DIY is dead.

[Ocean1]

"You've got to have a minimum critical level of skill."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/4862084/Do-it-yourself-a-dying-art


"DIY skills will be extinct by 2048, DIY skills are becoming a lost art as technosexual men prefer to fix a PC than change a plug.''

It said that if interest in home improvement kept falling, 20 per cent fewer men will know basic handyman skills by 2030 and DIY will be unknown by 2048.

They also pointed out that only 32 per cent of men under 25 were able to fix the last practical dilemma they had in their home compared with 83 per cent of over 55s.

Seventy one per cent of men in their 70s learned basic DIY skills from their fathers. Now only 44 per cent of men are taught DIY as they grow up with a steep decline expected to continue.


"GQ columnist Jane Moore lamented the threat to masculinity in May 2010 in a piece called "the dying art of DIY'' in which she complained her hubby was incapable of assembling a garden hose.

"It seems to me these real men stereotypes are increasingly hard to find,'' she wrote.

She referred to a survey in which 80 per cent of women felt frustrated that their men weren't better at DIY.

...As if we hadn't noticed...

[Latte]

I quite enjoy Damage It Yourself, have taught myself to plumb, wire, gib/stop etc

Unfortunately I haven't figured out how to do it well :D Gib all cracked, toilet backs up occasionally - Least the house doesn't leak (yet)

[AllanB]

Don't worry - men will still DIY their love life ........

[superman]

I seriously doubt it will become a trend to stop doing it yourself.

Maybe it's just because I've grown up on a lifestyle block where you don't even tell the council what you're doing :bleh:

[bogan]

bah, there will always be some bastions of diy, farmers and bikers are the first to spring to mind. It's those fucking metrosexuals taking the manliness out of being men I reckon:facepalm: those who cannot diy should be ridiculed relentlessly for their lack of masculinity, that'll fix it :sunny:

[nudemetalz]

you gotta be DIY-qualified when you own a Guzzi... ;)

[James Deuce]

Good. It's the single biggest drain on ACC. It will cost more before it does eventually die, as skill level is exceeded by ambition more and more. But this is where any ACC cost cutting should be targetted.

[superman]

should be ridiculed relentlessly for their lack of masculinity, that'll fix it :sunny:

Ah yes my father constantly takes part in such acts "Those bloody poofdas!" :facepalm:

[SMOKEU]

These days a lot of guys take their car to a $100 an hour mechanic just to change the engine oil.

Bunch of pussies.

[martybabe]

]http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/4862084/Do-it-yourself-a-dying-art[/URL]






Lordy, generations of those without willies have been trying to domesticate the Male gender into a cleaning, washing up, cooking, baby minding kind of modern man thingy. In the fullness of time, they lament the fact that they can't find a Man that can wield a hammer without bringing the house down :facepalm:

Dem womens need to make up the're bloomin minds they do. It is a proven fact that only men that are dexterous with a lump hammer and chisel have a high sperm count, so there won't be any future generations not to do DIY, unless we distribute free tool kits pronto tonto.

DIY isn't the only thing that will be lacking in the future either IMO, it seems that hardly any one these days offers traineeships in the manual trades, come the day we'll all just sit around looking at each other cause no one will know how to do anything apart from press buttons.:yes:

[ducatilover]

I DIY everything.... :innocent:
I hate paying for things, I can cook damn well, fix anything with a hammer and swear words, do my own mech work/panel beating, work on the house if need be, get my own fire wood (when I'm not being a lazy cooont) and I'm only a spring chicken.

[jim.cox]

Gib all cracked, toilet backs up occasionally - Least the house doesn't leak (yet)

Sounds like you'd be right at home in Christchurch

[jasonu]

Looks like a move closer to the American way. No one here does DIY, especially repairs. The cost of a new item is usually not much more than trying to make a repair. eg rebuild kit for a clutch master cyl $15 vs a new unit with a warrenty $35. Fix a leaking tap??? Farrgeddaboudit, buy a new one for $10. Hardly anyone here knows which end of the hammer or screwdriver is the business end.

[The Stranger]

"Seventy one per cent of men in their 70s learned basic DIY skills from their fathers"


Here in lies a goodly portion of the problem. You need a father to actually learn from him.

Mind you. Looking at houses recently for a friend I must say that it's perhaps not such bad thing to see DIY in decline. I'm sure anything they saved in labour and buying the cheapest materials they would loose in house value.

FFS don't DIY it unless you have at least a little knowledge AND some pride in your work please.

[Swoop]

...where you don't even tell the council what you're doing
#1 rule. Tell the bastards nothing!

[bogan]

#1 rule. Tell the bastards nothing!

