The Fixit Yourselfers Thread

[Wayne77]

Just curious how many here are into attempting to fix things on their own, regardless of prior experience, rather than selling or throwing it away. This is the thread for your experiences, how to questions, etc. Certainly many of us build and repair bikes & bike components at home or lbs shop, but this is more about everything else...consumer electronics, smart phones, large appliances, car repairs for untrained mechanics, etc.

In this current state where there is a new model of this or that every year, with (lets be real) only incremental improvements, with marketing based on the premise that we need the latest version I have to think that somewhere there are piles (figuratively speaking) of phones for example that are otherwise fine. Thank goodness for eBay right? Side note: It would be cool if there was a channel where people can donate their used but fully function consumer electronic devices to an organization that can then distribute them to 3rd world countries, charities, and other communities in need.

YouTube is such a great resource. Knowledge is power and in this case knowledge = money savings. I've been able to find a repair video for everything I've needed to search for. Anyway, I'd love to hear what others have successfully repaired. When I open up something, sometimes its apparent to me whether the company intends that item to be rebuildable by warranty shops or others with the know-how. I think that speaks well of said company. Here's what I have, with zero prior knowledge, been able to repair based on online videos or websites. I've never done the math but I'm sure I've saved thousands over the years. Honestly though, some of this is not due to some idealistic vision of saving the world, but more about not wanting to buy new things or dealing with the hassle of working with others to fix things... I guess one might say I'm a cheapskate with trust issues letting others mess with my stuff :)

- CF repairs to 3 different bike frames (minor damage / not entire tubes destroyed)

- Complete re-paint of the above two CF frames. Arguably near professional results.

- A really nice (at the time) Samsung Dryer repaired several times. Once it was a broken drum belt. Another time it was the bearings going out on the rollers that support the drum, another time it was the heating element. The inside of a dryer is amazingly simple.

- A swamp cooler when I was a teenager. Another example of something with elementary level technology. So simple.

- Fuel pump on a Subaru Outback. Yeah that's a pretty basic repair, but I am the least auto-mechanically inclined person I know. Interestingly, the fuel pump is right under the rear seat. Pop up the cushions and there's a little hatch right there into the gas tank.

- A Dyson Vacuum electrical issue. Easy peezy. Plenty of youtube videos

- Several iPhones repaired. Say what you will above Apple, but they are built very well and the internals are very modular. the hardest thing is dealing with the itsy bitsy screws. You just need a god screwdriver with an itsy bitsy tip. I have two kids each with an iPhone 6. The phones are hand me down phones from me over the years. Both date back to when the 6 first came out and were going strong until a month ago. No way am I going to buy a teenage kid some brand new iPhone 8 they carry around in their back pocket and toss around with their teenage pals. So until they can buy their own phones they get my hand me down ex-work phones. Anyway, they've been on the decline and finally one kid came to me one with a screen that would no longer illuminate at all and a battery that would no longer hold a charge for more than a couple hours. My other kid with a phone had a cracked screen and battery that wouldn't last long. iPhone 6 battery on Amazon: $20, iPhone replacement display (entire display, including camera, ear piece, proximity sensor, etc): $35. I bought 2 of each and had what I needed for both phones. After following a youtube video I had each phone in essentially brand new operating condition in 2 hours. Total outlay $110. Not bad.

- Roomba robotic vacuum repair. Something with the motor, can't remember exactly. I question the value the Roomba provides in our household but my kids love to play with it, so I finally acquiesced to their requests that I try to fix it. They have a name for the dang thing, sheesh.

- This is loosely correlated but I haven't paid for a haircut for 20 years. I don't shave it down to nothing either. I leave around 1.5 - 2 inches on top, tapering down to nothing near my neck line. A big mirror behind me (temporarily hung inside the shower so I don't have any hair clippings cleanup....shower and its all clean again :)), well lit area, a hand mirror, and high quality electric shears with all the attachments is all I've needed. I cut the top using the fingers and scissors method...that took several times to get right. I'm sure the first year the quality was lacking to others noticing my 'do, but within a year or two of starting, I highly doubt any stylist at a local salon could have cut it in a way that I like now. As a side note, I grew up going to the local Barber. Do barbers even exist any more? Fond memories of the local barber, with the tell tale swirly thing outside his door, being the nexus of all neighborhood intel, sports analysis, and political editorial.

Of course I've failed miserably too. The most recent example is when I tore apart an electric pressure washer to fix a leaking seal. Now it is completely non-functional. Ooops!

[bmeryman]

Side note: It would be cool if there was a channel where people can donate their used but fully function consumer electronic devices to an organization that can then distribute them to 3rd world countries, charities, and other communities in need.


Wonderful idea for a thread! I'm picking out this segment because we've got something like this here in Burlington, VT. Right now I think it's mostly local, but you can buy, sell and repair computers at this place called Computers for Change. It's a great place to donate and purchase used but functional electronics. They're also very active in donating computers to local organizations in need.

