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Chris Head

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Posts posted by Chris Head

    Seriously Big Tree Houses

    in House Renovations

    Posted

    Sounds interesting! In my time as a tree climber I was contracted several times to prepare big trees for tree houses, the projects always fascinated me. What's the tree (species, health etc)? How high up?How will the structure be attached to the tree?

    chris

    This is a long shot - reply

    in The Complete France Post Bag

    Posted

    Ok now I'm embarassed Lyn! Glad to help though. Twinkle, grab yer coat.....you've pulled (so long as you have a pulse I'm not fussy!). As for a TF story.....why not? It could be fun.

    Business has to be creative here in order to survive. With the expats the common trait seems to be the equity from the house sale is there and it'll all be OK..... Nope! If I can jog a few brain cells into forward motion in somebody then I'm happy to.

    Yes we're lucky to have the friends that we do.

    Bissous a tout, Chris

    This is a long shot!

    in House Renovations

    Posted

    Thanks for the call Lyn! I've made contact now. Thanks for the observations on the lunacy, the reality is that it really is very safe....with time and practice. I'm very much looking forward to the totem project, I've just about decided on the theme, it will reflect rural French life, a buzzard landing on the roof of a castle which is set on rocks, perhaps with steps leading to a door in the castle with salmon leaping over the rocks and so on and seats projecting from the bottom of the pole so the children may be a part of it. It feels good to be giving to the commune that has accepted us with open arms rather than taking, as we did in the UK. I've trained the Headteacher how to make decent tea and requested at leat 5 mugs a day.....my only condition of contract! The project starts on June 1st unless it's p****** it down at L'ecole primaire, Le Grand Bourg in the Creuse, all are welcome for a chat.

    And thankyou too Phil for your kind comments.

    Chris

    Valient gas combination boiler

    in House Renovations

    Posted

    My parents in law were misled into buying a Valient turbomax plus gas combi boiler from the UK on the advice of somebody who supposedly knew what they were talking about. The boiler cannot be used here and they are several hundred pounds worse off. It's been taken out of the box to be looked at and is unused. If anybody is interested then feel free to email me or call 05 55 62 02 54.

    I'm going back to UK to deliver some work toward the end of the month and will be passing through S/E UK going to Hertfordshire.

    Chris

    Finishing Floorboards

    in House Renovations

    Posted

    That's a big subject Misty, what's the timber? What room is it? As a rule you will only get out of timber what you put into it. If it's a cheap softwood floor that you slap a tinned stain/varnish on it will always look like its had a stain/varnish slapped on. If it's Oak/Chestnut and you apply a tinned product then you might ruin it. Any more info?

    Chris

    boxin

    in Sport, Leisure and Pastimes

    Posted

    Furryknickers you were spot on, Padraigs ego is indeed bigger (by a long margin) than his IQ level. You're all just reading the ramblings of a bored and lazy individual, who clearly has a sad life and seeks solace from the internet.....still it's entertaining eh?

    Chris

    Insurance near Benevant L'abbaye

    in Central (Centre, Limousin, Auvergne)

    Posted

    On another subject....Phillipe Verdeyme at the AXA office in Benevant L'Abbaye is a real pro. Apart from being a good friend of ours he's also extremely conscientious and has made great progress in spoken English for those of you who don't have any language. And there's normally coffee on the go (please tell him I sent you).

    No financial interest at all, just wanting to see a good friend succeed, he could do with a little help at the moment....

    Chris

    FRENCH OAK

    in House Renovations

    Posted

    Dave it's quite simple really, I use a process called dehumidification.

    The dehumidifier is placed inside the kiln along with sensors to record the humidity of the kiln, the temperature and the moisture content of the wood, the control unit is mounted outside the kiln and is programmed to take the timber down to the desired moisture content. Basically the air inside the kiln is heated which causes the water in the timber to evaporate, the moist air is then circulated by fans, condensed and extracted.

    The process is more complicated than that and there are many other parameters to consider but that's a simplistic overview. There are other methods of drying but dehumidification is the least risky.

    Hope that explains it a little!

    Salut, Chris

    FRENCH OAK

    in House Renovations

    Posted

    I had a wee experiment today, I cut in half an old 200mm x 200mm oak timber, minimum 150 years drying (from my farmer neigbour) and a 150mmx150mm beam (oak, winter felled) air dried for 15 months. The moisture content in the middle of the old timber was 20,8% and in the middle of the new timber 36,7%. Both timbers were measured in the very centre. By Andrews logic, the new timber would have a similar moisture content to the old timber, I have to agree with Bob.

    Without being too much of an anorak, wood does dry over time, undoubtedly the thicker the timber the more slowly it dries, but dry it does.

    Chris

     

     

    Starting a business in the Limousin

    in Central (Centre, Limousin, Auvergne)

    Posted

    I agree with meooww(?), the gardeners, tefl teachers, odd job folk, caretakers and 'translators' are also flooding the self employment market, certainly in the Creuse. To create a market for your goods or sevices here is not at all easy, it's sooo important to have really researched the market as much as possible before committing or have a safety net that minimises or negates the risks involved.

    Chris

    FRENCH OAK

    in House Renovations

    Posted

    I'm not able to take on any more until Autumn due to existing orders and contracts but good luck with your search Dave. I'm interested to know why it is you want to have dry oak for an interior timber framing project? 150mmx150mm if felled at the right time of year, sawn appropriately and left to settle for a while before use will most certainly move a  bit, but over time it will develop shakes and splits and a character all of it's own. 

    Chris

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