The original kitchen fitter returned last night, and as soon as I explained the problem to him, he nodded and told me he knew exactly what the cause was … the positive power terminal on the oven. In a matter of a few minutes he had removed the oven, and checked the wiring. He said, ‘Thought so!’, and ten minutes later the oven was back in place and working.
I asked him what the solution to the problem was and it turned out to be simple. Apparently, the positive power terminal has a reverse thread on the retaining screw. If you connect the wire to it to test the connection, the oven functions … but if you then tighten the retaining screw before putting the oven into its niche, it doesn’t tighten on the wire, it loosens its grip on it. As a result, when the oven is in place, the connection is broken. All the fitter did was to tighten the retaining screw by turning it in an anti-clockwise direction, not clockwise.
The kitchen now looks like this:
The white finish makes the kitchen feel wider and lighter and was well worth the inconvenience.
Bob,
ReplyDeleteKitchen looks very smart. Anyone who buys your house ought to leave it alone for a good few years rather than changing it.
We only changed the fitted kitchen in our last house when the gas boiler had to be replaced and the intervening changes in gas regulations meant the new one could not be fitted in the same place.
Lesson learned: in our new home we had the boiler installed in the loft space, so any future changes will not affect kitchen units or decor.
Best wishes,
Arthur
Arthur1815 (Arthur),
DeleteThe kitchen was looking rather tired and needed revamping, even if we had decided not to move. By keeping the carcasses and changing the doors and the oven, the whole thing took only two days and cost just under half what a completely new kitchen would have cost us.
I know several people who have their boilers in their lofts, and all of them think it is a much better place than in their kitchen as it is easier to service, less noisy, and frees up space. If the opportunity ever arises for us to make that sort of change, we would.
All the best,
Bob
Until I realised that each of your images combines two photos I thought that something serious had gone wrong.
ReplyDeleteAs for the screw with the reverse thread, I have to ask "Why?". I am used to reverse threads in table saws: they stop the bolt that holds the blade from unscrewing when it spins. I cannot imagine what purpose this serves in an oven, save maybe making it hard and expensive to buy replacement screws?
Anyway, congratulations on a project brought to completion despite the vagaries of certain trades. Console yourself with the thought that you'll never have to do it again (at least for this house) and that it was quite quick compared with our kitchen conversion (but then we were having walls knocked down ...)
Mike Hall,
DeleteI joined the pair of images to save space, and only afterwards did I realise that the end result might look a bit odd.
I have no idea why the terminals have reverse screw threads. I can see the point where vibration might loosen it, but the oven doesn’t vibrate … I hope!
We have one cupboard left to refill, and then the whole thing will be finished … and life can return to what passes for normality. If we had had the money, we might have considered completely remodelling our kitchen and conservatory to form a kitchen/diner in the conservatory and a toilet/shower room and utility room in the former kitchen.
I hope that your kitchen conversion went well and that you are happy with the result.
All the best,
Bob
A little googling suggests two things:
DeleteGas pipes are reverse threaded so they cannot be connected to air, water or other pipes.
But since I'm not a licensed electrician in the UK I can only guess "because safety"? It would make it a little more difficult for the average homeowner to muck things up if the screws don't behave as expected.
Mr. Pavone,
DeleteMaking a connection that cannot be connected to the wrong pipes makes sense, but I cannot see the reasoning behind using a reverse screw on a non-vibrating connection.
I did find the following on Wikipedia: ‘it is essential that any wire installed under a screw head be "wound" in the correct direction (usually clockwise) so that the conductors are not forced outwards when the screw is tightened.’ This seems to explain the reasoning behind using a reverse screw thread on the connector.
All the best,
Bob
That was a good idea retaining the carcasses. Glad the job is finished properly. Must be a boost to morale. Plus 1 Strength Point?
ReplyDeleteNundanket,
DeleteThe carcasses are the most expensive items to replace, and our existing ones were still in good condition. The company we dealt with specialises in revamping kitchens using new door and worktops, although they will also instal complete new kitchens.
All the best,
Bob
Hi BOB,
ReplyDeleteWell-Well- You have a very nice looking NEW Kitchen now - looks terrific! Guess you are very pleased despite the hick ups along the way. We had our Kitchen renovated some time back with new doors, handles and such - my German Friend- Karl Phol did the work for us - he is a Cabinet Maker and did a fine job of it- we're very pleased and the whole Kitchen always looks brand new. Stay safe and well there in London. Cheers. KEV.
Kev Robertson (Kev),
DeleteWe are very pleased with the result. We had to go to a specialist company to get our revamp done as I don’t know anyone with the skills to do it for us.
Stay safe and stay well,
Bob
The revamped kitchen looks very smart, Bob. Glad to hear it's all in working order now and that things are just about back to normal. :)
ReplyDeleteTamsinP,
DeleteCheers! The old doors were pine in colour, and we had not realised how dark and narrower they made the kitchen feel. The white makes the whole kitchen feel bigger, lighter, and fresher. Things are now almost back to normal, and I have even managed to base up my Army Black cavalry.
All the best,
Bob
Very nice. Good job the windows didn’t get broken (see song).
ReplyDeleteSteve8,
DeleteLuckily, there weren’t too many windows that could get broken!
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob -
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice, bright and compact space for cooking! You could almost do everything without moving. Happiness is a new kitchen.
Cheers,
Ion
Archduke Piccolo (Ion),
DeleteIt is certainly much bright than it was.
The problem with galley kitchens is how narrow they can be. Ours is wider than most, but if there are two of you in the kitchen at the same time, it can feel a bit cramped. Still, it feels better than it did, and we have used the opportunity to reorganise where things are, and that has already led to a great improvement in how we use the kitchen.
All the best,
Bob