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Rob Shrimpton
Handyman

Handyman services in Machynlleth, Dinas Mawddwy, and Dolgellau. I'm Rob, offering reliable help with repairs, maintenance, and small projects across the local area.

Reviving a dead cordless mower. #Handyman #dinasmawddwy

Reviving a dead cordless mower. #Handyman #dinasmawddwy

Battling the zombie mouse apocalypse #handyman #handymanservices #skeleton #machynlleth #dinasmawddwy #dolgellau

Battling the zombie mouse apocalypse #handyman #handymanservices #skeleton #machynlleth #dinasmawddwy #dolgellau

Installing a new manhole cover #handyman #handymanservices #dinasmawddwy #dolgellau #machynlleth

Installing a new manhole cover #handyman #handymanservices #dinasmawddwy #dolgellau #machynlleth

Restoring an old Tomy Verbot from 1985. Badly yellowed, completely dead. Opened him up to find mad internal workings. Thought it’d be a small board and motors… nope! #tomyrobot #repair #robot #vintagerobot #verbot

Restoring an old Tomy Verbot from 1985. Badly yellowed, completely dead. Opened him up to find mad internal workings. Thought it’d be a small board and motors… nope! #tomyrobot #repair #robot #vintagerobot #verbot

Garden tidy up for a client in Bearwood (Credit for the garden lighting goes to him).

Garden tidy up for a client in Bearwood (Credit for the garden lighting goes to him).

New shed with concrete base in Selly Oak.

New shed with concrete base in Selly Oak.

Kitchen mixer taps can be a pain if they relentlessly drip. They have these cartridges in them on either side that regulate the flow of hot and cold water; the cartridges are very sensitive to damage or dirt, which leads to dripping. Swapping them out is pretty straight forward if you have hex keys and tube spanners but finding the right cartridge to match the tap can take a bit of research. Nothing beats fixing a dripping tap though. #plumbing #plumber #drippingtap #handyman #repair #fixed #simplejoys

Kitchen mixer taps can be a pain if they relentlessly drip. They have these cartridges in them on either side that regulate the flow of hot and cold water; the cartridges are very sensitive to damage or dirt, which leads to dripping. Swapping them out is pretty straight forward if you have hex keys and tube spanners but finding the right cartridge to match the tap can take a bit of research. Nothing beats fixing a dripping tap though. #plumbing #plumber #drippingtap #handyman #repair #fixed #simplejoys

Installing radiators - fiddly but fun and pleasant work. On this one I had the luxury of clearly marking up the wall prior to mounting the brackets as this was done while the room was being decorated to the marks were painted over once the brackets had been drilled. #radiator #radiatorinstall #homerenovation #handyman #plumbing

Installing radiators - fiddly but fun and pleasant work. On this one I had the luxury of clearly marking up the wall prior to mounting the brackets as this was done while the room was being decorated to the marks were painted over once the brackets had been drilled. #radiator #radiatorinstall #homerenovation #handyman #plumbing

Some small friends woke up early and came to visit. I’ve really missed them. Look for them - they will make your day better if you see them, for free! #bee #bees #bumblebee #bumblebees #treebee #insect #friendlyinsects #mentalhealth #nature #freehappiness #simplejoys #timeisbetterthanmoney

Some small friends woke up early and came to visit. I’ve really missed them. Look for them - they will make your day better if you see them, for free! #bee #bees #bumblebee #bumblebees #treebee #insect #friendlyinsects #mentalhealth #nature #freehappiness #simplejoys #timeisbetterthanmoney

A day of hanging pictures for a great client in Edgbaston. Peaceful, methodical… hard to beat. Love it.

A day of hanging pictures for a great client in Edgbaston. Peaceful, methodical… hard to beat. Love it.

Swapping out a dead double socket for a nice new living one. Job done.

Swapping out a dead double socket for a nice new living one. Job done.

