Tom

Hi all, finally got started on my stairs and have cut the first stringer. I've supported the top of the first stringer on a ledger with a bird beak cut in the stringer. Does this look right? Worried it's taken too much meat out of the stringer. Thanks all.

roger that, CT1 it is 👍

I used one like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09PNLVHP3/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?pd_rd_i=B09PNLVHP3&pd_rd_w=A9PBE&content-id=amzn1.sym.9a64fe05-cdee-4d53-a27b-f3614d726545&pf_rd_p=9a64fe05-cdee-4d53-a27b-f3614d726545&pf_rd_r=3EBMY20F0XGQ0YFN5J7D&pd_rd_wg=D09Q1&pd_rd_r=67cd59af-6a3b-43d3-9e59-cf89b99b13de&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1 Worked very well for our nudura build

Hi all - one of the many jobs that are on my long list to complete is to fill/seal the gap between our polished concrete floor and sliding door frame. Not least as in the last few weeks we've had several swarms of flying ants coming through. What would be the best thing to use here? The width of the gap is about 10mm - though does vary a little. I was thinking of CTI, but there might be a little movement in the floor as it has UFH so then I thought compriband. Any view on what would be best? Thanks Tom

All dowsing techniques seem to follow what I describe - an item (be it hazel twig, coat hangar etc) held in balance or under tension, this inherently unstable setup allows the item to move, apparently involuntarily, by the ideomotor effect. I did, decades ago, and you can certainly convince yourself it works - but then you apply some rational thought, and much as it would be nice to think of mystical powers, ley lines, joss sticks etc, all logical reasoning and evidence points to the mundane.

Come on then Ian, I'll split the $1m with you

I think the issue is what we are taking as the meaning of "work". If you mean it can occasionally find a pipe etc - OK then maybe it can. But this is because the bent wire is under tension, the bent rods are finely balanced etc - and hence respond to imperceptible changes in hand position, and it is the user who is subconsciously responding to environmental clues. This is possibly why dowsing has repeatedly been shown to fail under more rigorous testing - these environmental/topographical etc clues aren't there. If you mean "work" as some channel for some hidden energy or powers of the paranormal - then no, that's just bollocks!

The late, great James Randi, erstwhile debunker of the paranormal offered a $1 million dollar prize to anyone who could prove ANY psychic/telekinesis/dowsing etc works - unsurprisingly it remained unclaimed.

I know, but my horoscope says I've got a good week coming Definitely does, especially if they charged you for it!

Because dowsing is an absolute load of bollocks! Under properly controlled testing, dowsing has NEVER been shown to work. Especially in a forum that seems to strive to apply logic and rational thought to the building process, we really shouldn't be giving this hokum any airtime.

and perhaps a tarot card reader to advise on the construction method?

View of the inside of one of ours. This one has a blind that operates with a remote control.

Can I impose my own statute of limitations with regards small claims? Sue me now or forever hold your peace?

Thanks both. This is what I have already sent: please advise if/when you are planning to return to complete this work, if I don't hear from you by the end of this week I will assume you do not plan to return and I will make alternative arrangements. with their response: Until you pay the outstanding balance in my previous email we will not be returning to complete the work. We have been clear about this and won’t change our minds. - So that kind of covers what you said @saveasteading. Can I send anything else just to finish this off and to confirm that the matter has closed?

So, an update to this sorry saga, I stuck my heels in and said no way am I paying until all work has been completed - then radio silence for the last six weeks. I just sent an email asking what is going on, are they coming back to complete the work, and they reply that they won't until I pay the invoice in full. I note there are no more pathetic attempts to apply pressure with legal sounding "Letter before Legal Action" attachments. So, looks like we've reached an impasse, but fine by me, as I don't want them to return anyway. So, do I leave it there or should I reply with something along the lines of: "we can't reach agreement, therefore I consider the assumed contract between us terminated" - just to draw a line under everything? I guess I just want to be absolutely sure I won't be getting a small claims letter through the post in two months time, so I would rather draw that out of them now than leave it open ended.