42 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Dremel adapter ordered, so onto the next issue...of which there are now considerably more than last weekend.  

Does anyone know if a 'toilet fill silencer' exists, as Google isn't giving any results.  Had the valve replaced because it was vibrating through all the pipework in use.  But the new one makes a hell of a noise while filling and then keeps dripping for ages afterwards.  Been fobbed off with the usual BS 'they all do that' but I can see the problem.  My old valve had like a bag over the spout so there was no air gap between the spout & the water level to create a splash or drip.  The new one doesn't have that.  I'm wondering if I can just buy something like that to fit myself, but can't be using the correct term in searches if it does exist.  Any ideas?

A Google search brings this one up, I haven't seen one in action though. 

 

Fluidmaster PRO45 toilet fill valve

29 minutes ago, Tizer said:

A Google search brings this one up, I haven't seen one in action though. 

 

Fluidmaster PRO45 toilet fill valve

Thanks, but I can't change the whole valve again, just need something that doesn't require water switched off now.

They've fitted another conventional filler valve for some reason.  Not sure why they didn't fit the newer type like that but it's too late now.  It literally just needs a a bag or possibly even a bit of hose sleeved over the 'drop' of the spout I think.

 

Quick pic from Google shows that some do still have a flexible pipe down to base level, but I don't know whether they can be bought separately.

@TomsFocus would it be possible to put a small length of aquarium airline or similar over the spout? 

35 minutes ago, Turvey said:

@TomsFocus would it be possible to put a small length of aquarium airline or similar over the spout? 

Yeah, that's a good idea.  Will have to measure it properly to check diameter tomorrow.

Aquarium airline is fairly flexible so will expand quite a bit, put the end in hot water for a few seconds if it's a bit snug 😉

 

You can buy it by the foot/meter etc for pennies from garden centre etc 

While I'm here, I really don't like our New Zealand flax! 

It's gotten so big since we moved here it has been awarded its own postcode!

I've Googled how to get rid of it but unfortunately Nepalm has been outlawed by the Geneva Convention!

Started on it yesterday with a chainsaw which kept chocking up and I think I've killed it so having to go old school!

So far I've disturbed a cat, umpteen snails, a frog and a Japanese soldier! 

Still got a bit to go 😢

2 hours ago, Turvey said:

Started on it yesterday with a chainsaw which kept chocking up

These people can help 😀

 

23 hours ago, Turvey said:

While I'm here, I really don't like our New Zealand flax! 

It's gotten so big since we moved here it has been awarded its own postcode!

I've Googled how to get rid of it but unfortunately Nepalm has been outlawed by the Geneva Convention!

Started on it yesterday with a chainsaw which kept chocking up and I think I've killed it so having to go old school!

So far I've disturbed a cat, umpteen snails, a frog and a Japanese soldier! 

Still got a bit to go 😢

A bit less of it now, but knackered my back so had to stop.

 

The Ute got it's first dump run through.

That looks like it'd make good insulation...  And on that note, what's the best option for a small amount of void fill nowadays?  Would have been loose fibreglass 30 years ago but is there a better option now?  Probably need around 1 metre cubed so not a huge amount.  Also needs to support itself in an upright position, so nothing granulated.

8 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Probably need around 1 metre cubed so not a huge amount.

Typo ? I assume 1 metre squared 👍

Use insulation board, available in many different thicknesses and easy to cut and shape.

 

12 hours ago, unofix said:

Typo ? I assume 1 metre squared 👍

Use insulation board, available in many different thicknesses and easy to cut and shape.

 

Not a typo.  It's a box around some semi-external pipework that needs to be insulated to prevent freezing in winter.  Needs to be something 'loose' like wool texture.

13 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

That looks like it'd make good insulation...  And on that note, what's the best option for a small amount of void fill nowadays?  Would have been loose fibreglass 30 years ago but is there a better option now?  Probably need around 1 metre cubed so not a huge amount.  Also needs to support itself in an upright position, so nothing granulated.

I misunderstood you as well. Fibreglass or Mineral Wool would be the best bet for that.

