It's Great to Have Friends

[gblowfish]

I am not handy. I'm just not. Which is weird, because I've been a home owner for almost 30 years. I know enough to be dangerous about a lot of stuff, but I've also learned what I can do and what I need help with. I built combines for Allis-Chalmers in the late 1970s, but even with that experience twisting a wrench and shooting rivets into sheet metal, I'm just not good at plumbing, or carpentry, or electric or....well...anything. My pal Mr. Doggity came over this afternoon hung a new LED work light in my kitchen. He said "EZ Peazy...it'll take us 20 minutes." I know better. My house is a giant fun house of frustration. It took a trip to the hardware store and almost two hours. But we got it done. Do you have a repair friend that you call when you need help? I have a couple, and I'm grateful to have them as friends. His fee was a six pack of Boulevard Irish Ale, and I'm taking out for lunch next week. Deal!

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

Life is good!

[Shiver Me Timbers]

will tell you one thing GB-
Whenever I have an "ez peazy" project I end up at the hardware store at least 3 times to get the job done. I am lucky to have a local hardware place less than a mile from my house.............

[ptlyon]

will tell you one thing GB-
Whenever I have an "ez peazy" project I end up at the hardware store at least 3 times to get the job done. I am lucky to have a local hardware place less than a mile from my house.............

Rule my father taught me at a young age helping him with household projects, especially plumbing -

Start early on a Saturday and expect no less than 3 trips to the hardware store.

Back then though, hardware stores closed at noon on Saturdays.

[Hammock Parties]

I once tried to match paint and fix some holes in the paint myself.

Hoo boy, that was a mistake.

Got some dude off craigslist and he did it for $50.

[gblowfish]

I have an Ace Hardware not too far away. I spend a LOT in there. Furnace filters, drain cleaner, lawn and garden stuff. I had to put a bunch of mole pellets out before this big freeze. They make hundreds off of me every year. There's a lot of wisdom in knowing what you can do, and what you should pay somebody to do. What I hate is the frustration when things don't work out. I'd much rather pay somebody who knows that they are doing than fight and cuss and have my blood pressure spike out. I bought this light from Lowe's , and it wasn't too hard to put up, once we figured out how to get the ceiling to hold it with no joists available.

[Pablo]

I'm very fortunate to have my dad and 3 step-dads that can tackle almost anything and will teach me as much as I can learn. Don't think there's a home, vehicle or machine project I couldn't get very good help or advice on.

Divorced parents on both sides pay dividends sometimes. And like the guy above me said, anything that's "easy" certainly never works out that way.

[gblowfish]

I won't buy anything that says "Easy to Assemble" on the package. That's code for 'Major Pain in the Ass, guaranteed."

[eDave]

I won't buy anything that says "Easy to Assemble" on the package. That's code for 'Major Pain in the Ass, guaranteed."

They should rate the difficulty levels with amount of beers.

[Bob Dole]

I had one in KC who I lost when I moved, and had one in Texas until he died. I’m on my own now, and it kind of sucks. Like the TV mount I hung on the wall, but can’t get the TV mounted by myself.

[SupDock]

I have an Ace Hardware not too far away. I spend a LOT in there. Furnace filters, drain cleaner, lawn and garden stuff. I had to put a bunch of mole pellets out before this big freeze. They make hundreds off of me every year. There's a lot of wisdom in knowing what you can do, and what you should pay somebody to do. What I hate is the frustration when things don't work out. I'd much rather pay somebody who knows that they are doing than fight and cuss and have my blood pressure spike out. I bought this light from Lowe's , and it wasn't too hard to put up, once we figured out how to get the ceiling to hold it with no joists available.


This is exactly right. Know your limitations, and saving yourself frustration has a lot of value to it.

[displacedinMN]

My old house was a pain in the ass to do anything.

Anything took 4 times as long as it should and 3 trips to HD. Had to get some stuff from the local hardware store because new things are not built for a 1963 home.

Tried to change a light. Had to shut off the entire house to get the electricity off. Cant explain that. Could not do it live since the wires were cut short.

My NEW home is easier to do things and has few if any repairs.

[gblowfish]

My house was built in 1948. My parents were the second owners in 1955. I am the third owner.

[Hammock Parties]

My house was built in 1948. My parents were the second owners in 1955. I am the third owner.

That's cool dude.

When I'm old and grey I'm going to buy my grandparents house in Republic, MO.

[Bugeater]

I'm the one all you useless motherfuckers call.

[ptlyon]

I'm the one all you useless mother****ers call.

Is like exactly 3 grapes peeled, please

[Bugeater]

Is like exactly 3 grapes peeled, pleaseVery well, but I use a high speed rotary tool for that, and all you'll end up with is mess on your kitchen counter. And cabinets. And ceiling.

[FlaChief58]

I'm the friend everyone calls. It's a blessing and a curse

[DaFace]

Rule my father taught me at a young age helping him with household projects, especially plumbing -



Start early on a Saturday and expect no less than 3 trips to the hardware store.



Back then though, hardware stores closed at noon on Saturdays.Ha. That's pretty accurate. I thinking I took about 8 trips in one weekend while laying some flooring in my bathroom. Hadn't ever done it before and just never knew what I didn't know at each step.

[Holladay]

I pretty much re-did our 1903 farm house myself. I am so glad I did it when I was younger over the span of 25 years.

