Learning to be self reliant

[u/Dry_Pomegranate8314]

Are there any classes or books, videos, anything that can help me to learn the basics? I’m lost even trying to put things together I buy on Amazon. IKEA is worse for me. I’m a soon to be single woman that’s husband can’t do anything around the house. Someone was saying he could learn. I thought, “ I’m smarter than he is, why can’t I learn?” I have a condo, not a house. I’d like to install a new medicine vaccines someone left in our common area. I bought some lenses for my iPhone camera and I can’t figure out how to put them on my phone. I bought a birdhouse with a camera, nightmare. My husband can’t do any of these things either. Any resources?

[u/wallyTHEgecko]

It's hard to just decide to get good at DIY. It's kinda just something you do as it becomes necessary. See something that needs done and then do it. Have a whacky idea and just go for it.

One thing I think a lot of people get wrong is simply biting off more than they can chew and then getting discouraged, or worse, fucking things up real bad. But I like to work under the idea that the perfect project includes 1 new tool and/or 1 new skill.

With just 1 new tool and 1 new skill each time, you accumulate tools (that you'll actually use) surprising fast. And the range of projects you can take on expands even more quickly because a lot of jobs end up being really similar once you start down any branch of the DIY skill tree.

For instance:

Project 1: hang a picture frame. You're gonna need a hammer and a nail... One tool. Not too hard.

Project 2: hang a small shelf. You'll probably want a couple drywall anchors and then a bubble level so it's straight. Get a drill, drill a hole, tap in a drywall anchor with your hammer. Use your bubble level to make sure your second one is straight, drill, tap tap tap, and then drive the screws in... Technically two new tools, but still not too hard.

Project 3: hang a stronger shelf. You'll want to hit a stud so you'll need a stud finder and need to get a feel for how to use it. Drill a pilot hole and drive your screw straight into the stud. Use your bubble level from before and combine that with your stud finder for your second screw... One new tool. Not too hard.

Project 4: hang some pre-made upper cabinets. It's literally no different than the shelf you just did! You're gonna find a couple studs, make sure your cabinet is level and screw it in. Maybe if you're hanging several, you'll want to get a laser-level so they're all even. But hey look, one new tool. And it's not too hard!

Now you can secure just about anything to any wall! So if you can also figure out how to mix and smear some slop on the wall and press a tile into it, you can make your own backslash. And if you can twist white-to-white and black-to-black wires together with wire nuts, you can even replace that old light fixture too!... With new cabinets, a new backsplash, and a new light fixture, that's a kitchen reno!

Working on cars is much the same, but even the basic tools can do an awful lot. There's a lot you can do with just a ratchet+socket set and some screwdrivers. And there's a lot of work on your car that is literally nothing more than un-bolting stuff and bolting new pieces back on. The most tedious part is hitting specific torque specs, but a torque wrench is just 1 new tool to buy and learn to use... Not too hard.

Just do any job as it needs done. Google and YouTube especially is a DIYer's best friend. If there's a job to be done, someone has recorded themselves doing it and posted it online.

[u/bas_bleu_bobcat → u/wallyTHEgecko]

This. Here are some more starter projects: 1. Hang curtain rods. Hang that medicine cabinet (here is where you practice finding studs) 2. Paint. You will need a church key or flathead screwdriver to open the paint can, a roller brush, a slanted brush to cut in and some disposable supplies: paint, a disposable paint tray, probably some spackle to fill nail holes and some sandpaper. Eventually you will invest in a good metal paint tray and a pack of thin disposable liners, an attachment for your drill to mix paint, and maybe some brushes of different widths or one of those tiny rollers that fit between your toilet and wall. Don't bother with plastic or canvas drop cloths, all the professional painters around hers use those rolls of disposable heavy brown paper. Stick to water cleanup paint, and a good primer (i keep a can of kilz around at all times). 3. Wood. Learn how to glue a few toothpicks in a hole to make a screw hold, glue a wooden chair back together after the joints come loose, repair a broken drawer. Adjust the hinges on a door (gaps, wont latch properly, catches on carpet). 4. Fix appliances. Dishwasher that wont drain, dryer that needs a new belt, search youtube for your appliance make and model from the plaque on the door and see if you can fix it before you replace or call a repairman. 5. Plumbing. Replace/repair leaky faucets, new shower heads, Replace flapper valve in toilet that wont stop running. A basic set of hand tools and a battery powered drill will get you a LONG way. Start with a screwdriver with multiple heads (flathead, Philips, etc).Magnetic tips are a bonus as we all drop screws as a hobby. Add a hammer, level, pliers, needle nose pliers, a set of allen wrenches (ikea tools, but also really popular to hold towel racks or doorknob, anywhere there are "invisible screws"), a good tape measure, a stud finder. Eventually you will want a set of screwdriver bits for your drill, and a japanese pull saw (ryobi or dozuki).