.

If you want to email me CLICK HERE

IKEA PAX sliding door wardrobe flat pack assembly and installation.

2011-01-23T11:52:00.000Z

IKEA PAX WArdrobe

Building flat pack wardrobes from IKEA is all in a day's work for me. It goes together relatively simply and all the bits fit. The beauty of IKEA flat pack is that once you're accustomed to the quirky fitting components they use, it all becomes very logical. For the most part the carcass fittings are all the same.
The carcasses were simple enough, but this was the first time that I'd put together these particular type of sliding glass doors. It's a very good job that I had a Meccano set as a child, because the assembly and installation is not for the faint-hearted. The two doors come in hundreds of pieces of metal and screws and glass panels and plastic fittings. Even I was amazed at the staggering amount of pieces needed to assemble two four foot doors. It took as long to assemble the doors as it did to assemble the four carcasses and all the internal drawers baskets shelves and hanging rails. It requires a lot of floor space to assemble the doors because they have to be assembled on the flat. Yo will need about 8' x 10' floor space as a minimum.
A word from the wise. DO NOT EVEN THINK that hanging these doors is a one man job. IT'S NOT. The doors are heavy and their size makes them very awkward to put in place. Even though the lady of the house tried to help, it was no use, I had to call in the cavalry, and ask a mate to pop over and help with the final fiddly lift into place. Once hung, the doors slide beautifully, and the lady (nursing some bruised fingers from trying to help) was delighted that she could finally store all of her clothes in her new wardrobes.
If you want to email me CLICK HERE

Genuinely! NO JOB TOO SMALL

2011-01-18T18:27:00.002Z

This post is written with the kind permission of the client
"I've lost my false teeth!" came the lisping voice out of the earpiece. "I had them in a glass and knocked them over this morning. Now I can't find them."The voice had a hint of desperation. "Can you come and have a look for them." The carpet's the same colour as my teeth, and with my eyesight and bad back I'll never find them."
The Eastbourne Handyman Extraordinaire was about to live up to his promise of NO Job too small. Ten minutes later I was there, and was invited into the lady's bedroom straight away (Oh yes, it's one of the perks of the job! :D). Me, on my hands and knees, and she in her slippers and nightie. It only took a couple of seconds (to find the teeth) and then I was on my way. When I say NO JOB TOO SMALL I mean it.

If you'd like to email me CLICK HERE

TV Sky Multi Media and DVD cupboard

2010-06-20T17:41:00.006+01:00

A customer wanted something to keep his TV and various gizmos in one neat unit so I came up with this. Its everything in in one place. He loves it! He's going to paint it himself to match the colours in the room.

Click images to enlarge.

If you'd like something similar call me or to email me CLICK HERE

WIP... Fitted bookcases in alchoves

2010-06-16T23:05:00.000+01:00

If you want to email me CLICK HERE

wardrobes continued...

2010-06-10T07:25:00.003+01:00

The woodwork is finished...
The customer has chosen Tom Ware Painters from Bexhill to finish the wardrobes in Satinwood white. Tom hopes to have them finished by Tuesday! I've really enjoyed doing this job. I can hardly wait to see the finished result.

To email me follow this link

Wardrobes continued...

2010-06-08T21:20:00.005+01:00

The second (right-hand) "internals" for the wardrobes went up this morning. building the drawers was time consuming (drawers always are). As you can see from the picture one set of wardrobes has four drawers the other has three.
The cabling for the blue ray and the satellite receiver is linked through the chimney breast to the TV and had to be routed through channels in the wardrobe sidings so that the minimum of cable will be visible. It all takes time, but we'll get there.
Tomorrow, I'll build the doors and hang them. Then it'll be time to make a start in the living room on the display units...

To email me follow this link

Built in Wardrobes

2010-06-07T22:35:00.004+01:00

I'm working up in the Meads all this week. It's a substantial property close to where Shackelton once lived. The rooms are large, and the alcoves either side of the chimney-breast in the bedroom are in need of wardrobes.

This afternoon I've built the internals.
Where once bare walls were, now stands the outline of the first wardrobe.

Long hanging for Ball Gowns are catered for, as is hanging space for blouses, jackets and skirts and trews. Four large drawers and ample shelving will make this a good sized wardrobe.
I'll post more as the build progresses
Click the image to enlarge.

To email me follow this link

Get rid of an air lock, a simple methodology

2010-02-10T22:39:00.002Z

Hectic, hectic, hectic... Over the past few days I've been flying around Eastbourne doing Jim'll Fix It things.
In these troubled times I'm pleased to be busy - lots of people are having a very hard time of it at the moment.
It helps that many of my customers use me on a regular basis and continue to recommend me to their friends to do those 'no job to small' jobs. As the lady on the telly says 'every little helps'.
Some jobs take literally five minutes or less. I've lost count of the number of light bulbs I've changed for people who can no longer do it. The funny thing is that when you do that sort of thing, people remember, and then they call you back again and again to do jobs that actually pay! My mother used to say "it costs nothing to be nice to others and it will bring rewards", and over the years I've tried, sometimes successfully, to follow her advice.
A case in point. Some time ago I was called to a house in Kilpatrick Close in Eastbourne. The basin hot tap would run for a short while and then just peter out.
"New tap washers" the lady said. "No" said I "its an airlock".
Less than five minutes later I was done and on my way.
Since then I've been back to the house several times to do other 'proper' jobs. Little things lead to greater things.
For all those reading this, sometimes, there is a simple way to get rid of an airlock.
It doesn't always work, but in this instance, it worked almost instantly.
Here's how.
Turn the offending tap on.
Go down stairs to the kitchen.
If the kitchen sink has a monobloc tap, hold your hand very firmly over the outlet so that water can't get out. Keeping your hand tight over the spout turn on the hot tap. Now turn on the cold tap. The mains pressure water forces its way back up through the hot water system and expunges the air as it does. Let it force its way through for a minute or so and Hey Presto air lock will be gone.
As I said, it doesn't always work, and then only on certain types of system.
If you not sure or don't want to do it yourself CALL ME on 07930 335 937 and I'll come around and do it for you.
PS if you don't get it right you can get very wet!

To email me follow this link

Power shower

2010-01-31T15:22:00.000Z

My customer had just moved into her new flat and had a problem with her shower -- it didn't work.
Well that's not strictly true. It did work. Just not well enough.
It took ages to shower and there was simply not enough flow.
The water came out like someone with serious prostate problems.
She wanted a strong shower and at reasonable cost, so after a bit of research we decided that I should fit the 'Vigour' model from Mira, supplied by Plumbase in Eastbourne. I use Plumbase whenever possible. All of the guys know what they are talking about and are always friendly and helpful.
Fitting Mira products is generally a breeze, and this one was no exception. Getting to the hot and cold feeds under the bath proved to be more like an exercise in yoga. During installation I grazed my knuckles a couple of times, but apart from that it all went smoothly. When the unit was commissioned later that day, Janice was delighted with the surprisingly variable high powered shower. It cost a little bit more than the cheap models that are available, but the difference in output and looks more than cover the small extra outlay.

To email me follow this link

The builders apron has arrived

2010-01-31T14:06:00.000Z

If shoes don't feel immediately comfortable, don't delude yourself that they need to be 'broken in'.
It's you that gets broken in - not the shoes.
Ill fitting shoes remain ill fitting.
You've just learned to suffer them.
Why do I tell you this?
Well, on Tuesday of this week my builders apron arrived from the States.
In 57 years I can think of only a few things that have instantly felt good. My current and last wife Trish, my Fein Multimaster, my Burberry duffle coat, and now the builders apron.

To email me follow this link

Cat flaps, Dog flaps,

2010-01-31T11:00:00.000Z

Isn't it strange how some things come along in groups? Four cat flaps in a week! It must be months since I'd fitted a cat flap, and then within the space of 48 hours, two. One in a metal door (that was fun), and one in normal wooden door. But the really weird thing is that I've already got two for next Monday as well. It must be the breeding season!

Here's a video of how to fit a cat flap. (It's not me)

For those with dogs, here's a link to a dog catflap

To email me follow this link

Rats continued, Traps, Pest Control, Eastbourne

2010-01-27T23:10:00.000Z

Thought you might like an update on Ratus Ratus and friends. The householder is in her 70's and was aghast that rats were in her loft. Apparently it's very common. They'd come in through the drains, up the stink pipe, along the roofline, under the tiles, and into the loft. Don't start to get smug... it's VERY VERY common and can and does affect any household. That's what the heroic Eastbourne Council Pest Control Officer said.
He was punctual friendly polite and helpful, and explained what he would do and how he was going to get rid of them. He set traps and laid bait and will be back to make sure the problem is gone. In short, he was the hero of the hour.
If you want to find out more about this very common problem click here. to read an article by Rentokil.

Fix a dripping overflow discover a rats nest

2010-01-25T21:52:00.000Z

Spotless house.
Not a speck of dirt anywhere.
A place for everything and everything in its place.
The overflow in the loft was pouring water onto the ground outside.
In the loft two cisterns.
One for the hot and cold water.
One for the central heating.
Set up the step ladder.
Lift up the loft hatch. Switch on loft light. Start climbing into the loft.

Changing a ballcock in a storage tank is simple work. Its the getting to it and the finding what's there that causes the headaches. In this case it was very easy. Plenty of light, solid floor, and easy to get to. The pipework had a stopcock fitted so it was simply a matter of turning the water off. Undo the mains tap connector. Undo the back nut. take the old valve out and replace with a new one and then reverse the process.

The smell, immediately recognisable, everywhere, intense, pungent, biting the back of the throat.
The stench of urine. Over by the chimney the droppings. Long. Cylindrical. Rats it can only be rats.

I could smell them, but I had no intention of going after them. Their droppings were over by the chimney, so I stayed well away. Having changed the valve and checked for leaks, I was off out of there. The lady of the house had heard some noises over the months but thought it was birds nesting. She called Pest Control straight away and they will be there tomorrow afternoon to lay poison and traps. Let's hope they get the blighters.

Sally Bee

2010-01-25T20:17:00.000Z

If like me you've started thinking about your health and more specifically your heart
take a good lookat this website
http://www.sally-bee.com/

Putting up lights switching switches and recover dead websites and find websites that have moved.

