What "man jobs" have you done today?
- Thread starter jaybee
- Start date
Soldato
Put another nine Blackthorn whippies in at back of fence - hope to get some Sloes in future 
For the speakers I used no trunking, I just put them in the wall and used filler to cover them up - I worked out by dry fitting a speaker how much wire I would need to come out to be enough to attach the speaker but not too much that it is visible. Make the channel just wider and just deeper than the speaker wire then you can 'wedge' it in to make it easier to fill over as it's not popping out.
For the TV/Fire - I used mini trunking, I think it was 45mm wide and 16mm deep. I used a grinder to make the channels in the wall (this is VERY VERY dusty, I can't emphasise this enough), you can just use a bolster chisel if you wanted.
The TV stand I made sure to get one with holes in the middle, channel for wires is central so comes out the middle of the bracket through one of the holes and has enough spare to plug into the tv with ease.
The cables I made a channel behind the skirting board, into the plaster so they run down the middle, left, to the back wall, along to the left then up through another channel that opens just above the skirting board and then it's all wired into the unit at the left of chimney breast. I then use a Logitech Harmony remote to control the devices.
Power for the TV I made a 1 socket extension lead (Could buy one pre made there is no difference really) and that comes out again at the TV stand by a tiny bit so the tv powered into that. The fire uses a kettle lead so I bought a 3m one to go around to the sockets, which again are all behind the tv unit at the left.
Hope that helps a little. I only have 1 hdmi cable, as everything goes through the amp but it is always a good idea for a second one just in case. I have ethernet cable etc in there too.
Associate
Started off tidying the study, then ended up painting one of the walls a charcoal colour. Need to find some pictures and photos to make a collage on there now.
Took the meter readings and moved to a new gas & electricity supplier.
Sprinkled some grass seed on a bare patch and re-covered with top soil.
Gave the car a quick wash after a bird had defiled it.
Took the meter readings and moved to a new gas & electricity supplier.
Sprinkled some grass seed on a bare patch and re-covered with top soil.
Gave the car a quick wash after a bird had defiled it.
Soldato
Hung the new TV and soundbar on the wall, rerun all new shotgun coax and cat 6 cables into the under stairs cupboard, routed cables through to the TV.
No more cables
No more cables
Associate
Started building my concealed fire pit in the new patio. All slabs are reclaimed from different jobs I have done. Shame to throw them away as they are better than new ones you can buy and will easily outlast any newly made slabs
It got dark and rained so I couldn't finish the last 2 slabs
Its on red ash so the drainage will be good but I will dig a hole in the middle and fill it with pea gravel for a mini soak away. I will be laying brick on edge in the bottom and leaving one brick out in the middle above the soak away for drainage.
It will be about 350mm deep when finished. 2 slabs will sit on top of the upright slabs for when it's not in use. I will drill 2 holes in each slab and have these heavy duty screw in eyes to lift the labs out when we fancy burning some burgers or have a cosy meal outside
Probably finish it off next weekend or do a bit after work each night if there is enough daylight.
It got dark and rained so I couldn't finish the last 2 slabs
Its on red ash so the drainage will be good but I will dig a hole in the middle and fill it with pea gravel for a mini soak away. I will be laying brick on edge in the bottom and leaving one brick out in the middle above the soak away for drainage.
It will be about 350mm deep when finished. 2 slabs will sit on top of the upright slabs for when it's not in use. I will drill 2 holes in each slab and have these heavy duty screw in eyes to lift the labs out when we fancy burning some burgers or have a cosy meal outside
Probably finish it off next weekend or do a bit after work each night if there is enough daylight.
Soldato
It will be about 350mm deep when finished. 2 slabs will sit on top of the upright slabs for when it's not in use. I will drill 2 holes in each slab and have these heavy duty screw in eyes to lift the labs out when we fancy burning some burgers or have a cosy meal outside
Probably finish it off next weekend or do a bit after work each night if there is enough daylight.
Will they not be liable to crack if unsupported except at the 3 edges? I'd look at building a removable wooden frame or something to sit inside the pit at least.
If the slabs are soaked then they're likely to explode/crack when heated - just the same reason that you don't use wet rocks around the fire pit. Get some fire pit concrete and then if you must, use the slabs as backing. You may want a drain hole or you may get a small pond..
Associate
Not from a human being standing on them. If someone hits them dead center with a hammer then yes maybe. They are not like modern slabs that crack when you knock them down when laying them.