[cmg]

1989 Honda civic, electrical short on turn/hazard lights, after 4 hours of fuses replacement and re-blow out, 8 dead fuses, discovered it was a signal light bulb problem, double pole when it should have been single pole, replaced bulb , all lights work. now the issue is fender side /driver side and bumper light on passenger light work when passenger light is on. Next repair is the turn signal switch at steering column. according to youtube kind of a common problem. Honda uses bullet proof fender well clips, spent more time removing them to get to fender side light than anything else. Yea, not a mechanic but youtube makes any repair doable. this civic (one of 3 ) is my mini cooper, never sell it.

[AngryScientist]

My dad spent his childhood dirt poor growin up during the Great Depression. He served in the Navy during WWII, and returned to help his family struggle back into financial existence.

He never lectured me on any of this; but I learned from watching him: Nothing gets thrown out unless it has zero value: and you never call someone to fix your stuff; do it yourself.

I'm a hack plumber, carpenter, electrician, gardener and I've never visited an auto mechanic. I find pride in working on my own stuff and keeping old gear going makes me happy.

Over the years you name it; I've worked on it. Yes; I've screwed some stuff up in that amount of time; plenty actually. That's how we learn though.

Good thread. Screw the disposable culture. Make self reliance cool again I say.

[quickfeet]

I only pay someone to change my oil when it’s cold (no garage here). I can’t stand paying someone to do something I think I can do better than.

[Wayne77]

Well said!

My dad spent his childhood dirt poor growin up during the Great Depression. He served in the Navy during WWII, and returned to help his family struggle back into financial existence.

He never lectured me on any of this; but I learned from watching him: Nothing gets thrown out unless it has zero value: and you never call someone to fix your stuff; do it yourself.

I'm a hack plumber, carpenter, electrician, gardener and I've never visited an auto mechanic. I find pride in working on my own stuff and keeping old gear going makes me happy.

Over the years you name it; I've worked on it. Yes; I've screwed some stuff up in that amount of time; plenty actually. That's how we learn though.

Good thread. Screw the disposable culture. Make self reliance cool again I say.

[Wayne77]

Wonderful idea for a thread! I'm picking out this segment because we've got something like this here in Burlington, VT. Right now I think it's mostly local, but you can buy, sell and repair computers at this place called Computers for Change. It's a great place to donate and purchase used but functional electronics. They're also very active in donating computers to local organizations in need.

Very cool to hear. Sounds like a great organization. I’m going to check into it. I’d love to see this sort of thing spread.

[Gummee]

The older I get, the less I want to lay on my back on the hard driveway under a car. There are still things I'll do because I don't want to pay for it: oil changes, minor repairs, etc. ...but... big stuff like the transfer case in my X3? Unless I have a lift? No thanks.

The other thing that's likely to go to the shop is the #4 miss in my F150. That's just frustrating me

M

[bikinchris]

I completely overhauled and rebuilt a 1974 and 1970 Mustang fastback including suspension.
Fixed dozens of appliances.
I can do simple plumbing, carpentry and of course painting. I spent my youth helping my dad and uncles who were welders and carpenters doing various repairs and renovations. Being left handed made me the guy who nailed the left end of the roof shingles before such things as nail guns were invented.

But for finish work that needs to be seen, I am not to proud to call someone who knows their job.

[AngryScientist]

The older I get, the less I want to lay on my back on the hard driveway under a car. There are still things I'll do because I don't want to pay for it: oil changes, minor repairs, etc. ...but... big stuff like the transfer case in my X3? Unless I have a lift? No thanks.

The other thing that's likely to go to the shop is the #4 miss in my F150. That's just frustrating me

M

Replace the coil

[weisan]

I fix everything myself.

And if you have the right attitude, you can do it too.

That's why I laugh at 99% of the threads that say "it's broken, dump it out if you value your teeth."

What has my teeth got anything to do with ingenuity, persistence and patience?

[paredown]

My dad spent his childhood dirt poor growin up during the Great Depression. He served in the Navy during WWII, and returned to help his family struggle back into financial existence.

He never lectured me on any of this; but I learned from watching him: Nothing gets thrown out unless it has zero value: and you never call someone to fix your stuff; do it yourself.

I'm a hack plumber, carpenter, electrician, gardener and I've never visited an auto mechanic. I find pride in working on my own stuff and keeping old gear going makes me happy.

Over the years you name it; I've worked on it. Yes; I've screwed some stuff up in that amount of time; plenty actually. That's how we learn though.

Good thread. Screw the disposable culture. Make self reliance cool again I say.

Pretty much my experience as well. Currently pushing on with a major home renovation, and have been doing it all myself--carpentry, wiring, plumbing, flooring, tile work, you name it. Sometimes I get stumped, and leave things until I can dig in--read, youtube or talk to friends about procedures.

I have visited the car mechanics, but usually that is a time / efficiency issue. Our old Volvo I rebuilt the front end, did all brakes (and e-brake) and did the timing belt myself etc.

Computers--I used to be a pro, so I fix/update mine, my wife's and a few other people that I like.

