six-point socket's tidbits of Home Improvement, small projects and other stuff.

[six-point socket II]

Today, my neighbor's "worst enemy" visited his pond. I got lucky, he caught my eye - and I had a camera nearby. Took these through a closed window. Here's "our" Grey heron.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

Great photos and writing as usual Oliver, I now realise that having the better half producing treats from kitchen skills, would make sanding a staircase, or any other job, that little bit easier.

Regarding Spax and Wurth, I can only agree, both very respectable companies. We probably use Wurth more, as one of our suppliers is a Wurth dealer/agent.

We will only use the Wurth brick and concrete fixings, simply because we cannot find anything that compares. They are extremely strong and durable, and drive in much easy than competitors offerings. I remember buying a very early set of Wurth Ammo Bags. For those that aren’t familiar, these are reinforced bags that pump up. They are useful when installing door and window frames. They can lift an incredible weight, and are useful for temporarily packing frames before fixing.

When we first bought ours, other trades were fascinated by them but, there are many other offerings available now, not (in my opinion) of the Wurth quality.
We also use a lot of glues, and cleaners, and sealants from worth, all verygood.

I have a Spax screw assortment with Torx drive in a systainer, never thought screwing could be so enjoyable!

Love those plaques too Oliver  [thumbs up]

 

[six-point socket II]

There's really not much comparing when it comes to Würth, especially when you either have access to their stuff through someone or have a contract with them yourself. Plus they have such a wide range of products, it's really a one stop get everything kind of supplier.

If they have competition, it's Hilti. But that's a different story - as Würth has a much higher diversity in materials and tools.

Where they compare is that both have excellent fasteners/ speciality fasteners and almost all of them come (pre-) certified.

And yeah, the Amo bags. Best thing since sliced bread! Don't think it's much of an exaggeration. Beats using wedges all day long, every day. Especially when installing doors, windows, frames ...

I've used bigger ones, not sure if they are Würth brand, (only my smaller ones are for sure) to partially lift a patio to replace some beams ... So many uses, should be in everyones tool box.

Thanks for bringing them up Jiggy! I will take some pictures next time I use mine!

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Gregor]

In case the bird would have an accident I suggest to put it into Buttermilch for some days  [wink]

Nice Photostory, as usual. Please keep them coming.
Hope I'll remind myself next time to take some pictures, I sadly always forget to do that...

 

[six-point socket II]

Oh, no, I'd rather pay bail money in form of new fish to the neighbor. There ain't gonna be any accidents under my watch.  [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [wink]  [big grin] [big grin] [big grin]

Thank you for the kind words!

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[six-point socket II]

Hi!

Two small tasks I executed today.

First I made two holders, from two brackets each, for my new telescopic arm for the pressure washer that has still to arrive.

The second task was to create the final two stones for my flower bed frame/border. Initially I wanted to drill along a mark, and then bust it with a chisel. Then I thought why not try something different. I used one of my striking scrapers from Snap-On to define the line, right on my mark, I wanted the shell limestone to bust open at. Then I used a common chisel to make it bust. That worked perfectly, except for one blow while I was cleaning out the „cut“ a bit. One piece busted off, that I had rather wanted to stay in place. Lesson learned, next time I‘m going to drill along the line first, and bust it then with a chisel. But I got the two pieces I needed from one block so I deem it a success, partly.

Kind regards,
Oliver - who has to post from his smartphone at the moment -

 

[mike_aa]

[member=61712]six-point socket II[/member]  Hey Oliver, If you still have the chipped out piece, you might try one of the polyurethane glues (like Gorilla Glue here).  I used it to repair similar mishaps in a concrete paver step and a cast concrete planter some years ago.  Both repairs have held up really well.

Mike A.

 

[semenza]

If I am not mistaken that is a rebranded Osca 1,500 gram hammer you've got in the picture?

Seth

 

[six-point socket II]

Hi!

Mike, thanks for that tipp, I will try! Shouldn‘t be to hard to get that missing part from the bucket I used to clean up.

Seth, highly likely. Picked it up locally years ago, came with a rubber cover for using it on pavers i.e. The branding is from „ELORA“.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[six-point socket II]

[member=1619]SRSemenza[/member]

Hi Seth,

confirmed what you already knew. But it‘s the 1250g DIN variant. I really didn‘t know until I looked for it.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[semenza]

Yup. The shape and design is tell tale. I have the 1500 club hammer and the 1000 Machinist hammer. Both with the three component handles. Real nice.

 http://www.osca.it/en/products

Seth

 

[six-point socket II]

Right now, life at the casa de six-point socket II is incredibly slow.

I ordered a pressure cleaner in the beginning of April, delivery got postponed numerous times, latest news is that it should be shipping coming Monday or Tuesday. I'm not surprised if it doesn't, similar models are postponed until 14th / 15th of May already. Somewhere in between they delivered that telescopic arm, but without a pressure cleaner it's pretty much useless. Of course, understandable, as Kärcher doesn't get the parts from China fast enough/in time due to Corona ...

I have to clean the patio's roof, the shell limestone brick wall, the entry area, the canopy ...

Then we ordered a fun BBQ that we discovered during our latest vacation:https://lotusgrill.de/eu/lotusgrill/

We ordered the XXL, in orange color and both with glass top and cover. Delivery was due today, and - kinda funny, as with the pressure washer, all we got today was the glass top. Delivery date for the BBQ, unknown. That can't be blamed on Corona, as the BBQ's were supposed to be sitting in a warehouse ready to ship.

Then I spent quite some time taking measurements and making a cut list to make some kind of "cover up" for an old built-in cabinet in the basement. Called my timber dealer, and the material and especially in the sizing (thickness) I need it to be, won't be available anytime soon.