Their theoretical Insulation Values are not as good as the PIR or PUR Ridged Boards that  @unofix specified but I like using it in situations where you want to stop drafts as well and where someone needs occasional access because they may not put the Ridged Boards back properly when they are finished.

8 minutes ago, Tizer said:

I misunderstood you as well. Fibreglass or Mineral Wool would be the best bet for that.

Their theoretical Insulation Values are not as good as the PIR or PUR Ridged Boards that  @unofix specified but I like using it in situations where you want to stop drafts as well and where someone needs occasional access because they may not put the Ridged Boards back properly when they are finished.

Access is needed here occasionally.  In this case, most of it was removed for access, not put back afterwards, then someone else binned it...  

Any recommendations for the best place to buy a small amount?

Just now, TomsFocus said:

Access is needed here occasionally.  In this case, most of it was removed for access, not put back afterwards, then someone else binned it...  

Any recommendations for the best place to buy a small amount?

Yes. I've seen that lots of times. Unfortunately I don't know anywhere you can buy it other than in a full roll. 

On 7/11/2025 at 8:36 AM, TomsFocus said:

EZ SpeedClic Mandrel Collets/Mandrels/Miscellaneous | Dremel

It does require an additional part.  

So now the question is whether I spend £8 on that adapter to use the blades I already have.  Or spend £15 on a pack of 2x handles that are the correct size already...  I guess this could come in handy again in future, although I haven't used it in the last 10 years.  

Well, whoever named this EZ can't have used it.  FKNWKWD would be more appropriate.

Spent ages trying to get the other spindle out to fit this one.  Needed mole grips in the end.  Then found it really awkward to get the discs on and off the EZ click device without a third hand.

Anyway, eventually got the metal disc fitted.  Put the spindle on an old metal tray as I'm not a complete idiot...  But there were an alarming amount of sparks hitting the carpet even cutting at slow speed.  Would need to be outside really, and would them need an extension lead and some sort of workspace at waist height etc.  So gave up on that and have ordered another handle that claims to be right size...

Hmm, laptop left button has gone really loose this morning.  It's a HP G9 250.  Looks exactly the same as this one on ebay.  Still can't work out whether the buttons can be replaced separately or not?  It still clicks fine.

HP 250 G9 Laptop Keyboard Touchpad Palmrest Assembly AP2H8000EA0 | eBay UK

2 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

  Still can't work out whether the buttons can be replaced separately or not?  It still clicks fine.

From experience, I have had a few laptops where all the keys were able to replaced separately. It' s usually darn fiddly, most seem to be held on via a some type of concealed clip. I would google YouTube or see if you can see an exploded key on Ebay to see how it's fixed...

It's the left 'mouse' button, not a key as such.  Have had a quick look on YouTube etc but can't find anything for this model so far.

 

In other news, the correct sized window handle arrives today.  Fitted in 30 seconds.  So at least that's one thing sorted!

 

1 minute ago, TomsFocus said:

It's the left 'mouse' button, not a key as such.  Have had a quick look on YouTube etc but can't find anything for this model so far.

Now, that would be more complicated to replace. You'd need to remove the retaining trim that holds the keyboard in, then you gain access to the 'mouse' key. To be fair, it's a job I wouldn't tackle myself as I'd probably break the laptop rendering it useless 😂 I'm very lucky as I use a computer shop 10 minutes away that I've used since windows 3.1. A job like that he'd likely do it whilst I wait and not charge too much...

49 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

It's the left 'mouse' button, not a key as such.  Have had a quick look on YouTube etc but can't find anything for this model so far.

 

 

The easy fix for that is a cheap USB mouse 👍

23 minutes ago, Turvey said:

The easy fix for that is a cheap USB mouse 👍

Though hard to use when your laptop is on your lap 🤣

30 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

Though hard to use when your laptop is on your lap 🤣

Fair point 👍

 👍

1 hour ago, StephenFord said:

Though hard to use when your laptop is on your lap 🤣

Exactly that!

I've found a surprisingly detailed strip down video provided by HP themselves.  It's from a slightly different model, but looks pretty much the same as mine.

However, they don't don't show button removal at all.  They show button board removal, but that seems to be a separate PCB.  Can anyone tell whether the buttons can be removed after button board removal from this video?  (Skip to 5:53).