357-RevolverGuy
Member
I do it myself. Only way to get a few hours of peace and quiet away from the wife. If I don't know how to do it, I find out how.
Are you a DIYer when it comes to working on stuff around the home?
- Thread starter nsl
- Start date
straightshooter1
US Veteran
See Post #34 for the backstory.
I DID IT!!!!!
I actually am very happy, I have a few health problems that limit some of my ability to do some things and my complete lack of talent hinders the rest.
But I got it done and am waiting for my wife to get home to receive her praise.
She will be very pleased as well as surprised that nothing is damaged in the house.
Bob
I DID IT!!!!!
I actually am very happy, I have a few health problems that limit some of my ability to do some things and my complete lack of talent hinders the rest.
But I got it done and am waiting for my wife to get home to receive her praise.
She will be very pleased as well as surprised that nothing is damaged in the house.
Bob
Last edited:
MT Stringer
Member
I saw a picture of a truck. A sign on it said "We fix what your husband repaired!" 
My most recent DIY's....
Replaced upper and lower heat elements in a 50gal water heater, ran wires for and and installed wall several outlets in an office area in my home, replaced a failing CFL laundry room light with a LED unit. Today, I'm supposed to clean, sweep and mop the kitchen before my wife gets home from work.
Replaced upper and lower heat elements in a 50gal water heater, ran wires for and and installed wall several outlets in an office area in my home, replaced a failing CFL laundry room light with a LED unit. Today, I'm supposed to clean, sweep and mop the kitchen before my wife gets home from work.
Barbara and I do what needs doin'.
We bought a diamond-in-the-rough, log country inn in 2006 and have redone every room. The dairy barn (ca. 1895) and the town's first gas station (ca. 1920s) (top two buildings in the first picture) are the only two buildings we haven't touched. I fill a couple stalls in the barn with 6 or 7 cords of wood for the winter, and that's where the Sears garden tractor resides for lawn and snow.
I built the backbar out of old Wyoming snow fence, and one of our neighbors built the bar top out of 2" aspen planks.
The one story building (1904) had a lean-to kitchen built the same year. The two story and five guest cabins were added in 1935. The meat house (they'd cut ice in the spring, fill the cabin half full of ice, and keep their meat in there through the summer) was the newest building (1942) till we got here.
The old kitchen was so bad we demolished it in 2010 and started over. Our contractor is the LGS guy, Bill. He did the demo with a bobcat and dug down four feet for new footings and foundation. The three of us built the 16' x 24' kitchen from there. Once the room was weathered in Bill left the rest to us.
On my frustrating third trip to the plumbing shop in one day (60 miles round trip) the kid there asked if I knew the difference between a real plumber and me. Me: "Well, there are many, but what are you thinking?" Him: "You expect it to work the first time." I couldn't help but laugh along with him.
We had the cedar ceiling planks, bead board for the walls, and Douglas fir flooring milled at a mill in eastern Idaho. Barbara and I installed that stuff, a friend helped us put in the cabinets, and we finished everything else, inside and out. The ugly old island was a handmade leftover from a previous owner (doesn't really fit in, but we love the history of the piece, and we love using it). The brickwork and old wood cook stove (yes, it works and we use it) are the only things left from the original kitchen.
We bought a diamond-in-the-rough, log country inn in 2006 and have redone every room. The dairy barn (ca. 1895) and the town's first gas station (ca. 1920s) (top two buildings in the first picture) are the only two buildings we haven't touched. I fill a couple stalls in the barn with 6 or 7 cords of wood for the winter, and that's where the Sears garden tractor resides for lawn and snow.
I built the backbar out of old Wyoming snow fence, and one of our neighbors built the bar top out of 2" aspen planks.
The one story building (1904) had a lean-to kitchen built the same year. The two story and five guest cabins were added in 1935. The meat house (they'd cut ice in the spring, fill the cabin half full of ice, and keep their meat in there through the summer) was the newest building (1942) till we got here.
The old kitchen was so bad we demolished it in 2010 and started over. Our contractor is the LGS guy, Bill. He did the demo with a bobcat and dug down four feet for new footings and foundation. The three of us built the 16' x 24' kitchen from there. Once the room was weathered in Bill left the rest to us.
On my frustrating third trip to the plumbing shop in one day (60 miles round trip) the kid there asked if I knew the difference between a real plumber and me. Me: "Well, there are many, but what are you thinking?" Him: "You expect it to work the first time." I couldn't help but laugh along with him.
We had the cedar ceiling planks, bead board for the walls, and Douglas fir flooring milled at a mill in eastern Idaho. Barbara and I installed that stuff, a friend helped us put in the cabinets, and we finished everything else, inside and out. The ugly old island was a handmade leftover from a previous owner (doesn't really fit in, but we love the history of the piece, and we love using it). The brickwork and old wood cook stove (yes, it works and we use it) are the only things left from the original kitchen.
Attachments
straightshooter1
US Veteran
Wow! That looks absolutely beautiful.
Bob
Bob
gmiller0737
Member
I do most of the stuff around The House Myself except HVAC I have a Company that services that & have a good friend that is a Plummer that handles what I can't,I just don't like strangers in My house.
Since i spent five years as a lab tech doing everything from welding to glassblowing before ending up in graduate school as a chemist, I had a good start. I am one who cannot smell coal gas (not the current thiol doped material) but can smell orange and HCN) I never work with gas, but electricity and water, no problem. Painting, dry wall, wainscoting, etc., fitting out basements, no problem. Saved a lot of money over the years and blew it on guns and books!!! Now retired, I still keep the house running. Dave_n
"One of the signs of a good manager is that he hires people for the job who are better at it than him."
Wise words that have served me well.
Wise words that have served me well.
Usually I plan, buy the materials...