Fence panels are expensive so if clients ask me to salvage them, provided there’s still enough life in the wood, I generally can, and it can save a fair bit of money. This one fell apart when it came down with another panel in strong wind due to a rotten post between them. Neither panel was in great shape due to the original installation being a little poor - you can see the panels have just been set on the ground and so all have begun to perish. Similarly the fence posts have been sunk with no cement collar above the ground to drain water away from the wood, which is why one has rotted all the way through and failed. But after a new replacement post (sunk correctly) some careful nail placement and a bit of patience on the fallen panels, this section of fence will be good for at least another few years. £70 saved for this client. #reuse #repair #fencing #fencerepair #fencepanels #gardenfence #fence #landscaping

Fence panels are expensive so if clients ask me to salvage them, provided there’s still enough life in the wood, I generally can, and it can save a fair bit of money. This one fell apart when it came down with another panel in strong wind due to a rotten post between them. Neither panel was in great shape due to the original installation being a little poor - you can see the panels have just been set on the ground and so all have begun to perish. Similarly the fence posts have been sunk with no cement collar above the ground to drain water away from the wood, which is why one has rotted all the way through and failed. But after a new replacement post (sunk correctly) some careful nail placement and a bit of patience on the fallen panels, this section of fence will be good for at least another few years. £70 saved for this client. #reuse #repair #fencing #fencerepair #fencepanels #gardenfence #fence #landscaping

Fitting yet another custom gate. The old one was not very secure and very see-through. This one is tough, heavy duty and very secure. Happy client means happy me. #handmade #woodengate #gardengate #gate #fencing #landscaping #bearwood #woodwork

Fitting yet another custom gate. The old one was not very secure and very see-through. This one is tough, heavy duty and very secure. Happy client means happy me. #handmade #woodengate #gardengate #gate #fencing #landscaping #bearwood #woodwork

After heavy rain, keep an eye on the ground for bumblebees. They don’t seem to cope too well if they get caught out so you may find them just stopped on the pavement. If you are comfortable, pop a finger in front of them and let them walk on to your hand and move them to safety. If not, grab a leaf or a credit card - just as good and infinitely, infinitely better than stepping on them. #bumblebees🐝 #bumblebee🐝 #bumblebee #bees #bees🐝 #beesofinstagram #insect #beewhisperer

After heavy rain, keep an eye on the ground for bumblebees. They don’t seem to cope too well if they get caught out so you may find them just stopped on the pavement. If you are comfortable, pop a finger in front of them and let them walk on to your hand and move them to safety. If not, grab a leaf or a credit card - just as good and infinitely, infinitely better than stepping on them. #bumblebees🐝 #bumblebee🐝 #bumblebee #bees #bees🐝 #beesofinstagram #insect #beewhisperer

#hedgetrimming #privet #gardenmaintenance #bearwood

#hedgetrimming #privet #gardenmaintenance #bearwood

Garden reset in Bearwood. #landscaping #gardening #landscapegardening #Bearwood #sunshine #sleepers #newlawn #turf #green #fence #newfence #gardenclearance #dig #brokenfingernails #gardentools #patio #newpatio #paving #pavingstones #workalone

Garden reset in Bearwood. #landscaping #gardening #landscapegardening #Bearwood #sunshine #sleepers #newlawn #turf #green #fence #newfence #gardenclearance #dig #brokenfingernails #gardentools #patio #newpatio #paving #pavingstones #workalone

In my element. #lawnmowerman #mow #mowing #cutgrass #bearwood #grass #50shadesofgreen

In my element. #lawnmowerman #mow #mowing #cutgrass #bearwood #grass #50shadesofgreen

Sunny, spring Saturday means it’s time to chop logs and make insect shelters again. Beautiful session with @jamiec_71 @dan_auluk and other good friends beneath a godly spring sky at Martineau Gardens. We give ‘em away for free so long as you promise to hang it somewhere for the insects to use, so come by if you fancy one. Or if you fancy making one… even better! #insectshelter #beehotel #martineaugardens #insects #woodsman #greenwoodworking #garden #sunlight #simplethings #nothingbetter

Sunny, spring Saturday means it’s time to chop logs and make insect shelters again. Beautiful session with @jamiec_71 @dan_auluk and other good friends beneath a godly spring sky at Martineau Gardens. We give ‘em away for free so long as you promise to hang it somewhere for the insects to use, so come by if you fancy one. Or if you fancy making one… even better! #insectshelter #beehotel #martineaugardens #insects #woodsman #greenwoodworking #garden #sunlight #simplethings #nothingbetter

A new gate in an old frame. #gardengate #gate #wood #woodworker #garden #oldbury #bearwood

A new gate in an old frame. #gardengate #gate #wood #woodworker #garden #oldbury #bearwood

First cut of 2023 - little bit damp and just taking about 1/3 off the blades. After a bit of TLC and a couple more cuts, this lawn is going to be like a living emerald carpet. #bearwood #gardening #grass #lawns #deathtoastroturf

