Bob Minchin wrote:
Lobster wrote:
I've come across these hosepipe guides, which look like just what I
need in the garden as I regularly have to negotiate the hosepipe
around two 90-deg corners (which are tyrolean-finished which generates
more friction and makes them all the more potentially damaging to a hose)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HOSE-PIPE-GUIDE-WALL-MOUNTED-EASY-TO-INSTALL-NEW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a7Q7c 39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50 QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem35a14d4750QQi temZ230339462992QQptZUKQ5fHomeQ5fGardenQ5fGardenEq uipmentQ5fHandToolsQ5fSMQQsalenotsupported

(ebay item 230339462992)

However, the problem is that these things are intended to be screwed
permanently to the brickwork, and where I'd need to site them, they'd
be in the way and it's an absolute dead-certainty that they would be
rapidly snapped off by a passing mower/child/whatever.

What's needed, therefore, is some form of quick-release, demountable
version of this. Considering that my Hozelock wall-mounted hose reel
is exactly that - it has a 'lift-out', wedge-shaped,
interference-fitting bracket - I'm surprised they don't follow suit
with these guides. Anyway, I've been trying to work out a simple way
of adapting one of the existing ones myself, but coming up blank.
Anyone got any bright ideas?

It would need to be something that's easily demountable by hand, would
not leave a markedly protruding fitting on the wall when demounted,
and would not involve me in lots of metalwork (other than a drill,
hacksaw and file I just don't have the kit!)

How about two pieces of steel angle of length equal to the height of the
fitting. Screw one to the wall and the other to the guide. Use some (say
4) Rare earth magnets to hold the two steel angles together. These
magnets are very strong indeed so much so that you will have to slide
the two pieces to get them apart.

Many thanks for all the inventive replies - lots of good ideas but I
think the magnet one is my favourite! I also really liked the one using
just large plates of plywood and no fixing per se: very clever: I'm sure
it would work well and the only thing putting me off a bit is the bulk
of the resulting contraptions (I actually want two of these),

There is bound to be an ebay vendor selling magnets.

Oh yes indeed: not having any experience of these things, and how
powerful they are relative to size...

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/items/?_nkw=neodymium+magnet&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3286.m270 .l1313&_odkw=neodymium+magnets&_osacat=0
http://tinyurl.com/qh5yv4

.... can anyone recommend one of these ebay listings as appropriate for
my application? Would, say 4 of the 2-3mm diameter ones actually work,
or would that be asking a bit much of them?

Thanks
David