2010-01-21T00:18:00.000Z

Today was a "clean" day. I went out clean, I came back home clean. Trish was amazed. I spent most of the morning changing light switches from worn away brass to white, and normal two gang switches to dimmer switches. I was also asked to replace some pendant lights that had seen better days. It can take a surprising amount of time to make such minor changes. It was cold and wet outside, and I didn't want to get cold and wet, and so I pottered around, getting the job done and just enjoyed doing the work.
When buying a dimmer switch always look at the rating - many are rated about 240W max. A lot of dimmer switches 'fail' after a short time, mainly because they are overloaded. If a chandelier has 8 bulbs @ 40w (and lots do) then just one chandelier will already be overloading the dimmer. If you have two chandeliers on one dimmer.... well you do the sums. All I'm saying is check the loading if you are about to install dimmer switches. If your looking for good over the counter advice checkout 'TLC Electrical Supppliers' in Eastbourne.

While I was changing switches, my client and I were chatting about loads of things, and he mentioned in passing how he had a website made in memory of his mother with her full life story but had lost it all when the hosting service ended.
Nothing is totally lost once its been on the net.
This evening I relaxed by hunting for the website. I quickly found some of the old pages, (The ones that were supposedly lost) and with some more digging managed to find all of the pages that he had assumed were gone forever. I phoned him to tell him that his mum's memoires were not lost, and tomorrow I'll give him a copy of the lot. What he does then is up to him.
Nothing is totally lost once it's been on the Net.
For some that's good news and for others that may be bad.

Computer Help, Leaky taps, Bathroom Heater

2010-01-19T21:25:00.000Z

It's been a day of many talents today. One of the things I did was show a lady how to set up a blog. Easy when you know how, but daunting when she'd only just started using a computer in the last two months.. Basic computer lessons and home computer help is something I've been doing for quite a number of years. In a previous life (I've had so many!) I used to train people for a living. I don't have the educational qualifications to be a teacher, but many people tell me that I'm a very good trainer. I've found that if you concentrate on getting the basics, the fundamentals, right, the rest is a lot simpler. She was an avid traditional diarist, and wanted to start doing the same on her new computer. She'd tried a computer help forum but only got more confused (Hey, that's happened to me too) Blog help was what she wanted, and so blog help is what she got.
After an hour she was flying solo, and so I was free to go on my way to the next call.

Which was - you guessed it - a leaky tap. Dripping taps are so annoying, and yet so easy to fix - most of the time. This one was not to be ignored. It wasn't dripping. It was pouring.
Imagine a Victorian mansion, sub-divided into flats. Over the years so many alterations have been made to the property that Stop Cocks are buried under many layers of remodelling. In other words - not to be found.
As the water pressure was so low I decided to do it "live". Open the taps in the flat to reduce the flow even further. Take the tap head off. Undo the barrel. Change the washer. Reverse the order. Hey Presto! Job done. WARNING! Don't do this unless you know what you're doing. Because it can go wrong. And then you need to know what to do next. Leaky pipes. Non flushing cisterns. Fitting bathroom heaters. Changing bannisters on the stairs, and helping people with Technology. It's all in a days work for the Eastbourne Handyman.

Here is a resource you may find useful if you have a good background knowledge of using a computer. Some lessons get a bit to technical for the majority of users, but it's a very good place to start.

A day in the life of Eastbourne Handyman

2010-01-18T21:54:00.000Z

Had a great day today.
Phones are constantly ringing and lots of small jobs are coming in.
By 10.30 I'd already helped four households out of trouble.
I can't tell you the number of times I've heard people say they can't find anyone to do the small jobs.
I love doing the small jobs,. It's what I do!. For example, very often when carpet fitters fit new carpets, doors need to be trimmed. It only takes a few minutes to do - when you've got the right tools. If you haven't - you're stuck - quite literally. Because I've got the right equipment (so to speak), it only took me 15 minutes to do 3 doors this afternoon and then I was on my way to the next job, which was looking at a house with 35 sash windows to un-stick, re-cord and draught proof. Today I've worked in 7 different houses, and drunk so many cups of tea that I need to stop now and fix another leak!
Whether it's fixing dripping taps, overflow dripping, leaky washers, fuse blown, door sticking, or any other annoyance you can think of, Jim'll Fix it.

I've bought myself a builders apron!

2010-01-17T20:51:00.000Z

I've been told, by the boss, to stop wearing those baggy trousers with the dozen pockets, that I love, and that I've worn for years, and are really comfortable, and replace them with something else.
I don't know about you, but I've found it really good practice, to do what the boss wants. In order that peace will continue to reign I searched the internet and came across this builders apron. Having only ever having worn an apron under duress it will be an interesting experiment in engaging with high fashion. According to Vince (the owner of www. aprons.net it'll be posted out on Tuesday from the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in the town of Placerville, CA, USA. I'll let you know what it is like when it arrives.

Information Resources and ways you can help survivors of the Haiti earthquake

2010-01-17T12:11:00.000Z

Folow this Google link
Information, resources, and ways you can help
survivors of the Haiti earthquake.
Watch this BBC News report
Haiti earthquake
There, but for the grace of God, go we.

Tom Ware Painters & Decorators covering Eastbourne Bexhill Hastings & East Sussex

2010-01-16T23:13:00.000Z

As many of you already know -- I hate paint!
For some time now I've been working with Tom Ware,
a painter and decorator from Bexhill.

This week he's finally got around to getting a website built.
In fact, it's me that's building it for him.
If you like playing with paint colours visit his site and go to "Fun with Paint"
On that page you'll see a Start button.
With just a few clicks you can then change the colours in a room to see how colour affects a room. It's fun and easy to use. Go and have some fun.

Mirrored sliding doors

2010-01-14T19:45:00.000Z

Worked with a lovely family today installing some sliding doors. The man of the house had done all of the roughing out, and the double door units were more or less in the right spot. I had to get it all running properly and "dress" the opening to finish the job.

After you've done a couple, fitting mirror sliding doors is not difficult. The main thing to remember is to make the height of the opening just 2-3 cm larger than the door height and the frame width 2-3 cm smaller than the double door width. . There's a good range of vertical adjustment that will take up any play.

The adjustment range can accommodate even quite wonky walls. Everything should slide smoothly and butt up parallel to the frame.

Tea was offered (and gratefully accepted). We talked about the theme of the week.... snow snow snow... and the time just flew by. In what seemed like an instant I was back on the road and onto the next job... Nice home, nice kids, nice people... all in all ... nice.

Computer photos, docs, and music rescued!

2010-01-11T18:27:00.000Z

If you've used a computer to store your important music photos and documents - then what follows must be everybody's worst nightmare.

A customer brought me his computer at the weekend.

The computer was healthy - but he was sick!

He'd wanted to clean his computer and return it to the original factory settings - but hadn't taken a backup of the stuff he'd wanted to keep.

So many of us (and in this I include myself) "forget" to take back ups of information stored on our computers. We rely on the computer to look after itself. I'll do a backup tomorrow when I've got more time (sounds familiar?) is what we promise ourselves. Tomorrow never comes.

All, and yes I do mean all, of his digital family photos, his very substantial music collection and letters and emails he'd written over five years were gone. One wrong key press and that was it.

I'm an optimist, and so after a few questions about exactly what he'd done, I said to him that we would probably be able to get some of his stuff back. As it turned out, most of the photos and nearly all of his documents and music were recovered. It takes time, but it can be done.

Now he's gone back home with a smile on his face, and of course he has vowed he will now back up his files on a regular basis. Perhaps he will. It is after all the time for New Years resolutions.

Simple Computer Help

2010-01-05T20:41:00.000Z

I like helping people. I'm good with computers.
I've been helping people with terminal cases of computer phobia for years.

So that the Jim'll Fix IT computer service can grow I've now teamed up with Stuart Jenkins and between us we can solve just about any computer problem you may have.
We offer a simple, no nonsense, service.
We talk in plain English, and can save you many hours of frustration.
Having trouble with your computer?
Then email us or phone us 07930 335 937.

Please tell everyone you know what were doing and if you know of someone who needs help please call.
By the way, if your looking for free software click here and I'll send you a link to an excellent site that I've been using for years.

WATCH THIS VIDEO! I think its absolutely fabulous

2009-11-29T21:40:00.000Z

Click the arrow to watch.

To play this amazing sequence in full screen click in the top right of the video.

If you haven't discovered TED yet -
Now is the time to do it. http://www.ted.com/

Just to let you know

From January 2010 the new home page of "Jim'll Fix It Services" will be www.rwjsear.com.
As always, whatever you need I can help. If I can't help - I'll know someone who can!
Whether its property maintenance, or a computer problem that needs solving

give me a call on 07930 335 937.

Don't screw sash window staff beads - nail them!

2009-11-16T19:22:00.000Z

Box Sash Windows are relatively simple to work on... but some people make the simple very difficult. I have just come across one such case.

To do most work on a sash window invariably means first removing the staff beads.

These are generally nailed on. It's a simple process to remove the beads with a few well placed taps using a hammer and chisel, pry bar or sharks tooth.

HOWEVER...

Occasionally some nut decides that it would be better to screw them down, drive the screws below the surface, fill in the screw slots, and then apply several coats of paint over the top. How do I know this ... because I had to re-cord seven windows, and they had all been screwed down in the aforementioned idiotic manner. What should have been just a few minutes work turned into an age of mutterings and expletives and curses on the head of the previous installer.
I can only imagine that the installer had just bought his first power screwdriver and wanted to show the world how good it is.

Please, please, please, where appropriate, nail staff beads in place.

Just to let you know

give me a call on 07930 335 937.

The first page

2009-08-22T12:38:00.000+01:00

This is the first post

New Mantlepiece

2009-06-14T18:56:00.000+01:00

I've been back at work for a while now.

It's great to be back in the saddle.

Since getting going again I've been very busy catching up on some very nice jobs.

Here's one I made earlier!

Just to let you know

give me a call on 07930 335 937.

KB Glass

2009-06-03T10:17:00.000+01:00

KB Glass is a local Eastbourne business that specialises in architectural glass.

