HandyPerson

[mik]

I watched the Mike Brewer interview with Jonny Smith on teh choob. I can't recall exactly what he said at one point, but it was something along the lines of "cars are all I've ever known - I can do XXX or YYY, but I can't put up a shelf in the house".

Which popped into my head again at the weekend as I commenced pulling our not-turning tumble dryer apart, to find the belt hanging completely loose because the idler roller (which provides the tension on the belt) had melted and broken apart. (I understand they don't lube the pin the idler runs on, so yeah....replacement will get a sniff of grease).

It's very much dependent on having appropriate tools available, but I'll happily attempt to fix most things. Jobs on the car(s) tend to be limited by time more than capability - I don't generally want to spend a full weekend under a car doing a significant repair - too many other things to be doing). I'll put up shelves, fix locks, do tiling and plumbing shizzle, but I have never had experience of proper building, so I'm unlikely to be found constructing a shed from from bits of wood etc.

[Jobbo]

I do far more in the house than on the car. Car stuff often requires special tools, it seems to me, plus being under a dirty car in the cold has no appeal.

[Ascender]

I started to do things like brakes on cars, but had the experience most people do where you end up needing to pop to the shops for one tool... then another... then another... But then you have all the tools so it's nice and easy next time. I'd have been up for doing a lot more if I had the space - that's one reason the 996 was just the right car at the wrong time.

I've been doing more about the house - changing shower; plugs; lights; made a gazebo thing and an outdoor office etc. Same rules applied though, things like the outdoor structures were so much easier once I had the right tools. I've ended up making a lean-to for drying kit, a wood store etc.

All so much more fun that sitting in front of a computer.

[dinny_g]

I won't fix anything on my cars as I've no specialist training, knowledge or understanding of what to do and I'd rather not be doing 70 mph on the motorway in a machine that's been worked on by... well... me.

I'm handy enough around the house. I'll turn my hand to most DIY tasks. I'll change plugs and light switches but that's my limit as far as leccy goes. Gas is obviously off limits as is anything drain related.

[simon_g]

I'll have a go at most house things - thanks to youtube you can usually find an example of someone doing exactly that, or at least close enough to figure it out. Tumble dryer and dishwasher have both been in bits in the last year, and will be redoing the bathroom in Jan.

Used to do a lot of car jobs myself when I had time/space/hardstanding and before I got a job that meant I had to drive all over the place in a newish car. I do bits and bobs myself on our old JDM bus just because the specialist for them is over an hour away and not found a good local place. Still dreaming of building a double garage at the end of the garden with a lift that I can potter away in but really there's too many house jobs to do before then.

[ZedLeg]

I will give most things ago, I never fix anything in our house though, as we rent and that's what we pay the landlord for

I'm pretty handy around the house and with cars if I say so myself.

[McSwede]

I enjoy working on cars, providing it isn't too serious and I'm happy to do stuff to a similar level in my home.

[Zonda_]

I used to do quite a lot of work on the cars but since the hand operations I can’t manage it.

[Mito Man]

Car wise I will tackle most things if there's a guide for it and it can be done in a weekend as I need my cars. I'm not competent enough to just pull anything to bits and replace it. The more agricultural/plant stuff is ok as you get a few hundred page workshop manual which covers everything comprehensively so its just like working on Lego, with a bit more swearing and skinned knuckles. Don't think I'll ever do something as in-depth as pull out an engine or a gearbox though.

House wise I'm handy. Drop me off on a wooded island with just a square, chainsaw, alaskan mill and some nails and I'll have a house up in no time

[Beany]

I'll change a rocker cover gasket, but not a head gasket.

I'll change disks and pads, but I won't make/flare my own brake lines.

Basically I won't touch anything that could reasonably result in me killing myself or the car in short order. I also don't fuck with coil springs if I can help it

[Delphi]

Over the years I've done most things house and car related (except building of brick walls). For car stuff, my limitation is (or was) facilities and time. Planning on getting a Quick Jack or similar which will mean there won't be much I'll not be able to tackle now I've got a bigger garage. Lately, I'm finding car tinkering a means of relaxation as well as a hobby.

House stuff, I just don't have the time (and I'm finding as I'm getting older, the energy) to do a full day of work then tackle a bathroom or a kitchen. With the current house, I've replaced taps, switches and plug sockets, put up shelves etc. I'll sort all the decking out in the summer too. But these days it's easier and quicker to get someone in than it is for me to start doing bits of a project evenings and weekends.

[jamcg]

Can you add an option of “professional tradesman. I do this shit for a living”

[Broccers]

I pay people to do things properly.

[V8Granite]

Everything from building walls, plumbing and electrical but I never do the final electrical connections. I pay someone to check that and sign it off officially.

I hate painting though and don’t touch bodywork at all, I’m very picky with bodywork and most paint shops I’ve seen I’m not impressed by their work.

Dave!

[mik]

Can you add an option of “professional tradesman. I do this shit for a living”

<Sucks air through teeth>

Yeah I guess, but…. It’s not going to be cheap.

[dinny_g]

I pay people to do things properly.

As I’ve got older, I do the same if I’m honest. Even the simple stuff like painting. It isn’t that expensive to get a painter in and my time is worth more to me these days.

[Carlos]

I enjoy a bit of light spannering, brakes, service items, light repairs but haven't had anything to do since 2013 ish !

What SJ and Harry do is way beyond what I want and to be clear, able to do.

The Haynes manual I had for my Merc S202 C200 was brilliant. I remember repairing the foot parking brake using a exploded diagram and a spring was available from Merc for about £2. I suspect you'd need to buy a £250 assembly for a newer car !

[Mito Man]

I'm currently spending a few hours most evenings painting my flat, Absofuckinglutely hate it but it's London so it's a pretty small flat and it's less annoying than paying a shit painter £2000 and then being annoyed at a less than decent job. I've actually spent a whole 5 minutes unscrewing/removing the fixtures and fittings before starting each room.
Also means I've spent some time looking at various home interior designs and picked some different colours rather than having everything in brilliant white.

[Marv]

I'm Somewhere between 2,3,7,8 and 9

[duncs500]

I take on what I consider to be low risk tasks in terms of both car and house. However, my work is usually pretty agricultural (I think I get fed up and end up rushing), so if I need anything requiring a bit of finesse or actual skill I tend to outsource.