robdhc
Part of things
Posts: 197 
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Apr 22, 2023 22:02:45 GMT
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Thanks raumer , he's certainly keeping the momentum going where I can't. Structural work doesn't look too bad, waiting on a quote back but so tempted to do the crack-stitching myself since it pretty simple (he says). Anyone done, or had it done, before? Roadworkers lamps make sense, guessed it was either that or rail. Do you have any pics? Could have sworn I'd posted a couple of days back, but apparently it's been over a week! Again in some resemblance of order I hope... We have a manhole sized hole in front of the porch, ready for the new guttering to be tied into  For some reason, and I can't remember why, I then started to open up the kitchen/diner fireplace. It needs doing, but not really a priority at present. It's been an absolute pig though - a very heavy stone number had been tagged to the front, concealing absolute chaos behind. There's what I think is a back boiler right at the rear but before that is just a dumping ground. I can only assume they dropped hardcore down the chimney and then followed up with concrete. I might be exaggerating slightly, but it's a proper mess. Plan is to replace the lintel and open it back up to the original size hopefully     It has at least helped grow the hardcore stash  One job to do was wood treat all of upstairs and the loft spaces. A pain, and most of it looked inactive, but with a few suspect patches it was better safe than sorry. For this we had to sand down our bedroom floor along with lifting floorboards throughout to reach the undersides. Overkill probably but I'm only doing it once! I was amazed at the number of extra gears I found for doing the loft once I started to hear/feel a creaking of a joist or two...   We also had some timber work to be done in the loft, so my dad cracked on with that. Where the chimney stacks had been removed, the joists had just been left to rest freely on what remained. A straightforward enough fix was just to tie these into the corresponding purlins  With all this loft work, I also thought a new hatch (one larger than my ever growing waist) might be helpful, so this was fitted. Cheap, sadly cheap and nasty. That said, I doubt we'll be using it much as the loft isn't really up for storing much/anything Probably my favourite job to date was clearing the loft before all the timber treatment. A very dead rat, nests of varying types, and just general waste. I did however decide against removing this one for now, especially upon hearing an ominous buzzing... Probably a defunct nest, but I'll do a visual inspection from the outside first me thinks  Throughout the week all the upstairs sockets have been chased in also, and all radiators throughout the house removed as well. Naturally, I didn't bother to bleed them, and given the fact the window ledges had been installed after the radiators, disaster ensured. With nothing to hand to mop up the mess before it seeped into the one habitable room we have, I had no choice but to use the only available fabric to hand and strip - fortunately no photos of that  Another piece of the puzzle in the house's history was confirmed, when beneath the floorboards of the main bedroom (the extension) I found a scrunched up newspaper page. We'd been told the extension was built in the early 70s, and although the newspaper had no date on, it did have a brief segment on the passing of Guy Middleton. I've no idea who he is, but since he died in July 1973, it gives a pretty good date for the build  My final bit of news is my latest purchase. The grass is growing, and I need a mower... Second hand Westwood T1600, fully working and delivered for a good price. Too good to be true? It was, and on delivery wouldn't start. I believe it to be an electrical issue, so a deal was struck (much the disbelief/annoyance/fury of my good lady) and I have another project! It's tomorrow morning's job, all being well  Cheers, Rob |
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robdhc
Part of things
Posts: 197
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Apr 23, 2023 19:09:25 GMT
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Last night I decided a little research was in order before blindly going at the Westwood. Little did I realise, though I probably should have known, is that the tractor is older than me! If not the oldest thing I own (golf being '89) - house excluded (although the bank still have a claim to that actually) This morning I started fettling, some temporary tape repairs to damaged wiring, and some cleaning up of fuse contacts etc. No such luck   After an extended interlude involving stripping (wallpaper) I had an hour left before we had to be out. In that time, this happened...  (shocking photo but you get the idea of how high it was)   However, the more observant may have noticed the lack of seat. Whether as built or a later modification, there is no seat switch on this. I'd had it off to explore the aforementioned wiring, and once I'd got it running, both conscious of time and keen to crack on since it was running - I got carried away and didn't stop! Bonnet still down and no seat, not an experience I particularly want to repeat..! So what was it after all that? The PCB had 12 pins, the plug had 13. So just a case of moving it along by one - couldn't believe it!  Now of course not all went to plan, with the bonnet down, uncomfortable seating and about 2ft of growth to cut through, I completely didn't see a nice little tree stump. Not particularly big, but big enough to do this  Gutted, but all in all, a successful day, ended with a trip to purchase a new family car (to be delivered tomorrow). Nought fancy but a 2012 Qashqai which should do the job Cheers Rob |
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Apr 25, 2023 19:07:57 GMT
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My neighbour dabbles with these Westwood mowers. There is a small valve in the float chamber on the carburetor which gets stuck and doesn't allow fuel through. A simple clean out and he get's them running again. He managed to find one with a 650cc engine!! It was a monster.