Just to let you know

give me a call on 07930 335 937.

Flatpack self assembly?

2008-10-21T22:09:00.000+01:00

Harveys had delivered it.
Third floor of a 'Robert Nash' style town house.
I'm so glad they delivered it - the thought of all those stairs still leaves me weak.

Eight metres (26 feet) of wardrobes and drawers.
When I saw the pile of bits my heart sank at least two floors below.
It took the whole day to put this lot together (plus umpteen cups of tea, and not just one or two bikkies!)
By flatpack standards it was simple enough to put together, and because the panels were so large it was really a two man job. And so to save having to get an extra body the client offered to be the 'gofer'. By the end of the day we were both well and truly knackered.
We became such a co-ordinated team I almost offerd her a permanent job.

Just to let you know

give me a call on 07930 335 937.

Stud wall partition

2008-10-20T21:55:00.000+01:00

Through lounges, and lounge diners have been popular for years, but have you noticed that as the winter weather approaches how much more expensive they are to heat?
With the almost criminal rise in gas and electricity bills over the last few months, more and more people are going back to 'proper' rooms.
Monday's job was one such job. An 'L' shaped room was divided back into two rooms. The partition was insulated with Rockwool to provide a thermal and sound dampening barrier.
I suspect I will be doing more of this type of remodelling over the coming months as the credit crunch and the winter weather bites.

Just to let you know

give me a call on 07930 335 937.

Sash windows? Reduce road noise with draghtprooofing.

2008-10-19T14:49:00.000+01:00

Reducing external noise is one of the many benfits of draughtproofing sash windows.
Last week I was working on a house on a busy main road. The house is in the midddle of a lovely village (Horam), but with very heavy through traffic. The main bedroom faces onto the road.
The clients run "Little Sunflowers" childrenswear as a family business
Some of their sash windows are over a hundred years old.
With proper care, the sashes will easily last another generation or two.
By the time I had finished, my customers were amazed at the difference the draughtproofing made. They were so pleased that they kept opening and shutting the sashes just to test the difference.
Where a draught can get through so can noise dirt and dust.
If the putty is old and dried out and any of the individual glass panels are loose (they rattles when tapped) then they too have to be resealed.
By the way, if you're looking for Christmas presents for young kids take a look at their website, it's http://www.littlesunflowers.com/

Just to let you know

give me a call on 07930 335 937.

New look Eastbourne Sash Windows Site

2008-10-02T23:23:00.000+01:00

While I was restyling the old Jim'll Fix It website I decided to give the Sash Windows site a makeover too.
The title "Eastbourne Bexhill and Hailsham Low Cost Sash Window Repairs Refurbishment and Restoration." is just a tad long don't you think?
The address remains the same http://www.sashwindows.seehawk.co.uk/
Take a look and tell me what you think.

Just to let you know

give me a call on 07930 335 937.

New look Eastbourne Handyman website

2008-10-02T23:18:00.000+01:00

I was told the old Jim'll Fix It website was looking tired so I have restyled it.
The address remains the same www.handyman.seehawk.co.uk
Take a look and tell me what you think.

Just to let you know

give me a call on 07930 335 937.

Installing a new loft hatch ladder

2008-09-08T21:57:00.000+01:00

In many houses, getting up into the loft can be a real contortion act.
Developers, Specifiers, and Architects have, since time immemorial, maliciously set out to cause injury to anyone who would be so presumptuous as to want to get into the loft space. It's that or simple blind indifference. Why else would they design loft hatches so small, and then put them in such awful positions?
My customer wanted to get into his loft, without taking his life in his hands.
He knew what he wanted...
A solidly built wooden loft ladder - not one of those wobbly aluminium contraptions...
He also wanted easy access... He was tired of trying to get a 2' box (and himself) through a 2' hole.
I suggested a very neat solution.
The Fakro Loft Ladder
It's a folding ladder made of quality pine, it's supplied with an insulated hatch door, and a handrail. There's loads of wide tread space which makes stepping onto the treads easier. Safety grooves are cut into the treads to prevent slipping. They are relatively easy to fit, and feel really safe to use. All things considered, it would be my personal choice every time. Below is a video of the loft ladder in use. It is taken directly from the Fakro website. If any one wants to have one fitted, give me a call on 07930 335 937.

Just to let you know

give me a call on 07930 335 937.

Arched top box sash window repaired.

2008-08-07T23:42:00.000+01:00

And another one bites the dust.
Yet another sash window painted shut.
This one had a Vent Axia ventilator in the top sash.
Why? I will never know
It had never been wired up!

It can take a surprising amount of time to get things right

KB Glass did the arch top glass.
It took over an hour to get the old glass out and 30 minutes to cut and set the new glass in.
The rest was down to me.
Now with the window re-corded, re-glazed, and draught proofed it slides up and down like a dream.

Just to let you know

give me a call on 07930 335 937.

A new hair salon - Bliss

2008-08-04T23:30:00.000+01:00

There's a new gal in town
A lot of my work is recommendations from customers.
This job was no exception.
Opening a new business for the first time is scary.
Camilla has decided to go it alone and will be opening her hair salon on Thursday.
My job was, amongst other things, to put a a couple of mirrors and a couple of shelves.
It was great to be part of the excited stress of the pre opening preparations.
I'd like to take this opportunity to wish her well.
Go see for yourselves at 'Bliss' 64 Seaside, Eastbourne. (Almost opposite Armoury Locksmiths)

Just to let you know

give me a call on 07930 335 937.

Fluorescent lighting

2008-08-01T22:56:00.000+01:00

The last job of the week was to change a defective fluorescent light fitting.

Generally, if a fluorescent fitting gives up the ghost it's one of three things.

1. The tube
2.The starter
3.The transformer.
In this case it was the transformer.

The units are so cheap it hardly worth trying to get a replacement transformer, it's more cost effective to get a whole new unit. Fitting is simple. This one was on a landing in a block of flats.

The landing was pitch black and the fitting was12' up on the ceiling.
I had the good fortune to have the help of one of the residents - Robert.
Already past retirement age and just as active as ever.
He effectively became my 'mate'.
Holding the torch steady on the job and passing me the right tools up the ladder.
We had a long natter about God and the world, and found we shared a lot of similar ideas about things.
It made a very pleasant end to the week and we got the light working as well.

Robert

Many thanks for your help

Jim

Just to let you know

give me a call on 07930 335 937.

Make an inward opening window open outwards.

2008-07-31T22:28:00.000+01:00

That was an interesting job.
The window, installed in the early 1900's had originally opened inwards.
A few years ago secondary glazing had been installed and that effectively prevented the window opening at all.
My job was to get the window to open outwards so that it could be used again.
If the secondary glazing had not been there it would have been relatively easy to accomplish.
The secondary glazing had to stay in place, that made it just a huge bit more complicated.
Using a Fein from Archery Tools I was able to cut out the hinge heads and then gently ease the windows out of their frame into the room. Once the windows sashes were out the rest of the job was almost plain sailing. Even so it still took most of the day to turn the inward opening into an outward opening window.

Just to let you know

give me a call on 07930 335 937.

Don't screw sash window staff beads - nail them!

2008-07-29T23:04:00.000+01:00

Box Sash Windows are relatively simple to work on... but some people make the simple very difficult. I have just come across one such case.

To do most work on a sash window invariably means first removing the staff beads.

These are generally nailed on. It's a simple process to remove the beads with a few well placed taps using a hammer and chisel, pry bar or sharks tooth.

HOWEVER...

Occasionally some nut decides that it would be better to screw them down, drive the screws below the surface, fill in the screw slots, and then apply several coats of paint over the top. How do I know this ... because today, I had to re-cord seven windows, and they had all been screwed down in the aforementioned idiotic manner. What should have been just a few minutes work turned into an age of mutterings and expletives and curses on the head of the previous installer.
I can only imagine that the installer had just bought his first power screwdriver and wanted to show the world how good it is.

Please, please, please, where appropriate, nail staff beads in place.

Just to let you know

give me a call on 07930 335 937.

New worktops freshen up an old kitchen

2008-07-22T21:59:00.000+01:00

Today, the main job was cutting in new worktops in an 10 year old kitchen. The cupboard doors and carcasses were still in very good condition, so it made sense to renew the old worktops, that were starting to look tired.

Work tops are heavy. Manhandling 3 metre long worktops around a modern hallway would try the patience of Job. I have to ask myself, what cretins design modern houses? I can only assume that they themselves live in rabbit hutches. Which, thinking about it, is probably the answer, because most designers I have met looked like buck toothed, floppy eared, sex mad, lettuce eaters. :)

Oh dear!
My wife has just looked over my shoulder and told me that I'm off on one again!
I must stop ranting!

Were was I..... Oh yes!

The whole process only took a few hours, but the difference is very obvious.
Because the ladies chose a lighter colour for the worktop, the whole kitchen just looks bigger and brighter. They are very happy with the results, and are now thinking of other projects to spend the saved money on.

If you want new worktops fitted give me a call on 07930 335 937 or email me using the link in the right hand side bar.

Just to let you know

give me a call on 07930 335 937.

Sash window repair in one of Eastbourne's prestigious houses

2008-07-22T20:32:00.000+01:00

Huge, heavy, very fragile, and stuck very firmly shut.
That about summed up the state of the 100 year old window.
9' high x 4' 6" wide it was not a job for one man.

The carpet was a lighter shade of cream.
Most of the furniture was very upmarket antique.
Letters of recommendations from HM (and I don't mean the record store!) adorned the walls.
This was serious stuff.

It took all day to fine tune this window, and by the time we had finished the sashes glided up and down as smoothly as when they were first installed. The new brass sash catches, sash pulls, d handles, and new Ventlock hardware gleamed. Add to that, the virtually invisible draught proofing (It was quite amazing what a difference to outside noise reduction it made) and all in all, it was a job well done!
I wonder if there are any knighthoods going?

Just to let you know

give me a call on 07930 335 937.

