The House Projects Thread
- Rich B
- Posts: 11478
- Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2018 4:22 pm
- Currently Driving: T6.1 VW Transporter combi
S1 Lotus Elise
Re: The House Projects Thread
yeah, chop saws aren’t too bad - i use mine a lot. it’s often quicker to get it out and set it up than cut a few bits by hand.
if i was to buy a new one, id get a sliding one.;
if i was to buy a new one, id get a sliding one.;
Re: The House Projects Thread
Take your time, don’t rush, use it as intended and it’ll be reet
Get a sliding one though, miles more useful. Double bevel helps but single will do
- integrale_evo
- Posts: 5422
- Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2018 5:58 pm
Re: The House Projects Thread
It feels way less dangerous than a normal circular saw, and definitely less than a chainsaw or angle grinder!
The only issue I’ve had is cutting a very small piece so it’s not supported properly by the fence at the front end.
Usually I find because it’s so smooth and easy you’re not rushing or trying to force anything so have plenty of time to make sure you’re not going to chop your fingers on the other hand off
Mines not a massive angry mains one though, just modest size 2x18v batteries. Heavy to move around, but pretty portable, I use it up in the garden, in my shed or in a field without having to mess with extension cables.
The only issue I’ve had is cutting a very small piece so it’s not supported properly by the fence at the front end.
Usually I find because it’s so smooth and easy you’re not rushing or trying to force anything so have plenty of time to make sure you’re not going to chop your fingers on the other hand off
Mines not a massive angry mains one though, just modest size 2x18v batteries. Heavy to move around, but pretty portable, I use it up in the garden, in my shed or in a field without having to mess with extension cables.
Cheers, Harry
- Gavster
- Posts: 3844
- Joined: Mon Jul 26, 2021 11:31 am
- Currently Driving: A washing machine with heated seats
Re: The House Projects Thread
Another vote for chop saws here, even though I barely do any woodwork, I can't stand the thought of cutting wood without one, so I bought one anyyway. They're pretty safe if you're careful with them
Re: The House Projects Thread
Yeah I know you’re right but so need a proper shed first. Then I’ll fill it.
My mates a career tradesman in everything from joinery to metal work to tree surgery. In and around, he’s been a chef.
When the time’s right, I’ll get him to give me some coaching.
My first job when I get the shed though is a Canvas and Cedar Canadian canoe…
- Ascender
- Posts: 4322
- Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2018 12:07 pm
- Location: Proper Up North
- Currently Driving: Polaris ATV, Hilux, Navara, Dakar, M3 Touring
Re: The House Projects Thread
Months to get planning permission.... building warrant has been in for months.... chased them up and they've asked for details of the septic tank to ensure it's big enough as we're adding an extra bedroom to the property.
The fact there's only 3 people living in the place full time doesn't matter apparently. We have to satisfy them the septic tank can cope with maximum full time occupancy.
This is just like the planning application where they missed their guideline time for approving it and came back a month later to ask if we had enough room for extra car parking due to adding a bedroom on. There's space for 3/4 cars extra marked on the plans we submitted, so this is all making me think they don't actually look at any of these things until they absolutely have to.
The fact there's only 3 people living in the place full time doesn't matter apparently. We have to satisfy them the septic tank can cope with maximum full time occupancy.
This is just like the planning application where they missed their guideline time for approving it and came back a month later to ask if we had enough room for extra car parking due to adding a bedroom on. There's space for 3/4 cars extra marked on the plans we submitted, so this is all making me think they don't actually look at any of these things until they absolutely have to.
Cheers,
Mike.
Mike.
Re: The House Projects Thread
Woah hold on a minute, are these the same planning rules that allow developers to build 5 bed homes with a driveway barely big enough for 2 cars?
How about not having a sig at all?
- Ascender
- Posts: 4322
- Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2018 12:07 pm
- Location: Proper Up North
- Currently Driving: Polaris ATV, Hilux, Navara, Dakar, M3 Touring
Re: The House Projects Thread
Sounds about right.Mito Man wrote: Mon Jul 21, 2025 12:27 pm Woah hold on a minute, are these the same planning rules that allow developers to build 5 bed homes with a driveway barely big enough for 2 cars?
Or the same planning rules which take months to look at anything for us plebs whilst rushing through plans to put in massive electricity pylons all over our countryside with seemingly no interest in looking at any of the potential negatives.
Cheers,
Mike.
Mike.
Re: The House Projects Thread
Must be best mates with the ones who take no account the extra flooding risk as a consultant has done a survey and didn’t see a high water level last Tuesday. Clever groups.Ascender wrote: Mon Jul 21, 2025 2:20 pmSounds about right.Mito Man wrote: Mon Jul 21, 2025 12:27 pm Woah hold on a minute, are these the same planning rules that allow developers to build 5 bed homes with a driveway barely big enough for 2 cars?
Or the same planning rules which take months to look at anything for us plebs whilst rushing through plans to put in massive electricity pylons all over our countryside with seemingly no interest in looking at any of the potential negatives.
Dave!
- integrale_evo
- Posts: 5422
- Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2018 5:58 pm
Re: The House Projects Thread
The hoops we had to jump through to so a simple barn conversion with modest exterior changes and no footprint increase on a dilapidated, non listed, building were ridiculous. Yet developers seem able to chuck up what they want where they want.
The postcode it’s in shows as a flood risk, because the village it’s in is in a river valley, and the river regularly overflows it’s banks onto the agricultural land it runs through during wet seasons. Yet I don’t know if any houses in the village flooding in the last 40 years, and ours is 3/4 of a mile and probably 50ft above the main village.
The postcode it’s in shows as a flood risk, because the village it’s in is in a river valley, and the river regularly overflows it’s banks onto the agricultural land it runs through during wet seasons. Yet I don’t know if any houses in the village flooding in the last 40 years, and ours is 3/4 of a mile and probably 50ft above the main village.
Cheers, Harry
Re: The House Projects Thread
Never mind the driveways, the roads are so narrow that when I go to these estates to do a job I end up walking half a mile to park the van somewhere as not to cause an obstruction. Of course I’m walking in the road though as there’s no fucking footpaths eitherMito Man wrote: Mon Jul 21, 2025 12:27 pm Woah hold on a minute, are these the same planning rules that allow developers to build 5 bed homes with a driveway barely big enough for 2 cars?
- Swervin_Mervin
- Posts: 5505
- Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2018 8:58 pm
Re: The House Projects Thread
No. Because those rules were abolished in 2010 when the coalition govt came in and scrapped that part of Labour's planning policy guidance.Mito Man wrote: Mon Jul 21, 2025 12:27 pm Woah hold on a minute, are these the same planning rules that allow developers to build 5 bed homes with a driveway barely big enough for 2 cars?
- Ascender
- Posts: 4322
- Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2018 12:07 pm
- Location: Proper Up North
- Currently Driving: Polaris ATV, Hilux, Navara, Dakar, M3 Touring
Re: The House Projects Thread
So it's official, we need a new septic tank and there's no building warrant until we have one in. Which is nuts they've come up with this now after 6 months+ of reviewing application and warrant.
But of course, I can't just buy a new, appropriately sized septic tank. I have to get engineers to design a septic tank solution, come and do a survey, take a soil sample etc.
The whole thing seems to be one massive racket.
But of course, I can't just buy a new, appropriately sized septic tank. I have to get engineers to design a septic tank solution, come and do a survey, take a soil sample etc.
The whole thing seems to be one massive racket.
Cheers,
Mike.
Mike.
Re: The House Projects Thread
I'm fairly sure you can't even install a new septic tank in England now - it's a sewage treatment plant at a minimum. So if you can get away with a septic tank that's a bonus.
Re: The House Projects Thread
My folks had to have an additional tank put in, was less of a faff than replacing the current one.
How about not having a sig at all?
Re: The House Projects Thread
It's been a year since we moved into our thatched cottage and we love it. There is a list of things that need doing, but they aren't DIY'able (well, not for me, anyway). The render will need to come off and be replaced as it's concrete, not lime, and has delaminated in spots. Fortunately, there is no damp or mould inside the house and all the load supporting beams are in good nick. I'm praying it's ok under there, but we'll find out next year when we start taking ot off. Trying not to worry about that one.
The thatch also needs a bloody good tidy up.
But one thing we could do (ok, we did have help) was open up our garden and actually see the beautiful church grounds behind our house. It seemed criminal to have a setting like that and not see it! Don't have a before pic, but 6ft high panels extended along the garden, so we ripped down the section in that little courtyard area and replaced it with a picket fence and gate. We did seek the permission of the church beforehand. I also added that piece of trellis to hide the oil heating tank.
It's opened it up and completely revolutionised the outlook now.
Next job is to get rid of those horrid old slabs and get some new ones laid. I'll wait until next year for that one I think.


The thatch also needs a bloody good tidy up.
But one thing we could do (ok, we did have help) was open up our garden and actually see the beautiful church grounds behind our house. It seemed criminal to have a setting like that and not see it! Don't have a before pic, but 6ft high panels extended along the garden, so we ripped down the section in that little courtyard area and replaced it with a picket fence and gate. We did seek the permission of the church beforehand. I also added that piece of trellis to hide the oil heating tank.
It's opened it up and completely revolutionised the outlook now.
Next job is to get rid of those horrid old slabs and get some new ones laid. I'll wait until next year for that one I think.


Re: The House Projects Thread
Looks lovely. Picket fence needs some Wisteria 

How about not having a sig at all?
Re: The House Projects Thread
Cheers Mito. Wisteria is a good shout. There is a clematis on the trellis but that's as far as we've gone at the mo.
The 6ft panels also need a paint now to smarten them up a bit. Thinking of buying one of those paint guns as there's a lot to do and I reckon it'll take ages with a brush.
The 6ft panels also need a paint now to smarten them up a bit. Thinking of buying one of those paint guns as there's a lot to do and I reckon it'll take ages with a brush.