Be great to say hello!

[Cliff1970]

Hi All,

I'm Cliff. 42 years old. Put my first kitchen in with little more than a carving knife 30 years ago. Had a mixed bag since and just hung up my tools as the Happy Handyman a couple of months ago.

The long and the short of it is that I think I've had one of those little "Eureka" moments and I'm dieing to know if you agree. I've asked Stretch if its ok and he's ok'd me asking as at the moment I haven't made any to sell and not likely to unless you guys say go for it! So my mortgage rests with you guys!

So here goes.

Ever been hassled with the crappy little "L" brackets that come with base units to pin them to the wall? I've invented a little adjustable spacer that means you can now just drill straight through the back of the crossbrace and into the wall and put a single screw through and tighten. No messing about, no tiny screws, no moving units or rotating brackets, plenty of flexibility, one widget fits all contract to high end, screw heads now inside the unit, cheap and really quick!

I've spent pretty much everything i've had on patent lawyers and now i need you blokes to tell the big fish they'd be handy. Everyone I've worked with says its a no brainer but you could really help the big guys listen. if enough of you like it they could be in the fixings pack for free or should i try and sell some?

Not gonna boar you with more now but any Clints, suggestions, support or anything would be much appreciated. Feel free to be real honest, a lot more of my time and money will be riding on it!

All the best fellas and good luck with all your efforts.

Cliff

[PJK]

Hi cliff and welcome to a fantastic forum.

I feel a little bit like one of the dragons lol unfortunately not one of the nice ones. I think you've created a product to overcome a problem that doesn't exist. Sorry.

Also 200 2 inch screws are £3+vat, 200 120mm screws £11.80+vat

Is it on a kind of screw adjust. I like the idea of that for certain jobs but on a whole I think I'll be staying with the L bracket

Hope you don't mind my candidness as you did ask

Jon

[snezza]

Hi Cliff,

I,m afraid I agree with PJ, but for slightly different reasons.

The cabinets that I supply and fit have a horizontal rail at the back, so I,d be using a 6 inch screw.
RA brackets are a bit of a pain in the arse, agreed. But my cabinet manufacturer supplies them anyway. I,m sure you will find some people that will have a use for your idea, but I,ll be sticking to the brackets.

Good luck with it.

Snezza.

[Stretch]

I'm gonna put a different slant on it and say that if you ever needed to remove a base unit "post worktop installation" it would be far easier as those tricky little angle brackets are almost impossible to access after this point.

It's not a bad idea but a lot of fitters are stuck in their ways and are loathe to try any new systems.

You could always try and push this idea on to the sheds who would happily bung two of these per base unit into their fittings pack and ensure that the purpose of them is included in the fitting instructions. Only DIYers follow fitting instructions to the letter as they believe their kitchens will fall off the wall if they don't.......us fitters know many more ways of getting round things.

So it's a "Yes" from me which means you only need one more and you're through to Boot Camp. Anyone wanna even up the score??

[andy5405]

Hi cliff and welcome to a fantastic forum.

I feel a little bit like one of the dragons lol unfortunately not one of the nice ones. I think you've created a product to overcome a problem that doesn't exist. Sorry.

Also 200 2 inch screws are £3+vat, 200 120mm screws £11.80+vat

Is it on a kind of screw adjust. I like the idea of that for certain jobs but on a whole I think I'll be staying with the L bracket

Hope you don't mind my candidness as you did ask

Jon

I'm afraid I'm with PJ.

[Cliff1970]

HI Guys,

Thanks for the feedback - thanks to PJK - honesty is totally what I need - in my right to reply - with my design (after a 24 hour re-design!) you dont need a long long screw - just 15/20mm longer than one you'd use for a flush L bracket - the screw sits inside the fixing - so you get to work from inside the cab and its only a tiny bit longer.

Snezza Dude - thanks too but yeah it only works where your rear cross-brace is vertical - but feedback well appreciated.

Stretch - Thanks boss - As a handyman more than a fitter in all honesty that's what brought it about - so many times been asked "move a unit" for replacement, to add an appliance, have a switch round, add a new leccy spur or something and you have that "depends how well its screwed thought?" My grandad taught me my chippy rules and its well known you glue not screw where you can't acess, why we've always ignored this in the kitchen world I don't know?

As for fitters don't like change! guys Howdens don't even stock the old style w/top bolts anymore even though zip bolts are 8 times the price!

Any more votes for annoying L brackets? Please keep it coming! It really is vital for me, its so hard to get informed feedback and so useful to getting this off the ground.

Thanks everyone.

[snezza]

Those Zip bolts, a rep gave me 3 to try a fee years back.
I,ve still got them somewhere. It all comes down to the cost in comparison to what you gain. Those zip bolts are a good analogy for your idea. The advantage gained is lost when you factor in the additional cost.

Snezza.

[Cliff1970]

I'd just really like to point out - no one is saying they'd cost any more money and you may only need a screw 15/20 mm longer than norm.

Just love to know if others really think the current way is a bit rubbish?

It's really hard getting people to comment so please feel free - its really appreciated.

Many thanks

[PJK]

Hi cliff,

Me again

I can see the positive to gaining access to the fixing when the top is on. I have had to remove units from under fitted tops in the past and it can be tricky but not impossible.

My only other reservation is (and I'm not really sure why) I feel happier with the cheeks attached to the wall.

With your new design do you have to move the unit away a fasten the first part to the wall?

Jon