First cut of 2023 - little bit damp and just taking about 1/3 off the blades. After a bit of TLC and a couple more cuts, this lawn is going to be like a living emerald carpet. #bearwood #gardening #grass #lawns #deathtoastroturf

More gate-making #gate #timber #wood #gardengate #bearwood

More gate-making #gate #timber #wood #gardengate #bearwood

Tiling a bathroom - slow and focussed work, but being patient (with both the job and yourself) pays off. Three more walls to go… #youcandoit #bathroomremodel #bathroomrenovation #handyman #bearwood #patience

Tiling a bathroom - slow and focussed work, but being patient (with both the job and yourself) pays off. Three more walls to go… #youcandoit #bathroomremodel #bathroomrenovation #handyman #bearwood #patience

Fitting a custom gate in a very out-of-square space in Bearwood. The old one was badly rotten and filled a pretty wonky gateway. But the new gate fit really nicely. #relieved #handmade #woodengate #gardengate #gate #fencing #landscaping #bearwood #woodwork

Fitting a custom gate in a very out-of-square space in Bearwood. The old one was badly rotten and filled a pretty wonky gateway. But the new gate fit really nicely. #relieved #handmade #woodengate #gardengate #gate #fencing #landscaping #bearwood #woodwork

Making a custom gate for a client. #gate #woodwork #timber #landscaping #workshop #bearwood

Making a custom gate for a client. #gate #woodwork #timber #landscaping #workshop #bearwood

One of the insect shelters done by the University of Birmingham students, finished and in situ at Martineau Gardens. Getting ready to be happy when something moves in! #insects #insect #handmade #free #conservation #loveinsects #universityofbirmingham #mentalhealth #simplehappiness #martineaugardens

One of the insect shelters done by the University of Birmingham students, finished and in situ at Martineau Gardens. Getting ready to be happy when something moves in! #insects #insect #handmade #free #conservation #loveinsects #universityofbirmingham #mentalhealth #simplehappiness #martineaugardens

Running an insect shelter workshop at the University of Birmingham. A really brilliant group of students who came to give some time to knocking up some very simple shelters for small insects who need all the help we can give them. These folks were generous with their time and spirit and the whole session was an absolute delight. Hard to explain the simple happiness that comes from just manually drilling a hole in a log for a tiny animal you’re never gonna meet, but it’s real and it’s free! Give it a try some time. Thanks to all the excellent people at Pause@UoB for the support and to all who came along. #universityofbirmingham #insect #insects #insectshelter #conservation #itssimple #mentalhealth #wellbeing #helptheinsects #happinessiseasy #stickittotheman

Running an insect shelter workshop at the University of Birmingham. A really brilliant group of students who came to give some time to knocking up some very simple shelters for small insects who need all the help we can give them. These folks were generous with their time and spirit and the whole session was an absolute delight. Hard to explain the simple happiness that comes from just manually drilling a hole in a log for a tiny animal you’re never gonna meet, but it’s real and it’s free! Give it a try some time. Thanks to all the excellent people at Pause@UoB for the support and to all who came along. #universityofbirmingham #insect #insects #insectshelter #conservation #itssimple #mentalhealth #wellbeing #helptheinsects #happinessiseasy #stickittotheman

Decorating this week - making a Farrow and Ball feature of the fireplace, glossing up the dado and skirts and swapping blue walls for nearly white. Always a bit nervy when the lovely, expensive new wooden floor has gone in before I turn up but this is my specialty- careful and slow. Very happy with this one - was a really enjoyable little journey getting this one there and superior care from the clients too who were generous with both their patience and their coffee. #bearwood #paintinganddecorating #slowandsteady #enjoythejourney #farrowandball #dulux #handyman #woodenfloor

Decorating this week - making a Farrow and Ball feature of the fireplace, glossing up the dado and skirts and swapping blue walls for nearly white. Always a bit nervy when the lovely, expensive new wooden floor has gone in before I turn up but this is my specialty- careful and slow. Very happy with this one - was a really enjoyable little journey getting this one there and superior care from the clients too who were generous with both their patience and their coffee. #bearwood #paintinganddecorating #slowandsteady #enjoythejourney #farrowandball #dulux #handyman #woodenfloor

20 million micrometers of skirting and architrave. You’ll never wish you had flat walls and level floors more. #patience #caulk #decorating #skirtingboards #bearwood