What do you mean theres an undeclared shed in the front paddock, nah mate, thats just a fort my kids made :yes: ;)

building forts out of fence batons is a good DIY starter for the young uns too. Teaches valuable engineering skills, and the disadvantages of thudfuckery.

[Ocean1]

But this is where any ACC cost cutting should be targetted.

Yeah, don't do that shit at home, eh.

Us profeshinuls are well traned, fuk'n bullet proof.

[avgas]

In other news.......


Women are still excellent in complaining.

[ducatilover]

Wait, we are fucked if DIY will be dead, if we are not capable of fixing things, who the fuck is going to be a tradesman?

What a dumb hypothesis :facepalm:

[dogsnbikes]

The Mrs works for an Electrical company and was horrified when she seen how I fixed the computer,as the power button wouldn't work so I solved the problem ..........no more problem :woohoo:





I knew my hotwiring skills could be put too better use:innocent:


By the way we have been using hot wire starts on the computer for 12months now:yes:


so DIY alive and well at our place

[scissorhands]

As long as we live in wooden houses on sections, there will be plenty of small jobs that home owners will do themselves.

More work for tradesmen though, should have more apprenticeships

[Hoon]

> They also pointed out that only 32 per cent of men under 25 were able to fix the last practical dilemma they had in their home compared with 83 per cent of over 55s.

Purely meaningless stat which doesn't take into account accumulated knowledge. When I was 25 yo I didn't know shit and butchered anything I tried. Now in my late 30's I know a lot more, can successfully concrete a driveway, build a deck, replace spouting. By the time I'm over 55 I'll be a DIY master!!

[p.dath]

These days a lot of guys take their car to a $100 an hour mechanic just to change the engine oil.

Bunch of pussies.

I have to say I'm hardly better financially off since I started doing the things myself on my bike. Especially when I take into account all the extra bits I have had to buy, and self inflicted damage.

So I'd say do it yourself to learn something, for enjoyment, for control, but not because you want to save money.

Mechanics generally do the job quicker than you can, get their parts at trade (ever found your mechanic charged you less for the parts and consumables than what you could buy them for yourself - I have), and cock it up less often, and while they do the service you can do something else.

[imdying]

Pfft, more thinly veiled advertising masquerading as news. Typical Stuff.

[Brian d marge]

Does this mean I will never have to go near a bike that has " a full engine rebuild " by its incompetent owner

I was having a shit day , till now , suddenly the clouds have parted and theses a solitary beam of sunlight , shining on my little patch of earth ,,,

oh happy days

Stephen

[ducatilover]

Does this mean I will never have to go near a bike that has " a full engine rebuild " by its incompetent owner

I was having a shit day , till now , suddenly the clouds have parted and theses a solitary beam of sunlight , shining on my little patch of earth ,,,

oh happy days

Stephen

I'll keep doing them just for you Stephen.

[bogan]

I have to say I'm hardly better financially off since I started doing the things myself on my bike. Especially when I take into account all the extra bits I have had to buy, and self inflicted damage.

So I'd say do it yourself to learn something, for enjoyment, for control, but not because you want to save money.

Mechanics generally do the job quicker than you can, get their parts at trade (ever found your mechanic charged you less for the parts and consumables than what you could buy them for yourself - I have), and cock it up less often, and while they do the service you can do something else.

Give it time, the self inflicted damage gets very low, and you learn where to get the best/cheapest parts from too!

Example, check/adjust tappet clearances, 20bucks for feeler guages the first time, nothing since. Oil change, filter + oil cost each time, and every third is free with the surplus oil from the other two times.

All of which leaves me heaps more money, to spend on my bike :facepalm: upgrades, fuck yeh :woohoo:

[jasonu]

What do you mean theres an undeclared shed in the front paddock, nah mate, thats just a fort my kids made :yes: ;)

building forts out of fence batons is a good DIY starter for the young uns too. Teaches valuable engineering skills, and the disadvantages of thudfuckery.

Seem to remember a recient thing in the paper about some local council or other makeing some kids take down a fort because 'it was dangerous'

[ducatilover]

Give it time, the self inflicted damage gets very low, and you learn where to get the best/cheapest parts from too!

Example, check/adjust tappet clearances, 20bucks for feeler guages the first time, nothing since. Oil change, filter + oil cost each time, and every third is free with the surplus oil from the other two times.

All of which leaves me heaps more money, to spend on my bike :facepalm: upgrades, fuck yeh :woohoo:

It's a vicious (bad pun here, viscous :facepalm: ) circle. I spend the money i save on.... buying another pile of shit and then it starts all over again...

[SMOKEU]

I have to say I'm hardly better financially off since I started doing the things myself on my bike. Especially when I take into account all the extra bits I have had to buy, and self inflicted damage.

So I'd say do it yourself to learn something, for enjoyment, for control, but not because you want to save money.