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robdhc
Part of things
Posts: 197
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Apr 26, 2023 22:12:34 GMT
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They are indeed good fun - and some useful info there forkliftfred - thanks. 650cc sounds more than enough for these! Sadly I don't seem to have fully evicted the electrical gremlins just yet, went to start it up Monday (purely out of curiosity) and whilst all the right indications came on there was no sign of life... More tinkering required! In the meantime, the hardcore pile continues to grow  (I'm available as a photographer for weddings, car shows, etc - you name it) Taking a couple of days off work so my weekend starts now with the aim to break the back of the re-wiring before next week, we'll see how it goes... Cheers, Rob |
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jimi
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,219
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Apr 27, 2023 10:22:04 GMT
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Roadworkers lamps make sense, guessed it was either that or rail. Do you have any pics? I seem to remember they were originally red and paraffin powered, later on became yellow and battery powered, I think there were some that were dual powered, paraffin & battery.  |
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Last Edit: Apr 27, 2023 20:32:56 GMT by jimi
Black is not a colour ! .... Its the absence of colour
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jjp666
Part of things
Posts: 139
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Apr 27, 2023 18:43:03 GMT
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remember them on skips in the road when I was young.
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Apr 27, 2023 19:20:17 GMT
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I remember them being frequently stolen by teenage delinquents.
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jimi
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,219
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Apr 27, 2023 20:37:39 GMT
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I remember them being frequently stolen by teenage delinquents. I think everyone I knew or ran about with back then had at least 1 in their bedroom/shed/ garage. 🤭 There may even been one in my parents lockup, no idea how it got there 🤔 |
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Black is not a colour ! .... Its the absence of colour
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robdhc
Part of things
Posts: 197
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Now then, where were we? Fair play to those who write up threads regularly - it's easier said than done! To save this from being a mammoth post I'll glide over some of the detail and make it pic heavy instead, but knowing me will still fall down the occasional wormhole... The Golf's MOT has expired, I never even had chance to get it booked in 😞 But it still seems to be behaving on the odd occasion I've started it up. I'm itching to drive it! But it's currently no more than a storage shed  The Quattro is for sale... The speedo has stopped working, which sadly for me is one step too far. It still performs excellently, but I need to accept it's a c.30yr old car and will thus need more time than I can afford it. I know I'll regret it if it does sell, but equally it doesn't deserve to just sit out on the drive doing occasional daily duties at best The ragged Clio is being a reliable workhorse, I've had all sorts in and on it - it's also the only one with a towbar which makes it currently invaluable! The family Qashqai is settling in, now complete with baby seat (despite everything we're doing, this resulted in by far the biggest argument to date ). I do however have a few concerns, so need to take it in ASAP before the "warranty" expires. It's losing water, and I suspect the clutch is on it's way out - ![]() the wonders of modern cars from dealers! Now for the interesting bit, the stuff you're here for - that house of ours... We have the original "Studio flat" plus a semi-temporary kitchen/diner all but ready to go. Not the prettiest, but functional and something to be grateful for! The walls are plastered (we got INCREDIBLY lucky with our plasterer) and functional power outlets - more on that later. Cold water flows where it's meant to, and we have cupboards. Happy days!        Our future main bedroom is near complete (just furniture to finish) but suffered a "minimum viable product" assessment as we had a couple of minor moments with little one, resulting in many more trips to hospital and a realisation that we'd better be ready sooner than later   The dressing room isn't a million miles off either - but the bathroom needs a little more work...     Nursery (2nd bedroom) is ready for decoration also, but currently serves as an Ikea depot!   