Tim McCrohan Fixologist | Local business
Tim McCrohan Fixologist
Phone: 0458762605
Reviews
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25.01.2022 Just a little ladder up to a mezzanine floor in a new shed. Welded and painted the steel rails and cut and installed pine timber as treads.
23.01.2022 This is our new little project that has turn into quite a big one. There is going to be a feature using old galvanised pipe and fittings, 1" in the old language. In one piece there is 16 different joins, If one fitting turns half a turn it shortens or lengthens the whole unit by 1 mm. These are the sort of jobs I love, complex and artistic with our customer The Boardwalk Bendigo allowing our imagination to go wild.
22.01.2022 A new stepped deck installed to meet code.
21.01.2022 Wonderful green pasture of Lucerne and native grasses. A irrigation paddock with gal pipe sprinkler risers. A bow of gal pipe concreted into the group holds the riser up. We're replacing these with PVC risers and steel star pickets. The amount of concrete that has been used in this paddock is amazing. It appears the original designers may have had shared in Pioneer concrete. There could be up to 30 cubic metres just in bows. The steel bow is being recycled and the concrete ...is being used in areas of erosion to prevent further damage. The concrete is loaded onto my tipper trailer for dumping next to erosion spots around the same farm. #nothingiswasted #winchtippertrailer
20.01.2022 A new water feature. Our client the Boardwalk Bendigo requested something unique to use to capture the drips from their filtered water. Something industrial and with patina showing history and water. We sourced a seized old 6 inch John (brand name) water valve that is rusted in place from an irrigation farm north of Bendigo, we cut the old bolts and cleaned up the outside. We were able to obtain 150 mm (6" in old school) gal pipe and the top of a damaged LP Gas cylinder. We'v...e run a waste pipe into the existing plumbing. 2" pipe is welded to the lower section and provides a connection to other areas in the dining area. This is work we love, a creative textured one off feature that really stretches the mind. Thanks to the team at the Boardwalk for trusting us with this great feature. Stay tuned to finished photos in the future.
18.01.2022 A project replacing an old dingy kitchen unit, we removed the floor tiles, laid lino flooring, clad walls in stainless and fit pre made shelving in position. The kitchen will be ready shortly for class 1 food licence.
17.01.2022 In Australia we have a insect that turns dead timber into high grade soil. The humble termite. Yes they can do some damage to frames and such but we would not be able to live without them. They are the garage disposal experts....Even old growth forests need termites to keep the environment healthy. But they can strip value out of your property. A good pest control regime on a regular basis will encourage the termites to go somewhere else. ... These photos demonstrate the importance of what can happen. Termites were detected a while ago, treated and left. We see no signs of termites at present in this small Reno but it's probably time this place has a pretreatment just to be sure.
16.01.2022 A new feature installed at the boardwalk Bendigo.
16.01.2022 An interesting challenge with some slippery pavers that had become uneven. We lifted the lower pavers, spread dry mortar under the pavers, the sand being moist allowed the mortar to become soft then harden as it reacted with the moisture. The pavers are now level and will remain so. ... We then cleaned the pavers and applied a non stick coating over the pavers which improved their grip, it reduces the opportunity for mould to grow in the little open pores of the pavers and reduces the risk. The pavers look brand new with a coating.
15.01.2022 Starting to take shape. 1" or 25 mm galvanised pipe threaded and joined to be used as a set of brackets for shelves. The top rail is set 90 degrees and have 40 threaded joins.
14.01.2022 Repairing a fence today. The wind had blown it over. It would have handled any breeze but the base brackets were secured with tex screws. They are ideal in light weight material that doesn't move around much but will rattle loose. Using an 8 mm bolt is fine as the compressive strength of the bolt and nut will secure it fine but normal nuts will loosen with vibration. A small amount of loctite placed on the threads secures the nut and prevents it from rattling loose. ... Any structure is only as good as the foundation holding it to the ground.