My biggest complaint these days is that more things are made not to be repaired (plastic gears, cases with tabs that snap off, plastic parts where metal would have been better). In fact that was the worst thing about the Volvo (1999) was that a whole mess of plastic bits were failing from heat etc, so I was having to put things back together with zipties, screws or whatever...

[Black Dog]

You are my kind of people. 👍🏽

[Jaybee]

I guess I will be the contrarian- my life is infinitely better since I started letting professionals and experts fix things I don’t know how to fix. Or even stuff I do know how to fix, but know that experts will do it 3 times as good in 1/4 of the time. This is the point of living in a society with specialization.

More time to dad, husband, ride, live.

Maybe I’m missing the point.

[Wayne77]

I guess I will be the contrarian- my life is infinitely better since I started letting professionals and experts fix things I don’t know how to fix. Or even stuff I do know how to fix, but know that experts will do it 3 times as good in 1/4 of the time. This is the point of living in a society with specialization.

More time to dad, husband, ride, live.

Maybe I’m missing the point.

Financial resources is a factor. Nothing wrong with paying of course...keeps people working, the lights on for business etc etc. This thread is not intended to question the value of paying for expertise...it’s more about life experiences, satisfaction of learning to repair something many think is not possible for the layman to do, and more importantly the independence that comes out of that. Of course, it becomes a question of where you invest time if it gets in the way of family or other more enriching things. FWIW, I had my little special needs son right next to me the whole time I was working on the iPhones. He asked a million questions the entire time and it was a true bonding experience. Already one of my favorite memories with him.

Also, I’d argue your last sentence is presicely the point that supports this. Everyone has the independence to learn a specialty...technology, online info sharing, social networking makes that more possible today than it ever has been. I think that is a wonderful thing.

[GOTHBROOKS]

i enjoy repairing and embellishing my own clothes.

[Black Dog]

I guess I will be the contrarian- my life is infinitely better since I started letting professionals and experts fix things I don’t know how to fix. Or even stuff I do know how to fix, but know that experts will do it 3 times as good in 1/4 of the time. This is the point of living in a society with specialization.

More time to dad, husband, ride, live.

Maybe I’m missing the point.

Not at all. There has to be a threshold for DIY where the time invested is not worth the time lost in other areas of your life. This threshold is certainly unique to everyone.

[paredown]

Not at all. There has to be a threshold for DIY where the time invested in no way worth the time lost in other areas of your life. This threshold is certainly unique to everyone.

Agreed.

When we bought this place, the assumption was that I would hire pros to do a bunch of the serious work--then the recession hit. Long story short, working on this house has dominated my life to an unhealthy degree. Stubbornness has kept me going--the alternative around 2010 would have been to default and walk away.

Still though it really does feel like I've given away a decade on a house that is still not finished.

[weisan]

this is timely. just got a call from our tenant that the garage door is acting up and he sent me these pictures. there's a degree of risk involved in trying to fix this myself. still mulling over the approach I am going to take to fix it. I am still wondering how this could have happened. did the wood panel just come apart on its own or did something else causes it?

http://alicehui.com/bike/misc/IMG_0432.jpg


http://alicehui.com/bike/misc/IMG_0433.jpg



http://alicehui.com/bike/misc/IMG_0434.jpg

[Cicli]

I fix everything on my own. Everything.
I have spent 30 years in the service industry. I never say no to any repair.
As Wei Pal said, with the right attitude you can fix about anything.

This Branson quote is used in every staff meeting I hold.

[paredown]

this is timely. just got a call from our tenant that the garage door is acting up and he sent me these pictures. there's a degree of risk involved in trying to fix this myself. still mulling over the approach I am going to take to fix it. I am still wondering how this could have happened. did the wood panel just come apart on its own or did something else causes it?



It looks as though it was well-nailed originally, so either the door was hitting the end of the track at the end of the up cycle repeatedly and loosened it, or something changed in the set up to cause it to pull away--door jamming on track at top maybe?

Be careful around those torsion springs!

If you put it back together, I would use deck screws into the blocking where it was nailed.

[peanutgallery]

Fixing a garage door ain't like zip tying a thumb shifter to a head tube. Be careful, they bite

this is timely. just got a call from our tenant that the garage door is acting up and he sent me these pictures. there's a degree of risk involved in trying to fix this myself. still mulling over the approach I am going to take to fix it. I am still wondering how this could have happened. did the wood panel just come apart on its own or did something else causes it?

http://alicehui.com/bike/misc/IMG_0432.jpg


http://alicehui.com/bike/misc/IMG_0433.jpg



http://alicehui.com/bike/misc/IMG_0434.jpg

[Mikej]

this is timely. just got a call from our tenant that the garage door is acting up and he sent me these pictures. there's a degree of risk involved in trying to fix this myself. still mulling over the approach I am going to take to fix it. I am still wondering how this could have happened. did the wood panel just come apart on its own or did something else causes it?

http://alicehui.com/bike/misc/IMG_0432.jpg


http://alicehui.com/bike/misc/IMG_0433.jpg



http://alicehui.com/bike/misc/IMG_0434.jpg

Looks like the spring tension overcame the nails ability. Probably try some carriage bolts and nuts with washers drilled through. Maybe a lag bolt. I have fixed and built everything from TOW missile units to armored vehicles to 65 CU. YARD surface mining shovels. I don't mess with those type of garage springs. Or refrigerants due to license requirement. Everything else is fair game -

[oldpotatoe]

[QUOTE=weisan;2441815]this is timely. just got a call from our tenant that the garage door is acting up and he sent me these pictures. there's a degree of risk involved in trying to fix this myself. still mulling over the approach I am going to take to fix it. I am still wondering how this could have happened. did the wood panel just come apart on its own or did something else causes it?

