Those plasterboard screw in anchors aren’t brilliant though, they can have a tendency to break the plaster skim off

Yep. They can make a right bloody mess. I find a good pilot hole eases (but doesn’t elmininate) this.

But I still wouldn’t use them for fitting stuff to the ceiling. I mean, why would you when there are perfectly good joists?

Wickes is hardly the fount of wisdom on construction matters. With all due respect

Whereas you are? 😆

It comes down to personality. “It’ll probably be OK” doesn’t sit easily with me. If I have to fix something, I will fix it to the most stable and secure medium available. In a choice between plasterboard or wood, it’s (obviously) the wood.

Work on your own home however you like – I have no intention of falling out with you over it. We have both made our cases – the OP can decide. 😉

Ah excellent. I’m off out now but will try to create a Strava group tomorrow.

No insult intended

None taken! And I do hear your viewpoint. I’ll see how I go on with the Axminster chisels.

As a slight aside, I do own a 3-pack of very cheap chisels (£5 off Amazon or whatever) and I’ve just spent the last hour chiselling out two blind mortises with them.

They did the job 🙂

Anyway I have to go but its been fun 🙂

I just think that morals are a self indulgent sideline

Yes I get that. I just doubt you’d stick to this position if someone burgled your house 😉

All trips up on that word needless though doesn’t it?
Who really ‘needs’ to eat meat? Short of a tiny number of aboriginal hunter gatherers in extreme climates, none of us.
Beyond that it’s just arbitrary lines.
How is killing cows to eat them, even though we don’t really need to, morally acceptable?
Is eating dogs and cats morally acceptable? Horses? A lot of people in the UK would say no. It’s entirely arbitrary.

I don’t disagree with any of that.

But beware of the logical trap of “whataboutery”. Just because some other cruel things happen, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do anything about any cruel things at all.

No, of course it isn’t
I’m saying that moral/cultural arguments are entirely neutral, they are no more justification than they are reason for castigation

I’m aware of moral relativism as a philosophical position, but don’t know many people who make real-world moral decisions in that manner.

Everyone has a personal set of morals. At the basis of most people’s would be “do not inflict needless violence on another creature, human or animal”.

In my view, this is a valid argument in itself against trophy hunting.

If there are valid arguments to be made on, for example, the importance of biodiversity or the inherent value of other species and many role in the ecosystem, then let’s make them

I don’t think these arguments are necessary. I think “it is wrong to shoot a sentient creature purely for the pleasure of doing it” trumps any idea that some creatures are more or less deserving of shooting, due to their position in an ecosystem.

Re your edit:

The trophy hunter, for example, sits there and says that they spend thousands of pounds killing an animal that was going to be killed anyway, and that money goes into the local economy, providing income and jobs and a better lifestyle for marginal communities, and engenders wildlife populations with an economic value that means those communities benefit from them, protecting them rather than suffering crop and livestock losses, or resorting to unplanned and unmanaged poaching, selling ivory to get money.

Once again, you take an extreme philosophical position (in this case utilitarianism) to justify hunting. I think we’ve been over this. In short, there are many barbaric practices which might make money, but that is no reason to do them.

If the only argument you have in return is ‘well, I don’t like it’ (which is essentially all that the moral argument is)

If you just don’t see anything wrong with shooting animals for fun, then we’re back where we were 20 minutes ago, with me feeling a bit sorry for you and you thinking I’m self-important.

Have a good one.

No thanks necessary, old chap.

But back to the issue of trophy hunting, whilst (as I think you’re arguing) it is culturally acceptable to some, do you think this is, in itself, a justification?

If so, can that justification be applied to other practices, considered acceptable to some but barbaric to most?

Female genital mutilation is acceptable in some cultures. Are the objectors “self-important”?

Or to stick with animal rights if you prefer: How about bear baiting? Is it “self-important” to object to this practice?

‘Morals’ are just a self important way of saying ‘what I think’ – other people and societies have different morals, yours aren’t superior to theirs except in your own head.

Ignoring your characteristically abrasive tone for a moment…

That is an extremely bleak world view. There are clearly some actions which are, as objectively as is possible, pointlessly cruel.

