Recent content by Sandyclay

Great points, all - Thank you, and thanks given. I think this idea will take more effort than it will give back.

I'd like to find a way to use waste dryer heat as a gardening season extender by running it under cold frames along my house, in the hopes that conducted heat from the piping will stop the soil from freezing. I'm thinking I'd use 6" electrical conduit, and run it 2' below grade, directly...

I've figured it out. After taking a flashlight, and looking closely at alignment, I saw that the latch was only partially inserting into the strike olate. The small cyclinder that runs along its side was inserting into the strike plate, and making the "click", but the actual latch-bolt was...

Hi Gregers, There's no wear, and all of the angles line up - there's nothing evident to my untrained eye to explain why this is happening. That's what makes it strange.

Our toddler keeps pushing open the bathroom door - It's a standard doorknob/latch(bolt?) arrangement. I've looked at it and examined it and fiddled with it, but the latch appears to eb straight, and fits into the strike plate well. Nonetheless, a little bit of inwards pressure, and...

Thanks for the clarification, John. I will do it as you suggest with the grocery bags (great idea, BTW). You've been incredible helpful - Thanks again.

Hi JohnD, From my amateur perspective, it seems that covering with dirt would serve the same purpose, and would be less overhead for me. Would this not also serve to insulate the concrete and prevent it from drying? Getting soil on the top of the concrete is not a concern for me...

Well, I made it down to 2'8" on either side, and widened out at the bottom as per the advice given... I got my posts in, levelled, and braced - All that's left is the concreting. Thanks to everyone for their help so far - It's really made a difference. I have a remaining question...

We've been waffling on replacing our furnace for a while, and have gotten no closer to a decision. I'm hoping someone here can offer some insight that will tilt the balance one way or other. Considerations: -Furnace is 50 years old, but still running well. Motor was refurbished last...

Libby and Symtoms, I can definitely go wider at the bottom. I'm digging around a cotoneaster hedge, so my entry hole is pretty small: 1'.... but it does widen out as it goes down. If I can get deeper, I'll ensure I go wider. Thankyou.

Thanks a lot JohnD..... I understand this better. I'm going to try to get those holes deeper, but at least I know what to do if I can't. Thanks again.

This is exactly it! Sorry for the confusion... It's just two posts, in a doorframe configuration as you've mentioned, above. That's great advice... I will ensure the gates are of an open structure type. That sounds like a great idea, although a bit tricky in my circumstances...

I wish I could intelligently answer your questions, but I lack the terminology. I looked up pictures of your terms, but they didn't look like what I'm doing. I will simplify: the design is two 4x6 posts, 3 feet apart, sticking 7' out of the ground. The tops of the posts will be joined...

I'm building a front gate, bordered by two gateposts roughly 3 feet apart. For now I am just putting in the gateposts. The gate will be roughly 4'high. I have been told that by attching the posts at the top with an arbor, the gateposts will be more solid. (sorry if I confused things...

It seems I can't dig deep enough for the front gate I want to build. I've been told I should have 1/3 of my fencepost underground, I've hit some roadblocks, and am not sure which way to go. The holes: I've dug each down 2'1". In one hole, I've hit a large rock I can't get past. I'm...