The hallway is on hold until I can get a steel fabricator out to install the box frame, and though I have two lined up none have quite got where we need them yet    Bedroom 3 (the smallest) is in full use as my semi-temporary office, a dusty haven where I sit with my head in my hands frequently! A cracking backdrop for Teams Calls though, I'm often asked if it's the entrance to my underground dungeon   Bedroom 4 is in full use as a workshop, not a very tidy one at present, but for the most part organised at least   Last but not least the lounge is the builders merchant, stocked with all sorts of bits that don't make sense being in the workshop   The garage is a now a two 'tractor' garage, I had to admit defeat on the Westwood for now, I just don't have the time sadly. On the flipside, that did of course necessitate the need for a brand spanking new one 🤷🏼♂️ Though it took a while for me to accept defeat, so the shiny one was dropped straight in the deep end pretty soon..! The garden is a lost battle, there's been a bit of essential reorganisation, and I've made sure the weeds aren't growing over the neighbours fences, but that's it. It'll be next year's job! (perhaps, he says optimistically)             I regularly look back thinking that I should be so much further on than I am but less so do I think that a plasterer, my 63yr old Dad, the heavily pregnant missus and I (working full time) have done it all ourselves.. [with the very expensive minor exception of two days structural crack stitching] So how comes I have the time to write up now? Well the astute among you may have noticed, but our little one is now here 😄 Friday 30th June, precisely 99 days (inclusive) from picking up the keys, we (well not me) had a planned c-section and time on the house was up! Good job I'd finished the kitchen floor and doors Thursday night eh! Any questions feel free to fire away - more than happy to share but not sure what everyone's/anyone's interested in, and it'll take me too long to waffle on about what's been done and all the hiccups along the way ![]() ! Cheers, Rob |
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raumer
Part of things
Posts: 138
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You've done a tremendous amount in the time. Compliments to you and your unpaid team! And congratulations on the addition to the family.
I am looking at the amount you have done and thinking we have barely touched our new place. Although we do have a lot less space inside. All those additional rooms does make life a bit easier, although more rooms to do in the long run!
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Mine: 1938 Scammell Pioneer R100, 1944 Scammell Pioneer SV2/S, 1959 Kraz 255b tractor unit, 1960 Unipower Industrial ballast tractor, 1960 88 Landrover Series 2 SWB, 1983 110 Landrover CSW
Look after:
1935 Scammell Rigid 6, 1951 Scammell Scarab, 1961 Landrover Prototype, 1985 Landrover 110
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thomfr
Part of things
Trying to assemble the Duett again..
Posts: 694
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Great work and congratulations with the little one!
How about a tractor show (new and old).
Thom
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73' Alfa Giulia Super
64' Volvo Duett
65' Volvo Duett
67' Volvo Amazon 123GT
09' Ford Focus 1.8
20' VW ID4
71' Benelli Motorella
65' Cyrus Speciaal
The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys
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robdhc
Part of things
Posts: 197
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Thanks raumer , the unpaid team have been terrific and we've properly landed on our feet with the plasterer too. I see what you mean about the space, it's amazing how quickly we've filled it though! Going modular in the approach has deffo paid off though I reckon, meaning we can focus on key targets rather than the entire place as a whole. How much have you left to do? Cheers thomfr , and I'm glad you mentioned the 'tractors'. Photos were on an old phone, but I've dug that out now so here goes  The new one is an Alpina AT4 84 A and so far so good. A 0.35L, 7.7hp, RWD weapon It was delivered on pallet which I had expected, but hadn't thought as far as getting it off said pallet. With some more I created a ramp (step) and, in me flip-flops, gently wiggled it off  It was dropped in the deep end, as this photo of my old man's Lupo attests to. A single run down the 30yd front strip was enough to fill the "copious" 200L collector. I did get a mulcher with it too, but was a hassle to fit and would've likely been a step too far for the hayfever, so I did multiple trips instead - the collector tilts back to unload whilst still seated and running, makes it ideal for this    Pic doesn't quite do it justice, this filled 10+ half tonne bags for tip runs The Westwood on the other hand, risks becoming a full on resto... After the previous "success" I gave the PCB a thorough clean, and replaced all the LEDs, as a couple fell off amongst all the fettling. For a complete rookie, I'm pretty pleased with the results (think I redid it better after this pic was taken, but you get the idea)  After this, it became much more reliable, until the battery started going flat. No bother, I'll use the one off the golf... This worked fine, but for the fact the bonnet wouldn't close. Again, no bother, I'll hold it and cut the grass one handed! In hindsight, I probably didn't the battery attached once running, but hey ho. After a one armed quick trim, the brother-in-law to be had a quick lap, but forgot I'd wedged the battery under his foot  At this point he quickly switched it off with a puff of smoke, and it hasn't started since I've no idea if it's an electric fault, a fuel fault, or a combination of the two (most likely). The blades, bodywork and collector all need some loving anyhow, so it'll be something to look forward to on another day Thoughts welcome! Cheers, Rob |
