Try a carbide scraper, caulking will not stick to silicon, not much will.

Screwfix

That’s a 50mm blade, you can get smaller and profile blades too, Harris and Bahco both do profile scraper, the Bahco handle is better but the Harris blades fit and are much cheaper. Spare blades are cheapest on ebay.

DT78, yes, the 2ah battery will be about half the weight and size.

I think Makita QC dropped for a while but they seem to have got back on top. BIL is a sparky and has the Milwaukee full set, I was impressed, very robust tools.

I reckon you should be able to find some small amount of time too.

I think you need to remove some of what is stressing you out, and replace with something that will be good for yourself.

Not sure on your home life situation, but how about first thing in the morning, maybe a top up at lunchtime could be good?

It really is a crap job, who would crank up a cassette lock nut and not check it’s on right? I would not be going back to them. How’s you freehub now?

Lesson to be learned, DIY or don’t trust anyone, always give stuff a look over, even if it’s been professionally worked over.

Makita are good but there’s not much to choose from in that list.

The new 10.8v tools are very powerful for their size and suitable for the jobs you’ve listed. I have Bosch, and one issue with the plug in type batteries is the clips can snap off. Makita make 10.8v tools with either plug in type or slide on type batteries, I would consider looking at the second option, probably half the cost of the ones listed above.

I don’t think they do any tech support for their hubs, if you figure out which model of hub they are, i’m sure someone on here will be able to give you some guidance. The end caps that cover the bearing will either be push on, just round, or screw on, with some spanner flats.

That will be a decent winter bike, better the devil you know too…

Figure out a list of what you need to get it riding, put a wanted add on here and check the classifieds for used bits, while you are waiting for other parts you can learn how to service the wheels.

The quick link should be stamped with the number of speeds so you can check it’s the right one for the chain. Try a bit of a squeeze on the side plates while applying tension, DO NOT use your fingers for this.

If it’s 11 speed, I think they need more force to close, and are supposed to be a single use item, as above.

I think Ben linked the wrong page possibly, the 2017 figure is a prediction.

http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/uk-cycle-industry-predicted-to-sell-1-million-fewer-bikes-this-year/022040#after-ad

1. If it’s a hex head, try a larger size torx bit, might need a tap with a hammer to get it seated.

2. Then try cutting a slot in the head for a flat screwdiver.

3. If that fails cut the head off and get some mole grips on the bit that’s left.

You should be fine about the torque settings, just double check after first ride.

Make your own?

EBAY

An old wood chisel will usually give a cleaner job lifting the gripper strip glue if you get underneath it.

The Makita is a good tool, nice long lead fitted too. The multi-tools are very power hungry, so the mains version is the best option, unless you have other 18v tools to swap batteries with.

If you buy the quick change blades, with the open slot, you only need to back the screw out a couple of turns to change blades.

Being terrified of a dangerous tool is a bad, bad recipe. I suggest a course would be the best option.

The timber your planning to fix first is called a wall plate, fixings depend on type and quality of the wall. You want a minimum of one fixing per joist spacing at 400mm centers, you fit more if required or using a larger joist spacing. Assuming you are using 50mm timber, the fixings should project around 100mm into the wall, slightly less if a single skin of brickwork. You need to drill accurately for expansion bolts as they will tend to crack the brick or block if close to the edge or not hold in mortar joints. Another fairly cheap option is to resin fix studs. Just follow the instructions and make sure you clean out the holes well.

Very good program, and the cancer/chemo analogy was truly shite.

Steve Silberman, the guy he was talking to in the car in silicon valley, is also interesting and his most recent book, Neurotribes, is worth a look.

http://stevesilberman.com/

You can get threaded inserts for wood, Type D, and can buy them from screwfix but I think the smallest size is M6, so you could open the holes on your brackets. They have a countersunk flange, and need a bit of clearance on the pilot hole depending on wood hardness.

Another possible option is to mount brackets on to a separate piece of ply and then screw this to the board that you can get access to the back of.

Nice fort. I’m also not sure if you can make it safe unless it is a closed system, where there is no free movement in either direction.

As there are baby’s head involved, I don’t think using old bike bits is the right way to go if you choose to make this.

Not sure about that, the Yale ones I fitted plug into the landline.

I’ve fitted two Yale alarms, biggest benefit is getting the call if it’s triggered. It will call up to three different numbers. At mine it’s open plan and the neighbours don’t care, so both sirens are inside the house, you could add more sirens for a bigger place. At my mothers, her neighbours do care so traditional install there.

I do think having an alarm box outside will still be a deterent, it’s worth installing a fake bell box styled/branded with a top of the range name, and fit the DIY wireless box out of clear sight.

I suggest a counter weight too, chain over pulley with a quick link on to M10 lifting eye attached to a bit of studding. You can then wrap lead flashing around the stud to tweak the counter weight to give the motion that you want. Large washer and another lifting eye on the bottom of stud. You can then attach a hauling line with a friction brake on the bottom of the weight.

Have a try here

https://www.canecreek.com/headset-fit-finder

You can buy any size of machine screw on ebay, in any quantity. Get the old ones out with molegrips, then buy some stainless screws with a philips head instead?

Idiots, why would you put a canoe on a mooring in the first place?

Don’t pick it until you need it…

The least they could do is have a sign showing what forms of donation are acceptable, inconsiderate feckers.

And why do they think their eyebrows look better somewhere on their forehead…

I’m sure it’s already been said, if you got a weapon you need to be willing to us it and know how to us it. Most people who choose a crime lifestyle are often comfortable with a degree of violence that normal people are not. Don’t expect someone who has chosen burglary as a career to immediately back down if you wave a weapon about.

OP, how about fitting a spy hole or camera intercom, then you can decide if you even want to open the door.

I’m sure it seems hard to see a way out of the complicated business situation but I think that’s what you need to focus on. There is no way you should be considering that you have to give up your business because of this man. With the additional insight of this information I think you should just exclude him from your life completely. It sounds like he will continue to be spiteful and vindictive, NPD sounds likely or another personality disorder, he is not going to change unless he seeks help himself.

I think you need to stop being reliant on him in any way, that removes a possible source of disagreements. Then you are free to choose if you want him in your life or not. It’s unlikely that he will change his behaviour.

There are a lot of dicks about in the UK, some drive cars, a lot drive taxis, some ride bicycles. Higher population density means more dicks, that’s just the way it is.

It can be nice living at the top, downsides are the heat issue, possibly too cold in winter and more likely, too hot during the summer. So does it have enough insulation and ventilation? Will you miss having a garden much?

Yes, impressive design but shame about the pallet roof.

Ball thrower + heat gun = possible re-sized for different balls?

For 3 or 4 individual fibres, super glue will be fine.

I recommend you do not try another short cut, there’ss a higher chance of making the problem worse.

I always prefer to have the steerer above the top of the stem, even if you just put a 5mm spacer on top.

Yes, just run the glue round the cut edge, it will just tie any loose ends together. Obviously, it depends how bad the issue is, your definition of a fray could well be different to mine.

Superglue is your friend.

Well said Mick.

You need sharp bits, plenty of lube and just the right amount of pressure, get it all right and it’s hot knife and butter, get one bit wrong and your screwed. Start at 3mm for a pilot.

That’s fine as long as the drivers and peds adopt euro attitudes too.

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