Made to measure radiator covers in Eastbourne

2008-07-20T13:22:00.000+01:00

I've made quite a number of made to measure radiator covers lately. The pictures above are of the latest couple (click on pictures to enlarge). These were made of MDF and then oiled to the colour the customer wanted. I could have made them in wood, but there is a considerable additional material cost involved. Radiators, including designer radiators, come in all shapes and sizes, and because of that, the covers and cabinets have to be made to fit. There is currently no good way to make a 'one size fits all model'. Radiator cabinets from the manufacturers can be very expensive (it must be said that there is a lot of work involved). Obviously they have large costs to carry. By contrast, I am able to keep costs low, making them myself. A sheet of MDF costs about £20. If you want any radiator covers or radiator cabinets, give me a call on 07930 335 937 or use the email link box in the right hand side bar.

Just to let you know

give me a call on 07930 335 937.

Fuse box cupboard

2008-07-17T22:51:00.000+01:00

Fuse boards always seem to be in the most awkward places. Too high up, too low down. In full view, or tucked away around a corner in some obscure hole. This time it was in a kitchen, high up on the ceiling, in full view. No wonder the lady wanted a cupboard around it. The cupboard was made to match the kitchen units. By the time I'd finished it looked a whole lot smarter than when I started. If you need a meter boxed in call me on 07930 335 937.

Just to let you know

give me a call on 07930 335 937.

No need to buy a new vitrine!

2008-07-16T22:17:00.000+01:00

I got a call from one of my favourite customers a week or two back. They had an electrical problem. They'd had a vitrine with lights for years. Then all of a sudden the lights stopped working. They changed bulbs (several times I believe) and still to no effect. They got two to work but the last one steadfastly refused to work. So they called me in. "I think we need a new vitrine" she said. "I've already been looking, but can't yet find one we like." "We've tried for hours to get it to work, but it won't"

So with a wobbly balancing act I climbed up on the arm of the sofa, to have a look see. Three lights, three cables. I tugged gently on cable one,and it stood firm. I tugged gently on cable two, and it too resisted. Tugging on cable three I nearly over wobblebalanced, and the end of the cable was dangling in mid air. Plug it back in the socket, and hey presto, the light works. The husband's eyes lit up. His wife said thank you, and smiled, and I couldn't help thinking that I had spoiled her fun for the following weekend. I'm sure she would have liked a new vitrine.

Just to let you know

give me a call on 07930 335 937.

Laminate flooring and a wallpaper stripper

2008-07-16T18:36:00.000+01:00

A boiling wallpaper stripper placed on a laminate floor is not a good idea.

A couple of young lads had been redecorating a house and left the steam stripper on the hallway floor. Condensed steam (also known as water) had dripped onto brand new hall flooring and in a very short while caused a massive blister in the laminate. For those who don't know, let me tell you, that's a sod of a job to correct. Laminate goes down very easily. But getting it back up again without lifting half the floor is not. Three boards were damaged, but to get to them half the hall had to be lifted - including in the doorway and around the staircase. It took a couple of hours to sort it out, and after a lot of grunts and groans, it is now back to it's former glory. Job done. If you need a laminate repair - give me a call on 07930 335 937 or use the email link in the right hand side bar.

Just to let you know

give me a call on 07930 335 937.

Back in the saddle again!

2008-07-16T16:48:00.000+01:00

Yes I'm back and at full strength.
After nearly two months of taking it very easy (I had no idea how frustrating taking it easy can be) I am now back to work at full strength). There is quite a lot to catch upon so I will make a series of short posts. This being the first one!

Just to let you know

give me a call on 07930 335 937.

Renew Broken Sash Cords

2008-07-16T14:54:00.000+01:00

I have been renewing a lot of sash cords lately. It's a simple process that doesn't need a lot of special tools. In fact in some instances you can get away with using just a hammer and chisel.

There is nothing to be afraid of. The genius of the design of sash windows is that they are infinitely repairable - and with simple tools.

For some reason there has been a spate of clients only wanting the bottom sashes re-corded. To my mind it's false economy because when re-cording the bottom sash, the window is in bits anyway - and it would seem prudent to get both sashes working. But it's suprising to find that many clients don't even realise that both sashes can work. The greatest secret of sash windows is that they can provide the very best ventilation configuration of any window type. Fresh cooler air comes in at the bottom and stale hotter air exits at the top. It works because it obeys the law of physics. No great secret.
If you need a sash window repair - give me a call on 07930 335 937 or use the email link in the right hand side bar.

Just to let you know

give me a call on 07930 335 937.

Burglar Bars

2008-06-04T09:25:00.000+01:00

Well that didn't last long.
I thought I was fighting fit again - but just installing some burglar bars yesterday morning has set me back to square one. I felt a few twinges in the shoulder and then it went pop. Now it hurts no matter what position I'm in.
Frustrating, or what?

Just to let you know

give me a call on 07930 335 937.

Sad Obituary?

2008-05-31T20:08:00.000+01:00

With all the sadness and trauma
going on in the world at the moment,
it is worth reflecting
on the death of a very important person,
which almost went unnoticed last week.
Larry LaPrise

the man that wrote
'The Hokey Kokey'
died peacefully at the age of 93

The most traumatic part for his family
was getting him in the coffin.

They put his left leg in...

and that's when the trouble started..

Just to let you know

give me a call on 07930 335 937.

Accidents do happen

2008-05-30T18:39:00.000+01:00

Two weeks ago, late on Friday evening, having just fallen over the edge of the stairwell at home, I landed flat on my shoulder, with a God Almighty thud and bounced(?) on the hallway floor, eight feet below.
I didn't see my whole life flash before me -
but I do remember as I was falling,
thinking - is this the one.
But it wasn't...
As I lay there at the bottom of the stairs I thought to myself...
How many more lives have you got left.
My wife came down the stairs (a much more sensible way to drop down eight feet!)
and asked in a very quiet voice if everything was alright.
She looked very worried.
Once I'd recovered enough, I stood up, much like a boxer does after having been knocked down.
I was all over the place.
A few moments later, after I said I was alright,
I heard this titter,
which expanded into an ongoing chuckle,
which mutated into a full blown laugh.
I didn't feel bad at all.
My ego felt more bruised than anything else.
The whole episode took about 60 seconds.
We laughed some more and ran through how it had happened a couple of times and were thankful that it wasn't as bad as it could have been.
I took a shower, and then climbed into bed&
That's when it hit me...
I started shivering uncontrollably for what seemed like an eternity, it was probably only a couple of minutes. And then that's when the pain kicked in.
I won't bore you with the details, but after an x-ray at DGH, I can now say that, as many people have told me in the past, I really do have a chip on my shoulder! After the last couple of weeks of relative rest, the plan now, is that next week I will be at it again more or less full throttle.
My customers have been very sympathetic and have been prepared to wait while things get better. I'd just like to say thank you for your patience.

Dressmaker and Curtainmaker in Eastbourne

2008-05-29T14:17:00.000+01:00

For anyone who needs clothing or curtains altered give Jill Besey a ring on Eastbourne 729804 or visit her website http://www.alter2fit.co.uk/
She is situated just off Seaside.
Her full details are
Jill Belsey,
The Dress Shed,
43 Bexhill Road,
EastbourneEast Sussex
BN22 7JJ

Tel: (01323) 729804,

Email: alter2fit@btinternet.com
Website: http://www.alter2fit.co.uk/

Guide prices for sash window repairs

2008-05-26T16:32:00.000+01:00

The box sash window restoration side of things is now going so well that we're in the process of setting up another business "Eastbourne Sash Window Restorers" to deal with all the repairs that are flooding in. Here is a rough guide to how inexpensive it can be to return your windows to how they should be.
Re-cord
Replacement of sash cords on either bottom sash only or both sashes.
From £50.00 bottom sash
From £70.00 Top and bottom sashes

Basic Overhaul and draught proofing
For windows in generally good conditionRemoval of beading, sashes and weights, making minor repairs,Replacing with new sash cord and beading machined and fitted with draught proofing.Windows will still require primer/undercoat/finish coat.
From £120.00

General Overhaul and draught proofing
For windows in generally good condition
Removal of beading, sashes and weights, making minor repairs,
Replacing with new sash cord and beading machined and fitted with draught proofing.
Sanding down mainly to remove flaking paint
(On a general overhaul we do not attempt to strip paint work)
Cleaning and priming with acrylic primer/under-coat.
Windows will still need finished paint work.
From £160.00 Depending on size.

Replacement Sashes
where appropriate - ripping out old aluminium/plastic window
and re-instating with new traditional glazed sashes fitted into the existing box frame,
includes laminated glass, and general overhaul as above
From £425.00 Depending on size.

Bespoke Full Restoration Service
including stripping to bare wood, repair replacement of bad timbers, laminated re-glazing,
new/renovated pulleys and hardware, rebalancing, Simplex hinge fitting, draught proofing, prime/undercoat/finish.
POA

Optional extras
Sash catches
Sash lifts and handles
Security stops

Why draughtproofing?

2008-05-26T15:20:00.000+01:00

Contrary to populist belief, double glazing is not the best way to reduce noise - full stop.
It is just one expensive way to reduce some noise.
If traditional single glazed sash windows are the only barrier between you and the traffic you can tackle a major part of the problem by simply installing draught proofing.
As well as draughts, draught proofing also reduces airborne noises which find their way through the smallest and least noticeable gaps.
The next step is to replace the glass in the sashes.
There are many types of acoustic glass, available in various thicknesses, and designed to control various levels and types of noise.
Developed and tested by the larger glass manufacturers (e.g. Pilkington Glass) the results are often not as impressive in real life situations as they may be on paper.
Sound insulation is probably best achieved via well fitted windows with good draught strips, laminated safety glass 4.4mm or 6.4 mm thick may not be quite as acoustically efficient as the best specialist glass but, at a fraction of the price, it will dramatically assist in overall noise reduction.
For more comprehensive advice on your sash windows call me on 07930 335 937 or email me using the link on the left hand side.

Thunder box

2008-05-20T21:18:00.000+01:00

Last week I was asked to rebuild some shelving in a former outside loo.
It wouldn't have been my first choice of layout - and I must admit I did try to alter her plans - but the lady wanted . . . and so the lady got.
It's amazing how much storage she now has in such a small area.
The slot on the left is a magazine rack

The job took quite a bit longer to complete than first estimated because once started we then agreed that the tiles were hanging off the walls and had to be stripped off and the walls plastered. The old toilet pan was cracked and so needed to be replaced. The new one was then raised by 2" to give a more regal feel to the throne :).
In the end it actually turned out looking better than I expected.

