How to become a handyman

[everettdaddy]

I am looking for some ideas on how to become "THE MAN". I know how to turn a screwdriver, and bang a hammer. But when it comes to major stuff, what are some good books or podcasts to listen to?

[MamaVolpe]

I would start with one big project at a time. A good place to start is your local Home Depot, Lowes or other hardware store. They often have the best collection of Do It Yourself Mags and Books. The sales people also will have tips so don't forget to ask those who have been there and done that. My DH has completely retiled our bathroom with no prior tileing experience and I must say he does a pretty good job. We just go thru the house one major project at a time, read up on how to do it and ask advise of those who have already done similar projects then just go for it. Don't worry about making mistakes sometimes that is the fastest way to learn. Good luck with becomming "The Handyman"

[Greg B]

Your library can be a good resource. The internet has a lot of information too. Read and do. Work with someone more experienced at times. You can learn a lot by tackling protions of a big job and having professionals do other portions.

Regards

[mamabebe]

Lowe's and Home Depot also have free clinics where you can learn to do certain tasks. These are usually on the weekend and you can search for the clinics on those stores coporate websites.

There are some good home maintence books out there. I particualarly like Black & Decker's book.

[papabliss]

Just do it.

A friend of mine is a handyman’s handyman who has every tool in the world and does everything himself. Heck, half the time he starts a big project, he seems to accidentally start a business around it, among them he owns several apartment buildings, a computer networking company, owns a hay stacking company, and builds custom stuff. Oh, he also has his doctoral degree, and teaches heady stuff at the university.

As my neighbor, I was always picking his brain for advice and borrowing his tools, both of which he was happy to share. He even loved to help out no matter what, and could check up on me and my projects.

Once, when I was talking about hiring the pros to do something I did not feel comfortable with, he looked at me and said “Chicken!”

I always remember that because he was right. I had a set the bar low for my abilities, and often experienced substandard quality work on what turned out to be an easy job (if one knows how) because the “pros” were often young kids who had nothing really invested in the quality of their work, or the experience to see how their actions affect the whole picture.

So now I try almost everything. Even if I need to spend a hundred buck on tools, I find I’m always better off for trying it. Generally, if I ever make it worse, I’m really back where I started. I do have my limits thought. For instance a giant spring in my garage door broke. I read about how to change one on the internet. I would have to have one custom cut, and the installment looked like a really good way to get hurt. I let the kid do it. But for almost everything else- electrical, plumbing, woodwork, mechanical, cars, etc. I am willing to jump in and give it a shot.

Oh, some of those instructions. They’re actually important!

[smeisnotapirate]

There's a mag called "The Family Handyman" that I love! Lots of home projects, and step-by-step guides.

[Eben'sMama]

If you have cable/satellite, the DIY Network has lots of great shows. Also, Home Depot publishes and sells a book--it's orange and called Home Improvement 1-2-3--it's really good and covers all the basics, plus lots of more advanced projects.

[soso-lynn]

I agree with PPs that you need to just pick a project and do it. I am horrible at everything requiring manual labour, but when my old apartment had electrical wiring problems, I got on the net, went to home depot and did it all myself (while my then boyfriend stood there with all his friends in shock). Same thing for every other repairs and things, Last summer, my friend and I refinished all of our antique furniture. It's really just a matter of doing a few google searches and asking advice for your local stores. Most of that stuff is really not that hard.

Next time the weather is nice, I will replace a broken window on my car and change the oil. I never did any of those things, but I will just follow the instructions and get it done. It's really not all that different from cooking from a cookbook or reading a map.

[MilkTrance]

I don't know about books or podcasts, but my husband learned from his friends and acquaintences. He learned by helping them with their projects, and when it was our turn to renovate, they helped us with ours.

Before we renovated, my husband was somewhat handy. Now that we're almost finished, he is confident in many, many different areas, from electrical to plumbing to tiling, etc.

I think that you just have to dig in and try new things. And when you've learned something new, show your wife and teach her how you did it. It will bring you closer.

[Shadow Papa]

When I was in wood shop the first thing we built was a tool box.

When I was an working in a maint. shop... the first thing I was told to do was build a tool cabinet.

I'm no super handy man... but those small projects sort of opened the door for me to learn my way in the environments I was in.

[zinemama]

My dh is totally handy. But it's because he's confident and a reader. He is the type of guy who'll say "Lay a tile floor? Never done it, but I'll just get a book from the library." And then read the book and do it.

Using this method he has put up sheetrock, built shelves, framed windows, stained and painted, installed bathroom tiles, put in electrical outlets, stripped and refinished woodwork and built some really sweet little sheds.

I am in total awe.

[BamaDude]

The Time-Life "Home Improvement" book series is a pretty good jumping off point too. I see them all the time at local thrift stores and yard sales.

[CalaRei]

I have to second the orange home depot book. It's a good one.

