Post: #1

Hi there Gang,

I'm looking for a forum or website to make myself my handy around the house. Do please send suggestions.

Post: #2

Youtube

Post: #3

I just did a google search. There's plenty out there.

Post: #4

Start with fixing a few broken things around your house like that leaking tap and door that doesn't close properly.

Youtube 6 different vids on how to, go buy the tools and materials and have a go.

Post: #5

Hey brother,
I don't know any websites off the top of my head but I would strongly recommend volunteering at Habitat for Humanity if you live in a big city. You can do construction or home repair with them and its all for low income families so you can learn useful skills while helping people at the same time.

Post: #6

You need a basic set of tools, then just use youtube. This is the best time for people who don't have a handy father to learn from (I was fortunate to have this.)

Post: #7

Along with what has been previously posted.

Don't be afraid to try. That's probably my best advice. Understand that sometimes you will fek up a project and it will likely end up costing you more time and money than if you paid someone to do it, but you don't really learn anything that way. Good luck, it's very satisfying to know you can fix shit.

Post: #8

YouTube is a great source of information for just about anything.

A couple of years ago, I had a car that the upper ball joint failed. And the car was old enough and inexpensive enough ($1,100) that I didn’t want to pay a garage to put in a new one ($250-$300). I was getting ready to scrap it when a couple of searches on YouTube motivated me to do it myself.

Press in ball joint, the part cost me $23. The big box auto parts stores will loan you the necessary tools with a “deposit” (you basically buy it, use it, and return it to get you get your money back).

All said and done, I spent $23, an hour of my time (45 minutes of that was trying to press the new ball joint in evenly), and learned about thermal expansion in the process (put the ball joint in the freezer, heat up the bracket with a torch, and it went in like a champ).

Similarly, I had to replace a broken area of drywall but the repair was nowhere near a stud. Watched a video of some guy cutting a square hole in the drywall (6” square), cutting an oversized piece of drywall (8” square) to replace it, and then removed 2 inches of the drywall from each side of the new piece, but left the backing attached to the new piece (if that makes sense). The new 6” piece fit into the wall cavity, and the attached paper gave it a more flush look once the mud was feathered on.

And that’s the (I think) real benefit to YouTube.

Sure, some of the official videos from a company pitching their product are pretty straightforward and don’t “cut corners”, but there’s always a few tips and tricks to pick up from a BillyJoeJimBob type that posts a video of him changing out or repairing his _____ and saves you time, hassle, and money.

Post: #9

We have a thread here you may find helpful- the 'Ask a tradesman' thread:

/thread-63309-page-4.html

Post: #10

Start helping friends with their renovations. Work with a friend, family member who knows something and learn from them.

My buddy was getting into renovations, he took a plumbing course. Sometimes a formal course in something has the value of routine, sign up, show up, write the exam.

Just do it attitude.

Post: #11

A good way to learn is to read and watch a lot of How'tos from different sources on the specific project you're about to do. Then just get at it, one project at a time.

If you google, there is also forums in which people put out their projects around their houses. I still read em today from time to time, and it's been five years since I was a carpenter. They're interesting.

Post: #12

Agree with above on YouTube.

If you're focusing on around the house things, go to the Ask This Old House videos, then find your topic of interest.

Post: #13

I have two books that I've found very helpful.
One is a very old Readers Digest - well it's actually a loose leaf folder not a book - I think it's called The Do-It-Yourself Guide. It must be in a box as I can't lay my hands on it right now.
The other is a book I got a few years ago called "Repair and Renovate Your Home". It has every job you can think of from very easy to very difficult, with clear and illustrated instruction, plus tools required, and a difficulty rating for each task. I always go to it before I start something to see what gear I need and if I think I'm capable of doing the job neatly enough to be passable.

If a job ever seems too hard for me, I remind myself that my Great-Grandfather and his sons designed and built this house themselves, and they were farmers not builders.
They had nothing like the power tools and access to information that I have, they would've just learned by observing how other houses were built, and asking questions, then getting in and doing it. They needed a house, so they built one. It's by no means a shack either. This would've been a respectable, solid, large family home at the time.

Post: #14

I would also endorse YouTube. I can't count how many times have learn how to do something around the house or figure out easy maintenance on the car from that site

Post: #15

Whatever the issue is, I look up the repair on YouTube and go for it. My mentally is “fuck it. It’s already broken, worst that can happen is it’s still broken and I have to call a professional”. I’ve managed to repair all kinds of automobiles, outboard motors, washers and dryers, well pumps, etc. Just last week I did my first carburetor rebuild using YouTube and $12 in parts.

Post: #16

(04-07-2019 07:01 PM)Ivy Wrote:  If you google, there is also forums in which people put out their projects around their houses. I still read em today from time to time, and it's been five years since I was a carpenter. They're interesting.

What are some good DIY forums for carpentry?

Post: #17

The thing about becoming "handy" is you learn as problems arise. You can watch This Old House on repeat forever but until something comes up and you rewatch the episode and try it yourself you won't really learn from reading and watching.

What this means is that when problems arise you note them and look up the fixes on Youtube and then fix. Depending on how often things break you'll become competent in anywhere between 3-5 years

Post: #18

If you want to learn about cars - pay the cheap $2-3 entrance fee at the junkyard, get a set of basic tools and start taking cars apart. you can mess up and break them and not need to worry about it (you are allowed to break things in the junkyard). Look at some youtube videos and then do the actual work for practice on the junkyards car. also , be friends with people who are into fixing cars, houses , whatever else it may be..

Post: #19

^^ this.

I’d add that before you go to the junkyard, watch a couple of YouTube videos on how to remove X part for yourself without intentionally breaking anything on the way to your part.

I’m currently on the hunt for an instrument cluster bezel so I can install a couple of aftermarket switches for lights and a dash cam connection. Sure, I could just cut into what I have, but I want the option to switch back to ‘factory’ if I ever remove the items or sell the car.

I can’t count the number of times I’ve found busted dashboard trim after someone went crazy on it just to chase a radio or climate control unit. Most things in the interior are either pop in or only require one or two screws to remove.

Take your time if you go this route, think of the next guy that might need a part that you removed on your way to your goal.

Post: #20

(04-07-2019 08:11 PM)Tex Cruise Wrote:  I have two books that I've found very helpful.
One is a very old Readers Digest - well it's actually a loose leaf folder not a book - I think it's called The Do-It-Yourself Guide. It must be in a box as I can't lay my hands on it right now.

My grandfather gave me that book, and it's one of the greatest gifts I ever got.

Reader's Digest Complete Do It Yourself Manual

I can't begin to calculate how much money it has saved me over the years allowing me to do my own repairs instead of hiring out projects. I still refer to it and think about Gramps while I fix stuff.