'Might' need something more than zip ties and electrical tape.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SPB6zNDmWA

[alancw3]

[QUOTE=weisan;2441815]this is timely. just got a call from our tenant that the garage door is acting up and he sent me these pictures. there's a degree of risk involved in trying to fix this myself. still mulling over the approach I am going to take to fix it. I am still wondering how this could have happened. did the wood panel just come apart on its own or did something else causes it?

'Might' need something more than zip ties and electrical tape.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SPB6zNDmWA

what the guy in the video says over and over. be careful working around those springs. there is a great deal of torsional pressure generated by those springs. might be worth a service call to a garage door mechanic so as not to get hurt. don't get me wrong i fix whatever i can within reason w/o putting myself in harms way.

[cmbicycles]

I have almost always fixed stuff myself because I can, learned by watching my dad... why pay someone else when you don't have to. I don't have to question how it was done or retrace anything later if something else goes. Recently fixed a bunch of stuff at my elementary school... dehumidifier for another teacher (thermal fuse), a dozen or so violins and stringed instruments (various issues, re-gluing/re-hairing/setup/etc), laminator ($5 part and they were going to throw the whole thing out...$2k machine). I should try to "barter" my labor for additional $ for programs at the school that I support but mostly I just enjoy the hands on nature of fixing stuff, and having accomplished something tangible, it helps balance my teaching life in some ways.

[Nooch]

I only pay someone to change my oil when it’s cold (no garage here). I can’t stand paying someone to do something I think I can do better than.

My outback -- my wonderful outback -- has a top mounted oil filter and I just installed a fumoto valve at the plug. my next oil change should take 5 mins, if that long, assuming I can find a milk jug for direct drainage :)

But more to this, I'll do as much car work as I can myself. Brakes, hitch install, oil changes. When stuff starts getting technical I get a little scared.

My step dad, father-in-law, and I ripped all the drywall out of the top floor of my house (once we realized we couldn't get the surface paintable after years of wallpaper over wallpaper), re-studded it so it was measured right, ran new electrical, laid down laminate flooring. We gutted the bathroom (but I had a friend tile it). Replaced the cabinets in the kitchen and laid down floor in there... We did a pretty comprehensive renovation for less than $10k.

Sidenote: I'm more afraid to work on bikes than on cars. Something about protection offered by the car versus lack thereof on a bike in the event of a failure...

[Birddog]

Weisan, it appears as though that torsion spring (arm breaker) has over come the nails used to fasten the board. I think you would have to release the tension on the spring before trying to re fasten that board. As others have said if you repair it use bolts with large washers. If it were mine I'd replace the door and take the deduction on your income.

[weisan]

Appreciate all the fair warnings and good advice.

I got everything I need.

I am ready.

[oldpotatoe]

Appreciate all the fair warnings and good advice.

I got everything I need.

I am ready.

and

[Tandem Rider]

I'm with Cicli and Angry on this subject. I grew up a Midwestern farm kid, Mom and Dad were a product of the Great Depression, we wasted nothing and fixed everything, If you didn't know how it worked, you started working on it until you figured it out.

The first time I got a flat tire on my bike I was about 6 years old, Me:"Dad, my bike tire is flat" Dad:"I'm going to town after lunch, you can come along, take your money and we'll get a patch kit". He then showed me how to patch a tube, AND I had some more patches for the next time.

Dad was also a small town Mechanical Contractor. I did my apprenticeship for my Dad starting in 1978, and I've been in the trade since then, doing service, HVACR. I just don't call a repair person for anything unless it's under warranty, the couple times I did, the work wasn't up to my standards, so I ended up doing it myself again.

[JAGI410]

Everything mechanical I've invested in lately has had it's service life taken into account. Can I get parts for it easily? Can I fix it myself? It's worth it to me to invest in more "lifetime" purchases. My Vitamix was 5x more expensive when compared to the Ninja beside it, but I expect it to last at least 5x as long.

When shopping for used cars, I always look to see how hard parts are to find first. I've been shocked at how easy it is to get parts for Miatas! Way easier than my 84 Chevy Van!

[gdw]

I grew up in a small rural college town where the local high school required all the boys, even those of us going on to college, to take 10 weeks each of wood shop, metal shop, and agriculture. We were taught how to use tools in the shop classes and small engine repair, welding, and how to judge cows in agg. I've found all of those lessons quite useful with the exception of cow judging. I only get outside help on projects when it's obvious that it will cost more to build or repair an item myself.

