DIY how did you start out?

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nelly

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where did you learn your DIY skills? all trial and error, books, TV ?
would love to be better at this.
 
I agree - read a good book (e.g. that Readers Digest one on sale in many hardware superstores isn't bad) or website, pay close attention to the instructions, always prepare things carefully and just practice.
 
Tommy Walsh (the chap from Challenge Tommy who wears the braces) has a very basic diy book available and it is designed with beginners in mind... i.e. how to hang a picture, how to drill a hole into a wall correctly etc.

I got it as a house-warming present for both my brother and sister, both of whom were very diy-shy and both have used it countless times.

Here is an amazon link to the book http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tommy-Walsh...2679147?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1188820701&sr=8-4
 
There are some beginner DIY courses around the country that might be a god starting place - Check on nightcourses.com
 
Books etc are definitely useful but there's no substitute for hands-on experience. Buy the best tools you can afford - good ones will last for years - and build up your collection as you need them. Respect the fact that certain skills take years to develop and it's often better to leave them to the professionals. There I'd include plastering, plumbing and electrical. Don't go near gas. Beware of circular saws and the like until you've built up lots of experience or hands-on might quickly become hands-off.
 
I'm going to presume your a man and congratulate you on being the first to own up to that!!
 
I know someone who got at his dad's new house and did all the fittings like lights/pictures/bathroom stuff etc. They all became loose and came from the walls.

He had used the wrong wall plugs!! Although he's very good now and handy with stuff..knows alot
 
Yep - if you are going to Destroy It Yourself then best to try it somewhere else!

On the otherhand, there's a crowd in the UK who offer weekend courses in DIY called - don't know if its good or not but looks alright
 
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Let's face it, DIY comes naturally to some people, some find it difficult, and some never succeed. It might be useful to know in advance where you fit in.

The best test of which category you are in is if you try to assemble flat-pack furniture. It comes with all parts prepared, and some instructions - often these are just basic sketches. If you can assemble it with reasonable ease, then you have a good chance of succeeding in DIY. If you cannot do it at all, then you will have quite a mountain to climb.
 
Family members are builders so I've learned a lot from them. I've even got a couple of years building experience myself and luckily I can do nearly all DIY jobs myself which saves me a fortune! Its very satisfying doing a job at home and it turns out well.
 
I think the best way to learn any new skill is from hands-on experience alongside a good teacher; so if you have a friend or relative who's handy don't be afraid to ask questions or be the "gofor" for a Saturday morning- you could learn a lot, improve your confidence and hopefully save yourself a few bob down the road. Good technical books are great, especially as an aid to planning larger projects but some of the more basic books tend to gloss over important details that, maybe, aren't all that obvious to the novice. The best books I've come across (for more specialist building and woodwork info though) are those published by Taunton in the USA. For someone who just want's to do basic DIY better I think these are the basic skills that one needs to work on:

1. How to measure and cut timber and sheet materials to size squarely and accurately, using a handsaw.

2. How to use a basic hand plane to take fine shavings; how to pare with chisels.

3. How to drive a nail squarely without splitting the timber!

4. How to drive a screw squarely without rounding the head.

5. How to use a spirit level, square and tape measure properly.

Once you've mastered those basic skills you can pretty much handle most everyday DIY stuff. The biggest mistake people make is focussing on power tools and gizmos- pros use power tools to speed up the task or occasionally to achieve a better finish, but most smaller jobs can be easily achieved with a minimum of powertools.
 
nelly said:
where did you learn your DIY skills? all trial and error, books, TV ?
would love to be better at this.
Click to expand...

all of the above but just give it a go!
not saying knock a wall down and extend the house 20 meters but if you need to put up a shelf or curtain poles or paint walls or hang pictures and you're an absolute novice then read up and have a crack at it!
 
Stunning looks and A1 DIY skills I have been born with, it is great. :)

From my Dad doing odd jobs for neighbour, relatives and ourselves
 
Learnt a fair bit from watching my Dad. So there's a little tip - let your kids see and help you doing stuff around the house. For example I gave the then 10 year old a hammer, a piece of wood and some nails and showed him how to hammer a nail straight, without hitting himself etc etc. Hasn't lifted one since mind you :D but maybe its like learning to ride a bike:) .
 
learning from others.
doing woodwork in secondary school gave alot of skills too.
trial and error on small rooms/out of the place ways.
 
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