Time for another wo...
 

[Closed] Time for another woodshed? Oh go on then...

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Sun's out and the wind has dropped so Im braving the outdoors again.

Going to put up a wood shed closer to the house for next season's wood. Hopefully my building merchant will drop off my timber early in the day as Ive only a little bit of ground work to do before I need it.

It'll go here:
[img] [/img]
7:45am


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 9:09 am
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youll need to move that wheelbarrow first .


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 9:14 am
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Plenty of time for a proper builders strength cup of monkey first


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 9:16 am
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I'm going for a ride, I expect this to be built upon my return.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 9:17 am
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got to drop Jr off at skool first. Then coffee.
Then a little bit of teeth sucking.
Some tool sorting.
Might start on site by 10am 🙂


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 9:18 am
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I set out in lovely clear skies 40 minutes ago, it's now overcast and dull, so I'd say its a no go. Best you stay inside and procrastinate on here instead!


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 9:22 am
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Might start on site by 10am

...aye, you'll get a good hours work in before down tools for a pre-lunch Ginsters and flick through the Sun (this must take place in the cab of a van). 🙂


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 9:26 am
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make it a long ride nick - Ive just realised Ive got to bake some cupcakes for the PTA Easter fair too... finding nails in fairy cakes is a no-no isnt it?


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 9:33 am
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Is this start of shed wars? Power play between Mcmoonter, Footflaps and Stoner could leave the country north of Watford peppered with structures full of combustable material. Are they preparing for when Scotland shuts off the oil pipeline?
Is Mcmoonter going to become rich beyond his wildest dreams when he starts to smuggle logs south?
Or given the substantial nature of Footflaps bunker is he just preparing a haven from the ensuing fire storm when the tinder dry stores ignite in the blistering heat of summer?


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 9:34 am
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blistering heat of summer?

I was with you 'till this point


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 10:24 am
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Post locations prep'd. Cant do anything more now until delivery turns up with post spikes 🙁 Time for a brew.
[img] [/img]
Cupcakes came out well though 🙂
Wimmin! This is proper multitasking!
[img] #[/img]


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 11:29 am
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Brilliant, there can never be too many woodpile / shed building threads on here.

Adds to favorites.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 12:45 pm
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I need cake now 😥


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 1:10 pm
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Woohoo, delivery arrived.

Going to go and get the spikes in then I have to ice the cakes.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 1:12 pm
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Post Spikes !!!???

What sort of half arsed construction project is this?

We want them set 16' down in molten lead foundations!


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 1:17 pm
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sod the molten lead, mcmoonter just sticks them in the ground (I still have not got to the bottom of how he fixes them upright)


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 1:33 pm
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[i]I still have not got to the bottom of how he fixes them upright[/i]

He has stern words with them about it being better to be the firewood shed rather than the actual firewood.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 1:35 pm
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The jedi shed builder will be along soon to sort this one out..(puts kettle on and awaits Mcmoonters arrival)


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 1:43 pm
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I still have not got to the bottom of how he fixes them upright

Once they're fastened to everything else, there'll be lots of nice triangles and nothing'll move?


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 1:47 pm
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Yes, the post spikes are a major dissapointment. I can only assume that Stoner is going for an 'Olde Worlde' style log shed with all the timber at odd angles.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 1:47 pm
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Once they're fastened to everything else, there'll be lots of nice triangles and nothing'll move?

Well that's obvious, but what happens before hand. A key part of engineering is designing the installation, not just the finished product.
Anyway we have the solution:

He has stern words with them about it being better to be the firewood shed rather than the actual firewood.
wwaswas has obviously been McMoonter school to learn the ways of the wise one.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 2:00 pm
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And what stops his sheds sinking where leg meets earth? Or does he 'crete some pads upon which the shed is stood?

What are the chances Stoner eats a couple of cakes with his afternoon cuppa break 😀


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 2:35 pm
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And what stops his sheds sinking where leg meets earth? Or does he 'crete some pads upon which the shed is stood?

good point, McMoonter to the thread! Explain yourself! Its bloody shed voodoo I tell thee.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 2:38 pm
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What are the chances Stoner eats a couple of cakes with his afternoon cuppa break

Kettle's on. Just about to test a cake. Cant go round poisoning the local kids now.