[JAGI410]

I've found all of those lessons quite useful with the exception of cow judging.

I'm slightly disappointed. There's gotta be a way to apply those skills.

[drewski]

Just curious how many here are into attempting to fix things on their own, regardless of prior experience, rather than selling or throwing it away. This is the thread for your experiences, how to questions, etc. Certainly many of us build and repair bikes & bike components at home or lbs shop, but this is more about everything else...consumer electronics, smart phones, large appliances, car repairs for untrained mechanics, etc.

In this current state where there is a new model of this or that every year, with (lets be real) only incremental improvements, with marketing based on the premise that we need the latest version I have to think that somewhere there are piles (figuratively speaking) of phones for example that are otherwise fine. Thank goodness for eBay right? Side note: It would be cool if there was a channel where people can donate their used but fully function consumer electronic devices to an organization that can then distribute them to 3rd world countries, charities, and other communities in need.

YouTube is such a great resource. Knowledge is power and in this case knowledge = money savings. I've been able to find a repair video for everything I've needed to search for. Anyway, I'd love to hear what others have successfully repaired. When I open up something, sometimes its apparent to me whether the company intends that item to be rebuildable by warranty shops or others with the know-how. I think that speaks well of said company. Here's what I have, with zero prior knowledge, been able to repair based on online videos or websites. I've never done the math but I'm sure I've saved thousands over the years. Honestly though, some of this is not due to some idealistic vision of saving the world, but more about not wanting to buy new things or dealing with the hassle of working with others to fix things... I guess one might say I'm a cheapskate with trust issues letting others mess with my stuff :)

- CF repairs to 3 different bike frames (minor damage / not entire tubes destroyed)

- Complete re-paint of the above two CF frames. Arguably near professional results.

- A really nice (at the time) Samsung Dryer repaired several times. Once it was a broken drum belt. Another time it was the bearings going out on the rollers that support the drum, another time it was the heating element. The inside of a dryer is amazingly simple.

- A swamp cooler when I was a teenager. Another example of something with elementary level technology. So simple.

- Fuel pump on a Subaru Outback. Yeah that's a pretty basic repair, but I am the least auto-mechanically inclined person I know. Interestingly, the fuel pump is right under the rear seat. Pop up the cushions and there's a little hatch right there into the gas tank.

- A Dyson Vacuum electrical issue. Easy peezy. Plenty of youtube videos

- Several iPhones repaired. Say what you will above Apple, but they are built very well and the internals are very modular. the hardest thing is dealing with the itsy bitsy screws. You just need a god screwdriver with an itsy bitsy tip. I have two kids each with an iPhone 6. The phones are hand me down phones from me over the years. Both date back to when the 6 first came out and were going strong until a month ago. No way am I going to buy a teenage kid some brand new iPhone 8 they carry around in their back pocket and toss around with their teenage pals. So until they can buy their own phones they get my hand me down ex-work phones. Anyway, they've been on the decline and finally one kid came to me one with a screen that would no longer illuminate at all and a battery that would no longer hold a charge for more than a couple hours. My other kid with a phone had a cracked screen and battery that wouldn't last long. iPhone 6 battery on Amazon: $20, iPhone replacement display (entire display, including camera, ear piece, proximity sensor, etc): $35. I bought 2 of each and had what I needed for both phones. After following a youtube video I had each phone in essentially brand new operating condition in 2 hours. Total outlay $110. Not bad.

- Roomba robotic vacuum repair. Something with the motor, can't remember exactly. I question the value the Roomba provides in our household but my kids love to play with it, so I finally acquiesced to their requests that I try to fix it. They have a name for the dang thing, sheesh.

- This is loosely correlated but I haven't paid for a haircut for 20 years. I don't shave it down to nothing either. I leave around 1.5 - 2 inches on top, tapering down to nothing near my neck line. A big mirror behind me (temporarily hung inside the shower so I don't have any hair clippings cleanup....shower and its all clean again :)), well lit area, a hand mirror, and high quality electric shears with all the attachments is all I've needed. I cut the top using the fingers and scissors method...that took several times to get right. I'm sure the first year the quality was lacking to others noticing my 'do, but within a year or two of starting, I highly doubt any stylist at a local salon could have cut it in a way that I like now. As a side note, I grew up going to the local Barber. Do barbers even exist any more? Fond memories of the local barber, with the tell tale swirly thing outside his door, being the nexus of all neighborhood intel, sports analysis, and political editorial.

Of course I've failed miserably too. The most recent example is when I tore apart an electric pressure washer to fix a leaking seal. Now it is completely non-functional. Ooops!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am an office jock and have few man skills. But there comes a point where if you don't try to tackle a few bits on yourself it becomes economically (at the personal level) untenable.