You have a tendency on these boards to attack anyone who objects to anything on moral grounds as “self important”. I feel a bit sorry for you.

…or in the classroom I can take a picture of a kid’s work then log in to Google Drive and display it on the smartboard for everyone to see.

Or listen to any song ever recorded, wherever and whenever I like.

Or stand in the middle of Amsterdam and tell my phone “navigate me to Vondel Park”… and it does.

I have a theory that, for a city break, you can’t really go wrong with destination, and it’s the company you’re in that makes the difference.

In any European city, you will get:

Good eating and drinking
Museums, galleries, monuments & other tourist attractions
Bars/clubs
Bike hire
Shopping

This is why, last year, we enjoyed Belfast as much as we enjoyed Amsterdam. And on one occasion we sacked off the flights and got the train to Edinburgh.

I have a little mental category of “irrational right wing nutjobs” whom I try to avoid debating because it’s like trying to nail blancmange onto the ceiling, and never leads to anything good.

But other people don’t know you’re reading a book, and probably assume you’re playing Candy Crush Saga.

It works the other way too though…

Bellend on train with “serious work face” looking like they’re using their tablet to clinch a multi-million pound deal?

Have a look over their shoulder – they’re on Farmville 😀

here

EasyJet have an “inspire me” thing. It gives you a map and prices to the points on the map.

That Axminster set looks far better than anything that I, a total amateur, have used. Those Ashley Iles might be vastly superior, they certainly cost a lot more, but would they be suitable for a beginner? You know, the learning curve, mistakes, and all that.

Yeah – this is just a typical bloke/hobby/equipment thread, with a range of opinions, and very enjoyable for it.

So if I’d said I was getting the Ashley Iles chisels, someone would have come along and said they were no good, and I should have got the Lie-Nielsen ones 😀
…
…
…
Then someone would have come along and said they’ve only ever used Aldi chisels and find them great.

We pick our entry point into the market and go from there.

3.
We’ve introduced something we shouldn’t have.
Not always on purpose.
I used to hunt rabbits and the odd wood pigeon.
They all got eaten.
I used to quite enjoy it.
Was asked to help keep rat numbers in check on a local farm.
Didn’t enjoy that at all.

Yep. I have no problem with hunting for the pot and would do it myself if I had the land.

But trophy hunting completely mystifies me.

Before you join, go and have a look around at whatever time it is you’d usually go.

I joined but it was so busy before/after work hours that I gave up and cancelled my DD.

Skyscanner?

If we are really going to be honest with ourselves, there is only one species on this planet that really needs culling. Seven billion and counting…

Oh, well said.

certain animal populations require management including culling.

What this little knot of euphemisms usually means is either:

1. We need to kill anything which poses any threat to productivity or profits

or

2. We like killing things and this is a good excuse.

I was a smartphone sceptic for a long time but I’m now a complete convert and I’d find it hard to do without.

However, if you do want a “hard phexit” then Caterpillar do a range of hard-wearing feature phones which would be good for putting in your pocket when cycling.

Is this really a thing?

Me and my kids play Xbox on a 10 year-old Sony TV and have never thought “we need a TV with 4 milliseconds’ less input lag”

I’m uneasy when blatantly immoral activities are justified because they “generate income”.

Industrial-level cannibalism might be great for the economy but we manage (for now at least) to do without.

How to fit a smoke alarm (Wickes website)

TL:DR version:

1. Ideally screw into a joist.
2. If you can’t/don’t want to find a joist, put it anywhere you like using hollow wall plugs.

My 2p:

If the battery compartment of the detector is a light flip-down thing, and you don’t want to be arsed with joists, then put it where you like.

If the battery compartment is (like mine) accessed by stiffly unscrewing the whole thing to get at the insides, then find a joist and screw it in with wood screws through the plaster.