DH replaces outlets, installs light fixtures, hooks up switches. He also layed tile in the powder room, fixes holes in drywall, and put down laminate floor. Patching and sealing the driveway, putting up a new fence, etc. We're still pretty newly married, and sometimes when we don't have the right tools, we can borrow them - usually from my dad.

We figure that we'll try it ourselves first and suck it up and pay someone to fix it if it doesn't work out. Usually it does. We did have to have a plumber come in and repipe behind our dishwasher when we replaced it, since the piping was original and hard-piped right to the old one. No flexitube or anything.

Oh... we are paying someone to come do the roof, because the risk of getting hurt is too high - the father of a buddy of ours broke both arms trying to clean up paint on a ladder. We couldn't afford that to happen.

[bugleg]

Finehomebuilding and Finehomebuilding.com

I'm a general contractor so my answer isn't quite fair, but here goes.

I would strongly encourage folks to check out Finehomebuilding, and the online forums (called Breaktime) at finehomebuilding.com. For many years the magazine was by working builders, for working builders. In recent years, the editorial focus has shifted to a broader audience, and it is an excellent blend of tools, techniques, and material overviews. Half of the battle is getting the right parts, not the cheap-o stuff from the Orange and Blue stores.

The other priceless site for any homeowner fixer is http://fixitnow.com/

There you will find the appliance samurai to answer questions about broken appliances, and give you links to the replacement parts online. Better than the repair man because you can do it right the first time. When your washer won't empty or dishwasher won't turn on, go here.

Finally, the publisher of Fine Homebuilding is Taunton. They have published a series of books about all aspects of construction, and they are all very good. Although they run about $20 a piece, every one has been worth five times that. You can sometimes find them in HD, or on the website.

[EFmom]

Originally Posted by mamabebe

Lowe's and Home Depot also have free clinics where you can learn to do certain tasks. These are usually on the weekend and you can search for the clinics on those stores coporate websites.

There are some good home maintence books out there. I particualarly like Black & Decker's book.

Dh hasn't had a good experience with the HD clinics. They often are taught (at our HD) by people who really don't know what they are talking about. But of course it will vary with location.

We particularly like the Better Homes and Gardens home maintenance book.

Go to the library and check out an armful of books and see which ones suit you.

[chiromamma]

DH is not handy. He ggrew up in an apartment in the Bronx.
So I'm the handywoman in the house. My dad taught me basics but I think he expected I'd marry a handyman.
Get a book, download some vids and dive right in. Don't be afraid to make mistakes -sometimes huge ones and call always call a plumber for plumbing problems.
Whenever I hire a professional, I pick his brains and watch what he's doing.

[WeasleyMum]

ITA with everyone here-- just pick something smallish and do it, and go on to do more. You might screw some things up (everybody does) but you'll pick up skill and confidence as you go. My DH is *great* at handy-stuff which is nice, but it actually kind of hinders my development, since it's always easier for me to just wait for him to do it. When he was out of town I had to fix a clogged sink: went online for instructions, bought the wrench I needed at HD, and did it myself. Very small job, but a HUGE sense of accomplishment, just from attempting it on my own. Did the same thing de-bugging my computer and fixing its disc-tray thingie... not home improvement but same principle of just trying it to see what you can do!

P.S. You may actually have an advantage over some guys who think they're so handy, because you are willing to admit that you don't know everything, to do some research, and accept help and advice. That's an asset a lot of folks don't have, and being good at roofing doesn't mean that electrical wiring is going to come naturally, or that being able to fix plumbing makes you good at refinishing wood floors, YKIM? Your starting-from-scratch mindset will take you further in the long run!

[sairy_gamp]

Books and, sometimes, asking for help.

I used to wonder why I wasn't as handy as I know my father was whan I was a kid. Then I realize.. I was small, and whatever he was doing probably looked really impressive to me at the time! And why does he still seem really handy compared to me? Well... he's still a few decades ahead of me on experience!

Also... I wonder if our dads spent as much time doing domestic stuff and child care as many of us do these days. I just can't make the time to get the projects done I want to do sometimes, after caring for the kids, doing laundry, cooking dinner...

[BellaClaudia]

the easiest way to catch a know how bug is to watch shows.
or dvd or tape.

I used to borrow bob villa tapes form local library on whatever you need to do..
it is so amazing how fast you learn from them..

it is step by step and very fast. .I am visual person and don't have time to read books so you are done in an hour of watching always can go back and rewind..

also you can buy or borrow a book to have a quick reference too.

Main thing about being handyman:
stay away from hydraulics and electicity no matter how tempting
because people die form it - electicity.. or ruin the house - water.

unless you have someone to really show you how and do it proper way..
I would live it to pros. espeically having so many kids to tend to.

If you do good painting and maintenance work that is plenty savings.

[everettdaddy]

Slowly but Surely learning

I went to work at a hardware store and learned a heck of a lot working there. The pay wasn't that great, and a long story, I don't work there anymore.. But the main thing is that I learned that most projects are not that hard, and that the biggest roadblock was my own insecurity in my abilities.