Also working with hands is really satisfying. A neuroscientist on a CBS with Jane Pauley hypothesized that handi work may help the brain. I don't have the empirical data but I find that if I do anything at all with my hands I personally feel
calmer.

https://www.cbs.com/shows/cbs-sunday-morning/video/KzOxd0byMHWz4_UFKHFgS4_v8a5VwLtM/handiwork-how-busy-hands-may-help-the-brain/

Bike repairs of any sort except anything involving ball bearings, or frame welding I can tackle with confidence.

Plumbing pipe fixes involving the use of a small pipe blow torch are fun. Learned to do this with the help of a nice guy at the hardware store.

I find cars really intimidating but thanks to a neighbor he has been able to save me a lot of $$ by just giving me his informed advice.

On my wish list:
Learning to weld.

I would like to work on some wood working skills. I want to make a ramp/hiddie hole for our rabbit and work my way up toward making a Appalachian Tear Drop Camper.

[jmoore]

I would like to work on some wood working skills. I want to make a ramp/hiddie hole for our rabbit and work my way up toward making a Appalachian Tear Drop Camper.


Carpentry is easy. Almost anyone can cut something and attach it to something else.

Good carpentry is hard. Getting stuff square and stable and all the other stuff takes skill. But it's a skill that can be learned. So I say find a small project and give it a try.

[Tony T]

Just curious how many here are into attempting to fix things on their own, regardless of prior experience, rather than selling or throwing it away.

Just changed the battery in my iPod Touch 2nd Generation.

YouTube has made doing repairs w/o prior experience easy.

[William]

I grew up in a small rural college town where the local high school required all the boys, even those of us going on to college, to take 10 weeks each of wood shop, metal shop, and agriculture. We were taught how to use tools in the shop classes and small engine repair, welding, and how to judge cows in agg. I've found all of those lessons quite useful with the exception of cow judging. I only get outside help on projects when it's obvious that it will cost more to build or repair an item myself.

Very similar here...except the cow judging part. I feel like I missed out. :)


Carpentry is easy. Almost anyone can cut something and attach it to something else.

Good carpentry is hard. Getting stuff square and stable and all the other stuff takes skill. But it's a skill that can be learned. So I say find a small project and give it a try.


Very true. My house is 238 years old and almost nothing is plumb. Working on it is always an adventure, I recently remodeled the bathroom and I bet it would have taken me about half the time if everything was uniform to todays building codes. That said, it will probably still be standing in another 238 years while most of the McMansions will be long gone.

I like DIY and I will do almost everything myself. If I don't know something I can usually figure it out or watch someone else do it once or twice and I'm good to go. There are still a few things I will leave to professionals but I'm not adverse to trying.

The last couple of years I've been repairing and tuning up nail and staple guns on the side for a friends business. Finish nailers, framing nailers, staple guns, bradders, pneumatic, gas fired, electric/battery powered etc. Fun stuff and I'm always learning.







William

[93KgBike]

Perhaps I'll be the only one to admit that, despite wanting to do it all himself, my wonderful father was a terrible handyman.

I have grown into the the fixer he wanted to be, and do pretty much do it all myself. One great pleasure of having been raised by him was that he admitted as much on a father-son trip to Napa, while we held our buzzes with style for a good 48 hours. And we laughed, and laughed and laughed and laughed. That's the kind of man he was.

[weisan]

Appreciate all the fair warnings and good advice.

I got everything I need.

I am ready.

Fixed.

I survived.

Another one of my hacked jobs.

I got pictures but it's gonna cost ya....:D

The No.1 rule of fixit-yourselfers: Don't listen to naysayers, even the ones that come with good intentions.

[bikinchris]

I forgot one repair I thought was cool. Our classroom had been gifted with a color laser printer. A huge network ready, heavy duty printer. It stopped working and between internet searches and ohm meter and detective work, I found one tiny little cooling fan that quit. I was able to get one, disassemble the guts and voila! It works. That felt pretty good.

[type2sam]

Love this thread.

Growing up, fixing your stuff is just what we did. Dad is a mechanical engineer, been working with fuel cells for the last 40 years. Has already retired and unretired a few times now.

Desk jockey in real life, however Cars, Bikes, Woodworking, Appliances, major systems in houses have all been fair game. I draw the line at natural gas, drywall, tree work and most automotive repairs that require me to put my body under it when it's on jack stands.

I have a strange addiction to CL Free Stuff, but it's delivered me an office quality HP LaserJet, numerous Herman Miller chairs, antiques, flat panel TVs, etc. that are good as new after light repair. Most folks can't be bothered but it's incredibly satisfying.

[RFC]

This thread is so apropos.

I agree in principle with the idea of fixing and continuing to use things. My actual experience has been mixed. That's OK. That's how we learn. I have built or restored over a hundred bikes, mostly vintage. I'm good through 10 speed. Internal combustion engines, not so much. But then there is my Opel GT that I learned how to hot wire after the starter switch failed. My home repair skills are just so so. I have done plumbing, but the plumber does it so much better and faster, plus I don't have to make four trips to the hardware store. My IT skills are good and I have built and rebuilt a number of computers.

But sometimes I'll take on a project for the hell of it and as an opportunity to learn and stretch.