13.01.2022 Busily working on this huge project for the last 6 weeks, a custom set of wrought iron stairs that lead down from a alfresco decking to the outdoor landscaped area. We were given a concept drawing on the heights of steps and asked to design something that would first be free standing from the house as the area on the alfresco had been sealed for water ingress. A series of huge footings which we had engineered allow the stair to free stand. ... Today stair treads were placed in to give a idea on perspectives. The whole staircase actually comes apart and will fit into a powder coating booth so in 10 years if it needs to be pulled apart it can be. It's been a long but very challenging job for magnificent customers.
13.01.2022 An interesting task. The bendigo council owns this facility for disabled access, it comprises a facility for toileting any person no matter their limitations, with roof mounted lifting hoist and an adjustable height bed. We were tasked with building a retaining wall, filling it with a mixture of recycled soil from one of the waste processing facilities, topping the base with 40 mm road base so a tow truck could drive over the surface without sinking. The area was compacted and locating pins were hammered into position to a depth of 1.5 metres. It's great to have this for use around bendigo
12.01.2022 A job today was to mount a heavy medicine cabinet on a wall in a bathroom. We cut a hole in the wall, made up and installed timber battens in the wall to support its weight. Glued and filled the cuts and allowed it to dry. This morning I returned and found this wonderful artwork from Chloe. It will be behind the medicine cabinet for the duration of the house, a timely reminder of who lived there in 2020. ... Thanks for making our day Chloe, a wonderful way of putting a smile on my face.
12.01.2022 A camper trailer's jockey wheel was too high so our customer requested we raise the mounting plate 100 mm higher. We fabricated a channel bracket that uses two bolts to secure, welded the new jockey wheel to that frame. In the event of the jockey wheel being damaged, we can remove the bracket and reweld the new jockey wheel back onto the bracket.
11.01.2022 A eBay purchase bar with plain old second hand timber. Our brief was to pretty it up at a budget. Another customer of ours imports products and pallet material is plentiful. We cut up the good parts and screwed it to the outside of the bar. With pallet material there is a little waste but because it's not kiln dried or straight it is difficult to use as structural timber but for cladding it POPS.... The colours and texture of multiple timber is outstanding. This has been satin varnished and it soaks up any coating you put on it. We encourage you to use plentiful waste material and make something special with it. Why not post something on our page that you've used waste or old materials and made something unique.
09.01.2022 Securing a corrugated iron roof which had rattled the original nails loose, replacing them with tex screws. Using a harness and rope, were secured at all times to prevent falls. We constantly use a harness in these situations. Experience teaches us that slips, trips and falls occur no matter how careful you are, being 4 metres off the ground, we don't bounce.... It's amazing how many people are seriously injured each year on ladders or on roofs. Please use some form of safety system if you are planning to do a 2 minute job, because broken bones take months to recover and worse, the fall could be fatal.
09.01.2022 From an original concept drawing, working with the customers who did a lot of the manual digging and work, we've developed something similar but very different to the concept. A timber gabion planter box out of stained treated pine sleepers, steel edging, this garden has come up a treat. Well done to the owners for their vision and work ethic. Amazing what can be achieved during lockdown.
09.01.2022 When replacing an odd size door there is a couple of options. Buy a bigger door and cut it down replacing the spine or buying a small door and extending it. In this situation we're going to extend the door. A hollow core door with a 30 x 35 mm section glued onto the spine with liquid nails. McRobertson screws then are used as clamps to pull it together. Tomorrow we remove the screws, cover the gap with Agnews Water Putty and a quick sand. Paint and hang as required. ... Custom doors are a challenge but with simple principles anything can be done.
09.01.2022 With any small project from a nail hole, right up to self leveling a concrete floor Agnews Water Putty is the perfect material to use. It can be cut, sanded, drilled and walked on. And the best part; it's Australian made. This is a staple in our tool box, we use it for so many different tasks.
08.01.2022 Our client wanted a new shade house for Harold (The Potted Palm Tree) and His friends but wanted something different. They wanted something square but different, to utilise old lattice but make shadows a feature. The roof structure is simple and balanced but we've spaced cross pieces at different spacing to provide the opportunity of those shadows changing throughout the day. ... Our clients are rapt with the outcome.
07.01.2022 Using Gal piping in 25 and 50 mm sizes, we've shaped and welded it to the water feature we've made. It bends around in all directions to replicate a steam/water type system of yesteryear. We thank the Boardwalk Bendigo for allowing us to shape this area of their restraunt.
