DIY is dead.

[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 ) 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:Me]

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:Me]

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

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....

[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