Strip putty and paint from a window using steam!

2008-05-10T19:29:00.000+01:00

I could not believe what I was seeing and yet there it was right in front of my eyes. With a few quick strokes 30 year old putty and paint literally fell away. I was so disbelieving that I went out to my workshop, grabbed my steam stripper and tried it for myself. It works... in fact is is simplicity itself.
The window I tried it on was an old crittal window complete with age old sun-baked hard putty painted over with dozens of layers of paint. The normal procedure to get the glass out is to hack it out with a hacking knife. It is very labourious, and there is a high risk of breaking the glass.
With steam it took a couple of minutes and the hardest part of the whole job was scratching my nose because I had developed an itch.
If you want to see how easy it is take a look at this video.
Having now tried it on several windows, it is fast becoming my favourite method to get a pane of glass out of sashes I am restoring.

New email form

2008-04-27T23:51:00.000+01:00

If you look in the right hand column you will see a link to email me from this page. Please feel free to contact me about anything "handyman-ish". I look forward to reading your emails.

Sash window usage

2008-04-25T21:46:00.000+01:00

This is an article taken from the Imperial College London web page
it may interest anyone who has traditional sash windows.

PRESS RELEASE
Scientists formulate a heat wave survival guide
Wednesday 6 August 2003
Scientists from Imperial College London have found a simple solution to city dwellers' despair as temperatures soar during summer heat waves. In a bid to cool down they have to learn how to ventilate and cool rooms by using windows and the building properly.
Dr Gary Hunt of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering who is leading research at Imperial on the fluid mechanics of natural ventilation explains:
"Many of us have forgotten how to correctly use the sash windows so carefully installed by the Edwardians and Victorians to maximise airflow.
"If used correctly it is possible to significantly improve comfort in the office or at home without using air conditioning units that place high demands on energy and increase carbon-dioxide emissions."
Using laboratory modelling techniques that accurately replicate the flow of air in small-scale physical models, Dr Hunt and his team are able to measure and clearly visualise how air circulates within rooms and buildings.
"The trick to getting the maximum flow of air through the window is to slide the sashes so the window is open equally at the top and bottom.
"By separating the in-flow and out-flow, cooler incoming air efficiently flushes the warm air out of the room. The warm air inside the room tumbles out of the top opening and the cooler air form the outside comes in through the lower opening," explains Dr Hunt.
By applying mathematical analysis and using small-scale laboratory models, the researchers were also able to calculate the size and placement of windows to maximise ventilation.
"The laboratory modelling technique relies on examining the movement of water through a model typically one twentieth to one hundredth of the building size. At this scale water moves through the model room in the same way as air moves through a real room," said Dr Hunt.
Results show if the windows of a room are too small or their location is not appropriately chosen, hot air, which collects at the ceiling may extend down to the occupied region making the environment unpleasantly hot and muggy.
"Offices typically experience the largest heat gains during the occupied daylight hours, when the need for ventilation is greatest. Minimal gains occur at night when the space is unoccupied.
"Our research shows a good strategy is to leave sash windows in the mid-position overnight - providing it's safe to do so. The cool external air flushes the warm air out of the room and also cools the walls, floor and ceiling. The cool walls then absorb heat the following day and prevent the internal temperatures from rising as high," he added.
Work is now underway at Imperial on a range of problems concerned with the fluid mechanics of airflows in buildings. Projects include modelling airflow in large multi-story buildings, which allows researchers to calculate how to naturally ventilate them effectively.
"The aim of our research is to gain an improved understanding of the physics of airflow in buildings through the use of laboratory and mathematical modelling techniques and to develop simple design guidelines that will help architects create energy efficient buildings of the future," said Dr Hunt.
For further information, please contact:
Judith H Moore
Imperial College London Press Office
Tel: +44 (0)20 7594 6702

Sash window and parquet flooring repairs, plus door hanging, What bliss!

2008-04-25T20:39:00.000+01:00

What a wonderful week it's been.
I was originally apprenticed as a carpenter in 1968. Despite having done sooo many other things in my work life, carpentry remains my favourite thing to do. This week was nearly all about carpentry, with the odd bit of plumbing, and electrical work in and around Eastbourne added to a very full week.

Making box sash windows work properly is really very satisfying.
Yes, I know - it's sad - but I do get a buzz out of sliding sashes up an down!
These particular sashes had been over-painted so many times that the home owners thought the top sashes were fixed. Freeing the sashes from the frames only took a few minutes. Remove the staff bead. Ease out the bottom sash (the cords were broken). Remove the parting bead. Ease out the top sash (again, the cords were broken). Ease out the pocket pieces, pull out the counter weights. Disassembly is now more or less complete. Now all we have to do is repair, replace, and reassemble. The process can take an hour or two or more - or it can take all day - it just depends on what needs to be done. These particular windows needed a good deal of renovation - but by dusk they were back in full working order with new cords, replacement pulleys, and new brighton catches. If you have sash windows in need of renovation call me on 07930 335 937

A plumber did this!

2008-04-16T17:41:00.000+01:00

The bathroom had been fitted last year by some 'professional' company. Last month I was called to correct a problem with the bath taps/shower head unit. The gasket between the bath and taps had never been fitted. It leaked only when the shower stream was falling on the tap heads. Over a period of time, water had found its way through the tiniest of gaps (it always does) and caused some damage to the ceiling below. A simple mistake or oversight that anyone could make. Today I was called in to fit a new basin. A bottle had fallen off one those narrow glass shelves that sit above the sink straight into the bowl and had cracked it. The sink was still usable but unsightly. I put my head under the sink and this is what I saw....

Misc

Click on the image to see it in glorious technicolour.
if you think this is OK..... please tell me why!

Electrics, plumbing, plastering, fitting an eastbourne kitchen

2008-04-08T20:24:00.000+01:00

The kitchen has as expected taken up all of this week.
Oliver was off sick on Tuesday and so a delay started... by Thursday he and Abdul (his apprentice) had rewired the kitchen and corrected some horror scenarios in the consumer unit (fuse box). The best one being that when the main switch was turned off - the house was still live. Still all's well that ends well. The faults have been put right and the kitchen is now up to current regs. Oliver and Abdul finished 'first fix' on Wednesday. The owners then decided that they would like the kitchen walls skimmed prior to fitting the kitchen. This meant that Raf started plastering late on Wednesday evening and completed the task by just after 23:00.
By doing it like that Oliver was able to do 'second fix' and 'test and certify' by late Thursday afternoon. While all of this was happening I had sorted the rerouting of the plumbing so that it was all ready for the final connections when the kitchen was fitted... Friday morning we finally started fitting. By close of play today, Saturday, the clients now have a fully functioning kitchen. Monday will be a short day of small details and by the mid afternoon we will be on our way to the next job.

Fitting a kitchen

2008-04-07T21:12:00.000+01:00

I'll be tied up all this week fitting a kitchen in Eastbourne. The old kitchen units, tiles, plumbing and wiring have been ripped out today and thrown in a skip from Haulaway Skip Hire. What has been exposed is a decade or so of electrical bodges. Oliver, our certified (in more ways than one) electrician, is going to be sorting out the whole of the electrics. A new kitchen ring main will be installed and all new switch gear. With all the tiles off the walls and the units out of the way, there is no better time to do the re-plumbing and rewiring. Once that is all done Raf, the team's plasterer will set about skimming all the walls. Then all that is left is to install the new units and appliances from Howdens. By Friday the kitchen should be finished... I wonder, what could possibly go wrong?

Resealing a shower tray.

2008-04-05T18:58:00.000+01:00

From the phone call it sounded simple enough.
"I've tried sealing the shower tray several times - but it is still leaking!" So went the call. I called to investigate - and opened a can of worms! The plumbing was sound. In fact the Eastbourne plumber who had been called in to renew the shower valve had done a very nice job. That wasn't the problem. The shower tray was enclosed on three sides. and someone else had obviously used several tubes of silicone, and had added those ghastly, useless trim seals to it. It was - in the homeowners words - a mess. The shower tray pedestal panel was removed and yes, it was definitely wet under there. The shower tray was in fact being held in place by the silicone because the floor in one corner was completely rotted away!
And so the nightmare on Schofield Way Eastbourne began.
In order to renew the floor and reseat a new shower tray (The old one was finished) the tray had to come out. Tiles had to be removed and walls cut back to free the tray, and then more of the walls needed to be cut back some more to allow the new (deeper) tray to 'slip' in. It doesn't sound difficult on paper - but believe me it was a nightmare. Not a job for the faint hearted. It was much akin to me trying to fit into the size trousers I wore two decades ago. With much grunting and puffing and swearing the new shower tray is firmly in place and ready to be tiled on Monday.
Now it's just a case of making good and the job is complete. All nightmares end. Jim'll Fix It 07930 335 937

renewing a ceiling insulating plastering coving in eastbourne

2008-04-05T18:33:00.000+01:00

This week Raf and I have been renewing a ceiling in Pevensey Bay near Eastbourne. First we had to rip down a lightweight fibreboard suspended ceiling (that was easy). New ceiling joists were installed, plasterboarded, and 200mm Rockwool Insulation added. Walls and ceiling were skimmed and plaster coving installed. It is all currently drying out, and will be ready for painting next week. The room has a completely different feel about it now. To have a look at a couple of photos of the project click HERE.

Randy Pausch

2008-04-05T16:12:00.000+01:00

Every once in a while, as I surf the broadband enabled superhighways of the internet, I come across something that stops me dead in my tracks....

Today's date is 5th April 2008
within the next weeks Randy is going to die
He is a professor at Carnegie-Mellon University
I would ask you to watch the following short video he has made.
It has to be one of the most jaw droppingly inspiring videos I have ever watched.
Full stop....

This short version was on "Oprah".
After you have watched the short version go here to see the full version.
Please leave comments after you have watched it...

