Search results

This year I'm trying out a method of growing a new goat willow hedge by taking 2"-4" rods of goat willow about 2'-4' long and laying them down horizontally to see if they root and throw up shoots along the branch. I've left the odd thick cutting laying on the ground in the past and they've...

I thought I'd have a go at making and testing some dipped candles using what I have laying about the place before buying a proper deep container for the wax. A rummage about found an extra deep metal container that had posh instant coffee in. Placed carefully on the wood burner and filled with...

I've been using chainsaws for several years now and I'm looking at getting a better saw, and possibly some more training. I'm mainly talking about petrol saws that can do a fair bit of work, from felling, to logging to clearing fallen trees. My main saw is a small 35cc Echo 352 semi pro saw...

I can't remember if I've asked this before but I'm trying to track down a modern candle lantern for the home. I have an Uco camping lantern and quite a few antique/vintage holders and lanterns but I'd like a couple of modern, hefty quality lanterns for the home. Something like a good quality...

Looks like there's another storm on the way coming in early Saturday. Winds up to 86 mph predicted in our part of the west and gusts around 80 for most of the day! What is worrying is they are not coming from the usual SW but more from the NW so I expect to see some trees down. Funnily enough I...

I could do with some new frying pans, both for the kitchen and cooking outdoors. However, these days you seem to have to avoid every type of pan and coating - forever chemicals, burnt oil, aluminium etc seem to rule out everything apart from stainless steel. Can anyone recommend something not...

I tend to mostly use a common utility/stanley knife these days and have found some nice small stainless lockback type knives. For some uses I'd like to use stainless blades and I note a manufacturer is making them. However, I can't find any shop or online outlet selling them. Does anyone know of...

I've been sorting out some torches recently and been wondering about the batteries. Firstly, with rechargeable lithium batteries, has anyone ever had one overheat or catch fire at all? I've avoided unbranded cheap batteries but never had a problem with a growing list of them, and I don't know...

I noticed the Met Office now has a lightning strike map on its site. I don't recall seeing it in the past so assume it's fairly new. Anyway, worth a look if it's thundery in your area. https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/maps-and-charts/lightning-map

Just a heads up really. I buy the odd second hand item on ebay and try not to over bid so often don't win an auction. Today I went to bid and ebay insisted on my payment details before I could bid. This seemed strange as I never save my payment details with them, always pay promptly and never...

I'm after a simple, but well made, plug in USB torch or light. I.e. Just the light and not a battery. I have a power bank with a built in light that is useful and long running, but faulty. I've looked at other powerbanks with lights but the choice isn't great so a plug in light would increase...

I thought this might be worth posting. A few years ago I foraged a few plants, the rooted ends of a tayberry type plant that had been abandoned to die but from a plant that I knew produced some decent fruit. They are now happily growing in my fruit cage, away from the prying beaks of the local...

I know there are some previous threads on the portable solar / mains battery units but I'm more interested in the larger ones for use around a home. What I'm curious to know from those that have them was why did you buy them, did they live up to expectations and have your needs changed since...

I would like to install a couple of CCTV cameras but one needs to be 300m from our house and I'm trying to find out what options I have. I have a trail camera but I want to be able to check real time. I am aware of trail cams that use mobile phone signals but there's no signal where I want the...

Our current first aid kit needs replacing as it's well past its best before date. I know I need to replace the sterile dressings but is there a life span on things such as non-sterile bandages? Can anyone recommend a good quality multi-purpose kit to keep at home? And does anyone know if you...

Is there a term for ongoing medical care such as wound dressing, how to look after muscle strains and ever broken bones? I'm currently looking after my mum after some rather appalling hospital treatment and she has meant to have a bad wound dressed daily but the district nurse just doesn't turn...

I'm after some advice on a possible stray cat. Firstly I will say I like cats as an indoor pet but not overly keen on them munching through wildlife. Having said that I'm hoping this thread can concentrate on what's best for the cat. We live with no close neighbours with fields and woodland all...

I've just picked up a couple of cheap 2nd travel rods and one has a broken eye. The metal ring has split, but is all there, it is just missing the guide ring. A quick search shows these rings can be picked up cheaply but I'm after some advice of how to do the repair. Is it a simple matter of...

I've been tasked to find a safer way for someone to split kindling into smaller pieces. My first thought was one of those devices that you either screw to a bench or mount in a vice, then place the wood onto a blade of some sort and hammer the other end. Has anyone used such a thing and found it...

I'm trying to track down a method of making a large number of card disks. I've got wad punches which are fine for making holes and ok for cutting a few disks but not a large number. At the moment I need disks 16mm diameter although 15 might do, but in the future other sizes. I've seen cheap...