[img] [/img]

Oh ye of little faith 🙄

Purlins next.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 2:42 pm
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Is this in scotland? It looks nearly dark already?


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 2:50 pm
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Dunno about almost dark, but it looks squint.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 2:52 pm
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tis a bit gloomy out.
tis not squint.
tis single pitch roof.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 2:55 pm
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What are the two ipads for on the existing shed roof?


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 3:35 pm
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I don't think we can judge him until we've seen the size of his hammer


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 3:59 pm
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Honey, I'm home!

If anyone asks you to go cycling in the Chilterns...Run, run as fast as you can and don't look back.

I'm going to my happy place now.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 3:59 pm
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Well that's obvious, but what happens before hand. A key part of engineering is designing the installation, not just the finished product.

His build photos always show shed-loads of extra random bits of wood tacked on during constructions, which I assume are temporary positioning braces to back up the stern words.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 4:22 pm
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Last picture was an hour ago, where are these purlins?


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 4:35 pm
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I'd always wondered what real addiction was, then the wood threads started on here. Now I find myself turning to the wood based threads first every time I log in and find many more addicts waiting for more news and the latest photos from fellow woodists across the STW world. Is there one of those 12 point plans like there is at AA?

My name is Ian and I like wood....


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 4:44 pm
 IHN
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[i]My name is Ian and I like wood....

[/i]

Ahem, erm... 😯


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 4:50 pm
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[countdown choon]
do do do do doodle-du-do do
[/countdown choon]

And he's out of time 🙁
Will have to clad it and fit the gutter on Friday.
But I did manage to ice my cakes.
Got to rush out now for an Electrical Systems exam. got to love a productive day.

[img] [/img]
[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 5:33 pm
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Just about to test a cake.

Or two 🙂


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 5:36 pm
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ell_tell - Member
What are the two ipads for on the existing shed roof?

[url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/new-tinkering-project-can-you-guess-what-it-is#post-4801212 ][i] Previously on shedtrackworld[/i][/url]


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 5:40 pm
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[i]Previously on shedtrackworld[/i]

Reads thread with interest. Approves very much 🙂


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 6:29 pm
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The speed at which these Stoner and McMoonter structures go up is just embarrassing!


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 6:37 pm
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I have to be honest here, that icing is pretty shoddy.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 6:40 pm
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Gazed cherries? Kids won't appreciate them at all.

Otherwise, well done. Good productive man day.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 6:52 pm
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Building a shed, baking little cakes, then an electric exam.

This fella needs to decide if he's Arthur or Martha.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 6:54 pm
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^ ^ 😀


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 6:59 pm
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The jedi shed builder will be along soon to sort this one out..(puts kettle on and awaits Mcmoonters arrival)

Shoot, I missed all the action.

Great work Stoner. Are going to clad the walls? I'd leave them open to aid the wood drying process.

I've never used to post spikes before. The ground here is loose to about 8 inches then there's semi sandstone layer. I have to quarry through it to get the posts deep enough. It's as hard as concrete but it drains well. To keep the posts vertical I cross brace them with scraps of 2x1 or what ever is to hand until I can get a roofing rail nailed up.

[img] [/img]

Now you've seen how straightforward it is I expect each and every one of you to have one built by the end of April to give you plenty of time to fill it and season your firewood for next winter.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 7:15 pm
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Now you've seen how straightforward it is I expect each and every one of you to have one built by the end of April to give you plenty of time to fill it and season your firewood for next winter.

Do we get graded? I'm only up for it if there's grading 😉


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 7:18 pm
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Do we get graded? I'm only up for it if there's grading

I'm not so sure formal grading is the way forward. Plenty of pic updates and with helpful suggestions Is better.

A good build thread for me is graded on a laughs per page basis. Rate My Brickie is the benchmark.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 7:38 pm
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Humbling 😐


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 7:41 pm
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Re the cupcakes - please tell us you haven't been using Hora's sock as an icing bag/


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 7:45 pm
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mcmoonter, I'm going to do it. Soon. New shed build is imminent.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 8:16 pm
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one question you have not answered. How do you stop the shed from sinking its posts even deeper over time?


