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We've just got planning permission (home counties area) for a loft conversion and second-storey extension, and I'm after some advice on how to get realistic prices, please. We currently have a square box 8.5m x 7.5m with a four-hipped roof and a 4m single-storey kitchen extension coming out the...

Apologies if this is a duplicate, but I have tried searching for exactly my situation without success. I have an existing pre-fab shed on a 6m x 3m concrete slab but it's rotting and has been flimsy from when it was first built. I'm looking to replace it with a custom build (partly so it's...

I'm building a deck for my garden. It's being built from 4x4 posts, with 2x8 beams bolted to them and 2x8 joists resting on top of the beams. I'm fairly confident in my centres and spans for the beams and joists, however I have a question about connecting the beams to the posts, none of which...

Just been on the phone to a local timber merchant and they've said that their machined round posts/poles are not rated for commercial playground usage, but I reckon that 125mm/150mm machined round poles ought to be strong enough for a pair of swings for two young children (4/6), even lasting up...

Hi guys. Looking for some advice as a paranoid father and pretty inexperienced woodworker on whether the bunk beds I've built will be strong enough, given that my younger daughter is lying underneath the top bunk. I've put some photos below, but basically the sides of the bed are 1x6 planks...

Just recently purchased a Makita LS1018L and, although the dust-collection bag puts up a genuinely worthy fight with the sawdust, I've been out and purchased the Wickes wet-and-dry vacuum, as recommended in many places, in order to connect to it to help out (plus general tidy-up). I'm...

Hi all. Hoping for some advice on sliding mitre saws, please. I've got a large number of Makita cordless tools, so am keen to stick with the brand as I've had no problems with it so far. Price points are (broadly) similar for these two sliding mitre saws, but am wondering whether it's worth the...

Given that I have a large suspended decking (only about 600mm above ground), which will be constructed using 6x6 posts with 3x8 main joists (4.4m) supporting 2x8 cross joists (4.2m), and where the cross joists are resting on top of the main joists, how do I know what bolts to use to attach the...

If I've understood my research correctly, I think I want M12 sleeve anchors about every 500mm along my 4x2 joist, that I'm going to attach to my house and have act as the first joist of my deck. Given that I'm using 100x47mm joists with a 10mm spacer-washer into the outer skin of a cavity wall...

Hello all. I've been reading this forum and overusing Google, and I think I've come up with a decking plan that makes sense, but would really appreciate a sanity-check of the design, please, to make sure I've not missed anything obvious. I've mocked it all up in Sketchup, both to check...

In a living room that's soon to be redecorated, we currently have an archway through to the dining room on the end wall. We're intending to brick it up (or stud wall, whatever), and once done the intention is to fill the entire wall with shelving. I'm keen though - rather than buying lots of...

Further to my previous thread regarding daylight lighting (eye-opening!), I've started a separate thread as I hopefully near the end of my search for lighting for my new study! Firstly, please feel free to check my calculations. Assuming I'm aiming for around 750 lux, provided from three...

Hi there, I'm hoping to please get some advice regarding lighting for my new study, specifically "daylight lighting". We're converting an internal garage to study/cloakroom, and I'm intending to use the office mostly for computer work. Specifically, I'll be editing photos and designing...

I can't seem to work out whether the DC18RA is the 22 or 45 minute charger from Makita, when charging 3.0Ah Li-Ion batteries. These sites suggest 22 minutes: Makita AU, World of Power, Makita UK ... but these, 45 minutes: Toolstop, Amazon I was intending to purchase from FFX tools, who...

Hi again all, Having had such good advice on my last post regarding which drill/driver to get, I'm now considering which bits to buy for it. I'm going for the Makita BHP451 (seems "better" than the 452/453), and will also be using it as a driver until I pick up an impact driver (next...

Hi, I'm just starting out in DIY, although my old man's been doing it for decades (as a hobby), and my fiancée's father and brother-in-law are both in the trade (sparky and plumber). I currently have a very cheap and nasty cordless drill (some rubbish own-brand one), although it does work for...