Author Topic: handyman-ness (Read 168674 times)

_33 · « **on:** February 26, 2012, 07:43:45 PM »

Is it possible to learn, or is it just something that you have to be born with? We just bought a new house and I would love to become a handyman. I'm not right now. Although today I did hang a toilet paper roll holder on the wall and I did it perfectly on the first try. Maybe this is the type of thing I could build on and eventually be a handyman. Does anyone have a true story about someone who was not a handyman and then became a really good one? Seems like all the handymen I know have been that way all their lives. Thoughts?

michigancat · « **Reply #1 on:** February 26, 2012, 07:45:22 PM »

you have to own the right tools. If you have the right tools, you'll be fine. If you don't, it won't go well.

Kat Kid · « **Reply #2 on:** February 26, 2012, 07:54:52 PM »

Quote from: michigancat on February 26, 2012, 07:45:22 PM

you have to own the right tools. If you have the right tools, you'll be fine. If you don't, it won't go well.

Wrong Answer.

steve dave · « **Reply #3 on:** February 26, 2012, 07:57:20 PM »

I am absolutely awful at this kind of thing. AWFUL.

Bloodfart · « **Reply #4 on:** February 26, 2012, 08:05:26 PM »

I think the hardest part of tackling a job is getting started. I have to research and prep the crap out of a project. When I finally get going it usually goes fine and I'm like what the eff was I worrying about?! Tons info on internets for just about anything you will encounter.

_33 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 26, 2012, 08:09:12 PM »

For some reason I have a terrible time measuring. It seems so simple but I always measure wrong at some point.

Kat Kid · « **Reply #6 on:** February 26, 2012, 08:19:19 PM »

Can someone give me an example of what they are talking about?

sys · « **Reply #7 on:** February 26, 2012, 08:20:50 PM »

i've definitely gotten better. not good, but a lot better. so i think improvement is possible.

try building a shed or something that you aren't afraid of messing up (but finish it like a house). it's all about putting in the practice time.

michigancat · « **Reply #8 on:** February 26, 2012, 08:24:00 PM »

Quote from: _33 on February 26, 2012, 08:09:12 PM

For some reason I have a terrible time measuring. It seems so simple but I always measure wrong at some point.

pro tip: measure twice, cut once

Pete · « **Reply #9 on:** February 26, 2012, 08:27:16 PM »

If it were completely up to me, I'd be living in a maintenance-free condo community right now.

Trim · « **Reply #10 on:** February 26, 2012, 08:28:00 PM »

Quote from: Pete on February 26, 2012, 08:27:16 PM

If it were completely up to me, I'd be living in a maintenance-free condo community right now.

puniraptor · « **Reply #11 on:** February 26, 2012, 08:29:51 PM »

eff measuring. You can't beat instincts.

Saulbadguy · « **Reply #12 on:** February 26, 2012, 08:31:18 PM »

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Fix-Yourself-Manual-Books/dp/0671765418

This book has served me well.

CHONGS · « **Reply #13 on:** February 26, 2012, 08:32:34 PM »

I am an amazing handyman.

just fixed a towel bar this weekend

wetwillie · « **Reply #14 on:** February 26, 2012, 08:32:41 PM »

Its just an acquired skill, anyone can become good at it, naturally gifted ones do it for a living.

_33 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 26, 2012, 08:56:27 PM »

Saul, are you being serious about that book?

star seed 7 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 26, 2012, 09:07:14 PM »

i have completely remodeled 3 homes, including the one i'm living in now.

i have been around that sort of thing since i was young though, so i guess it was a "born with it" thing.

Saulbadguy · « **Reply #17 on:** February 26, 2012, 09:10:36 PM »

Quote from: _33 on February 26, 2012, 08:56:27 PM

Saul, are you being serious about that book?

Yes, i'm not very good with stuff like that, but the book has pictures and has guided me over several "fix it" projects over the years.

Panjandrum · « **Reply #18 on:** February 26, 2012, 09:17:02 PM »

Anything with pictures is good. Buy that. I subscribe to the "Family Handyman" magazine. Lot of good stuff in there every month.

Once you actually tackle a large project (preferably with some help from friends/family), you feel a lot more comfortable.

If you're messing with plumbing, turn off the water. If you're screwing with electrical, flip off the juice for the room you're working in at the breaker.

As stated earlier, buy good tools. It's worth the extra money. I usually go with Craftsman or Kobalt because of the lifetime warranty. For power tools, go with DeWalt. It's more expensive, but when I borrowed them from friends and compared them to the stuff I have, it's no contest.

chunkles · « **Reply #19 on:** February 26, 2012, 09:22:33 PM »

Quote from: Pete on February 26, 2012, 08:27:16 PM

If it were completely up to me, I'd be living in a maintenance-free condo community right now.

I am incredibly handy but prefer this option.

Bloodfart · « **Reply #20 on:** February 26, 2012, 10:21:40 PM »

Quote from: Tortuga on February 26, 2012, 08:19:19 PM

Can someone give me an example of what they are talking about?

Just built a new fence around the back yard. Spent a month stressing about what kind of fence to build. Do I go with the premade sections, what type of matierial,etc. Went with 6' cedar pickets and 8' treated posts. Then do I cement each post or not? I wanted it to last and look good and straight, so I used 2 bags of quick crete per post. Once I got all the holes dug and got a corner framed up the rest was a cinch.

Edit: Never built a fence before this. Have to say it looks dam good to.

jtksu · « **Reply #21 on:** February 26, 2012, 10:39:10 PM »

Put up a privacy at my little bro's new house last summer. Hard ass work (it was like 100 rough ridin' degrees both days) but I get a lot of satisfaction out of seeing how nice it looks. Also, just buy a few DIY type manuals and google the hell out of whatever project you're considering. A lot of sites you run across will have some nice hints to save you from making some bonehead mistakes or working harder that necessary.

hemmy · « **Reply #22 on:** February 26, 2012, 10:52:28 PM »

My dad owns lots of property which he often used me as slave labor to maintain/repair in-between tenants. So naturally, I am a great handyman.

yoga-like_abana · « **Reply #23 on:** February 26, 2012, 10:56:59 PM »

Quote from: chunkles on February 26, 2012, 09:22:33 PM

Quote from: Pete on February 26, 2012, 08:27:16 PM
If it were completely up to me, I'd be living in a maintenance-free condo community right now.
I am incredibly handy but prefer this option.

took a large dump the other day and couldn't get it to flush or plunge down.
me:*ring ring*
landlord: hello
me: shitters full
landlord: ok we'll send someone right up
me: great tell them to come on in because I am leaving

kim carnes · « **Reply #24 on:** February 26, 2012, 10:57:08 PM »

Quote from: hemmy on February 26, 2012, 10:52:28 PM

My dad owns lots of property which he often used me as slave labor to maintain/repair in-between tenants. So naturally, I am a great handyman.