Mechanics generally do the job quicker than you can, get their parts at trade (ever found your mechanic charged you less for the parts and consumables than what you could buy them for yourself - I have), and cock it up less often, and while they do the service you can do something else.

True, but if it's for very basic stuff like changing the engine oil or a radiator flush, I can easily save myself $50 in labour just by changing the oil and filter myself, and I know that I'm using good quality oil rather than the el cheapo stuff they buy by the barrel.

Even though mechanics buy parts at trade price, they still charge more than what they pay for the product.

[Gremlin]

I'll do some stuff myself, say the add-ons to a bike, but not the servicing. I have no concept of how the engine goes up and down, and round and round. Can't really be bothered knowing either, as I reckon DIY on a bike is the fast track to suicide, so I'll leave that to the mechanics.

Show me the inside of a computer, no problem, but then it's part of my job.

My spare time is valuable, I never have enough of it, and swearing over the bike or fucking something up in the process just isn't worth the grief. Give it to someone you trust, it comes back nice and professional, normally in less time than you have taken, to do it.

[jaffamont]

It's a vicious (bad pun here, viscous :facepalm: ) circle. I spend the money i save on.... buying another pile of shit and then it starts all over again...

Now thats fvckn funny..

[The Stranger]

Can't really be bothered knowing either, as I reckon DIY on a bike is the fast track to suicide, so I'll leave that to the mechanics.


Hmm, I service my shit myself for just the reason that I don't trust someone else with my life. Plus that way I know I won't break down on a ride or say out on the water miles from nowhere.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Looks like a move closer to the American way. No one here does DIY, especially repairs. The cost of a new item is usually not much more than trying to make a repair. eg rebuild kit for a clutch master cyl $15 vs a new unit with a warrenty $35. Fix a leaking tap??? Farrgeddaboudit, buy a new one for $10. Hardly anyone here knows which end of the hammer or screwdriver is the business end.

Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino did.

[The Stranger]

I have to say I'm hardly better financially off since I started doing the things myself on my bike. Especially when I take into account all the extra bits I have had to buy, and self inflicted damage.


Not having a crack at ya, but not everyone has to buy additional bits.



So I'd say do it yourself to learn something, for enjoyment, for control, but not because you want to save money.


The only time it cost me more money than a mechanic is when I do the job properly - like NOT gluing in the head bolt for example (as the mechanic did).



Mechanics generally do the job quicker than you can, get their parts at trade (ever found your mechanic charged you less for the parts and consumables than what you could buy them for yourself - I have), and cock it up less often, and while they do the service you can do something else.

I get trade (or better) on all my car and many motorcycle parts. Just bought new front rotors for the Terrano $60.00 for the pair.


The real benefit in DIY as I see it is that you don't just gain knowledge in the area in which you are working.
My son is 2ic on a building site. The guys are putting in half inch SS bolts. The bolts go part way in then snap before they get tight. He's helped me rebuilding marine engines, knows they are galling and tells them to apply copper coat grease.
Ok, small example, but that ability to think outside the square is the bigger loss in my view.

[Brian d marge]

Dont even think of prototyping

I mean I can design and make it , but as soon as you ask someone to make it ,,, the song goes like this " no more drinking for a week or two" sung to cliff richards summer holiday

You really have to think about the "man who is making it" and his time

Stephen

on saying that I can bodge with the best of them

[gatch]

I'm one of the machinist monkeys that gets paid to make stuff. Quality stuff. As I work more, I understand more the value in paying professionals to do a professional job..

Some of the monstrosities that I have to repair cause some clever dick reckons he's a DIY expert...

As was mentioned earlier, if you don't have the knowledge and tools to do a half decent job, give it to someone who can.

[Brian d marge]

I'm one of the machinist monkeys that gets paid to make stuff. Quality stuff. As I work more, I understand more the value in paying professionals to do a professional job..

Some of the monstrosities that I have to repair cause some clever dick reckons he's a DIY expert...

As was mentioned earlier, if you don't have the knowledge and tools to do a half decent job, give it to someone who can.well said that man

By all means try but respect ya limits and ask ,
on saying that , how many read the instruction manual for the DVD , or washing machine

Just not right somehow

Stephen

[Gremlin]

Plus that way I know I won't break down on a ride or say out on the water miles from nowhere.
I'm a Gremlin... nuff said I reckon. I wired up a radar detector to a fuel pump, figuring it wouldn't use the whole circuit... it used enough that it didn't work under high load... I'm dangerous I tells ya :blink:

It's even easier now too! I have a BMW, it's an unwritten rule that you don't service it (actually, it's almost written). Want to take a part off? Take it to your nearest authorised dealer!

