Recent content by XTiffy

Classic Edwardian wash stand. As Niall y says. Probably Satin Walnut or Poplar (which is softer), which was the appellation for a (then) cheap timber often stained to look like mahogany. The door looks like a framed plywood panel (animal glued laminations) which has delaminated (rippled). The...

I agree with the above use of oxalic acid. Any chemical should be handled with care I have used oxalic for more than 45 years without any problem. Oxalic acid is found in rhubarb (maybe explains why I can't stand the stuff!).

I would say that the negative feedback is from "real world" individuals with experience.

We built a pair of high-end semi-detatched houses in West Sussex. With the rise of Air Bnb they became untenable. The requirements both legal and practical were a nightmare. I would never go back to that. There are a lot of hidden costs and you need to go into it very deeply. What changed with...

I have restored many similar chairs over the past 45 years. This chair seems to be a classic Victorian ballon back most common in mahogany. As in this case the bottom section would seem to be new (ie. not original) and the fresh break is along that glue line. I would clean and re-glue using...

Shellac sticks are available in a wide range of colours that you melt (drip) using a soldering iron into holes etc. Sand off and use whichever finish you want. If going for a wax finish then bees wax as a filler again can be coloured with earth pigments..

I use foam tile backer board in bathroom/shower areas, very lighweight and easy to cut completely waterproof. Loads of different thicknesses including 12mm matching plasterboard and can also be plaster skimmed.

I agree with "Inspector", A scratch stock is the way to go. I use old Industrial bandsaw blades from a saw mill. Mine was about 3 inches wide and I have a piece about 6-8 inches long that I have ground, filed etc. to match many antiques furniture moulding profiles. I use it rather like a cabinet...

Don't have a current Webster's (actually never have had a Webster's, I have the door stop edition of the OED), This was in 1974-5 and their quote at the time.

When working with our friends across the pond, I had reason to send a message through their network to the UK. In the message I included "Whilst". This baffled them as "It is not in Websters"! I asured them that the recipient would understand, so leave it in.

Spectric, I am quite sure you knew what kind of Executor I was refering to.That sounds like point scoring. In fact I took on the role without a will as my brother died intestate. He had brain cancer and three weeks before his death he told me he had consulted a solicitor and had everything...

Stig as an ex soldier (I am a Royal Navy veteran), please contact SSAFA (Soldier Sailor Air Force Association) there is a branch in your area (Aldershot and Farnham) Phone number 020 4566 9126. The longest journey starts with the first step, please take the step.

I had to clear a my brother's house and garden on his death ten years ago as his executor. At the hospital where he passed away, while I was enroute, they gave me his personal effects and house keys. When I reached his house I was overwhelmed by what I faced. The house was exactly as you...

I would agree that it a tack lifter, used in upholstery or shoe mending. Whether it started life as such is open to question. Most tack lifters (I have several) are cranked not straight like this one.

On YouTube there is a contributor who loves to breakdown electronic circuitry and reverse engineer. bigclicedotcom. See if you can contact him. Very interesting channel and he knows his stuff.