Knowing your limits is key. I tried to install a staircase bannister years ago after we tore out a wall. After hours with no success, I call a carpenter. Ezy Pezy for him.

I have used Eagle Scouts lately for grunt work. They are willing to help and besides paying them $15/hour, pizza and Root Beer, I have developed some friendships with the younger folks. They like to help and get away.

As to hardware stores, after hours or on Sundays, my town rolls up the sidewalks. It takes me 1 hour one way to get to a Lowes. There is no way I could do 8 trips in one weekend:)

Also, having the right tools helps a bunch. My Dad taught me that. I settled on one brand of cordless tools, Ridgid. They all use the same batteries. You can find them lightly used on Ebay for cheap.

[stevieray]

"Knowledge is knowing how to change a flat tire, wisdom is doing it"

That said, know your limitations.

I prolly made 10-15 trips to the hardware store when I was building my bike.

[cabletech94]

I'm the one all you useless mother****ers call.

^ guilty!!!

:LOL:

[Kman34]

All three of my son-in-laws are useless around the house as far as fixing stuff.. So who do you guess my daughters call to help???

[HayWire]

I'm the one all you useless motherfuckers call.

Very much this. I grew up on a farm and my grandpa was a stickler about fixing everything himself.
I do the same thing to my kids...I won't fix it for you but I'll help and teach you how.


Damn, I sound like an old asshole

[scho63]

I once tried to match paint and fix some holes in the paint myself.

Hoo boy, that was a mistake.

Got some dude off craigslist and he did it for $50.

You should have just called Billay and had him plug your holes for free. LMAO

[scho63]

I'm the one all you useless motherfuckers call.

The social studies teacher with the handyman side business? :D

[ChiTown]

I do as much as I can, but I’m not that handy. My Dad (may he RIP) and my two older Brothers could fix and build ANYTHING. Me? I was more interested in girls and sports. That’s great when you are a kid, but that sort of focus has a short shelf life.

[scho63]

https://media1.tenor.com/images/dda16cb6633c154c244fba787d2353e3/tenor.gif?itemid=5011619

[Pointer19]

Agreed about how often we underestimate the time a project will take! My dad has taught me a lot of general home improvement skills, but he never fails to assure me how little time helping with a "little project" will take.

[burt]

Do you have a repair friend that you call when you need help? I have a couple, and I'm grateful to have them as friends. His fee was a six pack of Boulevard Irish Ale, and I'm taking out for lunch next week. Deal!

Turns out I am significantly better at demo than repair. For lunch and some Pale Ale, I'll be glad to come over and fuck some shit up.....

[Iowanian]

I'm a guy people call for stuff.

When I don't know, I call my dad because he knows how to do a lot of things that most guys who know things don't know how to do. He's got a shop full of things people have brought over for him to putter on and fix. I wish I knew how to do half of it.

[Monticore]

I have a 120 year old Victorian where nothing is level or the same size anywhere, nothing is easy and I wouldn't want to put that on my friends , so I can a professional , seeing the frustration on the face every time they come over confirms that it probably wasn't a DYI job.

I can do some simple stuff thanks to youtube but always requires multiple trips to the hardware store because every item used to build my house doesn't exist anymore.

[kepp]

I once tried to match paint and fix some holes in the paint myself.

Hoo boy, that was a mistake.

Got some dude off craigslist and he did it for $50.

I did that when getting our last house ready to list for sale. Actually, Lowes did the color matching, but I got the wrong finish. I didn't realize it until it dried. Had to do paint several entire rooms.

[SuperBowl4]

I never ask any friends to help out with repairs or moving because I don't want to have to repay the favor down the road. I hurt my back once helping a friend move. DONE

[ghak99]

All three of my son-in-laws are useless around the house as far as fixing stuff.. So who do you guess my daughters call to help???

Start calling them daughter-in-laws.

[J Diddy]

I have been blessed with such friends most of my adult life. The kind that "charge" you a 6 pack, but in reality drink it with you catching up on old times.

You're right. It's great to have friends.

[Bob Dole]

I hung an articulating TV mount 2 weeks ago and still haven’t had anyone come help me hang the TV. FML.

[Holladay]

FML

I had to look that one up.

I had mentioned the Eagle Scouts before...or any youth programs. A great place to start. You shouldn't be in FML. Meet young folks who are willing to help.

[Rain Man]

I am a rock.
I am an i-i-island.

[gblowfish]

The new light is quite bright.

No bulbs to change with the LEDs. Fixture has a ten year warranty.

[htismaqe]

I'm not handy at all but wiring up lights is pretty simple, electricity is the one thing I can actually do.

And you won't be disappointed in that LED fixture, I've replaced most of my old ones now.

[ptlyon]

Bright light! Bright light!

[Holladay]

The new light is quite bright.

I put one of those in the laundry room.

[Holladay]

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcSCkWOLcgTpHSisBYr9UyP9n9ftX692sgAgtlP_4ZDegQk2Mx0SkLiivHGcf87Gnw&usqp=CAc

I put these in the garage. Don't look too long, you will see spots.

Highly recommend.

[gblowfish]

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcSCkWOLcgTpHSisBYr9UyP9n9ftX692sgAgtlP_4ZDegQk2Mx0SkLiivHGcf87Gnw&usqp=CAc

I put these in the garage. Don't look too long, you will see spots.

Highly recommend.

I have those in my garage too. Super bright!