Very funny videos

2008-03-18T21:55:00.000Z

Have a look at these two videos
If you're a man or woman you'll find them very funny

The tale of two brains

Men's sex drive

Thank you!

2008-03-18T21:10:00.000Z

It's been almost three months since I last posted to this blog. God knows where the time has gone! The workload has been fabulous (absolutely non-stop). Sash window (repairs and draught proofing) have been growing. Bespoke fitted wardrobes and home offices have exceeded my expectations, and the doorviewers have been an exceptional business addition. Add to that the normal bathroom and kitchen fitting and of course the general handyman work, and we are all being kept very busy. So right now I'd like to say thank you to all my customers, so many of whom have become friends.

The glass canopy takes shape

2007-12-18T21:11:00.000Z

This little job has turned into quite a large project.
With a bit of luck the build should be finished this week.
It started out as the customer asking a casual question about possibilities.
It's been a very interesting couple of weeks.
From being swamped in mud to being frozen to the marrow, it's what makes being a handyman fun.
If you want to see more pictures visit my photo blog

The British toilet cistern.

2007-12-18T21:01:00.000Z

I had an interesting comment on my Burlington Bell Cistern postings from "Mick" about his experiences of a toilet cistern. He sent this link History of the British Toilet. If you want to "flush" out some interesting facts about cisterns this is a very interesting website.

The Porch is taking shape...

2007-12-12T20:42:00.000Z

Now that we have a dry spell I've done a bit more on the porch this week. If you'd like to have a look at some of the photos go to my new photo blog

Cliff joins the team

2007-12-11T20:19:00.000Z

The workload is increasing at "Eastbourne Handyman Jim'll Fix It" and so we have been joined by Cliff Surridge.
This is how Cliff introduces himself. "
Hi guys and gals, I'm new to the area having recently moved to Polegate from Essex. I've been in the building industry for most of my working life beginning with carpentry, moving into general building doing anything from tiling, painting, basic plumbing, plaster boarding, fitting kitchens and bathrooms, as well as total refurbishments. Over the last couple of years I've trained as a plasterer, and now, since moving here, concentrate mainly on that trade. But as always, I can do most things that my customers need, so that they don't need to call in several different tradesmen to get a job done. I've just teamed up with Jim and I'm now currently fitting a kitchen in Langney.

With Cliff on the team we should be able to do even more of those outstanding jobs you have -especially those that pile up before and after Christmas. If you have jobs that you would like done before Christmas call Jim on 07930 335 937.

Rain stopped play

2007-12-10T21:01:00.000Z

What a miserable week (weatherwise) last week was.

It rained, and rained, and rained, and then it rained some more. My plan had been to complete the basement porch. Someone must have heard about my plan, and smiled. Then that someone let it rain for forty days and forty nights... No, that was someone else, wasn't it? It just felt like forty days and nights.

What I did manage to do was catch up with other workloads.

I've changed several light fittings, renewed sockets, switches, and a cooker hood, replaced washers on literally dozens of taps, rehung a couple of doors, restored two of my customers computers to fully functioning former glory, replaced a hand rail, built some flatpack, custom built a kitchen cabinet to hide a boiler, hung some curtains, and wired up a door bell. The one thing I didn't do last week was stop and offer a lift to a young teenage girl standing at a lonely bus stop in the pouring rain.

Why not?

Prejudice and cowardice!

I'm a 55 year old man driving a builder's van.

She was about 11 - 16 (who can tell?) and drowning at the bus stop.

Driving along the road, I was approaching the bus stop and saw her standing there, trying to hide behind the bus stop pole for protection against the rain.

I started to slow down, intending to offer a her a lift.

The windscreen wipers were having difficulty keeping up with the rain.

In the same second as I started to slow down, I made the decision to continue on without stopping. I don't think she even noticed me or the van.

Twenty years ago I would have stopped.

Ten years ago I would have stopped.

Five years ago I would have stopped.

But last week I didn't.

As I prepared to slow down, my thoughts were purely selfish.
She'll think I'm some sort of pervert.

She'll be afraid.

She could accuse me of something afterwards and I will have no defence.

and many other scenarios filled me with disquiet.

I have found the whole thing strangely sad.

She will never know that it made me feel wretched.

What has happened that we have developed into a society where I, and people like me, don't do what comes naturally (to offer help), because we are afraid of what might never happen.
Am I getting older and wiser, or simply older and more afraid?

A basement porch

2007-12-01T21:53:00.000Z

This week I've beeen in the process of building a porch over a stairway to a basement.

The rain has not helped!
Raf the plasterer has been going home miserable and looking like a drowned rat.
Sometimes it has felt like a training camp for the Somme.

An old loo had to be taken out, the brickwork made good and raised up to give what will be a full height ante room. The brickwork was in a terrible condition and the render was falling off the walls. Added to that we needed to sink a sump hole right next to an old main sewer pipe.
The basement has flooded several times over the years and so the owners are installing a sump pump to (hopefully) cope with any new flooding. Now that all the ground work is done the next stage is to build the superstructure. This should be completed next week if the weather allows.
I'll be publishing pictures as the project develops and they can be viewed on my photo blog.
To see what's happening follow this link it will be updated daily.

Edwardian Style Room Divider

2007-11-24T18:50:00.000Z

I had a lovely job to do this week.

"We want to close off the through lounge so that we can utilise the back room as a consulting room for homeopathy"
That's what they wanted.
That's what they got...
It would have been easy to throw up a room divider of some sort - but this couple wanted it to be in keeping with the age of the house - and so I was given free rein.
They are delighted with the result.

Click the following link to See slide show
They are in the process of transferring their highly respected homeopathy consultation rooms from Brighton to Eastbourne.
I suspect Brighton's loss is Eastbourne's gain.
If you are thinking about homeopathic treatments and want good advice visit their website.
I know you will be as impressed as I am.
Follow this link or the one in the side bar.

Electric Heaters (Atlantic)

2007-11-22T19:48:00.000Z

Is it me - am I getting too old - or are controls on even the simplest of gadgets getting absurdly complicated?
Is it me - am I getting too old - or do the instructions on even the simplest of gadgets have to be printed in the minutest of type?
Is it no longer possible to write a simple, one page manual, in English rather than a useless tome of several dozen pages in almost every known obscure language.
I haven't come across anybody that hasn't, at some time or another, been annoyed by the incomprehensible gobbledygook that comes vomiting out of every new (EU standardised package) item.
Is all this nonsense for the benefit of the mindless politically correct twittering classes, or is it just for the ultimate convenience of some faceless corporations.

What is he going on about, you may be asking yourself.

Well, I had a call from a lady asking me to come and see her. (oh yes, you may be surprised that I'm still in demand at my age!!!!) She'd just moved into a brand new luxury apartment (does anybody live in a normal flat anymore?) in Sovereign Harbour. It was a cold day and she couldn't get the heaters to function. Now please take note... This lady was a very smart lady. Articulate, charming, graceful, intelligent, beautiful and computer literate. She'd set up the television, the computer and even the microwave on her own! But try as she might she couldn't get the heating working.

Along came I.

The heaters look nice: sleek, elegant, and obviously not cheap. But icy cold. The controls are on the top right of the unit. I suppose that they could have been made smaller, but that would have been blatant cruelty. Imagine if you will a 2"x 1" space on which are a plethora of lights dials and sliders.
The symbols are clear - but only if you have the eyesight of an eagle and can read things embossed white on white in the half light of a normal sitting room. With the use of a magnifying glass and a strong light (I kid you not) it was just possible to decipher the hieroglyphics.
After a few more minute the heater was functioning wonderfully.

At home I have an electric heater. I switch one switch for one bar, and two switches for two bars. Even I with my builders hands can operate the controls with consummate ease. The fire is some twenty years old... if we could do it then why can't we do it now?
What mindboggling progress have we made that enables us to make something so simple so complicated. My suspicion is that they (whoever they are) do it simply because they can - and sod the end user.

Flatpack and customer service

2007-11-12T21:25:00.000Z

I had three calls from regular customers today, all needing flat pack assembled.
Two of the items were standard flat pack type furniture units; simple and straightforward enough.
The other one was a "self assembly" fitness bike.
You know the things I mean...
They stand in many a home, unused, except in the first flush of enthusiasm.
Thereafter they become silent clothes horses.
Well this (next year's clothes horse) needed to be assembled first.
"It's for my daughter" she explained.
The man who sold it to her said it only needed four pieces put together to complete the assembly, and yes she would be easily capable of doing it.
Well I am here to tell you that the salesman had either no idea what he was talking about (in which case he is at best a nitwit), or else he was maliciously mendacious.
It took me the better part of 30 minutes to sort the thing out.
It would have taken the lady, by her own admission, more than 30 hours!
In another life I was a highly successful Direct Salesman.
For those of you who don't already know direct sales is a feast or famine game.
Some weeks you'll feast on roast chicken
other days all you'll have to eat is feathers.
The pressures to perform and reach targets are unrelenting.
It's a very exciting way to live.
The temptation to dupe is huge and ever present.
It is purely down to an individual's personal integrity which way they go.
My erstwhile mentor in sales was a guy called Greg Barnes.
He used to say that the "tools" of the salesperson and the "tools" of the con artist are the same....

The ONLY difference between a sales person and a con artist is intent!

A salesperson does things to help a customer reach a decision that is good for the customer.
The con artist does things to make the customer reach a decision that is good for the con artist.
People with good intent and personal integrity, aren't those the type of people we all want to deal with?
The lady has said she will never go back to that shop again.
I think she's right to think like that, don't you?

Fixed my own toilet!!!!

2007-11-11T19:41:00.000Z

For (at least!) the last two months we've been living with water hammer.
Since mid September we've had the drone of water hammer every time the loo was used. Having a handyman as a husband, my wife should have been able to expect the job to be done immediately. Why has she been waiting for so long? I hear you cry. To be honest I have no idea! It's bugged me since it started! The drone was terrible. It just went on and on.
We were having a lie in this morning/afternoon and all of a sudden I decided to fix it. So there I was, on a peaceful Sunday, in my lolly gaggers, head under the cistern, replacing the defective ball valve. It only took a few minutes and the job was done.
What I still can't figure out is why it took so long for me to get around to it. . I knew what the problem was. I had the parts in the van. I had the tools to hand. I knew it would only take a few minutes. So why oh why did it take so long? Can any one tell me?