Today my "all-around talented"-pro was supposed to call me to schedule an appointment for building a pedestal (brick & mortar) and pouring an epoxy floor in our basement laundry room. Didn't happen of course. Guess he is still busy on that other construction site. I just hope we will be able to get the necessary materials rather soon, if he then needs more time at the other construction site I don't care, but at least I know we will be able to start right away once he is finished there.

With the current weather and forecast, I won't be able to set up shop on the patio for sanding another door either, so yeah, life is really slow.

At the moment I'm sorting through recipes, writing lists of ingredients to shop for, and hopefully next week will cook some of them.

BTW: I'm not complaining, just making a diary/journal style entry here.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[FestitaMakool]

Ohh, you bought one of those yellow/black Kä... I’ve one too, now repaired, by me - Kä.. said it was too expensive to repair, better buy a new (in my mind, yes, but not a yellow/black Kä.., but maybe a Nilfisk or Kränzle? But I got the parts and miraculously I got it back together for 1/6 of the price of a new one.. now my yellow/black Kä... carpet/fabric vacuum cleaner stoppet working - the jet pump for clean water died. Ohh my - those machines are not to be mended - only mendable with a ala Jeremy Clarcson “mend it with a hammer” style.  [big grin] [big grin]
Well, they are nice when working, a lot of accessories to droole on [smile]

Curious how you’ll like your Lotus grill, those seems nice. I’ve been all in for Weber last 25 years - only coal of course.

 

[six-point socket II]

I was tempted to buy one of the grey/ professional Kärcher models or a Kränzle at first. But taking into account that I'm going to use the pressure cleaner maybe 2 times a year, I decided against dropping something north of a grand on a pressure cleaner. No matter my love for high quality stuff and how great those models are. If it fails on me in rather short time, I can still buy another make/model.

We'll see how that goes. I know that Kärcher isn't what it used to be, many people are highly disappointed. I have an really old shop vac, old steam cleaner, and a newer battery powered vacuum from them, for little mishaps and the staircase - and all of that stuff is flawless.

I obviously know, that a unit like the K3 I bought will never be satisfactory if you're used to professional models.

I'm actually quite interested to see if it was the right decision, to go with my brain's decision rather than my heart's.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

I’ve had a few pressure washers over the years, and my experience of them:

A few cheapy small Karchers, not enough power, eventually moved up to a Karcher K6 85M. It was nice and powerful but, the wheels were made of chocolate, and kept breaking, it turned out to be a known fault.
Then bought the K7 85M, it’s like a beefed up version of the K6 85M with better wheels and build quality. I still use the K7 85M at home today, and it runs great, with good power.

I also bought a top of range Nilfisk a few years back, and it was a superb machine, anything Nilfisk seems very reliable, and durable.

We bought a Kranzle four years ago, in my opinion, these are the very best in the electric type of pressure washers. The build quality is like I’ve never seen on any other pressure washer, really nice machine but, expensive.

The best I ever had, and recently sold was a Honda powered beast, it was 11 HP. You had to get a good grip on the lance, the power was crazy.
I bought it a long time back brand new, to clean the trailers we used to have but, in truth it was too powerful.
When the trailers went, I put it in our storage container, and sold it recently for good money, to a guy who ran a driveway cleaning business.

I think if I were buying an electric machine now for HD domestic use, I’d go Nilfisk, or if the piggy bank is fat, a Kranzle.

 

[JSlovic]

I've got a Lotus grill and really enjoy it
Heats up very fast and good temp control with the fan adjustment. Depending on what I'm cooking I line the SS bowl with foil for faster cleanup
I'd seen the XL but I presume the XXL is new- Ive been thinking about a Green Egg but will have to look at the XXL
Sadly their US availability is slim

 

[six-point socket II]

I hear you Jiggy! The baseline is the same literally everywhere, don't buy the small/cheap yellow Kärcher.

I guess that Honda powered 11hp beast came with hot water as well?

--

JSlovic,

Glad to hear that! I'm not sure how new the XXL really is, as we saw it during last years vacation already. And it seems it's a 2018 product. Right now, availability in Germany is not really great as well. So we'll see when our unit gets (hopefully) delivered.

Would be a shame if we didn't get it.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[FestitaMakool]

Actually, I hadnt heard of Kranzle - as a “prosumer” product. But I hear they are very good quality.
For Kärcher I’ve learned that at least the older K7 series shared pump head with the smaller professional grey ones. That’s why I bought a K7 back then. It was a corrosion in the water inlet that caused leakage on mine. Although I did also refill!?! hydraulic oil, but it has never leaked oil, at least what I have seen  [huh] We also have an very old K5 at my mothers, the one with barrel design - remember? - This one should have been cracked open by frost, misuse and so on, but keeps soldier on, it has been great! So yes, in what I’ve learned, they made them better before. (I do also have this backed from a former and a present Kärcher technician)
For the right price, even the “cheaper” Kärcher models deliver - they usually do well in performance tests. Just a little extra care should be taken, have I been told, and they should last quite well.

 

[nclemmons]

If you are interested, Matt at Obsessed Garage did tear downs and tests on a whole range of pressure washers.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1239/9256/files/Pressure_Washer_Spreadsheet_Final_1.pdf?v=1585925056

You can find his YouTube channel for in-depth reviews of them.

 

[six-point socket II]

Your experience gives me some hope, FestitaMakool!

Thanks Neil, that was interesting to read & watch!

--

Keeping myself busy, I waxed the dining room table this morning.

Kind regards,
Oliver