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 8:20 pm
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Anti Gravity nails....


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 8:24 pm
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This question is important to me as I have a shed, which cost the previous owner of my house 2k and they just lay it on 2x4 bearers which have now sunk and I'm getting ground contact and rot.
So I am thinking of dismantling it sinking posts like you putting the old shed walls around them and fitting a new floor.
Its that or dig a mini foundation, but I am drawn to the post idea..


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 8:25 pm
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My shed rests on paving slabs on the lawn, they spread the load so that the posts don't did in.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 8:28 pm
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I laid a massively overbuilt concrete slab for mine, it'll be there forever. The base I mean, not the woeful shed I bought 🙁

Stoner......Shed skills - 10, icing skills - 2 for at least trying but a cherry ain't gonna hide that shambles.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 8:41 pm
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This is an over-buit shed foundation:

[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8298/7986386745_2704d04742.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8298/7986386745_2704d04742.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/brf/7986386745/ ]Pumping concrete 60m[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/brf/ ]brf[/url], on Flickr

Took three concrete trucks to fill it!


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 8:44 pm
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Not only do I have an inadequate shed I've been top trumped on base too. 😥


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 8:47 pm
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one question you have not answered. How do you stop the shed from sinking its posts even deeper over time?


In my situation, unless the posts have have stealth pneumatic drill capabilities, there is no way the posts can sink in to the ground. I use a two metre long steel pinch bar to quarry the holes out. It works for me. The ground where you are may be different.

Remember trees aren't rooted in concrete. You could dig out a slightly larger hole and sit each post on a couple of bricks to spread the post footprint. I can't see why that won't work for you. I like the idea of the building sitting well above the ground with plenty of air circulating underneath. Gutter the rain water away and rot should be history.

I'd be keen to hear more of how Stoner's post spikes work.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 8:59 pm
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so you compact the ground below essentially?
How deep do the posts go in?


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 9:00 pm
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so you compact the ground below essentially?

No it's rock hard, if anything I'm loosening it. The longest 4x4 posts I can find locally are 10 feet long. I sink them 18 inches into the ground. That still leaves enough to work with at the top, if a post has been a bit short, I will nail a bit of 4x2 to it then add another bit of 4x4 on top.

If they are all braced together the chances of sinkage are reduced too. Concrete may work for you if the ground is super loamy.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 9:08 pm
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hmm, we don't have permafrost down here in devon. 😀

I shall dig a test hole.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 9:10 pm
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Remember too that the only weight a log shed is holding up is it's roof, which isn't a lot.

There is a lot of weight in my studio, if I felt the ground was soft I'd probably have concreted the posts in.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 9:15 pm
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yeah my shed is full of dh bikes, lawnmowers and tools n stuff..


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 9:19 pm
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Looking good, very envious of all this she'd building. Was think about getting a wee log cabin for junior sailor to play in and to be used as a home office.

[img] [/img]

Now I am considering building a wooden building, anyone know of any good websites for advice or have any pointers?


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 9:33 pm
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[url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/profile/mcmoonter ]shedtrackworld[/url]


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 9:39 pm
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Stoner, good work Sir.
Can you enlighten me about the spikes.
Can you get different length spikes?
When I get around to leveling out the new shed base I will need to use some these or concrete in some posts for an area of approx 9' x 6'
The ground is pretty soft ie 8" or so of sharp sand on top of top soil. Not sure how deep I'll need to go for a good footing?


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 10:15 pm
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woohoo, 85%. In. Your. Face. Electricikery!
*vvvzzztttttt*
oofarrggyerbastard!

Shoddy icing? I was going for the "Volcano" effect. And as for glace cherries, it has been Jr tested and deemed acceptable.

toys19/mcm - post spikes work fine there. I prepared that gravel area a couple of years ago with 8" of hardcore. Over that is a weed membrane and then I put ground guard interlocking plastic plates before filling with gravel. To prepare the ground today, I had to cut away a small portion of the ground guards. The spikes are driven through the hardcore so that the base of the post box sits flat on the hardcore. It's not going anywhere. Not to mention the total weight of the shed being supported by 7 contacts points probably amounts to no more than 7lbs/in.