I have (or had) six 35 ft olive trees that bordered my pool, which is why it is always some shade of green because of the debris load.

With my son, a molecular biologist and an avid outdoors man,we decided to take take them out.

It was more of a challenge than I anticipated, but great physical fun! Also excellent father son time as long as I provided breakfast and lunch. We had to rope off three of them to keep them from killing us or taking out the wall.

Here are the photos. I couldn't have done this without Neale.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1951/44673469114_6d3bbd3072_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2b4DcY7)IMG_5775r (https://flic.kr/p/2b4DcY7) by Robert Copple (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150689726@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1923/45346254302_8d1feaa4e9_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2c66pyJ)IMG_5784r (https://flic.kr/p/2c66pyJ) by Robert Copple (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150689726@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1924/45346256252_010c6c11a8_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2c66q9m)IMG_5794r (https://flic.kr/p/2c66q9m) by Robert Copple (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150689726@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1912/31521757088_543db9b3c5_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Q2tfbu)IMG_5796r (https://flic.kr/p/Q2tfbu) by Robert Copple (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150689726@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1902/31521760048_dd007ee9d6_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Q2tg4w)IMG_5800r (https://flic.kr/p/Q2tg4w) by Robert Copple (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150689726@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1933/30457340987_77fb0eb519_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/NppQmK)IMG_5814r (https://flic.kr/p/NppQmK) by Robert Copple (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150689726@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1914/31521747948_8e025e7176_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Q2tcsU)IMG_5776r2 (https://flic.kr/p/Q2tcsU) by Robert Copple (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150689726@N06/), on Flickr

[weisan]

What's the 'S' stand for?

[peanutgallery]

Well... you didn't decapitate yourself.
Good job

Fixed.

I survived.

Another one of my hacked jobs.

I got pictures but it's gonna cost ya....:D

The No.1 rule of fixit-yourselfers: Don't listen to naysayers, even the ones that come with good intentions.

[weisan]

Well... you didn't decapitate yourself.
Good job

I figured I didn't do that when I was going down the escalator at the Mall the other day, I should be able to handle this...

https://5.imimg.com/data5/WJ/VP/MY-32255085/mall-escalator-500x500.jpg

[RFC]

What's the 'S' stand for?

SuperSon, of course.

[weisan]

SuperSon, of course.

Where does SuperSon draw his power from?

[RFC]

Where does SuperSon draw his power from?

Nature and nurture, of course.

[weisan]

Nature and nurture, of course.

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/641353910561566720/VSxsyxs7_400x400.jpg

https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article10780176.ece/ALTERNATES/s1200/Cyclist-Superman-technique-inspires-motorbiker.jpg

[RFC]

Nature and nurture, of course.

I have two of them. Both molecular biologists. His younger brother is more of the triathlete type. During their childhoods, there were usually 3 or 4 science experiments on the kitchen counter at any given time. Yeast production of CO2, scorpions in 1 gal wine jugs, Mediterranean Geckos, etc. The best of times. I am very fortunate.

[RFC]

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/641353910561566720/VSxsyxs7_400x400.jpg

https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article10780176.ece/ALTERNATES/s1200/Cyclist-Superman-technique-inspires-motorbiker.jpg

That's Darwinian -- elimination from the gene pool.

[unterhausen]

Garage door repair and drywall are usually very cheap to hire out. I do both for myself though. If I had linear garage door springs I would have a repairman come in and replace them, but with torsion springs I don't see the issue.

I just ordered the parts to repair the dryer yesterday. There is a guy I call when I get frustrated with appliance repair, but dryer "no heat" problems is something I have done 3 times already. Sometimes I call a repairman just to get things done.

I bought an oven recently, and it was broken from the factory. I really don't want to pay $150 for installation, but they would have taken the broken oven back. I had to do that myself. Still don't have an oven.

[PeregrineA1]

I’m a fixer most of the time. Construction stuff comes easily as I’ve been in the industry for 35+ years. Mechanical stuff I’ve always used as a hobby/money saver depending on my age. I do farm out most repairs on the new cars.

Memorable attempts early in my wrench years were a head gasket on a 1973 Fiat 124 Spider-that was a 3 month project. Helps if you install the gasket in the correct orientation. The other a clutch on a 1976 MGB. Manual says you must remove engine and transmission as a unit. Smart kid thinks he can do it from beneath the car, transmission only. It cannot be done...and dealing with the separated engine and transmission while the car is unpleasant.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[weaponsgrade]

I like rolling my own too. A few years ago my washer stopped working. From my research it looked like the culprit was something on the controller. It wasn’t too expensive and so I took a chance and ordered a new one. It was really easy to install and kazam! I got another good numbers of years on that washer before the spider that turns the drum cracked. Apparently that’s a very common failure. At that point it was too expensive to fix and I got a new one. One thing I’d really like to do is a camper van build out. But I just don’t think I’ve got the time these days with two little ones.

I’ve been meaning to take on servicing the shocks on my mtn bike. I’ve been avoiding it since things don’t get too sloppy here in nor cal but also because things are always intimidating the first time. I should just do it. I avoided bleeding brakes myself for a long time but now I find it’s pretty easy.

