How Are Your Diy Skills?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2302790/A-nation-DIY-dunces-Just-8-young-people-UK-rewire-plug--20-hang-picture.html

[shiznit]

In our house I call it "Destroy It Yourself"

[mccfluff]

i can *could* re-wire a plug, but they all come molded on now so i can see why that skill is dying out.

i can unblock a sink but i think sadly that's about it

[jackthehat]

Fluffy has excellent DIY-skills.............don't you, fluff? :oP

[mccfluff]

oh bog off

[DJHawkes]

but most modern apliances come with a moulded on plug that would not need re-wiring, the old plugs with 3 wires and a fuse are pretty much out of date, even the fuse can be changed these days without having to open the plug itsself.
as for hanging a picture, any fool can knock a picture hook in a wall but how many bother to use a spirit level to align the frame for accuracy? It may sound like a simplistic job but that's only where accuracy is not required.

[SlackAlice]

I can partly understand the plug re-wiring. Electrical goods are now sold with fitted plugs and to be honest I cannot remember when I've had to change a faulty one other than a fuse.

[China Doll]

Terrible. I'm really clumsy and impatient with anything that needs fixing. If I lived alone, the people I rent from would have a lot more phone calls about thigns going wrong that need fixing. My OH fortunately is brilliant at 'fixing stuff'.

[society]

I could do many things if I put my mind to it, or if I really do have to.

[beso]

In Australia it is illegal for an unqualified person to do any electrical work including rewiring a plug.

Some of the questions I see asked here make me think it should also be that way in the UK.

I worked in design and manufacture of electrical and electronic equipment so I am quite au fait with rewiring a plug.

Indeed I have pointed out serious errors to qualified electricians more than once.

[andy-hughes]

I can wire a plug, i can unblock a sink and i can bleed a radiator.

I have never tried to hang a picture, or wallpaper, or done any painting.

i am a great believer in knowing your skills and sticking to them.

There are three types of people in the world -
those who cannot do DIY and should leave it alone - me
those who can do DIY and should be called on - Father and Sons In Law
those who think they can do DIY, and can't previous nightmare neighbour.

I do recall sitting in my home office writing a feature, while a decorator wallpapered the bedroom across the landing. I was using my skills to earn the money to pay for his skills.

Each of us was as happy as a pig in chiffon doing what we do well, and neither of us could have crossed over the landing and attempted the other's task with any hope of a professional job being completed.

I see no merit or demerit in having DIY skills - i think that mindset is dying out - and it will not be missed in the Hughes household!

[snags]

''Fluffy has excellent DIY-skills''

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s156/snagged_01/PB-LO.jpg

[ummmm]

I can change a plug. My kids can't though :-/

[ummmm]

Lol @ Snags :-)

[jackthehat]

Cheers, snaggles.......I couldn't find the link...........LoL

[ummmm]

I just asked my son if he knew how to change a plug. His answer 'I don't understand what you mean'

[RATTER15]

I can do pretty much anything around the house, some of my DIY skills are better than others, im not good with electrics as a bit to dangerous to practice on, ive done quite few plumbing jobs, and will make virtually anything from wood, within reason and will undertake most car repairs on the older cars. Generally if I find a job I can do, I will find a man that will teach me.

[RATTER15]

Generally if I find a job I cant* do

[EvianBaby]

Awful.

I rewired a plug recently and had to take a photo of it first so I knew I put the wires back correctly.

I put up some shelves in my conservatory and used the wrong sort of drill bit for the bricks.

I tried to put up a notice board in my kitchen last week but on the first attempt the holes were about 5mm too far apart. The second attempt I used a drill bit that was too big.

God loves a tryer though.

[rockyracoon]

We were taught how to change a plug in physics lessons, they're all fitted now though aren't they so little need. Not helpful if you do find yourself needing to do it though.

[rowanwitch]

used to DIY now I have Redman... he does little jobs around the house