20 million micrometers of skirting and architrave. You’ll never wish you had flat walls and level floors more. #patience #caulk #decorating #skirtingboards #bearwood

Today’s job: repairing a failed gate post. The gate itself is heavy and not terribly well designed to distribute the load, and the original post was only held by 2 standard bolts. Consequentially the rotational load split the timber. Upgraded the post to treated 2x4 and sank 5 heavy duty masonry bolts. The hinges have been screwed deeper and wider as well to mitigate the lack of weight distribution in the gate door. #solid #gate #fencing #handyman #harborne #bearwood #homerepair #timber

Today’s job: repairing a failed gate post. The gate itself is heavy and not terribly well designed to distribute the load, and the original post was only held by 2 standard bolts. Consequentially the rotational load split the timber. Upgraded the post to treated 2x4 and sank 5 heavy duty masonry bolts. The hinges have been screwed deeper and wider as well to mitigate the lack of weight distribution in the gate door. #solid #gate #fencing #handyman #harborne #bearwood #homerepair #timber

Handyman day - shelves, curtains and blinds in Stirchley. Shelves can always be tricky if the wall is uncooperative but good preparation and patience generally sees me alright. Really enjoyed this one and satisfyingly level and vertical. #seethebubble #shelves #handyman #stirchley

Handyman day - shelves, curtains and blinds in Stirchley. Shelves can always be tricky if the wall is uncooperative but good preparation and patience generally sees me alright. Really enjoyed this one and satisfyingly level and vertical. #seethebubble #shelves #handyman #stirchley

No glamour today or yesterday. Scraping the old and failing cement from around all the slabs in a patio to a depth of 20mm+, ready for repointing tomorrow. Don’t be a landscaper if you love your wrists. #myhandshurt

No glamour today or yesterday. Scraping the old and failing cement from around all the slabs in a patio to a depth of 20mm+, ready for repointing tomorrow. Don’t be a landscaper if you love your wrists. #myhandshurt

Trimming hedges in Selly Oak. #landscaping #landscapegardening #hedgetrimming #sellyoak #bestjobintheworld

Trimming hedges in Selly Oak. #landscaping #landscapegardening #hedgetrimming #sellyoak #bestjobintheworld

First foray into electrolytic rust removal. Works a charm and smells a lot better than 5L of vinegar. #restoration #rustremoval #oldtools #electrolysis #electrolysisrustremoval

First foray into electrolytic rust removal. Works a charm and smells a lot better than 5L of vinegar. #restoration #rustremoval #oldtools #electrolysis #electrolysisrustremoval

Putting up 18m of featherboard fence - finally got to the remainder of the panelling and looks smashing. Finishing touches to go and this one’s done. #closeboardfencing #fencing #fencerepair #landscaping #barntgreen

Putting up 18m of featherboard fence - finally got to the remainder of the panelling and looks smashing. Finishing touches to go and this one’s done. #closeboardfencing #fencing #fencerepair #landscaping #barntgreen

Nothing beats featherboarding in the sun! #fencing #landscaping #barntgreen #workoutside #gardenfence

Nothing beats featherboarding in the sun! #fencing #landscaping #barntgreen #workoutside #gardenfence

Reinstating a fallen garden gate and putting up some feather board fencing to partition a couple of properties in Barnt Green. Great clients with a great neighbour who was equally hospitable. Really magic to have good folk around you on a job. #barntgreen #landscaping #fencing #gaterepair #everybodyneedsgoodneighbours

Reinstating a fallen garden gate and putting up some feather board fencing to partition a couple of properties in Barnt Green. Great clients with a great neighbour who was equally hospitable. Really magic to have good folk around you on a job. #barntgreen #landscaping #fencing #gaterepair #everybodyneedsgoodneighbours

Fence repair in Halesowen. Posts were an absolute devil to get out but the new ones went in okay. The client opted for lower panels to allow a view down the road.

Fence repair in Halesowen. Posts were an absolute devil to get out but the new ones went in okay. The client opted for lower panels to allow a view down the road.