Oh yeah, one other thing I did a little while back was to replace the water pump on my Honda Civic. The axle nut is on tight - really tight. There are some very scary YouTube videos showing how people have rigged up breaker bars to get that but off. I rigged one up myself and remember this cheater bar flexing like a fishing pole.

[cmbicycles]

Oh yeah, one other thing I did a little while back was to replace the water pump on my Honda Civic. The axle nut is on tight - really tight. There are some very scary YouTube videos showing how people have rigged up breaker bars to get that but off. I rigged one up myself and remember this cheater bar flexing like a fishing pole.

I remember when I did the timing belt and h2o pump on my Accord. A strong 1/2" impact wouldn't budge the nut, however an 8ft section of 2" steel pipe over the breaker bar & it broke loose. It did break the 1st socket before yielding to the second and that time it sounded like the socket exploded.

[dddd]

The one that I documented was "the stuck seatpost from hell".

Previous owner, perhaps 50 years prior, forced a 26.6mm seatpost into a 25.8mm ID seat tube.

It came to this, applying over two tons of pulling while beating on the seat tube with a 3# hammer against a softer block of Trex.

It was truly a matter of never giving up, all other methods having been fully exhausted.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2569/32676583182_7e21062c59_c.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3926/32788978846_d5e29c97e9_c.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/755/32676584522_b1e248cae9_c.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2525/32846896136_a0cf2735ae_c.jpg

[paredown]

Duplicate

[paredown]

The one that I documented was "the stuck seatpost from hell".

Previous owner, perhaps 50 years prior, forced a 26.6mm seatpost into a 25.8mm ID seat tube.

It came to this, applying over two tons of pulling while beating on the seat tube with a 3# hammer against a softer block of Trex.

It was truly a matter of never giving up, all other methods having been fully exhausted.


Mechanical advantage!

Very cool solution to a head-scratcher of a problem...

One of the great things about volunteering with Habitat--we have three guys who have forgotten more than I will know about carpentry--and they have heads full of work-arounds, procedural do's and don'ts. It has upped my game considerably!

[C40_guy]

- This is loosely correlated but I haven't paid for a haircut for 20 years. I don't shave it down to nothing either. I leave around 1.5 - 2 inches on top, tapering down to nothing near my neck line. A big mirror behind me (temporarily hung inside the shower so I don't have any hair clippings cleanup....shower and its all clean again :)), well lit area, a hand mirror, and high quality electric shears with all the attachments is all I've needed.

Just bought my first Remington clipper yesterday. $30 at Walmart. Been paying $20 for a #4 buzz every six weeks for years...figured that I could probably do it myself!

[C40_guy]

Garage door repair and drywall are usually very cheap to hire out. I do both for myself though. If I had linear garage door springs I would have a repairman come in and replace them, but with torsion springs I don't see the issue.


Hmm...I figured it's the other way round. Those linear garage door springs are not under any tension when the door is up. Lock the door in the up position with a couple of pliers, unhook the spring, pull the retaining cable, slide the new spring over the cable and hook up.

I can do a spring in about 6 minutes, including time for opening a beer when the door is back down...

[William]

Hmmm, my future flooring DIY project just took a twist...wooden nails. No nail heads.









William

[oldpotatoe]

I think when I decide to tackle something not 'bike', I gotta decide to do it cuz it's fun and challenging..sense of pride that I was able to do it, good result or just being a cheap screw and trying to save $...If number 2, I hire somebody..life's too short, I gots the $, they'll do a better job anyway.

Damaged dryer vent..into the ceiling..considered trying to dive in myself..decided no..'Paul', did an excellent job, not much $..like I say, life's too short to go broke saving $..'pal'...:)

[OtayBW]

I think when I decide to tackle something not 'bike', I gotta decide to do it cuz it's fun and challenging..sense of pride that I was able to do it, good result or just being a cheap screw and trying to save $...If number 2, I hire somebody..life's too short, I gots the $, they'll do a better job anyway.

Damaged dryer vent..into the ceiling..considered trying to dive in myself..decided no..'Paul', did an excellent job, not much $..like I say, life's too short to go broke saving $..'pal'...:)Freakin' dryers. PITA. Just a simple removal of the vent unit on mine required a near disembowelment of the thing, and I still wound up not being able to get into where I needed to get.....:butt:

[Wayne77]

I think when I decide to tackle something not 'bike', I gotta decide to do it cuz it's fun and challenging..sense of pride that I was able to do it, good result or just being a cheap screw and trying to save $...If number 2, I hire somebody..life's too short, I gots the $, they'll do a better job anyway.

Damaged dryer vent..into the ceiling..considered trying to dive in myself..decided no..'Paul', did an excellent job, not much $..like I say, life's too short to go broke saving $..'pal'...:)

For me it’s usually a little bit of both. Regardless of original reasons I almost always walk away with the sense of pride at being able to it (assuming it was a success). But I do agree with the general sentiment there. Life is too short to take on superfluous commitments.