It will be clad mcmoonter, but Ive borne in mind your earlier posts on airflow and going for a "now you see it, now you dont" style clad. i.e. each bay between uprights gets an alternating featheredge board on the inside then outside. The posts are 4" square so there's plenty of airflow while still retaining the logs without having to do the whole wall building with logs thing.

When I built the woodstore (more a pole barn really) down the other end of the field, that is on Keuper Marl - basically a mud clay that just goes down all the way to Hades. So for the posts there I have to dig out a big hole, set the post and then fill with concrete. Its not like it's taking much weight though, but the main reason to do it is that clay heaves and shrinks through the seasons so to stop the posts becoming loose its a good idea to have a large surface area for your pile.

[img] [/img]

toys19 - as I see it you have 3 different ways of supporting your shed contents:
1) on a suspended floor hung on your posts
2) on a frame floor that sits directly on slab bearers
3) on a filled floor a la footflaps

for 1) then yes you will need to look at providing decent post bearing if you dont have a bedrock like mcmoonter. Read up on post foundations with back fill.
for 2) you may the ground good with hardcore and maybe a thin layer of sharp sand or even dry mortar mix on to which you set and level concrete slabs over a sufficient area that your shed base can rest, and your shed walls then can either be attached to posts or to the base itself.
for 3) call wrightyson, he loves his concrete 🙂


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 10:16 pm
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granny_ring
The spikes are about 40-50cm long below the post box. (some are longer)

You can also get concrete-in ones that are about 6" deep that you set into either your slab or a small footing. Finally you can also get bolt down ones which you can fix =to your pre-laid slab. I used them on the other end of the shed where I had already laid a load of concrete (it's about 18" thick actually. "Balancing load" my hairy arse!)


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 10:22 pm
 Bear
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Stoner - when are you going to stop playing with construction and come and do some proper work?

Fancy a chip install?


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 10:25 pm
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here you go:

[img] [/img]
http://www.catnic.com/spike.aspx

[img] [/img]
http://www.catnic.com/concrete-in_post.aspx

[img] [/img]
http://www.catnic.com/bolt-down_support.aspx

By the way, the fence height spec is to do with side wind load on the spike, not vertical mass resistance. So if your shed is properly built it will transfer wind load across the whole structure, not just the post fixings.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 10:26 pm
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bear - Im going to book in my HETAS next month. Cant wait.
Where's your chip job? Would love to drop in if I can get there and back and be useful between dropping the boys off/picking them up from school.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 10:27 pm
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Ok cheers, your answer to toys helps also.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 10:27 pm
 tang
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I have to crack on also. One of my oldest clients has just sold his estate and has a barn with app 150 tons of barn dried cut/split oak, ash and beech which I can help myself to! Its a massive heap, got to borrow a flatback for a day and get busy.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 10:31 pm
 Bear
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Stoner, looked at a possible job today, they have about 12 acres of coppice to work with, currently have a 90kW oil boiler.
Work will start next Jan if goes ahead.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 10:36 pm
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*does sums*

12 acres of the right kind of coppice should yield around 15tons dry weight of material a year, so 60,000kWh of lovely warmness. My barn on paper needs about 23,000kWh pa.

Thats a mighty big boiler.

tang - you need bigger pockets.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 10:41 pm
 Bear
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Big house but not that big.
Have another biggie to price too, pellet boiler heating house plus some holiday lets, could be multiple boilers cascaded together....


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 10:48 pm
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A friend with multiple WINDHAGER boilers in a communal build is having problems with theirs. Big system losses. But that's another story and not sure its one that can be sorted out politically.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 10:53 pm
 Bear
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What sort of system losses?


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 11:00 pm
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On that note, we just finished two x 100kw pellet boilers installed in a care home - will knock their £49000 oil bill down to £26000 for the pellets.

Bear - do you know the ETA boilers at all?


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 11:01 pm
 Bear
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Quick google, yes I've seen them around. Where is the care home? Big market for biomass at the moment.

Stoner I might have heard something about that.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 11:03 pm
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Bear, probably.
Bristol.
Award winning.


 
Posted : 27/03/2013 11:04 pm
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