Then I start working and it invariable takes about 2 weeks because of one problem on top of another and end up paying somebody to come sort it out.
I did re install new faucets and a drain in the bathroom sink. EVERY part was welded together with rust. With Master Mechanic and patience I got through it.
Rant:
My son wanted to change out his big, shiny wheels for other big shiny wheels. Getting the bolts off I JUMPED UP AND DOWN on the cheater pipe (238 lbs) and still could not get some of them loose. The sun was going down and I thought the job would have been completed hours agao.
We broke a 1/2" socket in the process. A couple days later one of his friends came around with an air wrench or something and got it off. HOW are you expected to change a tire on your on? I asked the tire guy not put them on so tight but he said, "The wrench is set, I've got to use it the way it is."
Then I start working and it invariable takes about 2 weeks because of one problem on top of another and end up paying somebody to come sort it out.
I did re install new faucets and a drain in the bathroom sink. EVERY part was welded together with rust. With Master Mechanic and patience I got through it.
Rant:
My son wanted to change out his big, shiny wheels for other big shiny wheels. Getting the bolts off I JUMPED UP AND DOWN on the cheater pipe (238 lbs) and still could not get some of them loose. The sun was going down and I thought the job would have been completed hours agao.
We broke a 1/2" socket in the process. A couple days later one of his friends came around with an air wrench or something and got it off. HOW are you expected to change a tire on your on? I asked the tire guy not put them on so tight but he said, "The wrench is set, I've got to use it the way it is."
Last edited:
Way to go StraightShooter!
Easier and cheaper than a block and tackle over the commode!
Easier and cheaper than a block and tackle over the commode!
Bkreutz
US Veteran
I used to do everything myself, I know every board, nail, and wire in this house and my shop. I have a full shop with a lift and 40 years of tool collecting as a mechanic. Now I don't have the energy after a few joint replacements, heart stents, and the latest, a cancer diagnosis in the past month. I can still manage to make ammo and shoot in competition, but that may be changing too. Oh well, I can always walk out into the shop and look at the toys.
Attachments
It was a miracle!!!
The 20 year old gas water was replaced before it failed. There were no leaks but getting to the water heater took 1+ hours of moving stuff for access. I had a strong your man help me with the grunt work.
Nothing fits old to new so there were 10 separate solder joints to make on the new copper water lines. I prepped the copper, applied flux, made on the connections, and started soldering. When we turned on the water, there was not a single leak. 
We moved the full old water heater out of the hose to the garage driveway because the drain valve didn't work. After setting at the edge of the driveway, one good wack with the Stanley Claw Hammer removed the plugged drain valve. About 5 gallons of thick dark chocolate mud ran out before we got to just dirty water.
I've done 5 sets of install kitchen cupboards, 4 toilets, 4 roofs, sheetrocked and finished 6 rooms, applied way too much paint, 3 kitchen sinks, 3 bathroom vanities, hung 20+ ceiling fans, and built 2 patio roofs. Nothing compares to the satisfaction of 10 soldered joints that didn't leak ! !
The 20 year old gas water was replaced before it failed. There were no leaks but getting to the water heater took 1+ hours of moving stuff for access. I had a strong your man help me with the grunt work.
Nothing fits old to new so there were 10 separate solder joints to make on the new copper water lines. I prepped the copper, applied flux, made on the connections, and started soldering. When we turned on the water, there was not a single leak.
We moved the full old water heater out of the hose to the garage driveway because the drain valve didn't work. After setting at the edge of the driveway, one good wack with the Stanley Claw Hammer removed the plugged drain valve. About 5 gallons of thick dark chocolate mud ran out before we got to just dirty water.
I've done 5 sets of install kitchen cupboards, 4 toilets, 4 roofs, sheetrocked and finished 6 rooms, applied way too much paint, 3 kitchen sinks, 3 bathroom vanities, hung 20+ ceiling fans, and built 2 patio roofs. Nothing compares to the satisfaction of 10 soldered joints that didn't leak ! !
brigeton
Member
Anyone ever use a orbital sander on drywall instead of by hand?
Never been brave enough. I'm not terribly good as dry wall seams, but I'm so knit-picky that I keep patching, sanding with a dry block, and finishing with a huge damp sponge till I get it the way I want.
I know the "rockers" can achieve perfection in a whole room within a day. I'm not as proficient so it takes me about three days to finish a project. Steady she goes, mate.
Last edited:
Tried it a few times years ago.The dust is horrific and you can't keep it out of your lungs.Just keep feathering the edges,filling the low spots and hand sand only if you have to.
straightshooter1
US Veteran
JUST wanted to let you know that the toilet seat is STILL in place, still fastened down, nothing has fallen off and all is good!
Thought you might be worried.
Bob
Thought you might be worried.
Bob
JUST wanted to let you know that the toilet seat is STILL in place, still fastened down, nothing has fallen off and all is good!
Thought you might be worried.
Bob
Try doing a headstand
snowman
Member
I bought this place nearly nine years ago, and the previous owners kept it very well maintained; consequently I haven't had a lot to do. Since I'm partly disabled there are many things I'm not physically able to do, but if I am able, I do it. I replaced the bathroom faucet, some locksets, and installed curtain rods. I've replaced one closet rod and plan to replace the rest sometime(The dumb contractor just used galvanized pipe; ever try to slide hangers on that stuff?). There's a great guy living in the area who remodels and does all sorts of home repair, so I've had him do some electrical work. A close friend has his own painting business, so I paid him to do some of that.
Automotive is the area in which I've done the most; but I don't know how much longer I'll be physically able to do that.
Regards,
Andy
Automotive is the area in which I've done the most; but I don't know how much longer I'll be physically able to do that.
Regards,
Andy