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raumer
Part of things
Posts: 138
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Ours is a lot less work in the house but a lot more outside. So far we have put new flooring in a couple of the rooms, repainted a couple with associated bits & pieces. Floored some of the loft. Rearranged the kitchen (removing units, making units etc...) but the kitchen is going to need replacing. As you can see it is a lot later than yours and a lot smaller! We have things like cavity walls!  But outside is a massive job. Have got a large shed coming as there is only really a single garage. Plus need to plan & build a barn. But there are massive piles of rubbish everywhere.  Up to date photo from behind the house. As well as the rubbish everywhere there is ragwort all over the plot and massive bits overgrown. I think there is at least half an acre you can't get in to due to undergrowth. We are going to get a tractor to cope with it.  Each of the big piles at the bottom look like this close up:  Also need to bring the vehicles up and move stuff out of storage after we get more storage built! It is a fun job but it is going to take a long time! But like yours it is going to be worth it when it is all done. Cheers Ed |
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Mine: 1938 Scammell Pioneer R100, 1944 Scammell Pioneer SV2/S, 1959 Kraz 255b tractor unit, 1960 Unipower Industrial ballast tractor, 1960 88 Landrover Series 2 SWB, 1983 110 Landrover CSW
Look after:
1935 Scammell Rigid 6, 1951 Scammell Scarab, 1961 Landrover Prototype, 1985 Landrover 110
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robdhc
Part of things
Posts: 197
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Looks a great space, certainly enough to keep you busy (and justify a real tractor, not just a pretend one like mine!)
What's the barn going to be used for, vehicles / machinery / something else? Also what shed you looking at out of interest - I've been toying with the idea of one so I can bring my garage stuff over, but they're so much more expensive than I thought!
That's still a fair bit of work done inside also, doing the bits on display are worth taking time on
Cheers,
Rob
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robdhc
Part of things
Posts: 197
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A gradual start back on the house today, though not a successful one. A quick trip to the tip ended up taking 2hrs, but the summer house is at least much more organised and ready for some more useful contents (though it's hardly weatherproof) Next up was a gutter bracket repair, one had come loose where the birds like to sit on it. It's one of the first ones we'd done, so before we reduced drill hole size hence perhaps weaker than the rest. My shortcut solution was to fill the hole with some resin, then push it back in and voila. Regrettably, I'd forgotten how quick it sets, and completely ballsed up the refit, leaving it firm but wonky, and harder to repair properly now On the back of that success I wanted to run the supply cable down the outside of the house (new CU will be upstairs). With the guttering disasterclass fresh in mind, I took my time ensuring the fittings were all suitably solid and secure. After a couple of test fits using what was to hand, an appropriate concoction was found. At which point rain stopped play.. You may recall I dislike ladders, so the thought of working from one with me drills hanging off me back and my pockets full while trying to neatly position some heavy cable along the roof line at my own devices became a step too far - pun unintentional - when said ladder became wet  So instead, after a couple of less interesting chores, I retreated to fit the 'tractor' towbar. Happily, it can stay on even with the collector over it, so despite it being a quick job, it's one I shouldn't need to do again  The hope/plan is that it'll make garden jobs/clearance easier once we're at that stage Tonight's task (if time is permitted by the two ladies of the house) will be to do the skirting in our bedroom, a job I've been putting off a while simply because I know I'll cock it up. SWMBO senior assures me however that since all the corners will be hidden by furniture, there's nothing to worry about... Cheers, Rob |
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I feel the pain re skirting. I have our dining room and living room to do after we had our old conservatory demo'd and an extension built. At the same time we thought it would be an idea to rip up all the old carpet tiles and have Karndean put down throughout. Ended up ripping out all the old skirting prior to the flooring going down but there was a lot of it along with a couple of very long sections. I've replaced all the skirting updstairs but for some reason downstairs is giving me the fear every time I think about cracking on. The Mrs has been very patient up until recently so it will need to happen soon although this warm weather is giving me a good excuse to wait until it's cooler.
