saveasteading

Re downpipes. Once the water is in the pipe it is well within capacity. But the constraint is in the inlet where a weir effect forms. So a single pipe with a big outlet can carry lots of water where a standard one cannot. The upmarket makes cater for this. Do you know what brand is being used? They should have info in their brochure or online. It sounds a bit as if this hasn't been designed and is just a sequence of events. Bigger gutters, big outlets, more than one pipe (and/or an overflow) and a fall, if possible, all help. Also, a downpipe near an end works less well than if centrally positioned. Bottom line is what happens if it overflows? Does it come clear of the house or run back to the wall?

Just had an email ad: Dewalt discounts at Toolstation.

Join the club. It happens with interesting subjects. We've all been engaged and you have had good advice. Now, re buckets: get a couple of the better ones from a BM, as they usually have a choice of cheap or good: then hide them. Plus an orange one.

I want a bucket. There is a bucket. I have a bucket. (The orange ones are not strong, hence the price.)

To some extent. But my hedge cutter and leaf blower won't stack on the drill or jigsaw. If I was a working trade then there's a big advantage in stacks on wheels. But at home it goes on shelves, and excessive size isn't any help. Btw tippex on the box is an easy marker of the contents.

Not at all. That bucket one looks really handy for moving around or hung on the wall. Decent price too and finding it brought up other makes that the Google search had decided to ignore. Re sundry tools and fixings for a project where I'm moving around, I use a b and q orange bucket or a wickes yellow trug because it is findable and not picked up by someone else as a handy bucket.

I'm coming to realise that tools need to come in a customised box. I've got several that came in cardboard boxes but 1. They don't go back in without disassembly, 2. The accessories are at risk of loss. 3. They fall apart eventually. What value the customised plastic box? £5? Yes I'd pay that, although some of my own brand ones aren't good either. Does anyone know a source of good storage boxes?

Likewise I have an ancient drill, like a machine gun. It is mains powered. It makes the most beautiful whirring sound and drills almost effortlessly. It comes out of the box for precision work in hard material. Herr Bosch was on Radio 4 once, explaining very openly that their cheapest drills are for occasional diy with a limited life, and both performance and lifespan increase with price.

The tool I use most, by far, is a drill with settings for speed and torque. Light weight is a boon. The hammer option is not ideal except for very easy material like lightweight blocks. Having seen inside a broken drill, the hammer option is quite primitive. Hence sds for any serious masonry drilling and the cost may save days of struggling. What is your time worth? If you are doing lots of timber cutting then I think a bench saw may be justified and perhaps mains power isn't a handicap. For boards you must have a circular saw, or jig saw.... and on it goes.

Agreed. Batteries are expensive. It's not an easy answer as you could spend thousands easily. I've been borrowing deWalt recently. And it is generally the high spec, so hundreds each. When I can't borrow I use my own Einhell stable.* The difference is apparent but both have their place. That drill you mention isn't top end so more diy than professional. But maybe that's what suits. You also have to consider weight. If you have a big drill with heavy battery it becomes a burden in a long day. Some tools need big batteries or always 2 more on charge. So yes try that. I'd also consider one with SDS. It depends what you want to do. The own brands are not such a great bet. I have 3 I really should throw out because they are broken down, out of alignment or just a pain to use. But I bought a Titan circular saw and a heavy breaker. The latter cost the same a 2 weeks hire: but is nowhere near as good as a hired one. There you are: not an answer. Tell us what jobs and how intensely used and it would become clearer. Btw joiner has switched from deWalt battery nail gun back to Paslode. But he's nailing hundreds a day. * currently with free battery from Wickes, so very good value for my work intensity. I've got 7 or 8 things and never a problem.

Rhetorical, or do we expect our man in the field to check this by drone or trained eagle? Perhaps the more advanced met maps tell us? A good point anyway.

For a little comfort. We put this stair in as temporary access. The post is really too small to bear directly on the screed. A permanent solution will be to have a much bigger bearing area by plate, or by forming a footing in place of insulation. But do notice that after a couple of weeks of burly builders and carrying materials, there is no damage and the screed is only 40 to 50 thick. So it's not a panic but does need a considered solution, as already discussed.

Sadly I'm not surprised. Eg. I was once seconded to one of the big UK consultants who were engaged by one of the world's biggest (US). I was handed stuff to design that I had only studied af student level. I thought "why me" then gradually realised that the place was full of agency sourced designers and I knew as much, maybe more, than most of them. It was basically " design this middle eastern new city". I did ask at higher level and was told not to worry as it will all be redone later. I've looked on Google Earth and it seems to be in place. On the positive side though, this became part of a spontaneous and rigorous questioning at my Professional Interview. It was clear that this was also a concern to my interviews, both high in Engineering circles, so perhaps it is unusual. Plus I've engaged perhaps 5 Stuctural Engineering practices over the years. No doubts, good teamwork. The thing is, @Gus Potter, if they are found wanting what will happen to them? They aren't in professional bodies that could sanction them, so prob a strict talking to and small fine, and then a change of business name.

Very generous. Is that the one i see about £550? How is it over rough terrain, or soft?

@Gus Potter i was only considering building inspectors