Draughtproofing Sash Windows

2007-11-08T22:04:00.000Z

Over today and tomorrow (Thu-Fri) I'm re-cording and draughtproofing all the sash windows in a 19th century house (seven in total). It ranks up there with door hanging as one of my favourite jobs to do. I'm using Mighton products to do the job. I've used other draughtproofing setups before, but this company really impresses. Mighton is a sash window hardware manufacturer. They are so easy to deal with. Order the goods before 16.30 and they arrive next day. Their service has been exemplary. If you have a broadband connection go to their website and have a look at the Sash Window Television flash videos!!!!

Sash windows have quite a history.
I've copied the following directly from their website for those too lazy to click through to their history page. Enjoy reading and if you want your sash windows overhauled give me a call on 07930 335 937.

The Old Norse had a word for the simple openings in the walls of buildings that let light in and arrows out -vindauga.
It translates as `wind eye' the penalty obviously for anyone peering too long through those draughty slits. Almost 1,000 years later, vindauga had evolved into 'window' and arrow slits into the classic sash window - a simple yet weatherproof closure offering the perfect balance between illumination and ventilation. and for which Mighton Products today specialises in providing a comprehensive range of sash window ironmongery.
But for the skills of London-based master joiner Thomas Kinward, it might have taken longer for the development of the box framed sash window. In 1669 or thereabouts, he was working in the Royal apartments at Whitehall Palace. His employer, Sir Christopher Wren asked him to put 'a line and pulley to the window in ye Queen's Stoole room. 'It was the earliest recorded specification of a fully developed sash window. Whether Kinward thought up the characteristic counter-balancing feature or whether it was Wren himself, is undecided. But for two centuries, the sash window reigned supreme.
By the time Anne was crowned in 1702, the traditional but inconvenient English casement window with leaded lights had all but been abandoned in favour of the sash that became the hallmark of Georgian architecture. Early versions of the sash's classic arrangement of two lights independently held in a box frame, were single hung; the upper light was fixed, only the lower light was able to slide in the frame. By the mid 18th Century double-hung sashes were supreme.
Counter balancing was the hallmark of the era but although `sash' derives from the French word `chassis', the French hadn't figured out the counter-balancing innovation and held the lower sash in place with a swivel block. Each light had its own cord and counter-balance weight or 'mouse' running within the hollow frame of the whole window. Each light could slide independently within the frame yet remain in an open position without props, pegs or wedges.
The early sashes held their small and expensive panes of glass with thick glazing bars. Developments in the manufacture of Crown Glass brought larger panes cut from large glass discs, sometimes up to 3ft in diameter. The thick centre, where the blower's rod was attached and which today is mimicked by the bull's eye panes, was discarded or sold cheaply for use at the back of the house. With larger panes, glazing bars became thinner, more intricately moulded and the classic six-over-six pane design became the norm.
The Victorian passion for things medieval revived Gothic architecture and ostentatious buildings. Mass production made ornamentation cheap and builders added pattern book styles without hesitation. Sash windows became highly decorated with leaded lights, latticework and ornate stone and wood tracery. The Victorians played the field with four, eight or twelve- pane sashes. The finest would have been 16-pane double hung sashes that lent themselves to the larger window openings and bay fronts.
More than any other component, the size, shape and number of windows created the essential style and rhythm of these buildings - both inside and out. Vertically- proportioned sash windows provided comfortable natural lighting conditions and avoided excessive glare. A careful graduation in window size from street level not only intensified the effect of perspective but allowed more light into the more important rooms on lower floors.
Today at Mighton Products we see windows as relevant to the personality of a workman's terrace or the shopkeeper's villa as to the cleric's manse and the gentry's hall. However, the doors and windows that created this architectural impact and historic character are threatened.
Conservationists fear the legacy developed by the proportions, detailing, and materials of windows and doors is being lost by the insensitive replacement with modern designs.
The offenders? Misinformation, financial incentives to modernise old houses and door-to-door sales campaigns by home`improvement' companies.
Mighton Products doesn't denounce all PVCu and aluminium products.
The key word is `inappropriate'. Generally new systems do not match the detailing of traditional windows. False glazing bars and stuck-on lead look nothing like the real thing and often are a crude parody. In many cases, simple repairs at relatively low cost will extend the life of a door and window. Local surgery is usually a far better bet than costly wholesale replacement.
An overhaul to timber windows coupled with draught proofing, using Mighton Products sash window ironmongery, will provide a better financial return and reduce the old problem of `wind eye' more than double glazing.
If you want your sash windows overhauled give Jim a call on 07930 335 937.

Introducing Snap Shots from Snap.com

2007-10-31T21:46:00.000Z

I've just installed "Snap Shots" on this blog. It gives you visual previews of any links I suggest. Sometimes Snap Shots bring you the information you need, without your having to leave the site, while other times it lets you "look ahead," before deciding if you want to follow a link or not. Should you decide this is not for you, just click the Options icon in the upper right corner of the Snap Shot and opt-out.

Kitchen Fitter Plumber Carpenter Electrician Handyman Eastbourne

2007-10-31T20:24:00.000Z

One of the things I'm doing this week is fitting a kitchen.
It's from B&Q. Bits are either missing or damaged.
Kitchen fitting demands a large range of skills from carpentry and plumbing to electrics and tiling, and can often include plastering and decorating.
There's nothing particularly difficult about fitting a kitchen, but only having some of the parts does make it far more interesting to fit. A sink without a strainer. The same sink without the blanking plug. Worktop damaged (under the label!!!!!). Worktop jointing bolts, but no compound. Drawer fronts damaged (but not a mark on the packaging). To be fair, it doesn't matter where the kitchen comes from, there will almost always be one or two hiccups.
The reason I prefer to use a trade supplier is that when things do go wrong (as they will) I've always found they are put right immediately. My preference is whenever possible to use Howdens Joinery Ltd in Eastbourne. They are super friendly, bend over backwards to help, and always have good deals.

Some shelves please

2007-10-27T19:10:00.000+01:00

I had a call last week to put up some shelves in an alcove.
I've done work for the customers before and always enjoy going back.
They wanted storage space for all sorts of things.
Once we'd had a look at the alcove I made a couple of suggestions and together we came up with a neat solution to house piles of stuff that didn't need to be on display.

This was the end result.

As always click on the image to enlarge.

If you'd like something similar,

call Jim on 07930 335 937

Hanging doors

2007-10-25T18:36:00.000+01:00

I love hanging doors.
I've said it before and I'll no doubt say it again.
I just love it.
Today I had five of them to do.
If you'd like to do it yourself there is a video on VIDEOJUG that will give you a method to follow. To watch it Follow this link.
Personally I don't follow that routine, but it will give you a good basic idea of how to do it.
Door hanging is not for the faint hearted or uninitiated. If you need it done properly give me a call on 07930 335 937.
Now back to the job...
I have a lot of fabulous customers all over Eastbourne and surrounds, which means I have drunk a lot of tea in a lot of houses!!!! But I have to say that today I have been spoilt rotten.
Biscuits, cake, chocolate bars, sandwiches, and sausage rolls. I must have put on 5 lbs.
Add to that pots and pots of tea , and I know I have single handedly helped increase the share prices of PG Tips and Typhoo by several points.
My customers are delighted with the finished result - which is (they say) why they called me in.
Now what's the web address for weight watchers?

Reka Dom

2007-10-22T18:07:00.000+01:00

Trish was down in Devon on business last week and stayed at what she called a wonderful B&B in Topsham (on the outskirts of Exeter). To call it a B&B conveys a slightly distorted picture. It is in fact a very large 17th century house, with several superior self contained apartments. Since she got back Trish hasn't stopped telling everyone how lovely it all was. Take a look at the photos above and follow this link to see their website. The accommodation is of a very high standard, the food is divine, and the hostess both charming and elegant. That's Trish's opinion and her recommendation.

Burlington Bell Cistern

2007-10-16T18:59:00.000+01:00

Had to refurbish and refit an old burlington cistern this morning.
Solid cast iron, 80 years old, and still working.
How long does a modern cistern last?
Not that long, that's for definite.
If you're curious as to how they work follow this link

And here's the matching pan!
They don't make them like this any more!

Hailsham and the Eastbourne Handyman

2007-10-15T22:17:00.000+01:00

In a previous life - about 20 long years ago,

I was living in Germany, driving European Road Trains
(which make UK trucks look like Dinky toys)
from Germany to Morocco, Denmark to Tunisia, Sweden to Portugal, or any other combination of European and North African countries you might care to think about.

I used to drive thousands of miles a week.

I'd be at home for two, possibly three days a month, and I loved it.

I used to love to travel to new destinations.
It was like being on holiday, and getting well paid for it!

I had huge amount of fun.

But everything has a price tag.

It only cost me a good marriage and a lifetime of guilt!

Why am I telling you this?

Nowadays I virtually never work outside of Eastbourne!

Two main reasons

1. Absolutely no need

There is lots of work available on the doorstep in Eastbourne

2. Absolutely no desire

I can't think of one good reason to travel any sort of distance.

Having said all that, I now find myself going up to Hailsham (that's a huge journey of about 7-8 miles - ONE WAY!!!) on a regular basis.

It started when I got a phone call from a lady who had read this blog.

"I need some work done, can you help?" she asked.

"The answer's 'Yes, what's the address" I replied.

When she said "South Street" I already had a mental image of a road in Eastbourne.

"Hailsham" she said.

I was about to say "I don't operate outside of Eastbourne" (my normal reply), when she said "I've read your blog and I think it's great!"

What a sucker punch!

I'm no different to anybody else - I love having my vanity stroked!

I swear, any other reason would have failed - miserably.
But because I was flattered, I now find myself going up to Hailsham every week to do carpentry, plumbing, and electrics. The lady and her family are fabulous to work with, and I really enjoy going up there. They want a lot of work done, so expect a few posts from Hailsham over the coming months.

Whoever said flattery doesn't work is a fool!