You maybe correct of course but in my humble opinion they will be sound.
But I may look at cutting a removable concrete lintel across the middle if I suspect it not to be sound. Thank you.
Yes maybe, also it's not finished yet. I was thinking about waiting to post the whole lot when it was done but then it would not be what man jobs have you done TODAY
Concrete has proven to be very resistant to fire. I have used slabs round fires before and have never experienced them exploding nor cracking, I have also put a fire out with a hose that was inside slabs and remember them hissing and steaming but they never broke or exploded.
I hear your concerns though thank you.
I said in my post above that I was adding a soak away so it does not turn in to a pond. A soak away will be plenty as it will be covered with 2 slabs except in between the center line.
I may turn it in to a pond if it does fill up with water
Last edited:
Soldato
Today I have done in the new place
Full hall wall paint - white cotton
Removed hall alcove wallpaper - filled holes, then 3 coats of white emulsion ready for repapering (was red paint underneath!)
Filled ceiling cracked, sanded down
Glossed skirting in Living-room
Defrosted freezer (looked like it hasn't been done in its life)
Rotated and refitted wardrobe doors
Put door number on
sealed outside flat door (was very gappy, not a problem since it is inside but looked bad)
Lots still to do!
Full hall wall paint - white cotton
Removed hall alcove wallpaper - filled holes, then 3 coats of white emulsion ready for repapering (was red paint underneath!)
Filled ceiling cracked, sanded down
Glossed skirting in Living-room
Defrosted freezer (looked like it hasn't been done in its life)
Rotated and refitted wardrobe doors
Put door number on
sealed outside flat door (was very gappy, not a problem since it is inside but looked bad)
Lots still to do!
Associate
Finished the fire pit today. All done with stuff dug up from the garden. Except the sand and cement.
Last 2 slabs put in.
Nearly 2 foot deep tiny soakaway filled with stones
Bricks that were the old edging to some flower boarders.
Some old wider blues which bridge the soak away.
Pointed up and mass filled round the back of the slabs.
Hope it does stand up to the heat 
Need to get a grill made now to fit the recess.
Last 2 slabs put in.
Nearly 2 foot deep tiny soakaway filled with stones
Bricks that were the old edging to some flower boarders.
Some old wider blues which bridge the soak away.
Pointed up and mass filled round the back of the slabs.
Hope it does stand up to the heat
Need to get a grill made now to fit the recess.
Soldato
How do you get air to the fire? Like on a bbq you have a vent underneath that you can adjust. Or doesn't it not need it?
Associate
It's 1200mm long, plenty of air will get round the fire I'm sure
I think the vents on a bbq are to aid in starting and getting the charcoal alight. Then you close them to keep the charcoal burning for longer whilst you are cooking.
I think the vents on a bbq are to aid in starting and getting the charcoal alight. Then you close them to keep the charcoal burning for longer whilst you are cooking.
Caporegime
It's 1200mm long, plenty of air will get round the fire I'm sure
I think the vents on a bbq are to aid in starting and getting the charcoal alight. Then you close them to keep the charcoal burning for longer whilst you are cooking.
I really like that!
Finished the fire pit today. All done with stuff dug up from the garden. Except the sand and cement.
Some old wider blues which bridge the soak away.
Hope it does stand up to the heat
Need to get a grill made now to fit the recess.
Drill a hole in the laid concrete I assume.
Putting a metal grill over the top of it? stops people breaking a leg when it's not in use.
I would put a bit of plate over the central bricks, to stop ash from the fire eventually blocking up those drainage slots. May I also pre-emptively offer my condolences for any spiders, beetles, centipedes, earwigs etc that choose to take up residence prior to your next barbecue.
Associate
The slabs I am using for the patio will sit on top for when it's not in use and a table will be over the top also.
The metal grill is to cook on
Great idea thank you, will certainly be doing that.I would put a bit of plate over the central bricks, to stop ash from the fire eventually blocking up those drainage slots. May I also pre-emptively offer my condolences for any spiders, beetles, centipedes, earwigs etc that choose to take up residence prior to your next barbecue.
I am a great animal lover of all things great and small, all the slugs and snails that were hiding in the bricks before laying them were re-housed in the long grass down the bottom of the garden
Any live stock taking shelter down there will be removed before I light the match May I also pre-emptively offer my condolences for any spiders, beetles, centipedes, earwigs etc that choose to take up residence prior to your next barbecue.
You sir have a heart of gold