There not going to hold an edge for long, thats the problem with the cheaper chisel, hence the price drop
Have a look at Ashley Iles, a bit more money but a far better chisel, easy to sharpen and hold a good edge
Ashley Iles chisels

Well thanks for telling me that my Christmas present from the woman I love is no good 😀

Given unlimited funds, we would all buy the best possible of everything. But otherwise, we use what we can afford and enjoy it 😉

I’ve had the same issue.Ex father in law was dying of cancer and wanted to race a dragster at Santa Pod before he died. He found a nice Ford Pop but it was in NI. We planned the trip: Ferries, trailer etc, and were looking forward to it, but he deteriorated and died before we could do it.

Bottom line (to me): If I saw the trip as a bit of adventure and a chance to have a break and see some new places, it would be worth it to me. However if I saw it as a massive ballache and didn’t really have the time then no.

As for the journey I don’t think it’s too arduous, and provided I had the time, I’d enjoy it. But YMMV

But anyway – magnets/fire brigade and job’s a goodun 🙂

Like fixing your clearly substandard plaster

Mate tell me about it. New build innit – this whole house will just dissolve in the rain one day 😀

what utter nonsense

You know the bit where I said “respectfully disagree”? You should try it.

A chandelier, once fitted, will never need to be touched. As I’ve already said, but you didn’t address, a smoke detector needs a good shove when changing batteries. I wouldn’t be happy twisting into plaster.

And maybe we can discuss rationally, without feeling our manhood is being threatened or something.

Can I respectfully disagree with the above and advise you to find the joist? We should try to get these little jobs right, for our own satisfaction and for wanting to create a home where things are done properly.

I wouldn’t be happy fitting a smoke detector into plaster. At some point you’ll have to change the battery. You’ll probably have to give the detector a good hard twist. Do you really want to worry about bringing a load of ceiling down on your head?

I’ve never needed a detector thingy – I’ve taken my cues from the position of light fittings and knocking on the wall/ceiling and listening out for the dull knocks which tell you you’re knocking on wood.

As someone has already said, if you drill and miss, it’s not a disaster – just a bit of filler required. Only screw to the depth of the plasterboard. Then, you will either hit wood or fresh air. Don’t keep pushing if it’s obvious you’re pushing into fresh air. Ceiling cavities contain wiring and plumbing 😉

No, not karma. Just a tragic death.

And no – I’m no fan of game hunting.

So what’s wrong with second hand? You can buy a Stanley/record in good ready to use condition

Hmm How about this then? Seems a bargain?

Montana Pine Resort, Oludeniz, Turkey

This place is a bit special. Secluded, quiet, great service, free shuttle bus down to [widely regarded as] one of the best beaches in the world, taxi-able to Fethiye (for the boat charters and the old market).

If you like an active holiday, the Lycian Way (long-distance trail) crosses the end of the driveway to the resort. Also, it’s the no. 1 destination in Europe for paragliding.

There’s also a local mountain biking scene and bike hire, plus guided trips etc.

Lots to think about there. Thanks

You want to get some defences in there before Raiders start populating it.

Wait…is this real life or Fallout 4? I just don’t know anymore…

prep time of 26 hours

Yep!

Thanks all. It’s been emotional.

I make a bowl of Smoking Bishop every year. So called because it emits a delightful vapour as it gets warm.

It’s a medieval recipe popular in Victorian England. Referred to by Dickens in the final stave of A Christmas Carol

Some background and a recipe here.[/url]

Also:

Smoking Beadle
Smoking Archbishop
Smoking Cardinal
Smoking Pope

(depending on what wine you use)

Enjoy 🙂

which makes me even more embarrassed by my actions.

Don’t be too hard on yourself chap. You had the balls to stand up to selfish behaviour.

Let it go and move on 🙂

…or admit the truth that you called him a p*k* 😀

Agent007 I think you’ve just exposed yourself as the delightful chap you really are.

So much anger and negativity. Some of you talking about how crap life is.

Wow.

Car parking spaces aren’t important to me, and I’m genuinely a very happy and positive person who sees a lot good in people. Maybe there’s a correlation.

Wasn’t it you on here last night, boasting about how you park in the child spaces because they’re a better fit for your van?

If so, your attempt to take the moral high ground, by pretending to be a nice person, has fallen a bit flat.

We are not what we say; we are what we *do*.