07.01.2022 One of my hobbies is building unique trailers. Over the last 12 months, I have designed, fabricated, painted, wired and sign written a new tri axle trailer. Today it was registered. It's unique, it's technical name is a dog trailer, the front axle steers the trailer. It's a tipper with a tool box, fitted with solar panels and inverter to provide off grid electricity should it be required. I am confident that there is no other trailer like it in Australia. ... I used the design elements from a header front trailer, a tradie toolbox, a flat top to load pallets if required, fitted with ramps, it can carry a small excavator, dingo or small Bobcat. The front axle turntable was a design I came up with, using UHDPE plastic as a skid plate. The main retaining bolt was engineered to meet the lateral forces of towing. Fitted with electric brakes all around, this trailer will be around the district from now on.
06.01.2022 Our latest project, a seating area that is covered for clients of a medical centre. The cover is made from steel and corrugated colorbond sheeting and grey eco wood plastic decking for the seat. Eco wood is a recycled plastic product mixed with saw dust to form a fire resistant decking product. It needs no maintenance and never needs to be painted or stained.
05.01.2022 A landscaping project that a couple wanted to do in their front yard. This couple being very creative came up with a concept and we worked together to select the materials that would work together. The garden bed is a mixture of a gabion block wall and treated pine sleepers, a steel edge welded and secured with 600 mm pins into the ground. The sleepers sit inside the base steel ring and a steel ring is screwed around the inside top. A series of bars are welded across the top... to stop the garden bed from spreading. The owners have organised mulch, rocks and plants. An amazing garden using new and old concepts.
05.01.2022 This by far would have to be one of my favourite tools. A cheap small axe head welded on heavy walled pipe. A small steel square cap is welded on top. A tomahawk would work as well. It's a crow bar but with a difference, it's lighter and longer, the axe head cuts roots like an axe and the top is a great rammer. ... I copied the idea from someone else who said go your hardest. It's the toe cutter.
04.01.2022 Over the last year a lot of people have been affected by their mental health. It doesn't discriminate by gender, age, race, religion and skin colour. Research tells us that women normally are more open to discuss their mental health but blokes are the quietest on this topic. ... A bloke, honest, resourceful, committed, hard working, enjoys a good time and will do anything for a mate, but unfortunately they don't express their mental health. It's okay to speak about it, it's okay to seek help and it's okay not to be strong. Untreated mental health leads to serious health conditions and unfortunately suicide in some cases. There has been numerous cases lately where blokes have had enough and can't cope. It's okay to get help. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Please ask your bloke mates how they're going over the next few days. A world without them is dark, lonely and cold.
03.01.2022 We've enjoyed creating this little office desk feel at the Boardwalk Bendigo. Using gal pipe and second hand timber, the team let me design what I felt would do justice to the breif of industrial practicality. This one off build that brings great texture to an amazing location. Why not slip down, sit on one of the two stools, enjoy a great coffee and meal, look at the scenery and allow the troubles of the day to disappear.
03.01.2022 We have finished a bespoke stair case for entry to a second level of a lovely house in Castlemaine. With treads 1800 mm wide, rising to a height of 3200 mm. The owner presented us with two drawings, we sat down and designed a stair case that is engineer approved, made it in position in separate pieces so it could fit in a powder coating booth, dismantled it and had powder coated.... Spotted Gum hard wood treads were machined and oiled, demon bolts and nuts used at each end to connect to the stair stringers. The stair case is not attached to the building, it merely rests against so that the structure can move when the weather changes. We fabricated the balestrading and attached it to the building and stairs. The whole project was a huge challenge but the results speak for themselves. Customers response:- 100 percent!
02.01.2022 At The Boardwalk Bendigo, we've taken a favorite in the crochet bike that has welcomed patrons into the dining room for years, made a border on a blank wall, painted the insert satin black and screwed the bike as a 3D framed sculpture. Using simple items with a mass of color just brightens the entry. Over the weekend, why not book a table at the Boardwalk Bendigo and support a variety of small local businesses that make this place tick.