Washing Line "Designer" ware

2007-10-10T21:21:00.000+01:00

I was asked to put up a new washing line by a customer the other day.

Rotary dryer
When I first saw it, I was impressed.
It's nicely packaged.
The concept is, at first glance, great.
It has a neat appearance
The quality appears to be good
I would imagine that for anybody who has only a small amount of space available to dry clothes on it would seem ideal.

Here are a few things that came to mind as I was fitting it.
1. Fitting is simple but unnecessarily fiddly.
2. Most outside walls I've come across are rough - in a moderate breeze anything larger than a set of ladies undies are likely to be scraping against the wall. A man's shirt, or a ladies dress would almost certainly be slapping against the wall. The maximum distance from wall to end of dryer is 6' (pic 1).
3. It folds away to a small size (pic 2). The rain cover is held on by two press studs (pic 3). I wonder how many fingers are going to be scraped on the wall getting the cover on and off.
4. The release mechanism (pic 4) to close it up will at some point snare a finger or two.
5. My understanding of a rotary dryer is that it spins - this dryer doesn't, so I don't understand why it's termed a ROTARY dryer.

"Powder and paint, makes the thing what it ain't" is a phrase my father used to use to describe a lot of things. I wonder if he would have used it in this case.

Another deck in Eastbourne

2007-10-07T17:37:00.000+01:00

Click on any of the pictures to see them full size.

If you need a handyman call me on 07930 335 937 or email me I'll be happy to help

Being a handyman in Eastbourne!

2007-10-04T21:53:00.000+01:00

Variety!
That's one of the main reasons I love being a handyman in Eastbourne.
No two days are the same
Take yesterday.
In the morning I worked for one of my favourite clients building bookcases.
In the afternoon I went to several different clients and fixed two toilet ball valves, a bath-waste leak, an inoperative pop-up basin waste, renewed an outside tap, connected a washing machine and dishwasher, disconnected four light fittings, repaired a wonky window, and finished the day by rescuing a customer's personal data files from a computer Hard Drive that had given up the ghost.

I love what I do, and I'm told that what I do I do well.

Under stairs storage cupboard

2007-10-03T22:48:00.000+01:00

I've been building video storage units for a customer today. Over the past month I've constructed several units in different locations around the house. In fact apart from the stair well itself, there are video storage units everywhere. He has thousands upon thousnds of videos, and despite my best efforts, we still don't have enough storage. We've now commandeered the under-stairs broom cupboard to accomodate some more. He tells me that we have only racked and stacked less than half his total collection! I find other people's lives fascinating! Here are some more pictures of various units...

What my wife wants she gets!

2007-09-02T20:10:00.000+01:00

Click on image to enlarge...

Trish wanted a window that overlooks our neighbours blocked up this weekend, and so I obliged by turning it into a tall display niche. I thought Sunday was supposed to be a day of rest. The things we do for love!

Custom built cupboards

2007-09-01T19:42:00.000+01:00

Click on any image to enlarge....

Yes, more custom fit cupboards!
The brief...
Take a wide, shallow, entrance hall and maximise the cupboard space without making it claustrophobic. Vast amounts of hanging space, endless shelves for shoes, plus room for a Henry and his super long tail needed to be accommodated. The customer had made a plan... one brief look, and I made another! Ideas were thrown around and some thrown out.
We settled on floor to ceiling cupboards on one side of the entrance way and high base units and wall cupboards on the other. It took three days to build and a substantial amount of sheet MDF .
The results are in the pictures above. Double hanging rails swallow all the coats, dozens and dozens of shoes are lined up neatly on multiple shelves. Henry has his own tall cubby hole, and there's a separate cupboard for the bowls bags and equipment. Who was all this for? Limo feva. No doubt you've seen their fantastic fleet of pristine limousines in and around Eastbourne. The pink one is the one that stands out from the crowd. Have a look at some of their fleet at http://www.limofeva.co.uk/ Many say it's the only way to travel.

Fit a Baby Belling

2007-09-01T17:04:00.000+01:00

Sometimes life flashes by so quickly. I've just realised it's over a month since I last posted anything to this blog! So this weekend I will be making amends by writing a few new posts.

Here's the first

A good friend of mine, Zena Parker, is 80+. I've written of her before. She makes the most delicious rock cakes - perhaps that's why we're friends - because I like to eat delicious rock cakes. In fact I like to eat anything sweet!

But I digress....

For over twenty five years she has used the same oven to make her cakes buns and biscuits. The oven has, like Zena, grown weary, but had to date not once given up. Now the cooker has been retired and a lighter brighter smaller cooker has taken its place. Zena bought a Baby Belling. My first thought on hearing this was - no more rock cakes (Yes, I know, I can be quite selfish)! My second thought was where is she going to put it? Then I realised that was why she was calling.

She had a plan - and at first - it seemed a good plan. Take the old cooker out and make a low cupboard to sit the Baby on. "Yes" I said with my best can do voice. "I'll be around in a couple of minutes". When I arrived I went into the kitchen and knew straight away we were going to have a problem. The old cooker is at least 10x bigger than the new cooker, but, and it is a very big BUT, old cooker 56cm wide, new cooker 58cm wide. In a fitted kitchen that's a problem.

After a couple of minutes of perplexed looks trying to explain that the new midget cooker was too big to go in the hole, the lights slowly went on. We (I) would have to cut down cupboards to make more room for the baby cooker. And so I did.

The baby cooker is 58cm wide, but the hole has to be no less than 63cm wide to comply with manufacturer's instructions.

Below you can see the solution.

It's amazing what can be done with a bit of MDF.

Click on the pictures to see them large!

Eastbourne Handyman Jim

2007-07-21T21:56:00.000+01:00

We're expanding!
This week Ralf has come on board. He's an experienced plasterer, and also enjoys the odd bit of brickwork! He will take the place of Graham who has moved to Felixstowe.
Ralf is young fit and healthy - all those things that I was once! Five weeks ago he became a dad for the first time, and is now champing at the bit to do a lot of work.
And thanks to Andi Emma Adam and Milo who deliver leaflets for Jim'll Fix we have a very busy diary. So if you need a Carpenter Plumber Electrician Painter Plasterer Gardener or Brickie give me a call.
Jim on 07930 335 937 or email me.

Plumbing: Change a ball valve on a toilet cistern

2007-07-19T16:50:00.000+01:00

As a handyman I get called to many overflow problems.

There are many variations on this theme.

Whether its a toilet cistern, cold water tank, or the central heating header tank, the process is generally very similar.

I've taken a couple of photos while on the job to show you what neeeds to be done.

The object in question is a side entry low level cistern. It's probably the simplest to do.

In a ideal world the sequence is as follows:

1. TURN OFF THE WATER!

2. FLUSH TOILET!
(Let out at least some of the water)

________________________

3. DISCONNECT BALL VALVE FROM SUPPLY
(usually 15mm pipe - but not always)

_____________________________

4. UNDO BACK NUT AND REMOVE BALL VALVE
Normally two nuts hold the ball valve in place -
one on the inside and one on the outside.

5. FIT NEW BALL VALVE

Just reverse the order of doing the above.

Turn water on and check for correct function AND LEAKS!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again it's a simple process, but simple doesn't mean easy, and be aware, there are things that can go wrong.
If you are in any doubt - call me (Jim) on 07930 335 937.

What senior citizens are worth?

2007-07-17T18:08:00.000+01:00

I have a very dear friend called Zena Parker. She's in the late summer evening of her life. She has every imaginable thing wrong with her, would be bed-ridden if she could manage to get into it, but despite all that she is STILL an absolute powerhouse of an 80 year old.
She never complains, never. I tell you this because I popped into see her on my rounds today, and she gave me this little poem/verse/prose (can someone explain to me the difference). It has nothing to do with handyman things, it's just a bit of fun.

We old folk are worth a fortune!
We’ve silver in our hair,
Gold in our teeth,
Stones in our kidneys,
Lead in our feet,
and gas in our stomachs!

I’ve become older since last I saw you,
and a few changes have come into my life.
Frankly, I’ve become a frivolous old woman.
I’m seeing six gentlemen every day!

As soon as I wake up Will Power helps me out of bed, then I go and see Jimmy Riddle and then it's time for breakfast with Mr. Kellogg followed closely by the refreshing company of Mr.Tetley or my other friend who I know only by his initials PG!

Then there’s someone I don't like at all - Arthur Itis. He knows he’s not to come, but he insists on being there, and what’s more, he stays all day and night. He doesn't like to stay in one place, so he moves me from joint to joint.

I’m also flirting with Al Zheimer -- I’d tell you more but I can't remember much about him! After such a hectic day, I’m always glad to get into bed with Johnny Walker

The Vicar came to call the other day and said at my age I should be thinking of the hereafter. So I told him I did, all the time, for no matter where I am -- the bedroom, the kitchen the sitting room or even in the garden, I ask myself,
" Now what am I here after "

Well I'll close now and hope that Will Power is your constant companion but do make sure that his friend Emma Royd doesn’t creep up on you from behind! And do watch for that crafty crafty so and so, Gerry Attric....

Bye for now Anonymous

Looking for DIY help?

2007-07-12T20:39:00.000+01:00

As many of you will know, I am always searching the net for info on just about anything.
Here are a few sites that are full of videos. I didn't collate them together - it was the fellas at Dumb Little Man - Tips for life. Please pay them a visit at http://www.dumblittleman.com/
The following text comes from DLM - enjoy!
If you are looking for a project or need some help on a current one, there is a good chance the following sites will have something for you.
5min is a place to find short video solutions for any practical question and a forum for people wanting to share their knowledge.
About.com has a video library that is simple to explain. They have a ton...everything from scrambling eggs to staining furniture.
Expert Village is a repository of how-to videos and articles featuring advice from recognized experts in their fields.
SuTree is an online index and library for free video-based lessons, tutorials, lectures and how-to's.
VideoJug is every aspect of life explained and illustrated through an ever-growing number of common sense, informative, helpful and entertaining videos.From
ViewDo: "When the written word won’t suffice, and a picture can’t quite get the point across either, a ViewDo gives you the detail and perspective you need to get the job done."