Feb 21
Here at diydoctor HQ we have been doing a bit of delving into what is available on the ‘App’ market for the home improver and although a lot of them are US based, there are some interesting, and above all very useful apps out there, and some of them are even free!
A few that have caught our eye include the Houzz app which is a huge resource of home design and decorating ideas to give you inspiration as well as the Photo measures app which allows you to take a photo of a room or maybe an object and then write the measurements over it, so you don’t need to draw dodgy sketches anymore! How clever is that!
There are lots of free spirit level apps available for android and iphones including iHandy Level, Bubble Level or Tiltmeter, as well as the iHandy Carpenter which costs about £1.25 and includes a plumb bob, surface level, spirit level, a protractor and a ruler!
The Plasplugs Tile calculator app by Systems Integration (UK) Ltd allows you to quickly work out the quantity of tiles needed for a given area and there are some very useful carpeting and flooring calulators including a Laminate flooring app by Claire Holmes for £1.49.
If you find any good apps that you have found useful, do let us know so we can pass on any recommendations.
Jan 05
If you live in the Bridport area of Dorset and have DIY tools hidden away that you no longer need, someone needs your help!
A scheme being run by Transition Town Bridport (TTB) and the Bridport Local Area Skills Training (BLAST) will see courses on practical skills for unemployed 18 to 24 year olds in the new year. The practical courses will include using hand tools, basics in joinery, plumbing and electrical wiring as well as solar heating and solar panels. All good, useful stuff!!
But they do need more tools such as drills, saws and other basic hand tools to help them run the courses. If you live locally and have good DIY skills you could even get involved by helping with some of the training. Email admin@transitiontownbridport.co.uk or phone 01308 427565 if you can help. DIY Doctor wishes them all well with a such a worthwhile project.
Jan 01
A recent article by BBC News has continued the debate on measuring imperial versus metric in Britain.
As the author of the article, Jon Kelly, says ‘Call it a proud expression of national identity or a stubborn refusal to engage with the neighbours. Either way, the persistent British preference for imperial over metric is particularly noteworthy at a time when its links with Europe are under greater scrutiny than ever.’
We still have pints of beer, like to buy our cheese by the ounce and say that someone is 6 feet tall or 15 stone, so are we just happy and able to use both systems? In 2007 the European Commission abandonned plans to bring in a deadline for Britain to fully adopt metrication, which would have included needing to change all road signs from miles to kilometres. Most supermarkets show weight in both imperial and metric and since 1974, although school children have been taught the metric system, they also have to know how to convert to imperial.
When it comes to DIY and home improvement, it seems that we continue the dual-use of measuring. But always make sure you double check your measurements, especially if you are say, planning a kitchen, as a few centimetres out could make the world of difference!
DIY Doctor have a page of conversion tables that you can use to help.
So what do you use? Imperial or metric or a combination of the two? Let us know your thoughts…….
Dec 29
No more DIY, the 2012 home trend is DIT
- Helping others with DIY tops the list for New Year’s resolutions
- 56% of Brits looking to redecorate next year – instead of moving?
- Northerners more helpful than Southerners
Doing It Yourself has become a thing of the past as new research from Bosch Power Tools finds that Brits are much more likely to ‘Do It Together’. This new trend is set to spread in 2012 as 56% of Brits claim that home improvements are top of their New Year’s resolution list with spending more time on a hobby and going on a diet following behind.
The study also revealed that Brits are a helpful bunch with 78% having helped a friend or relative with their DIY tasks in the past. And nearly two thirds take their own power tools along to get the job done – it’s a serious task after all!
If you live in London, don’t expect a neighbour to help…
The findings show that the age old tradition of people being friendlier up North may well be true. 72% of those questioned in the North of England had recently helped out a family member with DIY compared to only 65% of those in London and the South East.
And it seems that neighbours are the ones who miss out as shockingly only 34% of Londoners are prepared to assist a neighbour compared to 55% of Northerners.
For more information about Bosch Power Tools and projects you can complete with your friends, neighbours or on your own, please visit www.bosch-do-it.co.uk.
Dec 08
If you are looking for inspiration for christmas gifts for the DIYer but you are shopping on a budget, we have a few ideas for you from Screwfix:
Ryobi EID750CSDT40 750W Hammer Drill & 12V Drill Driver
£64.99 – Was £129.99 Saving £65!!
- Hammer Drill -Single-Speed Variable & Reverse, 13mm Keyless Chuck, Soft-Grip Handle
- Drill Driver – Single-Speed Variable, 24 Torque Settings, Electric Brake
Forge Steel Screwdriver Set with Case 11pcs only £6.99 (Save £13)
11 Piece Set. Hardwearing, top value set of the most popular sizes for a variety of tasks. Supplied in a resin moulded storage case
Erbauer Masonry Drill Bit Trade Pack 45pcs - £14.99 Was £53.12
An amazing saving of £38.13!!
45 Piece Set. Steel milled shank with YG8 carbide tip
Ryobi RBV3000VP 2000W Electric Blower & Vacuum - £79.99 BUT you get £20 off this item until 12/12/11
- 45Ltr Collection Bag Capacity
- 200mph Airflow
- 14m³/min Air Volume
- Shoulder Strap
- 2 Year Warranty
And here are a couple of ideas for stocking fillers for the DIYer!
Drywall Saw 6Tpi 6″ – only £1!!
Siroflex Cartridge Cutter - now only £2.24 (was £4.49)