[ynot slow]

DIY skills are usually handed down from dad to son so to speak.
Years ago the parents built a rumpus room,dad had the frame completed and he and us helped gib it,then dad being a plasterer (although out of trade for 15yrs or so)covered our mistakes.My uncle arrived mid arvo and said "that looks easy" as dad made up plaster and applied it,so dad gave uncle a go,hmmm was reply"not as easy".

I have helped dad on his farm block fixing water pumps(no good when loo don't have water)by replacing valves,washers on shit,and general pwhen air leakage.Is good to take a chainsaw to a tree for firewood,concrete a path,gives a feel good air of invincibility,until ya blow it up.

[jazfender]

technosexual... really?

[HenryDorsetCase]

well said that man

By all means try but respect ya limits and ask ,
on saying that , how many read the instruction manual for the DVD , or washing machine

Just not right somehow

Stephen

I only read the manual after I've spent at least an hour (and sometimes half a day) swearing and hitting it with a hammer....

[ducatilover]

I'm one of the machinist monkeys that gets paid to make stuff. Quality stuff. As I work more, I understand more the value in paying professionals to do a professional job..

Some of the monstrosities that I have to repair cause some clever dick reckons he's a DIY expert...

As was mentioned earlier, if you don't have the knowledge and tools to do a half decent job, give it to someone who can.

Bit like some of the panel beating jobs i have seen!



And done....:facepalm::shit:

[Ocean1]

Dont even think of prototyping

I mean I can design and make it , but as soon as you ask someone to make it ,,,

Yes, it takes more time to do the working drawings than it does to model it. And you need to know the shop that's doing it, the gear they've got and the guys doing it.

When I were a nipper I got handed a drawing, by a pro engineer, (not the app) showing a bearing in a cast housing. You'd have had to cast it in, there was no way to machine the cavity, no way in hell. The boss was mortified, here was some jumped up apprentice telling him his design office was crap. With evidence. Nowadays I attribute ability by my experience with the source, not by it's qualifications.

I can never bring myself to charge full price for the working drawings bit, guess I'm just too used to missing that step our when I did it all myself.

[Brian d marge]

Yes, it takes more time to do the working drawings than it does to model it. And you need to know the shop that's doing it, the gear they've got and the guys doing it.

When I were a nipper I got handed a drawing, by a pro engineer, (not the app) showing a bearing in a cast housing. You'd have had to cast it in, there was no way to machine the cavity, no way in hell. The boss was mortified, here was some jumped up apprentice telling him his design office was crap. With evidence. Nowadays I attribute ability by my experience with the source, not by it's qualifications.

I can never bring myself to charge full price for the working drawings bit, guess I'm just too used to missing that step our when I did it all myself.

At least you get to speak to a real person , I just get a bot in Holland saying "non manifold cannot load drawing "

pen and paper , oh how I miss you

Stephen

[Brian d marge]

Bit like some of the panel beating jobs i have seen!



And done....:facepalm::shit:

My wife is quite good at panel beating, very creative she is to

Stephen

[ducatilover]

My wife is quite good at panel beating, very creative she is to

Stephen

Nothing like a wife special.....:facepalm:

[Flip]

It might just be the Scotts in me coming out but I just hate paying some one to do a job I do myself.

I have done up 2 houses, restored 3 cars and half a dozen bikes. I am a mechanical engineer by qualification and a fitter by trade, so I have a foot in both camps the theoretical and practical. About the only things I don't like doing is terminating a switch board and doing wall papering.

I have from time to time taken my bike/car in for servicing but only when I did not have the time to do it myself.

[jasonu]

I only read the manual after I've spent at least an hour (and sometimes half a day) swearing and hitting it with a hammer....

I do the 'google' thing before reading the manuel. Doesn't always work out though.

[The Stranger]

My wife is quite good at panel beating, very creative she is to

Stephen

As I mentioned to someone the other day after his wife had been panel beating again - thank christ cars aren't hexagonal.

[R-Soul]

I rebuilt a 1965 SWB Land rover when I was younger, over three years, in the bush. I feel I have nothing to prove to anyone. The wife does...

Also, the DIY shops (mitre 10, bunnings, etc) in this place make DIY more bloody expensive than going to a tradie! There is one monopoly that NEEDS to be broken - for the sake of this country's manliness.

[Swoop]

> They also pointed out that only 32 per cent of men under 25 were able to fix the last practical dilemma they had in their home compared with 83 per cent of over 55s.
The problem is that playbox and X-station have not come out with a "DIY game" for the younger generation yet...:facepalm:

Also, the DIY shops (mitre 10, bunnings, etc) in this place make DIY more bloody expensive than going to a tradie! There is one monopoly that NEEDS to be broken
The "MEGA" stores did that quite well. Moving into an area and seriously undercutting the established stores so they closed down. Once that happened they upped their prices.