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raumer
Part of things
Posts: 138
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Jul 10, 2023 12:54:30 GMT
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Looks a great space, certainly enough to keep you busy (and justify a real tractor, not just a pretend one like mine!) What's the barn going to be used for, vehicles / machinery / something else? Also what shed you looking at out of interest - I've been toying with the idea of one so I can bring my garage stuff over, but they're so much more expensive than I thought! That's still a fair bit of work done inside also, doing the bits on display are worth taking time on Cheers, Rob Thanks, it is nice to be doing our own place rather than a rental! The barn will be for storing the big vehicles - Scammell's, Unipower and one or two of the Landrovers. Plus a workshop area for working on them. Fingers crossed we can get planning permission, as it will need to be about 60 ft x 30 ft or bigger. I can't remember where your house is so not sure if these guys are within range or not - www.greenbarntimbers.co.uk/We've got a shed coming from them in a few weeks time. It's a custom size so a bit more than their normal prices, £1500 for a 16 x 8 ft with any arrangement of windows and doors. Price includes them assembling it on site. We just need to sort out a base for it. Price wise sheds have gone up a lot and any of the cheaper ones we found did not have good reviews. These ones look well made and they are local. Cheers Ed |
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Mine: 1938 Scammell Pioneer R100, 1944 Scammell Pioneer SV2/S, 1959 Kraz 255b tractor unit, 1960 Unipower Industrial ballast tractor, 1960 88 Landrover Series 2 SWB, 1983 110 Landrover CSW
Look after:
1935 Scammell Rigid 6, 1951 Scammell Scarab, 1961 Landrover Prototype, 1985 Landrover 110
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robdhc
Part of things
Posts: 197
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Jul 15, 2023 22:37:46 GMT
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Unfortunately daver555, having done now done our bedroom I can offer neither words of advice nor reassurance! Other than to say it won't be worse than what I've done. Fortunately though I managed to position all bar one of the joins behind furniture, so no-one need know... Sounds awesome raumer, plenty to be getting on with! Good luck with the planning permission, I have a couple of bits (much smaller scale) I'd like to do but currently working out if there are any loopholes I can weave my way through instead Thanks for the link, they do cover us and prices seem reasonable too given that's install as well - keep us posted how you get on 👍🏼 |
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robdhc
Part of things
Posts: 197
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Jul 15, 2023 22:45:08 GMT
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Well it transpired that the gradual return wasn't gradual enough, and so I was stood down for family duties etc. Not knowing when the sparky was coming (next Wednesday now all being well) I thought it a priority to get that cable up, so tackled that one morning  It isn't complete though (needs some extra cleats) for a couple of reasons 1. After the old cables are made redundant I might rip them out, but they run under where the new one goes 2. As I moved further along and into the bush, the ladder angle got gradually more precarious for a one man band and a tad bouncy  Working like this was fine, but dropping off the step was not... After a couple of days hiatus I was back on it yesterday and fitted the bed1 skirting - as above no pics as it is not a good job. Having uneven floors and curvy walls is my excuse though. Followed up this morning by the remainder of the furniture (all drawers since fitted too). Not sure if this'll be the final layout though   Between this, as and when weather permitted, I wanted to clear some space in the garage so I can tidy up the lounge a bit more (I like to keep organised lol). The remaining furniture is now ready and waiting in the dressing room, meaning the trailer could be bought outside. I cleared a bit of space next to the shed and it's a perfect fit  Slightly out of chronological order but I'll confess there was a second motive for this. The not very weatherproof shed will be used for my garage stuff, but I wanted something a little tighter for the bits I'd stored in the golf. Key thing there is past tense, as the golf is no longer a shed (in the storage sense at least) for the first time in a looooong time - happy days! 🥳  Last but not least for today, I've been wanting to do some 'gardening'. Now I'm not sure if Alan Titchmarsh would classify weeding with a hedgetrimmer as gardening, but it's not his garden! Given the other half's little sister always wants to see the pond, I thought clearing the way to that would be as good a start as any. I've also now filled my brown bins, so getting me moneys worth from the council too      It's unlikely with everything else going on, but I'm desperate to drive the golf again, so watch this space - and someone please buy my audi?! Cheers, Rob |
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Last Edit: Jul 15, 2023 22:55:22 GMT by robdhc
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Your doing a grand job so far, I feel your pain with the stuff growing, it seems to happen almost overnight! what bit of the skirting boards are you struggling with?
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