Onoff

Cut the creosote 50/50 with old engine oil for a really environmentally friendly solution!

So we have a couple of salvaged 145x45mm for the two sides + 3 huge sheets of ali from an old caravan side. Then plenty of old greenhouse glass which will I guess drive the width (again). Beer can's nom 65 dia. Rough thoughts are a backing board, 50mm Rockwool, ali sheet, cans then glass all in the 145mm depth.

So.....the house runs north south. On a day like today, warm in the Sun & cold in the shade, the deeper you go into the house away from the (badly installed), ancient, south 'ish facing sliding doors the colder it gets! There is a patch of warmed, sun drenched, threadbare carpet just inside over which we fight for the one warm spot! I'd like to get rid of the Winter Jasmine on the right and the rose on the left and build a "pop can" wall on each. Of course there's some thick as a brick Thrush nesting in the bush but at least that's at cat height so it won't be for long! I think the roots have penetrated through the wall too. Youngest said she saw a rat there the other day. The rose was given to madam by a long dead neighbour/distant relative/her Mum so that has sentimental value apparently! SWMBO has dreams of replacing the sliding doors with wider bi-folds in the future. On then the "build in and they shall come" basis I'm going to have a go at a can wall.

Level arrived. Seems good. BUT...enough of bathrooms! It's sunny and I'm feeling the urge for something solar thermal...

Nah, she'd be using it to photograph all the six fingered, web footed locals. NFN!

Off topic but silver birch is great for teaching the kids how to light fires. The wispy bark bits that curl up and peel off will light in any weather. Get those sharpened sticks and marshmallows out!

Would I get away with stopping the boarding (pb shown but would use Aquapanel), either side of the projecting soil pipe and scrimming / filling?

The "wall of cans" ones in my link are just air heaters generally, a stack of cans taken to a central outlet at the top then a pc fan which is maybe powered via a small PV panel. Just ducts hot air to wherever. So many designs on the net in seemingly really cold but sunny climates. No brainer for a south facing shed heater. Guessing it might 'eff up the airtight envelope if you had one though! Different kettle of fish if you want to heat water. My hybrid can with integrated copper pipe would do a small pool: https://www.flickr.com/gp/122042403@N05/0QG376 I really must have another crack at that. I was planning on using multiple takeaway foil containers and titling the thread "Cheap Chinese Panels".

Got the T shirt.....seriously.

I didn't realise Bucky came in cans now!

By my rough calculations based on collected cans I could make a panel approx 400' x 200'.....half the size of @Steptoe 's mind. As "luck" would have it I've just got a couple of lengths of 145x45mm come free from a mod in the bathroom. That'll do for the sides. Do we reckon it feasible to build a "wall of cans" with the heat output at the top then duct downward and bring into the house at floor or sub floor level? Wife WON'T be pleased!

Feeling a proper Charlie now!

We put a powder of some sort in first I seem to recall.

Similar here in our draughty old place. House is built on North /South line. Often warmer OUTSIDE. You need a passive heater made from beer / pop cans. Check out here and on YouTube. Silly temperatures easily achievable. http://stonehavenlife.com/7-diy-pop-can-solar-heaters/ Scorchio! DON'T make me make one!

We used Buckingham Nurseries for our native hedge mix. All taken and going mad. Something all year round for the birds. http://www.hedging.co.uk/acatalog/index.html

Fair shout there. But then I live to upset my missus!

Approach from another angle......You CAN wield a spade/fork etc. The labourer's you'd get in....well their sh1t smells the same as yours! These things are mustard btw IF you can find one: https://www.shopcade.com/product/qualcast-easy-dig-carbon-steel/4fbfafd4646fcb182100070d/GB Just decide on what you want, bang some levelling pegs in and start digging a bit at a time, a few shovels / barrows each evening. I'd recommend Fosters or maybe Carling as a working beer but don't go mad on it or operate power tools! Even without a digger you'll get there and it's cheaper than the gym! Just summoning up the energy to start tidying up this lot so I can get the ride on mower down to the front lawn. Bonus that after running levels about I can lose a high manhole and clay drain that's just sub surface and get everything WELL below the DPC which was below ground level. Maybe another beer first.....

Anyone? I need to choose a ply to pack out this wall. Did even consider using 12 or 18mm and "grooving" it to miss the apex of the horizontal soil pipe: Chap at the timber yard reckons the far eastern one would do if I'm tanking: http://www.blewerstimber.co.uk/plywood.html

Black patio anyone?

Reminds me of whoever it was on eBuild who basically had to trench through ROCK!

And it worked OK?

Seems an ideal project for leftovers; Pex-Al-Pex and PIR / Icynene offcuts. Just bond all the bits together with gun foam in a sacrificial timber frame! No glass to clean and the "blacker" it gets the better. You could even build the frame and add the concrete over time with those odd bits left in the mixer.

Interesting article (I thought so anyway) using good old concrete as the collector: https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://web.cut.ac.cy/cost1/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/03/55..pdf&ved=0ahUKEwiY29j5sq3TAhUHhywKHV5EDtgQFggwMAQ&usg=AFQjCNGjOdbJ75Sj2YtokyhBI8iYTT9W-A

You just know they've lain underneath it on the floor and looked up just to take the splendour of it all in! Then again at night to look at the stars. (I would!) Is it having a powered roller blind on or anything like that btw?

I "found" the bench the other day with all the wacker bits still laid out ready to assemble. Might treat myself to that inverter stick welder this month as the big 50 coming up. I need a Summer distraction! I might take the 3-phase converter into work and finish off during (extended ) lunch hours!