Taking out a section of planter and extending the driveway in Barnt Green. Seamless. #brickplanter #landscaping #landscapegardening

Taking out a section of planter and extending the driveway in Barnt Green. Seamless. #brickplanter #landscaping #landscapegardening

One of my other activities - insect shelter workshops. This one at the University of Birmingham, drilling some monster holes in fresh cut timber slices. It may seem stange to some, but looking out for, and watching, insects is one of the easiest sources of delight and peace I know of - what they know is well worth learning. #insects #insectshelter #wellbeing #universityofbirmingham #stickittotheman

One of my other activities - insect shelter workshops. This one at the University of Birmingham, drilling some monster holes in fresh cut timber slices. It may seem stange to some, but looking out for, and watching, insects is one of the easiest sources of delight and peace I know of - what they know is well worth learning. #insects #insectshelter #wellbeing #universityofbirmingham #stickittotheman

Dense and overgrown garden clearance in Weoley Castle, including getting rid of some monster brambles that had overgrown a whole area at the end. Very happy with the result although the added a couple of new scars to my collection.

Dense and overgrown garden clearance in Weoley Castle, including getting rid of some monster brambles that had overgrown a whole area at the end. Very happy with the result although the added a couple of new scars to my collection.

Courtesy of a good friend, I came into a discarded rose arch that had never been assembled or used - still wrapped in fact. It had taken a bit of damage in storage but it came out lovely when it was assembled in a client's garden. Free rose arch for her! Free is always good! In this case, particularly good! #landscaping #landscapegardening #bearwood #freestuff #reclaim #rosearch

Courtesy of a good friend, I came into a discarded rose arch that had never been assembled or used - still wrapped in fact. It had taken a bit of damage in storage but it came out lovely when it was assembled in a client's garden. Free rose arch for her! Free is always good! In this case, particularly good! #landscaping #landscapegardening #bearwood #freestuff #reclaim #rosearch

A hornet mimic hoverfly. The biggest! #insectphotography #insect #hoverfly #gardening #landscaping #bearwood

A hornet mimic hoverfly. The biggest! #insectphotography #insect #hoverfly #gardening #landscaping #bearwood

This fellow occasionally keeps me company in the workshop. #robins #bearwood #smallbirds

This fellow occasionally keeps me company in the workshop. #robins #bearwood #smallbirds

On site… earth moved… trench dug. #landscaping #oldbury #retainingwall #properjob

On site… earth moved… trench dug. #landscaping #oldbury #retainingwall #properjob

Breaking concrete in 32 degrees - it just doesn’t get better than this! Love landscaping!!! #landscaping #bearwood #concretebreaking #sungod

Breaking concrete in 32 degrees - it just doesn’t get better than this! Love landscaping!!! #landscaping #bearwood #concretebreaking #sungod

Today’s job - repointing a patio and repairing a loose top step. #landscapegardening #patio #bearwood

Today’s job - repointing a patio and repairing a loose top step. #landscapegardening #patio #bearwood

“Roald Dahl” rose rewarding a year of careful attention by our greenhouse. Stunning and resilient shrub rose. #rose #roses #gardening #bearwood

“Roald Dahl” rose rewarding a year of careful attention by our greenhouse. Stunning and resilient shrub rose. #rose #roses #gardening #bearwood

3 weeks later and the groundwork is paying off. The owners of this lawn have also been feeding and watering regularly and, importantly, have resisted the urge to cut it. Very happy with this one - like a bed of emerald. #lawncare #newlawn #newturf #landscapegardening #lightwoodlandscapes #bearwood #bearwoodgardens

3 weeks later and the groundwork is paying off. The owners of this lawn have also been feeding and watering regularly and, importantly, have resisted the urge to cut it. Very happy with this one - like a bed of emerald. #lawncare #newlawn #newturf #landscapegardening #lightwoodlandscapes #bearwood #bearwoodgardens

Repairing a failed fence at the end of a garden in Bearwood. Had to sink a new timber post in the middle there in order to get 2 6’ panels to fit between the 2 existing outer posts that were both out of true… and make it all look level, without disturbing the wonky concrete pillar holding up the washing line. In the rain! 😆 Turned out well. #fencerepair #bearwood

Repairing a failed fence at the end of a garden in Bearwood. Had to sink a new timber post in the middle there in order to get 2 6’ panels to fit between the 2 existing outer posts that were both out of true… and make it all look level, without disturbing the wonky concrete pillar holding up the washing line. In the rain! 😆 Turned out well. #fencerepair #bearwood

Beautiful day to finish up a new lawn. #bearwood #landscapegardening #lawn

Beautiful day to finish up a new lawn. #bearwood #landscapegardening #lawn

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